Ultimate China

  China

• Xi'an: 
Xi'an

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: With the distances covered in this amazing trip you will be in awe at the sights and the diversity that you will come across! From the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai to the sands of the Taklimakan desert near Kashgar, from the Great Wall of China in Beijing to the Giant Pandas near Xi'an, you will be amazed as to how much will fill this 26 day trip!

* Day 1: Arrival into Beijing
You will be met at the airport on your arrival and will have the rest of the day free to relax and recover from your flight. Your 'Beijing duck' dinner awaits you in the evening! Hotel accommodation, dinner.

* Day 2: Tour of Beijing
Today you will be visiting the incredible sights of Beijing including Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City and the summer palace. Remember to take your comfortable walking shoes with you! Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 3: The Great Wall
After breakfast you will travel to see the Great Wall, don't expect to see it all though as it stretches for over 4,000 miles! The Wall helped to defend the Chinese Empire from the Northern invaders but now encourages a different sort of 'invader' to visit China! After visiting the Wall you will also visit the Ming Tombs, where the 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty were buried. Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 4: Free time and travel to Urumchi
Enjoy a free morning of exploring Beijing before you board the train in the afternoon for your travel to Urumchi. Don't forget to stock up on your snacks for your train journey! Overnight train journey, breakfast and lunch.

* Day 5: Arrival into Urumchi
You will arrive into Urumchi in the morning and then travel a short way east of Urumchi to visit the Heavanly Lake (Tian Chi). The lake covers nearly 2 square miles nestling in the mountains of Bogda Peak and is a stunning area of outstanding natural beauty. You can even take a round trip on the cable car (optional activity). In the evening back in Urumchi you will visit the Erdaoqiao Bazaar where you can enjoy the buffet dinner, while enjoying the song and dance performances! Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 6: Travel to Turpan
Today you will travel to Turpan, the lowest elevation anywhere in China, it is an important location on the 'Silk Road' and has a unique landscape with abundant historical relics. Before lunch you will also visit the ancient ruined city of Jiaohe which stands on a 30 meter high plateau and then onto the 'Flaming Mountains'. After lunch you are off to visit 'grape valley' and the ancient village of Ugyur. After an eventful (and tiring!) day you head back off to Urumchi for dinner. Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 7: Travel to Kashgar
After breakfast you will depart by train for your journey to incredible Kashgar in China's fabled North West frontier, in a huge oasis with over 2,000 years of history. You will need to make sure that you have some food for the journey - but this really is the trip of a lifetime! Overnight accommodation on board the train, breakfast.

* Day 8: Arrival in Kashgar
Arrive into Kashgar in the afternoon, you are free to spend the afternoon at your leisure and then meet for dinner - if this city feels familiar then you will have seen The Kite Runner which was filmed here. Hotel accommodation, dinner.

* Day 9: Kashgar
After breakfast you will visit the largest mosque in China, the Kah Mosque, which was built in 14th century AD and can accommodate up to 20,000 people. Lunch will follow a visit to the Abakh Hoja tomb, the tomb of the concubine of the Emperor Qianlong and then you will be able to spend time in the afternoon at the bazaar shopping for your souvenirs. Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 10: Taklimakan Desert
After breakfast you will be off to the Taklimkan desert where you can participate in the activities of your choice, try a bit of sand boarding or a camel ride (local payments will apply) or you can just take in the views of the desert and relax!. After lunch it is back to Kashgar. Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 11: Kashgar and travel to Urumchi
This morning you are free for some last minute exploration of Kashgar before boarding the train back to Urumchi in the afternoon. Don't forget to shop for your snacks for the train! Overnight on the train, breakfast.

* Day 12: Arrival into Urumchi and travel to Xian
You will arrive in Urumchi for lunch before heading on train for your overnight journey to Xi'an, the heart of China. Overnight on the train, lunch.

* Day 13: Arrival into Xi'an
You will arrive into Xi'an in the morning and then have a free day to spend as you please - exploring the old city streets or simple relaxing. Shared hostel / hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 14: Xi'an
You will have a tour of Xi'an today and will be able to see some of the historical sights that this city has to offer including the city walls where you can take a bike ride, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower to name a few. Volunteer house or hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 15: Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an
Today is one of the many highlights of the trip - a visit to see the Terracotta Warriors. Volunteer house or hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 16 to 18: Volunteering in Xi'an
You will spend the next few days volunteering and will be working in an orphanage with underprivileged / special needs children or teaching in a local school. You will also spend a day visiting the Giant Panda's just outside the city. Volunteer house or hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 19:Travel to Guilin
After finishing your volunteering you will travel to Guilin by train. Overnight on the train, breakfast and lunch.

* Day 20: Arrival into Guilin
You will arrive in to Guilin by evening ready for your dinner. Hotel accommodation, dinner.

* Day 21: Guilin
Guilin has a striking landscape with limestone peaks protruding from the flat plains - simply stunning scenery and one of those great 'photo opportunities'. You will spend the day exploring Guilin, also taking a walk up the Die Cai Hill giving panoramic views over the city. After dinner you can explore the city soaking up some of the atmosphere. Hotel accommodation, breakfast , lunch and dinner.

* Day 22: Yangshuo
After breakfast you will take a boat trip down the Li River to Yangshuo where you can spend the day exploring this quiet location with its beautiful scenery. Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 23 Yangshuo and travel to Guilin
You will have freetime to explore Yangshuo in the morning before departing by train to Guilin. Overnight on the train, breakfast.

* Day 24: Travel to Shanghai - overnight
A day and night on the train to travel to Shanghai - relax, read a book and watch China pass by!.

* Day 25: Arrival onto Shanghai
After arriving in to Shanghai you will have a tour of this amazing city, visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower the third tallest tower in the world, Yuyuan gardens, the historical Bund, Nanjing Road the main shopping road and finally Xintiandi where you can chill out and relax with a coffee! Hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

* Day 26: Shanghai and departure
Today you will continue your tour of Shanghai and will visit the Jade Buddha temple, People`s Square and spend time in the Shanghai Museum. You will then transfer to the airport for your onward flight or if preferred you could even make your own plans to stay longer in this amazing city! Breakfast and Lunch

Highlights:
* Great Wall of China and the Ming tombs
* Tian An Men Square
* Heavenly Lake in Urumchi
* Ancient site of Jiaohe Ruins near Urumchi
* Kah Mosque built in AD14
* Sand boarding and camel riding in Taklimakan Desert (optional)
* Terracotta warriors
* Shanghai Museum
* Giant Pandas

Qualifications: Skills required:
None, except for an interest in China and its culture, history and way of life

Cost in US$: USD 4,835.00 for 4 weeks

* Accommodation: Various,hotel accommodation based on twin share rooms with private facilities, dormitory room in volunteer apartment, overnight sleeper compartment on the train.
* Food: Meals as per the itinerary, breakfast and dinner at the volunteer apartment and lunch either at the project or volunteer apartment
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Transport: Various, bus during the tour, train journeys, boat
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to China Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994