China

China, the “Middle Kingdom”, features the world’s oldest continuous civilization. There are boundless iconic sights to see, a rich cultural heritage to experience, and countless scenic wonders to view. Imprint strings together the best of the country’s travel offerings in an engaging itinerary of discovery. We’ll enter the Forbidden City, explore the Temple of Heaven, hike the Great Wall, marvel at the Terre Cotta Warriors, be charmed by Pandas, scale Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, sail past the karst landscapes of Guilin, tread the rice terraces of the Dragon’s Backbone, and much, much more.

Day 1   Beijing
Our tour begins with a get-acquainted meeting in our Beijing hotel, followed by a classic Beijing Duck dinner.
Beijing Sunworld Hotel (2 nights) http://www.sunworldhotel.com.cn/en_US/

Day 2   Beijing
Tiananmen; Temple of Heaven; Forbidden City
Today begins with a private coach tour of the city. Stops include The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. This morning’s theme is gargantuan public spaces. The Temple of Heaven is the signature structure in a collection of temples in an immense public park at the city’s center. Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of the modern Chinese nation, is the world’s largest public square. The Forbidden City, so called because commoners were not allowed for 500 years, was the capital for two dynasties and is the largest palace complex in the world. In the afternoon a walking tour gives a more intimate glimpse of life in the capital as we explore a Hutong district. Hutongs are the tiny streets or alleyways that make up the ancient, traditional neighborhoods of Beijing. We’ll see more of the bustle of everyday Beijing life here along with ceremonial gates, towers, and mansions, and traditional courtyard houses.

Day 3  Beijing/Gubeikou
Summer Palace
Pack a day bag (leave your luggage in Beijing) and on our way out of Beijing we will stop for a tour of the magnificent Summer Palace. Then we proceed to Gubeikou village near the Great Wall.  We’ll have dinner with our guesthouse hosts.
Mr. Liu’s Guesthouse (1 night)

Day 4  Gubeikou/overnight train
Great Wall
Our entire morning will be spent learning about, photographing, and hiking the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the only one that can be seen from space. We have chosen to visit the Jinshanling section. It is further afield from Beijing, but less crowded and commercial, less restored, and the view is amazing. In the afternoon we return to Beijing to board our overnight train to Xian in Shaanxi province.
Overnight Train - Soft sleeper class (4 to a cabin)

Day 5   Xian
Muslim Quarter tour
Upon arrival today we’ll have breakfast before enjoying a walking tour of the Muslim quarter of Xian. The tour will include a visit to the Great Mosque, one of the largest in China. An interesting blend of Chinese and Muslim architecture, the mosque blends a spirit wall and Chinese garden with calligraphy-decorated gates and a minaret. Your afternoon is free to explore Xian on your own.
Eastern House Boutique Hotel (2 nights) http://www.eastern-house.cn/en

Day 6   Xian
Terra Cotta Warriors
The incomparable Terra Cotta Warriors are the highlight of today’s activities. This 1974 discovery is one of the great archaeological finds and sights in the world today. Multiple pits (formerly tombs) house an army of thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and war machines. Our lunch today is at a local farmer’s restaurant and your afternoon is free for exploration in Xian.

Day 7   Chengdu
Pandas; Hot Pot dinner
A morning high-speed train delivers us to Chengdu, in Sichuan. Upon arrival we’ll visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center for a memorable encounter with these lovable bears. Nearly 50 giant and red pandas called this preserve home. It is the best place to see, photograph, and learn about these shy and gentle creatures. Tonight, we share chuan-chuan xiang (hotpot) for dinner, the quintessential local specialty.
Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel (2 nights)

Day 8   Chengdu
Leshan Buddha
This morning we visit one of China’s signature sights – the Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved into the riverside cliff, this 1200-year-old stone Buddha is no less than 233 feet tall. Your afternoon and evening are free to relax or explore Chengdu.

Day 9   Yangshuo (Guilin)
Today is primarily a travel day. We’ll transfer to the station for our high-speed bullet train to Guilin. Upon arrival, we’ll drive to Yangshuo and check into our hotel. You’ll have the late afternoon and evening free to relax and enjoy this charming town on the Li River.
Yangshuo New West Street Hotel (2 nights) http://nwshotel.com/

Day 10   Yangshuo (Guilin)
Li River Cruise; Cooking class
This morning we will be boarding boats for an iconic journey down the karst-lined Li River. The spectacular and surreal karst landscape is world famous and we’re sure to take many photographs on this scenic cruise. For lunch, we have a Chinese cooking class arranged. If time allows we’ll take an optional bike ride in the countryside.

Day 11   Ping’an
Dragon’s Backbone
The fabled and intensely photogenic Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces are our goal this morning as we venture out to a tiny village in the countryside. The drive alone is worth our effort as we wind through the picturesque valleys and more karst formations to our destination of Ping’an. It is sure to be another spectacular photo safari day as we stroll among the picturesque rice terraces.
Longji Liqing Hotel (1 night)

Day 12   Hong Kong
Today is another travel day as we make our way south to Hong Kong. Our comfortable coach drives us to Guilin where we catch another bullet train. This high-speed wonder rockets us along in comfort as we watch the scenery of Guangxi and Guangdong provinces speed by. We’ll settle into our HK hotel in the early evening.
Metropark Hotel Kowloon (2 nights) https://hongkonghotel.metroparkhotelkowloon.com/eng/

Day 13   Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
This morning we’ll begin our sightseeing with a walking tour, concluding with the iconic Peak Tram excursion to famous Victoria Peak for panoramic views. The rest of your day is free to explore before we gather for a last night dinner together.

Day 14 Tour Over
Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
12 nights accommodation + 1 overnight train; All breakfasts, 6 dinners, 3 lunches; All tour transport (train, bus, boat); All tips (tour manager, Imprint escort, local guides, meals, hotel staff, drivers); Full-time services of a Chinese tour director and Imprint escort; All entrances: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Great Mosque Xian, Terra Cotta Warriors, Panda Breeding Center; All activities: Leshan Buddha cruise, Great Wall visit/hike, walking tours Beijing, Xian Muslim Quarter, & Hong Kong, Li River cruise, cooking class, rice terrace hike, Victoria Peak cable car, and more.

Important exceptions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing & meals, luggage handling services, and expenditures of a personal nature.