Tour overview

This 12-day adventure for travellers aged 18 to 35 crosses China by train, from Beijing to Hong Kong, at great value. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay eleven nights in simple hotels and hostels, including a night on a hard sleeper train, with a lunch and a street food tasting included.

In Beijing you walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu, explore Tiananmen Square and wander the hutong lanes before an overnight hard sleeper train to Xi’an. There you taste street food in the Muslim Quarter and visit the Terracotta Warriors by public transport. A high-speed train brings you to laid-back Chengdu to see giant pandas at the breeding research centre.

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A bullet train takes you to Yangshuo, where you cycle through the countryside among limestone karsts and rice fields, with a free day for a Li River cruise, tai chi or a cooking class. You end in Hong Kong, arriving by high-speed train.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits independent-minded travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to see China on a budget.

Trip highlights

  • The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Day 2)
  • A sleeper train to Xi’an (Day 3)
  • The Terracotta Warriors (Day 5)
  • Giant pandas in Chengdu (Day 7)
  • Cycling in Yangshuo (Day 9)
  • Hong Kong (Day 11)

Your route

8 stops from Beijing to Hong Kong

12-day route: Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Yangshuo – Hong Kong
  1. Beijing Days 1–3
  2. Mutianyu Great Wall Day 2
  3. Xi'an Days 4–5
  4. Terracotta Warriors Day 5
  5. Chengdu Days 6–7
  6. Yangshuo Days 8–10
  7. Guilin Day 11
  8. Hong Kong Days 11–12

Why choose this tour

China’s highlights by train at a great price. A group your own age.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers
  • Rail lovers
The Great Wall winding through green hills

Day-by-day itinerary

12 days from Beijing, China to Hong Kong

  1. Day 1 · Beijing Beijing

    A 6pm welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Mutianyu Great Wall

    The Great Wall.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  3. Day 3 · Tiananmen Square, Hutongs Beijing

    Hutongs and the night train.

    Hotel
    Hard sleeper train
  4. Day 4 · Xi’an, Muslim Quarter Xi’an

    Street food tasting.

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

    The buried army.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  6. Day 6 · Chengdu Chengdu

    A high-speed train.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  7. Day 7 · Panda Breeding Base Chengdu

    Giant pandas.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  8. Day 8 · Yangshuo Yangshuo

    A bullet train south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Yangshuo Yangshuo

    A countryside bike ride.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  10. Day 10 · Li River Yangshuo

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  11. Day 11 · Hong Kong Hong Kong

    By train to Hong Kong.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  12. Day 12 · Hong Kong Hong Kong

    The trip ends.

A traditional hutong house in Beijing

Where you stay

  • Beijing (2 nights) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Hard sleeper train
  • Xi’an (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chengdu (2 nights) Hostel
  • 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 11 nights in hotels, hostels and a sleeper train
  • Meals 1 lunch
  • Sleeper, high-speed and bullet trains
  • Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing walks
  • Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an street food
  • Panda base visit and Yangshuo bike tour
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Meals not included 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are over 35
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You want meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: none included · Lunch: Day 9 · Dinner: none included
The Bell Tower in Xi'an at night

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £875 per person, twin share, tour only. 81 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.

What ages is this trip for?

Travellers aged 18 to 35.

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 a hard sleeper?

A shared open-plan carriage with bunk beds, bedding provided.

Are meals included?

Only a lunch and a street food tasting, so you choose where to eat.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on the train.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen 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