Compare China Scenic with Hong Kong by Affordable World vs China Family Holiday by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 & 2: USA – Beijing

Excitement fills the air as we board the international flight to Beijing. As the plane crosses the International Date Line we spend the night aboard.

Touch down in the capital city of China and greet our local guide in the arrivals hall. Transfer to our luxury hotel where we can unwind and relax for our full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar

Today, we start our Beijing Capital tour with Qianmen Street. Qianmen Street was a commercial and entertainment hub due to its convenient location, connecting the Imperial Palace with other communities in Beijing. In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, the street underwent a rejuvenation to restore the streetscape to that of the early 20th. A visit to Tiananmen Square, the world-famous and historic Tiananmen Square, or “Gate of Heavenly Peace”. Located in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square was once the main gate to the Imperial Palace during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Today, it is home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People. Afterwards, we drive by the famed Olympic Site and have a photo stop at Olympic National Stadium (the Bird's Nest), Olympic National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube) and National Center for the Performing Art. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to explore the home to Ming and Qing emperors, Forbidden City. Comprised of 800 buildings covering 720,000 sq. meters, it is the world's largest palace complex.

For those travelers joining the Forbidden City optional tour - your passport is required for entry. Please note if your passport does not match the passport on file for your reservation, you will be denied entry at the Forbidden City and your ticket will be nonrefundable

Optional Tours: China Scenic Best Seller Value Pack $149 pp and Forbidden City (only available for purchase prior to trip departure date**) $28 pp

Day 4: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing or similar

Spend the day free or take the tour to visit the Great Wall, which is one of the man-built architectures that can be seen from the from the low orbit of the earth. The Great Wall is a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from invading the mainland. It stretches an impossible 4000 miles across China's north, covering nine provinces. An enormous undertaking that originally began under Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of China) in 200 B.C., the Great Wall was not completed until the Ming Dynasty in 1640. This morning you have plenty of time to walk along its ancient path and experience part of China's fascinating history.

Optional Tours: Great Wall & Sacred Way $49 pp

Day 5: Beijing - Xian

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian or similar

Today we continue our journey by flying to Xian, the capital of Shannxi Province, one of the oldest cities in China. Xian is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China with more than 3100 years of history. The city was known as "Chang'an" before Ming Dynasty. Xian is the eastern teminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Upon arrival in Xian, we will drive into town, passing through its massive City Wall, the best preserved defensive wall structure on earth and have a picture stop at Drum Tower and Bell Tower. In the evening, don't miss the chance to taste the local famous dumpling banquet.

Optional Tours: Dumpling Banquet $28 pp

Day 6: Xian

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian or similar

Rest at the hotel or take the opportunity to visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the four ancient capitals of the world, Xian has been lauded for its abundance of historical relics, including its most famous, the Terra Cotta Warriors. Serendipitously discovered by a farmer in 1974, the realistic army of clay soldiers, horses and carriages has won the city international acclaim. Unearthed from the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, the life size army stand proudly in battle formation. After surveying the troops, we venture back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the best-preserved Buddhist pagodas in China. Tonight, take the opportunity to enjoy the cultural musings of the Tang Dynasty Show, a song and dance performance which reflects the rich cultural history and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Optional Tours: Terracotta Warriors, First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum & Big Wild Goose Pagoda $55 pp and Tang Dynasty Dinner Show $59 pp

Day 7: Xian - Guilin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or Similar

Depart for Guilin, a city renowned for its picturesque landscapes and dramatic natural beauty. Nestled on the banks of Li River, it is a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby city life. As the old Chinese saying goes, "The scenery of Guilin is unrivalled under heaven.” Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin's landscape with a mystical, dreamlike quality.

Day 8: Guilin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or Similar

Today,we will explore Reed Flute Cave, where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. After lunch, our tour continues to the Longji Ancient Zhuang Village and Longji Rice Terraces. These majestic terraced fields are built along the slope winding form the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest point being 880 m in elevation. The Longji rice terraces are simply breathtaking during every season – from the lush green paddies in the summer to the golden yellow sheen in autumn, the Longji Rice terraces are a sight you won't want to miss.

Optional Tours: Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Xi Street (Min. 6 participants)- will arrange on day 9 $70 pp

Day 9: Guilin - Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar

Relax at the hotel today or join our optional excursion to witness the rolling landscapes of Southern China as we cruise down the jade waters of the Li River. A dazzling backdrop of mist-shrouded hills, steep cliffs and leisurely boats meandering by transports us to a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lunch is served aboard. The riverboat will arrive at the town of Yangshuo, where we disembark for a brief city tour before returning back to Guilin. Afterwards we will depart Guilin for Shanghai, China’s most populous and modern city. Once dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” Shanghai holds an important place in modern China. Along the city’s famous waterfront Bund, glittering skyscrapers juxtapose older sections of the city, offering a glimpse into China’s past and present

Upgrades available: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar (Premier Club Room) 2 nights

Day 10: Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar

This morning, we visit the Shanghai Museum and view the exhibits of ancient Chinese art. Designed by a local Shanghai Architect, the current building was completed in 1993 and resembles the shape of a bronze cooking vessel. Afterwards, we visit City God Temple Bazaar, the Nanjing Bund and the Bund. Spend the afternoon relax at the hotel or take the optional tour to Lujiazui Finance and Trade Development Zone and a ride on Huang Pu River Cruise. In the evening, do not miss the opportunity to experience the exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show (with dinner).

