Cultural tours to China
| country: | China |
| location: | Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2010: 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 30 Aug, 13 Sep, 27 Sep, 11 Oct, 8 Nov 2011: 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 27 Jun |
| price: | From £955 (24 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The magic of the Middle Kingdom is revealed on this fantastic trip to China's hotspots. Gaze at the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors, trek one of the world's deepest gorges and, for a more offbeat Chinese highlight, plod on camel back into the golden sands of the Tengger Desert. With the chance to explore modern and ancient capitals, sample local specialties and learn about China's many ethnic minorities, travel off the beaten track and tap into the magic and spirit of China.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-4: | Beijing. Delve into the culture and sights of China's amazing capital. |
| Days 5-7: | Zhongwei. Get off the beaten track and head towards inner Mongolia. Situated on the Yellow River and surrounded by atmospheric desert, farmland and remnants of the Great Wall, Zhongwei also boasts the eclectic Gao Temple. Jump on a camel and plod through the Tengger Desert. Camp among the dunes under a blanket of stars. |
| Days 8-10: | Xi'an. Wander through the Muslim Quarter. An optional excursion to the nearby Terracotta Warriors offers a glimpse into the glory of past ages. |
| Days 11-13: | Chengdu. Take time out in a teahouse, come face to face with a panda or take in a Sichuan cultural performance. |
| Day 14: | Kunming. Modern Kunming has some excellent markets tucked away in its little backstreets that beg for an afternoon of browsing. |
| Days 15-16: | Lijiang. Step back in time in the old quarter of Lijiang, where Naxi women sell their wares. |
| Days 17-18: | Tiger Leaping Gorge. Pull on those walking boots to trek one of the world's deepest and most beautiful gorges. Stay in simple guesthouses high above the Yangzi. |
| Days 19-20: | Zhongdian. China's self-proclaimed Shangri-la sits high on the Tibetan plateau. Meet the monks at the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, or spend the afternoon cycling through rustic farmland. |
| Days 21-22: | Dali. Explore the early morning markets where the Bai people hawk their wares against a background of snow-capped mountains. |
| Days 23-24: | Kunming. Learn about Kunming's 2,000-year history at the many museums or visit the Tang dynasty pagodas to watch the locals play mah-jong. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
how this holiday makes a difference
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During our trip, the group leader and local guides take active steps to ensure our groups behave in an environmentally responsible manner. All travellers are given a responsible travel bag at the beginning of the trip as we have plenty of opportunities to shop at local markets and say no to plastic. We also encourage travellers to eat with a reusable set of chopsticks to avoid the waste of a throwaway pair at every meal.
This trip visits remote, off-the-beaten-track towns where we stay in simple but comfortable guesthouses and locally owned hotels. During the trekking we stop regularly at local cafes and restaurants. Spending money locally in this way helps benefit the local communities you will visit. We generally travel on local transport, including sleeper trains, which offer a fascinating experience, and a chance to get face to face with locals. During our stay in Xi’an, you will have the opportunity to visit Huiling, a Chinese-run charity which provides support and education for young adults with disabilities. We show our support for conservation in China by an included visit to the Giant Panda Reserve in Chengdu, where all money received from entrance tickets is put towards conservation of this endangered species through research, breeding, rescue and education. There are also plenty of opportunities to visit markets, whether to shop for a cooking class, bargain for a souvenir, or taste a local delicacy at a night market. These times give you a great opportunity to interact with the locals and enjoy the smells and colours of the country. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |