China Encompassed Map and Itinerary
ITINERARY
DAYS 1-4: Beijing
Day 1 is an arrival day so you are free to arrive at any time and enjoy
free time to explore the city on your own.
Your tour leader will usually hold a group meeting at approx. 6.00pm
on Day 1 (check the notice board in the hotel reception for the exact
time and location). Your tour leader will give a briefing about the
tour, outline the plan for the next few days, answer any questions and
collect your ‘Local Fund’ payment in full in US$ cash. Then there will
usually be the option for everyone to go out for dinner and drinks to
start to get to know one another.
There is so much to see in Beijing so we’ve allowed 3 days to discover
this amazing city and its surrounds. Walking around the old town or
hiring a bike and exploring is a great way to get started. There are
many markets to shop at, or if you want to discover some of the history
of the city, a trip to the Old Town is well worth taking.
On Day 2 you will be taken to the Summer Palace and then have free time
in the afternoon to visit the Hutongs in the Old Town. In the evening
you have the option to take in some Beijing Acrobatics; renowned as
some of the best in the world, these acrobats are astounding and their
flexibility just about defies nature!
On Day 3 we will spend a day visiting the infamous Great Wall of China
(transport included in the tour price), which is about 3 hours’ drive
from Beijing. It is over 6,000km long and was constructed to protect
Chinese empires from Mongolian barbarians. We will walk from Jinshanling
to Simatai; the views are spectacular.
On Day 4 we will visit Tiananmen Square, Mao's tomb and the Forbidden
City. The Forbidden City is located in the centre of Beijing. It had
a significant presence during the mid-Ming and the Qing Dynasties and
its extensive grounds cover 720,000 sq m, 800 buildings and more than
8,000 rooms. You will have free time for the rest of the day, and in
the early evening of Day 4, we board the overnight sleeper train to
Xian (approximately 13 hours). See ‘Additional Info’ for a description
of the trains.
We’re sure you’ll find travelling on public transport throughout China
interesting and enjoyable!
Please note the schedule for our sightseeing in Beijing may vary slightly.
DAYS 5-6: Xi’an
We arrive in Xi'an early in the morning. This former imperial capital
is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because
it has been the capital of 13 dynasties and is one of the more developed
larger cities in China. Xi’an boasts more than 3,100 years of history;
a visit to the Grand Mosque is a wonderful place to discover some of
the ancient tradition that characterises the area.
From here you can visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, which is around
an hour out of Xi’an. These are very famous stone warriors, which have
been buried for over 2,000 years. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers,
they are still being excavated today (largely because terracotta is
very fragile and difficult to preserve). Over 8,000 figures have been
discovered at this sight including infantry, archers, and officers and
they were each given real weapons.
Xi’an is also famous for its evening food markets and is a great place
to try some of the local cuisine. The Old City Wall, which surrounds
the town, is worth a visit for fabulous views and sunsets. Hiring a
bicycle is a great way to make your way around the whole of the Old
City Wall.
In the afternoon of Day 6, we board the overnight train to Nanjing.
China Encompassed
DAYS 7-8: Nanjing
We arrive in Nanjing in the morning and you have two free days to explore
and take in as many optional excursions as you can handle!
Nanjing is the capital of China's Jiangsu Province and has quite an
important place in Chinese history and culture. This former capital
of China is also listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of
China, and being the official de jure (legal) capital of the Republic
of China, it controls Taiwan and neighbouring islands.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum is a popular highlight for many travellers.
Situated at the foot of the second peak of Mount Zijin (Purple Mountain),
it contains the body of Dr Sun Yat-Sen (who died in 1925). Dr Sun Yat-Sen
was a revolutionary hero and many consider him the Father of Modern
China; he founded the Republic of China after the Chinese revolution
in 1911.
There are many ancient temples and mauseoleums to visit that will give
you a fascinating insight into life that prospered in ancient China:
Jiming Temple, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and its surrounding complex and
South Tang Mausoleums to name a few.
