Hong Kong to Shanghai

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 Hong Kong

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6:00pm. We will be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. Your group leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception (see joining point instructions). Your leader will leave details for your late arrival on where and when to meet.

It was as a British colony that Hong Kong made itself known to the world and since the 1997 handover back to Chinese rule, the city is still a unique and fascinating place to explore and see where the East really does meet with the West. Hong Kong's cityscape is spectacular, where traditional Chinese stores sit next to 21st century brand names; towering skyscrapers nestle alongside ancient temples and the modern fast paced life of Hong Kong in only minutes from picturesque islands and beaches. The locals are very proud of their Cantonese culture and history, so step out of the shopping malls and off the main streets to discover another side of Hong Kong.

For those who arrive early there are many ways to take in the skyline of Hong Kong: take the Star Ferry across the harbour to see it lit up after dark or venture up to the top of Victoria Peak for a birds eye view. Explore the historical streets of Hong Kong Island from a double-decker tram or hike one of the many walking trails and beaches found on the beautiful outlying Islands.

For the less adventurous, but just as active, search out a bargain in one of the city's multitude of markets and malls. Don't miss trying one of the culinary highlights of this part of Asia - a long lazy Dim Sum brunch. As there are no included activities here we strongly recommend that you spend a few extra days in Hong Kong to take full advantage of all there is to see and do.


Days 2-3 Macau

In the morning after breakfast on day 2 we take taxis to the ferry terminal where we board our ferry to Macau (approx. 75 mins). After arriving in Macau we take taxis to our accommodation.

Sometimes referred to as the Las Vegas of the East due to the recent proliferation of casinos and nightlife hot spots, Macau nonetheless has some fascinating history to discover. As a former Portuguese colony only handed back to the Chinese Mainland in 1999 there is a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Asian influences in the architecture, culture and food.

We take a walking tour through the tiny charming streets of Macau to see the colonial architecture up close as well as sample some of the local snack such as egg tarts, almond cookies and barbecued meats along the way. We pass the magnificent ruined facade of the 17th century Church of St Paul and finish at the imposing Monte Forte, home to the world class Macau Museum. The evening is free to dine on some exquisite Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine or be blinded by the glitzy casino lights.

In your free time this evening and the morning of day 3 you might like to take a public bus the short distance to laid back Coloane or Taipa Islands, explore the back streets of the Inner Harbour area, check out some of Macau's other unique museums or catch a show such as Cirque du Soleil's "Zaia".

On the early afternoon of day 3 we take a public bus to the Macau/China border and then onto Guangzhou (approx. 3 hrs) for our overnight train to Guilin (approx. 11 hrs).

Train travel in China may not be entirely luxurious but it is certainly one of the best ways to come face to face with the country and its people as it is the main form of transport for locals. We use hard sleeper class trains for most of our overnight train journeys. These are not as rough as they sound - compartments are open-plan, clean, with padded three tiered berths (6 to a compartment), sheets, pillows and a blanket provided. Safe hot drinking water is always available for making coffee, tea or instant meals. Basic bathroom facilities are situated at the end of each carriage with toilets and washbasins. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals are available three times a day, and there are often snacks available on the train along the way.


Days 4-6 Yangshuo

Arriving in Guilin early in the morning, we transfer by public bus to the small countryside town of Yangshuo (approx 1.5 hrs).

After checking into our hotel in Yangshuo your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the town pointing out some of the things you need to know to help you get the most out of your time in here such as where to sample the best local noodles and some of the most interesting places to shop. Our hotel in Yangshuo is clean, twin-share and centrally located with laundry facilities available.

The countryside around Yangshuo is immortalised in many traditional Chinese paintings - picture immense limestone karsts dotting the rural landscape and towering spectacularly over rice paddies and the meandering Li River. The scenery here is truly idyllic and exploring the countryside, meeting the farmers working with their water buffaloes in the fields and just unwinding in the beauty of it all is a great way to spend a few days.

