Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 12 Day Real China. You could travel for a lifetime in China, and there would still be more to explore – but this 12-day trip through the country’s highlights does a pretty good job of narrowing it down. Tick an ancient Wonder of the World off your bucket list at the Great Wall, witness the Terracotta Warriors in Xi-an and watch baby pandas play in Chengdu. Sip tea in People’s Park, taste delicious street food with a local leader who knows all the best spots and cycle through the misty countryside of Yangshuo – home to stunning vistas, Moon Hill read more and karst mountains. Start in Beijing and end in Hong Kong for some thriving nightlife and you’ve got a pretty cool adventure.
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Our Price From
US$952 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $318 per person
Trip Length
12 Days
Trip Starts
Beijing
Trip Ends
Hong Kong
Departures
Mar 2026 to Dec 2027
Countries Visited:
Operator
Intrepid
Trip Style
Basix
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
18-35 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
CBYC
Itinerary
Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, get acquainted with Beijing on your own and maybe walk around Silk Market and pick up some souvenirs or explore the Forbidden City. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner and order your first Peking duck.
This morning, it’s time to visit the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – at Mutianyu, which is one of the best-preserved and easily accessed sections from Beijing. Hop on a public bus and take in the surrounding views (hopefully it’s a clear day!) – this is one to remember. A truly epic piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders in the north, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still without a doubt one of the country's most amazing achievements. There’s an opportunity to take a thrilling toboggan ride to the base of the Great Wall, which is a unique way to rest your legs after all the ups and downs.
Spend the morning exploring Tiananmen Square and follow your leader through the zigzag lanes known as the Hutong area. This is one of the most notable areas in Beijing because these lanes and courtyard houses are the root of old Beijing city and now, offering a peek into local life. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, maybe visiting the Forbidden City if you haven’t already. Perhaps jump on a bike and ride through the hutongs, hang out in the Temple of Heaven Park or visit the Lama Temple. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an in a six-berth, air-conditioned cabin.
This morning, you’ll arrive in Xi'an – the imperial centre of China for 2000 years and now a vibrant, modern city dotted with interesting historical sites. Head out on a leader-led walking tour of the Muslim Quarter – famous for its food, this neighbourhood’s almost 1300 years old! Along the way, your leader will buy some dishes for you to sample. Some local specialties include persimmon cake, lamb skewers and sticky rice cakes, though it’ll depend on the season. Enjoy a free afternoon, where you can maybe hire a bike and ride to the top of Xi'an City Wall – the only intact ancient city wall in China. Tonight, your leader will take you to the lively square near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Seeing the 600-year-old temple ablaze with lights is pretty amazing, and it’s a great place to mingle with locals.
This morning, you’ll visit Xi'an's most famous site – the Terracotta Warriors. Take the metro and a public bus and spend a few hours exploring the fascinating location. Hear all about this incredible archaeological find (it was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1976 after being buried for thousands of years). These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots all standing in battle formation were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum, and now, several pits are on view to the public. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free – you might want to grab some local specialities for dinner, such as pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand-pulled noodles or barbecued meat skewers. Later, maybe head out to karaoke with your group and sing the night away.
Hop on a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu this morning. Chengdu has a very casual vibe and the locals tend to value pleasure more than work, so mahjong and tea are two of the most crucial parts of life here. Go on a walking tour with your leader to downtown Tianfu Square, where a giant statue of Chairman Mao stands. Continue to the lively People's Park and sit down in a tea house to sip a brew and take advantage of the other services on offer (like ear cleaning and massages). Make the most of your time here and immerse yourself in local life by joining a group dance or martial arts practice or maybe just find a table and brush up on your mahjong skills.
This morning, you’ll get the heartwarming opportunity to get up close with the adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Learn about the conservation efforts being made to repopulate this ancient species and watch them being fed, playing and sleeping (or just being plain cute in their playgrounds). Enjoy some more downtime in the afternoon to research pandas or check out the hip Kuanzhai Lane. You could also go searching for some spicy Chengdu snacks on Jinli Street.
Embrace a full day of travelling on the bullet train this morning, headed for Yangshuo – surrounded by limestone karsts, this city is super popular with both international and domestic tourists (which isn't a bad thing if you're into cafes and bars). It's one of the best places in the country to get a feel for local culture and traditions while having plenty of fun at the same time. Take a walk through the town with your leader when you arrive and then head down to the Li River to get a feel for a landscape immortalised in Chinese paintings.
Hop on a bike and follow your leader on a cycling tour through the picturesque countryside of Yangshuo. Cycle past karst hills that rise from rice paddies and tiny villages, watching locals working the fields with water buffalo for company. Visiting this stunning region is a trip highlight for many travellers (so don’t forget your camera over these next two days), and every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot. Stop for lunch in a local family’s house and be treated to some homecooked local delicacies, like chicken and vegetables. Then, ride to Moon Hill and take a short hike to the famous archway for panoramic views of the area. Tonight and tomorrow are free in Yangshuo – maybe head out on a river cruise on the Li River and ask your leader for the best local eats. (L)
Leave Yangshuo and continue your journey to Hong Kong. You'll be transferred to Guilin, then you’ll hop on the high-speed train. Tonight, you’ll go on a walking tour with your leader, checking out the Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. Take the chance to celebrate your final night with the group in this incredible city and hit the nightlife – as always, your leader will know some great spots.
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your time in Hong Kong, just speak to your booking agent.
Trip Inclusions
- Walk the walk on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), watching the stones snake as far as the eye can see. If you’d like, you can even toboggan back down!
- Take a scenic cycling tour through farms and villages in Yangshuo’s karst-dotted countryside. Every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot before riding to Moon Hill and taking a short hike that leads to panoramic views of the area.
- Watch rolly polly baby pandas playing, munching bamboo and generally doing their thing at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu – if they’re not already, pandas might just be your favourite animal after this.
- Join a local guide to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an – the most famous site in the city – only discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well.
- Eat your way through China, from Beijing’s Peking duck to the delicious Sichuan pepper – then, maybe challenge yourself with authentic local delicacies like silkworms, spicy rabbit head and beer fish.
- Hotel (8 nights)
- Overnight Hard Sleeper Train (1 night)
- Hostel (2 nights)
- 1 Lunches included
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Operator
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 30 years. Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Led by a local leader, our small group tours offer more a sustainable way to travel off the beaten track, while giving back to the places and people that travellers visit.
Trip Style: Basix
Our Basix trips are designed for travelers of any age on a budget. Using simple, clean and centrally located accommodation (typically with a 2-to-2.5-star average rating), local transport where we can, along with plenty of free time. This means you can do the things that suit your budget and interests, rather than paying for inclusions you don’t want. Meals are generally not included, but your experienced local leader will have some great suggestions!
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Intrepid 18 to 35's (2025-26)
Travel with a small group of like-minded 18 to 35-year-olds who care about the world and want to experience it deeply. Intrepid’s youth adventures balance must-see highlights with plenty of free time, all led by passionate local leaders who know every hidden gem. With small groups, big energy, and a strong commitment to responsible travel, these trips more are designed for connection, fun, and meaningful discovery.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Flexible Deposit
Cancel up to 56 days before departure and your deposit becomes a credit for future travel.
GJ Loyalty Discount
Save even more if you're a past client of Global Journeys!
Wednesday
11 Mar 2026
11 Mar 26
Beijing
Sunday
22 Mar 2026
22 Mar 26
Hong Kong
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$1,370
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Wednesday
18 Mar 2026
18 Mar 26
Beijing
Sunday
29 Mar 2026
29 Mar 26
Hong Kong
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,225
US$1,041
Save $184
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Wednesday
25 Mar 2026
25 Mar 26
Beijing
Sunday
05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 26
Hong Kong
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,295
US$1,165
Save $130
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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