The Nanjing Massacre Memorial commemorates the Nanking Massacre, commonly
known as ‘the rape of Nanking’ (Nanking is often referred to as Nanjing
in English). The massacre occurred in 1937, when the Japanese army invaded
and occupied Nanjing, which was then the Chinese capital. During the
occupation, the Japanese army committed numerous atrocities, such as
rape, looting, and execution.
DAYS 9-10: Suzhou
In the morning we travel by train from Nanjing to Suzhou. This is a
beautiful city renowned for its bridges, pagodas, and intricately designed
gardens. It is the perfect place to enjoy a boat ride along the canal
or a cycle through the town and see a different side of China to what
we have already discovered. Suzhou is an important centre for China’s
silk industry and is part of the Golden Triangle region.
You have a free day and night here to take in the humble surrounds.
In the afternoon of Day 10, we will travel by local bus to Zhouzhuang
(or Luzi) and take a tour of one of these fascinating water villages.
DAY 11: Hangzhou
We arrive at Hangzhou in the morning and have the rest of the day free
to enjoy this beautiful town, famous for its spectacular natural scenery
including the famous West Lake.
The West Lake is surrounded by gardens, hills and temples. You can choose
from a number of options if you would like to explore this area in detail:
why not take a relaxing boat tour to explore more of China’s natural
surrounds?
The stunning surrounds compliment the tea-growing areas in the region
and you can visit many traditional teahouses. The food is also excellent
in Hangzhou; there’s no better place to treat yourself to an indulgent
local meal.
DAYS 12-14: Shanghai
In the morning we depart serene Hangzhou and travel by local train to
China’s most populated city, Shanghai. It is also China’s largest city,
and the eighth largest city in the world.
Like many Chinese cities of today, Shanghai was once an old fishing
town. It rose to prosperity in the 20th century and was central during
the period of the Republic of China. Many people associate Shanghai
with what typical oriental culture and lifestyle is all about, and there’s
no doubt that you will thrive in the busy, exciting and exotic city!
There is so much to do and see in Shanghai, so we stay here for three
days to allow you to explore the city as much as possible. The Shanghai
Museum is highly regarded and at the top of many travellers’ ‘to do’
lists.
Shanghai is also home to numerous tall buildings, as you will see wandering
the streets of the Pudong district. The tallest structure in China is
the distinctive Oriental Pearl Tower. Nearby, the Jin Mao tower is China's
tallest skyscraper, and is also the fifth tallest in the world.
DAYS 15-16: Longsheng
Today we fly from Shanghai to Guilin and then transfer to Longshen (Ping'an
Village by bus), where you will have a traditional home stay.
This is a full day of travelling and the cost of the flight is not included
in the tour cost. You will need to budget approximately US$180 for this
flight. Your tour leader will arrange the flight locally and payment
MUST be made locally so you will need to have the payment ready.
Ping'an Village is a rural village high up in the mountains, and is
a great base for walking. It is an area famous for its beautiful terraced
rice paddies. These are feats of farm engineering with terraces reaching
up to 800m.
The village is only reached by foot and during our stay we will be able
to discover rural village family life, and take in the amazing mountainous
surrounds.
DAYS 17-19: Yangshuo
Yangshuo is a small countryside town surrounded by limestone karst mountain
scenery and the beautiful Li River. There are plenty of options to spend
our three free days here.
Yangshuo is famous for its karst rock formations, and you can cycle
or walk through the surrounding countryside to visit the caves and interesting
rock formations.
There are many shops and street stalls to shop at, or if you are feeling
creative there’s an option to learn the fine art of Chinese cooking
by taking a regional cooking class. Yangshuo provides the perfect idyllic
setting for learning the basics of tai chi. Many travellers can spend
hours wandering through the quaint surrounds and observing the local
way of life. There are many villages and local groups of fishermen to
observe and admire.
In the afternoon of Day 19, we will bid farewell to our tranquil stay
and transfer from Yangshuo to Guilin, and then board the overnight train
(approx 11 hours) to Guangzhou.
Day 20: Hong Kong
We arrive at Hong Kong in the morning. There are many museums, temples
and mosques to explore if you would like to learn about the history
and culture of the area.
In the evening we will meet for our final farewell meal and drinks!
DAY 21: Depart Guangzhou
The tour will end after breakfast.