On day 5 we experience the landscape on a bike ride with a local guide to gain an insight into rural Chinese life, stopping for lunch at the house of our local friends or riverside cafe for a tasty meal made from locally grown and farmed produce. This is an absolutely stunning region to explore, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location, and this is why Yangshuo is a firm favourite with travellers.

Yangshuo is one of the best places in the country to get a feel for local culture and traditions. In your free time on day 5 you can take a cooking class to learn to make some of the local specialties, go on a relaxing boat ride along the Li River, try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, visit the fascinating wet market or take an early morning tai chi class by the riverside. In the evening, the spectacular outdoor show staged by Olympic Opening Ceremony director Zhang Yimou is a highlight for many.

On day 6 we travel to Liuzhou by public bus in the late afternoon (approx. 3.5 hrs) and board the most basic train of our trip for the overnight journey to Yichang (approx. 18 hrs).


Days 7-9 Yangzi River

We arrive into Yichang in the morning of day 7. Yichang is the site of the massive and controversial Three Gorges hydro-electric project and we have the chance take a visit to the dam with a local guide to see this incredible feat of engineering ourselves.

We board a boat tonight for a journey along the mighty Yangzi River. We spend 2 full days on board a basic tourist boat, cruising through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Our cabins are simple and clean with twin-share with private bathroom facilities. Full board is provided while on the boat with typical Chinese cuisine. Please note that depending on the composition of the group you may be required to share a cabin with your leader or a traveller from outside of your Intrepid group. As well as relaxing and taking in the sights, along the way we may have opportunities to visit some riverside attractions and towns on group excursions, including leaving our river boat to take a side trip down a tributary of the Yangzi River.


Days 10-11 Chengdu

At the end of our Yangzi cruise we arrive at the port city of Fengdu in the morning of day 10 and from there transfer by bus to Chongqing (approx. 3 hrs). From here, we catch a day train to Chengdu (approx. 4 hrs) to arrive by early evening. After check in we will take a short orientation walk of the local area surrounding our hotel.

It might be one of China's biggest cities but Chengdu has preserved plenty of its traditional flavour and visitors will still find famous tea houses set in the grounds of Wenshu Temple, numerous markets and some of the most interesting food in China. If you like it hot then this is the place to be as Sichuan food is well known the world over for its spicy cuisine. Must tries are huoguo (hot pot) and mapo doufu (spicy tofu). You can catch a glimpse of the giant Mao Zedong statue on Culture Square, take in a traditional Sichuan Opera performance, poke around some of the side street shops selling all kinds of temple trinkets or spend some time in People's Park watching locals practice tai chi.

While here, we visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding with a local guide, where we are able to witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing endangered species. There are about 50 giant and red pandas at the base, some of which can be viewed by the public and we may even be lucky enough to see newborns taking their first steps in the nursery! On our return to town, we can stop at the Wenshu Temple where we have the option of sampling a vegetarian meal made from recipes the monks have followed for thousands of years.


Days 12-14 Shanghai

On day 12 we take a private transfer to Chengdu Airport (approx. 1 hr) for our flight to Shanghai (approx. 2.5 hrs). Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong airport, we take the Maglev - the world's fastest train - and then the subway to our hotel (approx. 1 hr).

Blending 21st-century architecture with old-world character, Shanghai is the vibrant pulse of new China. In our time here we go on a walking tour of historical areas of the city, such as the Bund with its spectacular array of art-deco style buildings. Choose where you would like to explore next, perhaps go across the river to take in the sights of Pudong - the modern financial centre - with its amazing skyscrapers such as the iconic Pearl Tower, visit the busy Yuyuan Bazaar, the French Concession, or shop until you drop in China's hippest stores! The impressive Shanghai Museum houses one of the best collections of Chinese bronze and artwork - you could easily spend the whole day here discovering the various exhibitions. In the evening, we will can catch a performance by the famous Shanghai Acrobats or hang out in the trendy caf? district of Xitiandi.

Day 14 is departure day and we say "zai jian" to our group. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time is 12:00 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. If you would like some more time to explore we recommend you book accommodation well in advance to extend your stay.