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: National Parks & Vibrant Cities
10 days, Chengdu to Hong Kong
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
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/Chongqing
This morning, opt to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center with your CEO or explore Chengdu on your own. In the afternoon, we'll take the bullet train to Chongqing. Join your CEO for an orientation walk to get your bearings then enjoy a free evening.
Orientation Walk
Join your CEO to get your bearings around Chongqing.
Free Time
Free time in Chengdu! Opt to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Giant Panda Breeding Center
58CNY per personVisit the popular pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, created to provide an ideal breeding environment for these endangered creatures. Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures. See a number of other rare species, including the little-known red panda. Arrive in the fall for a chance to see tiny newborn pandas.
Accommodation
Green Oriental Hotel Jiefangbei Qixinggang Branch (or similar)
Day 3Chongqing
Hop on a public bus or metro with your CEO and visit Ciqikou Old town, where bamboo and wood frames still make up the foundation of most architecture as it did 1000 years ago. Then head to downtown Chongqing for a walking tour of the city, visiting spots like Chao Tian Men Square and Liberation Monument. Once it's dark, get a view of Hongyadong, an 11-story 2000 year old military base turned commercial center.
Ciqikou Old Town
Get a glimpse of Old Chongqing from the times of the Ming & Qing dynasties, dating as far back as the 1300s. What was once a busy port is now a beautiful riverside spot.
Chongqing City Walking Tour
Take a walking tour of downtown Chongqing, one of China's most important cities. We'll stop at important places like Chao Tian Men Square and Liberation Monument. Afterwards, opt to ride the ferry across the river.
Hongyadong Night View
At night, once it's dark, visit the 1000 year old, 11 story high complex. This beautiful and ancient fortress for the state is now a main commercial compelx.
Accommodation
Green Oriental Hotel Jiefangbei Qixinggang Branch (or similar)
Day 4Chongqing/Zhangjiajie
Rise with the sun to get a morning train to Zhangjiajie, home to one of China's most impressive natural landscapes. This is a longer travel day so make sure to have some entertainment ready for the train ride. In the afternoon, arrive to Zhangjiajie and take an orientation walk of the city.
Orientation Walk
Take an orientation walk of the city where the mountains and the river meet.
Train
Ride in a bullet train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie.
Accommodation
Yuzun Hotel Zhangjiajie (or similar)
Day 5Zhangjiajie
Prepare to feel like you've been transported to the world of Pandora from Avatar. After a short shuttle ride, we'll hike through the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to view the Tianzi Mountain and Pillar of the Southern Sky. Take it all in before taking hiking back or opt to ride the 1070 ft elevator back down to the base of the forest.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Step into another world and watch as the mist forms around sky scraper tall mountain karsts. Embark on an unforgettable hiking experience. These are moderate hiking trails that ascend up stairs. The work is well worth the view. We will spend 6-7 hours in this magical place.
Accommodation
Yuzun Hotel Zhangjiajie (or similar)
Day 6Zhangjiajie
Today is a free day to spend it how you'd like. Choose to tour other parts of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park because your entry ticket is valid for two full days of exploration. Opt to take a day trip to Tianmen Shan National Park or explore the beautiful city of Zhangjiajie.
Free Time
Spend a full day exploring Zhangjiajie how you wish! Return to the National Park, tour Mt Tianzi, an entirely different national park, or explore the beautiful town.
Accommodation
Yuzun Hotel Zhangjiajie (or similar)
Day 7Zhangjiajie/Yangshuo
Catch the early morning bullet train to Guilin before climbing into a bus to Yangshuo. After checking into the hotel, take an orientation walk of the city and enjoy a free night out.
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.
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
Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel) (or similar)
Day 8Yangshuo
Pedal around the city and into the countryside this morning on a guided tour of Yangshuo. Bike along rivers, through local villages and near stunning karst formations. Opt for a short hike up Moon hill, then bike back and enjoy lunch together as a group. Spend the afternoon how'd like in Yangshuo. Tonight, join your crew for a big night out! Grab yourself a drink, maybe a beer, maybe an oolong tea and hit the town together!
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.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in Yangshuo.
Your Big Night Out Moment:
Grab yourself a drink and head out for a Big Night Out with your group!
Accommodation
Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel) (or similar)
Meals included:
LunchDay 9Yangshuo
A free day in Yangshuo means you can spend it how you'd like. There is so much to do in this amazing city. Opt to visit the Xianggongshan & Tea Farm or go to the Impressions Liu Sanjie light show. How about a Tai Chi or Kung Fu class? Even a cooking class! The options are endless. Then in the evening, join your group and CEO for your Big Night Out!
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 9 HideShow
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.
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.
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 10Yangshuo/Hong Kong
It may be our last day together but we still have an adventure. This morning we take the bullet train to Hong Kong. Spend the last few hours together with your new friends. Your trip finishes upon arrival in Hong Kong.
Please note: Departing flights should be booked no earlier than 8pm.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.