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Small Group Tour
Essence of China - Small Group Tour
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Essence of China - Small Group Tour

Join like-minded travelers on this small group tour and marvel at the many faces of contemporary China. From the poetic karst peaks of Guilin to the futuristic towers of cosmopolitan Shanghai, this is a perfect highlights-edit for first time visitors.

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About This Trip

Discover the true essence of China on this journey specially designed for your first visit to this magnificent country. From secret gardens in imperial palaces to perspective-changing views of towering skyscrapers, you'll discover hidden sides to the China you've read about. Then, in the area surrounding the famed city of Guilin, you'll get an intimate look at life in the countryside. The stunning landscapes you'll discover have inspired generations of Chinese poets and painters, and are certainly not to be missed.

Trip Length 13 Days
Group size ≤ 12
Small Group Tour
from USD
$6,110 /person
秋 Autumn
12th Oct 2019
24th Oct 2019
Classics logo
History , Classics , First-timers

What we love

  • Gazing down at a life-size army of Terracotta Warriors
  • Hiking through the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces
  • Exploring Shanghai with a WildChina history expert

Basic Itinerary

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

    • EducationToursStudentTravelsSchoolTrips-bamboo rafting yangshuo
      Bamboo Rafting
    • bamboo rafting
      Bamboo Rafting
    • picnic on the great wall
      Picnic on the Great Wall
    • terracotta warriors xian
      The Terracotta Warriors

DETAILED ITINERARY

  • Day 1 | 2

    Beijing

    Meet your WildChina Beijing guide in the arrival hall of the airport • Transfer to your hotel in a private vehicle to check in and relax • If time permits, visit the Shijia Hutong Museum and learn about the history of Old Beijing • Meet the rest of the group at a welcome dinner • Gaze across Tiananmen Square • Explore the Forbidden City • Hike up Jingshan Hill for a commanding view over the Forbidden City below • Weave through Beijing's hutong alleyways • Visit a traditional siheyuan and learn the art of cricket fighting • Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner

  • Day 3 | 4

    Beijing (cont.)

    Wake early for a breakfast food tour of the city • Drive out of Beijing (~2hrs) to the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, built to protect China's heartland from invaders • Hike along the wild Great Wall • Enjoy a picnic lunch on a Great Wall Watchtower • Return to the city and relax with a Chinese reflexology session • Spend the evening at your leisure • Practice tai chi with a master at the Temple of Heaven • Take the high-speed train to Xi'an • Enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner

  • Day 5 | 6

    Xi'an

    Catch a close-up general's view of the Terracotta Warriors Army • Wander through the Shaanxi History Museum, which has been dubbed the "Treasure Chest of Ancient China" • Set out along Xi'an's ancient City Wall • Enjoy dinner at a vegetarian restaurant near Big Goose Pagoda Square • Let the savory aroma wafting from the countless food stalls of Xi'an Muslim Quarter envelop you • Decipher the inscribed stone tablets inhabiting the Stele Forest • Try your hand at calligraphy with an expert provided by WildChina • Flight to Guilin • Drive directly (~2.5hrs) to Longsheng • Enjoy dinner overlooking the rice terraces at Li'an Lodge

  • Day 7

    Guilin & Longsheng

    Spend the day hiking at your own pace through minority villages along the verdant, softly undulating Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces • Visit a local school • Transfer back to Guilin (~2.5hrs) and dine in a bustling local restaurant

  • Day 8

    Yangshuo

    Rise early and head to the Guilin Docks for a cruise down the Li River • Float down the Li River, whose scenery is so picturesque it is featured on the 20RMB note (~4hrs) • Take in Yangshuo's countryside and the curves of the Yulong River while taking a leisurely hike along its shore • Check into your hotel in Yangshuo and relax • Dine on West Street, Yangshuo's lively shopping area • Enjoy the spectacle of Impression Liusanjie, choreographed by the mastermind behind the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, in a natural amphitheater

  • Day 9

    Yangshuo

    Bike or hike through Yangshuo's enchanting scenery, with karst mountains and mist swirling around you • Learn how to cook like a local in a cooking lesson • Enjoy dinner at your leisure

  • Day 10

    Shanghai

    Your WildChina team will transfer you to the airport and help you check in for your flight to Shanghai • Upon arriving in Shanghai, your WildChina Shanghai guide will meet you in the airport arrival hall with your private vehicle on standby • Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure • We recommend taking a stroll around the Bund area

  • Day 11

    Shanghai

    Wander the maze of pavilions and arched bridges of Yu Garden • Dine on Shanghai's famous soup dumplings at Ding Tai Fung • Take to the streets of the French Concession in a sidecar • Stroll along the Bund with a WildChina history expert • Enjoy an early dinner before grabbing a VIP seat at the ERA Acrobatics Show

