Starting Point9 Dragons House (Xinmao Hostel)
No.78 Dong si Jiu tiao
Dongcheng District
Beijing
China
Phone: +86 10 84036143
Fax: +86 10 64036146
Joining Point Instructions
Beijing Capital International Airport is located in northeast of Beijing 25km from the centre of Beijing city. One if the biggest airports in the world, it is relatively easy to navigate and many signs are written in English. Most international flights arrive at Terminal 3.
Beijing Airport Express trains leave from both terminal 2 and 3. Trains operate from 6:20am until 10:50pm. Alight at Dongzhimen Station and our hotel is a short taxi ride away (approx. 10 minutes and 10CNY).
You can take airport bus (16CNY) route 2 (alight at Dongzhimen) or route 3 (alight at Beijing Railway Station) and then it is a short taxi ride to our joining point hotel (approx 10 minutes, 15CNY).
By subway, take the airport express train (25CNY) to Dongzhimen station. From Dongzhimen transfer to metro line 2 and take it one station to Yonghegong (Lama Temple Station), then transfer to line 5 and take it 2 stops to Zhangzizhong Lu Station. Use exit C at Zhangzizhong Lu Station, Get out at exit C and go left. At the first intersection (about 20 feet or so) go left again. At the first road (pretty much behind the subway station and an enclosed construction site) go left again. That small road is Dongsi Jiutiao. Walk for about 5 minutes and you will see a three story building on the right hand side.
Metered taxis are available outside the airport terminal building. The taxi ride from the airport to our starting point hotels takes about 45 minutes and should cost around 80-100CNY (plus 10CNY for the airport expressway toll). Show the taxi driver the name and address of hotel in Chinese characters as shown below. Please AVOID taxi touts who tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport.
If you have pre-purchased an arrival transfer our local operator Ms. Qi (Ms. Chee) will have sent a driver to the airport who will be holding a sign with Intrepid logo and your name on it. If you are arrived at Terminal 2 of Beijing airport, please meet your driver at the entrance/exit #7 after you go through the baggage claim area. Please note that Beijing Airport is very crowded so please be patient. If you have any problems finding the driver go to the information desk at door #7 and ask them to call Ms.Qi on her mobile. If you are arrived at Terminal 3 of Beijing airport, please meet your driver in front of the white jade screen wall with the dragon pattern after you walk through Exit B. Exit B is the only international arrival gate in Terminal 3.If you have any problems finding the driver go to the information desk at the right side of Exit B, and ask them to call Ms. Qi on her mobile (+86) 13671299816
Check-in time is 12 midday.
Our Joining Point Hotel
The Hostel is located within Beijing's second ring road, just a 3 minute walk from the Zhangzizhonglu subway station on the new line 5. This optimum location allows you to conveniently and cheaply get to many of the main Beijing tourist attractions. In addition to being located in a historic hutong.
www.dragonshostel.com
Back to the top
Finishing PointJunlong Hotel
239 Temple Street Jordan
Kowloon
Hong Kong
China
Phone: (852) 35800379
Finishing Point Instructions
Hong Kong as it is very simple and inexpensive to get from the city to the airport. Hong Kong International Airport (or Chek Lap Kok Airport) is situated on Lantau Island, 36km away from the centre of the Kowloon peninsula. There are several different and convenient ways to get from the city to the airport. Public transport in Hong Kong is very easy to use and all signs and directions are written in English. The easiest way to get to Hong Kong International Airport is to take the Airport Express Train (operates from 6:15am until 1:00am).Take a short taxi ride from our hotel to Kowloon MTR/Airport Express Station and then hop on the airport express train (90HKD, discounts are available for groups) to the airport (25 minutes). Alternatively, you could take the MTR to Hong Kong Station and board the Airport Express from there (100HKD). At both Kowloon and Hong Kong airport express stations you can check into your flight and check your luggage in (Please note: not all airlines and flights are available for station check in). A taxi from our hotel to Hong Kong International airport will cost you approx. 350HKD Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
Back to the top
Physical Rating - ModerateActivities include treks of 3 to 4 hours per day in hilly terrain, flat water kayaking or a long day's bike ride, in conditions which are likely to be hot and muggy. You will raise your heart rate on these trips, so a basic level of aerobic fitness is required.
Back to the top
AccommodationHotels/guesthouses (15 nts), overnight trains (4 nts)
We use the hard-sleeper class trains for all of our overnight train journeys. These are not as rough as they sound - compartments are open-plan and clean, with padded berths (six to a compartment), sheets, a blanket and boiling water available. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals are available three times a day, and there will always be snacks to buy at the station platforms along the way.
Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share.
Back to the top
Single SupplementA single supplement fee is not available on this trip.
