13 Days Hong Kong to Beijing Tour with Rice Terraces, Pandas, Terracotta & Great Wall

Nihao! Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient and the shoppers' paradise with a mix of Chinese and Western influences. Upon arrival at Hong Kong, your local tour guide and driver will meet there and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to have fun on your own. You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Arrival Ideas:
As Asia's World City, travelers can arrive in Hong Kong easily by air. There are numerous international and domestic airlines for you to enter China and the rest of Asia from Hong Kong. You can visit Hong Kong by air from most cities in China, like Guilin, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, and more. In addition, travelers can take high speed train to Hong Kong from Guilin (3.5 hours), Guangzhou (1 hour), Shenzhen (0.5 hour), Kunming (7.5 hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas:
If your energy permits, you can explore on your own to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple and Nan Lian Garden in this afternoon. And enjoy a memorable walk along the Avenue of Stars and admire the stunning views of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island with its numerous skyscrapers. If time allows, watch “A Symphony of Lights” at 20:00, which transforms the Hong Kong skyline into an outdoor audio visual feast for the senses.

After breakfast, you will be free until your guide and driver meet you at your hotel lobby, and escort you to the train station for your high-speed train to Guilin (about 3.5 hours).

Welcome to Guilin, the most picturesque paradise in China! Upon your arrival at the train station in Guilin, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Guilin. Your guide will help you check in at your hotel. Taking a walk along Binjiang Road and tasting the rice noodles are recommended activities for your leisure time. You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

To Guilin Transfer Options:
1. Hong Kong - Guilin by direct train or flight
2. Hong Kong - Guangzhou South Station - Guilin by train transfers
3. Hong Kong - Shenzhen North Station - Guilin by train transfers

This morning, head to Longsheng County (108km, about 2.5 hours) via Huangluo Yao Village and Ping'an Zhuang Village, then hike to photograph the beautiful Longji Rice Terrace.

After 2 hours' drive from Guilin, you will arrive at the Huangluo Yao Village which is home to the Red Yao ethinic people. This village is famous as “World's Longest Hair Village”. You will marvel at local ladies' super long and pitch-black hairs (1.8 to 2.3 meters). The Red Yao women cut their hair only once in their lifetime and the secret to have rapunzel-like long hair is inside the rice water. Then we will check in at Ping'an Zhuang Village.

In the afternoon, enjoy the hiking in the Longji Rice Terrace (Longsheng Rice Terrace) around Ping'an Zhuang Village which is commonly referred to as Ping'an Terrace. In fact, Longji Rice Terrace is a group of rice terraces, there are mainly three parts include Jinkeng Red Yao Terraced Fields, Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields, and Longji Old Village Cultural Terraced Fields. As one of the most popular gateways for visitors to explore the magnificent terraces, Ping'an Terrace is the most mature travel spot of the three. Across the cobbled paths, you can reach the famous Viewing Platforms of Seven Stars with Moon, Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, and so on. Take your time to find the best viewpoints to capture the beauty of the incredible terrace fields that exist since ancient times. After the hiking, go back to overnight in Ping'an Zhuang Village and have a good rest.

It's nice to watch the sun rise over the rice terraces and it offers great view on the Jinkeng Terraced Fields around Dazhai Village. So this morning you will get up early, with about 1 hour’s drive from Ping'an to Dazhai Village, you will have the chance to enjoy a memorable sunrise of Longji Rice Terrace around Jinkeng Red Yao Terraced Fields. There are less visitors here, you can appreciate the Jinkeng Terraced Fields and learn more about the folk customs of Red Yao Minority. The word "Red" is connected with the traditional hand-woven red jackets and shirts that women wear during festivals and carnivals.

As the marvel of agricultural art, Longji Rice Terrace is also called Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. Because Longji means“dragon's backbone" and the endless rows of rice terraces dotted into the hillsides looks like the rippling scales on a dragon's backbone when filled with water. What's more, the amazing terraced rice fields were first constructed by the Yao and Zhuang ethnic groups 650 years ago, now it is still being used for quality rice growing by local Yao and Zhuang peoples. In Jinkeng Terraced Fields, you will understand more about the strong will for living and the wisdom and power of humans that are fully present on this land. After a half-day hike around the terraced fields, time to transfer back to Guilin City.

Longji Rice Terrace Photograph Tips:
1. In spring and early summer (mid-April to late June), it's time to photograph the mirror-like irrigated terrace and rice transplanting.
2. In summer and early autumn (Jul. to mid-Sept.), it's time to photograph the green terraces.
3. In Autumn and early winter (Sept. to early-Nov.) , it's time to photograph the golden harvest.
4. In winter (late Dec. to early Feb.), it's time to photograph the silvery terraces.