Optional Tours: Lujiazui FTDZ & Huang Pu River Cruise $25 pp and Acrobatics Show with Dinner $40 pp

Day 11: Shanghai - Hong Kong

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kowloon Hotel (ABF) or similar

Transfer to the airport and board a short flight to the dynamic island of Hong Kong. Upon arrival, check into our selected hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.

Day 12: Hong Kong

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kowloon Hotel (ABF) or similar

Day 13: Hong Kong-USA

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your leisure time in Hong Kong.we will take you to visit the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen Floating community.Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong’s most famous scenic spots, offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s skyline, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. The Peak, as locals call it, is located on a mountaintop and is reachable by the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 1,200 feet (about373 meters) up the side of the mountain.Stanley also has beautiful beaches that are popular with windsurfers, as well as a wide variety of trendy bars and restaurants to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing.

Our voyage through China and Hong Kong comes to an end as we board our international flight back to the US.

Day 1 Beijing

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing is a place where ancient history and the modern world collide. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm today. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. It’s important that you attend, as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you’re going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. After the formalities are out of the way, why not head out to enjoy an optional Peking duck group dinner and get to know each other over the first of many superb Chinese meals.

Day 2 Beijing/Great Wall

After breakfast get stuck into the sights with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest of its kind in the world and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Take some time to soak up the immense size of the square and then continue to the maze of buildings that is the Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, the courtyards, great halls and dragon and phoenix imagery give an idea of the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power. We then venture out to the most iconic place in China - the Great Wall. Travelling by private minivan we head into the countryside to a section of the Great Wall (approximately 3 hours). You'll spend the night in a family run village guesthouse. It's a great chance to sample local produce and tonight you wil try your hand at dumpling making with the family.

Day 3 Great Wall/Beijing

This morning in the guesthouse you will learn the local craft of paper cutting. Paper-cutting has been a traditional decorative craft since the Chinese invented paper in AD 105, with designs commonly displayed on windows and doors around the country. It's a fun activity for the entire family. Next up spend time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of the mighty Great Wall of China. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6,000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from the 'barbarians' of the north and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still without a doubt one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. You’ll often feel like you have the whole wall to yourself as you take your time strolling along the wall, which snakes through the hills almost endlessly into the distance. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. We then take the three-hour drive back to Beijing by private minivan. This evening, choose whether you would like to join your fellow family travellers for a group dinner. Hungry for more of China’s cultural delights? You may also choose to watch an optional acrobatic performance at the Chaoyang Theatre this evening.

Day 4 Xian

Jump on the bullet train to Xi’an and experience a form of rail travel like no other. While the distance would take around 11 hours to complete on a regular train, you’ll be in Xi’an in just over five hours, with great views of the countryside along the way! Arrive at around 3 pm and head to the hotel to drop off your bags and freshen up before exploring this historic city on a walking tour. Once known as the main eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an served as the imperial capital of 11 dynasties and holds a wealth of history within its cobbled pavements. The city itself has spread beyond these walls, but the centre still retains the original grid formation, making it easy to navigate. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free to further explore. When night falls embark on another tour and see a different side of the city. Take in the view of the Bell and Drum Tower lit up against a black sky and sit down to a classic dumpling dinner.

Day 5 Xian

Today you’ll visit the vast, stone-faced army that is the Terracotta Warriors, a militia built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang over 2000 years ago. Discovered by farmers in 1974, several pits are now open to the public. Make the 1.5-hour drive to the site and spend some time marvelling at the sheer size and detail of this impressive tomb. Head to the attached museum to see some more artefacts and learn a little more about the ambitious, eccentric ruler who remains sealed in his mausoleum surrounded by his soldiers to this day. Qin Shi Huang sought eternal life, and while he may not have achieved it in the literal sense, the fact that his creation remains a source of wonder to visitors from around the world is a kind of immortality.

