China is an incredibly diverse country in terms of geography and opportunities for adventure and experiences for the traveler. This 14-day active trip provides an amazing opportunity to explore China from a wide range of perspectives: hike, bike, explore on horseback, travel overland and by air; you will see and experience so much and you will do it in a way that engages your senses and energizes your soul.  Immerse yourself in the rich culture, marvel at the grand monuments to history, enjoy the wonderful food, and get your blood pumping a bit on this epic Multi-Sport trip through China!

The first day of our China exploration starts with the most beautiful Chinese Imperial Palace with a history of almost six hundred years – The Forbidden City. With 999.5 rooms, it is said to be the world’s largest existing palace complex. When walking inside, you can retrace Chinese history from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

From here we visit the Hutongs, the small lanes and former courtyard houses of Old Beijing, and Houhai Lake. Take a pedicab ride and visit local families. With one particular local family, we’ll have a chance to learn kite-making and other handicrafts.

Private Cooking Class & Dinner: In the evening, you’ll have the chance to learn the techniques behind your favorite Chinese dishes. The chef promises to explain each step and show how Chinese dishes can be easy to learn!

Today we visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. This section was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), on the remnants of a wall originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) and has been restored and renovated so the road is now mainly steps. We’ll hike up the wall and when we’re ready to come back, we’ll take the cable car.

After lunch, en route to Beijing we’ll visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese garden design.

Fly to Xi’an in the morning.

Visit to the world famous Terracotta Warriors, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. The human sized figures were modeled after actual soldiers of the Qin Army in detail.

Next we take you for a walk through the lively Muslim Quarter to visit the Grand Mosque. The 60,000 strong Muslim community that lives and works today in Xian traces its history back to Arab and Persian merchants who, after traveling the Silk Road, became permanent residents here for 13 dynasties.

For dinner we’ll take you to a dumpling banquet, where you’ll taste dumplings of many different shapes, sizes and flavors.

In the morning we will visit the Xi’an City Wall – the fortification showcases the seamless protection and construction of the ancient capital. The wall measures 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15 to 18 m in thickness at the base. We’ll bike along part of the City Wall — from the top there’s a great view over the city.

In the afternoon you will fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. Chengdu is well-known for two things: its relaxed lifestyle and adorable pandas. The city itself is awash with colourful characters that should make for some interesting subject matter, especially when viewed down the lens of a camera. Today is your day of being a Chengdu local.

Upon arrival, we visit a local park to see a typical day here, join some local dance, sip some tea, play Chinese chess and learn to play Mahjong, a traditional Chinese game using little cubes instead of playing cards. Mahjong is an essential part of the locals’ daily life, and you will see it being played in people’s houses, in teahouses and even on the footpath if the weather is conducive. Later in the day we’ll watch a Sichuan Opera – the art of “Bian-Lian “or “face-changing”.

Get up early in the morning to have our Taichi practice. Taichi is a leisurely form of Chinese martial arts known for its health benefits. Then we will have breakfast and some tea, where we can learn about the concept of tea and tea ceremony.

Then, we´ll drive to Leshan (“Happy”) Mountain. The area is known for the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world – the Leshan Giant Buddha — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today we have the opportunity to see the pandas at the Panda Breeding Center.

After lunch, visit the largest Chinese medicine herbal market in China and learn about Chinese medicine and treatment with a local expert.

Evening walk around the historic Jinli Street with a special night photography seminar.

Fly to Lijiang in the morning.

Lijiang is an ancient town on the tea road, with a history dating back 800 years, and a UNESCO world heritage site. Upon arrival, join a walking tour to a local market selling fruits and vegetables.

In the afternoon, enjoy a horseback ride around Lashi Lake. Or you can explore the town at leisure and prepare for tomorrow’s hike through the Tiger Leaping Gorge!

Drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, the famous canyon on the Yangtze River, for the start of our big trek! The legend behind this deep canyon says that a tiger made the 25-meter wide leap across the gorge to escape from a hunter…

The trek will be a total of 8.5 hours over two days, overnighting at a rustic guesthouse in the mountains. The trekking in the morning is relatively easy with attractive views of the forest and farmland. The challenging part comes after lunch with “28 bends” to the highest point, for a distant view of the gushing river deep below and of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain beyond.

In the morning we’ll complete our hike of Tiger Leaping Gorge, locally known as Golden Sands River.

Then drive to Shaxi Ancient Town, a historical trading site of the Tea and Horse Caravan Trail that reached the height of its prosperity during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912).

Drive to Dali, en route, stopping at the Shibaoshan Grottoes, the site of the 1300 year-old Buddhist rock carvings that signify the spread of Mahayana Buddhism into Yunnan from Tibet.

Explore Dali ancient town in the afternoon.

Dali, is the ancient capital of the Bai Kingdom of Nanzhao. Explore the ancient town. In the afternoon, explore two villages nearby: Zhoucheng, famous for its hand-made tie dye traditions, and Xizhou, an ancient Bai village, well-known for its delicate Bai style architecture with thousands of years of history. Then have a bike ride around the Erhai Lake area.

Departure from Dali. After arriving Kunming, walk around Green Lake area and the flower & bird market.

Transfer to airport for your departure.