DAY 1

Following a brief introductory meeting, you begin your journey by visiting Jingshan Park, which was part of the Forbidden City until the early 1900s when the walls were pulled down and a road was cut through it. Here, take in the best view of Beijing from the Pavilion of the Everlasting Spring, which was once the highest point in the city. Before driving out of Beijing to the Great Wall you take a brief look at the National Stadium. Because of its web of twisting steel sections that form the roof it is sometimes nicknamed the Bird’s Nest. It was built specifically for the Olympic Games in 2008. On arrival in Juyongguan, you explore a section of the famous Great Wall. Walking the wall, which extends in a serpentine manner for thousands of miles, is an exhilarating experience. You take in this manmade wonder on a leisurely exploration before transferring to your first delightful home—a set of contemporary villas located in the mountains near a section of the “wild wall,” referring to sections that are not restored. Here we gather for a welcome dinner in the hotel’s dining room, which consists of local specialties such as dim sum, spring rolls, pork ribs with black bean sauce, and steamed chicken with ginger sauce. The food served on this itinerary almost always comes in the form of a buffet, featuring freshly prepared dishes.
Commune By The Great Wall, Shuiguan

DAY 2

After breakfast in this peaceful setting next to the “wild wall,” you drive 2½ hours to reach the section at Jinshanling and begin the day’s walk. Slowly ascending and descending the many hills that form this wild landscape, you pass around 20 watchtowers, each offering an increasingly better perspective of this world wonder. The views of the wall lacing over the precipitous mountain ridges into the distance are breathtaking.

You may wish to take the easier option today. After dropping guests off who choose to take the more difficult walk, you take a cable car up to the Jinshanling part of the Great Wall. Once arriving on the Wall you take an easy to moderate walk along this section, passing around 10 watch towers. During your walk stop to eat a picnic lunch and then your guide will accompany you either by cable car or on foot to the base of the wall.

You then meet the bus and return to downtown Beijing in the late afternoon, where you are once again immersed in vibrant city life. A sumptuous dinner of Cantonese specialties awaits in a restaurant overlooking Hou Hai Lake.
Bamboo Garden Hotel, Beijing

DAY 3

Following breakfast, you set off to explore charming Old Beijing on foot. Strolling through the city’s traditional neighborhoods and narrow alleyways, called hutongs, you gain a sense of old-fashioned Beijing life. Among the hutongs, you pass elders playing Chinese chess or mahjong, ball dancing, stretching, or practicing Tai Chi. You also find shopkeepers selling such traditional snacks as jian bing (pancakes), or baozi (steamed buns), and hear calls announcing the arrival of the knife sharpener or cardboard collector. In the late morning you may wish to take a steep walk up to the top of the Drum Tower, a time-keeping center for the whole city equipped with bronze water clocks and drums that were beaten to mark the hours. It was built in 1272, during the reign of Kublai Khan and is a wooden, two-story building with three layers of upturned eaves. If you wish you may walk up the 69 steep steps to the top of the tower and at the top you can see some of the drums of differing sizes. One drum is the largest in the world.

Enjoy a dumpling-making lesson with a local family before having lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon you may relax back at the hotel or take an easy walk through Hou Hai Park. Dinner this evening features the city’s signature delicacy, a delicious banquet of Peking Duck.
Bamboo Garden Hotel, Beijing

DAY 4

Today you transfer to Xi’an, China’s former capital famed for the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It was near the tumulus (or burial mound) of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di where, in 1974, well-digging peasants unearthed one of the century’s greatest archaeological finds: literally thousands of life-sized figures dating back some 2,000 years. Equally remarkable as the sheer number of warriors is the fact that each seems to be a rendering of a live model, complete with its own personality. Your encounter with this fascinating site includes an opportunity to view figures up close, sensing the scale and detail of individual warriors (and, in some cases, their horses).

For more than 1,300 years and due to its strategic location on the Silk Road, Xi’an has also been home to a thriving Muslim culture. This afternoon there will be time to walk in the Muslim quarter and open-air market featuring displays of colorful and sweet-smelling dried fruit. Later, transfer to your boutique hotel located beside Furong Lake.

Dinner this evening is at a hundred-year-old restaurant well-known among the locals for their 19 varieties of dumplings—all available to sample!
Tang Paradise Hotel, Xi’an

DAY 5

On your last morning in Xi’an, you stroll the Ming Dynasty Wall that still encircles the Old City, the heart of which was China’s ancient capital city for 1,000 years. This wall is dotted with watchtowers displaying intricately carved and painted architecture; the details never cease to amaze. The walk leads to the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum, which you are free to explore on your own.

After a lunch of traditional noodles for which Xi’an is famous, you bid farewell to this historic destination and fly to Guilin and dramatically different scenery. You then board your coach for a scenic 1½-hour drive to Longsheng. Your hotel lies among bamboo-covered hills and terraced rice paddies in a village accessible only on foot. You carry your necessities for the next few days up a narrow path to the village, leaving the rest of your belongings securely on the bus. Flashlights and your guides will lead the way as you will arrive in darkness. After settling in, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s traditional dining room.
Li’an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 6

Today you awake to magnificent views of the terraced rice fields of Longsheng while enjoying a breakfast of fresh eggs, noodles, and sweet local fruit. Carved into the hillside over hundreds of years by the local Zhuang and Yao people, the rice paddies, when filled with water, resemble dragon’s scales, hence the mountain’s name—Dragon’s Back. Today’s walk begins in Ping’an village, where you follow a trail that traverses terraced slopes, takes you through bamboo forests, and connects several Zhuang and Yao minority villages. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before finishing the walk in the local village of Dazai. From here you will be transported back to your amazing accommodation, a museum-like hotel that took six years to build.
Li'an Lodge, Longsheng