Day 6 Chengdu

Wave goodbye to Xi’an and board a bullet train bound for Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. Spend about 3.5 hours on the journey, arriving just after midday. Chengdu is most famous for two things – the pandas living in the mountains, and the delicious, spicy food. You'll get to enjoy both while you're here! Spend two-hours on a walking tour with your leader that takes in an Old Town that looks like a film set and the orange Tibetan Quarter, finishing at Tianfu Square, where a giant statue of Chairman Mao stands tall. Then spend a relaxing afternoon in bustling Renmin Park (People's Park), where you can mingle with locals drinking tea, exercising, singing, playing Mahjong or relaxing in bamboo chairs. Don't be surprised if somebody comes up to you with an offer to clean your ears! This evening, head out for a dinner of one of Sichuan’s most beloved dishes – the hot pot! This is the choose your own adventure of cuisine, and the whole family is sure to enjoy selecting which ingredients to add to the simmering broth.

Day 7 Chengdu

Embrace an early start to spend the morning watching gorgeous giant and red pandas in the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. As pandas are only active for a few hours of the day, it’s important you rise and shine to catch them at their most interesting. China’s national pride, the giant panda is among the world’s most threatened animals, but here you can witness the conservation efforts and see these majestic creatures in a close approximation of their habitat. Spend three hours with these wonderful creatures, watching them play, eat bamboo and climb the trees. If you’re lucky (and visiting between July and September), you might even get to see newborns taking their first steps in the nursery. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. Maybe head to Wide and Narrow Alley, a popular set of alleyways where you can take a stroll and see craftspeople and food stalls aplenty.

Day 8 Yangshuo

Make sure you’ve got books or games ready for a full day of travel, beginning with ride on the bullet train from Chengdu to Guilin, followed by a two-hour transfer to Yangshuo. We will arrive at our hotel late in the afternoon. Located deep within the karst peaks of Guangxi province, Yangshuo is a haven for many visitors, away from the hustle and bustle of ever-developing China; a place where you can stop slow your pace and relax. Get settled into the hotel, which is located among stunning countryside, then head out for an optional dinner.

Day 9 Yangshuo

Rise and shine for a journey into one of China’s most enchanting landscapes. At 8 am you’ll strap on your provided helmet and jump on a hired bike to pedal out of town and through the surrounding countryside, past emerald-green karst mountains and lush fields. All equipment is provided for the bike ride: all bikes, helmets for both adults and children. The bike ride is from 8am to lunchtime. On the bike ride you will be accompanied with one or two local guides. You will be transferred back to the hotel after lunch to rest your weary legs! This evening we visit a local farmers' market, where you can get a feel for the regional produce and daily life. Then make a short drive to Chaolong, where you can put this new knowledge to use and learn the art of Chinese cooking. This class will allow the whole family to learn the techniques and skills of Chinese cuisine from experienced chefs, and after an afternoon trying out delicious recipes, you can eat what you’ve made for dinner! With recipes that are easy to make and ingredients readily available outside of China, you’ll soon be wowing friends and family back at home.

Day 10 Hong Kong

Today you’ll make the epic journey from Yangshuo to Hong Kong (leaving at 8am and arriving around 6pm) so it’s important to have books, games and devices at the ready. Even though there are power sockets on the train, it’s also a good idea to have any devices you wish to use fully charged, as they may be in use by other passengers. First, drive 2 hours by private bus to Guilin North train station, where you’ll take the bullet train to Shenzhen North station. From here, you’ll take another bus approximately 2.5 hours across the border to Mong Kok. After a short metro ride (approx. 10 minutes) you will arrive at your hotel in the vibrant hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. If you have the time (and more importantly, the energy) after arriving and settling in to your hotel, you may wish to end the day with the Symphony of Lights, a spectacular laser show that plays out on the futuristic buildings along Victoria Harbour. The show starts at 8 pm, and it’s free to watch. If a day in transit has you feeling drained however, rest easy knowing you’ve got a full day tomorrow to explore the city.

Day 11 Hong Kong

Dive into Hong Kong after breakfast this morning on a leader-led orientation walk. Under Chinese rule since 1997, Hong Kong is a vibrant and fast paced city only minutes away from quiet islands and beaches. The entire day is yours to spend as you see fit. Hong Kong Island is a great area to explore on foot, with plenty of family friendly hiking trails on offer with varying levels of difficulty. The Peak offers stunning views over the city, and can be reached by several trails or alternatively by tram. Ask your leader for details, but make sure you pack snacks and water if you plan to hike – there are no replenishing stations along the way. A more relaxing way to spend an hour is the Stay Ferry Harbour Tour, which takes you past the city’s landmarks and around the stunning harbour. The Hong Kong Science Museum is perfect for families with young kids, particularly if you’re visiting in rainy season (April to June) and don’t want to risk being caught out. Many of the exhibits are interactive, and entry prices are reasonable. This evening, maybe head out for a final meal with your fellow families and toast to a trip well spent.

Day 12 Hong Kong

It’s time to end this enlightening journey into the heart of China – there are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart the accommodation at any time following check out.