8 days Hong Kong to Chengdu
From a fast-moving city of bright lights and suits, to a city which prides itself on its slow pace of life (and pandas).
On this 8-day Hong Kong to Chengdu tour, you'll move from the fast-paced city of bright lights to one which prides itself on a slower pace of life - and its pandas! On the way, you'll go via the beautiful Yangshuo, where you'll get a taste of a slightly more rural Chinese way of life.
This 8-day China tour is perfect for anyone who’s short of time, but wants to pack in a taste of the Chinese way of life. Move from the bustle of Hong Kong, through the beautiful Yangshuo region, to the slower-paced Chengdu.
What's included
Accommodation
Including hostels & guesthouses
Adventure Leader
Bilingual Adventure Leaders in each city
Local transport
Transport within China
Activities
7 activities included
Optional activities can be added.
Read more
Itinerary & map
Day 1: Hong Kong
Discover one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world on your first day; observe how Eastern and Western cultures have fused together.
Day 2-5: Yangshuo
Towering karst peaks, a carpet of green, fertile fields and a never-ending list of activities; rafting on the Li river, mud baths, cycling, cooking, swimming and more.
Day 6-8: Chengdu
Find yourself in the laid-back heart of Western China, enjoying tea houses, pandas, Buddhist shrines, spicy hot-pot, temples, and as much KTV as you can handle!
Day 1 – Hong Kong & Yangshuo:
On the first day of your 8-day China tour, you will meet your Adventure Leader at 7am at the hostel for a pre-departure meeting.
If you’re an early bird, you will travel up to Victoria Peak and enjoy an exceptional view over Hong Kong. If you’re a little jetlagged, you can join at 10am, when the group will leave the hostel, say goodbye to Hong Kong and head to Yangshuo.
After a 3-hour bullet train to Guilin and a 2-hour bus to Yangshuo, you will check-in to your new hostel.
Day 2 – Yangshuo:
Today is a free day! You can decide how you’d like to spend it. You have the option to join a traditional cooking class, kayak along the Li River, or experience a traditional Chinese therapy such as hot cupping.
Day 3 – Yangshuo:
Get ready for adventure! You’ll start the day at 9.30am with a morning bike ride along with a cruise down the Yulong River on bamboo rafts. If you have a waterproof camera, definitely bring it along for this activity!
Later on in the day, you have the option to continue the fun and visit local mud baths and hot springs. In the evening, why not participate in some karaoke with the rest of the group?
Day 4 – Yangshuo:
Another free day! There is a tonne to see and do in Yangshuo, and its beautiful surroundings are a feast on the eyes. To gain a new perspective, this morning, we recommend rock climbing to the top of one of the regions limestone peaks.
In the afternoon, you can experience life on a farm by visiting your local Adventure Leader’s home village.
Day 5 – Chengdu:
On to the next destination on your 8-day China tour! You will board a bus and travel back to Guilin and take a bullet train to Chengdu, arriving in the evening. You will take the metro to the hostel and meet your new Adventure Leader!
Day 6 – Chengdu:
The day starts early as you will be off to the Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre. You can’t hold or touch the pandas, but you will see them up close and learn about the centre’s efforts to breed them and release them into the wild. This is a really essential part of any China tour!
Later in the day, you will also be taught some Mandarin thanks to your Adventure Leader, and this evening, you have the option to enjoy a traditional Sichuan opera show.
Day 7 – Chengdu:
Today is a free day! In the morning, you have the option to go to Leshan to see the world’s largest stone Buddha. Carved into the side of Mt. Lingyun, the colossal statue is over 1,300-years-old and is considered to the tallest pre-modern statue. The site attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder of the world.
In the evening you can sample to famous Sichuan Hot Pot (if you dare!). You can also have a night out in Chengdu, and enjoy your freedom!
Day 8 – Chengdu:
This morning, you can enjoy a lazy lie in to recover from the night before. Or, if you’re keen to get out into the area, use the morning to pay a visit to a local rehabilitation center for children with autism.
