China: Beijing, Xi'an & Southern Provinces

DAY 1

Following a brief introductory meeting, you begin your journey by visiting Jingshan Park, which was part of the Forbidden City until the early 1900s when the walls were pulled down and a road was cut through it. Here take in the best view of Beijing from the Pavilion of the Everlasting Spring, which was once the highest point in the city. Before driving out of Beijing to the Great Wall you take a brief look at the National Stadium. Because of its web of twisting steel sections that form the roof it is sometimes nicknamed the Bird’s Nest. It was built specifically for the Olympic Games in 2008. On arrival in Juyongguan, 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 manmade 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 consists 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.

You may wish to take the easier option today. After dropping off guests who choose to take the more difficult hike you continue driving for an additional 30 minutes to Simatai, where, on arrival, you take a cable car up to this section of the wall and enjoy an easy hike along a short section. During our walk stop en route to eat a picnic lunch and then take the cable car down the wall and enjoy some tea in a nearby restaurant.

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. In the late morning you may wish to take a steep walk up to the top of the Drum Tower, a time-keeping center for the whole city equipped with bronze water clocks and drums that were beaten to mark the hours. It was built in 1272, during the reign of Kublai Khan and is a wooden, two-story building with three layers of upturned eaves. If you wish you may walk up the 69 steep steps to the top of the tower and at the top you can see some of the drums of differing sizes. One drum is the largest in the world.

Enjoy a dumpling-making lesson with a local family before having lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon you may relax back at the hotel or take an easy walk through Hou Hai Park. 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 never 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 1½-hour drive to Longsheng. Your hotel lies among bamboo-covered hills and terraced rice paddies in a village accessible only on foot. You carry your necessities for the next few days up a narrow path to the village, leaving the rest of your belongings securely on the bus. Flashlights and your guides will lead the way as you will arrive in darkness. After settling in, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s traditional dining room.
Li’an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 6

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 mountain’s name—Dragon’s Back. 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. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before finishing the walk in the local village of Dazai. From here you will be transported back to your amazing accommodation, a museum-like hotel that took six years to build.
Li'an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 7

This morning, take a few more hours to deepen your appreciation of local life and the area’s spectacular scenery. Another walk follows the trails used by the locals to reach their fields. Such solitude and calm embrace the path where, at times, the only sounds you hear are your footsteps, a babbling brook, or chirping birds. Lunch is enjoyed at the hotel with its tremendous views before transferring to Guilin and stepping back into bustling reality. This is 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.
Bell Tower Hotel, Xi'an

DAY 8

The day’s adventure begins with a short transfer to your walk along the Li River. The passing landscape may resemble a continuous scroll of masterful artwork—the same imagery that has inspired Chinese artists for thousands of years. Along the way, you may see villagers navigating the river in traditional bamboo rafts and employing cormorants in an unusual, traditional fishing technique; or you can observe water buffalo taking a swim. Arriving in the ancient fishing town of Xinping, you see streets lined with traditional houses and locals going about their daily tasks. After time to discover Xinping transfer to Yangsho, an amazing city that sits on the west bank of the Li River, nestled amongst beautiful limestone karst peaks. Settle into your hotel, a wonderful new resort overlooking the river.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 9

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. On completion of the walk, which ends in Baisha Village, take the bus back to the hotel. This afternoon you may choose to take a short walk and return to the hotel by a traditional bamboo raft, or spend some time relaxing at the hotel.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 10

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.

En route back to the hotel explore Fuli, a small town 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 and fan workshops.

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 11

After breakfast, you transfer to Guilin, to catch your connecting flight to Beijing, where you bid farewell to your newfound friends.