Lijiang River | China
FROM: USD $1,795 pp

Climb the Great Wall at Badaling and Juyonguan Pass and enter the Forbidden City, explore the Longmen grottoes and encounter an army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. Then cruise the Yulonghe River in scenic Yangshuo before ending your adventure in Shanghai, the Paris of the East.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Reviews

Trip Highlights

Beijing - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Pearl markets, Jade Carving Factory, Hutong area of Beijing, Chinese Acrobatic Show
Luoyang – UNESCO listed Longmen Caves and stone carvings, Shaolin Kung Fu Temple, Xiyuan Park activities
Guilin/ Yangshuo – karst landscape, riverside villages and lush scenery, cruise along the peaceful Yangshuo River
Shanghai – free time to explore the city - highlights include the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund and Old Shanghai.
Badaling and Juyongguan - 2 UNESCO listed sections of Great Wall of China
Xi’an - UNESCO listed Terracotta Warriors, Clay warrior workshop, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall and bike ride, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque and market
Longsheng – the Dragon’s backbone rice terraces

Included

12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (a traditional Chinese meal in Beijing and a local dinner in Xi'an)
Chinese acrobatic performance
Xi’an - bike ride on medieval City Wall
2 economy class flights: Xi’an - Guilin and Guilin - Shanghai
Tour Guide escorted for groups of 6 or more
All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles
2 high speed trains: Beijing - Luoyang and Luoyang - Xi'an
12 nights 3 - 4 star hotels
Rickshaw ride through Beijings' Hutongs
Raft/cruise excursion on the Yulonghe River
Touring of Beijing, Badaling, Juyongguan, Luoyang, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Longsheng
English speaking specialist guides at local sights
Beijing Capital Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer day 13 from Shanghai Airport

Not Included

International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: USD$125-135pp, paid in local currency
Tip for your tour guide is not included in the Tip Kitty. We suggest USD$3-5 per day, per traveller for a job well done, however the amount is up to you
Tipping Kitty: USD$85-95pp, paid in local currency

Itinerary

Day 1

Beijing

Saturday. Huan ying, welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Airport arrival transfer from Beijing Capital Airport to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day offers free time for you to independently explore this astonishing city.
Overnight: Beijing

Day 2

Forbidden City

Today, we embark on a tour of the nation’s capital. The famous portrait of Mao Zedong, China’s communist father still looks out over gargantuan Tiananmen Square from the Gate of Heavenly Peace. On the square you can't miss the mausoleum, an austere behemoth in granite where Mao lies in state in his crystal coffin. We take a stroll in the square all under the watchful eye of the dutiful guards. A vision in grandeur with it’s imperial yellow roofs and vermilion walls, the Forbidden city was forbidden to all those except on imperial business until 1911, when the last emperor, Puyi, was turfed off his throne. We enjoy a guided walk through the city’s many temples, grand halls and courtyards. The Forbidden city boasts 9999 rooms! Afternoon rickshaw ride through the Hutongs of Beijing.

This evening, we enjoy an eye boggling Chinese acrobatic performance. Swinging ropes, juggling hoops, spinning plates and human pyramids are just a few tricks these show stoppers pull out followed by a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck.
Overnight: Beijing  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

The Great Wall

After a free morning to further explore the city, we drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, to walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Built in the Ming Dynasty, a 6m wide pathway makes a formidable defence, following the highest contours of a steep range of hills. We also visit a Jade Carving Centre before heading to our quaint hotel near Juyongguan Pass, which offers views of the Great Wall.
Overnight: Juyongguan Pass  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Morning at the Great Wall

Beijing - Luoyang. We rise early this morning and head (5 min bus drive) to the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass when it opens to beat the crowds. Later we return to Beijing to explore the famous Pearl Market - an Aladdin's Cave of clothing, jewellery and electronic gadgets before taking an afternoon bullet train to Luoyang. Reaching speeds of up to 305km per hour the journey is an experience in itself! Check in to hotel in Luoyang, late evening.
Overnight: Luoyang  |  Breakfast

