Beijing to Hong Kong

13 days (Beijing)

Destinations visited: China, Běijīng, World

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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A classic journey that takes in the 'must see' highlights of China.

This is essential China at its finest! Commencing in the grand capital Beijing, we marvel at the cities most renowned landmarks of Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City before exploring one of the great wonders of the world, The Great Wall. In Central China we arrive at Xian, to the spectacle of the famous Terracotta Warriors before wandering the exotic Muslim Quarter with its sesame oil factories, hidden mosques and delicious hand made noodle stalls. Travelling east, we explore the impressive city of Shanghai, set on the picturesque Bund where modern architecture coexists alongside ancient temples. For a change of pace we journey to rural Yangshou and immerse ourselves in its sublime landscape of limestone peaks that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. An overnight train brings us to our trips conclusion in the vibrant, fast paced city of Hong Kong.

Highlights

Visit to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing
Walk a remote section of the Great Wall
Discover Xian the traditional starting point of the Silk Road
View the Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shihuanga tomb
Stroll along the picturesque Bund of modern day Shanghai
Cruise through the sublime limestone peaks of rural Yangshuo
Experience Chinese cooking first hand at your very own cooking school
Be immersed in the vibrant bustle of Hong Kong

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Beijing

If you are arriving on the group flight you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. Please look for the World Expeditions welcome sign in the arrivals hall. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Beijing. There will be a group meeting in the hotel foyer at a time indicated in your final documents. Following, we have the option to head out to a local restaurant for our first taste of Chinese cuisine. Our hotel will be our base as we explore this fascinating city for the next four days. Beijing has been the dynamic capital since the 13th century and visiting the iconic sights located in this orderly city is like meandering through the pages of a history book.

Day 2 In Beijing

After breakfast we visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the worlds’ largest public square and is located only a short distance from our hotel. From here we enter the Forbidden City through the Gate of Heavenly Peace. After lunch we visit the Temple of Heaven (time permitting). After relaxing in the late afternoon we will make our way to the famous Chinese Acrobat Show. Set in an old theatre, the Acrobat Show is something to see as very talented young men and women enthrall the crowd with daring feats involving bicycles, dragons, swords and double-jointed body parts! We will also enjoy a

Day 3 Visit to The Great Wall

Today is the real treat as we travel to a beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. The Mutianyu Guan section is approximately a 2 hour drive outside of Beijing, slightly further than the popular and very busy Badaling Gate section. The Chinese say you must do your hair before visiting the Badaling section of the wall as you will no doubt meet someone you know. The Mutianyu section is renown for its Ming Dynasty Guard Towers and stirring views. The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the worlds most unusual and awesome sites. Commenced 2000 years ago, around 221B.C, it was built as a line of defence to keep out invaders, along the course of several thousand kilometres. The Emperor Qin Shihuang unified the various northern walls into the Great Wall we see today. We have the opportunity to walk along this section, quite often with no one else in sight, and appreciate the many watchtowers as well as the surrounding rolling hills. This evening we are treated to delicious Beijing Duck dinner.

Day 4 In Beijing, overnight train to Xian

For those who are keen, we rise early and travel to the Summer Palace. This huge area is punctuated by the picturesque Kunming Lake. Once a secluded resting place for the imperial court this collection of temples, gardens, pavilions and lakes is now one of the most visited places in all of Beijing. This afternoon we transfer to the train station for our overnight train journey to Xian in comfortable air-conditioned sleeper cabins.

Day 5 In Xian

This morning we arrive in Xian, the traditional starting point of the Silk Road. The old walled city of Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a vivid example of old and new China. The modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where old men can be seen smoking pipes and watching the world go by, as butchers pull their carcass laden carts and hawkers sell their wares. Following breakfast, we visit the famous Terracotta Warriors. These warriors stand in their thousands outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang where they were uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. Each warrior stands over 6 feet tall and has different features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers, others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one.

Day 6 In Xian, Overnight train to Shanghai

Following breakfast we will embark on a leisurely walking tour of the old city and Muslim Quarter. The city wall of Xian is one of the few cities in China where the old city walls are still standing. These walls were erected during the Ming Dynasty in 1370. We explore this historic structure before venturing amongst the small laneways and exotic smells of the Old Muslim Quarter. This area has been home to the cities Hui Community (Chinese Muslims) for centuries. To get to know this alternate side of Chinese culture we immerse ourselves in the butcher shops, sesame oil factories and hidden mosques that make this area so fascinating. In the evening we take a comfortable, air-conditioned sleeper train for an overnight journey to Shanghai.