Single travellers will be paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Back to the top
IncludedInformal Mandarin language lesson
Great Wall trek and overnight stay - Jinshanling
Orientation walk - Xi'an
Orientation walk - Shanghai
Orientation walk - Yangshuo
Entrance to rice terraces - Longji
Village trek with local guide - Longji
Minority Cultural Performance (Friday departures only) - Longji
Volunteer English Teacher (V.E.T.) Program (Wednesday departures only) - Yangshuo
Orientation walk - Hong Kong
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.
Back to the top
Not IncludedInternational Flights
Optional Activities
Acrobats performance, Beijing - CNY100
Kungfu Show, Beijing - CNY100
Summer Palace, Beijing - CNY50
Forbidden City, Beijing - CNY60
Beijing Opera, Beijing - CNY150
Bicycle Hutong Tour, Beijing - CNY100
Temple of Heaven, Beijing - CNY35
Peking Duck Dinner, Beijing - CNY80
Lama Temple, Beijing - CNY30
Underground City, Beijing - CNY25
Museums, Xi'an - CNY10-50
Walking the city wall, Xi'an - CNY40
Bicycle rental on city wall, Xi'an - CNY15/90 mins
Bell and Drum Towers, Xi'an - CNY25 each or 40 for both
Great Mosque, Xi'an - CNY20
Big or Small wild goose pagoda, Xi'an - CNY25 each
Terracotta Warriors tour, Xi'an - CNY90
Day trip to Hua Shan (transport and entry), Xi'an - CNY200
Acrobats performance, Shanghai - CNY150
Shanghai museum, Shanghai - Free
Oriental pearl tower viewing deck, Shanghai - CNY100
Yuyuan gardens, Shanghai - CNY40
Cruise on the Huangpu River, Shanghai - CNY45-100
Maglev train round trip, Shanghai - CNY100
Li River cruise, Yangshuo - CNY80
Tai chi or kung fu lesson, Yangshuo - CNY50
Light show, Yangshuo - CNY188
Cooking school and market tour, Yangshuo - CNY100
Kayaking, Yangshuo - CNY130
Caving, Yangshuo - CNY100
Calligraphy, Yangshuo - CNY30
Chinese language lesson, Yangshuo - CNY40
Bicycle hire, Yangshuo - CNY20
Watercolour painting, Yangshuo - CNY40-50/hour
Bamboo rafting, Yangshuo - CNY80
Silver water cave, Yangshuo - CNY40
Buddha cave, Yangshuo - CNY80
Water cave, Yangshuo - CNY120
Dragon cave, Yangshuo - CNY35
Moon hill, Yangshuo - CNY15
Light show, Hong Kong - free
History museum, Hong Kong - HKD10
Culture museum, Hong Kong - HKD10
Space museum, Hong Kong - HKD10
Science museum, Hong Kong - HKD25
Star Ferry, Hong Kong - HKD3
Disneyland, Hong Kong - HKD 210-350
Peak tram, Hong Kong - HKD20-30/one way or return
Ocean Park, Hong Kong - HKD93-185
Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Hong Kong - HKD58-88/one way or return
We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by the tour operator/agent nor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with tour operator/agent.
Back to the top
TransportOvernight train, minibus, taxi, local bus, metro, walking
Back to the top
What to TakeWe recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack (whichever you find easiest to carry). A good size daypack is also essential.
Back to the top
Health & SafetyFor vaccinations please visit the
MDtravelhealth website.
Sun:
It is very important that you wear sun block, even on a cloudy day when it feels cool as we are near the equator and the sun is very strong. A sunburn can turn a pleasant trip into a painful trip.
Hydration
Even when days are cool please be sure to drink a minimum of two litres of water and refrain from drinking to many diuretics, as while when travelling outdoors the breeze can dehydrate you quickly as well as the heat.
Diarrhoea:
It is normal for people travelling overseas to get an upset stomach due to a change of climate and food. Please make sure that you wash your hands and stay away from street food.You will be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip.
Participation Form
You may be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip.
Back to the top
Important InfoPlease note that during
Chinas national holidays (please refer to the Country Information on China for dates) it is peak travel season for Chinese Nationals. Although these are fascinating and exciting times to travel in China, please be aware your group could experience transport delays, larger crowds at tourist attractions and our normal itineraries may change slightly. If clockwork organisation is important to you we advise to book outside of these weeks.
During the winter months (December to end of Feburary), on days 14-15 our homestay in Chaolong is closed, so we will stay an extra night in Shanghai and Yangshuo.
Disclaimer | The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and tour operator/agent. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. This tour is run by Intrepid Travel.
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader.
Back to the top