Family Fun

About this Journey
Enjoy some cherished family time as you embark on a classic journey through the elegant pagodas and undulating rice terraces of the Middle Kingdom. This fun 15-day trip will see you travel from Beijing to Shanghai, with imperial capital Xi’an, spicy Chengdu, and spectacular Guangxi in between. Learn to play a traditional Chinese instrument, stand atop a sacred Buddhist mountain, float down the remarkably picturesque Li River, and sample Shaanxi pork “hamburgers.”

Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 Beijing
Begin your Beijing adventure in style as WanderEastern arranges private access to the concept store and gallery of Ma Ke’s fashion house, Wuyong. • Explore the imposing Forbidden City, where emperors ruled for 500 years • Hike up jingshan and take in a commanding view over the Forbidden City • Weave your way through Beijing’s ancient, interwoven hutong alleys.

Day 3 - 4 Beijing - Xian
Uncover a treasure trove of Qing Dynasty curios in the Temple Hotel • Peking duck dinner • Enjoy a champagne picnic on the majestic Great Wall, built to protect China’s heartland from invaders • Learn about Xi’an’s 1,300 year old Muslim community by visiting the Great Mosque, situated in Xi’an’s bustling Muslim Quarter.

Day 5 Xi'an
Gaze across Xi’an as you cycle along its ancient city wall • View the proudly unflinching, life-sized Terracotta Warriors • Lunch on hand-pulled noodles and traditional Shaanxi pork “hamburgers”.

Day 6 - 7 Chengdu
Observe China’s iconic, cuddly panda at Dujiangyan Panda Base • Ascend up sacred Mount Emei to the Golden Summit, where a majestic golden temple depicting Samantabhadra above four elephants towers over visitors • Stand in the presence of the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha on earth which at 71 meters tall dwarfs all in its presence • Time permitting, catch a face-changing Sichuan Opera performance.

Day 8 Guilin - Longsheng
Arrive in Guilin and meet your private WanderEastern Guilin guide • Drive about 2 hours to the Longji Rice Terraces • Hike along the verdant, softly undulating Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terrace • Arrive at Li’an Lodge and watch the sunset over the terraces as you tuck in for the night.

Day 9 Yangshuo
Spend the morning hiking at your own pace through minority villages near the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces • Stop by Daxu Old Town, one of the four most important trade towns in ancient times • Meet with a local family • Spend the evening relaxing and soaking in your first glimpse of Yangshuo’s stunning scenery.

Day 10 Yangshuo
Embark on a bamboo raft ride down the Yulong River among Yangshuo’s stunning karst mountains • Cycle through Yangshuo’s countryside farming villages • Enjoy the spectacle of Impression Liusanjie, choreographed by the mastermind behind the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, in a natural amphitheater.

Day 11 Yangshuo
Meet up with your rock climbing instructor and head out for a day of rock climbing in one of the most famous climbing destinations in the world • Head to a local wet market to buy ingredients for dinner • Private cooking lesson where you’ll learn to make Guilin cuisine with a local chef • Watch the locals fishing using cormorant birds.

Day 12 Yangshuo - Shanghai
Visit Fuli Old Town, famed for its Chinese fans • Learn the art of fan making • Upon arriving in Shanghai, meet your WanderEastern guide • Take a stroll around the Bund area, admiring Shanghai’s signature contrast between old and new.

Day 13 Shanghai
Enjoy the amazing spectacle of an ERA Acrobatics Performance, which fuses Chinese acrobatics with modern technology • Experience a snapshot of local life by walking around Fuxing Park, a meeting spot for fitness dancers and taichi enthusiasts • Wander down the tree-lined streets of the French Concession • Explore modern art studios in the trendy, bohemian area of Tianzifang • Visit the Shanghai Museum, a veritable treasure trove of Chinese artifacts.

Day 14 - 15 Optional Extensions
Option 1: Explore the old watertown of Tongli, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ for the canals that wind their way between the town’s Ming and Qing era buildings • Option 2: visit the tea plantations, gardens, and temples of elegant Hangzhou • Option 3: spend the day in the verdant and calming classical gardens of Suzhou.

Recommended Hotels

THE OPPOSITE HOUSE BEIJING Luxury Boutique
An artsy, modern boutique hotel featuring minimalist designs, The Opposite House offers luxury amenities amid Beijing’s happening Sanlitun area.

YANGSHUO SUGAR HOUSE 5 star
Housed in a former sugar mill, Yangshuo Sugar House exudes luxury and has breathtaking views of karst mountains and winding rivers.

LI-AN LODGE, LONGSHENG Luxury Boutique
Perched on the Dragon Backbone’s Terraces, Li-an Lodge offers modern amenities, glimpses into traditional culture, and abundant natural beauty.

THE PENINSULA SHANGHAI 5 star
The Peninsula has a strong art deco influence reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai with luxurious rooms, restaurants and a rooftop bar overlooking the Bund.

Details

What’s Included

• All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
• All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
• Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
• Ground transportation, including airport transfers
• Services of an English-speaking WanderEastern guide
• Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip

What’s Excluded

• International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
• Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
• Travel and medical insurance
• Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
• Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

TRIP COST

$6480 USD per person 

Single Supplement $2680 USD per person