16-Day Trip to China

For those joining the flight group booking, you will depart all together from Malta International Airport. 

Group Flight Details:

(Details will be available at a later stage)

For those arranging their own flights it is important to arrive in Beijing on the 9 October 2026.

Arrival in Beijing at approx 15.35 (With the flight we are eyeing for the group booking once we reach a minimum of 10 persons with Turkish Airlines).

For those departing from Malta. you will leave Malta on the 24th October 2025. 

• SIM Card Purchase: time to buy local SIM cards for connectivity.
• Hotel Transfer and Check-in: Transfer to the hotel with check-in scheduled after landing at 19.20.
• Free Evening to Recharge: Relax and recover after your journey, with no fixed activities planned.
• Optional Group Activity/Dinner: Enjoy free time or join an optional group dinner to explore local cuisine.

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• The Forbidden City (3 hours) – The Forbidden City, in the very heart of Beijing, was home to 24 emperors during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. It is the largest and best preserved ancient imperial architectural complex in the world, featuring a great square, halls and gates, in contrast to intricate halls, gardens, courtyards and living quarters. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are important treasures of ancient China. You will be walking for about 2 hours (2 kilometers). The walks in the Forbidden City are graded moderate.
• Temple of Heaven (1.5 hours) – Built in 1420 during the Ming dynasty, the Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. The park of the temple of Heaven is full of life. In the morning lots of local elderly people meet there to sing, exercise, and do tai chi. The park covers an area of 273 hectares in the south of Central Beijing. You will be walking for about 1-1½ hour (1½ kilometers) there. The walk is graded easy.
• Tiananmen Square (30 mins) – Tian’anmen Square is the largest city square in the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. As the world’s largest city square and enduring symbol of China’s national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.

Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Dongfang Hotel Beijing

• Summer Palace with Boat Ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony: Situated in the northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the downtown area. It is the largest and best-preserved royal park in China. The Palace greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape, with its famous natural views and cultural interest, and has long been recognized as ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’. You will be walking for about 2 hours (2 kilometers) in the park.
• Hotel to Train station Transfer (Beijing)
• Train station to Hotel Transfer (Xian)

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees, Train & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Jinling Purple Mountain Hotel Xi´an

• The Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum(Lishan Park Included) – 2.5 hours – Accidentally discovered in 1974, this incredible army of over 7,000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots, arranged in full battle array, was meant to guard Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Each figure is unique, and painstaking repair and excavation work continues in the three pits, protected inside huge hangars. These pits reveal distinct aspects of the army: Pit One’s immense array of nearly 2,000 unique warriors, Pit Two’s display of Qin military strategy, and Pit Three’s insight into the command structure behind this ancient marvel. Then take a tram through Lishan Garden to explore its unique features: the Pit of Hundred Entertainers, the Pit of Civil Officials, and the Bronze Chariot and Horse Museum.
• Muslim Quarter: The Muslim quarters lies 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi’an. The 500 meters long avenue paved by bluestones are dotted with many unique stall, souvenir shop, café and bars which are mostly run by Muslim people. Tourists, especially from overseas come and shop here.
• Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian)
• Airport to Hotel Transfer (Zhangjiajie)

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees, Transfers & Internal Flight. 

Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Expert Village Courtyard Hotel

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (incl. Bailong Sightseeing Elevator & Tianzi Mountain Cable Car) (5 hours) – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a famous tourism destination in Hunan province. It was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The pillar-like formations seen through the park are the result of many years of erosion. With over 90% forest coverage, the scenic area comprises Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Jinbian Stream and Wulongzhai. The Minority culture and folklores are represented in nearby villages and towns, inhabited by Tujia, Bai, Miao and Hui people, making worthwhile side trips.
  Bailong sightseeing elevator is the highest and fastest sightseeing elevator in the world and provides a spectacular view of the Sandstone Peak Forest. It has a height of 335 meters and can carry 3,000 people an hour in the fours transparent elevators. It only takes 2 minutes to travel to the top of the mountain.
  It is known for 4 natural spectacles – the clouds of mist that circle the peaks of the mountain, the amazing views of the rising sun, the moonlit nights and snowcapped winter peaks. They include more than 80 natural platforms to take in the magnificent scenery. Take the cable to Tianzi Mountain to enjoy the views upway and relax.
  Tips: At rush hours it might take you one hour just waiting in line to take the elevator or the cable car. The highest mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is Tianmen Mountain, with an altitude of 1,518 meters (4,980 ft). 
• Yuanjiajie –  Yuanjiajie is in the northern corner of Zhangjiajie National Park. Ecstasy Spot, Backyard and First Bridge are the top 3 attractions at Yuanjiajie. This area is famous and popular for its Hallelujah Mountain, named after Avatar’s floating rocks. Pictures of ‘First Bridge in the World’ from ‘Viewing Bridge Platform’ (Wangqiaotai) are a bonus. Afternoon is the best time to photograph the Yuanjiajie area. To avoid crowds, your guide will take you there around 5:00 for photography travellers. You can reach Tianzi Mountain and Yangjia Valley from here. Highlights includes First Bridge in the World, Hallelujah Mountain and Viewing Bridge Platform.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Expert Village Courtyard Hotel

