China & Vietnam: Beijing to Sapa Adventure

Introduction

From Beijing's iconic heart to Hanoi’s vibrant streets, this 21-day journey takes you through the best of China and Vietnam in one epic adventure. You’ll tick off bucket-list wonders like the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors, but the magic lies in discovering southern China’s hidden gems — Shaxi, Dali, and Kunming — where culture, nature, and local flavours reign supreme. Cross into Vietnam and dive into the colourful world of Sapa and Hanoi, just enough to get you hooked on the country's rich culture and cuisine. This isn’t just a trip — it’s a road trip filled with unforgettable moments that’ll leave you craving more.

• Forbidden City Visit
• Tiananmen Square
• Great Wall of China
• Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour
• Lunch with local family in Xi'an
• Giant Panda Breeding Center
• People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu
• Lijiang Old Town Visit
• Black Dragon Pool Park
• Shaxi Walking Tour Dali Old Town
• Gentle hiking in Yuanyang Rice Terraces
• Sapa 1-day Trekking Tour

Duration: 19 days

Start/Finish City: Beijing to Hanoi

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Grading: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Mas 16, avg 14

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Local Family Lunch Xi'an, Xi'an
Your Hands-On Moment: Hmong Batik Workshop, Tả Van. Orientation walk in Beijing, Xi'an. Forbidden City Visit. Tiananmen Square. Free time in Beijing, Xi'an. Great Wall of China. Muslim Quarters Visit. Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour. Lunch with local family in Xi'an. Giant Panda Breeding Center. People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu. Lijiang Old Town Visit. Black Dragon Pool Park. Shaxi Walking Tour. Dali Old Town. Dali Xizhou Old Town walking tour. Jianshui City Tour. Tofu Workshop. Gentle hiking in Yuanyang Rice Terraces. Sapa 1-day Trekking Tour. Hanoi Cyclo Tour. Transport to and from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Forbidden City Visit, Tiananmen Square, Great Wall of China, Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour, Lunch with local family in Xi'an, Giant Panda Breeding Center, People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu, Lijiang Old Town Visit, Black Dragon Pool Park, Shaxi Walking Tour. Dali Old Town, Gentle hiking in Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Sapa 1-day Trekking Tour.

Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Important Notes

1. Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites. It’s important to let your family and friends know that you might not be able to stay in touch over your usual methods, be it – social media or email. The Chinese Government restricts certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress, Whatsapp etc. It may be possible to still access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to stay in touch with your friends and family through the above blocked sites, we suggest you research installing a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel or turn on your data roaming if needed.

2. INTERNET ACCESS
Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites, certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress,etc. It may be possible to access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to use above blocked sites, we suggest you get a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel.

3. LUGGAGE
As we use (sometimes crowded) local transport please note backpacks are much more suitable than suitcases for this style of trip. Train travel means that bags have to be stowed either overhead or under beds, so travelling as light as possible is recommended.

4. As of June 28, 2025, Chinese Aviation Authorities have tightened safety rule following several onboard fire incidents linked to uncertified power bank portable chargers. Passengers will no longer be allowed to bring power banks that lack the official China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark. Any portable chargers without the CCC mark will be confiscated on domestic flights within China.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

How large will the group be?

Mas 16, avg 14

Meals Included

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Train, private vehicle, walking, plane, cyclo.

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Accommodation

Hotel (18nts)

My Own Room

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops

Joining Instructions

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

If you would like to book an airport Arrival transfer for your tour, please contact our Sales Team or your Travel Agent in advance of travel.

If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.

If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer with G Adventures, you can take the subway or the Airport Express Train.

Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day.

Upon arrival to your Joining Hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon), look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your CEO. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your CEO and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details!

If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your CEO will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that:

Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please call or go to the information centre and ask the staff there to help to call our local G Adventures Transfer provider directly at: +86 18122213686 – if the driver cannot arrive anytime soon, please take a taxi to your start point hotel.

