 |
Tours to China |
 Your travel source with a personal touch! |
|
Land of the Dragon Family Holiday
- 15 days - Flight inclusive* Essential China - 21 days - Flight inclusive* Monks and Warriors - 15 days - Flight inclusive* Walk The Great Wall - 12 days - Flight inclusive* The Silk Road - 24 days - Flight inclusive* |
|
China - Order FREE Travel Brochure!
| For additional great tours, cruises, vacations and deals, click on the Global Travel international icon at the right, or on Global Travel International. Additionally, using Global Travel International, you can also find deals on hotels and other accommodations (including resorts, inns and bed and breakfast), air fares, rental cars, and much more. If for some reason the link to Global Travel International does not work on your computer, or the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser. |
|
|
Land of the Dragon Family Holiday - 15 days - Flight inclusive* Shaolin monks & pandas | ‘Dragon’s Backbone’ rice terraces | Terracotta Warriors & Great Wall A journey of stunning contrasts through China. Modern, natural and ancient wonders – this trip has it all. Not only will you have the opportunity to shop the crowded streets of Beijing, but you will also be able to marvel at the Forbidden City. Then, you will head north to wonder along the Great Wall of China, and see the amazing Terracotta Warriors. This is a Easy tour that is fun-filled for the entire family. The maximum participants for this tour is 16. Click here for additional information about this particular tour. For a map of the tour, and the day-by-day itinerary, click on Itinerary and Map. |
|
Click on The Adventure Company link
below for additional information and current pricing. |
Beijing, Monks &
Buddhas
In
Beijing, capital of China, you can explore the crowded streets and marvel at the
Forbidden City, before driving north to wander along the snake-like Great Wall
of China and hear stories of horsemen invading from the north. In Song Shan you
will be amazed at the strength and agility of the Shaolin monks, before
continuing your trip to the thousands of statues of the Longmen Caves.
Terracotta Warriors & the Great Wall
From Xian you’ll visit the amazing Terracotta Warriors, whose serried ranks
served Emperor Qin, the first emperor of China over 2000 years ago. You fly to
Chengdu and visit the Panda Breeding and Research Centre, vital to the survival
of this endangered animal. Your trip continues to Guilin and Yangshuo, amongst
spectacular limestone scenery and dramatic rice terraces.
Responsible Travel
We have developed a Program of school visits with our local agent in China.
You will have the opportunity to visit a school during your stay in Pingan (near
Longii), which provides education for about 50 pupils aged from 6–11. These
schools would benefit greatly from your support so if you would like to offer
your assistance by taking a gift they would be delighted to receive the
following; clothes (remember Chinese children are smaller than those in the UK),
exercise books, schoolbags, pencils and crayons, erasers and similar stationery.
Although you can take things out with you, goods are available cheaply locally
and your Group Leader will be able to advise on where to buy things. Please
note; school holidays in China are in July and August so visits will not be
possible during these months
|
|
*NOTE: Guaranteed departure - Includes festival - Teenage departure - Single parents - Airfare included from the UK only. |
Essential China - 21 days - Flight inclusive* |
|
Click on The Adventure Company link
below for additional information and current pricing. |
Hong Kong & Giant Pandas
Your odyssey begins amidst the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.
Traveling into mainland China, you discover Guilin’s peaceful countryside – a landscape of dramatic limestone sugarloaf peaks. Further north in Sichuan you’ll encounter giant pandas at a conservation centre before walking the pilgrim trail on Mt. Emei, one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism (3099m).
Three Gorges & Imperial Capitals
You’ll journey downstream on the Yangtse River through the spectacular Three Gorges, then fly to Xian and visit the legendary 2000 year old Terracotta Warriors. Finally in Beijing you can stroll in the famous Tiananmen Square and explore the Forbidden City – once home to Chinese emperors. You’ll also make a trip to a less visited section of the Great Wall to end this journey of a lifetime.
Holy Mt. Emei
Since 1976 tourists have been able to join pilgrims who steadily make their way to Emei Shan’s summit. Mt. Emei was one of the four holy mountains of the ancient Middle Kingdom. The pilgrimage route is dotted with monasteries and temples and there are fantastic views of the surrounding area.
Responsible Travel
Our visit to see the pandas at Chengdu provides vital revenue for this project. Staying at the monastery on Mt. Emei provides an important source of income for the monks. You may also have the opportunity to visit the Moon Bear Rescue Centre near Chengdu. Operated by Animals Asia, it provides a home for bears rescued from the cruel trade in bear bile extraction
|
|
*NOTE: Guaranteed departure - Includes festival - Teenage departure - Single parents - Airfare included from the UK only. |
Monks and Warriors - 15 days - Flight inclusive*
|
|
Click on The Adventure Company link
below for additional information and current pricing. |
Forbidden City & Great Wall
Beijing has been the heart of imperial China for centuries, and on your visit to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven you’ll see the city in all its glory. Heading north, you’ll walk a little visited section of the Great Wall – a superb piece of engineering, almost 2000 years old and offering stunning views across the countryside.
Shaolin Monks and Terracotta Warriors
The holy mountain of Song Shan is home to the Shaolin temple, the birthplace of kung fu. Watch in awe at the strength and agility of the monks who still live and train here. After visiting the countless statues of Buddha at Longmen, you arrive at the ancient city of Xian. The city is home to the thousands of life size statues that make up the Terracotta Warriors. The pace changes and you’ll embark on a boat journey along the Yangtse, through the incredible Three Gorges, before the finale of your trip, a stay in Shanghai - a fascinating contrast of history & modernity.