DAY 7

This morning, take a few more hours to deepen your appreciation of local life and the area’s spectacular scenery. Another walk follows the trails used by the locals to reach their fields. Such solitude and calm embrace the path where, at times, the only sounds you hear are your footsteps, a babbling brook, or chirping birds. Lunch is enjoyed at the hotel with its tremendous views before transferring to Guilin and stepping back into bustling reality. This is a city dotted with intriguing limestone karst peaks and shaped by the Li River. Your hotel is in the city center, overlooking a park that invites a stroll in the company of elders performing their ritual evening exercise and dances.
Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin

DAY 8

The day’s adventure begins with a short transfer to your walk along the Li River. The passing landscape may resemble a continuous scroll of masterful artwork—the same imagery that has inspired Chinese artists for thousands of years. Along the way, you may see villagers navigating the river in traditional bamboo rafts and employing cormorants in an unusual, traditional fishing technique; or you can observe water buffalo taking a swim. Arriving in the ancient fishing town of Xinping, you see streets lined with traditional houses and locals going about their daily tasks. After time to discover Xinping transfer to Yangshuo, an amazing city that sits on the west bank of the Li River, nestled amongst beautiful limestone karst peaks. Settle into your hotel, a wonderful new resort overlooking the river.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 9

Beginning the morning on foot, you follow the scenic Yulong River. The route passes by picturesque hamlets tucked among subtropical plants and surrounded by rice paddies. You may spot water buffaloes and rice farmers working in their terraced fields. As you walk, you are surrounded by the region’s signature landscape—amazing karst limestone formations of irregular shape dotting the skyline. On completion of the walk, which ends in Baisha Village, you take the bus back to the hotel. This afternoon you may choose to take a short walk and return to the hotel by a traditional bamboo raft, or spend some time relaxing at the hotel.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 10

Following breakfast, you cross the Yulong River by bamboo raft and begin to walk along a country road toward the famous Moon Hill, which beckons in the distance. On arrival you may ascend to the summit by climbing 819 steps. From the top you are treated to a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding hills and a close look at the “Moon,” which used to be the underground river canal.

En route back to the hotel, explore Fuli, a small town with a proud craft tradition. In fact, one out of every four residents in Fuli earns a living by making painted fans and umbrellas. Your short walk in Fuli follows ancient, narrow stone streets to the local market and fan workshops.

You return to Yangshuo in the late afternoon with time to relax before a barbecue under the stars at your hotel.
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo

DAY 11

After breakfast, you transfer to Guilin, to catch your connecting flight to Beijing, where you bid farewell to your newfound friends.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Night 1

Commune By The Great Wall
Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

A private collection of contemporary villas located in the Shuiguan mountains outside of Beijing, adjacent to a section of the Great Wall.

Nights 2 & 3

Bamboo Garden Hotel
Xicheng District, Beijing, China

A courtyard-style hotel with peaceful gardens and bamboo groves, ideal for relaxing in the Old City of Beijing. The rooms are newly decorated with traditional Chinese furniture, and have Western-style bathrooms.

Night 4

Tang Paradise Hotel
Xi’an, China

The Tang Paradise is a boutique hotel, located beside beautiful Furong Lake, and adjacent to Furong Park. It features a combination of Tang dynasty style and modern architecture and has state-of-the-art amenities.

Nights 5 & 6

Li'an Lodge
Longsheng County, China

A museum-like hotel with spectacular views. Each room features an incredible display of art and antiques.

Night 7

Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Guilin, China

A comfortable international hotel located near the park and overlooking the Li River.

Nights 8, 9 & 10

Yangshuo Resort
Yangshuo, China

This brand new riverside resort has rooms overlooking lush green fields and limestone karsts typical of this area. All rooms are very tastefully decorated and furnished.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Tiger Li

A native of Sichuan Province in Central China, Tiger studied English while at university.  Li has hiked and guided extensively in the Himalayas, as well as in the Guilin region.  He has also walked a large portion of the Great Wall and is one of the best-known Chinese national guides in the Beijing region.  On tour, Li looks forward to sharing his love of hiking, China, and travel with guests.

Chris Che

Chris is a native of Heilongjiang, and earned a degree in Tourism Management at Beijing’s Foreign Language University. He began his career as a guide in 2001, and one of his favorite places in China is Yangshuo, for its unique natural beauty and traditional culture. He has an easy-going, affable nature and a ready sense of humor. In his free time, Chris enjoys playing ping pong, snow boarding, hiking, and reading.

Freeman Pan

A member of one of China's ethnic minorities, the Zhuang people, Freeman was born in the city of Yangshuo, and has been surrounded by some of China's most beautiful landscapes for his entire life. He attended the Guilin Institute of Tourism where he obtained degrees in English and Tourism. As a guide, he specializes in the general Guilin area and likes taking clients to small, rural villages that are off the beaten path. In his free time, Freeman enjoys photography and listening to music.

Jessica Zhu

Jessica was born and raised in Xi’an. She graduated from Xi’an Translators Training College with a degree in English and is a mine of information about the traditional stories of culture and myth regarding her hometown. When not leading groups, she is an avid photographer and cook. She enjoys welcoming Country Walkers guests to Xi’an and sharing her passion for the “eternal city.”

Dragon Ma

Graduating from Northwest University in Shaanxi province, Dragon was born and raised in Xi'an. He is an experienced guide who has been leading tours since 2003. He never tires of showing off the Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an's most famous site. Dragon has several hobbies including watching English language movies, singing karaoke with friends, and learning about Western customs. Dragon has a charismatic personality, and lives in Xi'an, as does his entire extended family.