China holiday
| country: | China |
| location: | Sichuan, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departs once a week most weeks throughout the year |
| price: | From £1855 (21 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 2 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Discover all the wonder and beauty of fascinating China, a nation that is known as one of the oldest and greatest on earth. The depth of China's character has arisen through its extraordinary evolution from the ancient realm of the emperors, through the turbulent years of revolution, and into its rapid modernisation in the 21st century. This comfortable tour explores the captivating culture, stunning countryside, vast history, ancient archaeological sites and vibrant cities that make up this rapidly evolving land.
day-by-day itinerary
| Days 1-2: | Hong Kong. Discover vibrant Hong Kong, a city that's characterised by culture and glamour. Shop up a storm at Temple Street and Stanley Market, get absorbed in the city's many museums or cruise across Victoria Harbour aboard the Star Ferry. |
| Days 3-4: | Yangshuo. Admire the green-topped limestone peaks towering majestically over the trickling Li River en route to picturesque Yangshuo. Discover the region's gastronomic delights at the market, then master traditional techniques in a cooking class. |
| Days 5-6: | Chengdu. Make a friend at a giant panda research base. Visit the gardens and temples of Chengdu, perhaps taking time out in an atmospheric teahouse or attending a Sichuan opera. |
| Days 7-9: | Yangzi River. Starting from Chongqing, board a relaxing cruise down the legendary Yangzi River, taking in the Three Gorges on the way to Yichang. |
| Days 10-11: | Shanghai. From art deco to ultra-modern, discover this city's eclectic style on an orientation walk. Peruse the Shanghai Museum's exquisite collection of Chinese bronzes, visit the magnificent Yuyuan Gardens and be wowed by an amazing acrobatic performance. |
| Days 12-13: | Hangzhou. This beautiful city is renowned for its lakes, temples, tea and cuisine. Spend an afternoon exploring the famous West Lake by boat. |
| Days 14-17: | Xi'an. See the sights on an orientation walk. Wander the vibrant Muslim Quarter and perhaps visit the peculiar Small Goose and Big Goose pagodas before finishing the day with a tasty dumpling banquet. Visit the 6,000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors. |
| Days 18-21: | Beijing. Wander Tiananmen Square, see the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, then stroll along the Great Wall. Conclude this unforgettable adventure with a sumptuous Peking duck feast. |
travellers' tales
The walk along the Great Wall was terrific. Also the cycle ride in the country and Terracotta army of course were the highlights. (more)
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!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip you are joined by a leader and many local guides along the way who are always eager to share their country and culture, and help you break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
During our stay in Xian, you will have the opportunity to visit Huiling, a Chinese-run charity which provides support and education for young adults with disabilities. Lunch is provided and the students are always very excited to perform some traditional dances and show off their skills. 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. |