Explore China
12 Days Starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing
Visiting: Shanghai , Shanghai to Hangzhou, Hangzou , Hangzhou to Luoyang, Luoyang, Luoyang to Xi'an, Xi'an, Xi'an to Beijing, Beijing
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CBKS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Capture the spirit of China on this 12-day trip from Shanghai to Beijing. From fast-paced modern cities to the well-preserved remnants of a long and storied history, this adventure reveals the many sides of one of the world’s great cradles of civilisation. It’s important to contrast the big and the bold with quiet moments and real connections. That’s why the tour of the Terracotta Warriors finishes with lunch at a local family home and why time at Shaolin temple, the birthplace of kung fu, is contrasted with boisterous Beijing. Whether you’re scaling the Great Wall or sharing crispy Peking duck with your fellow travellers, this trip is packed with unforgettable moments.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Shanghai
Location: Shanghai
Accommodation: Kingtown Riverside Hotel Plaza - Shanghai
Nimen Hao! Welcome to Shanghai. Take a complimentary transfer to your hotel when you land and settle into your new surroundings before your welcome meeting at 6 pm. Here, you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Your evening is free after the welcome meeting – maybe head to the crown jewel of Shanghai skyscrapers, Shanghai Tower, for a bird’s eye view of the city or visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center. You can also consider heading out for a group dinner on your leader’s recommendation.
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Day 2: Shanghai
Location: Shanghai
Accommodation: Kingtown Riverside Hotel Plaza Shanghai
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today join your leader for a walking tour to historical Shanghai. Get a taste of 1920s Shanghai at the Bund – a spectacular array of art-deco style buildings lining what was once the most important financial street in Asia. Stop off at Yu Garden – a botanical garden crafted by Pan Yunduan in 1559 for his parents to enjoy in old age. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps stroll the tree-lined streets of the French Concession, visit one of the tranquil temples or indulge in a little shopping. Rejoin your group tonight for an included dinner of local specialties.
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Day 3: Shanghai To Hangzhou
Location: Shanghai to Hangzhou
Accommodation: Hangzhou comfort style hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
There are no activities planned this morning so you might want to catch some final Shanghai sights, like the Jade Buddha temple, before hopping on a train to Hangzhou in the mid-afternoon. As one of the seven ancient capitals of China, Hangzhou is home to many historic buildings and streets – learn more about these on your leader-led orientation walk. Later, perhaps wander Wulin Night market in pursuit of local snacks and souvenirs or stroll around West Lake.
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Day 4: Hangzou
Location: Hangzou
Accommodation: Hangzhou comfort style hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
As Hangzhou is known for its tea, start your day with the ultimate caffeine boost – a trip to a local tea farmer’s home. Learn about the farmer’s life growing up in the Dragon Well village while you sip on a mug of tea. If it’s harvest season, you might see a hands-on demonstration of how the tea is picked and processed. Then soak up the serenity of Lingyin Temple – a Buddhist haven believed to have been founded in AD 328, before enjoying a group lunch. Visit the West Lake after and see why the large waterway has inspired artists for centuries. Relax this evening with some free time.
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Day 5: Hangzhou To Luoyang
Location: Hangzhou to Luoyang
Accommodation: Luoyang Peony Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Travel to Luoyang this morning by bullet train – an exciting way to move around China. When you arrive at your new destination, your leader will help you get your bearings with a walk around the city. Luoyang was ancient China’s prosperous capital for many dynasties and archaeological digs of the surrounding countryside have unearthed some fascinating ancient treasures. After settling into your hotel, perhaps venture to the Old Town for dinner with the group.
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Day 6: Luoyang
Location: Luoyang
Accommodation: Luoyang Peony Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Admire incredible Chinese Buddhist art carved into caves during your morning visit to the Longmen Grottoes. Learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site as you explore some of the masterpieces with your leader. Then, travel to the legendary birthplace of kung fu – the Shaolin Temple. Before you explore this monastery, enjoy a vegetarian lunch with your group. After, discover how the martial art of kung fu has changed over the centuries and watch an athletic kung fu performance. Wander through the Pagoda Forest, where respected monks have been laid to rest in towering tombs since AD 791, before heading back to Luoyang.
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Day 7: Luoyang To Xi'an
Location: Luoyang to Xi'an
Accommodation: Xi'an Bell Tower Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Hop on another bullet train today to Xi’an – a city that served as the capital for many dynasties and kingdoms over the last 2500 years. Your leader will explain some of the rich history during your orientation walk – and you’re then free to explore the city as you wish. Maybe cycle around the ancient city wall or stop by the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. If you’re looking for a good spot for dinner this evening, consider visiting the Muslim quarter for delicious traditional dishes.
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Day 8: Xi'an
Location: Xi'an
Accommodation: Xi'an Bell Tower Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Hop on a bus this morning and visit Xi'an's most famous site – the Terracotta Warriors. When you arrive, you’ll hear all about this incredible archaeological find uncovered by farmers digging a well in 1976. These clay statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots standing in battle formation are believed to be commissioned by the Qin dynasty emperor as part of his mausoleum to protect him in the afterlife. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch nearby and return to city centre in the afternoon.