“East or west, Guilin landscape is the best”. After breakfast, you will go to explore the most stunning natural scenery along the Li River, which is renowned as one of the “the world’s top 10 watery wonders” by National Geographic. Drive about 1 hour from your hotel to the pier and start a 4.5-hour relaxing sightseeing Li River cruise trip to Yangshuo. Along the 84-kilometer scenic cruise, you will feast your eyes with endless Chinese paintings of winding rivers, numerous green limestone karst peaks, grazing water buffalo, farmers working in the fertile fields, and idyllic villages nestled at the bases of the hills. (Note: Lunch is served on the cruise with simple local Chinese cuisine.)

After arriving in Yangshuo, the driver will pick you up from the dock and drive to your hotel in Yangshuo town for a short rest. Then it's a relaxing moment for an impressive exploration of the Yangshuo countryside with its beautiful rural landscape. You can either hop on a bike or rent an electric scooter to explore the postcard-like karst hills and rice paddies and pass by some tranquil villages. Let all the picturesque scenes please your eyes and your souls to the maximum for total relaxation.

Later, you will stroll leisurely along the West Street, which is the most prosperous area in Yangshuo. Restaurants, bars and souvenir shops along the street are always full of guests. It is a fusion of western culture and Chinese culture and it is the best place to spend your nightlife here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of coffee, taste some local food or just throw yourself into the vivid atmosphere... all you can get.

Optional Evening Activity: If you are interested, you can enjoy the amazing evening performance called Impression Liu Sanjie with the Li River itself as the stage, directed by the famous director Zhang Yimou. It lasts about an hour, performed between 19:45 and 22:20.

After breakfast, transfer back to Guilin for further exploration. Start your visit to the Symbol of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill. Located on the intersection of Li River and Peach Blossom River, the Elephant Trunk Hill looks like a huge elephant drinking water in the river. And then you will pay a visit to the Reed Flute Cave, which is a classic scenic spot of karst landform. The amazing stalactites and stalagmites in the cave look like animals or plants. When the colorful neon lights are on, you will feel like walking in a crystal palace. After the tour, you will be escorted to airport for your flight to Chengdu (about 2 hours).

Welcome to Chengdu, the panda hometown! Upon your arrival in Chengdu, your guide will meet you at the exit of the airport and escort you to your hotel in Chengdu downtown area. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this laid-back city well known for Giant Pandas and Sichuan cuisine. The Sichuan hotpot and Sichuan Opera are highly recommended evening activities.

After breakfast, you are going to fulfill your panda dream with a 17-kilometer drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Also called Chengdu Panda Base, accommodated over 100 pandas, it is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world. You will see giant pandas of different ages there. It’s great fun to watch them playing, eating, climbing, sleeping… If you come in autumn, you will have the chance to see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Besides giant pandas, you can also meet the cute red pandas walking by your side in the Red Panda Playgrounds. Then follow your guide to discover more about panda’s secrets through the Panda Museum. (Note: Pandas like cool weather, so we advise you to arrive there early as pandas are more active in the morning.)

Later, be transferred to the best preserved Buddhist monastery in Chengdu - Wenshu Monastery to feel the peaceful atmosphere. Pay a visit to Chengdu’s Renmin Park to witness the city’s leisurely lifestyle and how the local people are doing. Order a cup of fragrant green tea while sitting in the time-honored tea-house, chat with your friends and see local playing mahjong and having fun. After that, return to Chengdu downtown for an relaxing stroll at Jinli Old Street. With a history over 1,800 years, it showcases the profound cultures of Ancient Shu Kingdom. Take a nice walk on the traditional stone-paved street full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows, etc. (Optional Activity: Try some local spicy dishes such as chuanchuan, dandan noodles, or even get out of your comfort zone and try some rabbit's head!)

Recommended Optional Evening Activities:

1)Watch a wonderful Sichuan Opera performance which includes face changing, spitting fire, hand shadows, puppet show, dancing, singing and acrobatics. (usually from 20:00 to 21:30).
2)Appreciate the city’s night view by boat (30mins) along the Jinjiang River, which winds through central Chengdu. ( 18:00~23:30)

After breakfast, you can explore on your own until be escorted to the train station for a high speed train to Xian (about 3.5-4 hours). Welcome to Xian, the capital of 13 ancient China dynasties! Upon your arrival at the train station, the tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in Xian downtown area. Enjoy some free time on your own after the hotel check-in.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Drive about 40km (about 1 hour) to uncover one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world - the Terracotta Army Museum, which was built by the first emperor of China - Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. There are about 8,000 vivid life-size Terracotta Warriors found so far. First, pay a visit to the largest and most imposing pit which is believed to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures of soldiers and horses. You will be amazed by the subterranean life-size army of thousands silently standing and guarding the emperor and also be awed by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. Next, move to another pit where you can feast your eyes with around 1300 warriors and horses. You can get to examine the ancient army array by visiting the kneeling and standing archers, the chariot war array and numerous troopers holding weapons, etc.

