Cultural tours to China
| country: | China |
| location: | Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs selected Mondays between April and December |
| price: | From £900 (24 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $450. Price includes accommodation (18 nts), overnight trains (4 nts), camping (1 nt) and 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner. All departure dates are guaranteed |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The magic of the Middle Kingdom is revealed on this fantastic trip to China's hotspots. Imagine yourself walking along the Great Wall, gazing at the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors and trekking one of the world's deepest gorges. Perhaps you would like to explore modern and ancient capitals, sample local specialities or meet some of China's many ethnic minorities? Well, you have the opportunity to experience all that and more on this magical journey.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-4: | Beijing. Stand atop the Great Wall of China and ponder the might of the Middle Kingdom. |
| Day 5-7: | Zhongwei/Yellow River. 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, visiting Zhongwei offers a chance to call in at the eclectic Gao Miao Temple. Later, jump on a camel and safari into the Tennger Desert to camp among the dunes. |
| Day 8-10: | Xi'an. Wander through the Muslim Quarter in the walled city of Xi'an. The nearby Terracotta Warriors are testament to the glory of past ages. |
| Day 11-13: | Chengdu. Take time out in a legendary 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 back streets. |
| Day 15-16: | Lijiang. Step back in time in the Old Quarter of Lijiang, where Naxi women sell their wares. |
| Day 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 by the banks of the Yangzi. |
| Day 19-20: | Zhongdian. High on the Tibetan plateau sits China's self-proclaimed Shangri-La, a town where you can meet the monks at Ganden Sumtseling Gompa Monastery. |
| Day 21-22: | Dali. Explore the early morning markets, where the Bai people sell their mix of weird and wonderful goods against a background of snow-capped mountains. |
| Day 23-24: | Kunming. Learn about Kunming's 2,000 year history at the many museums or visit the Tang Dynasty pagodas. |
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. |