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Day 9: Xi'an To Beijing
Location: Xi'an to Beijing
Accommodation: Beijing Dongfang Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Get the bullet train to Beijing this morning and arrive in China’s capital in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is free – maybe check out 798 Art Zone – a collection of art galleries and cafes in an industrial complex, or Lama Temple – a place that was converted from Prince Yong’s residence to a Tibetan Buddhist temple after 50 years. You can also check out Jingshan Park and walk to the summit of the hill for one of the best viewpoints of the city. Perhaps check out Wangfujing Snack Street when you’re feeling hungry – a pedestrianised alley with stalls that offer an array of traditional Chinese delicacies, like fried scorpion and zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean sauce).
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Day 10: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Beijing Dongfang Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today you get to tick something big off the bucket list – a walk along the legendary Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Take a private bus to the Mutianyu section of the wall, a well-preserved part that was reconstructed during the Ming dynasty to protect against invasions from northern tribes. Spend some time exploring the military stronghold, including the three guard towers (Zhengguantai Tower). When returning, you can walk, hop on a cable car or take a toboggan ride – the latter is highly recommended!
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Day 11: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Beijing Dongfang Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Visit Tiananmen Square this morning and take in all the different monuments dotted around the plaza, like the Monument to the People’s Heroes and Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Walk through Tiananmen Gate and into the Forbidden City, former home of China’s imperial rulers. Discover its many palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Then, head to an area known for its hutongs (narrow streets and alleys) and explore the historic streets. Although Beijing is modernising rapidly (and its contemporary culture is a huge source of fascination), there are still some pockets to discover the nation's ancient roots. Enjoy a classic dinner tonight with perhaps the most well-known of all the capital's dishes – Peking Duck.
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Day 12: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. For those who wish to stay in Beijing, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (11Nights) -
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Shanghai - Leader-led Orientation Walk
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Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
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Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
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Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
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Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
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Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour
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Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
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Xiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
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Xiahe - Labrang Monastery (entrance fee, local guide)
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Shanghai - Leader-led walking tour
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
- Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
- Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
- Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour (entrace fee, transport, local guide included)
- Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
- Xiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
- Xiahe - Labrang Monastery (entrance fee, local guide)
- Xiahe - Tibetan family visit & lunch
- Xiahe - Sangke Grassland (transport included)
- Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall (entransce fee, transfer included)
- Beijing - Leader-led Hutong walking tour
- Beijing - Forbidden City (entrance fee included)
- Beijing - Beijing duck dinner
Transport
- CHINA TRAIN TRAVEL SECURITY
- When travelling by train in China you will need to pass through security checkpoints similar to those at airports. Please be aware that items that may be classified as ‘weapons’ might be confiscated (even from your suitcase), as all luggage travels in the compartment with you. We recommend leaving items that fall into this category (eg. pocket knives or scissors) at home. Aerosol spray bottles are not permitted on high-speed trains and can get confiscated at the station.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- HOTEL ROOMS:
- Some travellers have reported that hotels/accommodation in this region tend to have harder bed mattresses than those they are used to at home. You may like to request an extra quilt or bedding from the hotels if you find this an issue.
- SMOKING ROOMS:
- Smoking is prevalent in China and hotels generally do not offer specific non-smoking rooms. Larger hotels with central air conditioning will sometimes transport the smell of smoke between rooms. While we ask our hotels to ensure our rooms are well cleaned and ventilated well before occupation in some cases this is not possible, and the smell of smoke may linger. Please speak to your leader about the possibility of changing rooms if you encounter this.
- WIFI:
- WiFi is often available in hotel reception areas and sometimes in rooms. Your leader will be able to advise on the best places to get connected.
Important Information
- 1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport is required no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase your train and flight tickets.
- 3. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude – regardless of your age, gender, and fitness. If you have concerns, discuss this with your doctor before leaving.
- 4. While traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites like Google, Facebook, Instagram and others. You can consider getting a VPN for access to these websites before leaving if necessary.
- 5. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
Mode of Transport
- CHINA TRAIN TRAVEL SECURITY
- When travelling by train in China you will need to pass through security checkpoints similar to those at airports. Please be aware that items that may be classified as ‘weapons’ might be confiscated (even from your suitcase), as all luggage travels in the compartment with you. We recommend leaving items that fall into this category (eg. pocket knives or scissors) at home. Aerosol spray bottles are not permitted on high-speed trains and can get confiscated at the station.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
The best way to experience a place is by doing as the locals do – and in this case, that means using public transport such as trams, buses or metro at some locations. It’s better for the environment and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life - just be aware you may find yourself sharing a busy bus ride with local commuters. Train travel in China may not be entirely luxurious, but it's certainly one of the best ways to come face-to-face with the country and its people.
To see as much as possible, this trip includes some long journeys. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
You'll need a reasonable level of fitness for the Great Wall walk. Shoes with good support and grip are essential. There are many steps and slopes on the way, so be prepared for a tough climb in sections. You are free to walk as far as you want, and it is possible to reach the section we visit via cable car.
China’s world-class sites and experiences draw large numbers of local and international travellers. We recommend a little patience and comfortable shoes as you may need to wait before entering the more popular locations on your itinerary. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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