16-Day Trip to China

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

Group Flight Details:

TK1372 | 18 MARCH | Malta – Istanbul 19:55 – 00:20 +1
TK 088 | 19 MARCH| Istanbul – Beijing Capital 02:10 – 16:15

For those arranging their own flights it is important to arrive in Beijing on the 19 March 2027.

Arrival in Beijing at approx 16.15 

For those departing from Malta. you will leave Malta on the 18 March 2027. 

• 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 16.15.
• 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 – 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 – 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 – 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, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Downtown by IHG.

• Summer Palace with the Garden of Virtue and Harmony : The palace is about 12 kilometers northwest of the city center and is equally as famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called ‘Yiheyuan'(Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China and one of Beijing’s premier attractions. The Garden of Virtue and Harmony was built as a theater for the Empress Dowager. Its construction began in the 17th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign (1891) and lasted for five years. The three-storey theater stage is the biggest and best-preserved wooden stage of delicate design and magnificent structure, and is therefore of much scientific and artistic value. Famous opera singers of the day performed for the Empress Dowager at the theater, which was regarded as the”Cradle of Beijing Opera”. The Empress Dowager granted special permission for some of the princes, dukes and cabinet ministers also to watch the Beijing opera at the theater. 
• Hotel to Train station Transfer (Beijing)

          Train No: G57, Departure 14:05 Beijing – Arrival 18:30 Xian.

• 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 Inlcuded) : 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. Tips: 1. Flash photography is prohibited; 2. Please wear comfy shoes, as there’s plenty of walking to do.
• 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)

          China Eastern Airlines MU2431 Departure X’ian 20:20 – Arrival Zhangjiajie 21:45

• Airport to Hotel Transfer (Zhangjiajie)

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

Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Expert Village Yangguang Hotel.

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

Activities:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (incl. Bailong Elevator & Tianzi Mountain Cable Car) : Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site (1992) in Hunan province. The park is famous for its signature pillar-like formations, the result of natural erosion, and boasts over 90% forest coverage. The scenic area includes iconic spots like Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain.
  To reach the heights of the park, you will experience the Bailong sightseeing elevator—the world’s highest and fastest sightseeing elevator. This glass lift rises to a height of 335 meters in just 2 minutes, providing a spectacular view of the Sandstone Peak Forest. From the top of Yuanjiajie, explore the famous No.1 Bridge in the World and behold the spectacular Hallelujah Mountains, made famous by the movie Avatar.
  Tianzi Mountain, often hailed as the ‘King of Peak Forest’, offers magnificent scenery that can be enjoyed from more than 80 natural platforms scattered throughout the area. It is famously known for its four natural spectacles: the swirling clouds of mist that circle the peaks, the amazing views of the rising sun, the tranquil moonlit nights, and the dramatic snow-capped winter peaks. Invest 1-2 hours hiking Tianzi Mountain and take the cable car to relax and enjoy the views during your ascent/descent.
  Note:
  1. At certain points in the park, waiting times may be long. Our local guides will try their best to minimise delays.
  2. Temperatures may fluctuate at high-altitude view points.
• Yuanjiajie(including the Hallelujah Mountains) : 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. 

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers. 

Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Expert Village Yangguang Hotel.

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

Activities:

• 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 the coolest experience of your tour!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.
• Tianmen Mountain (Glass Walkway & Cable Car) : Regarded as the ‘soul’ of Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain is the highest peak in the area. The views from the top showcase graceful ancient trees, stunning karst hillocks, and long, dramatic roads carved directly from the sides of the cliff.
  The ascent is an experience itself: the cable car ride takes a thrilling 30 minutes from the city center to the mountain top and is renowned as the longest cable car in the world.
  At the summit, choose your adventure: ascend the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ with its 999 steps, or take the mountain escalator for a gentler climb. Afterward, dare to step onto the Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway, one of the world’s highest observation platforms. Jutting out from a sheer cliff at 1430 meters high, this 1.6-meter-wide, 60-meter-long transparent path offers sightseers terrifying thrills and a clear view of the mountains below, drawing comparisons to the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, USA.
  Note: Due to the high altitude at the summit of Tianmen Mountain, please prepare for fluctuating temperatures. Please dress warmly, and a waterproof outdoor jacket is strongly recommended.

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 

          Departure 07:12 Zhangjiajie – Arrival 14:13 Guilin

• Lunch: lunch is additional and could be purchased onboard the train. 
• Transfer to hotel
• Elephant Trunk Hill : 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 and back.
• Minority Village and Longsheng Rice Terraced Field – 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.