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Tianmen Mountain (Tianmen Cave) including Glass Walkway and Cable Car – Regarded as the ‘soul’ of Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. The views include graceful ancient trees, karst hillocks and long roads that are carved from the sides of the cliff. The cable car takes 30 minutes from the city center to the mountain top and is the longest cable in the world. Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway, located in China’s Tianmen Mountain National Park, is one of the world’s highest observation platforms jutting out from a sheer cliff at 1430 meters tall. The 1.6-meter-wide, 60-meter-long glass walkway offers sightseers terrifying thrills and clear view of the mountains below as they tread nervously on it, and has been compared to the Grand Canyon ‘skywalk’ in Arizona, USA.
• Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge –  It is the World’s longest & highest glass bridge. Walking on the glass bottom bridge that is 300 meters above the ground will be an experience not to forget (Note: The following items are prohibited: metal-tipped walking sticks, drones (must comply with scenic area regulations), metal hard objects, hard objects weighing over 250 grams, and oversized handbags and backpacks).

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Days Hotel 

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Train transfer to Guilin in the morning (approx 7 hours) – Train (Zhangjiajie Xi(west) Railway Station – Guilin Railway Station) Dep 07:17 – Arr 14:27 (second-class)
• Lunch: lunch is additional and could be purchased onboard the train. 
• Transfer to hotel
• Elephant Trunk Hill (40 minutes) – Elephant Trunk Hill is located at the junction of Li River and Peach Blossom River. It is the symbol of Guilin with 55 meters high and got its name because its shape resembles an elephant with its trunk drinking from the Li River. The hill is pierced with many caves and topped with a small pagoda.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees, Transfers & Train ticket. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center.

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Private transfer from Guilin to Longsheng
• Minority Village and Longsheng Rice Terraced Field (3 hour) – The Longji Rice Terraces are a sight not to be missed when traveling around Guilin. They are one of the most impressive manmade wonders in China. Viewed from the top of the mountains, they look like a dragon’s ribs protruding from the steep mountainsides; hence the name ‘Dragon’s Backbone’ (Longji).Longji is about 2 hours’ drive from Guilin, with several villages in the neighborhood. The terraces cover an area of 66 square kilometers (25 square miles). They were built 600 years ago by local minority people.
• Walking through the rice terraces (1 hour) – These terraces change with the seasons – filled with pure water from the mountains in spring, then green during the growing season in summer and later, golden-coloured in authumn when the rice is ready to be harvested.
• Authentic Longshend food: Some typical Longsheng dishes include Bamboo- tube cooked rice, sautéed bamboo shoots with pork or bacon, sautéed green bamboo shoots with eggs (this is seasonal springtime food) – not included. 

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center.

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Yangshuo Countryside Visit (2 hours) – Yangshuo’s countryside is known for its idyllic scenery, oddly-shaped hills thrusting to the sky. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, karst peaks, rice fields, clear waters, green bamboo. Your guide will show you around the countryside with the rice paddies and the mountains. This trip will last for about 1.5 hours, and you will cycle for 10-12 KM (other options available). If you do not want to bike, you may opt to take an electric car or walk.
• Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (4 star boat level) – the cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery, there’s something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks you’ll see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. You may see fishermen gliding along on their narrow bamboo rafts, and if you’re very lucky you might see one of the famous fishing cormorants. Boats depart from various wharves, according to the height of the river at different times of the year. The Li river cruise is by a medium- size boat which can accommodate about 80 passengers. We have selected the newly operated 4-star boat serving buffet or semi-buffet lunch.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center. 

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Transfer to Airport
• Plane Transfer: Xiamen Airlines MF8847 Dep 09:55 – Arr 12:05 
• Transfer to hotel

Lijiang Ancient Town (2 hours) : It is situated in the middle area of the county, which is more than 2400 meters high above sea level. It enjoys beautiful scenes, an indeed famous city with long history and splendid culture, it is very rare in China that such well-preserved minority ancient city still exists. The old town is quite busy in the afternoon and evening with an active atmosphere of the lights and crowd. An early morning visit will be less crowded.

Included: Breakfast, Transfers & Internal Flight.  

Accommodation: Doof Resort Hotel

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• The Black Dragon Pool (1.5 hours) : The park holds the Black Dragon Pool and gets name because of it. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its beauty.
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yak Meadow) (3 hours) : Yak Meadow, at 3,800m (12,500 ft), is on the northeast slope of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. A 40-minute shuttle bus ride from Ganhaizi takes you to the cable car station.

