14 Days • 13 Nights
Grand China & Hong Kong
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll walk the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City, meet the Terracotta Warriors, cruise the Li River past its painterly peaks, take in the Shanghai skyline, and end amid the harbour, markets and dim sum of Hong Kong. Fast trains and short flights link it all seamlessly.
With hand-picked hotels, private guides and every signature experience arranged, this is China in full — an unforgettable fortnight.
Trip Highlights
- The Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing
- The Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an
- A Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
- The Bund skyline and Yu Garden in Shanghai
- Victoria Peak and the harbour of Hong Kong
- A Hong Kong dim sum experience
- A Peking duck dinner and a dumpling banquet
- High-speed trains and flights included
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 14-day journey.
Arrive in the capital and settle in, with a welcome dinner tonight.
Walk a scenic stretch of the Great Wall, with a hutong rickshaw ride and a Peking duck dinner.
The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven.
High-speed train to Xi'an and an evening at the Muslim Quarter.
The Terracotta Army and the Ming city wall, with a dumpling banquet tonight.
Fly south to Guilin, city of karst peaks and lakes, with an evening walk among the illuminated pagodas.
Cruise the Li River past its surreal limestone peaks to Yangshuo, with time in the countryside among rice fields and villages.
Fly to Shanghai and settle in along the glittering Bund.
Yu Garden and the Old City, the Bund and the Pudong skyline.
A day trip to the canal town of Zhujiajiao, with its bridges and tea houses.
Take the high-speed train to Hong Kong, settling into the vibrant harbour city with its dazzling skyline.
Ride the tram to Victoria Peak for the famous view, cross the harbour on the Star Ferry, and explore the markets, with a dim sum lunch.
A free day for shopping, the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, or a relaxed harbourside afternoon.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Hong Kong airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver in each destination
- 3 nights Beijing, 2 nights Xi'an, 2 nights Guilin, 3 nights Shanghai, 3 nights Hong Kong
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a Peking duck dinner and a dim sum lunch
- A Great Wall excursion, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors
- A Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
- Shanghai city touring and the Bund
- A Hong Kong city tour with Victoria Peak and a harbour experience
- High-speed trains and the internal flights per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from China
- China visa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Additional domestic flights beyond those stated
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a China tourist (L) visa arranged in advance, though visa-free transit and regional schemes exist for some passports. We can advise, and your passport should be valid at least six months
- The Great Firewall: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many Western sites are blocked in China. Install a reputable VPN and download offline maps before you arrive
- Currency & payments: The currency is the Chinese yuan (RMB). China is largely cashless via WeChat Pay and Alipay; set these up if you can, and carry some cash as a backup
- Language: English is not widely spoken outside hotels, which is exactly why your guide and private driver make all the difference
- Getting around: China's high-speed trains are superb and some legs use domestic flights, all arranged for you with seat reservations
- Altitude: Tibet (Lhasa 3,650m) and Shangri-La sit high; we build in gentle acclimatisation, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor
- Best seasons: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal nationwide; summer is hot and can be rainy, and the far north is bitterly cold in winter
- Etiquette: Tipping was not traditional but is now expected for guides and drivers on tours. A little patience and a smile go a long way
- Health: Drink bottled or boiled water only, and carry hand sanitiser. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: Buy a local SIM or an eSIM for data, and bring a universal adapter (China uses types A, C and I at 220V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Peking duck dinner or a dumpling banquet. Other meals are left free so you can explore China's incredible regional food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver in each city, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground.
Do I need a visa for China?
Most visitors need a China tourist visa arranged in advance, though some passports qualify for visa-free transit. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
Will my phone work in China?
Roaming works but Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall, so install a VPN before you travel. A local SIM or eSIM gives you reliable data.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather and clearest skies. Summer is hot and busier; winter is cold in the north but quiet and atmospheric.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, cities and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Yangtze cruise, Tibet or Hong Kong. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
By China's excellent high-speed trains and, for longer hops, domestic flights — all included and arranged with reservations.
Do I need a separate visa for Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has its own entry rules and is visa-free for many nationalities, separate from mainland China. If your route re-enters the mainland, a multiple-entry China visa may be needed — we advise based on your passport.
Is fourteen days too much?
Not at all — with multi-night stays in each city and fast trains between them, the pace stays comfortable, and it truly shows you the breadth of China plus Hong Kong.
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