Megacities and villages of China. Pandas, mountains and rice terraces

Days

Tour description

The largest skyscrapers and scenic rice plantations. Life of mountain tribes and super modern casinos. Slums and districts of expensive villas with pools. Looks like a surreal picture. This is what China is about!

Ride a tram to the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong to look at the endless skyscrapers
Learn the rules of blackjack and other games in the largest casinos of Macau
Try a hundred years old tea at the largest tea market in the world in Guangzhou
Ride traditional bamboo boats on the picturesque Li River between karst rocks
Observe funny pandas in their natural habitat at the Chengdu Nature Reserve
Look into the tranquil face of the 71-meter tall Buddha statue in Leshan

Tour departures

The price of the tour includes

Flight from Chengdu to Hong Kong; All transportation during the trip, including trains, buses, city transport and taxis; Accommodation throughout the trip; Entrance tickets to all attractions along the route; Professional guiding services.

What is NOT included

Flight to Hong Kong and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best flights); Food ($15-25 per person per day); Insurance (mandatory); Visa to China.

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Hong Kong, Chungking mansion, Light show on Victoria Harbour, Night life on Temple Street

We arrive in Hong Kong and check into the Chungking mansion hotel in the city center. This iconic building was just another residential place, but for the last decades most of the apartments were converted into family-run hotels and cafes. In the corridors and elevators you can meet people of all colors and nationalities. In Chungking mansion, many famous films were shot, for example, “Chungking mansion” by Wong Kar-wai. This place is very colorful!

We walk on Victoria Harbour, the bustling seafront area. Hong Kong Island with its endless skyscrapers is just across the strait, on the neighboring island of Hong Kong. And right under our feet is the Avenue of Stars of Hong Kong Cinema. We will definitely find the stars of the main characters - Jackie Chan and John Woo and see the famous light show. For dinner we go to Temple Street, one of the bustling night areas of the city. Shops, bars, fruits, all kinds of restaurants - everything is here!

Day 2

Tai O fishing village, Big Buddha, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Dim sum restaurant

In the morning we take a ferry to Lantau Island and then take a bus to the fishing village of Tai O. Here you will not find a single building above two floors, and the views here are as if the village is in some place distant from civilization. Locals still live in wooden houses on stilts above the sea. In recent years, only air conditioners, motor boats and satellite dishes have been added. We ride boats in the village, and then explore the narrow streets of the mainland part of the village. For lunch we will enjoy fresh grilled seafood, snails in soy sauce and the signature cold drink of hibiscus flowers.

A bus takes us to the other side of Lantau, where the symbol of Hong Kong is located - a huge 34 meters tall bronze Buddha statue. We will walk the stairs to the foot of the statue, with the monastery behind it. We get down by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. The views that we will see from our glass cabin are breathtaking! For example, have you ever seen airplanes scurrying around the airport from above? Or did you feel like a bird, watching the huge ships sailing along the strait? The spiers of skyscrapers are approaching us, and right under our feet are rocks and trees. Incredible!

In the evening we visit the famous dim sum steam kitchen restaurant. It is known as the most affordable restaurant with a Michelin star in the world. They know us well here!

Day 3

Business district of Hong Kong, Peak Victoria, Wong Tai Sin temple and Nan Lian garden

In the morning we take a ferry to the business district on the island of Hong Kong - the very area of endless skyscrapers. Here are the offices of all the leading companies in the world. We pass by the skyscraper to the funicular, which has been working here for more than 120 years. It will take us to Victoria Peak. From this top a beautiful view of the whole city opens! We get down on a double-decker bus, watching the richest area of the city - huge villas with swimming pools and gardens, and bright Ferrari and Lamborghini parked. We go to the most famous antique market on the street Cat street.

It's time to visit the main temples of the city. Let's start with the Wong Tai Sin Temple. Here we will watch the prayers of the parishioners. They love to bring unusual offerings to this temple — meat, lard, and vodka. For the curious, near the temple there is a whole street of fortune tellers. Playing cards, crystal balls, lines on the palms, reading faces and calculating numbers - you choose the way to know the future!

In the evening we go for a walk in the garden next to the Nan Lian Monastery. It is quite small, but here every inch of land is thought out to the smallest detail - lakes with goldfish, stones, neatly trimmed trees and bushes. It seems that you are not in the center of a huge metropolis, but in the forest! At least, until you lift your head up to the sheer walls of the huge houses of the nearest sleeping districts.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is of easy physical grade. It includes long walks in the cities, villages and parks. We will travel by bus and train (trips lasting up to 7 hours), take a ferry, ride on bamboo boats on the river Li. Accommodation in double/twin rooms in tourist class hotels and guesthouses. All will have their own bathroom with hot water and wi fi internet.