Trip Grade: Moderate

A special trip to some special places. We'll check out some of China's most stunning and remote areas as well as some of the better known attractions like the Great Wall. From lively Shanghai where anything goes, to the majestic old-world cities Nanjing and Xian, to rugged valleys and grassy plains - you just won't believe how fascinating China can be. We'll hop on a local bus and get well and truly off the beaten track and discover the raw side of China. Not only will you get a feeling for China's vast culture and history, you'll actually meet the people who call this great land home. This alternative route doesn't only show you extraordinary scenery and introduce you to amazing people few tourists get to meet, it lets you visit the highlights too. So if you're looking for something over and above the norm, this is the trip for you.

Day 2 Shanghai
Shanghai is a thriving metropolis with a gothic city skyline straight from a modern day Batman movie. Walking along The Bund it is easy to imagine Shanghai's decadent past, as well as feeling the energy of modern times. From our central base hotel we visit the Shanghai Museum which houses the most comprehensive art collection in the country and is generally thought to be China's best. In the evening we see a performance by one of China's famous acrobat troops.

Day 3-5 Nanjing
We travel by train to Nanjing, the capital of the Ming dynasty until 1420AD when the seat of power moved to Beijing. We have time to explore the city walls, gates, towers and museums before heading out to the peaceful Purple Mountains and Sun Yat Sen's Mausoleum and the Linggu Temple. We board an overnight sleeper train to Xian at the midday of Day 5.

Day 6-7 Xian - Terracotta Warriors
Xian was once one of the world's great cities. Today it is home to what is considered one of the greatest archeological finds of the century, namely the Army of Terracotta Warriors. These life size, 2000 year old statues were formerly housed in underground vaults until discovered by farmers in 1974. Xian is far more than just the warriors, with an active Muslim quarter including the Great Mosque, exotic street food stalls and majestic city walls. An optional day trip by bus out to the sacred Daoist Hua Mountains provides wonderful photographic opportunities of the granite peaks and plains.

Day 8-9 Yanan
We travel north by local bus to the village of Yanan - a fascinating journey through rugged valleys and loess plains where houses are dug into the sandstone cliff faces. Mao Zedong based his operations in Yanan for 10 years after completing the Long March, and today the town is still a significant Communist Party site. We visit the revolutionary headquarters and ideological museums, and meet modern day communist pilgrims! The Qingliang Mountains, the 10,000 Buddhas Cave and the Baota Pagoda provide excellent viewing sites of the surrounding plains.

Day 10-11 Pingyao
You'll be guaranteed a warm reception from the local Shanxi people as western travelers are a rarity in Pingyao. There are many interesting places to explore.

Day 16 Hanging Monastery
One of China's most spectacular sights is the 1,400 year old Hanging Monastery at Hunyuan. The scenery's breathtaking.

Day 17 Train to Beijing
We take a comfortable morning train to Beijing from which we'll watch the Great Wall, ancient villages, lakes and rural life go by.

Day 18-20 Beijing
Beijing is an intriguing city full of contrasts for you to discover. Finally say goodbye to China at the Great Wall.

Day 21 Depart Beijing
You may depart at any time today.

The 21 day Raw China trip departs from Shanghai and finishes in Beijing. To check availability contact tours@chinaetravel.com

Reservations
If you are interested in joining a group of up to 12 like-minded individuals from all over the world to do this tour, let us know your proposed dates of travel and where you will be traveling from.

chinaetravel can help you with international flights to China, extra hotel nights, and domestic flights in China, should you need them before or after your trip.