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From Kunming to Shanghai, see the best of China on this immersive journey
Take a journey into a land overflowing with ancient history, myth and legend but heading fast into the modern world. Step back in time with the painterly scenery of the Yunnan provinces, where the Yangtze River crash through the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge and travel to the mythed Shangrila, meander through the peaceful pasture dotted with Tibetan villages and join the pilgrims in the sacred Sumtseling Monastery. Wake up from the misty dreams of Yunnan and delve into the journey from historical Beijing to neon lit Shanghai. Experience wonders both manmade and natural, see the imperial highlights of Beijing and the enigmatic faces of the Terracotta Warriors, the engendered pandas of Chengdu and the serene surrounds of the Three Gorges and the beauty of endless stretches of the Great Wall set in rolling hills. Spend time with locals as you cook Chinese dishes, learn Tai Chi, stroll through minority tribe towns, and absorb the culture in a central square or at a local show. Take memorable hikes through rural landscapes with stunning views of ancient villages and temples, before heading north-east to Shanghai, where the bright lights, fevered trade and frenetic pace provide a glimpse into the dazzling global future of China.
- Start
- Kunming, China
- Finish
- Shanghai, China
- Destination
- China
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PCYYC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 1 review
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Explore the memorable limestone karst scenery of Yangshuo, immortalised in countless traditional Chinese paintings
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Spend the night in a guesthouse in the lovingly restored town of Shaxi, visit the dizzying Friday Market and be transported back to when it was a significant stop on the Tea Horse Trail
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Enjoy two days to hike around the dramatic scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge
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Wander through a Tibetan village in the dreamy Shangrila pasture lands. Learn about Tibetan culture over a steaming cup of yak butter tea.
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Like everything it does, China’s ancient history is on an epic scale – see in the faces of the thousands or Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and in the endless stretch of the Great Wall as you walk along it
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Learn about the endangered (and adorable) giant pandas’ struggle for survival, and get up close to these unique creatures in Chengdu
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Step back in time with a boat trip through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River, which meanders through the spectacular Three Gorges
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Get a hands-on insight into Chinese dishes and ingredients with a cooking class in Yangshuo
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Discover Shanghai's bright lights, fevered trade and frenetic pace, which provides a glimpse into modern China
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip includes one overnight train in soft sleeper class. Train travel in China may not be totally luxurious, but it's certainly one of the best ways to come face-to-face with the country and its people. It's the main form of transport for locals, so take the chance to interact.
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This trip uses a mix of transport for a local experience including fast trains, overnight trains, a boat and plane, as a well as private buses. The trip covers a fair amount of ground, so be prepared for some long journeys.
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We suggest packing relatively lightly for this trip, as you’ll need to be able to comfortably carry your luggage for the duration of the trip. This includes to and from accommodation, and on and off flights, trains and buses.
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Accommodation on this trip is on a twin-share basis, unless booking a Single Supplement.
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This is a longer Peregrine trip at 26 days, but it really lets you see so many highlights of this fascinating country.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Kunming Longteng Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Kunming - Yuantong Temple - CNY6
- Kunming - Tang Dynasty Pagodas - CNY2
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Dali Lan Lin Ge Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Dali - Ancient Town walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Dali Lan Lin Ge Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Xizhou - Cheese making
- Xizhou - Home-cooked Bai lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Shaxi Ouyang Courtyard Guesthouse or similiar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Shaxi Ouyang Courtyard Guesthouse or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shibaoshan - Hike to Shizong Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Teahorse Guesthouse or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tiger Leaping Gorge - Guided trek
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
We stay in a guesthouse here tonight.The guesthouse is clean and tidy with private facilities, but standard is a little more basic compared to other hotels we use on this trip. Past travellers have suggested bringing your own walking poles for this walk to assist them on the trail.Accommodation
- Tian Jie Shen Chuan Hotel (Paradise Hotel) or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Because of the high altitude, your leader may shuffle activities in order to suit the capabilities of the group.Accommodation
- Tian Jie Shen Chuan Hotel (Paradise Hotel) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shangrila - Sumtseling Monastery
Optional Activities
- Kunming - Green Lake Park - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Kunming Longteng Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Beijing Dongfang Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Please note that your flight and transfer to/from the airport will not be accompanied.Accommodation
