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Day |
Activity |
Day Before Departure |
Meet the group in a harbor-front bar the night before the date of departure for a short welcome & safety brief, then stroll along the Avenue of Stars to catch the light show which synchronizes the lights of all the skyscrapers across the bay, to a very Chinese soundtrack.
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D1 |
We start the day with an optional guided hike up Victoria Peak for incredible views over the city and harbor below.
The group later meets at Hong Kong’s Hung Hom Train Station in the afternoon to take the High Speed Rail link to Guangzhou, and then connect on to the night train to Guilin.
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D2 - D5 |
In the morning we take a coach to Yangshuo, one of the most popular backpacking destinations in China, famed for its stunning karst scenery. The first afternoon includes one of our free un-missable attractions: rafting down the Li River on bamboo rafts whilst the sun sets over the karst peaks.
We stay in a hostel called Monkey Jane’s, which we chose mainly for its roof-top bar with a stunning view; it’s a great place for a quiet beer or if you want something more lively, why not challenge Monkey Jane herself to a game of beer pong in order to win a free crate of beers.
Optional activities in Yangshuo include visiting mud-baths in underground caves (55rmb), a motorbike tour stopping at swimming spots and view points (70rmb), sampling snake liquor in the various roof top bars, watching farmers use birds to catch fish for them (as seen on the HSBC advert, 30rmb), or the Hollywood craze of cupping (suction cups on the back to withdraw impurities, the Chinese had it first! 20rmb).
Take the night train to Chongqing.
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D 6 & 7 |
In Chongqing, we show you the reality of Chinese local life in one of China’s industrial mega cities.
Explore the Ciqikou Ancient Town by yourself in the morning and in the afternoon we offer another free un-missable attraction, when we go to see the Pandas. Afterwards you can join us to try Sichuan’s famed hot pot (70rmb including beer and cable car to the restaurant).
The next day explore the Three Gorges Dam Museum and the Liberation Monument in the center of town before boarding the night train to Xi’an.
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D8 |
In the morning we head off for another free un-missable attraction, The Terracotta Warriors, China’s Wonder of the Ancient World. In the evening, have the chance help out at a soup kitchen for Xi’an’s homeless people.
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D9 |
Today you can explore the Muslim quarter independently or join us for a bike tour around the ancient city walls, followed by a snack of traditional dumplings and a visit to the Bell Tower (65rmb).
In the evening you can see a fountain and light show (15rmb), before joining the infamous Xi’an Pub Crawl (30 rmb).
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D10 |
In the morning we take a minibus deep into the heart of The QingLing mountains, stopping en-route for tubing and sunbathing by a river. After arriving at the smallholding where we stay the night, we have the choice of what animals walking in the yard we’d like on the menu that night, and then hike into the mountains to a series of waterfalls.
The evening is spent eating the organic food from the farm and drinking Hans, the local beer, under the stars.
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D11 |
It’s an early start in the morning as we head back to Xi’an for a quick shower and breakfast in the hostel before taking the train to Longmen, and bus to Dengfeng.
That afternoon we call in at the local market to buy supplies for the orphanage we’ll visit later that evening. It’s up to you what supplies you’d like to get them, but normally if everyone chips in about 60rmb it’s enough to get them half a pig as well as some oil, rice, sweets and stationary.
All the children in the orphanage are trained in Kung Fu, and put on a Kung Fu show for us, before we teach them a few games (dodge-ball always goes down well), and help them practice their English.
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D12 |
This morning, we have an optional activity heading to the Shaolin Temple (the home of Shaolin Kung Fu, 100rmb). We arrive before the crowds, allowing us time in the afternoon for a Kung Fu lesson with a Kung Fu master (60rmb).
Night train to Beijing.
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D13 - D15 |
After a morning spent relaxing in the hostel in Beijing we head off to our next un-missable attraction, The Great Wall of China. We go to a private section of The Wall, where we have the place to ourselves! We hike along as the sun is setting, before making camp on The Wall itself! We rise for what will be one of the most memorable sunrises of your life, before heading back to Beijing.
