DAY 1

Following a brief introductory meeting, you begin your journey in China with a drive north from Beijing to Juyongguan, where you explore a section of the famous Great Wall. Walking the wall is an exhilarating experience given the phenomenal length of this construction extending in serpentine manner across the horizon for thousands of miles. You take in this man-made wonder on a leisurely exploration before transferring to your first delightful home—a set of contemporary villas located in the mountains near a section of the “wild wall,” referring to sections that are not restored. Here we gather for a welcome dinner in the hotel's dining room, which will consist of local specialties such as Dim Sum, spring rolls, pork ribs with black bean sauce, and steamed chicken with ginger sauce. The food served on this itinerary almost always comes in the form of a buffet, featuring freshly prepared dishes.
Commune By The Great Wall, Shuiguan

DAY 2

After breakfast in this peaceful setting next to the “wild wall,” you drive 2½ hours to reach the section at Jinshanling and begin the day’s walk. Slowly ascending and descending the many hills that form this wild landscape, you pass 35 watchtowers, each offering an increasingly better perspective of this world wonder. The views of the Wall lacing over the precipitous mountain ridges into the distance are breathtaking. Reaching the Simatai section, you meet the bus and return to downtown Beijing, where you are once again immersed in the vibrant city life.

A sumptuous dinner of Cantonese specialties awaits at a restaurant overlooking Hou Hai Lake.
Bamboo Garden Hotel, Beijing

DAY 3

Following breakfast, you set off to explore charming Old Beijing on foot. Strolling through the city’s traditional neighborhoods and narrow alleyways called hutongs, you gain a sense of old-fashioned Beijing life. Among the hutongs, you pass elders playing Chinese chess or mahjong, ball dancing, stretching, or practicing Tai Chi. You also find shopkeepers selling such traditional snacks as jian bing (pancakes, or baozi(steamed buns), and hear calls announcing the arrival of the knife sharpener or cardboard collector.

Dinner this evening features the city’s signature delicacy, a delicious banquet of Peking Duck.
Bamboo Garden Hotel, Beijing

DAY 4

Today you transfer to Xi’an, China’s former capital famed for the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It was near the tumulus (or burial mound) of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di where, in 1974, well-digging peasants unearthed one of the century’s greatest archaeological finds: literally thousands of life-sized figures dating back some 2,000 years. Equally remarkable as the sheer number of warriors is the fact that each seems to be a rendering of a live model, complete with its own personality. Your encounter with this fascinating site includes an opportunity to view figures up close, sensing the scale and detail of individual warriors (and, in some cases, their horses).

Later you transfer to your hotel, located near the bustling city square and the magnificent Bell Tower. For more than 1,300 years, and due to its strategic location on the Silk Road, Xi’an has also been home to a thriving Muslim culture. There is time to walk the Muslim quarter and open-air market featuring displays of colorful and sweet-smelling dried fruit.

Dinner this evening is at a hundred-year-old restaurant well-known amongst the locals for their nineteen varieties of dumplings—all available to sample!
Bell Tower Hotel, Xi’an

DAY 5

On your last morning in Xi’an, you stroll the Ming Dynasty Wall that still encircles the Old City, the heart of which was China’s ancient capital city for 1,000 years. This wall is dotted with watchtowers displaying intricately carved and painted architecture where details do not cease to amaze. The walk leads to the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum that you are free to explore on your own.

After a lunch of traditional noodles for which Xi’an is famous, you bid farewell to this historic destination and fly to Guilin and dramatically different scenery. You then board your coach for a scenic 2 hour drive to your home for the next three nights, a wonderful and brand new riverside retreat. Upon arrival you have time to relax before dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 6

Beginning the morning on foot, you follow the scenic Yulong River. The route passes by picturesque hamlets tucked among subtropical plants and surrounded by rice paddies. You may spot water buffaloes and rice farmers working in their terraced fields. As you walk, you are surrounded by the region’s signature landscape—amazing karst limestone formations of irregular shape dotting the skyline. After lunch at a local restaurant, you may choose between relaxing at your hotel or an optional walk, returning by bamboo raft.

In the evening, you drive to downtown Yangshuo for dinner and a short boat ride on the Li River that includes a performance featuring the age-old craft of cormorant fishing.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 7

Following breakfast, you cross the Yulong River by bamboo raft and begin to walk along a country road toward the famous Moon Hill which beckons in the distance. On arrival you may ascend to the summit by climbing 819 steps. From the top you are treated to a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding hills and a close look at the “Moon,” which used to be the underground river canal.

