Private guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
25.0Kg CO2e
This truly is an experience of a lifetime as you journey across this fascinating country to witness the real Charms of China. Your adventure begins in the city that never sleeps, Beijing. With a guided visit to the Forbidden City, you'll soon become immersed in the remarkable history of this former Chinese Imperial Palace. You'll have the opportunity to add guided tours of Tiananmen Square & the Temple of Heaven, along with a traditional Peking Duck Banquet, and incredible Kung Fu or Opera night time shows. Experience for yourself one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China. You'll walk along wild and restored sections as you encounter countless fortifications dominating the skyline; this really is a spectacle to behold.
As you leave Beijing & The Great Wall of China behind, you'll take a high speed train to Xi'an, an ancient imperial capital and eastern departure point of the Silk Road. Xi'an is where you'll feast your eyes on one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century - the Terracotta Warriors. Showcasing terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the Museum Halls & Pits are an extraordinary sight. You'll also have time to explore the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an, built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defence system; these walls are particularly beautiful to cycle on as the sun is setting behind you. Your time in Xi'an ends with a trip to the bustling Muslim Quarters to sample their famously exotic street food.
After your first few days near to the cities, the third portion of your trip takes you to the sub-tropical region of Guilin in Southern China. Famous for its dramatic landscapes of limestone karst hills, Guilin sits on the banks of the Li River offering a true natural paradise. Here, you'll traverse the lush rice terraces known locally as the 'Dragon's Backbone', passing through remote villages and walking alongside the tranquil Li River. This region invites you to enjoy a slower pace where the 'old style' way of life is still thriving - quite a stark contrast to city life. You'll fly back to Beijing for your last night before departing for home, we're confident with fond memories of the true Charms of China.
Please note: Due to the nature of this trip, it may operate on an amended itinerary if weather conditions or travel restrictions pose any risk; your private guide will determine the best route.
Ni hao. Welcome to China! You'll be collected from Beijing Peking airport and transferred to your first accommodation (approx. 60mins).
If arriving early, you may want to add on a private guided tour of Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven or an authentic Peking Duck Banquet (both booked in advance). Otherwise, explore the fascinating city of Beijing at leisure before receiving your welcome briefing at the hotel.
You stay at Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel.
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Stay in the centre of Beijing City, just a short drive from the main attractions including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Enjoy a wide range of drinks at the Pavilion Lounge Bar or choose from their selection of three on-site restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
The perfect introduction to your adventure across China - walking the Great Wall! This section of the Great Wall is divided into two distinct parts; the Jinshanling section and the Panlongshan section. Both offer stunning views of the Great Wall and surrounding landscape.
You'll walk on a much less crowded part of the wall, along wild and restored sections with several diversions onto mountain trails through cultivated fields. Arrive into Gubeikou town with the outline of the Great Wall dominating the sky-line.
You stay at Local Farmer House.
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Today begins in Gubeikou where you walk along some wilder sections of the Great Wall. Your path leads away from the wall for a short while, walking along dusty trails before joining the Great Wall again towards Jinshanling. Explore the General Tower and 24-Window Towers en-route; these imposing watchtowers were once used as military command posts and provide a fascinating glimpse into the history and architecture of the Great Wall. After today's walk, you'll transfer back to central Beijing.
In the evening, you can choose to add on a night show (booking advance):
Beijing Kung Fu Show: A rare chance to watch the real Shaolin Kung Fu where they've mastered incredibly difficult moves.
Beijing Opera Show: One of the most famous traditional Chinese opera. The artists wear heavy make-up and act out the legends and romance with their unique style of singing and dance.
You stay at Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel.
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Stay in the centre of Beijing City, just a short drive from the main attractions including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Enjoy a wide range of drinks at the Pavilion Lounge Bar or choose from their selection of three on-site restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
After breakfast, you'll visit the former Chinese imperial palace, the Forbidden City. This large palace building was built between1406 and 1420, and served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost 500 years. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Beijing train station where you'll take the high speed train to Xi'an (approx. 5hrs - included). You'll be met at Xi'an train station and transferred to your hotel (approx. 45mins).
You stay at Grand Noble Hotel.