The remaining two days in Beijing are spent seeing flag raising and Chairman Mao’s embalmed body in Tiananmen Square (free), The Forbidden City (60rmb), The 2008 Olympic Village including The Bird’s Nest Stadium (70), The National Museum (free) and a visit to a food market where you can try dog, snake, cat, scorpion and a host of other mouth-watering delicacies.
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D16 - D17 |
We take the train in the morning to Qingdao, the home of China’s national beer. Of course we have the chance to visit the Tsingtao Brewery (60rmb), but other activities include a trip to one of China’s best beaches where various water sports are on offer (eg. Jet Skis, 100rmb) or a visit to a Chinese Spa (180rmb), for a chance to see how China’s newly emerging middle class like to relax.
Train to Shanghai.
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D18 - D20 |
Arrive in Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city, where you can join us for a free guided-tour of The Bund and French Concession.
Other optional activities include paragliding just outside Shanghai (400rmb), Go-karting (70rmb), Shanghai’s one and only burlesque show “China Town” (150rmb) and China’s largest bar crawl – The Drunken Dragon Pub Crawl (100rmb).
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D21 |
Today we take the fast train heading South to Xiamen, which claims the title of China’s most livable city. We spend the evening on the small Island of Gulangyu, which has been a favorite retreat for many of China’s most influential artists for hundreds of years.
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D22 |
Take a boat back to the mainland before boarding a private coach to Fujian’s Tulou, a group of 30,000 roundhouses, which still host the Hakka minority people today. We spend the night in the Round Houses alongside the Hakka people, which provides an opportunity to not just observe, but actively experience their fascinating way of life.
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D23 |
Visit neighboring round-houses, temples and beautiful countryside, sample the tea in a tea ceremony, and swim in the local river which is a popular spot for Chinese film crews, whilst also further exploring the minority Hakka culture (90rmb).
Take night train to Guangzhou.
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D24 |
Drive to Zhuhai and then on to the former Portuguese colony of Macau.
Try the World’s Highest Bungee Jump! (Currently the price is over 1500rmb, but we are working hard to negotiate a cheaper price for the summer 2012 tours!)
Gamble in casinos which last year made 5 times more profit than Las Vegas’s casinos did. We’ll visit the Venetian Macau, which is a replica of the Venetian in Vegas, only twice the size.
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D25 |
The next morning join us on a free tour exploring the old Portuguese part of Macau, before taking the high-speed ferry back to Hong Kong.
Say your final good byes to the group on the Hong Kong Pub Crawl (100rmb), having just completed an epic 3,392 mile journey around China!
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Departure and Pricing
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Depart
Hong Kong
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Return to
Hong Kong
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From |
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06/05/2013 |
30/05/2013 |
£1088 |
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03/06/2013 |
27/06/2013 |
£1088 |
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01/07/2013 |
25/07/2013 |
£1088 |
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15/07/2013 |
08/08/2013 |
£1088 |
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29/07/2013 |
22/08/2013 |
£1088 |
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19/08/2013 |
12/09/2013 |
£1088 |
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02/09/2013 |
26/09/2013 |
£1088 |
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14/10/2013 |
07/11/2013 |
£1088 |
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Just email us if you’d like to arrange extra departure dates or if you’d like to join for just part of the tour.
Typical Group Size:15-30 People Minimum group size is 5 people
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Price Includes |
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* Transport on night trains with fully flat beds, high-speed trains or buses as well as all connections to / from train stations.
* Mandarin tuition for beginners on the night trains.
* Accommodation in hostels which meet The Dragon Trip’s high standards. All hostels, have their own unique Chinese charm, but at the same time are safe, clean and hygienic.
* A combination of Western and Chinese English-speaking tour guides.
