- China Rail Journeys
- Splendours of China by Rail
Embark on a leisurely exploration of China's intriguing interior, delving into the country's rich cultural legacy as you explore ethnic settlements, bustling city markets and age-old temples by rail. Combining the iconic sights of Beijing and Xi'an with panda encounters in Chengdu, the ancient preserved towns of Zhenyuan and Qingyan and visits to three remote villages, this tour showcases the best of rural and urban China.
Depart on your scheduled, overnight flight to Beijing.
On arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of China's sprawling capital.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a morning at leisure, discover Beijing's rich, imperial history on an afternoon city tour. Explore Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, under the watchful eye of Chairman Mao's large, central portrait. From here, enter the vast Forbidden Palace and wander its 9,999 rooms and chambers, brimming with age-old relics. After dinner later this evening, an optional excursion to the Legend of Kung Fu show allows you to marvel at the athleticism and precision of China's martial artists (payable locally).
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, today's tour starts at one of China's most iconic and impressive landmarks, the UNESCO Registered Great Wall of China. Access the wall from Juyongguan, the site of some of the Ming Dynasty's biggest battles, and stroll through 5th-century watchtowers and winding stone paths. In the afternoon walk around the royal grounds and peaceful lake of the Summer Palace. Continue on to Silk Street Market, a maze of over 1,700 stalls selling everything from designer dupes to fine silk shirts. Later tonight, feast on Beijing's greatest culinary contribution at a traditional Peking duck dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your morning tour visits the ancient sacrificial buildings of the Temple of Heaven which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built to allow prayers to reach heaven, the heavily adorned pillars and ceiling are a spectacular ode to Ming Dynasty architecture. In the afternoon, browse the longstanding, traditional calligraphy and bookshops of Liulichang Antique Culture Street and the historic stores of Qianmen Dashilan, where some of China's most notable silk stores are located. Take a late afternoon bullet train to Xi'an.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, uncover the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Terracotta Warriors, an 8,000-strong army created so that no two warriors look alike. Explore these cavernous underground vaults then visit a UNESCO Listed building the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Continue to the Muslim Quarter, a network of market stalls and shops, and the city's Great Mosque nestled in its centre. Enjoy an evening of culture at tonight's entertaining Tang Dynasty dance performance.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to Xi'an's City Wall, a long stretch of fortifications which is the oldest in China and provides dramatic views of the city. Take in the defensive stronghold as you walk along its length then journey to the Tangbo Art Museum. Browse through an array of Shaanxi folk artwork and age-old masterpieces before trying your hand at the ancient art of calligraphy. In the late afternoon, transfer to the train station for your high-speed bullet train to Chengdu. Soak in China's picturesque rural landscapes before arriving in Chengdu where you will have a walk around the Jinli Ancient Street.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meet Chengdu's most famous residents on today's trip to the Panda Breeding and Research Centre. Concerted efforts to save this beloved endangered animal have increased the centre's population to 120 giant and 76 red pandas. Watch the comical creatures napping, snacking and playing in natural enclosures before continuing on to People's Park, a green oasis in the city centre. Next, transfer to the train station and board your high-speed train to Guiyang. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, set out for a morning of sightseeing, starting with a visit to the grand Jiaxiu Tower. Wander the ornate interior of this structure built in honour of the province's great intellectuals then continue on to Qingyan Ancient Town. Travel back to 14th century China as you explore this preserved town and its stone pavilions, ancestral halls and watchtowers. Delve deeper into the country's colourful culture as you journey to the city of Kaili, home to the Miao ethnic minority, for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
China is home to 56 ethnic groups, each with their own distinctive culture, and the city of Kaili is the ideal base from which to explore the villages of some of its most fascinating ethnic minorities. After breakfast, drive to the Zhenyuan Ancient Town of the Miao people, founded in 202BC. Although it covers a mere 1.2 square miles, this amazing settlement boasts over 160 scenic spots, including palaces, caves, temples and a spectacular central river. After a walk around the town, visit the imposing temple complex of Black Dragon Cave before travelling onward to Langde Miao Village to witness the daily life, customs and dress of the Miao people. Return to Kaili for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your cultural experience continues as you make your way to the Matang Gejia Village. Witness the colourful clothes of the Gejia people, created using a traditional dyeing method, and delve into their rich, unique customs and traditions. At the nearby village of Shiqiao Miao, learn more about the villagers' ancient paper-making traditions and wander amongst their simple but elegant log houses as they go about their daily activities. In the afternoon, board your bullet train to Guilin, arriving in time for dinner and your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Take in some of China's most dazzling scenery on today's trip to the rice terraces of Longsheng. Known locally as 'dragon's backbone' for their shape, these stepped terraces of rippling, multi-coloured rice fields are set on dramatic mountain slopes. Journey to the Zhuang Minority Village for fascinating insight into the lives of the Zhuang people, renowned for their vibrant headdresses, hospitality and culture of singing and dancing. Explore the village with its stilted houses and multi-storey wooden buildings before returning to Guilin for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
See China from a new perspective as you embark on a boat trip down the Lijiang River. Sail between karsts and past riverside villages and verdant rice paddies on a breath-taking journey that showcases rural China at its best. After lunch on your boat, disembark in Yangshuo and walk along West Street, a shopping area with a fascinating mix of Eastern and international elements, where traditional jade stores lie next to Italian cafes. This evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai where you will be transferred to your hotel on arrival.
