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The 17 Day Wonders of China explores Beijing, Forbidden City, Great Wall trekking, Xi’an, Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Bike ride, Longji Terrace trekking and Hong Kong.

Days 1-5 Beijing
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Beijing. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. Please note that your Tour Leader will collect the Local Payment during your group meeting so be sure to take the 300 US dollars to the meeting along with your travel insurance details. Please bring new USD notes/bills in large denominations. Please see the notice board in the hotel reception for details.

Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings.

A visit to China is not complete without walking along the Great Wall. We will drive to Jinshanling, from where we trek to Simatai (4-5 hours) on Day 4. We continue the trekking in Simatai (3 hours) on Day 5. Walking eastward along the old city wall, passing numerous watchtowers and walls that have not yet been restored.

After lunch in a local farmers restaurant, we drive back to the city and catch the sleeper train to Xi’an on Day 5. You can either purchase dinner on the train or buy some food prior to boarding. We stay in six-berth air-conditioned cabins that have an open and relaxed feel about them. A blanket, sheets and a pillow are provided, although some people may wish to bring their own inner sheet. The 12-hour trip is a great opportunity for our group to get to know each other and is a great way to mix with the locals and practise your Chinese-language skills.

Days 6-7 Xi’an
We arrive in Xi'an early in the morning. Xian topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization. Other places you may visit include Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple.

On day 7 we leave Xi'an in the afternoon to board the overnight train bound for Shanghai (approx16 hours).

Days 8-10 Shanghai
Shanghai is a vibrant, fast-moving city with a fantastic variety of markets and restaurants for eating out. The shopping area on Nanjing Road is situated nearby. We will enjoy free time in Shanghai, and your tour leader can show you how to find the way to the famous Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar, a representative of private garden in south China and highlight of the city. We might have opportunities to try some wonderful food stalls as well. Acrobat here is recommended for your entertainment at night.

There is a full free day for further exploration of Shanghai. Keen photographers are rewarded by an early start to the day, as scores of locals practise Taichi along the waterfront at dawn. The old French Quarter is also a great place to wander around, and the Jade Buddha Temple and the impressive Shanghai Museum are both well worth a visit. The gleaming towers on the Pudong side reflect China’s march towards modernisation and the rapid rate of changes that are taking place.

In the afternoon of Day 10, we board the overnight train to Guilin. The journey can take up to 22 hours, so bring a good book.

Days 11-13 Yangshuo
We arrive in Guilin at noon and transfer by public bus to the small countryside town of Yangshuo (1.5 hrs). Yangshuo, a place nestled amongst the imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. This small town is a haven for back-packers and here we stay in a delightful local style hotel.

Day 12 we take a half-day bike ride through the surrounding countryside to gain an insight into rural life in South China and have a scrumptious lunch in a local restaurant at the foot of Moon Hill. It is also a wonderful area for exploring individually, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location- this is why Yangshuo is the favorite with PANDA travellers. A boat trip on the Li River to the surrounding town is an option to consider in your free time.

Day 14-15 Longji Terrace Trekking
In the morning we drive to Xiaozhai (3 hours) in Longji Terraced Field. The road is coming up higher and higher and mountains along the road are bigger and bigger. Xiaozhai is the last village preserving the authentic custom of minority Yao people in this area. Upon arrival we will have a simple lunch in a local family. In the afternoon we will walk from Xiaozhai to Dazhai, then Tiantouzhai, three Yao villages altogether. Most of time this afternoon we walk on the field ridges, so watch your shoes, not falling down into the water field. It will take around 4 hours to our destination. The guesthouse is located halfway of the mountain, so you will have a grand view of the terraced field. Sometimes you might hear the barking/bay of the dogs and see fire fly on your ceiling at night.

On Day 15 We will continue our trekking after breakfast. Today most of time we will walk on the slate-cobbled path. It takes 5 hours on the track. Though it roses up and down, while it’s worth walking on the track. When you feel tired and exhausted and don’t want to continue anymore, then suddenly you find our destination, terraced fields in Piang’an. The Scenery is stunning. Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, Seven Stars surround Moon are the top two places to watch the view. We will have a lunch at the local restaurant. We will go to the old village of Longji nearby, which is a minority Zhuang people village, the oldest of its kind in this area.

We drive back to Guilin to catch the sleeper train to Guangzhou after lunch.

Days 16-17 Hong Kong
Arriving in Guangzhou in the morning, we head to the ferry terminal and catch the hydrofoil to Hong Kong. There is just so much to see and do in Hong Kong. You can take a funicular ride up to Victoria Peak and enjoy magnificent views over the city, wander through the Stanley Market or just shop until you drop! On our last night we can get together for a group dinner or go out and enjoy some of the many bars and nightclubs around town. Every evening there is a spectacular Sound and Light Show on the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island - 8:00 to 8:20pm. Check with your hotel reception for details. Be warned - after Mainland China, you will not find Hong Kong a cheap city!

Our trip ends in Hong Kong on Day 14. Checkout time is usually around 12 Noon; however you are free to leave at any time in the morning. If you are a first-time visitor to Hong Kong, it is recommended that you extend your stay to further explore this exciting city. A journey up to the top of Victoria Peak on the famous Peak Tram is a good introduction to Hong Kong. Additional accommodation can be arranged on request. The hotel staff will be on hand to advise you how to get to the airport.