* Tickets, transportation and guides for a selection of un-missable activities – for example, rafting down the Li river, a night on a peasant farm, hiking and camping on the Great Wall, a visit to The terracotta Warriors etc.
* All taxes and charges.
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Price Excludes |
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* International flights
* Optional Activities – Please see the detailed itinerary for a list of these. The tour is designed to be flexible, which is why we include the un-missable attractions for free, but also offer some amazing optional activities. We do not take profit on these activities, making them unbeatable value.
* Food and Drink – However, being on The China Links Travel does get customers great discounts at the best places to eat in town.
* Visas - We urge customers to apply for their China visa in their home country, where it will be much cheaper. However, if required, we can process customer’s Chinese visas for them when they arrive in Hong Kong for £48 (most foreigners don’t need a visa to enter Hong Kong). You need to allow 4 working days in Hong Kong for visa processing.
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FAQs
* Do I need to speak Chinese to go on this tour?
No. Although we do urge you to learn some basic mandarin whilst on the tour, and even offer free mandarin tuition to help you out, Chinese is by no means essential!
* What is the food like on the tour?
Each hostel offers a good selection of cheap Chinese and Western dishes, which are prepared in clean kitchens with high levels of hygiene. You’ll also have a chance to cook some Chinese cuisine. We do urge you however, to try as much food outside the hostel as you can. The Chinese are extremely proud of their cuisine so give it a try!
* Do the Chinese really eat dog?
Despite the saying, “Chinese people will eat anything with four legs apart from tables”, in reality, dog is only eaten in certain parts of China, and only in winter! If you do want to give it a try, then in Beijing you can taste a selection of our furry friends, such as dog and cat, but also snakes and a variety of other insects.
* If we’re travelling as a couple can we upgrade to a double room?
In almost all the hostels we stay in we offer the option of an upgrade to a double room. Usually this costs about 55rmb extra per person per night. Although you don’t have to decide until you see the rooms in each hostel, we’d appreciate if you can let us know when you make a booking that you might be keen to upgrade.
* What is the standard of the accommodation?
All of the hostels are very clean, air-conditioned or have fans, are safe, have good showers, internet, washing machines and most importantly, have real Chinese character.
* What travel insurance do I need for China?
We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. If you do not already have this by the time you arrive in Hong Kong, we can assist you in purchasing this from AIG for only £19.
* How long are the train rides?
Long journeys are unavoidable in China. The longest train ride on The Dragon Trip is 14 hours, but any long journeys will be on overnight trains with your own fully flat bed. None the less, we recommend bringing a book, a pack of cards and a few beers to help pass the time.
* Are the guides Chinese or Western?
Each group will be accompanied by a combination of Chinese and Western guides. All our Chinese guides speak fluent English, and have the passion and knowledge to ensure that they can help you have a great time in each destination.
* Do I need a Visa to travel in China?
Yes, a travel visa is essential for almost all foreigners entering China. We urge you to apply for your China visa in your home country, where it will be much cheaper. However, if you want, we can process your Chinese visa for you when you arrive in Hong Kong for £48 (most foreigners don’t need a visa to enter Hong Kong). You need to allow 4 working days in Hong Kong for visa processing.
It’s important to note that leaving China to visit Hong Kong or Macau will mean you will need another Chinese Visa (or double entry or multiple-entry visa) before entering into mainland China again.
* Do I need any special vaccinations for China?
The Dragon Trip aims to enter no areas with tropical diseases. However, like with any backpacking trips, we urge you to seek advice from a travel nurse before departing your home country.
* What is different about travelling with The China Links Travel ?
We offer a package aimed at young people, who want to travel with other likeminded travellers. We offer a balance between cultural activities, extreme activities and great night life. We offer access to the real China, where you get to experience ‘The Middle Kingdom’ as an insider, rather than a tourist. We constantly strive to provide you with the best value for money, yet your safety is always our absolutely priority.
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