Experience some of the main highlights of China on an active trip designed for those who want to explore on the move. Hike the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, as well as through rural villages in the rice terraces of Longsheng. Bike through Beijing hutongs, Xi'an's ancient city wall and along the picturesque Li River, and kayak the Yulong River. See the Forbidden City and Summer Palace in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and encounter the people and lifestyle of various ethnic groups found in China. Experience the diversity of China on this active trip.
Highlights
Hike a remote and well preserved section of the Great Wall
Visit Leshan & the Giant Buddha that sits at the confluence of three rivers
View pandas at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center
Explore Ping'an Village and the surrounding rice terraces
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive at Beijing's airport where you are greeted by your guide, and drive about an hour to your hotel. After a short rest, enjoy a walking tour of Tian'anmen Square and the buildings in the area including National Museum of China, Tian'anmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the Monument to the People's Heroes.
Start out early this morning the day starts with an hour long Taichi lesson in the hotel courtyard. After breakfast head out to the magnificent Forbidden City. The Forbidden City bears the legacy of housing the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties starting in 1420. After exploring this unique site, drive to Hutong area to find a hidden Yunnan Restaurant near the Bell Tower.
In the afternoon, take a walk to the Hutong area. You may start the walking from Houhai area, then walk east to Nan Luoguxiang, and end up in Lama temple area.
Enjoy dinner this evening at Dadong Roasted Duck restaurant for the chance to try the renowned culinary delight, Peking duck.
Early this morning drive 2 hours to the Jinshanling Great Wall to start the hike towards the Simatai section. Jinshanling is one of the more remote and best preserved original portions of the Great Wall and still retains many original features. This remote and relatively-isolated section of the Great Wall has not been repaired since 1570 and is a great place to explore the wall on foot. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the 4-hour hike taking in the views and admiring the impressive accomplishment.
End the hike at Dongkou (or Wuyanlou Tower), where you hike back to the road and meet your vehicle to drive back to Beijing. Enjoy your free time to explore around Beijing and have your own dinner.
Hiking: 4-6 miles / 8-10 km / 4-5 hours, moderate to difficult with some steep up/down stairs on the wall
Early this morning head to the Beijing Western Railway station and board the bullet train to Xi'an in a first-class seat. Meet your Xi'an guide at the train station and head out to explore this historic city.
Xian was the capital of China for 13 dynasties in ancient times, like Western Zhou (11th century to 771 BC) and Tang (618-907).
This afternoon, take a short part of walk on the 8.5 miles along the Xi'an ancient city wall, stopping for views to either side, one that boasts impressive views of the old city contained within its walls, and to the other side of the modern city that lies without it.
Xi'an is known for its dumplings. Tonight you'll enjoy a Dumpling Dinner at one of Xi'an's most famous restaurants.
After breakfast this morning, drive 1.5 hours to the Terracotta Warriors, which are arguably the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. First discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the discovery eventually attracted archaeologists which led to the largest pottery figurine found in China's history. Drive back to the city for an introduction to the Tang Dynasty, or the 'golden era' of China. Visit the Tang Dynasty Art Museum where you receive a brief introductory lesson in calligraphy. Try your hand at this visual art as you practice writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink. Next, explore Giant Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist pagoda is about 1,300 years old and offers an amazing view of Xi'an. Arrange lunch and dinner on your own today.
Transfer to Xian Train Station to take the train G343 (07:25-11:06) with a first-class seat to Chengdu East Railway station. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and is well known for its leisure lifestyle and history. Check in to your hotel, then head to the Broad and Narrow Alleys for your lunch with the recommendation of the guide in that area. Next, visit Renmin Park, where you can see the local people enjoying their daily life over a cup of tea and playing Mahjong. If you are interested, the guide can teach you how to play mahjong.
Near your hotel, there is an old street with many small restaurants and stores. You can have your dinner there.
