Superpower Superstar
Poised for superpowerdom, China’s time is now—blessed with a booming economy and bursting with more people than any other country on Earth, the favourite joke among the Chinese is that their national bird is the construction crane. In modern Beijing, you can join the world’s largest peloton—two million strong, plus Norman, our expert guide—and ride past hutongs, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. China’s time is also long, long ago: remote Naxi villages, karst formations along the Li River and champagne on a less-travelled stretch of the Great Wall will bring the past to the present. Later, ample time to reflect over extended stays at secluded and splendid hotels. Time waits for no one, but in China, it slows down for us.
B&R’s newest way to travel! This itinerary is one of our new locally supported private trips. They use the hallmarks that we’re known for: great hotels, friendly and talented local guides plus memorable experiences, but it’s just your group and on the dates that work best for you.
Trip Details
Moderate
Beijing to Shanghai
10 Days / 9 Nights
Price per person from: $9,595
Request your date for exact pricing
Best Time to Visit
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Day by Day
Experience Beijing as a local, cycling through the heart of China’s capital, past Tiananmen Square, and followed by a meander through the city’s few remaining hutongs.
Walk along a rarely-visited section of the Great Wall to an unforgettable and quiet picnic lunch set up, surrounded by pristine and impressive scenery.
Take part in a privately guided tour through the old market and the unique wooden architecture of UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Lijiang.
Set off by bike to explore a small and remote Naxi village for an extraordinary peek into the traditional lifestyle, mud-brick houses and local shops of the Tibetan nomad descendents.
Venture up Spruce Meadow to enjoy spectacular views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain before an afternoon flight to Guilin, a region that inspired China's most famous poets and painters.
Explore the bustling, yet enchanting streets and markets of Yangshuo. This evening, witness Zhang Yi Mou's awe-inspiring light show performed by 400 local farmers.
Fly from southern China to the bustling and artistic city of Xi’an. Visit the Han Yang Ling Museum and dine at former Chinese President Jiang Zhemin’s favourite dumpling restaurant!
Visit Xi’an’s pièce-de-résistance: the archaeological site where the Terra Cotta Warriors have been unearthed. Later, enjoy a traditional tea tasting in Xi'an's Muslim quarter.
Catch a short flight this morning to the world's fastest-growing economy, Shanghai—exhilarating, vibrant and, in the true sense of the word, awesome!
Enjoy a farewell breakfast at the Fairmont, then we’ll say zaijian in extraordinary Shanghai.
Hotels
Fairmont Beijing, Beijing
Conveniently located just a short walk from Beijing’s great shopping markets, the Fairmont Hotel boasts awarding winning restaurants, a three-level spa and contemporary Chinese interiors. View hotel website »
Banyan Tree Lijiang, Lijiang
From the moment you open the gate to your private garden villa, you will sense the magic of Lijiang and the beautifully designed Banyan Tree. The warm rustic colours and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in your personal outdoor jet pool make your villa the perfect retreat after a glorious day of biking at the foothills of the Himalayas. View hotel website »
Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin
Conveniently located on the banks of the Li River, this five-star hotel boasts modern amenities, excellent service and a refreshing outdoor pool. View hotel website »
Shangri La, Xi’an
The Shangri La is well situated in Xi’an, a short distance from great restaurants and shopping. The rooms all come with complete amenities and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a magnificent view of the city. View hotel website »
Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai
This new gem overlooking the Huangpu River is creating quite a buzz, and for good reason! The lavish and elegant décor are reminiscent of the extravagant galas and grand social gatherings hosted here in the 1930’s. Rooms boast an Art Deco style overlooking the hotel’s courtyard. View hotel website »
Activity Level
Moderate
This trip is rated Moderate. This itinerary includes a few of our best bike rides from the region, but these can be easily replaced with walks or cultural experiences. The rides are between 20 and 40 km in cities and over gentle rolling rural terrain. We bike as a group with Chinese and B&R guides escorting you, with the opportunity to stop along the way. The traffic can be unnerving at the beginning, but in this country of 1.3 billion people and seemingly as many bicycles, drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists. Rural areas such as Yangshuo and Lijiang offer far more wide open spaces and relatively few vehicles sharing the roads.
Gear
Superpower Superstar
Poised for superpowerdom, China’s time is now—blessed with a booming economy and bursting with more people than any other country on Earth, the favourite joke among the Chinese is that their national bird is the construction crane. In modern Beijing, you can join the world’s largest peloton—two million strong, plus Norman, our expert guide—and ride past hutongs, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. China’s time is also long, long ago: remote Naxi villages, karst formations along the Li River and champagne on a less-travelled stretch of the Great Wall will bring the past to the present. Later, ample time to reflect over extended stays at secluded and splendid hotels. Time waits for no one, but in China, it slows down for us.
B&R’s newest way to travel! This itinerary is one of our new locally supported private trips. They use the hallmarks that we’re known for: great hotels, friendly and talented local guides plus memorable experiences, but it’s just your group and on the dates that work best for you.
What's Included
- All hotel accommodation
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners,
including wine (as selected by B&R) - Services of local guides
- Use of a 21-speed Giant bicycle, equipped with
a handlebar bag and helmet - All special events and private tours
- All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
At Your Service
We take pride in choosing guides who are not only exceptional travelling companions, but who’ll go far beyond the call of duty to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Notes from the Road
- enRoute Magazine: A Wrinkle in TimePublished in enRoute magazine | By Timothy Taylor I’m attempting time travel, no other way to put it. I’m trying to drill backwards, into some historic experience of this incredible place. And for a moment, on my very first morning …
- The Zen of Guiding, Part IIA lot of people ask me what I’ve learned—what skills and lessons I’ve accrued—in my 10 years on the road, living internationally. There are a few simple skills it took a number of years for me to realize as a …
- The Zen of Guiding, Part IA lot of people ask me what I’ve learned—what skills and lessons I’ve accrued—in my 10 years on the road, living internationally. There are a few simple skills it took a number of years for me to realize as a …
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