Day 5

Shaolin Kung Fu Temple

First thing today we drive to the Shaolin Kung Fu Temple (approx 2 hours), set on the foothills of the Songshan Mountain. Here generation after generation of Shaolin monks have devoted themselves to practising Chan Buddhism and a martial art widely recognised as the origins of kung fu. Over the years hundreds, if not thousands, of people have flocked to this very site to learn this ancient discipline and we'll have the opportunity to watch a performance of kung fu during our visit. Returning to Luoyang you’ll have some free time, and the option to walk to Xiyuan Park where ball room dancing, tai chi, aerobics and badminton lessons take place every evening.
Overnight: Luoyang  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

UNESCO-listed Longmen Caves

Luoyang - Xi’an. Today we explore the UNESCO-listed 5th and 6th Century Longmen Caves etched into the cliffs of the Yi River. The 2,300 caves (grottoes) are adorned with 110,000 statues and images of Buddha carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. This afternoon we board the high speed train to Xi’an (journey time approx 2hrs). After hotel check-in and some time to fresh up we’ll embark on a casual bike ride around the Xi’an City Wall. Looking down as you peddle offers delightful views of the city hubbub and daily life with the Old City in the centre of the walls and the modern city on the outside.
Overnight: Xi'an  |  Breakfast

Day 7

Terracotta Warriors

Most famous for the legendary Terracotta Warriors, perhaps the greatest find of the 20th century and only just usurped by the discovery of King Tut’s gold-laden tomb in Egypt. These warriors comprise more than 7,000 life-sized soldiers which stand in military formation in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike, each is said to be an individual portrait. We visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site and a workshop where warrior figurines are made. Tonight, we welcome you to join the optional Tang Dynasty Show, which includes dinner, a traditional performance and transfers (bookable locally).
Overnight: Xi'an  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Xi’an - Guilin - Yangshou. Today we visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and Grand Mosque and Muslim Quarter of Xi'an, followed by a delicious hot pot lunch. Later we fly south to Guilin, then an onward transfer to Yangshuo (approx 1.5hrs drive), late evening hotel check in.
Overnight: Yangshuo  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Days 9-10

Guilin & Yangshuo

Yangshuo - Guilin. Renowned for the striking scenery of vast areas of karst limestone outcrops that rise up from flat rice paddy fields, Guilin and Yangshuo are often the subject of many Chinese paintings. Today, we take an hour long rafting cruise along the calm clean waters of Yulonghe River. As our captain punts (propels us forward by pushing against the river bed with a long pole) our flat bottom boat along the shallow waters endless photo opportunities arise. The remainder of our time in Yangshuo is spent at leisure. Choose to hike, hire a bicycle or motorbike and head off on one of the many mountain trails or stop to watch the local fishermen use their trained cormorants to catch fish - a centuries old tradition, though somewhat commercialised these days. Time can also be spent exploring West Street. The ancient alley is laden with quirky shops, tea shops, antiques, calligraphers and art studios. Maybe take a beginners art class with a local painter or enjoy a morning class at the ‘Cloud 9’ cooking school. By nightfall, sit in any of the al fresco cafes, pubs or bars serving cold beer and delicious speciality foods from the region, catch a film at any of the outdoor cinemas or attend the nightly ‘Impression Liu Sanjie’ musical, with a cast of 500 singers and dancers. In the late afternoon of day 10 we return to Guilin.
Overnight: Yangshuo (1), Guilin (1)  |  Breakfast x 2

Day 11

Dragon's backbone

Guilin – Longsheng – Shanghai. A 90 minute drive leads us to Longsheng, to walk the rice terraces of the Dragon’s Backbone. Beginning at the base of Mt Longji the verdant green rice fields coil up the steep mountain, layer upon layer, climbing to its summit. Taking a walk along the stone paths no more than a metre wide, we’ll pass many of the Yao and Red Yao minority women, baskets on their backs, who are also climbing skyward. Reaching the ‘Seven Stars accompanying Moon’ lookout, soak up the spectacular views. The full panorama offers thousands of ribbon like terraces cascading to the meandering streams and valley floor beneath. Returning to Guilin, transfer to the airport and board an evening flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Shanghai  |  Breakfast

Day 12

Free day in Shanghai

Focus your eyes on Shanghai! Today is free day for you to independently explore the city. Perhaps visit The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple or the Old City where you can shop on Nanjing Road. Head for the Shanghai Plaza Tower at sunset, Shanghai dazzles at dusk!
Overnight: Shanghai  |  Breakfast

Day 13

Shanghai

Thursday. After breakfast and hotel check out, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.