You return to Yangshuo in the late afternoon with time to relax before a barbecue under the stars at your hotel.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 8

The day’s adventure begins with a short transfer to Fuli, a small town of 4,000 people with a proud craft tradition. In fact, one out of every four residents in Fuli earns a living by making painted fans and umbrellas. Your short walk in Fuli follows ancient, narrow stone streets to the local market.

As you transfer to Xinping with a picnic lunch en-route, the passing landscape may resemble a continuous scroll of masterful artwork—the same imagery that has inspired Chinese artists for thousands of years. Arriving in the ancient fishing town, you walk along streets lined with traditional houses and observe locals going about their daily tasks. From here a walk to Yangdi Town takes in all the beautiful scenery of the surrounding countryside.

Stepping back into the hustle and bustle, you travel back to Guilin, a city dotted with intriguing limestone karst peaks and shaped by the Li River. Your hotel is in the city center, overlooking a park that invites a stroll in the company of elders performing their ritual evening exercise and dances.
Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin

DAY 9

Today’s walk begins in Ping’an village where you follow a trail that traverses terraced slopes, takes you through bamboo forests, and connects several Zhuang and Yao minority villages. You finish your walk in Dazhai village where a transfer takes you to your amazing hotel, which lies amongst bamboo-covered hills and terraced rice paddies in a village accessible only by foot. It is a museum-like hotel which took six years to build. Porters will carry your necessities for the next two days up a narrow path to the village, leaving the rest of your belongings securely on the bus. After settling in you enjoy dinner in the hotel’s traditional dining room.
Li’an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 10

Today you awake to magnificent views of the terraced rice fields of Longsheng while enjoying a breakfast of fresh eggs, noodles, and sweet local fruit. Carved into the hillside over hundreds of years by the local Zhuang and Yao people, the rice paddies, when filled with water, resemble dragon’s scales, hence the name of one of the nearby mountains—Dragon’s Back. Spend a few more hours here deepening your appreciation of local life and the area’s spectacular scenery. Follow the trails used by the locals to reach their fields. Solitude and calm embrace the path, and at times the only sounds you hear are your footsteps, a babbling brook, or chirping birds.

Tonight you celebrate and toast your adventure over your final dinner and recount the week’s exotic experiences.
Li’an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 11

After breakfast, you transfer to Guilin, to catch your connecting flight to Beijing, where you bid farewell to your newfound friends. You are free to continue your exploration of this remarkable city.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Night 1

Commune By The Great Wall
Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

A private collection of contemporary villas located in the Shuiguan mountains outside of Beijing, adjacent to a section of the Great Wall.

Nights 2 & 3

Bamboo Garden Hotel
Xicheng District, Beijing, China

A courtyard-style hotel with peaceful gardens and bamboo groves, ideal for relaxing in the Old City of Beijing. The rooms are newly decorated with traditional Chinese furniture, and have Western style bathrooms. 

Night 4

Bell Tower Hotel
Xi'an, China

A four-star international hotel with modern amenities, located on the main square and overlooking the Bell Tower.

Nights 5, 6 & 7

Yangshuo Resort
Yangshuo, China

This brand new riverside resort has rooms overlooking lush green fields and limestone karsts typical of this area. All rooms are very tastefully decorated and furnished.

Night 8

Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Guilin, China

A comfortable international hotel located near the park and overlooking the Li River.

Nights 9 & 10

Li'an Lodge
Longsheng County, China

A museum-like hotel with spectacular views. Each room features an incredible display of art and antiques.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Tiger Li

A native of Sichuan Province in Central China, Tiger studied English while at university.  Li has hiked and guided extensively in the Himalayas, as well as in the Guilin region.  He has also walked a large portion of the Great Wall and is one of the best-known Chinese national guides in the Beijing region.  On tour, Li looks forward to sharing his love of hiking, China, and travel with guests.

Daisy Zuo

Daisy was born in Xi'an, but moved to Beijing when she was nine years old and has lived there ever since.  Using her university degrees in English and Hotel Management, she has worked as a national guide and as a Beijing city guide.  Daisy enjoys meeting people of different cultural backgrounds and sharing her knowledge of Beijing and China with them.

Freeman Pan

A member of one of China's ethnic minorities, the Zhuang people, Freeman was born in the city of Yangshuo, and has been surrounded by some of China's most beautiful landscapes for his entire life. He attended the Guilin Institute of Tourism where he obtained degrees in English and Tourism. As a guide, he specializes in the general Guilin area and likes taking clients to small, rural villages that are off the beaten path. In his free time, Freeman enjoys photography and listening to music.