Day 7 Arrive Shanghai, walking tour

Shanghai is known as the 'Paris of the Orient' and it is easy to see why. Long the place of quick fortune, opium and teahouses, Shanghai has a vibrant feel that seduces all travellers that pass through her gates. This morning after a leisurely breakfast we will embark on a full day walking tour of this cosmopolitan vibrant city. We will visit the Shanghai museum as well as the famous and spectacular Yu Garden. We also have the opportunity to wander through the old French quarter to view some of the wonderful architecture including the old art-deco apartments and the neo-classical mansions. The day will be interspersed with tasting the delicious snacks such as steamed dumplings with vinegar dipping sauce that can be found in the many teahouses, bazaars and markets throughout the town.

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Day 8 Free day in Shanghai

Today is free for independent exploration of this wonderful city. Spend the day strolling along the Bund, or take an afternoon river cruise to see the city from a different perspective. Alternatively, there is opportunity to take the half day old canal tour of Qubao known for its old canal town flavours.

Day 9 Guilin, transfer to Yangshou

In the morning we transfer to the airport and take a flight to the riverside city of Guilin. From here we transfer directly to the charismatic, colourful town of Yangshou. Yangshou is an idyllic town set amidst soaring limestone pinnacles on the banks of the Li River. The surrounding region is very beautiful, spotted with small villages and imposing karst rock formations. This area has long been the inspiration for generations of artists and poets. It is classed by many as the most spectacular area in the whole of China. The town itself has fantastic shopping and restaurants, and an extremely laid back ambiance.

Day 10 In Yangshou, visit to Moon Hill

This morning we have an easy optional bike ride around the countryside followed by a visit to the stunning Moon Hill which is set alongside the LI River. Moon Hill is a strange limestone pinnable with a crescent moon-shaped hole at the top. From the top of the hill there is a magnificent view of the layers of mountains and jigsaw landscape of rice paddies for which the region is famous. Make sure you have plenty of film as the view is incredible. In the afternoon we are treated to a lunch at a local farmers home!

Day 11 In Yangshou, Cooking School and Li River Cruise

An early start to the day with a visit to the local market to buy fresh ingredients for our morning’s cooking lesson. Set in a charming rural village about 25 minutes from town, the class is hands on and will help unlock some of the secrets of Chinese cuisine. Relax, sit back and then eat what you have cooked. After lunch we take a river cruise on the Li River o soak in the spectacular surrounding landscapes. We will visit an ancient village before returning to Yangshou. The more active of our group have the opportunity to walk the last 5km through small villages and huge rice fields.

Day 12 Transfer to Guilin, overnight train to Shenzen

This morning is free for independent exploration. Yangshou is a wonderful town for those who love “people watching”. Sit back and relax in one of the many popular cafes that dot the main street or take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful Li River. In the afternoon we transfer to Guilin for a comfortable, air conditioned sleeper train to Shenzen.

Day 13 To Shenzen, cross border to Hong Kong where trip concludes

We arrive in the Special Economic Zone of Shenzen in the morning. Shenzen is China’s riches city and has become so in just 20 years, before which it was a poor fishing village. Shenzen straddles the Hong Kong border and it is here that we cross the lively border teeming with transfers from mainland China to Hong Kong. Our trip concludes once over the border in Lo Wu (the Hong Kong side of the border). *Ask our staff for information on accommodation packages if staying on in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an intriguing, vibrant city well worth at least 2-3 days exploration. Best of all it is a very easy place to get around with an excellent transport system. Stay a while and take the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Park for the best views of Hong Kong; soak up the glittering skyline from the famous star ferry; try your hand at haggling in the Temple Street Markets or enjoy a “junk” boat ride to Lamma Island for a sumptuous seafood lunch.

Additional Information

Inclusions

12 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners including 1 Beijing Duck dinner
Internal flight Shanghai/Guilin valued at US$224
Expert bilingual guide
Medical kit
Comfortable hotels on a twin share basis
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
Private air-conditioned vehicles
Boat cruise on Li River
Yangshuo cooking school
Acrobatic show
Soft sleeper train between Beijing/Xian/Shanghai

Summary

9 night hotels
3 nights train

Trip Main Activities

Adventure Touring
Day Walking
Cruising

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Whilst there is no specific equipment for this journey a good pair of walking shoes is essential along with a day pack to carry your water bottle, camera and other personal items when sightseeing. A full gear list will be provided on booking.

What You Carry

You will need to be able to carry your own luggage for 5-10 minutes at a time on and off transport and to and from hotels.

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