China 2 week holiday by rail

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This itinerary is designed to minimize carbon emissions wherever possible. Domestic travel between Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Guilin uses high-speed trains, which are more sustainable than short-haul flights. Public transport is used in Beijing for city sightseeing, and walking is the main mode of exploration in hutongs, Longji Terraces, and along heritage trails, including hiking on the Great Wall of China. Cyclists also have the option to ride along the Xi’an City Wall, reducing reliance on private vehicles.

Most accommodations are locally owned hotels that employ local staff and follow basic environmental practices, including energy and water saving measures and recycling where possible. Local food is emphasized throughout the trip. Travelers enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family in Xi’an, and most included meals are prepared with regionally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian and plant-based options are available on all days, supporting lower-emission dining choices.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The trip actively supports protected sites and conservation awareness. Travelers visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, learning about the care of giant pandas and habitat restoration. Entry fees and guided tours contribute directly to ongoing conservation efforts.

Nature-based experiences follow existing trails to minimize environmental impact. Hikes in the Longji Rice Terraces and along the Li River allow travelers to appreciate traditional agricultural landscapes without disturbing the ecosystem. Visits to local villages also highlight sustainable farming practices, helping maintain biodiversity and support soil and water management in the area.

Travellers are briefed on responsible behavior in both cultural and natural sites, including staying on marked paths, respecting wildlife, and avoiding litter.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This trip is designed to ensure that tourism income benefits local communities across the destinations visited. Several accommodations, particularly in Xi’an, Chengdu and the Longji Terraces area, are locally owned boutique hotels that employ local staff and source food and supplies from nearby producers.

Community-based experiences form an important part of the itinerary. Travellers visit a local family in Xi’an to prepare traditional dishes, providing direct income to the host household. In the Longji Terraces, visits to Zhuang minority villages support rural communities where tourism plays a key role in supplementing agricultural income and sustaining traditional ways of life.

Local guides, drivers, and small cultural businesses, including folk performers and teahouses, are used throughout the trip, ensuring tourism spending reaches a wide range of local service providers.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY, AND DIVERSITY

Guides, drivers, and operational staff are locally employed in each destination, and partners are selected who comply with national Labour regulations and wage standards.

The itinerary also supports minority and heritage communities, particularly in the Longji Terraces, where local families share traditional farming knowledge and village life with visitors. Travellers are briefed on respectful behavior when visiting religious sites, villages, and private homes, helping to promote culturally sensitive and inclusive travel experiences.