Day 01: SHANGHAI

• Arrive in Shanghai and take the included airport transfer to your hotel.

• Attend the important 06:00 p.m. welcome meeting to meet your leader and fellow travellers.

• The evening is free to explore independently or join your group for dinner at your own expense.

• Optional choices include Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre.

• Highlight: Begin the journey in one of China’s most dynamic modern cities.

• Accommodation: Hotel. 

Day 02: SHANGHAI

• Join your leader for a walking introduction to historic Shanghai, including the iconic Bund.

• Visit Yuyuan Gardens, created during the Ming dynasty and filled with classical garden architecture.

• Spend the afternoon exploring independently, with the French Concession among the suggested areas.

• Regroup in the evening for an included dinner featuring local specialities.

• Highlight: Experience Shanghai’s contrast between heritage architecture and contemporary city life.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. 

Day 03: SHANGHAI, HANGZHOU

• Enjoy a free morning in Shanghai before boarding an included bullet train to Hangzhou.

• On arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk through this historic former capital.

• Spend the evening exploring independently, with West Lake and Wulin Night Market among the possibilities.

• Highlight: Experience China’s high-speed rail network as the journey moves from Shanghai to Hangzhou.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 1 hour. 

Day 04: HANGZHOU

• Visit a local tea farmer in Dragon Well Village and learn about Hangzhou’s renowned tea-growing traditions.

• During harvest season, you may also see how the tea leaves are picked and processed.

• Explore historic Lingyin Temple, believed to date back to AD 328.

• Enjoy an included group lunch before visiting picturesque West Lake.

• Highlight: Discover Hangzhou through tea culture, Buddhist heritage and one of China’s most celebrated lake landscapes.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 05: HANGZHOU, LUOYANG

• Board a bullet train for the longer journey to Luoyang, one of China’s historic imperial capitals.

• Join your leader for an orientation walk after arrival.

• Enjoy free time to settle in and explore the city independently.

• Optional visits include Luoyang Museum, Ancient Tombs Museum and White Horse Temple.

• Highlight: Continue deeper into China’s imperial history by high-speed rail.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Travel: Approx. 6.5 hours.

Day 06: LONGMEN GROTTOES, SHAOLIN, LUOYANG

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Longmen Grottoes, home to thousands of Buddhist figures carved into limestone cliffs.

• See monumental Buddhist artworks including the impressive Vairocana Buddha.

• Continue to Shaolin Temple, renowned as the birthplace of kung fu.

• Enjoy an included vegetarian lunch before exploring the monastery.

• Visit the historic Pagoda Forest and watch an included kung fu performance.

• Highlight: Combine extraordinary Buddhist cave art with the martial traditions of Shaolin.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Travel: Approx. 4 hours. 

Day 07: LUOYANG, XI’AN

• Travel by bullet train to Xi’an, a city that served as an imperial capital for numerous dynasties.

• Join your leader for an orientation walk after arrival.

• Spend the remainder of the day exploring independently.

• Suggested experiences include the ancient city wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Quarter.

• Highlight: Arrive in one of China’s great historic capitals ahead of the Terracotta Warriors experience.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 1.5 hours. 

Day 08: XI’AN, TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

• Travel out of Xi’an to visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors.

• Learn about the vast archaeological complex created for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

• See ranks of individually crafted soldiers, horses and chariots arranged in battle formation.

• Highlight: Enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family near the archaeological site.

• Return to central Xi’an during the afternoon.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Travel: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 09: XI’AN, BEIJING

• Board a bullet train to Beijing, arriving in China’s capital during the late afternoon.

• Join your leader for an orientation walk before enjoying free time.

• Optional visits include the Summer Palace, Lama Temple or Temple of Heaven.

• You may also independently explore areas such as Jingshan Park or the 798 Art Zone.

• Highlight: Complete another major rail journey as the itinerary reaches China’s capital.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 6 hours.

Day 10: MUTIANYU GREAT WALL, BEIJING

• Travel by private bus to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

• Walk along this well-preserved stretch reconstructed during the Ming dynasty.

• Explore its historic watchtowers, including Zhengguantai Tower.

• Return by foot, or choose a cable car or toboggan at additional cost.

• Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant.

• Highlight: Walk along one of the world’s most recognisable historic landmarks.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Travel: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 11: BEIJING

• Visit Tiananmen Square and see its major monuments before walking through Tiananmen Gate.

• Enter the Forbidden City and explore its imperial palaces, gardens and courtyards.

• Continue into Beijing’s historic hutongs for a guided walk through the traditional alleyways.

• Highlight: Finish the day with an included Peking duck dinner.

• If Forbidden City tickets cannot be secured, the Temple of Heaven will be visited instead.

• Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 12: BEIJING

• Enjoy breakfast before the organised journey comes to an end.

• There are no further scheduled activities today.

• Additional accommodation can be arranged separately for travellers wishing to spend more time in Beijing.

• Highlight: Extend your stay independently to experience more of China’s capital.

• Meals: Breakfast. Intrepid Travel

IMPORTANT TRIP INFORMATION

• Group Size: 1 to 12 travellers.

• Minimum Age: 15 years.

• Great Wall Fitness: A reasonable level of fitness is required for the Mutianyu Great Wall, which includes numerous steps and slopes. Supportive footwear with good grip is strongly recommended.

• Rail Travel: Several journeys are by bullet train, including Shanghai–Hangzhou, Hangzhou–Luoyang, Luoyang–Xi’an and Xi’an–Beijing. Some journeys are long and public transport may be busy.

• Passport Copy: A scanned copy of the passport personal-details page is required no later than 40 days before departure for transport ticketing.

• Single Supplement: Available for travellers who prefer not to share a room and applies to all nights, subject to availability.

• Arrival Transfer: Complimentary for Day 01 arrivals or eligible pre-tour accommodation; flight details must be supplied at least 14 days before travel.

• China Payments: Mobile payment apps such as WeChat and Alipay are heavily relied upon in mainland China. Travellers should install the necessary apps and arrange mobile data before travelling rather than relying solely on credit cards.

• Internet Access: Popular websites and services including Google, Facebook and Instagram may not be accessible in mainland China. Travellers who require access may wish to arrange an appropriate VPN before arrival.

• Train & Flight Restrictions: Certain items are prohibited on trains and flights in China, so luggage should be packed with local transport restrictions in mind.

• Forbidden City: Visitor numbers are limited and tickets are highly sought after. If entry cannot be secured, the Temple of Heaven will be visited instead.

• Tiananmen Square: Access can occasionally be restricted or closed without prior notice due to official events or ceremonies.

• Travel Insurance: Insurance details and next-of-kin information are collected at the Day 01 welcome meeting. Travel insurance is compulsory for international travellers, with at least medical expenses and emergency repatriation cover required; specific waiver provisions apply to travellers residing in the EU, Switzerland or USA.