SHORTLIST

Premium China

Embark on a 12-day Premium journey that weaves together China’s layered history, famous icons, cultural heritage and celebrated cuisine. Uncover modern China in Shanghai, then step back in time to the villages of Huizhou. See the magnificent karst hills of Yangshuo and come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. Walk an original section of the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and revel in the big show of Beijing. Of all China’s assets, its greatest is its people, so you’ll also visit traditional family homes for homecooked meals and travel with an expert local leader to uncover a lesser-known side of the country.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please provide a scanned copy of your passport bio page at time of booking to secure flight and train tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket if an amendment occurs.
4. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
5. This trip includes travel on fast trains. There are size restrictions for luggage on fast trains. Your main piece of luggage must not exceed 160cm (sum of height, length and width).

Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$7,175
Number of Days
12
Start Location
Shanghai, China
End Location
Beijing, China
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Shanghai
Ni Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Shanghai, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out to get a feel for this vibrant city and its bright lights. Maybe visit the Yuyuan Gardens where you can explore the sculptures, gardens and pagodas from the Ming Dynasty. After your meeting, it’s time for a foray into Shanghai’s unbeatable food scene. Head with your group and leader to a famous local restaurant to sample some of the city’s regional favourites like fried dumplings, braised pork and crystal shrimp.
Day 2: Shanghai
Start your day with a walking tour with your leader who will introduce you to the sights and sounds of this animated city. Explore old residential neighbourhoods, known as nongtang, then head to the tree lined Wukang Road in the former French Concession part of the city, home to 37 protected historic buildings. Stop by a market and watch the locals go about their daily life, then hop on the metro and head to the Bund – an iconic promenade along the Huangpu River which divided Shanghai into Puxi and Pudong. The spectacular art deco buildings that line the street will give you a glimpse into 1920s Shanghai against the modern backdrop of Pudong’s metropolitan skyline. Your tour ends here, and the rest of the afternoon is yours.
Day 3: Huizhou villages
Depart Shanghai this morning and board a high-speed train to Huizhou. The beautiful villages of Huizhou and their unique Hui-style architecture have inspired pts and painters for generations. When you arrive, head to the home of a local family for a homecooked Hui lunch. Chat to your hosts about their way of life and find out what makes Hui cuisine so delicious. In the afternoon, take a tour of the ancient village of Tangmo – founded during the Tang dynasty. Visit some local families who have been weaving bamboo for decades and learn about the ancient art form, then head to the village ancestral temple to meet a local artisan famous for his stone inscription printing skills. Speak to him about his trade and gain insight into the world of Chinese calligraphy. This evening will be spent at your Feature Stay accommodation – this hotel was converted from the mansion of a famous Ming Dynasty pt. Traditional 17th-century Hui design is paired with 21st-century conveniences, and the hotel’s tranquil gardens will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Day 4: Shanghai
Enjoy some free time in Huizhou today. Maybe wander the village’s narrow lanes and admire the local gardens. In the afternoon, return to Shanghai by high-speed train. This evening, head to a rooftop bar with your group and see the city’s cloud-piercing buildings and glittering neon lights from a different point of view.
Day 5: Yangshuo
Today you have a final morning to soak up the magic of Shanghai, then you’ll catch a midday flight to Guilin, followed by a transfer to Yangshuo, where karst mountains sprout like domes around the waters of the Li River. The countryside around Yangshuo is immortalised in many traditional Chinese paintings and it’s easy to see why. When you arrive, check in to your accommodation for the next two nights – a modern hotel tucked away among the karst hills and rivers of Yangshuo. Here you’ll experience serene surroundings and mountain views. You have a free evening to take in the natural setting – you may like to go for a walk in the surrounding area or spend some time relaxing.
Day 6: Yangshuo
After breakfast, head out to one of the largest tea plantations in Yangshuo, where you’ll learn about China’s most beloved beverage, from picking the leaves, to processing and brewing the perfect cup. Enjoy a cup of fragrant green tea to energise you for a short but steep climb up Xianggong Hill. From here, you’ll see an amazing birds-eye view of the Li River and the karst landscape. Wander through the local villages, where if you’re lucky, you may be invited into some old houses to get a glimpse at countryside life in China. Take some time out for lunch in a local village, then head into Yangshuo town where your leader will regale you with the history of the area as you explore. Wander up the busy West shopping street, then enjoy some time to browse the stores or relax in a cafe. Later in the afternoon, return to the countryside and visit a local cooking school where you’ll learn how to craft traditional Chinese dishes. Tonight’s dinner will be the tasty dishes you’ve whipped up during the class.
Day 7: Xi'an
