Tour overview

This 19-day journey explores China in depth, from its imperial capital to the sacred mountains of Sichuan, the Yangtze River and the karst landscapes of the south. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, using high-speed trains and public transport. You stay eighteen nights: thirteen in hotels, one in a simple monastery on Emei Shan and four in cabins on a Yangtze River boat.

In Beijing you explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu. A high-speed train brings you to Xi’an and the Terracotta Warriors, then to Chengdu and the giant pandas. In the sacred mountains of Emei Shan you see the giant Leshan Buddha, a World Heritage Site, and spend a night in a monastery among Buddhist temples and forest trails.

Read more

From Yichang you visit the Three Gorges Dam and spend four days sailing upriver through the Three Gorges to Chongqing, with all meals on board. A bullet train takes you to Yangshuo for a countryside bike ride and a home-cooked lunch among the karsts, with a free day for the Li River, before you finish in Hong Kong.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want a comprehensive and adventurous journey through China.

Trip highlights

  • The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Day 3)
  • The Terracotta Warriors (Day 5)
  • Giant pandas (Day 7)
  • The Leshan Buddha and Emei Shan (Days 8–10)
  • The Three Gorges (Days 12–14)
  • Cycling in Yangshuo (Day 16)

Your route

14 stops from Beijing to Hong Kong

19-day route: Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Emei Shan – Yichang – Three Gorges – Chongqing – Yangshuo – Hong Kong
  1. Beijing Days 1–3
  2. Mutianyu Great Wall Day 3
  3. Xi'an Days 4–5
  4. Terracotta Warriors Day 5
  5. Chengdu Days 6–7
  6. Leshan Giant Buddha Day 8
  7. Emei Shan Days 8–10
  8. Chengdu Day 11
  9. Yichang Day 11
  10. Three Gorges Days 12–13
  11. Chongqing Day 14
  12. Yangshuo Days 15–17
  13. Guilin Day 18
  14. Hong Kong Days 18–19

Why choose this tour

China in depth, including the Yangtze and Emei Shan. A small group of no more than twelve.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • History and culture lovers
  • Solo travellers
  • Travellers with time to spare
The Great Wall across rugged mountains

Day-by-day itinerary

19 days from Beijing, China to Hong Kong

  1. Day 1 · Beijing Beijing

    The trip begins.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square Beijing

    The imperial city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  3. Day 3 · Mutianyu Great Wall

    The Great Wall.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · Xi’an Xi’an

    A high-speed train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Terracotta Army Xi’an

    The buried army.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  6. Day 6 · Chengdu Chengdu

    Sichuan’s capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  7. Day 7 · Panda Breeding Base Chengdu

    Giant pandas.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Leshan, Emei Shan Emei Shan

    The Leshan Buddha.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Emei Shan Emei Shan

    A sacred mountain.

    Hotel
    Monastery
  10. Day 10 · Emei Shan Emei Shan

    Countryside walks.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Yichang Yangtze River

    Board the boat.

    Hotel
    River boat cabin
  12. Day 12 · Three Gorges Dam Three Gorges Dam

    The world’s largest dam.

    Hotel
    River boat cabin
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Yangtze River Three Gorges

    Through the gorges.

    Hotel
    River boat cabin
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Yangtze River Yangtze River

    Upriver to Chongqing.

    Hotel
    River boat cabin
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Chongqing, Yangshuo Yangshuo

    A bullet train south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Yangshuo Yangshuo

    A bike ride and home-cooked lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  17. Day 17 · Li River Yangshuo

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  18. Day 18 · Hong Kong Hong Kong

    By train to Hong Kong.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  19. Day 19 · Hong Kong Hong Kong

    The trip ends.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

Where you stay

  • Beijing (3 nights) Hotel
  • Xi’an (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chengdu (2 nights) Hotel
  • Emei Shan (1 night) Hotel
  • Emei Shan (1 night) Monastery
  • Emei Shan (1 night) Hotel
  • Yangtze River (4 nights) River boat cabin
  • Yangshuo (3 nights) Hotel
  • Hong Kong (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 18 nights in hotels, a monastery and a river boat
  • Meals 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • High-speed trains and public transport
  • Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors
  • Panda base, Leshan Buddha and Emei Shan
  • Yangtze River cruise and Three Gorges Dam
  • Yangshuo bike ride and a local leader

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Meals not included 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 15 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A giant panda among greenery

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You want a short holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 12–15 · Lunch: Days 12–14 and 16 · Dinner: Days 12–14
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for China
The Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,826 per person, twin share, tour only. 118 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for China?

UK citizens can currently visit China visa-free for short stays. Check the latest advice before travel.

What is the monastery stay like?

A simple twin room with shared bathrooms on Emei Shan, for one night.

What is the Yangtze boat like?

Twin cabins with private bathrooms, with all meals on board.

How much walking is there?

Moderate, including the Great Wall and mountain trails on Emei Shan.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

Similar routes

12 days · 81 departure dates

Real China for 18–35s: Beijing to Hong Kong – 12 Days

From £875
12 days · 24 departure dates

China Family Holiday: Great Wall, Pandas & Yangshuo – 12 Days

From £2,315
10 days · 21 departure dates

China Real Food Adventure: Beijing to Hong Kong – 10 Days

From £2,007
15 days · 47 departure dates

Highlights of China with Yangtze Cruise & Flights – 15 Days

Flights included From £3,572 incl. flights

More tours in China

20 days · 32 departure dates

Ancient Empires of China & Japan with Flights – 20 Days

Flights included From £7,390 incl. flights
20 days · 14 departure dates

Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure: Sapa to Bangkok – 20 Days

From £3,400
25 days · 22 departure dates

China to Singapore by Train: Laos, Thailand & Malaysia – 25 Days

From £4,065
11 days · 51 departure dates

Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar – 11 Days

From £2,695
18 days · 49 departure dates

China & Mongolia Railway Adventure: Shanghai to Ulaanbaatar – 18 Days

From £3,870
11 days · 27 departure dates

China & Laos by Rail: Kunming to Bangkok – 11 Days

From £1,755

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

10 days · 13 departure dates

Luxury Nepal & Bhutan: Kathmandu, Thimphu & Tiger’s Nest – 10 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £6,187
13 days · 9 departure dates

Annapurna to Chitwan: Walks & Wildlife in Nepal – 13 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £2,704
11 days · 1 departure date

Bhutan’s Paro Festival & the Tiger’s Nest – 11 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £5,080
11 days · 1 departure date

Bhutan’s Black-Necked Crane Festival & the Tiger’s Nest – 11 Days

On offer · save up to 20% From £4,992

Explore more

From £2,826
See dates & prices