Discover China by Train (Return Flights Included)

Your fare excludes:

Day 1: Fly to Shanghai

Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 2: Explore Shanghai

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th-century temples. Today's explorations include the Yu Garden, the old town and a silk factory. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund, before a trip on the super-fast Maglev train, which reaches top speeds of 431 km/h. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and dine on delicious Shanghainese cuisine.

Day 3: Yellow Mountain

Embark on a journey aboard the bullet train to Tunxi, and then ascend to the summit of Mt. Huang, commonly known as Yellow Mountain, via cable car for an overnight stay atop the mountain. Enjoy the spectacular views of the oddly shaped peaks, rock formations, thousand year-old pine trees and ever-changing mist, all of which have inspired local artists for centuries. Spend the afternoon exploring the scenic area including Begin-to-Believe Peak and Lion Peak.

Day 4: Tunxi Ancient Town

Rise early to watch the sunrise over Yellow Mountain. Continue exploring more notable attractions such as Dispelling Cloud Pavilion and Flying-over Rock. Take the cable car down to the base of the mountain and explore this ancient town of Tunxi. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with pretty little shops selling anything from local snacks and tea, to paintbrushes, cultural relics and intricate wood carvings.

Day 5: Orange Island

Journey by bullet train to Changsha, a vibrant metropolis steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty. Explore the bamboo and sculpture gardens of Orange Island, where a towering 32-meter statue of Chairman Mao Zedong stands. As dusk falls, indulge in the lively night market's local delicacies, a taste of Changsha's culture.

Day 6: Bullet Train to Guilin

Step into history at the Yuelu Academy, the historical hub of learning where ancient wisdom thrives. Then embark on a scenic journey as you traverse magnificent landscapes to reach Guilin's natural wonders.

Day 7: Discover Guilin

Embark on a tour to Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic rock formation resembling an elephant drinking from the Li River. Visit the South China Pearl Factory where you will have the opportunity to buy these precious stones. Later, visit the Sun and Moon Pagodas and the ancient South City Gate then set sail on a serene cruise, navigating the network of canals and walkways of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes.

Day 8: Li River Cruise
Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to charming Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen. Disembark and wander Yangshuo's cobbled streets and vibrant markets. This evening, you have the option of enjoying the magical Sanjie Liu night show.

Day 9: Bullet Train to Kunming

Board the bullet train to Kunming, capital of Yunnan province. This journey is a treat with the iconic karst formations of Guilin's limestone peaks, the tranquil beauty of terraced fields and villages, and the rugged grandeur of Yunnan's mountainous landscapes all unfolding in a mesmerising display through your train window.

Day 10: Explore Kunming

Meander through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, where towering limestone pillars stand tree-like in a fascinating illusion of woodland. Return to Kunming and in the evening, sample the local delicacy, Across the Bridge noodles.

Day 11: Dali's Ancient Town

Board the bullet train to Dali, a charming town that offers a peek at bygone China. As the train snakes its way from Kunming to Dali, you'll witness a breathtaking transformation of scenery, from the lush greenery of Yunnan's lowlands to the serene beauty of Erhai Lake and the distant majesty of the Cangshan Mountains. Discover Dali's ancient quarter and magnificent, age-old Three Pagodas before an evening stroll through the vibrant Foreigners' Street.

Day 12: Enchanting Dali

Today, explore the village of Xizhou to browse its local market, visit the Yan family home and watch a tie-dying demonstration. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the mirror-like waters of Erhai Lake, admiring the spectacular scenery provided by the Cang Mountains.

Day 13: Lijiang Old Quarter

Board the bullet train to Lijiang. Discover the old quarter; the quintessential Chinese 'old town' and wander the jumble of cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and rustic stone bridges.

Day 14: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

A magnificent mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comprises several peaks, the tallest of which soars 5,500 metres. Taking a cable car, explore one of the gorgeous high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. Later, visit Baisha old town to view its spectacular Ming Dynasty frescoes and Baisha village, a settlement of the Naxi minority people.

Day 15: Travel to Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Chengdu is a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, where teahouses, spicy cuisine, and a relaxed pace of life create an inviting and culturally rich urban landscape.

Day 16: Pandas with an Expert

Visit Chengdu's Panda Centre, where an expert will talk to you about the centre's work and the pandas themselves as you observe these peaceful bears. After, board the bullet train to Xian.

Day 17: Terracotta Warriors

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the workshop to see where the warriors are intricately recreated in the style of their ancient counterparts and stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling feast and Tang Dynasty dancing show.

Day 18: Journey to Beijing

Board the bullet train to Beijing, China's historical capital. Watch the landscape unfold in a succession of terraced fields, distant mountains, glimpses of rural life, and bustling urban landscapes.

Day 19: Imperial Beijing

Head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square, and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, before learning about evolution of China's railway systems at the China Railway Museum. This evening, sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking duck.

Day 20: The Great Wall

This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory then spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

Day 21-22: Depart Beijing

This morning is at your leisure before you are transferred to Beijing airport to board your flight to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other tour passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.

**Please note the above itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Select Departures o​n sale till 30 April 2024
Partner flies free or solo traveler save 50% on airfare*

• 0​7 September 2024
• f​rom $9,580 $8,980 per person twin share
• f​rom $11,860 $11,260 per person sole use

Various departures between April and November 2025. Below pricing based on 11 October 2025.

• f​rom $10490 $9,890 per person twin share
• f​rom $13,470 $12,270 per person sole use

Contact our experienced travel team on 1300 414 198 to find out more about this immersive tour of China and check pricing for your preferred date of travel.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking or until sold out and may change without notice. The prices above include flights departing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth airline fuel surcharges and taxes which are subject to change.

Your accommodation has been selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town or a heritage-type hotel.

P​hysical Level 2: All our tours feature a physical rating to help you select the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights. Tour is rated 2 on the physical level scale. A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.

• There will be sightseeing on foot for both short and extended periods of time
• Sightseeing at nearly all the palaces, fortresses and some temples involves climbing several steps, often without handrails
• You will be required to get on and off various sizes of boats and rickshaws through out the tour

Joining the group: The tour is 22 days in duration including international flights or 21 days in duration based on ‘Land Only’. Join the tour on Day 1 in Shanghai and end the tour on Day 21 in Beijing. Travelers booked on ‘Land Only’, the price includes your arrival/departure airport transfers if arriving/departing on the start and conclusion date of your tour, or when booking pre and post night accommodation with us.

Passports: All Australian citizens require a full passport for all holidays and this should be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return home date with 2 x blank facing pages. If you are not an Australian citizen, other regulations may apply therefore its important you check with the nearest embassy of the country you intend to visit.

Please note that for we will require a clear, coloured scan of your passport information page. Furthermore, if you renew your passport after you have booked, it is important you advise us of the new details as soon as possible and you may be required to take your old passport with you to maintain the validity of the trip.

Visa Requirements: Where visas are required, the visa processing fee is included for Australian, Ordinary passport holders on all Classic and Go Beyond group tours.