Enjoy a peaceful morning at your accommodation then catch a midday flight to Xi’an. Once the imperial centre of China for 2000 years, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many historical sites. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel before setting off for a walking tour. Your leader will unpack the layers of Xi’an’s rich history as you walk past the Bell and Drum tower, continuing to the buzzing Muslim quarter. Wander the narrow streets and find shops, markets and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in cafes. Xi’an is a food lovers paradise, and tonight you’ll get a chance to sample the flavoursome regional cuisine during an included dinner at a local restaurant. Specialities include a variety of delicious dumplings.
Day 8: Xi'an
Today you’ll journey out into the countryside surrounding Xi’an and visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. Your leader will share the unbelievable history of this incredible archaeological find, discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974 after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Three pits of warriors are open for viewing, where thousands of uniquely sculpted soldiers stand in battle formation. For lunch you’ll visit a local family restaurant, the owner of which has experienced firsthand of the changes brought about by the excavation of Terracotta Warriors. Listen to their stories while enjoying simple homecooked food. Return to Xi’an and enjoy a free afternoon – you may like to cycle across the ancient city wall or check out the Big Wild Goose pagoda and its musical fountain.
Day 9: Beijing
Say goodbye to Xi’an and board a high-speed train bound for Beijing. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing has mostly shed its historical face in favour of modernity. However, there are still plenty of places that give an insight into the nation's ancient past. Enjoy a free evening in Beijing – you may like to attend a Chinese opera performance. Restaurants across the city span all styles and countless cuisines, so be sure to ask your leader for the perfect place to suit your tastes.
Day 10: Beijing
Make your way to Tiananmen Square in the centre of the city that remains the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by many imposing and iconic buildings such as the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum, it's a place of pilgrimage for many Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation. From here, you’ll enter the enormous scarlet walls of the Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago, and until recently off-limits to commoners, you can now explore the great halls and courtyards. Then, head to Jingshan Park for a glimpse from the top. Lunch today will be an authentic homecooked meal at a local home. After, walk around Beijing’s hutongs (residential alleyways) and learn about the history, dating back 800 years. Stop in at a hutong household where your leader will explain the ancient building technique of mortise and tenon. The rest of the afternoon is free.
Day 11: Beijing
No trip to China would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Today you’ll visit one of the best-preserved areas, the Hanghuacheng section, also known as the Water Great Wall. It used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs, and features guard towers dating back to the Ming dynasty. Take your time strolling along the wall, which snakes through the hills and seemingly endlessly into the distance, as your leader fills you in on the history. From here you can see parts of the wall submerged beneath the lake water. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, head back to Beijing and take some time to relax before heading to a traditional courtyard restaurant where you’ll enjoy a Beijing duck feast for a final dinner with your group.
Day 12: Beijing
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you have time, there's plenty more to see in Beijing. If you would like to extend your stay here, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.
  • Transport: Plane, Private Vehicle, High Speed Train, Metro.
  • Accommodation: Hotel (10 nights), Huizhou Feature Stay (1 night).
  • Shanghai - Shanghai cuisine welcome dinner.
  • Shanghai - City walking tour.
  • Huizhou - Bamboo weaving family visit.
  • Huizhou - Stone tablet inscription printing demonstration.
  • Huizhou - Home-cooked lunch.
  • Huizhou - Tangmo village tour.
  • Shanghai - rooftop bar (one drink included).
  • Yangshuo - Walking Tour.
  • Yangshuo - Xianggong Hill & Tea Farm Visit.
  • Yangshuo - Cooking class.
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour.
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter dumpling dinner.
  • Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led.
  • Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch.
  • Beijing - Forbidden City.
  • Beijing - Tiananmen Square.
  • Beijing - Wood mortise and tenon demonstration.
  • Beijing - Hutong home-cooked lunch.
  • Beijing - Hutong walking tour.
  • Beijing - Jingshan Park.
  • Great Wall - Huanghuacheng Section.
  • Beijing - Peking Duck Dinner.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
24 Aug 2025 04 Sep 2025 3 $7,230
07 Sep 2025 18 Sep 2025 3 $7,605
18 Sep 2025 29 Sep 2025 1 $9,035
09 Oct 2025 20 Oct 2025 8 $7,810
12 Oct 2025 23 Oct 2025 3 $8,820
16 Oct 2025 27 Oct 2025 5 $8,790
15 Mar 2026 26 Mar 2026 3 $7,580
02 Apr 2026 13 Apr 2026 6 $8,130
16 Apr 2026 27 Apr 2026 5 $8,130
10 May 2026 21 May 2026 12 $7,460
24 May 2026 04 Jun 2026 12 $7,460
19 Jul 2026 30 Jul 2026 12 $7,175
09 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 12 $7,175
23 Aug 2026 03 Sep 2026 12 $7,175
06 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 12 $7,460
17 Sep 2026 28 Sep 2026 12 $7,750
11 Oct 2026 22 Oct 2026 12 $7,750
22 Oct 2026 02 Nov 2026 12 $7,460
14 Mar 2027 25 Mar 2027 12 $7,835
01 Apr 2027 12 Apr 2027 12 $8,135
15 Apr 2027 26 Apr 2027 12 $8,135
09 May 2027 20 May 2027 12 $7,835
23 May 2027 03 Jun 2027 12 $7,835
18 Jul 2027 29 Jul 2027 12 $7,535
08 Aug 2027 19 Aug 2027 12 $7,535
22 Aug 2027 02 Sep 2027 12 $7,535
05 Sep 2027 16 Sep 2027 12 $7,835
16 Sep 2027 27 Sep 2027 12 $8,135
10 Oct 2027 21 Oct 2027 12 $8,135
21 Oct 2027 01 Nov 2027 12 $7,835