If you are advised of a flight schedule change or flight cancellation within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, please call the emergency contact number to advise of your new arrival flight information. If you do not, we will not be able to rearrange your arrival transfer and you will need to make your own way to the starting hotel at your own expense.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

G Adventures Local Tour Operator (China):
Head Office: +86 18122213686
Beijing Office: +86 010-65128789 or +86 13379009576

G Adventures Local Representative (Vietnam)
Ms. Thuan
Emergency number: +84 88 844 9969

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Finishing Point Instructions

Your flight must depart no earlier than 19:00.

If you would like to book an airport Departure transfer for your tour, please contact our Sales Team or your Travel Agent in advance of travel.

Packing List

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Visas and Entry Requirements

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here

Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself with the embassy of each country. Your travel agent can assist. Please, keep in mind that all countries require passports valid for at least 6 months from the moment of departure from the country.

CHINA:
If you require a visa to enter China, you may also need an official Letter Of Invitation (LOI) before you can apply for your Chinese visa. If you require a Letter of Invitation (LOI) to apply for a Chinese visa, please fill out & submit the following request form

You can obtain the LOI through our visa support agent in China. The visa support link you need to complete will be sent to you or your travel agent by email when you confirm your booking. You must read the instructions carefully and fill out all the details.

Please ensure that you list the same details as appear on your LOI when filling out your Chinese Visa Application form.

HOW TO FILL IN CHINA LOI FORM ONLINE:
As Chinese visas are dated specifically for entry and exit, please ensure you enter the correct dates as per your flights entering and exiting China. Please remember to put exactly the same dates when you fill out the application at the Chinese embassy. You will need to provide additional documentation to the consulate (i.e. flights tickets, hotel reservations) if these dates fall outside the duration of the tour.

Please do not submit the below application until 3 months prior to your entry into China. The details will be forwarded to our local agent in China and your Letter of Invitation (LOI) will be issued within 10 business days of receipt.
Letter of Invitations (LOI) will be issued as a matter of priority based on the number of days from departure.

Once you have received your LOI you can apply for your visa by going to the nearest Chinese embassy. Please, remember that it is your responsibility to check whether passport details, name spelling and dates on the LOI are correct.

You must print out the full set of application forms including the ‘Confirmation of Online Visa application’ and ‘Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China’. All pages of each form must be printed out. The signature and date on the Confirmation Page and the 8th page of Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China must be handwritten by the applicant themselves. Visa applicants under the age of 18 must be signed by their guardian while also adding a handwritten signature in the ‘For person filling in the application on the applicant’s behalf’.

Travellers must have at least two blank passport pages available for each country they will visit on your tour. These are required for entry & exit stamps.

If you are applying for a Visa for China, please note the following details for your visa application:
City of Departure: Honghe
County of Departure: Hekou Yaozu Zizhixian

********************

Vietnam:
If you require a visa for Vietnam, they need to be arranged ahead of time (BEFORE your trip) as the processing time varies (minimum 2 weeks) and they are not available upon arrival.

Vietnamese E-Visa can be applied for here
Entry to Vietnam with an eVisa is supported at 13 airports, 16 land borders, and 13 seaports - details can be found here

Information is accurate as of April 1st, 2024.

Optional Activities

Beijing
- Hutong Walk
- Temple of Heaven
- Lama Temple Visit (25CNY per person)
- Drum and Bell Tower Visit (30CNY per person)
- Summer Palace (60CNY per person)

Mutianyu
- Toboggan at Great Wall (100-140CNY per person)
- Cable Car at Great Wall (100-140CNY per person)

Xi'an
- The Great Mosque (25CNY per person)
- Big Goose Pagoda Visit (50CNY per person)
- Cycling Xi'an City Walls (45-45CNY per person)
- The Tang Dynasty Cultural Show with Dumpling Banquet (328CNY per person)
- Xi'an City Wall South Gate (54CNY per person)

Shaxi
- Xingjiao Temple Visit (30CNY per person)
- Ouyang Courtyard

Dali
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (120CNY per person)

Dali
- Erhai Lake Bike Tour

Safety and Security

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customersolutions@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

International Flights

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

LGBTQ+ Safety

The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority at G Adventures and that includes our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.