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Cultural Tours and Tailor-made Holidays in China

China travel tips, a choice of destinations also combinable as tailor-made tours.

We do arrange customized travel in China, adventure travel and cultural journeys in China.

City trips China:

City trip Beijing: Beijing is China's capital and joins Xi'an, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou as the 6 Imperial Cities of China. 34 Emperors ruled from here between 1271 - 1911 the 'Middle Kingdom' (Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties).
A visit to Beijing includes the vast Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, largest and best preserved palace compound, and the Temple of Heaven, largest sacred building on earth.
The gigantic Chinese Wall to the north of the city can easily be reached on day trips at several points. Mentioning all these superlatives we should not forget the culinary delights, all 8 Chinese Cuisines to perfection are available here.

City trip Xi'an: Xi'an was for over 2000 years the centre of China and has always been the beginning or end of the legendary Silk Road. In the West the best known of the myriad of architectural sites is definitely the Terracotta Army at the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, but Xi'an offers much more. The main sites to see are the tomb of Han Jing, the Great Mosque, the Big Goose pagoda, the City Walls from the Tang Dynasty, and the Shaanxi History Museum. Also take the time for strolling through the atmospheric streets of the Muslim Quarter, always impressive and entertaining.
A wide variety of excursions to other sites out of town are available, f.e. to Xianyang visiting some less famous tombs or to Hua Shan mountain, one of the 5 sacred Taoist mountains in China.

City trip Shanghai: The Synonym of China's shining reappearance on the world stage and of the ups and downs of a tried colonization. With nowadays almost 20 million inhabitants this is China's multi cultural metropolis and a vast shopping paradise. The areas geared up for tourists are Mt. Sheshan, Chongming Island, Dingshan Lake and Shenshuigang. The shopping mall would be Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road. Yuyuan Gardens & Market in the old city is one of the more interesting markets.
If you stays only briefly and don't like shopping, I would recommend a stroll along the Bund, a boat-ride through the harbour, and a visit to the French Concession. In any case always try to spare a day for an excursion to the lovely garden city of Suzhou (1 h by train).

City trip Hong Kong: It seems to be difficult to find a more buzzing town on earth. In the districts of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok you can enjoy that round the clock, and at the other islands you still can experience traditional life. Also the small bays at in the southern part of Hong Kong Island can be very relaxing. In culinary terms Hong Kong is definitely the first address on the planet.
A basic sight-seeing tour of Hong Kong Island includes the Man Mo Temple at Hollywood Road, Victoria Peak one way by Peak Tram, Repulse Beach Bay and Aberdeen Fishing Village with a boat ride. A harbour tour at night is quite romantic.

City trip Lhasa: Visit the sacred Jorkang Temple and the Potala Palace, walk with the pilgrims along the Barkhor and explore the monasteries of Sera, Drepung and Ganden. Accommodation varies from cosy family run guest houses to atmospheric comfortable hotels.
Fly into Lhasa by plane from the big Chinese cities or from Kathmandu in Nepal. Also combinable with one leg by train from/to Chengdu or Beijing.
For excursions from Lhasa please see the page Tibet.

City trip Guilin: Guilin is beautifully situated on the Li River in a grand setting of lime-cast mountains. This is the essence of Chinese Romantic. The tourist infrastructure is well developed, and a river cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo is a must on a trip to Southern China. Reserve a day for an excursion to the fantastic rice-terraces of Long Shen.
Other interesting sites not far from town are Reed Flute Cave, Seven Star Peak and Elephant Trunk Hill. The ethnic minorities of this region are the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong, and excursions to their respective villages are very exciting.

City trip Luoyang: Luoyang is one of the Cradles of Chinese civilization and site of many old legends. It used to be an important capital from the 21st - 16th century BC, while 13 dynasties rule successively. Taoism originated from here and China's first Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple, was erected here. Some of the old Chinese inventions originate from here as well, like compass, seismograph, paper and the art of printing it. Shaolin Monastery, home to Chinese Zen Buddhism and a few martial art lineages is outside town in between the peaks of sacred Song Shan mountain.
The Longmen Grottoes contain about 200.000 Buddha statues and are together with the caves of Dunhuang and Datong the peaks of Buddhist Chinese cave art.

City trip Lijiang: Lijiang is in the north-west of Yunnan province bordering Tibet at an altitude of about 2400m. Charming cobble-stone alleys with wooden houses against the back-drop of imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This area is home to the Naxi people, a sub-group of the Tibetan Qiuang, matriarchal organized until recently. A terrific place to stroll through the alleys and enjoy local life.
Do some excursions to the various sites outside of town. If you like adventure, spend a few days at Lugu Lake with the charming Mosuo people, also a matriarchal society. Or hike a few days along the cliffs of Tiger Leaping Gorge high above the Yang Tze river.
If you are more interested in Tibetan culture travel higher up to Zhongdian and Deqin (3550m). Hikes at Mt. Meilixue (6740m) with Minyang Glacier or through the forests at Mt. Baimang are delightful.

Classic routes in China:

  • ♦ 09 days - China High-lights: Beijing - Xian - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 12 days - Historical China w/ Yang Tze: Beijing - Xian - Chongqing - Yang Tze cruise - Yichang - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 12 days - China - Tibet: Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 15 days - Classical China: Beijing - Xian - Luoyang - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 15 days - Silk Road: Beijing - Xian - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Kasghar - Urumqi - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 15 days - Ethnic Minorities: Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Kunming - Lijiang - Shanghai.
  • ♦ 16 days - Imperial China w/ Yang Tze cruise: Beijing - Xian - Chongqing - Yang Tze cruise - Yichang - Shanghai - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Hong Kong.

Special trips in China:

♦ China's Sacred Mountains.
♦ Ethnic Minorities in Guizhou.
♦ The Great Taklamakan Desert.
♦ Matriarchal Societies in Yunnan.

Remarks:
English speaking guides can be booked either from arrival to departure in China or different local guides at each region. Another option would be only hotels and transports. Taxi driver rarely speak English.
We also joyfully accept inquiries about tours or routes which are not mentioned here. This page has been created to allow a general overview of the most asked options.


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