- Beijing Dongfang Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Beijing - Temple of Heaven Park
- Beijing - Forbidden City
Optional Activities
- Beijing - Lama Temple - CNY25
- Beijing - Kungfu Show - CNY280
- Beijing - Beijing Foodie Walk Urban Adventure - CNY360
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Beijing Dongfang Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
- Beijing - Summer Palace
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Xi'an Skytel Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter walking tour
Optional Activities
- Xi'an - Great Mosque - CNY25
- Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers - CNY50
- Xi'an - Little Goose Pagoda - CNY50
- Xi'an - Cycling on City Wall - CNY80
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Xi'an Skytel Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors
- Xi'an - Hanyangling Mausoleum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Chengdu City Garden Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chengdu - Tea Tasting
- Chengdu - People's Park & Tianfu Square
Optional Activities
- Chengdu - Sichuan Opera - CNY280
- Chengdu - Wenshu Monastery - CNY5
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Chengdu City Garden Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chengdu - Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Yangzi River Cruise (3 nights)
Meals Included
- Breakfast (3)
- Lunch (2)
- Dinner (2)
Special Information
You will spend three nights on board and sleep in twin share cabins with private facilities. Bedding and sheets are provided, as are meals throughout the cruise except the 1st dinner on board. However, before you board, you may wish to purchase some snacks to take with you. Please note that all rooms on the Yangzi cruise are on a twin share basis. If you are not already sharing a room with someone from your group, you may be required to share with someone (of the same gender) from outside your group. It's not a cruise trip in the traditional sense, or rather, we'd call it a river trip. The Chinese authorities oversee the travel of all boats on the Yangzi, so we have no control over the schedule or changes made with the cruise itinerary. Your tour leader will update you of the changes if it happens.Accommodation
- Overnight Soft Sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yichang - Three Gorges Dam Project
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Yangshuo Xinfuan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note it's an early morning today and it's possible that you won't be able to check in immediately when you arrive at your hotel - standard check in time is 12am. In that case, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and go out with your tour leader for a walking tour in the town when it's just waking up to the hustle and bustle of a new day.Accommodation
- Yangshuo Xinfuan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yangshuo - Cooking School & Market Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Yangshuo Xinfuan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yangshuo - Tai Chi/Kung Fu class
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Shanghai Kingtown Hotel Plaza or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shanghai - Acrobat Show
Optional Activities
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum - Free
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens - CNY40
- Shanghai - Urban Planning Exhibition Centre - CNY30
- Shanghai - Maglev high speed train (round trip) - CNY100
- Shanghai - Propaganda Museum - CNY20
- Shanghai - Oriental Pearl Tower Viewing Deck - CNY150
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Shanghai Kingtown Hotel Plaza or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shanghai - Walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
24 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, Public bus, Cruise boat, Overnight Soft Sleeper train, High speed train, Plane, MetroAccommodation
Hotel (23 nights), Boat (3 nights), Overnight Soft Sleeper Train (1 night)Included Activities
- Dali - Ancient Town walking tour
- Xizhou - Cheese making
- Xizhou - Home-cooked Bai lunch
- Shibaoshan - Hike to Shizong Temple
- Tiger Leaping Gorge - Guided trek
- Shangrila - Sumtseling Monastery
- Beijing - Temple of Heaven Park
- Beijing - Forbidden City
- Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
- Beijing - Summer Palace
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter walking tour
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors
- Xi'an - Hanyangling Mausoleum
- Chengdu - Tea Tasting
- Chengdu - People's Park & Tianfu Square
- Chengdu - Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
- Yichang - Three Gorges Dam Project
- Yangshuo - Cooking School & Market Tour
- Yangshuo - Tai Chi/Kung Fu class
- Shanghai - Acrobat Show
- Shanghai - Walking tour
Dates & availability
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Important notes
1. A complimentary arrival transfer is included. Please provide your arrival details at least 14 days before arrival.
2. A Single Supplement is available for this trip except for the nights on overnight trains.
3. Gratuities included for the essential services only that you will receive as part of your tour package. Please see our Tipping section of these trip notes for more information.
4. Overnight train accommodation on this tour is in 4-berth ‘soft-sleeper’ class, which are four beds in a compartment. Bedding is provided and wash basins and toilet facilities (usually one with a toilet seat and one squat-style in each compartment) are available on all trains, but there are no showers or baths.
5. The boat trip through the Three Gorges offers some incredible sightseeing and is a genuine way to experience the Yangzi River. Many travellers consider it a highlight of their adventure. Please note that all rooms on the cruise are on a twin share basis except when you book a single supplement. If you are not already sharing a room with someone from your group, you may be required to share with someone (of the same gender) from outside your tour group.

Essential trip information
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