China: Big Cities & Iconic Culture
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From AUD $2056 Was AUD $2419
Small Group
Average
Rating
(10 reviews)
China: Big Cities & Iconic Culture
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
15 days
Small Group
Basic
Average
English
Experience Overview
Get ready for two weeks of must-see highlights and epic off-the-beaten-path adventures that will make you fall in love with all sides of China.
Includes
Activities
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Big Night Out Moment: Chengdu Your Discover Moment: Yangshuo Your Local Living Moment: Hakka Tulou, Hongkeng Village Your Big Night Out Moment: Shanghai
- Tour of Tiananmen Square
- Jingshan Park visit
- Orientation walk in Beijing
- Included visit to the Great Wall of China
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors
- Tour the Xi'An Muslim Quarter tour
- Orientation walk in Xi'an
- Tianfu Square visit
- Orientation walk in Chengdu
- Overnight stay in a traditional Hakka Village
- Cycle tour through Yangshuo city and countryside
- Orientation walk in Yangshuo
- Chinese lunch in a local Yangshuo community
- Guangzhou city tour
- CEO-led walk through old town Shanghai
- Free time in Shanghai
Accommodation
- Hotels (11 nights), overnight sleeper train (1 night), Hakka guesthouse (2 nights).
- 1 lunch
Transport
- Bullet train, overnight train, metro, public bus, private vehicle, bicycle, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Highlights
- Travel off the beaten track and stay in the historic
- Fortified tulou homes of the Hakka people in central China
- Shop
- Eat and stroll through iconic cities like Shanghai and Beijing
- Go off the beaten track to see the beautiful mountains in the Guilin country side.
Trip Details
15 days
Bullet train, overnight train, metro, public bus, private vehicle, bicycle, walking.
English
Beijing, China
Shanghai, China
Basic
18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Budget
Average
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.Accommodation - Golden Inns (Beijing South Railway Station)
Day 2: Beijing
Forbidden City: Please note that visiting the Forbidden City is not included in the tour. We do not have time to visit on this tour. If you wish to visit, please do so before the trip.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore one of the world's largest public squares and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation.Activity - Take a walking tour through some of Beijing's traditional alleyways and backstreets (known as hutongs) and get a taste of this magnificent metropolis. Activity - In the centre of Old Beijing, the narrow alley of Nanluoguxiang offers a unique experience in the city. This kilometer long street is lined with cute cafes, bars and traditional craft stores. Try a local snack or do some souvenir shopping.Activity - Only a moat separates you from Jingshan Park. This royal garden offers the perfect birds eye view of the Forbidden City.Activity - Visit the striking Drum Tower for some incredible photo ops. Back in the Han Dynasty the towers were used to echo the time to the city with bells in the morning and drums in the evening. Today the 63-ton bell still stands in one tower and drum performances happen daily in the morning and afternoon.Accommodation - Golden Inns (Beijing South Railway Station)
Day 3: Beijing/Xi’an
Lunch will be on your own at the Great Wall. There are options at the foot of the wall, but you can also bring your own lunch if you wish to spend more time on the wall.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your shared bus transportation from Mutianyu to Beijing.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your shared bus transportation from Beijing to Mutianyu.Activity - Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Enjoy scenic views as the wall winds along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall from any of the 22 towers. The Great wall is an incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located about 80km away from the Beijing City Center. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.
Day 4: Xi’an
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk close to the Xi'an hotel to help you get the lay of the land. Learn where you can find local services (like ATMs and laundromats) and, perhaps, see some city highlights. Every CEO does something slightly different for their orientation walk to show visitors what they like best about the city. Activity - Enjoy a walk around Xi'an’s Muslim Quarter with our CEO, and be introduced to favourite streets, artists, chefs or food stalls in the quarter. Each CEO offers a unique perspective. Get a better feel for the district and have plenty of time to roam around on your own, shopping and eating along the way.Activity - Take a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors where more than 8,000 clay soldiers and hundreds of replica horses and chariots stand in three pits. Learn why the Emperor Qin Shihuang commissioned the statues to serve as his army in the afterlife and how they were discovered. Spend a half-day exploring this archaeological wonder.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride from Xi'an to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride from the Terracotta Warriors Museum back to Xi'an.Accommodation - Bancheng Guesthouse
Day 5: Xi’an/Chengdu
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy some free time in Xi'an this morning.Transport - Catch a high speed train to our next stop.Activity - Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.Activity - Join your crew for a fun night out! Maybe have a beer or green tea and enjoy being out on the town with your group!Accommodation - Poshpacker Local Tea Hostel
Day 6: Chengdu
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - A free morning in Chengdu? How about a trip to the Panda Breeding Center!Activity - Built in 1911, the People's Park was the first public park in Chengdu. It's the largest green area in downtown. The park features an artificial lake, gardens, teahouses, and is a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors. Walk to Tianfu Square in the centre of the city, surrounded by museums.Activity - Wander through Kuan Zhai alley, translating to wide (kuan) and narrow (zhai) lanes. Dip into a charming teahouse, walk through the ancient architecture or try some delicious Sichuan food.Accommodation - Poshpacker Local Tea Hostel
