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China takes you both back in time and into the future like almost no where else on earth. This 9 day adventure brings you to the Giant Buddha of Mt E'mei and the famous monasteries that surround and then invites you to float downriver on a bamboo raft outside Yangshuo. End the adventure in buzzy, vibrant, Shanghai-the perfect spot to fill up on authentic Chinese delicacies.
Train, private vehicle, boat, walking, plane.
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Max 16, avg 12.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites.
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
All our G Adventures group trips are accompanied by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO) in China. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones.
Do not bring any knives or swords into China (gifts or otherwise). If they do make it into the country, they will not be permitted on trains. If you purchase a knife or sword while travelling elsewhere before arriving in China your best option is to post/mail it home before entering the country as no post/mail companies in China will accept it as a parcel.
Traditionally in China tipping is not expected and thus there is no need to tip in restaurants and your general interaction with locals; however, tipping is customary - though not compulsory - in the tourism industry and not only shows an expression of satisfaction it may also be of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your CEO may offer to collect the money and tip as a group.
Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from 1 to 3 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. A suggestion would be for each group member to contribute anonymously by putting their tip into an envelope. This often works the best and the group as a whole should gather to present the gift to the recipient(s), offering their thanks and showing their appreciation. This method brings the action out into the open, allowing for a friendly and appreciative interaction between the group and the recipient(s).
Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $5 USD per person per day can be used.
Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Your G for Good Moment: Jia Community Restaurant, Yangshuo
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Leshan Giant Buddha Visit. Hike around Emei Shan. Yangshuo Orientation Walk. Xing Ping Li River Bamboo Raft. Jia Community Restaurant. Free time in Emei Shan, Yangshuo, Shanghai. Orientation walk in Shanghai. The Bund Visit. Shanghai Museum.
Hotels (8 nights).
1 lunch
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customersolutions@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Travel off the beaten path to Mt Emei, Spend time in Chengdu and Shanghai, Ride a bamboo raft down the Li River.
Eating is a big part of travelling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Breakfast in China will usually be Asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. While trekking in remote regions food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Cold weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Light Hiking:
• Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
• Hiking pants (Convertible/Zip-off and quick dry recommended)
Train Travel (Optional):
• Slip-on shoes
• Small container with lid
• Travel cutlery
• Travel or camp cup
Warm weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th each year. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
1. Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites. It's important to let your family and friends know that you might not be able to stay in touch over your usual methods, be it - social media or email. The Chinese Government restricts certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress, Whatsapp etc. It may be possible to still access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to stay in touch with your friends and family through the above blocked sites, we suggest you research installing a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel or turn on your data roaming if needed.
2. INTERNET ACCESS
Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites, certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress,etc. It may be possible to access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to use above blocked sites, we suggest you get a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel.
3. LUGGAGE
As we use (sometimes crowded) local transport please note backpacks are much more suitable than suitcases for this style of trip. Train travel means that bags have to be stowed either overhead or under beds, so travelling as light as possible is recommended.
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.
As of April 2024 the exchange rate for China was 1 USD = 7.25 CNY (Chinese Yuan).
It is very uncommon to use cash in China. The most common payment methods are through apps such as Wechat Pay and Alipay. Therefore, we strongly suggest setting up either Wechat or Alipay on your device prior to coming to China. This will require you link a credit or debit card to these apps and also set up a data roaming package to use in China so that you can make payments locally. Please check the terms and conditions carefully when you set up account and payment. Credit cards may work with big venders in first tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong but it's not guaranteed and less likely to work in other cities or towns and small venders.
Yangshuo
- Impression Liu Sanjie Culture Show (298CNY per person)
- Central Chinese Cooking Class - Yangshuo
- Tai Chi Class (100CNY per person)
- Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour (200CNY per person)
- Moon Hill Entrance and Hike (15CNY per person)
Shanghai
- Yuyuan Garden (40CNY per person)
- Shanghai Acrobatic Performance
- Shanghai Tower (180CNY per person)
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Chengdu near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Travel from Chengdu to Leshan this morning in a private vehicle. Upon arrival the group will have time to grab lunch on their own before the included visit to the Giant Buddha. The building of the monument began in the year 713 and finished in the year 803 taking more than 90 years to carve. Thousands of workers expended their efforts on the project. Then, drive to the foot of Mt. E'mei, located southwest of Sichuan Basin. Continue to the monastery.
Take the shuttle bus to Wannian Monastery Parking lot for the start of today's hike. Walk to Qingyin Ge, Guangfo Monastery, Fu hu Monastery, Shengshui Ge, Chun Yang Dian, Lei Yin Monastery. Finish at the WuXianGang Parking lot where the group can take the shuttle back to Baoguo Monastery, or choose to keep hiking to Fuhu Nunnery, then walking back to Baoguo Monastery. There will be free time before an optional group dinner in the evening.
Travel by private vehicle to Leshan train station and hop on a bullet train to Yangshuo. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, get settled, and then go on a CEO-led orientation walk before an optional group dinner.
Drive to Xingping pier and navigate the stunning Li River on a bamboo raft. Afterwards, take the local ferry across the river to get to the Dabeicun Village. Set off on a short walking tour led by your CEO. End the walk at the Jia Community Restaurant where the group will have lunch.
Enjoy free time for more activities and to explore this beautiful area. Opt to join a cycling tour through the countryside which includes lunch with a local family.
Catch a flight to Shanghai today and arrive in the late afternoon. Take an orientation walk down one of the city's most famous streets, Nanjing Road and The Bund, a famous waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River with a great view of the city's skyline.
Temples, markets, gardens and colonial enclaves are around every corner. Spend some time immersed in Shanghai today. Start with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in the country. Then, take the metro to Yuyuan Gardens for an optional visit and walk around the grounds. The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional activities in the area. There will be an optional group dinner in the evening.
Depart at any time.
Details
Prices from: €1299.00
Duration: 9 Days
Travel Style: Classic
Physical Grading: 3 - Average
Merchandising: New Trips
Trip Type: Small Group
Merchandising: Planeterra Project
Service Level: Standard
Prices from: €1299.00
9 day Classic tour
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