Treasures of China

15 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 14 photos
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
On this fast-paced adventure we explore China's many highlights, from a section of the impressive Great Wall to Xian's Terracotta Army. Cruise through the Three Dams on a Yangtse River Cruise and on the Li River to peaceful Yangshuo before finishing off in modern Shanghai. Beijing- Walk through Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City. Walk on the Great...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cruise through the spectacular 'Three Gorges'
    • Meet the Panda's at Chengdu and the Terracotta Warriors in Xian
    • Experience the buzz of cosmopolitan Shanghai

What's this trip about?

    On this fast-paced adventure we explore China's many highlights, from a section of the impressive Great Wall to Xian's Terracotta Army. Cruise through the Three Dams on a Yangtse River Cruise and on the Li River to peaceful Yangshuo before finishing off in modern Shanghai. Beijing- Walk through Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City. Walk on the Great Wall at Mutianyu Xian -See the impressive Terracotta army of Qin Shi Huang and wander the streets of the Muslim Quarter Yangtse River Cruise - Float through the mesmerising Chinese countryside in comfort.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age range30 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBeijing
End CityShanghai

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • River Cruise
  • Sailing
  • Trains & Rail
  • Trekking

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Beijing

Arrive in Beijing; China's capital and its political and cultural centre. The city has been the capital for most of the period since Kublai Khan made it the capital of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s. All clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time d...

Meals Provided :
None

Day 2 Take a walk on the Great Wall

Today we drive out to a renovated part of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, situated 90km north of the city. Began in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it and many lie buried in its brick and stone ramparts. It is incredible to ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 3 Discover the Forbidden City and take the sleeper train to Xian

Our journey begins today with a drive to the impressive expanse of Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, covering some 40 hectares and enclosed on all sides by memorials to the past and present. After visiting the square we will cross to the magnificent Forbidden Ci...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 4 Explore the Muslim Quarter of Xian

We arrive in Xian this morning and after taking breakfast at the hotel we begin to explore. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe. Its ancient monuments include the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (64...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 5 Meet the famous Terracotta Warriors and travel by bullet train to Chengdu

Today we visit one of the highlights of any visit to China - the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 6 Visit the Panda Research Centre and take the bullet train to Chongqing

This morning we drive to the Panda Research Centre to see the animal synonymous with China. Operational since 1990, the centre covers an area of some 92 acres and is home to a many Giant Pandas, who roam in their large leafy enclosures. The ultimate aim of the centre ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 7 Board a cruise boat on the Yangtse River

This morning we visit the cliff sculptures at Baoding Shan (Precious Summit Hill). It is fascinating to wander beside the many brightly painted images carved into the rock face, amongst the most impressive of which is an enormous reclining Buddha, 31m long and 5m high...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 8 Sail down the Yangtse and visit to the Ghost City of Fengdu

Today is spent relaxing on board as the scenery of the Yangtse drifts by. During the journey the boat will stop and visit Shibaozhai, the Precious Stone Fortress, a dramatic 9 storey temple set at the top of a 20o m tall cliff. In the afternoon the boat will make a s...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Cruise through Qutang and Wu Gorges before experiencing the Three Gorges Dam ship elevator

Our journey will take us 193km through the 'Three Gorges', each one spectacular in its own way. The first is Qutang Gorge which is only 8 km long. This was always considered a treacherous but necessary part of the river as it was the only way to reach Sichuan province...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 Disembark and take a train to Guilin

This morning we enter the eastern section of the final of the three gorges, Xiling. Once renowned for its fast flowing rapids but now tamed by the Three Gorges Dam we'll cruise by as we have breakfast and disembark the cruise. We will then transfer to Yichang East train station and take a the bullet train to Guilin. We arrive in the early evening and check in to our hotel.