Day 7: Dujiangyan Irrigation system | Qingcheng Mountain
This morning, drive to Dujiangyan city, home to the UNESCO engineering feat of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System which dates back to 256 BC. Designed to bring water to the once dry Chengdu Plain, this massive man-made marvel has irrigated this Sichuan region into one of the most fertile and productive regions in China to this day. Wander the walkways around the structure and learn about its construction at Erwangmiao Temple. Hike up to Qingcheng Mountain, a sacred mountain for Taoism, a popular religion in China. In late afternoon, drive back to Chengdu and enjoy Sichuan Local Opera, or the face-changing show. Enjoy dinner tonight on your own. Sichuan Hot Pot or a bamboo dinner are local favorites.
Day 8: Panda Center, Broad and Narrow Alleys | Fly to Guilin
Leave early this morning for a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center, which houses more than 20 panda bears in various enclosures. Arriving early allows you to witness them when they are most active, during the morning feeding.The Center has been created and imitates the pandas' natural habitat. Baby pandas are typically best seen between May-November. Drive back to Chengdu to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys. These are fashioned after ancient architecture and contain an endless variety of street food and shops.
In late afternoon, catch your flight on to Guilin. Upon arrival Guilin, you are greeted and drive to your hotel.
Day 9: Longsheng Rice Paddies
1 Breakfast
This morning drive two hours towards Longsheng Rice Terraces. Upon arrival to the scenic area, store your larger luggage and board a 45-minute shuttle towards Ping'An village. The village has been traditionally inhabited by the Zhuang ethnic group and is surrounded by rice terraces. Hike a half hour uphill to Li'an Lodge where you'll be staying.
The minority group of Zhuang people living here is the second largest of 56 recognized ethnic groups in China. The Yao people, known for their heavy earrings and long hair, also work the rice paddies here. These rice terraces, built over 650 years ago, cover an area of over 16,000 acres and span an altitude between 980 ft and 3600 ft. Every year in May or early June they flood the rice paddies and transfer young plants into them to re-plant for the harvest in fall.
In the afternoon, take a 2-3 hour hike to Longji Village which is a lesser-touristed destination. Get the chance to see the local way of life before checking into the hotel for the evening.
Day 10: One Day Hike in Longsheng
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast, head out for a one-day hike from Ping’an village to Zhuang village and Yao village. Yao is another major ethnic groups in China known for preserving their rich traditional culture.
Afterwards, take a light lunch at a local home or local restaurant.
Visit the village of Tiandouzhai and Dazhai, which have a large area of rice terraces. In farming season, you may see how they plough their fields or plant rice shoots in the terraces.
Then, from Dazhai, you drive back to Ping’an village.
This morning, drive to Yangdi Village to start a gentle hike through the countryside. Follow a more isolated stretch of the picturesque Li River. Take bamboo rafts or local ferries a few times to cross the river, and cross through local villages along the way. After about 4-5 hours of easy hiking, arrive at the trail's end in Xingping, an old town with a history of over 800 years. From here drive an hour to the new hotel near Moon Hill in Yangshuo.
Hiking: 7-9 miles / 12-15 km / 4-6 hours. Flat hiking, with an easy bamboo rafting ride.
Today spend 2-3 hours biking in the countryside of Yangshuo on a paved path that running alongside the river. This afternoon, your guide takes you to Silver Cave, one of the largest in China. Walk through the cave and admire the various large formations of stalactites and stalagmites. After an early dinner, attend the Impression of Liusanjie Show, a laser show at night overlooking the water. The popular show was created by Mr. Zhang Yimou, the director of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies in 2008.
Day 13: Return Home
1 Breakfast
This morning is free before you are taken to the airport in Guilin for your flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for Mar 14, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for Mar 14, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,782
Notes
$1,169 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 30% of Land Cost + Total Transportation Fare required at the time of confirmation of the reservation, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue browsing the site if you're ok with this. For more info, please see our privacy policy.
_cropped_2/277x222.webp)