  Highlights

  • Stunning views of the 13 peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
  • Scenic spots: Yak Snow Plain, Yak Snow Valley, Black Water River, and Yak Stream.
  • Yi and Tibetan villages nearby, where locals graze yaks from March to October.
  • A plank road for easy exploration and a small lamasery atop the meadow.

  Why Visit?

  Yak Meadow offers a wider view than other cableway stops but is the farthest of the three routes up the mountain. It sees fewer tourists, making it a peaceful and rewarding experience. Shuttle buses run every 30 minutes during opening hours.

  Tips to take note of

  1. Health: Those with heart conditions or blood pressure issues should consult a doctor before visiting.
  2. Weather: Bring warm clothes, as temperatures can drop to 5°C.
  3. Transport: Private cars must park at the base. Shuttle buses have limited stops, and queues may take 40 minutes in peak season.
• Blue Moon Valley (1 hour) : You will take a shuttle bus to reach Blue Moon Valley, a beautiful valley near Lijiang. The water in the valley is from melting snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Amazing natural white water terraces are the highlights.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers.

Accommodation: Doof Resort Hotel

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Tiger Leaping Gorge (1.5 hours) –  is one of China’s most dramatic natural wonders, where the Jinsha River surges through a narrow canyon between towering mountains. During your 1.5-hour visit, enjoy breathtaking viewpoints, short walks, and photo stops that showcase the gorge’s powerful river and sheer cliffs—an unforgettable highlight of Yunnan’s landscapes.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers.

Accommodation: Jiayueshiji Hotel

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Hotel to airport Transfer (Shangri la)
• Plane Transfer: Sichuan Airlines 3U6650 Dep 10:45 – Arr 12:05 (Economy class)
• Airport to Hotel Transfer (Chengdu)
• Chengdu Airport Transfer
• Panda Breeding and Research Center

Panda Breeding and Research Center (3.5 hours) : Located 6 miles north of Chengdu City, it is home to giant pandas, red (or lesser) pandas, and other endangered species. Visit the nursery to see the highly successful breeding program, among the bamboo groves and shady walkways, and to view the pandas at rest or play. There is a panda museum where you can learn some information about giant pandas.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees, Transfers & Internal Flights. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu West Gate

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• Hotel to Train station Transfer (Chengdu)
• Transport: Train No. G1592 (Chengdu Dong (east) Railway Station – Beijing Xi (west) Railway Station) Dep 11:25 – Arr 20:35 (second-class)
• Train station to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)

Included: Breakfast, Transfers & Train ticket.

Accommodation: Dongfang Hotel Beijing

Breakfast at hotel which will be followed by the following activities:

Activities:

• The Great Wall at Jinshanling (3 hours) – Originally built in the period from 1368 to 1389 during the Ming Dynasty, the Jinshanling Great Wall section is 140 kilometers long .It takes about 2½ hours to drive to Jinshanling from Beijing . It was regarded as the most photogenic and most beautiful section of the Great Wall. The walks on this section is graded as moderate. If you are not keen on hiking, there is cable car available for sightseeing.
• Free time until flight & Late check out included

Departure day details:

For guests flying on the selected Turkish Airlines group flight, departure from Beijing is at approximately 00:10 on 25 October. Accordingly, you will transfer to the airport late in the evening on 24 October. An additional hotel night is included, allowing you to check out just before departure for the flight.

Others, may choose to book their own flights, however, transfers to the airport will need to be taken care of by yourselves. 

Included: Breakfast, Entrance Fees, Late Checkout & Transfers.

Refer to information on day 16. 

Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

We have carefully selected hotels for a comfortable stay. In remote areas like Shangri-La, the accommodations are cozy and reflect local culture, but may not have the same luxury amenities as big cities. Single supplement is available at €600. 

The majority of guests joining our trips are solo travellers. Through meet-ups, events and our facebook community you will get to know the group before meeting at the airport to fly to China. You could get a single room at an additional charge, however, meeting up with the group beforehand could give you the opportunity to meet someone and decide together to share a room. 

For safety, travel insurance is mandatory when travelling with us. You need to make sure that the country of visit and activities you will be doing are covered by your insurance and is important to keep a copy of your insurance policy handy.

This trip includes moderate walking and some hikes, such as at Tiger Leaping Gorge and Zhangjiajie National Park. You should be comfortable walking for a few hours at a time. However, we always allow time to rest, and most activities are adaptable to different fitness levels.

This is up to your personal food and drink choices.

• Street food : €3 – €7
• Midrange: €7 – €15

Yes! Chinese cuisine is diverse, and vegetarian options are available in most places. However, vegan and gluten-free diets may be harder to accommodate in some areas. Please let us know in advance, and we’ll do our best to arrange suitable meals.

Maltese passport holders do not need a visa to visit China as a tourist, provided they have a passport of usually six months’ validity and an onward or return ticket. If you do not hold a Maltese passport please contact us.