Description
China Highlights
Our rail odyssey starts in the Chinese capital Beijing where we explore the famous Tiananmen Square and adjoining 'Forbidden City'. We also travel out to Mutianyu for the chance to walk on one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall. Taking the overnight sleeper train, we arrive in cosmopolitan Shanghai at the mouth of the Yangtse. Travelling south, we continue our journey by boat along the Li River, from which we admire the strange limestone outcrops that have inspired so many Chinese poets and artists over the centuries. From our base in beautiful Yangshuo there are plenty of opportunities for walks or bike rides into the surrounding villages.
In the land of Ho Chi Minh
Journeying across the border into Vietnam, we arrive in Hanoi where we visit some of the ancient temples of the city and the humble stilt house cottage in which Ho Chi Minh once lived. We also take time to wander through the street markets of the Old Quarter, named after the crafts on sale - Silk, Paper and Basket. Then, travelling to the South China Sea, we cruise aboard a junk among the awesome limestone cliffs and clear waters of Ha Long Bay.
Reunification Express
Our journey turns southward aboard the famous 'Reunification Express' to Hué, the old Imperial capital, where we take a boat trip on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, driving via Danang, we visit 'China' Beach and the Marble Mountain before reaching historic Hoi An. Our epic journey of some 2,270 miles ends in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, where our sightseeing includes the old colonial quarter and 1970s kitsch of the grand Reunification Hall. In the countryside beyond we visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground base that hid 10,000 Viet Cong troops.
Tour itinerary
Day 1:
Join Beijing.
Day 2:
Visit Great Wall at Mutianyu.
Day 3:
Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square; overnight train Shanghai.
Day 4:
Arrive Shanghai; city tour.
Day 5:
Visit Zhujiajiao water town; overnight train Guilin.
Day 6:
Arrive Guilin; visit Reed Flute Cave.
Day 7:
Boat on Li River to Yangshuo.
Day 8:
In Yangshuo; optional walks and bike rides.
Day 9:
Overnight train to Hanoi (changing trains on China/Vietnam border).
Day 10:
Arrive Hanoi; sightseeing in Old Quarter.
Day 11:
City tour; optional visit to water puppets.
Day 12:
Drive Ha Long Bay, board junk for cruise.
Day 13:
Cruising; PM drive Hanoi, overnight train Hue.
Day 14:
Arrive Hue; Perfume River boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 15:
Visit Imperial City.
Day 16:
Drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass, Cham museum, China Beach and Marble Mountain.
Day 17:
In Hoi An.
Day 18:
Drive Danang; overnight train Saigon.
Day 19:
Arrive Saigon; city sightseeing.
Day 20:
Visit Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 21:
End Ho Chi Minh City.