SEMI INDEPENDENT: Uncover the delights of China’s vibrant cities and pristine landscapes on this 9 day tour from Hong Kong to Chengdu. Cruise along the Yulong River and marvel at the dramatic karst limestone peaks of Yangshuo, get close to China’s emblematic giant panda and other rare creatures at Chengdu’s Panda Research Centre and marvel at the Hong Kong Skyline. A great mix of included sightseeing and free time for you to explore independently!
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to China!
Upon your arrival in vibrant Hong Kong, make your own way to the hostel. At 16:30pm you'll meet your tour leader and group for a trip briefing.
Your tour leader will then take the group to Victoria Peak for incredible panoramic views of the city below, and a chance to watch the sunset over the skyline. Afterwards, head to Tsim Sha Tsui, where you’ll watch the ‘Symphony of Light’ show from the Avenue of Stars.
Conclude your first day with a visit to Temple Street Night Market. This bustling market has plenty of options to choose from, and your tour leader can help with the best recommendations for a late dinner!
Overnight: Hong Kong
Hong Kong to Yangshuo
Hong Kong - Yangshuo. Early this morning, we make our way to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station where we board a bullet train to Guilin in mainland China. Arriving in Guilin we board a private bus to Yangshuo where we check-in to our hostel. The rest of the evening is at leisure to explore the town and try some of the local delicacies including beer fish, a must try.
Overnight: Yangshuo
Exploring Yangshuo
Yangshuo is a picturesque town, surrounded by dramatic karst mountains and known for its outdoor adventure opportunities. Day 3 is at leisure, with three available optional activities including a Chinese cooking class, kayaking along the Li River or a Chinese therapy experience, where you can enjoy traditional hot cupping.
Day 4 sees us heading out to enjoy some included activities. We start the day with a bike ride before transferring to bamboo rafts to cruise down the Yulong River. You can either enjoy the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city or take part in a couple of optional activities which are a trip to Moon hill and cave complex featuring mud baths and hot springs and an evening Karaoke trip or night out.
Day 5 is free to continue exploring independently. However, there are a couple of optional activities that you could join. These include a highly recommended rock climbing trip and a visit to a local village to experience what life is like there.
Overnight: Yangshuo
Yangshuo to Chengdu
Yangshuo - Chengdu. This morning we leave beautiful Yangshuo and our tour leader behind and board the train to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province and home to the largest and best-known Panda breeding and research centre. After approximately 7 hours we arrive in Chengdu and are met by our local tour guide and make our way to our hostel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Chengdu
Discovering Chengdu
On day 7 we take a short drive out of town to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, to visit China's animal emblem. We spend time exploring the grounds and watching the pandas munch on bamboo. We can also see other endangered animals including red pandas, golden monkeys and more. We visit the panda nursery and get close to the new born or infant pandas. In the afternoon we learn some useful Mandarin phrases in a brief lesson with our tour leader. The rest of the evening is free to relax. For those looking for an authentic experience, there is the optional trip to a traditional Sichuan Opera & Culture show.
Day 8 is at leisure to explore Chengdu, and perhaps wander down Jinli street or explore the Tibetan districts. There is also the option activity which takes us to Leshan to see the worlds largest stone Buddha. Returning to Chengdu the rest of the day is either at leisure or you can take part in an optional trip for a hot pot dinner, a must try in Chengdu.
Overnight: Chengdu
Saying Goodbye
If you prefer a leisurely morning, your day can begin at your own pace. Alternatively, you can join an optional visit to a rehabilitation centre for children with autism. In the early afternoon, we wrap up our time in Chengdu with an optional visit to Jinli & Chengdu People’s Park. We enjoy scenic spots like the Gold Water Stream, Goldfish Island, and the Potted Landscape Garden. We can take part in activities such as sailing on the artificial lake, sipping tea in the lakeside teahouse, and witnessing various exhibitions and performances on Rockery Square. As the afternoon unfolds, our 9-day China tour comes to an end and it's time to head home!
Is this holiday for you?
If you’re the kind of traveller that doesn’t mind time spent travelling independently on public transport and sharing a mixed dorm room with other travellers, then this trip will suit you just fine. There’s plenty of free time on this tour so it’s a great option if you like to explore a city at your own leisure.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Dorm' prices shown are based on mixed dormitory rooms. There is also a 'Twin/Double' room upgrade and a 'Single' room upgrade for solo travellers. 'Twin/Double' room upgrades are based on two people travelling together and are subject to availability.
Extra Prices
At a Glance