Day 7: Chengdu/Yangshuo
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Activity - This backpacker town is full of things to do and see. An orientation walk will get you situated and help you make the most of your time in this idyllic location.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel)
Day 8: Yangshuo
Meals included: Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Follow the guide and cycle over the flat(ish) landscape past rice paddies, local farmers, and water buffalo. Marvel at the limestone karsts and hear the legends of how they came to be. Stop for lunch at the house of a local family for a tasty meal made from freshly grown produce.Accommodation - Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel)
Day 9: Yangshuo
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend a free day exploring Yangshuo how you'd like.Accommodation - Floral Hotel Memorize Scene (Baina Hotel)
Day 10: Yangshuo/Guangzhou
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Go on a tour of the city of Guangzhou led by your CEO. Visit Yuexiu Park, the largest park in Guangzhou, Five Ram Stone Statue, the symbol of Guangzhou, Ancient Ming-Dynasty city wall, Sun-Yat Sun Monument, Chen Clan Academy and Shamian Island.Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Five Rams City Hotel
Day 11: Guangzhou/Yongding
Today's travel brings you quite a distance so charge up those devices and get your playlists ready to roll.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Spend two nights in an authentic Hakka tulou for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural immersion experience. These rural Chinese dwellings, also known as earthen houses, are circular or rectangular fortified structures up to five stories high with an open-air centre. Settle in and make yourself at home.Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Yuchenglou Guesthouse
Day 12: Yongding
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Starting from your Hakka guest house, go an orientation walk of the village and plan how you'll spend your day in this incredible place.Free_time - Enjoy a free day to continue visiting the village and have local interactions.Accommodation - Yuchenglou Guesthouse
Day 13: Yongding/Shanghai
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Move efficiently from point A to point B aboard this dependable ride.Transport - Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.Accommodation - HuaYi Eastern Hotel (Shanghai Hongkou North Sichuan Road)
Day 14: Shanghai
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a free afternoon in Shanghai.Activity - Enjoy a walk in the picturesque Old Town of Shanghai, which lies inside the ancient walled city of Shanghai. There are many wonderful sites to explore here, including the Yuyuan Garden and many temples. Activity - Join us for a night out on the town in Shanghai!Activity - Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.Accommodation - HuaYi Eastern Hotel (Shanghai Hongkou North Sichuan Road)
Day 15: Shanghai
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $2419
Duration: 15 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
Get ready for two weeks of must-see highlights and epic off-the-beaten-path adventures that will make you fall in love with all sides of China.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Jun 2026
Customer Reviews
06/20/2025
China was a shocking and spectacular destination and my travels were facilitated and made easier by Ricky and Wency who were two amazing guides in their own right. I loved seeing several different sides of the country and learning more.
06/20/2025
My guides, Ricky and Wency, were an absolute highlight of my trip.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
06/20/2025
China was a shocking and spectacular destination and my travels were facilitated and made easier by Ricky and Wency who were two amazing guides in their own right. I loved seeing several different sides of the country and learning more.
06/20/2025
My guides, Ricky and Wency, were an absolute highlight of my trip.
06/20/2025
China is one of the most diverse countries I have ever visited. With this trip you see modern cities and rural areas with amazing landscapes, skyscrapers and historic sites, technology at its best and traditional arts. I recommend this trip 100%.
06/06/2025
Mostly a great tour with lots of highlights.
06/06/2025
This tour is a great introduction to China, not only do you get to experience the big cities and attractions like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors you also get to experience smaller, lesser known towns and places.
05/20/2025
Our guide really made the trip more than anything but the itinerary was very well put together with so much of such a huge country being covered in such a short time. This is my first trip travelling like this and it is by far the best holiday.
05/09/2025
I had an amazing time visiting a beautiful country. Our guides were always incredibly helpful and the experience wouldn't be the same without them. I recommend G Adventures to anyone interested in traveling abroad and will continue to do so.
05/09/2025
An amzing ecperience that makes you learn a lot about Chinese culture, cuisine and nature.
03/18/2025
I had a fantastic time! China has so much to offer, and every city had a unique feel to it with friendly people. Traveling with G made for a smooth and stress-free experience, and the itinerary covered a good portion of the country well, allowing me to discover things I never knew before. I had a really great group and amazing CEOs. I would strongly recommend this to anyone interested!
03/08/2025
Great trip as always but I didnt like the fact that the original group was split up in Chengdu because of some people leaving and some people going to Hong Kong or Shanghai respectively. It felt wrong :D
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