China - Great Wall & Gulin (15 days)

Explore Beijing & walk on the mighty Great Wall of China, cycle through the tranquil karst & paddy landscapes around Guilin & spend time in traditional villages.

Beijing & Beyond -Starting in the Chinese capital, we explore the famous Tiananmen Square and maze of palaces that make up the adjoining Forbidden City. We also discover the Hutongs, the old residential quarters, fast disappearing in this rapidly modernising city. We travel to one of the most stunning sections of the Great Wall at Jinshaling from where we trek the ramparts to Simatai and stay in a guesthouse just a stone's throw from the mighty Wall.

Along the River Li -A flight south to Guilin takes us to the bizarre yet mysteriously beautiful hump-backed mountains of this region's karst landscapes, which have fired the imaginations of poets and artists for centuries. Our route takes us through traditional fishing villages along the banks of the Li River with plenty of time to stop off for a boat trip, perhaps meeting the famous cormorant fishermen. Near Chaoping we discover a subterranean network of caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

 Stone Village & Ling Canal -The small and welcoming town of Yangshuo with its many interesting craft shops makes a good base from which to cycle deeper into the countryside, climb a peak or two or try out bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. In the tiny village of Hebaoshan we stay with a local family gaining a deeper insight into the lifestyle and traditions of rural China. We explore the little-known "Stone Village", surrounded by high stone walls, accessible via four towering gates. The Ling Canal scenic area is our final destination as we circle back to Guilin.

Day 1: Fly to Beijing
Day 2: Arrive Beijing
Day 3: In Beijing; sightseeing
Day 4: Drive Jinshaling; walk on Great Wall to Simatai
Day 5: Drive Beijing; fly Guilin
Day 6: Cycle to Chaoping, visit caves
Day 7: Cycle to Xinping
Day 8: Boat trip on Li River; cycle Yangshuo
Day 9: Optional cycling around Yangshuo
Day 10: Cycle to Hebaoshan
Day 11: Explore stone village; cycle Putao; optional cycle to Yangshuo
Day 12: Cycle Gongshen
Day 13: Cycle Dongjin via Yau villages; drive Chaotian
Day 14: Cycle in Ling Canal scenic area; drive Guilin; fly Beijing
Day 15: Fly home

Operated by Explore Worldwide

Departures: October & April