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Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $1,825
USD $2,395
USD $1,825
USD $2,395
USD $1,825
USD $2,395
USD $1,825
USD $2,395
USD $1,795
USD $2,315
USD $1,795
USD $2,315

Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Beijing
USD $75
USD $135
Post-Tour Accommodation - Shanghai
USD $55
USD $115

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

The Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven is an elegant and comfortable hotel with well-furnished and spacious rooms. Practical in design, the guestrooms feature internet access and the hotel also boasts a range of restaurants and bars, as well as an indoor swimming pool. Located just a 10 minute walk from the Temple of Heaven, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore this fascinating city.

Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan, Beijing

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Located just a stones throw from the Beitucheng Subway station, with access to Line 10 & Line 8, the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan is a perfect base to explore the many amazing highlights of Beijing. Within walking distance of the hotel you'll find the famous Birds Nest Olympic Stadium. The hotel boasts a stylish restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Peony Plaza, Luoyang

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

The Peony Plaza Hotel is ideally located in Luoyang city centre, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The hotel benefits from a stylish, contemporary design and the guest rooms are tastefully furnished. All rooms feature minibars, free WiFi and LCD TVs with cable channels. The hotel also boasts a sauna and massage centre as well as a rotating restaurant for excellent views of the city.

Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel, Xi'an

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Located a stone’s throw away from the Ancient City Wall and Islamic Mosque, is the Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel. The hotel offers modern comforts in the heart of the city. Each air-conditioned guestroom features WiFi, a minibar and satellite TV. There is an onsite restaurant which serves a daily buffet or a la carte breakfast as well as a variety of Asian and Western dishes. During free time, guests can enjoy a relaxing massage or work out in the fitness centre.

New West Street International Hotel, Yangshuo

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Boasting a stunning setting surrounded by mountains, this modern-style hotel offers an array of facilities spread over a 60-acre area. Alongside the fantastic outdoor swimming pool, guests can enjoy tennis and badminton courts, a golf driving range, sauna and fitness centre. When it comes to dining, there is a choice between Chinese and Western cuisine, as well as a coffee shop. Guestrooms are spacious and well-equipped, with extra amenities including a small refrigerator and complimentary Wi-Fi, with some offering mountain views.

New West Street Hotel, Yangshuo

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Offering a fantastic location in the very centre of Yangshuo, the New West Street Hotel is set just opposite Yansghuo Park. Its guestrooms are well-equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and an electric kettle, with some providing views over the surrounding mountains. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel and for an additional fee, guests are able to enjoy the rejuvenating spa and massage treatments in the wellness centre.

Hotel Universal, Guilin

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

As well as a great location with views of the Li River, the hotel offers a full range of facilities to ensure a comfortable stay. The guestrooms are smart and tastefully furnished, and the hotel's restaurant provides tasty dishes with spectacular views.

Ramada Encore Shanghai Hotel , Shanghai

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 3 Star Hotel

Ideally located close to several plazas and shopping centres, this modern hotel offers you a comfortable stay in one of China’s fastest growing cities. Guestrooms are equipped with all the essential amenities, with free WiFi and access to the breakfast buffet included. The onsite Dakang Restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and you can expect a tasty menu featuring both Western and Chinese cuisine. Other amenities include a fitness centre, coffee shop and small convenience store.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 4.6 out of 5 based on 10 recent reviews

1  |  2  |  3

Guide extremely good.

• Submitted 26 Nov 2019
Tour
Guide
Country

Excellent tour, everything went seamlessly. Lisa was very helpful and personable.

Only thing that could have been improved was more information/advice on what to do during free time. The recommendation was usually the hotel restaurant or restaurant across the road; whereas, I preferred the idea of going into the city centre and exploring a bit more.

• Submitted 14 Oct 2019
Tour
Guide
Country

Lisa was brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you.

• Submitted 29 Sep 2019
Tour
Guide
Country

Thank you for an amazing tour. China is a beautiful place and certainly made easier with a guide like Regina. Seeing so much that you wouldn't see unless you did a tour. Thank you!

