Active Tour of China

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beijing & Great Wall, Huangshan, Yangshuo, Guilin & Longsheng, Hong Kong

This tour is the perfect balance of cultural touring in China's greatest cities as well as soft-adventure hiking and biking through beautiful rural destinations. Stay at China's top luxury properties and enjoy comprehensive touring and activities with your own private guides and drivers.

Begin in Beijing, China's centuries-old capital. With your private guide and driver, tour imperial masterpieces such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Explore the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighborhood. See lesser-known temples, and venture to a little-visited hilltop for panoramic views over the rooftops of the Forbidden City. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city's burgeoning contemporary art scene. Spend one day hiking along a less-touristy section of the Great Wall of China.

Fly to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), to see the spectacular mountain scenery and traditional villages. Ride the tram to the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend the day hiking among trails that offer unbelievable views of beautiful peaks that have inspired Chinese artists for centuries. Another day, take an excursion to the nearby UNESCO-listed villages of Hongcun and Xidi, which are filled with traditional Chinese architecture. Also visit Tunxi Ancient Street, where historic buildings house interesting shops and restaurants.

Continue to Yangshuo, home to some of China's most breathtaking scenery. Take a bamboo raft ride on the Li River— China's most beautiful river journey—passing through a storied landscape of limestone peaks and rice paddies. Also enjoy biking along the backroads of this picturesque region, exploring local villages with your private guide and driver. Another day, enjoy a private excursion to Longsheng for hiking among the spectacular rice terraces and to local minority villages before continuing to Guilin for an overnight stay.

Conclude in Hong Kong, one of Asia's most attractive and exciting cities, with a spectacular skyline, beautiful harbors and beaches, superb restaurants, bustling markets and much more. With your expert private guide and driver, learn about the historic buildings and modern skyscrapers in Central. Tour interesting residential neighborhoods in the hills. Explore traditional markets, ride a sampan (fishing boat) across Aberdeen harbor and a tram up Victoria Peak, browse the boutiques in the fashionable Soho district and perhaps get fitted for custom clothing at our favorite tailors. Explore local markets to learn about traditional Chinese medicine and unusual food products. Also visit excellent museums, a tea house, and other favorite spots. One day, enjoy an excursion outside of the city with the option for a day hike along the dramatic Dragon's Back, a boat ride and hike on a nearby island, or a day exploring and hiking in the New Territories.