Take a journey like no other. This is your chance to see the classical sights, and also explore a different side of this beautiful country – be it from the back of a bicycle; on a hike through serene countryside, or a walk through buzzing city streets.
Our China Trailblazer tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Hike on the winding Jinshanling Section of one of the words modern wonders
Come face to face with the enigmatic Terracotta Warriors
Spend four nights cruising along one of China's most famous rivers
Excite your taste buds with a breakfast walking tour
Our China Trailblazer Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Hike amongst the unique beauty of the Longji rice terraces, where you’ll not only get to marvel at the intricately-carved landscapes but experience the rural life and meet some of China's minority hilltribe communities.
Soar up to the heights of the Great Wall by cable car and watch a beautiful sunset in one of the world's most spectacular locations.
Get your adrenaline pumping, making your way over the magnificent scenery of dense bamboo forest on Jinji's breathtaking suspended rope bridge.
This tour is designed for those who wish to further immerse themselves in the authentic charm of China and take part in more cultural and active experiences. This tour is also suitable for those who wish to take a Yangtze River Cruise.
Fly to Beijing, China's historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
This morning visit Yandaixiejie where you will have some free time to wander the hutongs. These narrow alleys offer an authentic glimpse of the old Beijing before the emergence of high-rise buildings and modern commerce. Visit the Temple of Heaven and mingle with the locals. Continue to the Summer Palace and explore the magnificent grounds, before taking a short hike up Longevity Hill to enjoy panoramic views. Stop for a photo at the Olympic Stadium.
Stroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Walking through this ornately designed complex offers an unsurpassed insight into China's colourful past. Drive to Simatai Great Wall where you will sail up to the apex of the Wall by cable car to see the sunset.
Travel to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a section that is much less frequented by tourists than other parts. The stark yet magnificent surroundings allow you to put yourself in the shoes of those who walked this incredible structure hundreds of years ago. Your trek will last approximately four hours as the wall dramatically courses through spectacular landscapes and rugged terrain. Later, head back to Beijing and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Fly to Xian, the ancient former capital. Explore the narrow and winding streets of the Muslim Quarter which are lined with Islamic food stalls. The evening is at leisure.
Housed in three immense hangars, the ranks of the Terracotta Army stand sentinel in their subterranean necropolis, constructed to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife. Spend the morning gazing over the ranks of warriors and horses, each one unique, whilst your guide introduces you to these life-like soldiers' fascinating story. Also visit the workshop to see where the warriors are intricately created. Continue to the ancient city wall for a cycle on the fortifications surrounding the heart of the city. In the evening, enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings.
Board the bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.
Travel by road to Pingle ancient town. Dating back to the Han Dynasty, Pingle was a stopping point on the Tea Horse Road. Take time to walk through its maze of tea-house-lined streets before seeing the bamboo forest from above on Jinji suspended rope bridge. Later, return to Chengdu.
Visit one of the world's finest panda conservation centres where you will gain a real insight into the hard work that goes into caring for and boosting the population of this endangered species. The pandas here are kept in conditions very close to their natural habitat. Next, ascend Mount Qingcheng, the most sacred Taoist mountain in China, by cable car and take in the surrounding landscape. Enjoy a stroll among the mystic scenery of Yuecheng Lake before returning to Chengdu.
Fly to Yichang and board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, home for the next four nights.
Visit The Three Gorges Dam which showcases a massive feat of engineering. As you cruise upstream, nature takes over revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next few days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream, as well as various shore excursions.
Disembark in Chongqing and then board the bullet train to the beautiful city of Guilin. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Travel to the misty, stepped hills of Longji. Today's four-hour hike among the terraces will take you past small hamlets and picture-postcard views of the rice terraces which cover the landscape in intricate patterns. Later, return to Guilin.
Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to the charming town of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen. This evening, there is an option to be wowed by the light spectacular 'Liu Sanjie'.
Start the day with an invigorating session of tai chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. This afternoon, there is the option of riding a bicycle through the countryside or joining a bamboo rafting trip along the Yulong River before driving back to Guilin.
Enjoy a stroll around the picturesque Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon pagodas– two towering examples of traditional Chinese– Buddhist architecture. Visit the pearl factory, then fly to Shanghai. This evening, cruise down the Huangpu River being serenaded by the neon lights of Pudong.
Wake up to the buzz of Shanghai and take a breakfast walking tour between shimmering skyscrapers and traditional streets. Walk through the city's most fascinating districts before enjoying breakfast as the locals do – sample pancakes, fried bread sticks and tofu. Visit the classical Yu Garden, the old town and a silk factory before taking an evening stroll along the Bund. Enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Shanghainese cuisine.
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
The 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown is very well connected across the city, with easy access to the city centre and multiple transport links. The elegant and spacious guests rooms offer free internet access and satelite TV.
A short distance from Xian's historic old town, the 4-star Lanxi International hotel features a terrace for you to enjoy, as well as an indoor pool and hot tub. The modern guest rooms offer a private bathroom, desk and flat screen TV.
The 4-star Xinliang Hotel is located in the heart of Chengdu, just a short distance from some of the cities key attractions. The hotel's interior was inspired by Bashu culture and blended with a modern charm. Enjoy the recreational facilities available to you, including a sauna and steamroom designed for escapism and relaxation.
The 5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel in Guilin is the home of a Guinness world record making artificial waterfall which offers a stunning welcome. With beautiful views of Shanhu Lake or Guilin City, the elegant rooms offer spacious bathrooms and cable TV.
In the centre of Yangshuo, the 4-star Elite Garden Hotel offers spacious guest rooms designed and decorated to make you feel at home, all equipped with free internet access, complimentary bottled water and a coffee machine. The private bathrooms include both bath and shower facilities.
A short distance from Shanghai's major tourist attractions, the 5-star Jinjiang Huating hotel offers elegant guest rooms with large windows providing views of Shanghai. This beautiful hotel is home to the rooftop Moon View Restaurant, offering breathtaking city views and exquisite Chinese dishes.
Places Visited: Australia - Beijing (3N) - Gubei Water Town (1N) - Xian (2N) - Chengdu (3N) - Yangtze River Cruise (4N) - Guilin (2N+1N) - Yangshuo (1N) - Shanghai (2N) – Australia
All of our tour departures (Excluding Antarctica and Australia tours) include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
With our Book with Confidence guarantee you have peace of mind with low deposits, free changes and extended final payment. Plus, find a tour with the same inclusions cheaper and we will match it AND give you a reward. See full terms and conditions.
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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
