Compare Hidden China by MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing

Accommodation: Red Wall Garden Hotel

Arrive in Beijing, the capital and cultural heart of China for over 3,000 years. Today, Beijing is home to over 17 million people and is the second-largest city in China. Upon arrival, and MTS representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Beijing—a well-appointed and elegant hotel with two private dining rooms and a lounge. The hotel’s delicious cuisine is served traditionally, that is to say family-style, allowing you to sample the breadth of the regional fare.

Day 2: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Red Wall Garden Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin our adventure with a visit to one of China’s (and Beijing’s) most sacred places, the Temple of Heaven. This complex of several temples was constructed from 1406 to 1420, and in 1998, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple grounds account for nearly three square kilometers, offering you countless treasures and architectural marvels to explore. This afternoon, we’ll visit historic Tiananmen Square—one of the largest city squares in the world and the site of the infamous 1989 massacre—and the Forbidden City, where Imperial China's emperors dwelt for centuries. Your expert guides will explain China’s layered dynastic history as you visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Imperial Garden and more. Afterwards, we’ll browse the treasures at Liulichang Culture Streetmarket and feast on mouthwatering Peking duck at the renowned Hepingmen Quanjude Restaurant, established in 1864.

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Red Wall Garden Hotel

Today, we’ll head for the magnificent Great Wall of China! We’ll begin with a pastoral walk in the mountains before we reach the wall and then enjoy some challenging hikes along its less-visited sections. Over the course of the day, we’ll spend time on the Gubeikou Great Wall—a section of military and strategic importance—as well as the Jinshanling Great Wall, the best-preserved section stretching six miles with 67 towers. You’ll see majestic views of boundless mountains, with a few villages speckled in the distance and the wall stretching as far as the eye can see, as you walk through history and learn about members of the Ming Dynasty. Standing on the top of the wall, with a light wind blowing and no other sounds, looking out over the forested hills and open spaces, one could almost picture the Mongol hordes riding over the horizon to attack! Most parts of the wall are built on a gentle slope but other sections are steep and unrestored, so watch your step as you go. Tonight, we’ll return to our hotel in Beijing for dinner.

Day 4: Beijing to Yangshuo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Yangshuo Mountain Retreat

After a leisurely morning to take in some of Beijing’s sites on your own, we’ll transfer to Guilin, a city in northeast of Guangxi Zhuang, an autonomous region that still embraces traditional lifestyles. In Guilin, we’ll meet a driver who will bring us to Yangshuo, a verdant city surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and serene, snaking rivers. We’ll end the day at our relaxing and scenic mountain retreat, where we’ll have time to take a stroll to explore our splendid surroundings—a stark contrast from the hustle and bustle of downtown Beijing!

Day 5: Yangshuo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Yangshuo Mountain Retreat

With countless trails and paths leading through Yangshuo’s beautiful, rocky scenery, mountain biking is an excellent way to take in the countryside at a relaxed pace. In the morning, we’ll bike towards the main road and cross the famous Gongnong Bridge, a landmark in Yangshuo. Make sure to stop and visit the big banyan tree on the left side before proceeding to Moon Hill! We’ll leave our bikes at the foot of Moon Hill and make the short, steep climb to the top of the hill, where we’ll have the chance to lunch at a local villager’s home. This afternoon, we’ll board traditional bamboo rafts to coast along the Yulong River, a picturesque tributary of the Li River. Quiet and pure near Yangshuo, the river flows through some of the most beautiful karst scenery, peaceful villages, and the 600 year-old Yulong Stone Bridge. Locals use these rafts daily while traveling up and down the river between houses, markets, and rice paddies. Sitting on the reclining bamboo chair on the raft, we’ll get a taste for Guangxi’s relaxed, traditional and idyllic way of life. At the end of the day, we’ll return to our secluded mountain retreat.

Day 6: Yangshuo to Guilin Departure

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

On your last day in China a choice of enriching activities awaits! You may choose to learn how to cook real village food at Yangshuo Cooking School, where skilled and friendly teachers love to impart the stories and secrets of Chinese cuisine. Or, choose to learn the traditional martial art of Tai Chi during an enlightening three-hour class. Tai Chi practitioners use this method to control their breathing, heart rate and coordination to stay healthy—it is a great choice to make before boarding our flights later today. This afternoon, we’ll say goodbye to our fellow traveling companions and board our return home flights at Guilin Airport.