On arrival in Beijing you are transferred to your hotel, which is located in the southern part of the city. In the evening, you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant (cost included) – Peking Duck is often a popular choice.

Today we travel to Mutianyu, a more remote section of the Great Wall that is not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Standing on top of this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. We suggest you bring a solid pair of running or walking shoes - in places there is quite a lot of clambering around to be done, if you are feeling adventurous.

“Let’s go fly a kite!” Today we go kite flying in Tiananmen Square - children and adults alike will enjoy this fun-filled activity. Beijing offers endless opportunities for exploration. We explore three of the major attractions in this proud capital. The majestic Temple of Heaven. The awe inspiring Summer Palace. The enormous Forbidden City, built more than 500 years ago (it was off-limits to commoners for most of that time), is a truly amazing place. Its size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it more fascinating is that every square metre has a special point of interest, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. We leave Beijing tonight on the overnight train headed for Xian, travelling in soft-class, four-berth compartments. The 14-hour trip is a great opportunity for the group to get to know each other. It is also fun trying to communicate with some of the locals and your leader will prove to be invaluable as your translator.

Xian is a wonderful city to explore and the food options are excellent here, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese cafes. Widely regarded as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is rich in history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors introduces us to these amazing entombed statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, and even facial expression. They are stand in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, the great Qin Shihuang. Peasants digging a well only discovered the underground vault, which was home to this army for two millennia, in 1974. Xian also has a wonderful Muslim Quarter. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets, where we find quaint shops, lively markets, and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dimly-lit cafes. The Great Mosque here is one of the most important in China.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Guilin. On arrival we board our waiting vehicle and travel to Yangshuo, where we partake in a Chinese cooking class. Depending on our arrival time into Yangshuo this will be either a lunch or a dinner cooking class. We will first head out into the markets and buy our fresh produce to take back and cook up for lunch or dinner. Then we get to enjoy our meal!

Yangshuo is nestled amongst imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. It offers a relaxed and intimate alternative to the major cities of China and is an excellent place to explore by bicycle. We join one of our local friends and spend a few hours riding amidst the wonderful scenery in the surrounding countryside, including Moon Hill, and meet some of the inhabitants of the nearby villages. After finishing our bike ride we enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a local family’s house and make some new friends.

We enjoy a very relaxing day in Yangshuo, by taking a leisurely boat cruise on the Li River. Here, we get the opportunity to view the spectacular and beautiful scenery for which the area is famous. In the evening we head to the railway station in Guilin and board the overnight train to Guangzhou.

In the morning we arrive in Guangzhou, one of the most rapidly growing cities in China. This former fishing village has given way to a metropolis of gleaming glass skyscrapers. Our waiting vehicle takes us to the ferry terminal, where we board a boat for Hong Kong. On arrival in Hong Kong, you are transferred to your hotel. It is only a short walk from the hotel, situated on the Kowloon side near Nathan Road, to the harbour and waterfront for a spectacular night view of Hong Kong's harbour. There is a spectacular Sound and Light Show each evening, with the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island as a backdrop. This is usually between 8:00pm and 8:20pm, but we advise that you check with your hotel reception for up-to-date details.

The tour finishes after breakfast in Hong Kong. Pre-tour or post-tour accommodation is available in Beijing and Hong Kong respectively; please consult us or your travel agent for details. This would certainly allow time for additional exploration of Hong Kong, highly recommended if you have not visited this vibrant city before.