Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be welcomed to China by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon tour of Prince Gong’s Mansion and the Old Summer Palace: After some time to rest at your hotel, you will be taken on a tour of Prince Gong's Mansion, the most impressive private palace built in China's 5,000 years of history. The mansion was constructed at the end of the 18th century by a corrupt official whose assets were seized by Emperor Jiaqing, and the mansion was then given to Prince Gong. The mansion covers over 5 hectares and includes the largest quadrangle in the world, three main buildings and the Cui Jin Yuan garden. 

Continue to the Old Summer Palace and ruins of Yuanmingyuan (the Garden of Perfection and Light), which is located northwest of Beijing to the east of the Summer Palace. The Garden was first constructed in 1709 during the reign of the Emperor Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). During a period of 150 years the Garden expanded to an area covering 350 hectares and became the Emperors’ private pleasure garden. Many intricate constructions and features can be found in the gardens which include pavilions, chambers, kiosks, earth and rock hills, rivers and ponds, and exotic flowers and grasses from different parts of the country. Often less crowded than the Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan is a pleasant place to explore and get a bit of an insight into Chinese history.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Private transfer: This morning, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Great Wall of China at Gubeikou, where you will start your hike.

Great Wall trek from Gubeikou to Jinshanling: On arrival at Gubeikou, you will set off on today's walk to Jinshanling. Stretching from the Gobi desert to the Yellow Sea, the Great Wall of China is the largest man made structure on earth and is an amazing feat of engineering, labour and sacrifice. The original wall was begun 2,000 years ago when China was unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang to keep out marauding nomads. The construction used hundreds of thousands of political prisoners and an estimated 180 million cubic metres of packed earth. Gubeikou is completely unrestored, and some parts of this walk are along sections of the wall which are in serious states of disrepair. There is a military zone partway between Jinshanling and Gubeikou, so a section of the wall is off-limits to hikers. You will make a detour to walk alongside the wall for a time instead, before re-joining it a bit later on. Approximate walking time today is 5 hours and you will arrive at Jinshanling in the late afternoon. The Great Wall at Jinshanling has been partially restored, but there are still many impressive sections still in their original state, and there are spectacular views of the expanse of the Great Wall as it snakes across the skyline into the distance.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Linjia Inn (Standard Room)

*For those seeking a more adventurous experience, there is the option to spend a night camping on the Great Wall itself between Gubeikou and Jinshanling. Sleeping arrangements would be in a tent in one of the watchtowers. Please get in touch for more details.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Trek the Great Wall of China from Jinshanling Pass to Erchu: This morning you will check out of your hotel and continue your hike to Erchu Pass. Today’s trek will pass along some easy flat sections of the Great Wall, and some more challenging areas with steep uneven steps. At a slow pace the trek will take around 4 hours, including plenty of breaks to take on fluid and admire the views.

Private transfer: On arrival at Erchu, you will rejoin your driver and transfer back to Beijing to check into your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day tour of Beijing by public transport and bicycle: This morning, you will be met by your guide at your hotel and taken out to experience a true local ‘Beijinger’s’ breakfast. After breakfast you will be taken to visit a nearby morning market, a great way to get an insight into local life in China’s capital. From here you will walk to the Temple of Heaven. Located in the centre of Tiantan Gongyuan Park, the spectacular Ming temple has become regarded, and is widely used, as the symbol of Beijing. Dating from 1420, its wooden pillars support a curved ceiling without cement or nails to a height of 38 metres. The temple’s intricate carvings and bright colours illustrate the opulent Ming style. Also in the temple complex is the Echo Wall - a circular structure composed of polished bricks on the inside. The temple and its surrounding altars, gates and park are a meeting place for the people of Beijing and it is a wonderful experience to walk around the park and see the locals enjoying a game of chess, practicing the ancient art of Tai-Chi, or even indulging in a bit of ballroom dancing! 

After this visit, you will have lunch in a local restaurant before taking the metro over to the fascinating hutong area. Beijing has one of the fastest growing metro systems in the world, and while it can appear daunting to first-time visitors, with the help of your guide a ride on the metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around the city. This afternoon you will enjoy a 2 hour cycling tour of the hutong area. Hutongs are the narrow network of lanes created by closely built quadrangular homes in the centre of Beijing. Mostly built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the hutongs are a fast disappearing sight as Beijing's city developers move in to modernise these areas. A cycling tour is a great way to get some exercise and see local life in these traditional areas before they disappear forever.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your flight to Guilin.

Flight: CZ3282 Beijing - Guilin 12.20 - 15.30

Private transfer: On arrival in Guilin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon walking tour around Guilin: This afternoon, you will take a leisurely walking tour around the Central Lake area. Afterwards, you will have the chance to test out your bike and prepare for the coming days cycling.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aroma Tea House (Garden View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Cycling from Guilin to Xingping: Today marks the first, and longest, day of your 3-day cycling adventure in the Guangxi countryside. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, along with your bikes. The morning will start off lightly, as you cycle from Guilin to Daxu Ancient Town. Your cycling guide will take you on a specially planned route away from the main tourist areas, through local villages and farms, and along local trails and country roads. The scenery in this region is among China’s most picturesque. Arrive at Daxu Ancient Town in time for a simple but tasty rice noodle lunch. Daxu is a well-preserved old town, and less visited than some others in the area, so makes for a fascinating rest stop.