Please note: The itinerary above is given as a guide only and tour leaders
may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances. The crew
will also try to be in the best place for local holidays and festivals,
etc. We endeavour to incorporate any permanent changes into these ‘Trip
notes’ and as such, the itinerary may vary slightly from the one printed
in the brochure. To make sure you have the most up to date itinerary
please download a copy of these trip notes from our website just before
travelling.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Your ‘Need2Know’ Pre-departure Information
Once you have booked your tour, we will provide you with our Asia Need2Know
to help you prepare for your trip. It is very important that you read
this document before you travel for valuable information on the Local
Fund, travel documents, insurance & health; money & budgeting;
packing; joining your tour & life on the road; accommodation, transportation,
crew and food details. In addition you will also need to download the
China Country Profile from our website for more specific information
about visas, local currency, weather etc.
Joining Your Tour
Once your booking has been confirmed with Budget Expeditions you will
receive all of the relevant information you need regarding joining hotels,
instructions on how to meet your tour departure, and finishing hotels.
Tour Cost & Local Fund
The cost of your tour is divided into two separate, compulsory payments
– the tour cost and the Local Fund. The tour cost is paid to your travel
agent and the ‘Local Fund’ must be paid directly to your tour leader
in US dollars (US$) cash on Day 1 of your trip. The Local Fund covers
most of the ‘group’ expenses and it is managed by your tour leader.
Optional Excursions
Choose as many or as few optional excursions as you like! Your tour
leader will be able to make recommendations and bookings in advance
for most of these extras so you have more flexibility and control over
your trip. Visit www.budgetexpeditions.com and download our Optional
Excursions Guide for details.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to sites described in the itinerary are not included.
This enables those who have a student card to enjoy even more savings.
Spending Money
To give you a rough idea, we recommend you allow at least US$150 per
week. This should cover additional meals, snacks, laundry, drinks, some
souvenirs, the compulsory tipping kitty (see below) and most museum
and site entrance fees. If you like to eat in high quality restaurants
or enjoy lots of nightlife, then we recommend you take some extra. Remember
this amount DOES NOT allow for any of the optional excursions!
What’s not included?
Before you book your trip you must also budget for: international flights
and airport departure taxes, visas, travel insurance (compulsory to
join a trip), personal travel items, spending money (see above) and
optional excursions.
Tipping Kitty
Budget Expeditions operates a tipping kitty. At the beginning of the
tour approximately US$10 for every two weeks is collected from each
person and given to the Tour Leader who changes this into local currency
and allocates this to the various service providers encountered in the
destination.
Accommodation
We use inexpensive hotels, hostels and guesthouses which are basic but
clean and centrally located. Price is based on twin share basis. Most
hotels are 2* and 3*. There will be a guest house at Longshen Ping'an
village which may be in a dorm room with a shared bathroom. All rooms
are on a share basis, normally twin or triples. Some rooms will have
private bathrooms but many will not, a shared bathroom down the hall
will be quite common! A word of advice here; most hotel services are
very good, however on occasions you may find there is no hot water.
Of course your crew will try to sort out any problems but bear in mind
that things don’t always work out, so please try to keep a cool head
and go with the flow – it is all part of the experience of travelling
in China!
Trains
There are several overnight train journeys on this tour, all on ‘hard
sleeper’ trains. Many travellers find this to be an exciting aspect
of their travels, a great way to meet the locals and very much a part
of the adventure! The trains have comfortable carriages partitioned
into open compartments. You will have a bunk bed with a mattress, clean
sheet and a blanket, and there are either 4 or 6 bunks in each compartment.
Chinese (‘squat’) style toilets are located at the end of each carriage
although there may be a western toilet on board. You may wish to bring
a sleeping sheet in addition to the mattress and sheet provided.
We suggest you bring your own food rather than purchasing the meals
on the train. Your tour leader will offer advice on where to purchase
food prior to the journey.
Special Requirements
The Need2Know sheets include an extensive luggage checklist. You will
not need a sleeping bag as all bedding is included; however you may
wish to bring a sleep sheet for on the overnight trains. You will need
to bring a towel and a torch.