Explore China

12 days4.825 reviews
Explorer
From
GBP £2,390

Explore ancient temples and dazzling cities in the diverse northeast

Capture the spirit of China on this 12-day tour 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. We think it’s important to contrast the big and the bold with quiet moments and real connections. That’s why our tour of the Terracotta Warriors finishes with lunch at a local family home, and why we spend a few days in the Tibetan Buddhist town of Xiahe before tackling boisterous Beijing. Whether you’re scaling the Great Wall or sharing crispy Beijing (Peking) duck with your fellow travellers, this tour is packed with unforgettable moments.

Map of Explore China including China
Trip code: CBKS
Start
Shanghai, China
End
Beijing, China
Destinations
China
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
Days
12
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Comfort
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
This trip generates 95 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

Explore the Longmen Grottoes and wonder at the thousands of Buddha statues carved directly from the limestone cliffs, including the 17-metre-high Vairocana.

Take a spectacular walk along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and see towers that date back to the Ming dynasty about 600 years ago.

Fall in love with Chinese food during a vegetarian feast at a Buddhist temple, a home-cooked lunch with a family in rural Xi’an, a Beijing (Peking) duck dinner, and more.

Check out the mind-blowing Terracotta Army, then head to a local’s house for lunch and some insight into how life has changed since farmers discovered the vast mausoleum.

Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture with a two-day stay in Xiahe, an autonomous Tibetan region with a deeply ingrained Buddhist tradition centred around the legendary Labrang Monastery, without having to apply for a permit for Tibet.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Explore China including China

Inclusions and activities

Meals

11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights)

Included activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Shanghai - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
  • Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show
  • Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
  • Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
  • Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
  • 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
  • Beijing - Leader-led Hutong walking tour
  • Beijing - Forbidden City
  • Beijing - Beijing duck dinner

Optional activities
  • Shanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Shanghai - Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (entrance fee) - CNY180
  • Shanghai - Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Halll (entrance fee) - CNY30
  • Shanghai - Acrobat show - CNY280
  • Shanghai - Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket) - CNY150
  • Shanghai - Jing'an Temple (entrance fee) - CNY50
  • Luoyang - Luoyang Museum (entrance fee) - CNY40
  • Luoyang - Ancient Tombs Museum (entrace fee) - CNY20
  • Luoyang - White Horse Temple (entrance fee) - CNY35
  • Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
  • Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Beijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY60

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 (for example). 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.
  • This trip travels to altitudes of up to 3100 metres above sea level and as a result, some travellers can feel the effects of altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health.
  • In order to see as much as possible, this tour 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.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

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.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 25 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Sabrina · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 22 Oct 2024

Susanne · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 01 Oct 2024

JJ · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 28 Sep 2024

Loraine · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 29 Sep 2024

Eleazar · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 10 Sep 2024
Explore China
From
GBP £2,390