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China

Hochgeschwindigkeitszüge, Karstgipfel und die Große Mauer

Beste Reisezeit · Apr–Mai & Sep–Okt Reisen ab · 2.089 € Angebotene Reisen · 2

China Tours by High-Speed Train: Great Wall, Pandas and Zhangjiajie

China moves fast once you are on the high-speed rail network. In 12 or 17 days you can stand on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, cycle the full loop of Xi'an's city walls, see the Terracotta Army with a local guide, watch giant pandas at Chengdu's research base and climb into the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie that inspired Avatar. It is a country that rewards a leader who handles trains, tickets and payments, and both of our trips have one for every day.

Wähl deine China-Reise

China-Touren & Aktivitäten ab 2.089 €

2 Möglichkeiten, China zu bereisen: Vergleiche Dauer, Route und Preis und wähle dann deine Reise.

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China Highlights: Shanghai to Beijing in 12 days

The shorter trip opens with a night cruise past Shanghai's lit-up Bund on day 1, then takes the train to Zhangjiajie on day 2 to climb the 999 steps of Tianmen Mountain's Stairway to Heaven. Day 3 is a full day among the stone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Day 4 is Chengdu and a face-changing Sichuan opera show, day 5 is an early visit to the giant panda research base. Day 6 is Xi'an, with a 14 km bike ride on top of the city walls and the Muslim Quarter night market, and day 7 is the Terracotta Army with a local guide before the train to Luoyang. Day 8 is Shaolin Temple, where you watch the monks train and try a kung fu lesson, then the Buddhist carvings of the Longmen Grottoes. Days 9 to 11 are Beijing: a dumpling-making class, a guided morning in the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu by cable car. The trip ends in Beijing on day 12 with 11 nights and 15 meals included.

China Explorer: Hong Kong to Beijing in 17 days

The longer trip adds Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Chongqing and Shanghai in exchange for the Luoyang leg. Days 1 and 2 are Hong Kong, with the Star Ferry across the harbour and the view from Victoria Peak. Day 3 takes the train to Guilin and on to Yangshuo among the karst peaks for a farming village visit, and day 4 is cycling through the rice paddies and floating down the river on a bamboo raft. Days 5 and 6 are Tianmen Mountain and Zhangjiajie, days 7 and 8 are Chongqing, with Hongya Cave lit up at night and a free day for the monorail that runs through an apartment block. Days 9 and 10 are Chengdu's opera and pandas, days 11 and 12 are Xi'an's walls, night market and Terracotta Army, day 13 is a free day in Shanghai with a Bund night cruise, and days 14 to 16 are Beijing: dumpling class, Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The trip ends in Beijing on day 17 with 16 nights and 20 meals included.

Small groups, trains and what is included

Both trips run with groups of 8 to 12 travellers and a maximum of 16, with a group leader for every day of the trip. High-speed trains link every city, which is the fastest and most comfortable way to cover this much of China. Accommodation is twin or double ensuite hotel rooms, with private rooms available on request: among the karst peaks in Yangshuo, close to the national park in Zhangjiajie, central Chengdu, central Xi'an and a short walk from the Bund in Shanghai. Every listed activity is included, with no pay-on-arrival extras. Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance (required by the operator), visas and personal spending are extra. Direct flights run from Australia to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, so book into the start city and out of Beijing. Departures start from March 2027.

Best time to visit China

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the best months for this route: mild in Beijing and Xi'an, comfortable for the Zhangjiajie climbs and clear enough for the Great Wall views. Summer is hot and humid across the south and busy everywhere, and the national holiday in early October fills trains and sights with domestic travellers, so avoid that week if you can. Winter is cold in Beijing but quiet, and the pandas are at their most active in cooler weather.

Visas, payments and practical tips

Entry rules for China change, so check current entry requirements for your passport on Smartraveller or with the Chinese embassy before you book flights, and note that Hong Kong has its own separate rules from the mainland on the 17-day trip. On the mainland, cash and foreign cards are rarely used; most payments run through Alipay, so download it and link your card before you leave home. Airport transfers are not included, so make your own way to the first hotel, where the group meets for a welcome dinner at about 7pm on day 1. Many apps you rely on at home are blocked in mainland China, so set that up before you arrive. Pack comfortable walking shoes for the 999 steps and the Wall, and layers for a range of climates. Your leader handles tickets, trains and the language barrier.

Gute Fragen, klare Antworten

What is the difference between the two China trips?

China Highlights is 12 days Shanghai to Beijing and includes Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes at Luoyang. China Explorer is 17 days Hong Kong to Beijing and adds Hong Kong, Yangshuo's karst peaks and bamboo rafting, Chongqing and a Shanghai day instead. Both include Zhangjiajie, Chengdu pandas, Xi'an, the Terracotta Army, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

How much is a China tour?

China Highlights (12 days) is from 2.089 € per person and China Explorer (17 days) is from 2.839 €. Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, visas and personal spending are extra.

Wie groß sind die Gruppen?

Usually 8 to 12 travellers, with a maximum of 16, and a group leader for every day of the trip.

Brauche ich ein Visum für China?

Entry rules change, so check current entry requirements for your passport on Smartraveller or with the Chinese embassy before booking flights. Hong Kong has separate entry rules from the mainland, which matters on the 17-day trip where you cross by train on day 3.

When is the best time to visit China?

April to May and September to October, for mild weather in Beijing and Xi'an and comfortable hiking in Zhangjiajie. Avoid the first week of October, when the national holiday fills trains and sights. Both trips have departures from March 2027.

Wie bezahle ich in China?

On the mainland most payments go through Alipay rather than cash or foreign cards, so download the app and link your card before you leave home. Your leader can help you get set up on day 1.

Are the China trips good for solo travellers?

Yes. Groups are small, rooms are twin or double share with private rooms available on request, and shared trains, dinners and a dumpling class mean you know everyone within a day or two.

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