After lunch, drive back to downtown to visit the Ancient City Wall (also known as the Fortification of Xian). The city wall is a kind of defensive structure in Ancient Times and represents one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved Chinese city walls. Spend some time leisurely walking on the wall and enjoy its inner and outer walls, watchtowers, and moat, and have panoramic views of modern Xian.

Late in the afternoon, go to explore the vivid local life when you go to wander happily around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter. It is a paradise mixed with different local snacks and Muslim culture.

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Big Wild Goose Pagoda). Standing in the Da Ci’en Temple complex, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (World Heritage) was originally built in Tang Dynasty which is about 1,370 years ago, it is functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. You can learn more from your guide about Xuanzang who set off from Chang'an (the ancient Xi'an) along the Silk Road, using 17 years to traversing 100 countries, finally arriving in India, the cradle of Buddhism.

After that transfer to Shaanxi History Museum. Regarded as “the Pearl of ancient dynasties and house of Chinese treasures”, it has collections of 130,000 historical artifacts, showing visitors a miniature overview of thousand years of Chinese history and the splendid ancient cultures of old times. Enjoy the educational visit while exploring historical relics ranging from bronze ware from the Western Zhou Dynasty, and terracotta figures, to gold and silverware and murals discovered in Tang tombs.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your bullet train to next destination - Beijing (4.5-5.5 hours). Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you at the train station and escort you to your hotel. Have a good rest tonight.

Today you will spend the whole day exploring the ancient citadel Beijing through China’s famous landmarks, epic imperial grandeur and royal gardens.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and then head to Tian’anmen Square, which is the world’s largest public square and also the symbol of China. It has witnessed many big events in China over the past decades and from here you can take good pictures of Tiananmen Gate showing on CCTV News every day.

Walk across the square and you will visit the might and splendor of the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and one-time home to 24 emperors of China. Listed as a world heritage site, Forbidden City has about 500 years’ history, and served as the political and ritual center of China during the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. With over 8,728 rooms, the Forbidden City is not only China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, but also a city within the city, like the Vatican in Rome. Enter through Meridian Gate and visit along the central axis to ensure you won’t miss any highlighted palaces. You can admire its brilliant architecture and numerous ancient art treasures while listening to your guide and learning more about the emperors’ stories hidden inside the Imperial Palace. Later, take another 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park, where you can have a magnificent panorama of modern Beijing and princely views over the russet roofs of the Forbidden City.

In this afternoon, drive to the “Museum of Royal Garden” - Summer Palace, which used to be the resort for royal families to flee summer heat. The grounds, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes, bridges, gate-towers, and corridors are a marvel of landscaping. Enjoy the leisure walk and take your time to appreciate the imperial architectures, hilltop views, and beautiful lakes, which offer a pastoral escape into the landscapes of traditional Chinese painting.

Recommended Optional Activity: You can try the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude this evening.

In this morning, you will head northwest of Beijing (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive, 73km) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The Great Wall boasts a history over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient masterpieces on the planet. Mutianyu Great Wall is connected with the Jiankou Great Wall in the west and the Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. Mutianyu is the longest and best fully-restored Great Wall with fewer tourists and is also famed for its 23 Ming-era watchtowers and stunning views. Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and then enjoy the memorable hiking time on the wall while visiting its western route. With the green pines and cypresses covering the surrounding area, and the winding wall standing majestically on the vast land, you will capture the most stunning natural scenery in this section. Challenge yourselves while climbing up to the 20th watchtower where you could fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish the chance and take photos as many as you like!

After the once-in-lifetime experience, head back to downtown Beijing and have the chance to take photos with the exterior of the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) and Water Cube (Beijing National Aquatics Center). They were both designed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and used for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. After that, transfer back to your hotel and have a good rest tonight.

This morning you will head to Temple of Heaven. Located in Beijing's Tiantan Park, the Temple of Heaven is much bigger than the Forbidden City and smaller than the Summer Palace. As a World Heritage, the Temple of Heaven (Taoist temple) is also known for its rigorous symbolic layout, peculiar structure, and magnificent decoration. The Temple of Heaven used to be a place to offer sacrifice to Heaven by 22 Chinese emperors twice a year for good harvests. You can learn more about the grand praying ceremony there, as well as observe the amazing designs such as the Echo Wall and the Triple Sound Stones. Nowadays, it is also a park for local people to do morning exercise and you are welcome to join them.

If there is more time, you can also enjoy the relaxing time exploring the ordinary local life through the old Hutongs. Take a rickshaw tour to travel through the narrow alleys with many featured shops standing on both sides.

Then, it is time to end your 13-day China tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia.