Northern Chinese Wanderer

Beijing - Xi'an

17 days through China

FROM: $1805 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Metro, Taxi

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary, One Local Crew Member

Accom:

Comfortable Hotel 4 nights
Basic Hotel 9 nights
Guesthouse 3 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 8, Lunches x 1, Dinners x 1

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

CHM

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

The north of China has long been the country's seat of power, and this tour takes in many of the major historical sites between Xi'an and the capital, from the life-size Terracotta Army to Beijing's Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and of course the Great Wall of China, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, where we'll walk along the Jinshanling section. We'll also explore the ancient walled city of Pingyao, the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery near Datong, the city of Chengde, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wutai Shan, one of China's four Sacred Buddhist mountains.

HIGHLIGHTS

Guided tour of Xi'an's world famous Terracotta Warriors

Explore Xi'an and its myriad of attractions

Stay overnight in a Lijiashan cliff-side guesthouse built into a cave

Visit the beautiful and ornate Black Dragon temple near Lijiashan

3 nights in Pingyao to explore sites such as Mian Shan Mountain Resort and Zhangbi Underground City

Explore the myriad of temples at Wutai Shan

2 nights to explore Datong's Hanging Monastery and the stunning Yungang Caves

Fully explore the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China at Jinshanling

Explore the Imperial city of Chengde, summer home to the Emperor's family

Discover the varied and interesting history of China at the National Museum

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a comfortable cultural journey, on which we'll be staying in hotels and guesthouses throughout. We'll be accompanied by our local Chinese guide who can help us find the best local places to eat in China. A few long drive days.

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Beijing (13th July 2020)

Border Information: if joining in Beijing, you will most likely enter China at Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA code: PEK).

There will be a group meeting today at 6:00pm - please look out for a note from your tour leader at the hotel reception with more information about this important meeting. The rest of the day will be free to explore the incredible city of Beijing!

Please note that many of the optional activities will only be possible for those with extra time in Beijing before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Beijing.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 2 - Beijing (14th July 2020)

Today we will head out on the Beijing metro to the city centre's famous Tiananmen Square, which we will walk through and then take a tour of the Forbidden City. We will then have a free afternoon to further explore the many sights, sounds and flavours of Beijing.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 3 - Chengde (15th July 2020)

This morning we will start our journey with a drive to the city of Chengde.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 4 - Chengde (16th July 2020)

Today we will have a full day to explore the Puning Temple and the famous Imperial Summer Resort.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 5 - Jinshanling (17th July 2020)

This morning we will have a short drive to one of the world's most incredible sights - the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall of China! We will have time this afternoon to thoroughly explore and walk along the Great Wall.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Day 6 - Datong (18th July 2020)

Today we will drive to the city of Datong in China's Shanxi province.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 7 - Datong (19th July 2020)

On the following day we will head out of Datong in the truck on an included visit to the awe-inspiring Yungang Buddha Caves.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 8 - Wutai Shan (20th July 2020)

This morning we continue to the stunning mountainous area known as Wutai Shan, one of the holiest sites of Chinese Buddhism and a major centre of pilgrimage in the country. We will have an included visit to the incredible Hanging Monastery en route.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 9 - Wutai Shan (21st July 2020)

Today we will have a full day to explore the area and visit its incredible array of temples and religious sites.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 10 - Pingyao (22nd July 2020)

Today we will drive to China's best-preserved ancient walled town, Pingyao.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Day 11 - Pingyao (23rd July 2020)

We will stay for 2 nights in Pingyao, giving us plenty of time to explore this ancient town and surrounding sites such as the Mian Shan Mountain Resort and the Zhangbi Underground City.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 12 - Pingyao (24th July 2020)

Today we will have another free day to explore Pingyao and its surroundings.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 13 - Lijiashan (25th July 2020)

Today we continue our journey to visit the ancient village of Lijiashan, famed for settlement of cave dwellers and still home to more than 600 families. We will stop en route for an included visit to the Black Dragon Temple just outside of Lijiashan.

In Lijiashan we will stay in a cave room, run by a local family and set up for guests.

Please note that some caves include a traditional 'Kang Stove bed'. The Kang bed is a hollow platform made from bricks that is used both as a bed and as a work area, these are common in remote villages in Northern China. In winter a coal fire can be lit under the bed, providing a huge amount of warmth day and night and it is very common for the whole family to sleep on one large bed. This means there may be times that members of the group may have to share 1 large bed with others in the group.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 14 - Yan'an (26th July 2020)

Today we make our way to the city of Yan'an.

Yan'an is famous for being the ending point for those on the 'Long March', and became the CCP headquarters for a brief period. During our time here we have an included visit to the Revolutionary Museum and the CCP Headquarters site.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Day 15 - Xi'an (27th July 2020)

Today we will drive to the amazing city of Xi'an, the ancient capital of Shaanxi province and the end of the 'Silk Road'! On arrival we will have a free afternoon to explore the city of Xi'an, it's famous walls, bell and drum towers, pagodas and Muslim Quarter.

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 16 - Xi'an (28th July 2020)

This morning we head out of Xi'an on the truck to the site of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, where we have an included visit and a guided tour. We will return to Xi'an for a free afternoon to further explore this diverse city.

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Day 17 - Xi'an - End Date (29th July 2020)

Border Information: if leaving in Xi'an, you will most likely exit China at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (IATA code: XIY).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Xi'an. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed.

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

Show only available departures

Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

13 Jul 20 Beijing

29 Jul 20 Xi'an

$1,805 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Status: Closed

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 17 days Booking Closed

03 Aug 20 Beijing

19 Aug 20 Xi'an

$1,805 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Status: Closed

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 17 days Booking Closed

28 Apr 21 Xi'an

14 May 21 Beijing

$1,845 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 17 days Add to basket

12 Jul 21 Beijing

28 Jul 21 Xi'an

$1,845 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 17 days Add to basket

02 Aug 21 Beijing

18 Aug 21 Xi'an

$1,845 USD + 540 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 17 days Add to basket

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Northern Chinese Wanderer

Beijing - Xi'an

USEFUL INFORMATION