After lunch, you have the option to visit the Chengdu People’s Park. There are many scenic spots in this park, including the Gold Water Stream, the Goldfish Island and the Potted Landscape Garden. Besides appreciating the charming landscape, tourists can sail on the artificial lake, drink tea in the teahouse by the lake and watch all kinds of exhibitions and performances on the Rockery Square.
At around 5pm the optional activities will finish and you will say goodbye to the Adventure Leader and your group, as your 8-day China tour comes to an end.
We wish you safe travels!
Photos
A deposit is required to make a reservation on our China tours, with the balance due 40 days prior to departure (unless booking with one of our promotions, for which specific balance due dates may apply).
The deposit is 10% of the group tour price (unless stated otherwise). If you book on to our China tours less than 40 days prior to departure, the full balance will be due within 3 days of booking.
No bookings can be accepted within 18 days of a trip departure date.
Need hostels booked for after your trip ends? We are more than happy to help – just let us know what you need!
If you would like to alter your trip itinerary from the one provided to you by us then please let us know more than 30 days before your trip departs so that we can make your trip the perfect one for you! When you let us know that means we can relay all information to our on the ground staff and make the appropriate arrangements. Some such requests from previous Dragon Trippers are: I would like to skip Macau and go directly to Hong Kong from Fujian, I don’t need accommodation in Shanghai because I am staying with a friend, I would not like to camp on the wall and instead want to stay in regular accommodation, I would like to take a flight instead of a train for certain legs of the trip. Please let us know more than 30 days in advance. If you do not let us know in advance The Dragon Trip will not be responsible for assisting you, or for providing reimbursement for accommodations or transportation not used.
Room upgrades for the entirety of this route. Room upgrade requests must be communicated to the Dragon Trip before the start of the trip. Customers wishing to upgrade once the trip has started must do so independently.
Room upgrades for our 8-day Hong Kong to Chengdu tour are £100 for a single room upgrade and £50 per person for double room upgrades.
The Yes Inn @ YMT has a luggage storage service that is available to use for Dragon Trippers. It is $30 HKD per day, per bag. Please make sure to receive your receipt from the Yes Inn at time of luggage storage. Please note that any theft, loss or damage caused to your luggage while in storage is not the responsibility of The Dragon Trip and any queries or issues with the service should be brought directly to the attention of the Yes Inn @ YMT.
The Dragon Trip provides, upon request, airport transfers. In Beijing and Shanghai, the price is £40 for a pick up or drop-off. This will be in private transportation (up to 3 customers). If you’d like a bilingual guide to meet you and ride with you from the airport to your destination, or vice versa, it is £40 extra for a pick up or drop off (up to 3 customers). In Guilin, Xi’an and Chengdu, the price is £30 for a pick up or drop-off. This will be in private transportation (up to 3 customers). If you’d like a bilingual guide, it is £30 for a pick up or drop off (up to 3 customers). This service is not available in Hong Kong.
Check out our included activities for this 8-day China tour below:
• Bamboo rafting (Yangshuo)
• Yulong River bike ride (Yangshuo)
• Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre (Chengdu)
Train Tickets
There is always a small chance a group member’s ticket may not be sat with the rest of the group on one of the trains. Not to worry, in this situation the Adventure Leader will help you switch with a local so that the Dragon Trippers can sit together.
Drones
The use of Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is prohibited during activities organized by The Dragon Trip. If you are in possession of a drone when entering the country it is your responsibility to be informed of and follow all local laws. This may include registering your drone with authorities. If you violate this policy or operate a drone illegally you are subject to removal from the tour as per our terms & conditions.
Wristbands
You will receive a wristband which will have a phone number on it for you to call in emergencies.
Activities that aren’t included in the 8-day China tour:
- Victoria Peak Walk (Hong Kong)
- Jinli Street and Tibetan district (Chengdu)
- Wenshu Monastery, Mao’s Statue, People’s Park and traditional tree house (Chengdu)
- Volunteer a local Autism Rehabilitation Centre (Chengdu)
Visit our FAQs page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please note: The Chinese Golden Week public holidays take place from 1st-7th May and 1st-7th October. During this time, many attractions can be much busier than usual.
Other China Adventures
China Extra: Camp on The Great Wall
16-day Hong Kong Loop
Other China Adventures
