CHINA RAILWAY PILGRIMAGE

Day 1 : Arrival Shanghai 

Upon arrival in the city, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel. 

Shanghai is China’s largest city and its main financial hub. At its heart is the Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings. Across the Huangpu River is Pudong’s ultramodern skyline, including the 632-metre high Shanghai Tower. For culture, Yu Garden has traditional pavilions and ponds. This is a destination that radiates affluence with glitzy shopping malls, high-end hotels and prestigious art centres, all serviced by the world’s longest subway system. Exploration will reveal celebrity restaurants, designer flagship stores and a wealth of leisure opportunities.

Overnight in Metro Park Hotel 4*.

Day 2 : Shanghai (B / - / -)

All day at leisure to explore this pulsating metropolis.

Overnight in Metro Park Hotel 4*.

Day 3 : Shanghai (B / - / -)

After breakfast at hotel, we visit Yu Garden which is a prime example of a classical Chinese garden that dates back to 1559. This tranquil world of bamboo groves, koi-filled ponds and Ming Dynasty pavilions remains a serene sanctuary in contemporary times. We then enjoy tea in a close-by facility.

After this cultural exploration we head to Tianzifang, a network of alleyways filled with cafes, bars and boutiques. We round the day off with a stroll past the European style villas and buildings of the Former French Concession.

We then proceed to the famous Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings. 

Overnight in Metro Park Hotel 4*.

Day 4 : Shanghai - Beijing (B / - / -)

Transfer to take the high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing.

Upon arrival in the city, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel. 

Beijing is a fascinating city brimming with history and heritage. It lies just south of the rim of the Central Asian Steppes and is separated from the Gobi Desert by a green chain of mountains, over which the Great Wall runs. It became the capital during the Jin Dynasty and experienced its first phase of grandiose urban planning during the Yuan Dynasty under the rule of Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan who made the city his winter capital in the late 13th century. Despite the futuristic gleaming skyscrapers and modern development, a history of 3,000 years has led to the creation of ancient attractions and the metropolis and wider area is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

A voyage of discovery awaits us in this amazing destination.

Overnight in Beijing Novotel Peace Hotel 4*.

Day 5 : Beijing (B / L / -)

Stand in awe of one of the world’s most iconic sites as we stroll along a lesser visited section of the Great Wall of China. 

After breakfast we drive from the hotel to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. 

This part is less-crowded than the popular Badaling area and it was built during the early Ming Dynasty. It once served as the northern barrier to defend the capital and the Imperial Tombs. It is now covered in vegetation which has improved its beauty and we take a leisurely walk along this rampart. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, we head for a photo stop at Olympic Green Park, visit from exterior the Bird Nest and Water Cube in the park.

Overnight in Beijing Novotel Peace Hotel 4*.

Day 6 : Beijing (B / - / -)

Full day free at leisure in Beijing. 

Most of the attractions in Beijing could be easily accessible by metro or by taxi, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace etc. Taking the time to explore the city at your pace.

Overnight in Beijing Novotel Peace Hotel 4*.

Day 7 : Beijing – Xi’an (B / - / -)

Morning free at leisure.

Transfer to take the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.  

Overnight in Grand Mercure on Renmin Square 4*.

Day 8 : Xi’an (B / - / -)

We explore Xi’an’s ancient historic past that dates back over 3,000 years as we marvel at the army of Terracotta Warriors. 

A highlight of the tour is the acclaimed site of the Terracotta Warriors which consists of 8,000 figures built under the order of the emperor to accompany him to the afterlife. 

Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon.

Overnight in Grand Mercure on Renmin Square 4*.

Day 9 : Xi’an - Chengdu (B / - / -) 

Bid a fond farewell to Xi’an as we set off on the next leg of our adventure to Chengdu, the capital of south-west Sichuan province. 

After breakfast, we check-out and drive to the train station and set off on a three-hour high-speed train journey to Chengdu, travelling second class. 

Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore our new surroundings. 

Chengdu is famed as the home of giant pandas. These creatures can be seen in a simulation of their natural habitat at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Aside from wildlife, this modern city is renowned for its teahouse culture. It is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and this was awarded in recognition of the city’s outstanding cuisine which has a diverse taste based on the five elements of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty and you can experience this globally recognised food at high-end hotels and hawker stalls on virtually every street.   

Overnight at Chengdu Tibet Hotel 5*.

Day 10 : Chengdu (B / L / -)

Get up close and personal with Chengdu’s famed residents at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. 

In total, there are fewer than 2,000 giant pandas out in the wild – of which 70 per cent are distributed across Sichuan. 

We head north out of the city to this facility founded in 1987 to see giant pandas rescued from the wild. Researchers and those who care for the wellbeing and preservation of these creatures will give an insight into what they have achieved over the years and we will witness their uncompromising commitment to conserving the population out in the wild and the healthy growth of the captive population. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit Sanxingdui Archaeological Site and Museum, the Sanxingdui culture left no written record or human remains and appears to have existed for only about 500 years before it vanished.

Overnight at Chengdu Tibet Hotel 5*.

Day 11 : Chengdu – Guilin - Yangshuo (B / - / -)

Morning free at leisure in the city of Chengdu. 

Transfer to take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Guilin.

Guilin is situated in the southern Guangxi region and it is one of China’s most beautiful locations. It features rugged karst mountains and meandering waterways that snake through an idyllic rural countryside of verdant rice terraces. 

Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel on the county of Yangshuo, with the rest of the day at leisure. This is one of China’s most idyllic locations and it is renowned for its meandering rivers, deep caves and towering karst rock formations.

Overnight at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat Hotel.

Day 12 : Yangshuo (B / - / -)

Free day at leisure in Yangshuo.

Various activities await you in Yangshuo, hiking, biking, taking the bamboo rafting and enjoying the famous evening Impression Show.

Overnight at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat Hotel.

Day 13 : Yangshuo – Guilin – Hong Kong (B / - / -)

Transfer back to train station in Guilin and take high speed train to Hong Kong.

Upon arrival, meet and greet by your local guide and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at Metropark Kowloon Hotel 4*.

Day 14 : Hong Kong (B / - / -)

Free day at leisure in Hong Kong.

You can enjoy the best of both worlds in Hong Kong, with incredible vistas courtesy of our renowned Victoria Harbour and mountainous terrain, as well as man-made attractions for a fun-filled day out. Take your pick from adventure theme parks, novelty museums, and thrilling activities these are the exciting spots around town to add to your bucket list.

Overnight at Metropark Kowloon Hotel 4*.

Day 15 : Hong Kong Departure (B / - / -)

Transfer to the airport and take the departure flight.

End of the Tour.