Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure

Nimen hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe get acquainted with Beijing on your own before joining your group and leader for the meeting, then head out for an optional welcome dinner. Consider ordering Peking duck for your first meal in the country – first, the skin is carved and served in pancakes, then the rest is chopped and cooked into a soup. Yum!

This morning, get ready to tick one of the Seven Wonders of the World off your list – the Great Wall of China. You’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west from Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders from the north and continues to be one of the country's most remarkable achievements. The Mutianyu section is one of the best-preserved and has a high density of watch towers dotted along the wall. There’s also the option to ride a toboggan down the hills near the Great Wall, if you’re after a bit of a thrill! After, head to a local guest house for a dumpling making demonstration and tuck into these delicious parcels for lunch with your hosts. Return to Beijing for a free afternoon and evening to spend as you wish.

Visit the symbolic power centre of China this morning – Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it to be the heart of their nation. Cross the Golden Water Bridge north to the square and enter the grounds of the enormous Forbidden City, which was built more than 600 years ago and has been off limits to the public for almost all that time. Explore the halls and courtyards, soaking in the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then, you’ll have a free afternoon. Maybe explore the Hutong area in the old part of the city – a local neighbourhood that represents the spirit of old Beijing. In the early evening, you’ll board an overnight train to Xi’an.

Disembark your train and journey outside of Xi’an to what’s undoubtedly one of the unofficial wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huang as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. See over 1000 warriors, each with a different costume, height and facial expression. In the late afternoon, return to Xi’an for a walking tour. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has an exciting mixture of cultures, especially found in its food – Muslim dishes are a specialty here! For tonight's dinner, you'll get to try a range of snacks to get a sense of the local passion for food – think lamb kebabs, persimmon cake, cold noodles, fried rice with pickles and dried fruits.

Today is a free day to explore Xi’an at your own pace. Within the ancient city walls, this city is very walkable! You could also rent a bike for a ride along the city wall for a different perspective. Maybe visit the Bell Tower, which according to legend was built to restrain dragons that were causing earthquakes, or the Drum Tower, which is full of instruments once used to mark time and warn the population in emergencies. Maybe see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its squares, which is a hotspot for the locals, full of music, fountains, dancing and lots of food!

Take the bullet train to Chengdu and transfer to Mt Qingcheng. On the way, stop for a visit to the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Center to learn about their breeding program and how they introduce pandas back into the wild. Then, head to Mt Qingcheng, where philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism in AD142. Most of the temples on the mountain are Taoist and were built in the Jin and Tang dynasties. Explore the ancient town at the foot of the mountain with your leader, wander the old streets lined with houses built hundreds of years ago and soak in the scenery. Tonight, you’ll join your group for a hotpot dinner in town (fresh meat and vegetables cooked at your table in a spicy bubbling broth).

This morning, you’ll continue to explore Mt Qingcheng with your leader. Take the cable car up the mountain for panoramic views, then take an easy hike back down. As you walk through the ancient forest, listen to the chimes of old temples and maybe find your own meditative state within the trees. After, take a private transfer to Chengdu. Here, you’ll go on a walking tour through Tianfu Square (spot the giant statue of Chairman Mao!) and the People’s Park. Maybe take the chance to sit down in a traditional teahouse during your free time this afternoon. Tonight, make the most of Chengdu’s culinary offerings for dinner – Chengdu was listed a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, so you know you’re in for a treat!