  Today we head to Ping’an Zhuang Village, accommodating more than 50 families with over 200 people. The village fields range between 300 meters to 1,100 meters above sea level. Moderate walking is involved. Usually, cars have to park outside the village. You will take an electric car up to the mountain and get to the first viewpoint for the great view of the terraced fields. And then you can walk about half an hour to another viewpoint for the magnificent scenery from another angle. After that, you can just walk down to the village for lunch before getting back to the entrance of the village. It is possible to walk up and down the mountain if you don’t want to take the electric car. The one-way hike is about 1 hour.

• Walking through the rice terraces – 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 autumn when the rice is ready to be harvested.

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 – 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 bamboos…. Your guide will show you around the countryside with the rice paddies and the mountains. This trip will last approximately 1.5 hours, and you will cycle for 10-12 kilometers. If you do not wish to bike, taking an electromobile is possible. 

• Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (4 star boat level) – A cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo(about 4 hours) 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. 

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
• Xiamen Airlines MF8847 Dep Guilin 10:05 – Arrival Lijiang 12:10
• Transfer to hotel

Lijiang Ancient Town : 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. 

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 : 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.
• Blue Moon Valley : You will take a shuttle bus to reach Blue Moon Valley, a beautiful valley near Lijiang. The water in the valley is fron melting snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Amazing natural white water terraces are the highlights. The BLue Moon Valley has constructed a total of six landscape sediment retention dams, featuring four major scenic lakes known as “Yuye Lake”, “JingtanLake”, “Tingtao Lake”, and “Blue Moon Lake”.
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Visiting Glacier Park by cable car) : Taking the cable car up Shanzidou Peak, the main peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you will ascend 1,100 m (3,600 ft) to Glacier Park at an altitude of 4,680 m (15,350 ft). You’ll need to walk about 40 minutes after getting off the cable car to get close to the glacier. Besides the snow and ice, the cloud sea is also a highlight when you look down.
  Notes:
   1) The cable car to Glacier Park could be closed if it is too windy. 
   2) People with serious heart conditions should not visit the mountain. Those with less serious heart problems or with high or low blood pressure need to consult a doctor before traveling.
   3) Be sure to take warm clothes since the temperatures on the mountain might be much lower than those in town. 
• Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers.

Accommodation: Doof Resort Hotel.

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

Activities:

• Tiger Leaping Gorge – As one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges, Tiger Leaping Gorges are located in Hutiaoxia Town, 105 kilometers away from Zhongdian/Shangri-La County. Spring is the best time to visit, as melting snow flowing down from mountains makes the river turbulence at its peak.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers.

Accommodation: Jiayueshiji Hotel.

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

Activities:

• Panda Breeding and Research Center

Panda Breeding and Research Center : Located just 6 miles north of Chengdu City Center, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is home to giant pandas, red pandas, and other endangered species. Housing over 200 Giant Pandas, it is recognized globally as the largest panda base in the world by area and panda population.
Here, you can encounter pandas across all life stages, from playful youngsters to majestic adults. All areas are easily accessible via convenient shuttle buses or a stroll.

Local Tea House in People’s Park: The People’s Park is a spiritual haven for the city’s citizens amidst the bustle of downtown. The park contains refreshing bonsai gardens, artificial lakes, rockeries, historical monuments, and traditional tea houses. Having a cup of tea in a tea house is a traditional custom for Chengdu people. Retired people will go to the teahouse and sit there all day long to chat with each other, only paying a little. 
Chengdu Kuan-zhai Lane : Kuan-zhai Lane, means Wide and Narrow Alley in Chinese. It is a part of the old city in Chengdu which has been restored and renovated. This is a chance to see old Chengdu and experience the traditional lifestyle. It features Western foods and drinks, take-aways, coffee and art.

Included: Breakfast, Entrance fees & Transfers . 

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)
• Train No. G970 Chengdu, departure 10.56 – Beijing Arrival 20:20 
• Train station to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)

Included: Breakfast, Transfers & Train ticket.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Downtown by IHG.

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

Activities:

• The Great Wall at Jinshanling : 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. 
  Notes:

  Many regions in China start warming up during this period but cold spells can still be expected. Pack warm clothes and additional layers. If you’re lucky you may witness the start of cherry blossom season across China (this changes yearly so not guaranteed). 

• 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 00:05 on 4 April. Accordingly, you will transfer to the airport late in the evening on 3 April. 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.