Breakfast
Morning at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Around noon, depart on a half-day sightseeing tour visiting the beautiful Yu Garden before strolling along the famous waterfront promenade of The Bund. Continue to the bustling shopping street of Nanjing Road and explore the charming tree-lined avenues of the French Concession.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your extension.
Your flight lands back in the UK today.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in September 2026 and November 2026
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The guide Jason was brilliant, he couldn't have done more for us, and was really informative and kind. I can not speak highly enough of the tour; it was brilliant.
K Pickering
02 DecemberThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Please note lighters and aerosol cans are not allowed planes, trains or sights of special interest, such as Tiananmen square, Forbidden city, The Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, Three Gorges Dam, and the Wild Goose Pagoda.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
For all tours departing in 2026, no visa is required for British Passport Holders.
If you are departing in 2027 or later, you will require a visa to visit mainland China. We recommend you organise this 2 months before travel. If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa in person at a visa application centre. If you’re aged 13 and under or aged 71 and over, you can only apply online.
You must provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints) for your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. The details of their opening hours are on their websites. The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply. The application process takes approximately 4 – 10 working days and the cost depends on the visa and class you choose.
You will require extra documentation for your application that you can request from us from 2 months before departure. They may ask for the Agency Licence Number which is China International Travel Service Ltd: 911100001013930695. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all the information they will require to apply for the visa.
We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
You will need to fill in an arrival card online before travel for all travel dates. This can be done on the NIA’s official website https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. To complete the form you will need to have your passport number and visa number. Once the form is complete you will either need to print out the QR code or have the QR code available on your phone.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
Please note - spray cans of any form and lighters are not allowed on trains or planes.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing steep stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in China is the Renminbi, known as RMB or CNY. It is often referred to as the Yuan. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart. US Dollars are widely accepted in China should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shopping malls in China. Small shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards as well as street vendors, so it's strongly advised to have sufficient Chinese currency with you. ATM’s are readily available in big cities and most small towns.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
It is customary to tip your national guide, local guide and driver approximately CNY40 per person per day. Your national guide will collect this for your convenience on the first day of your tour, approximately CNY560 per person for the total duration. Tips are collected in Chinese Yuan.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 33. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. For groups of less than 10, you will have a driver and be joined by a local guide at each location.
Please note that power banks without a 3C certification mark, spray cans of any form and lighters are not allowed on trains or planes.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and China. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Unlike the western world, Chinese people do not normally pre-heat their plates and food can be presented at a variety of temperatures, which is a typical Chinese way of doing things.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, one bottle of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
If you are travelling within the below Chinese Public Holidays, please note that celebrations last for several days and during these times some businesses will be closed and coach, air and train travel may be affected. Tourist attractions will be open but may be crowded. Chinese New Year usually falls sometime between January 21 and February 20. Golden Week public holidays fall annually between 1st – 3rd of May and 1st – 7th of October.
On your arrival in Beijing, you will be met by a representative from our local agent will be in the terminal, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. Please exit from gate B of the airport and your guide will be waiting. The Mercury Holidays representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
Please find below the emergency contact details for China Travel Service:
During Office Hours: 0086 10 85228340 / 0086 10 85228722
After Office Hours: Ms. Linda Liu (Mobile): 0086 13911043036
Ms. Starling Wang (Mobile): 0086 13810153047
Ms. Faith Guo (Mobile): 0086 13716796859
