Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th each year. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
China: Bike Rides & Village Walks
10 days, Chengdu to Shanghai
Itinerary
Day 1Chengdu
Welcome to China! Arrive at any time, then meet your CEO and group in the evening for a Welcome Meeting & Orientation walk. Afterwards, join your crew for your First Night Out in the vibrant city of Chengdu!
Orientation Walk
Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Poshpacker local tea hostel (or similar)
Day 2Chengdu/Yangshuo
We'll ditch the big city this morning and head to the mountains today. A late morning bullet train brings us to the city of Yangshuo. After we arrive, we'll take an orientation walk of this picturesque, riverside city.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Orientation Walk
This backpacker town is full of things to do and see. An orientation walk will get you situated and help you make the most of your time in this idyllic location.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel) (or similar)
Day 3Yangshuo
Today we'll hop on a bike and explore the countryside of Yangshuo. Ride along the river, travel through a local village and stop for lunch at a local restaurant, all while taking in the incredible mountains surrounding the area. In the afternoon, head back to the city and enjoy a free evening.
Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour
Follow the guide and cycle over the flat(ish) landscape past rice paddies, local farmers, and water buffalo. Marvel at the limestone karsts and hear the legends of how they came to be. Stop for lunch at the house of a local family for a tasty meal made from freshly grown produce.
Accommodation
Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel) (or similar)
Meals included:
LunchDay 4Yangshuo
Enjoy a free day in Yangshuo! While this city may not be as big as some of China's other top destinations, there is no shortage of things to do here. Opt to visit the Xianggongshan & Tea Farm or go to the Impression Liu Sanjie light show. How about a Tai Chi or Kung Fu class? Even a cooking class!
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Yangshuo, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like taking a tai chi lesson, indulging in a traditional massage, and checking out the Li River Light Show. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Impression Liu Sanjie Culture Show
298CNY per personWhen the sun goes down, the Li River lights up for the 'Impression of Liu Sanjie' light show. The show consists of 7 episodes: the Prelude, Red Impression, Green Impression, Golden Impression, Blue Impression, Silvery Impression and the Epilogue. Each scene in the show is more spectacular and breathtaking than the last and is made up of 600 actors and actresses, colourful stage lights, and special-effect smoke systems. Watch the moonlight dance along the Li River combined with colourful lights and dancers as the show plays on!
Central Chinese Cooking Class - Yangshuo
Calling all foodies! Get an inside look at real Chinese food with a tour of the Yangshuo market to learn about the ingredients used in the Yangshuo area. Afterward, learn to cook Chinese food in a traditional Chinese farmhouse in the beautiful countryside just outside Yangshuo. After the cooking class you can sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared.
Xianggongshan & Tea Farm Visit
Travel us Xianggongshan, one of the amazing karst mountains in Yangshuo. Go up to the top and enjoy a birds eye view of the LiRiver. Visit a tea plantation and pick kumquats.
Tai Chi Class
100CNY per personStart the day early with a private Tai Chi class led by a local expert. This weaving together of calming yoga and meditation is practiced by millions daily throughout China and around the world. Learn the basic principles and moves of this ancient practice and start to discover firsthand why Tai Chi is revered for such health benefits as stress relief, improved balance and circulation, and overall well-being.
Accommodation
Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel) (or similar)
Day 5Yangshuo/Guangzhou
We'll arrive to the train station this morning to take a bullet train to one of the most important cities in China, Guangzhou. After arriving and a short rest, we'll hit the town and take a tour to see what Guangzhou has to offer. Visit Yuexiu Park, Chen Clan Academy and the Shamian Island. Then in the evening, opt to take the Pearl River boat cruise under the Guangzhou city lights.
Guangzhou City Tour
Go on a tour of the city of Guangzhou led by your CEO. Visit Yuexiu Park, the largest park in Guangzhou, Five Ram Stone Statue, the symbol of Guangzhou, Ancient Ming-Dynasty city wall, Sun-Yat Sun Monument, Chen Clan Academy and Shamian Island.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Five Rams City Hotel (or similar)
Day 6Guangzhou/Yongding
The next two nights are a special opportunity to stay in the extremely unique homes of the Hakka People. We'll stay in Hakka Tulou, ancient fortified buildings. Some can be 5 stories tall and some can be dated back to the 12th century. Travel back to the past as we explore this super off the beaten path part of China.
Today's travel brings you quite a distance so charge up those devices and get your playlists ready to roll.
Your Local Living Moment: Hakka Tulou
Spend two nights in an authentic Hakka tulou for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural immersion experience. These rural Chinese dwellings, also known as earthen houses, are circular or rectangular fortified structures up to five stories high with an open-air centre. Settle in and make yourself at home.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Yuchenglou Guesthouse (or similar)
Day 7Yongding
Wake up in one of the most unique places you'll ever stay. Then join your group and take an orientation walk of the Hakka Cultural Village. This afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore this impressive fortress how you'd like. Learn from the locals and hear their stories about how their families have been living in these homes for hundreds of years.
Hakka Cultural Village Orientation Walk
Starting from your Hakka guest house, go an orientation walk of the village and plan how you'll spend your day in this incredible place.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day to continue visiting the village and have local interactions.
Accommodation
Yuchenglou Guesthouse (or similar)
Day 8Yongding/Shanghai
Say goodbye to the community at the Hakka Houses before we head off on our journey to Shanghai. This is a long travel day, but the big city beckons! Shanghai is known to be distinct from the rest of China as one of the most internationally influenced cities in the country. It's an awesome spot to end our trip!
Shuttle
Move efficiently from point A to point B aboard this dependable ride.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Accommodation
HuaYi Eastern Hotel (Shanghai Hongkou North Sichuan Road) (or similar)
Day 9Shanghai
Start today with an orientation walk in Shanghai. Then join your CEO to head to some of the cities most popular spots. Start in the historical, waterfront district of the Bund Area and then pay a visit to Shanghai Old Town. This afternoon, tick off whatever is left on your Shanghai to do list with some free time. Opt to visit the Yuyuan Garden, shop and stroll through Nanjing Road or ask your CEO from some local restaurant recs. The options are endless in Shanghai! In the evening, join your crew for a Big Night Out!
Free Time
Enjoy a free afternoon in Shanghai.
Old Town Shanghai Walk
Enjoy a walk in the picturesque Old Town of Shanghai, which lies inside the ancient walled city of Shanghai. There are many wonderful sites to explore here, including the Yuyuan Garden and many temples.
Orientation Walk
Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.
Your Big Night Out Moment:
Join us for a night out on the town in Shanghai!
Accommodation
HuaYi Eastern Hotel (Shanghai Hongkou North Sichuan Road) (or similar)
Day 10Shanghai
Depart at any time.