  • Day 12

    Suzhou

    Visit Suzhou, a verdant city which houses the lion's share of China's traditional Chinese Gardens • Wander through Zhuozheng Garden, a secluded sprawl of classical verdure created by an imperial historian seeking solace • Step into the Nets and Master Garden, a compact garden designed by fengshui masters • Take your time at the Suzhou Museum, a series of cascading white stucco walls, glass panes and footbridges spun together by the illustrious I.M. Pei • If there is time, enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal • Return to Shanghai in the late afternoon

  • Day 13

    Shanghai

    Zip towards Pudong International Airport at well over 400km/hour on the Maglev • Your WildChina guide will help you check in for your departure flight

Let's Plan Your Trip

FEATURED HOTELS

  • banyan tree yanghsuo hotel room

    Banyan Tree Yangshuo

    Luxury Boutique

    The Li River flows behind the Banyan Tree Yangshuo, which fuses traditional Chinese designs with modern comforts.
  • peninsula shanghai hotel room

    The Peninsula Shanghai

    5 star

    The Peninsula has a strong art deco influence reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai with luxurious rooms, restaurants and a rooftop bar overlooking the Bund.

  • rosewood beijing hotel room

    Rosewood Beijing

    5 star

    As the first Rosewood Hotel in China, the Rosewood Beijing presents contemporary surroundings that are warm, refined, and serene.

  • Shangri-La Guilin hotel room

    Shangri-La Guilin

    5 star

    Located on the famously picturesque Li River, the Shangri-La has comfortable, elegant rooms as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
  • Sofitel Legend Xi'an hotel room

    Sofitel Legend Xian

    5 star

    The Sofitel Legend is a modern escape decorated with luxurious art deco flair and is Xi'an's best hotel.

  • Li'an Lodge

    Luxury Boutique

    Perched on the Dragon Backbone's Terraces, the Li'an Lodge provides modern amenities and natural beauty.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BOOKING INFORMATION

How do I secure my spot on this tour?
You can secure your booking by paying a deposit of $500 USD. To start the booking process, click on the 'Let's Plan Your Trip' button below and get in touch with one of our travel experts today.

What is your cancellation policy?
All WildChina trips are refundable, less deposit, if formal written cancellation is lodged at least 60 days prior to departure.CLICK HERE to see our full cancellation policy.

Is this trip guaranteed to run?
This trip is guaranteed to run once we receive bookings from 6 passengers. Should the trip be cancelled due to lack of sign-ups, WildChina will fully refund any deposits or fees paid.

CLICK HERE to see terms and conditions for our small group tours.

PRICING INFORMATION

Tour Price

Twin Share: $6,110 USD
Single Traveler: $8,510 USD
Domestic flight (Economy) and bullet train (First class): $660 USD per person

What's Included:

  • All overland transfers with chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
  • All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
  • All meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
  • All services of WildChina English-speaking guide(s) and expert
  • All accommodations, based on double-occupancy and including breakfast, service charge, and government tax
  • Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip

What's Not Included:

  • International & domestic flights and relevant taxes
  • Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
  • Travel, health and trip cancellation insurance
  • Meals apart from those included in the itinerary and alcohol
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
  • Discretionary gratuities for guides and chauffeurs

Tour Reviews

The trip was AMAZING! We could not have asked for a better guide to our food + cultural adventures than Fuchsia Dunlop. Her passion & knowledge of the local cuisine & history was spectacular! Matched with our wonderful local guides and our well-arranged travel plans in each city, this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us both. FIVE STARS!

M.F., Jun 2018

Everything is going very well. The guides have been excellent, the Rosewood and Ritz Carlton outstanding. We've enjoyed the choice of restaurants and the food has been lots of fun.

Overall, WildChina has been very professional in every way.

B.K., May 2017
Read More Tour Reviews

FIND INSPIRATION ON OUR BLOG

  • 4 (Alternative) Things to Do in Guilin
  • Best Upscale Restaurants in Shanghai
  • Luxury Travel: 5 Reasons Why China's the Next Hot Destination

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Get Started - Essence of China - Small Group Tour

You're getting closer to your dream China adventure! Fill out this form so our travel designers can start helping you plan your trip.

First name is required.
Last name is required.
Email is required.
Phone is required.
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Number of travelers is required.
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Preferred date is required.
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Thank you for your inquiry. We will be in touch with you shortly.

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Thank you for your inquiry. One of our Travel Designers will be in touch with you shortly.

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  • China: +86 10 6465-6602
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