Great Wall & Warriors (Family)

Walk the wall, outstare the warriors and cook up a storm – this is a classic adventure!

The first stop on this fantastic adventure is China's most famous landmark - the Great Wall. We travel to a quiet section of the wall and walk along this mighty fortification, which stretches for miles towards the horizon. Back in Beijing we explore the Forbidden City and also do as the local kids do - fly kites in Tiananmen Square. Travelling south by train, we visit the Terracotta Warriors of Xian. Buried for 2,000 years, each one has a different costume, height and even facial expression! The spectacular limestone karsts of Yangshuo are best explored by bike; we cycle amongst lush paddy fields, before stopping for lunch at a local family's home. After cruising down the Li River, we board a ferry bound for the shimmering skyscrapers and bright lights of Hong Kong.

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing

On arrival in Beijing you are transferred to your hotel, which is located in the southern part of the city. In the evening, you meet your tour leader and the other group members for a pre-tour briefing. This is followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant (cost included) – Peking Duck is often a popular choice. Meals included: 1 dinner

Day 2: The Great Wall - Beijing

Today we travel to Mutianyu, a more remote section of the Great Wall that is not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Standing on top of this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. We suggest you bring a solid pair of running or walking shoes - in places there is quite a lot of clambering around to be done, if you are feeling adventurous. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 3: Kite Flying in Tiananmen Square - Beijing

“Let’s go fly a kite!” Today we go kite flying in Tiananmen Square - children and adults alike will enjoy this fun-filled activity. Beijing offers endless opportunities for exploration. We explore three of the major attractions in this proud capital. The majestic Temple of Heaven. The awe inspiring Summer Palace. The enormous Forbidden City, built more than 500 years ago (it was off-limits to commoners for most of that time), is a truly amazing place. Its size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it more fascinating is that every square metre has a special point of interest, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. We leave Beijing tonight on the overnight train headed for Xian, travelling in soft-class, four-berth compartments. The 14-hour trip is a great opportunity for the group to get to know each other. It is also fun trying to communicate with some of the locals and your leader will prove to be invaluable as your translator. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 4 - 5: Terracotta Warriors - Xian

Xian is a wonderful city to explore and the food options are excellent here, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese cafes. Widely regarded as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is rich in history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors introduces us to these amazing entombed statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, and even facial expression. They are stand in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, the great Qin Shihuang. Peasants digging a well only discovered the underground vault, which was home to this army for two millennia, in 1974. Xian also has a wonderful Muslim Quarter. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets, where we find quaint shops, lively markets, and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dimly-lit cafes. The Great Mosque here is one of the most important in China. Meals included: 2 breakfasts 1 lunch

Day 6: Xian - Yangshuo

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Guilin. On arrival we board our waiting vehicle and travel to Yangshuo, where we partake in a Chinese cooking class. Depending on our arrival time into Yangshuo this will be either a lunch or a dinner cooking class. We will first head out into the markets and buy our fresh produce to take back and cook up for lunch or dinner. Then we get to enjoy our meal! Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 dinner

Day 7: Yangshuo

Yangshuo is nestled amongst imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. It offers a relaxed and intimate alternative to the major cities of China and is an excellent place to explore by bicycle. We join one of our local friends and spend a few hours riding amidst the wonderful scenery in the surrounding countryside, including Moon Hill, and meet some of the inhabitants of the nearby villages. After finishing our bike ride we enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a local family’s house and make some new friends. Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner

Day 8: Yangshuo - Guangzhou

We enjoy a very relaxing day in Yangshuo, by taking a leisurely boat cruise on the Li River. Here, we get the opportunity to view the spectacular and beautiful scenery for which the area is famous. In the evening we head to the railway station in Guilin and board the overnight train to Guangzhou. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 9: Hong Kong

In the morning we arrive in Guangzhou, one of the most rapidly growing cities in China. This former fishing village has given way to a metropolis of gleaming glass skyscrapers. Our waiting vehicle takes us to the ferry terminal, where we board a boat for Hong Kong. On arrival in Hong Kong, you are transferred to your hotel. It is only a short walk from the hotel, situated on the Kowloon side near Nathan Road, to the harbour and waterfront for a spectacular night view of Hong Kong's harbour. There is a spectacular Sound and Light Show each evening, with the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island as a backdrop. This is usually between 8:00pm and 8:20pm, but we advise that you check with your hotel reception for up-to-date details.

Day 10: Hong Kong

The tour finishes after breakfast in Hong Kong. You are transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Pre-tour or post-tour accommodation is available in Beijing and Hong Kong respectively; please consult us or your travel agent for details. This would certainly allow time for additional exploration of Hong Kong, highly recommended if you have not visited this vibrant city before. Meals included: 1 breakfast

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About Peregrine

Peregrine has been operating adventure holidays since 1977. Today we can help you discover all four corners of the globe, from the Polar regions, to Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We offer high-quality, excellent-value, small-group adventures to interesting areas of the world, in harmony with the local people and the environment.

Whats Included

Local tour leader, arrival and departure transfers, transport. sightseeing and entrance fees.

Transport

• Bicycle
• Boat
• Ferry
• Minibus
• Plane
• Sleeper train

Accommodation

• 7 nights Comfortable hotel
• 2 nights Sleeper train

Meals

• 8 breakfasts
• 2 lunches
• 3 dinners

Not Included

Visa costs, international flights, departure taxes, insurance (obligatory on all trips), other meals, drinks, any optional additional tours and activities during free time, spending of a personal nature such as tips, laundry, drinks, souvenirs.

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Visas and Permits

China

Please note that visa requirements can and do change. It is essential that you confirm requirements with the nearest relevant embassy or check with your travel agent before you travel. At the time of writing, most nationalities require a visa for China. Chinese visas can only by obtained at Chinese Consulates prior to your arrival in China.
Please note if you are travelling from China into Hong Kong (a Special Economic Region) or Kyrgyzstan then back again into China, you will need a double entry Chinese visa. Please be warned that on some occasions people transiting through mainland China on their way to Hong Kong have been made to go through Chinese immigration and had their single entry visa stamped, thus making it invalid. Do not allow your visa to be stamped if you are only going through transit.
The Chinese authorities restrict visas for those working in media, government or the military - please contact us for further information.

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Important Information

FLIGHT: XIAN TO GUILIN
Your flight ticket will be given to you by your tour leader, before you board this flight.

OVERNIGHT TRAINS
The overnight trains are a comfortable way to travel. We travel softsleeper and there are 4 people to a compartment. Your luggage is with you and can be stored overhead or under the bed. Pillows and blankets are supplied. There are both squat and western style toilets. Dinner can be purchased in the dining car or from trolley vendors. A meal will cost at least RMB20; alternatively you can bring your own food onboard. Drinks bought on the train will not be chilled. Hot water for drinking is available - you may wish to bring your own mug.

LOCAL LEADERS
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as important, however, is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.

NOTE ON HONG KONG
The city is designed to be just an ending point for this tour. There is not much time allocated in our itinerary for sightseeing in this fascinating metropolis. Therefore, if you have not been to Hong Kong before, we recommend that you extend your stay by a few days and book post-tour accommodation, in order to enjoy exploring the city on your own. It is an easy place to get around and the staff at your hotel can help you with suggestions.

Age limits and responsibility for minors
Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

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