Beijing To Shanghai Express - 9 Days

Beijing - The Great Wall. Welcome to China! Our big adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 10am. Then it's time to drop our bags and get to know your fellow travellers before we head for the Great Wall. First, we enjoy a quick mandarin lesson and gather in teams for a competition around Beijing's ancient streets. On to the legendary Great Wall! We’ll stop at a local farming village for lunch (at your own expense) and to gain access to the ‘locals only’ section of the wall; deserted sections where we’ll have the place to ourselves to set up camp. Walk along the wall as the sun sets before returning to camp. (Due to cold weather we stay at a local guesthouse near the Wall on departures at the end of April and after September). Please note: The pre-departure meeting is at 10am on day 1, so please ensure you arrive in Beijing the night before your tour or in plenty of time before the trip starts. We can arrange pre-tour accommodation for you.

The Great Wall - Beijing. We wake early on day 2 in order to watch the sunrise over the Great Wall. There is a strong possibility this will be the highlight of your trip! Take in your surroundings and appreciate the early morning silence. At around 9am we transfer back to Beijing. Opt to take a walk-through Tiananmen Square and visit the Forbidden city, the once imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. There's also an optional Chinese acrobatics show and a group dinner for those who would like to sample traditional Peking duck, a meal fit for an emperor! Day 3 is free. You can visit the fake goods markets or the Temple of Heaven, used by emperors for sacrifices to appease the heavens. There is also an optional visit to Nanluo district, one of the best-preserved historical areas in Beijing, famous for its hutongs and siheyan courtyards as well as an array of bars and cafes.

Beijing - Hangzhou. Our final day in Beijing is free for you to tick off any last sights or experiences. Make sure you have enjoyed a rickshaw ride, or you could head to the imperial Summer Palace. This evening at around 18:00 we head to the train station and board an overnight train to Hangzhou (approx. 13 hours).