Responsible Travel
We make extensive use of local guides to provide the historical references and detail about the sites. This helps ensure that money from our visit is spread far and wide amongst the people who need it most.
|
|
*NOTE: Guaranteed departure - Includes festival - Teenage departure - Single parents - Airfare included from the UK only. |
Walk The Great Wall - 12 days - Flight inclusive*
|
|
Click on The Adventure Company link
below for additional information and current pricing. |
From Beijing to The Wall
From Beijing you head straight out west into the untamed Chinese countryside and up on to the famous Great Wall, which snakes like a dragon through the hills of northern China from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert. We’ve carefully selected remote areas of the wall to walk on, in different provinces. Exploring on foot and even enjoying a night in a farmer’s house - this is a brilliant way to discover China’s history and culture.
Villages, Caves & Watchtower
You’ll walk spectacular sections between Pianguan and Fengzhen before stopping at a local village and exploring the Buddhist grottoes at the Yungang Caves, near to Datong. Displaying a mixture of styles influenced by Indian and Central Asian Buddhism, the caves are among China’s finest sights. Upon arrival at Jinshanling you’ll get a taste of a guard’s life as you stay in a watchtower on the wall itself! Waking up to the sunrise from this unique vantage point is simply an experience you’ll never forget.
Responsible Travel
Staying with local farmers and in a watchtower on the wall gives a unique insight into Chinese culture and helps the locals make a living by keeping their national heritage alive.
|
|
*NOTE: Guaranteed departure - Includes festival - Teenage departure - Single parents - Airfare included from the UK only. |
The Silk Road - 24 days - Flight inclusive* |
|
Click on The Adventure Company link
below for additional information and current pricing. |
Dunes & Desert
Traders have followed the Silk Road for centuries and now you can do the same! Starting in Beijing in the east, you’ll walk a section of the famous Great Wall before coming face-to-face with the mighty Terracotta Warriors. An overnight train takes you deeper into China. From the mighty Jiayuguang Fortress, you head into the desert to Dunhuang to explore dunes at sunrise and caves. Then take a tranquil boat ride on Heaven’s Lake and spend a day wandering the amazing local markets at Kashgar.
Bazaars, Mosques & Palaces
Crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan you’ll spend a night in a traditional yurt and wander in Bishkek’s bazaar. Your journey continues through the open steppe and rugged mountains of this beautiful region to Uzbekistan where you’ll explore the myriad of alleyways, mosques and palaces in the city of Khiva. Continuing south you’ll enter ancient Bukhara and admire the blue tiled buildings and dazzling architecture of Samarkand.
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was a network of routes, plied by merchants and traders traveling between China and the Mediterranean. Crossing entire deserts and great mountain ranges required careful preparation and the choice of route was further influenced by often hostile weather conditions and the threats posed by bandits or unfriendly locals!
Responsible Travel
Local leaders will give you an insight into each country’s culture and you may have the opportunity to visit a school in Uzbekistan. They welcome English literature classics!
|
|
*NOTE: Guaranteed departure - Includes festival - Teenage departure - Single parents - Airfare included from the UK only. |
To help you choose the right trip, The Adventure Company has graded every itinerary. Obviously, grading is quite subjective - what is demanding for some people may be easy for others, and vice versa - so please keep this in mind when choosing a trip. Most healthy, active people will be able to take part in and enjoy nearly every trip. Just click on the grade assigned to the tour you are interested in -- Gentle - Easy - Active - Moderate - Demanding - Strenuous.
|
|
These trips are more about culture, landscapes and sights, rather than activity. There may be the odd walk on reasonably flat terrain, but be aware that walking city streets or clambering over ancient monuments can still be tiring. The itinerary could involve some tough traveling, so a sense of adventure is essential; you should be flexible, open-minded and prepared for the unexpected. Anyone in good health should be able to take part. |
|
|
This type of trip might have the odd half-day (say 2-4 hours) walk, or possibly longer. There will invariably be some ascent and descent but on generally easy gradients. Max. altitude 2000m. Suitable for anyone in good health and normal fitness. |
|
|
Can involve activities like cycling, kayaking, walking, rafting, or even dog-sledding, for a half or full day. Suitable for anyone in good health and of normal fitness. No previous experience required, but you should undertake a program of exercise before the trip to get the most enjoyment out of each activity. |
|
|
Harder half/full-day walks (3-6 hours) over rugged terrain and involving regular steep ascent and descent (max. 700m) and possibly with some minor obstacles. Max. altitude around 3000m. You will have to carry a daysac (up to 6kg). Requires reasonable physical condition. Previous experience or preparation beneficial. |
|
|
Tough half day or full day-walks (up to 8 hrs) over rough paths, involving considerable ascent/descent (up to 1000m) on steep slopes with some minor obstacles or hazards. Max. altitude around 4000m. You will have to carry a large daysac or small rucksack (occasionally with a sleeping bag and personal gear up to 12kg). Good physical condition is essential. Some previous experience and/or preparation essential. |
|
|
Challenging, full-day walks of up to 12 hours, on very steep slopes in difficult terrain, with ascent/descent of over 1000m, at altitudes of over 4000m and/or in a rigorous climate. Many obstacles – some major. Scrambling may be involved. This also applies to treks of extended duration and any trek which is unsupported, i.e. where you must carry a rucksack with personal gear, food and equipment. Excellent physical condition and previous experience and appropriate preparation are essential. |
Note: technical skills, e.g. rope-work, using crampons or ice-axes, are not needed on any trip.
