China: Iconic sites and hidden gems
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Price$1460+ flight to Beijing and back home
- Physical grade 2/5
- Service grade Standard
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Duration15 days
Who hasn't dreamed of visiting the most iconic sights of one of the most ancient civilisations on Earth - the Terracotta army, the Great wall of China and the Forbidden city? Aside from this truly unique places we will also explore tea capital Kunming, monasteries in the ancient Dali and Lijiang, will walk the bridge on the holy Huashan mountain known as the Death hike and do a two day trek across picturesque Tiger leaping gorge, where the largest Asian river Yangtze begins.
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Day 1Arrival in Beijing, checking into a guesthouse in one of the historic hutongs (districts). We will visit Tiananmen square - the largest one in the world, Forbidden city and the 15th century Temple of Heaven. In the evening we explore Hutong district.
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Day 2In the morning we take a train to Badalin (1 hour on the way) where we visit the best preserved part of the Great wall of China. We are back in Beijing and spend the evening enjoying the oldest teahouse in the city.
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Day 3-4We take a speed train to Huashan (5 hours) and check into a hotel. One of the five sacred mountains in China, Huashan has been known as a place of hermitage of many ancient sages. Now the mountain is home to many temples, some of which we will visit. We will also go up the famous Death hike - a bridge on the mountain. There is a cable car available for those less daring.
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Day 5-6Train ride to Xi'an (1 hour), the former capital and one of the most ancient cities of China with a history of 3000 years. After checking into a hotel we will go to see the legendary Tekkakota army, the 6th century Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and explore the city. We will also enjoy a variety of local famous dumplings.
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Day 7Flight to Kunming, the tea center of China. After checking into a hotel we will walk to the lake in the center, explore bird and flea markets and then head to one of the biggest tea markets in the world, where we will participate in a traditional tea ceremony and try different kinds of tea. We will also get to know local cuisine, famous for its soups, all kinds of noodles and pickles.
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Day 8In the morning we take a bus to the nearby Stone forest, a set of unique limestone formations, shaped by centuries of erosion. We go back to Kunming and take a night train to Lijiang.
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Day 9Arrival in Lijiang, the most important town of the Ancient tea route, used to deliver tea from southern China to the West. Checking into a hotel in historic part of town which we will explore after some rest. We walk to the nearby Black Dragon Pool, a famous temple and a palace with a pond, where a black dragon is said to live in ancient times.
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Day 10In the morning we will take a bus to the national park at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. We will take a ropeway 4506 meters up the sea level, and then walk up to the 4680 meters peack on the most southern glacier in the Northern hemisphere.
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Day 11In the morning we take a bus to a Tiger leaping gorge (4 hours), a scenic canyon where the longest river in Asia, Yangtze, begins. During this day we will hike for about 13 km on one of the most picturesque trails in the world which was open to foreigners only in 1993. We will also meet local Nakhi minority people and spend a night in a local scenic guesthouse.
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Day 12We will spend this day walking 13 km, descending to Yangtze and the Stone of leaping tiger, while enjoying the view and sound of waterfalls. In the afternoon we head back to Lijiang by bus (4 hours)
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Day 13In the morning we take a train to Dali (2 hours), the heart of the ancient Nanzhao state. After checking into a hotel we take a walk in the ancient city, getting to know local Bai people, and visit The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple of 9th century, known as the tallest pagoda in China. We will also walk to Erhai Lake nearby.
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Day 14In the morning we will visit a hidden zen - buddhist temple about 2200 meters up in the mountain. This place is home to only a handful of monks who practice kung fu and tai chi. After that we have some free time in the city for shopping or enjoying local teahouses. In the evening we board a night train to Kunming.
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Day 15Arrival in Kunming, bidding farewell to the tour leader, flight to Beijing and from there back home.
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Who hasn't dreamed of visiting the most iconic sights of one of the most ancient civilisations on Earth - the Terracotta army, the Great wall of China and the Forbidden city? Aside from this truly unique places we will also explore tea capital Kunming, monasteries in the ancient Dali and Lijiang, will walk the bridge on the holy Huashan mountain known as the Death hike and do a two day trek across picturesque Tiger leaping gorge, where the largest Asian river Yangtze begins.
Is this trip for you?
This trip is of average physical grade. It consists of long city walks and a two day 27 kilometer trek in the mountains. (No special training required). We will also take two short domestic flights, spend two nights in comfortable overnight trains (with sleeping benches, sheets, and air conditioning) and take several short (up to 4 hours) bus and train rides. The trip also includes one or two cable car rides. Accommodation will be provided in simple hotels and guesthouses, almost all will have hot running water and wi fi internet.
Price of the trip includes:
- Two domestic flights (Xian-Kunming and Kunming-Beijing);
- Accommodation in double\twin rooms of simple hotels and guesthouses during the entire trip;
- All transportation during the trip, including buses, trains, specially rented vehicles and public transportation;
- Professional guiding services (up until the flight from Kunming to Beijing on the last day).
To be paid separately:
- Flight to Beijing and from Beijing back home;
- Entrance tickets to places of interest, including museums, monasteries, ropeways and other (up to $350);
- Food ($6-20 per person per day);
- Visa to China (apx. $110);
- Medical insurance (mandatory).
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Who hasn't dreamed of visiting the most iconic sights of one of the most ancient civilisations on Earth - the Terracotta army, the Great wall of China and the Forbidden city? Aside from this truly unique places we will also explore tea capital Kunming, monasteries in the ancient Dali and Lijiang, will walk the bridge on the holy Huashan mountain known as the Death hike and do a two day trek across picturesque Tiger leaping gorge, where the largest Asian river Yangtze begins.
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Citizens of almost all countries need a visa to enter China.
Visa should be obtained prior to the trip in the Chinese embassy in the country of residence.
We provide free visa consulting for clients.
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- Price: + $30
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