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Centrally located within the ancient city walls of Xi'an, there are plenty of attractions nearby including the Bell & Drum Towers and Forest of Steles. International cuisine is available in the hotel's open-kitchen restaurant, while light meals, snacks and drinks can be found at the hotel's café, deli and lobby bar. This hotel also houses a fitness centre, a massage centre, spa and beauty salon.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Today you'll visit the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum. This is an incredible excursion, nothing can quite prepare you for the sights witnessed in the Museum Halls. One of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century, this collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China are a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210 - 209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. The figures, dating from approximately the late third century BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, outside Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The three pits containing the Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remained buried in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. A late lunch is taken in the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an. These walls were built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defence system. They have been refurbished many times since it was built in the 14th century, thrice at intervals of about 200 years in the later half of the 1500s and 1700s, and in recent years in 1983. The wall encloses an area of about 14 square km and is on the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Site under the title 'City Walls of the Ming and Qing Dynasties'.
This morning, you'll visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park, built in 652 during the Tang dynasty. The structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of Gautama Buddha that were brought to China from India by the seventh-century Buddhist monk, Xuanzang. Today, the interior walls of the pagoda feature engraved statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben.
You'll then head to the Muslim Quarters located inside the city wall of Xi'an with around 32,361 Muslim residence , 50% of the total Muslim population in Xi'an city. The history of the Xi'an Muslim Quarter can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, when Muslim merchants came to and aggregated in Chang'an, today's Xi'an, via the Silk Road. It is now a well-known tourism site which is famous for its culture and incredible local food.
In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Xi'an airport for your flight to Guilin (approx. 2hrs). You'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your accommodation (approx. 1hr).
You stay at Bravo Hotel.
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Just 10 minutes' walk from the Ancient Guilin South Gate, this lovely hotel boasts a prime location. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast, lounge bar and fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool.
This wonderful walk follows the villagers' trail over to Dazha, taking you over two mountain ridges with rice terraces in between. Starting from the remote village of Ping'an, the first 30 minutes is a stepped climb up to the first viewpoint where you're rewarded with amazing views across the lush rice terraces and distant mountains.
The trail brings you to the small village of Zhong Liu, home to the Yao community. Continue over a ridge with beautiful vistas of rice terraces before you, known fondly as the Dragons Backbone - you'll soon see why!
This is the walk of all walks - a fascinating trail along the stunning Li River, passing Xialong Scenery and Nine Horses Fresco Hill; the most famous scenic sites along Li River. The walk is all along the trail by the river before ending on the paved road. Lunch will be taken in a farmers home, where simple local dishes are served - expect deliciously fresh vegetables!
Following the walking path along the river, you will get to Xingping Ancient Town. View bamboo forest and karst hills on both sides of the river. Among them, the best is the scene on 20 Yuan Note, named Yellow Cloth Reflection. On arrival in Xingping, take some time to explore this ancient town before transferring to your accommodation in Yangshuo.
You stay at Bamboo Leaf Hotel.
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Bamboo Leaf is a beautiful, eco-friendly hotel with a focus on nature and providing an exceptional guest experience. Just a short walk from the Li River and the centre of Yangshuo, the hotels lovely swimming pool faces towards the valley and stunning mountains. Guests can also enjoy the rooftop restaurant with incredible views all around.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Today's walk begins at Fuli bridge, a beautifully rural Chinese setting, with stunning Karst mountains as a backdrop to this green, tranquil river. Our route starts over the bridge and follows the river as it meanders through fields, rice paddies and villages where the 'old style' way of life is still thriving, providing a stark contrast to city life. Lunch will be taken en-route or at your destination depending on timing.
Transfer from your accommodation to Guilin airport for your flight back to Beijing (approx. 3hrs). You'll be collected from Beijing airport and transferred to your accommodation where you'll have the afternoon & evening to explore Beijing.
You stay at Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel.
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Stay in the centre of Beijing City, just a short drive from the main attractions including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Enjoy a wide range of drinks at the Pavilion Lounge Bar or choose from their selection of three on-site restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
You'll be transferred from your accommodation to Beijing Peking airport (approx. 60mins).
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £537.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Beijing Peking airport. Transfers from the airport are included in the basic Tour Only price above.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Private guided walking
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
Flights
available
25.0Kg CO2e