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 11 Sail down the Li River to Yangshuo

After breakfast we head to the MoPanShan Dock where we board our boat on the Li River and cruise to Yangshuo. Lunch is taken aboard the boat during the journey as we pass along the most scenic stretch of the river. We will pass paddy fields, villages and stunning lime...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast & Lunch

Day 12 A free day to explore the relaxed town of Yangshuo

Yangshuo has a lot to offer so the day is left free for you to explore at your own pace. You can walk into the surrounding karst summits or hire a bike and cycle through country back lanes. Alternatively, you can soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful riverside town...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 13 Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai

Departing Yangshuo we drive to Guilin where we board a flight to Shanghai. Shanghai is one of Asia's most vibrant and dynamic cities. It began as a fishing village in the 11th century, but after the end of the first opium war and of the five newly opened treaty ports ...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 14 Visit Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple and walk the Bund

Today we make a city sightseeing tour to visit the famous Jade Buddha temple with its white jade statues, continuing on to the 16th Century Yu Yuan Gardens. We also visit the museum which houses some very good examples of Ming pottery. In the evening you may wish to see the city's world famous troupe of acrobats (optional).

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Day 15 Trip ends in Shanghai

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Shanghai. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Shanghai at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like...

Meals Provided :
Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,290
Price per day$286
Last Updated: 4/10/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,427
Great
3,358
Average
527
Disappointing
158
Terrible
80
G

Graham

Nov 2019

Written on

Overall the trip was very good

No, overall the trip was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it apart from the overnight train. The flight booking fiasco was a frustration before departure but that...

J

Judy

Nov 2019

Written on

We appreciated the size and well balanced

We appreciated the size and well balanced composition of our gro...

D

David

Sep 2019

Written on

Great trip

Great trip. Learned a lot about China and looking forward to building on this now we are back. Great food, fascinating itinerary and a truly superb guide. Thank you ...

D

David

Sep 2019

Written on

Great trip. Learned a lot about China

Great trip. Learned a lot about China and looking forward to building on this now we are back. Great food, fascinating itinerary and a truly superb guide. Thank you ...

C

Carol

Sep 2019

Written on

Our group of 18 were one of

Our group of 18 were one of the best Explore groups I've travelled with. I think we 'behaved' well in that we always turned up on time or even early, and we got on ...

Write a Review

Other Explore! Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Efficient, timely and cordial

Quick to answer the phone

T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Upgraded - Discover Vietnam

Great locations and a fantastic guide

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Flight, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Flight, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
China: A visa is required by all nationalities. A single entry visa should be arranged in advance of travelling. From 1st November 2018, British Passport Holders will be required to present themselves in person at the Chinese Visa Processing Centre in London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast on the day of application, to provide biometric information (fingerprints). Appointments can be booked and forms completed via www.visaforchina.org In order to apply for your Chinese visa you will need to submit supporting documents from our local supplier confirming your itinerary and travel arrangements, which we will obtain on your behalf. So that we can provide this for you, and to ensure all local arrangements are in place, we require a copy of your passport no later than 8 weeks before you are due to start your trip. Once we have your passport copy we shall process and pass on the documents you require 6-8 weeks before your trip, please be mindful of this when applying for your visa. If you require the supporting documents earlier than this, please contact Explore so we can arrange this. Passengers wishing to extend their stay in China should be aware that current visa regulations only allow foreigners to stay in the country for up to 30 days. Please consider this when planning your trip. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Passengers with flights that transit via Beijing or Shanghai airports (Beijing Capital International airport, Shanghai Pudong International airport and Hongqiao International airport) should take note of the following: Citizens of certain countries holding a valid passport, a visa for their final destination and a transit flight ticket with a confirmed departure seat and date leaving within 72 hours to a third country (region), may be exempt from a transit visa, provided that their stay within the Beijing or Shanghai administrative regions does not exceed 72 hours. On arrival at Beijing or Shanghai Airports please head for immigration and look for a desk marked Transit Visa Exemption. Please have all your necessary travel documentation on you such as your onward tickets, passport etc. as you will need to show this to the immigration officer. Please ensure you state to the immigration officer that you want to transit without visa. This is especially important if you do not want your Chinese visa to be invalidated. You will then be given a stamp called a transit pass (Hexagon Shape) rather than the normal regular immigration stamp (Oval Shaped). Please refer to your local Chinese Consulate for a list of countries that are eligible for the 72 hour transit visa exemption within Beijing and Shanghai airports. Nationalities that are not eligible for exemption may need to obtain a double entry visa and should seek further advice from their local Chinese Consulate. Please ensure that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of return to your home country. All visa information is subject to change regularly, so please check with your local consulate for the most up to date advice for the countries you are visiting.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, infectious hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to take immunisation against Japanese Encephalitis. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 14
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 3
Age Requirements
30 years and up
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
explore-YR

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save

Popular Trips

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!