The cycling then gets more strenuous after lunch, as you depart Daxu and set off on the route to Xingping Town. There is at least one significant ascent to tackle, but the scenery will reward your efforts, and you will arrive in Xingping Town late afternoon, in time for dinner and a well-earned rest. Today’s cycling will involve around 26km in the morning and 49km in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ron Inn (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Excursions around Xingping: Start your day with an hour cruising on a bamboo raft on the Li River. There is also an optional trek to the top of Laozhai Hill, a favourite spot for photographers due to the spectacular panoramic views of the Li River visible from the summit. The climb should only take around 40 minutes to reach the summit, but it is very steep and should only be undertaken by those with a good level of fitness.

Cycling from Xingping to Yangshuo: Later, you will depart Xingping Town and set of on your cycle ride to Yangshuo. Here you will veer off the main roads and pass through some smaller trails and some off-road sections, giving you an insight into the countryside you would never get from an ordinary tour! Enjoy a coffee stop and a rest at Fuli Ancient Town, before crossing the river and cycling on to Yangshuo. The cycling today will involve around 35km.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yangshuo Mountain Nest Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Cycling from Yangshuo to Guilin: Today, you will cycle from Yangshuo back to Guilin. The first part of the trip will be along mostly concrete roads, running alongside the Yulong River and past Jiuxian Village. The Yulong River is quieter and more relaxing than the Li River, and you will leave the traffic and tour groups behind as you set out past Putao Town on the way to Liutang Village, where your cycling adventure will end. You will be met by your car and driver here, who will transfer you back to your hotel in Guilin, around a 1.5 hour drive. Today’s cycling will be around 46km.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aroma Tea House (Garden View Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Transfer to the railway station: After a leisurely start this morning, transfer to the railway station in time to board your onward train to Guangzhou.

High-speed train journey from Guilin to Guangzhou: Board the high-speed D4617 train from Guilin to Guangzhou. The train departs at 15.45 and arrives at 18.29.

Private transfer: On arrival in Guangzhou, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on Shamian Island to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Victory Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Guangzhou: Today, you will set out on a guided tour of Guangzhou, undertaken by public transport and on foot. Start your day as the locals do with some Cantonese Zaocha, or ‘morning tea’. Your guide will take you to a local tea house where you can sample some traditional tea and snacks. After breakfast you will explore Shamian Island. This little island in the Pearl River was split between the French and the British in the 19th century, and the European architecture still remains. Today it is a tranquil spot, perfect for wandering around, or stopping at one of the local cafes. Continue to the Qingping Medicine Market, one of the few markets left in the country that specialises in Chinese herbal medicine. You have the chance to do some shopping here and at Shangxiaju Pedestrian Street, before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will continue your sightseeing by walking to Liwan District, home to the traditional Xiguan Ancient Houses. These houses were traditionally built in a very distinctive style with grey bricks, and they are fast disappearing as Guangzhou develops. However, many are being preserved, and offer a window into the past and the lives of the wealthy people who once lived there. Pass by several of these houses, as well as Renwei Temple, Liwan Museum, and Liwan Park. Finally you will also visit the Chen Clan Academy, an interesting old residence which now also serves as the Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts & Crafts. Return to your hotel by metro late afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Victory Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: Today, you will check out of your hotel and transfer to the railway station to catch your high-speed train to Hong Kong.

High-speed train journey from Guangzhou to Hong Kong: Board the high-speed train Z817 from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. The train departs at 12.03 and arrives at 13.56.

Private transfer: On arrival in Hong Kong, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on Causeway Bay to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Metropark Causeway Bay (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Hike the Dragon’s Back Trail: After breakfast, you will drive out to the countryside on Hong Kong Island. Remarkably for such an enormous and densely-populated city, you do not have to drive far to be in breath-taking rural surrounds. You will drive to the start point of the famous Dragon’s Back Trail, named as one of the world's best 'urban hikes', which you will walk all day with the accompaniment of an experienced guide.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Metropark Causeway Bay (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Time at leisure: Today, you are free to explore independently. This would be a good time to take a trip around Hong Kong Harbour on the famous Star Ferry. You may also wish to take the funicular railway to Victoria Peak to admire views from the top. Alternatively you may wish to explore some of the outer islands and it is easy to take a ferry to Lamma Island or Lantau Island, where you can find the Tian Tan Buddha which is also known as Big Buddha due to its colossal size (34m high).

Private transfer: This evening, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your return flight to London Heathrow with British Airways.

Flight: BA32 Hong Kong - London Heathrow 23.10 - 04.50 (overnight)

Meals: Breakfast