• Submitted 04 Sep 2019
Tour
Guide
Country

Overall, the holiday was excellent and I would highly recommend On The Go Tours for trips like this.

Xian was one of the stand out destinations with the cycle on the walls and the visit to the Terracotta warriors. We also did a lot of walking around the city and really enjoyed it.

We thoroughly enjoyed the organised boat trip and cycle tour around in Yangzhou.

Overall, the trip lived up to everything I thought it would be and more.

Our national tour guide Leo was excellent and ensured the tour ran smoothly.

• Submitted 09 Jul 2019
Tour
Guide
Country

All round very good Both guides very helpful /excellent. Tristian said he would send picture of group out to all (hasn't happened yet?) Shanghai actually most disappointing but was very wet "free day. River cruise was changed last minute at Guilin ! also a lot of free time here but worked out well.

• Submitted 26 Sep 2017
Tour
Guide
Country

Feng was an amazing guide. She was very helpful & informative. Some of our tour group came down with gastro & Feng took great care of us.

Part of our group went on & did Chinese Checkers but those who were left continued our tour with Tom who was also great & just as informative.

The local guides were very knowledgeable & very entertaining so the tour was never boring.

The tour itself I would definitely recommend to my clients as I believe the tour covered all the major sights and offered great optional tours.

• Submitted 19 Mar 2017
Tour
Guide
Country

We had a wonderful time. It was great to see the cities and then travel into the country side of Guilin and Yangshou. The hotels were good as were the breakfasts excepr at the hotel in Guilin, breakfast was terrible. We had a flight cancelled and the guide (Louise) worked to remedy this satisfactorly. Everything we saw was what we wanted. The times allowed at each site was realistic. The only place we thought was a waste of time was the Silk Market - but we don't like shopping. When we reached Shanghai we were a little disappointed that nothing was organised for us to do, that said we saw heaps of the city using the subway and the Hop on Hop off bus. We really enjoyed the 3 shows we went to especially the kung Fu show.

Justin, our main guide was fantastic. His English was great. His knowledge and enthusiasm for China was amazing. Justine explained any questions clearly and fully, especially anything related to Chinese culture and customs. He coped well with a couple of difficult people on the tour. Joe in Luoyang was great. Beni in Xian was extremely entertaining and informative. Louise in Yangshou and Guilin went way beyond expectations, she showed us her hometown with love. She explained lots of culture and customs and took us to some amazing local restaurants.

All in all our trip was fantastic.

• Submitted 08 Oct 2014
Tour
Guide
Country

The tour was very interesting and pleasant, often due to the organisational talent, the flexibility and the nice personality of our national tour guide Mandy. Her local and English knowledge is very good. The additional local tour guides we had in Xi’an, Chongqing, Yichang, Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai were also very good in their local knowledge and in English. The personal stories from all of them gave us a glimpse into Chinese family life.

• Submitted 23 Sep 2014
Tour
Guide
Country

Justin is an excellent tour guide, friendly, very calm. I really enjoyed his company.

• Submitted 12 Aug 2014
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Guide
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In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Beijing
Ends
Shanghai
Departs
Saturdays
Group Size
Min 4 / Max 24
Hotel Rating
3 - 4 star
Tour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guide
Meals
Breakfast: 12, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 2
Visiting
Beijing, Great Wall, Luoyang, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Guilin, Shanghai, Juyongguan Pass, Longsheng
Countries
Click to play videoBeijing cityscape with a view of the sprawling Forbidden City palace complex from above
Click to play videoGreat Wall Highlight
Click to play videoCarved rock statues of Buddha in Luoyang
Click to play videoCyclists on the old city walls in Xian
Click to play videoAerial view of Guilin and the stunning karst landscape
Click to play videoThe view across the Huangpu River to the modern cityscape of Pudong in Shanghai

Tour Add-ons

Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons

Tiger Leaping Gorge | Yangtze River | China
USD $ 500 / 3 days
Yungang Caves | Datong | China
USD $ 560 / 4 days

Extra Tour Info

Visiting the Great Wall
Our guide to the various sections of the Great Wall
Updated
18th December 2019

Guide extremely good.

Barbara Engeman
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