Treasures Of China

Our unforgettable cycling and hiking odyssey explores two world wonders that represent China's fascinating past -- the Great Wall and Xi'an's Terra-cotta Warriors. Both shed light on the tenacity and grand vision that has made China the world's oldest continuously shared culture. We tread beautiful and rugged stretches of the Great Wall, extended during the Ming Dynasty as a 3,000-mile-long defensive barrier rising as high as 50 feet. In the medieval fortified city of Xi'an, we'll examine the individual faces of the 10,000 life-sized statues of warriors and horses that date back to 246 BC. Believed to be buried in place of live servants to protect the first emperor of China in the afterlife, they were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well. Our travels also take us to remote areas where tourists seldom visit, including the exhilarating climb of the 1,000-year-old trail up sacred Mt. Hua Shan. We'll eat delicious, locally prepared food and have the luxury of a full vehicle support. Starting and ending in lively Beijing, we explore the fabulous Forbidden City and visit Tiananmen Square, where modern history was made.

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.

Treasures of China Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Beijing, China. After clearing customs and claiming your baggage, transfer to the hotel for a short orientation and dinner before a well-deserved sleep.
  
  All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14. The food is tasty, nutritious, plentiful, and locally prepared. Meals are eaten in a combination of hotel restaurants; small, family- run restaurants and noodle shops, as well as during impromptu picnics. Vegetarians are easily accommodated.

• Day 2

  After breakfast, we’ll begin our adventure in Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the former residence of 24 Chinese emperors from 1420 until 1911 when China’s dynastic system was overturned. The 100-acre landmark is a major tour unto itself and you can return at the end of our trip when the intricacies of China’s culture will have even deeper meaning for you. After lunch, we’ll continue our exploration of this vibrant city’s most notable sites and return to our hotel late this afternoon with time to relax before dinner.

• Day 3

  We’ll board an early flight this morning for Xi’an, one of the great historical destinations in China.  From our hotel near the ‘Old Quarter’, we’ll have lunch in the city and then visit the Great Mosque and Wild Goose Pagoda, which was finished in 652 A.D and is one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China.  It’s located in the Da Ci’en Temple, which for 12 years was home to a famous translator and traveler, Xuan Zang, while he translated more than 1,300 volumes of Buddhist scriptures.  Modern Xi'an surrounds the 7th-century medieval city fortress called the “Old Quarter” which is enclosed by walls that are eight miles long, 66 feet high and as wide as a city street along the top.  Famous within China as long as 25 centuries ago, Xi'an drew Europe’s attention in the 13th century when the Venetian adventurer, Marco Polo, described the area as the beginning (or end) of the famous Silk Road.  In 1974, the world discovered Xi’an again when a farmer digging a well discovered the incredible Terra-cotta Warriors, now considered an eighth wonder of the world.  For those wishing to do some exploring on their own in the city, the old Muslim Mosque district is a compelling destination and offers some great shopping opportunities.  

• Day 4

  We get an early start this morning, with a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum. The museum tour is a great primer for many of the places and historical events we’ll visit and learn about on our trip. Then it’s on to our bikes as we learn to cycle through the "organized chaos" of city traffic to Banpo Village, an 8,000-year-old site. Prepare yourself -- Western cyclists in rural areas are known to cause traffic jams. By Chinese standards, our bicycles are exotic, our dress is unusual and our hats are very strange! A short ride from Banpo brings us to our modest hotel in Lin Tong where we’ll be perfectly situated for tomorrow’s tour of the world renowned Terra-cotta Warriors.
  
  Cycling: 21 miles.

• Day 5

  This army of 10,000 life-size, individually representative clay army figures guards the necropolis of the 2nd-century BC Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The Terra-cotta grounds open early and we set out on a short bike ride (4 miles) this morning to be among the first visitors to arrive.  The Terra-cotta Warriors are covered by what appears to be three large aircraft hangars and we’ll observe active, ongoing excavation (the emperor’s actual tomb is yet to be explored!).  It takes about three hours to fully enjoy this marvelous site.  From this man-made wonder, we depart after lunch for the natural splendor of the sacred mountain, Mt. Hua Shan (Fragrant Flower Mountain).  Traveling part-way by vehicle, we finish the journey to Mt. Hua Shan with a pleasant bicycle ride into town.  The terrain is not very hilly and offers a good opportunity to ride at a slower pace and observe local people, farmers, and fields of winter wheat and corn.  We end the day with a welcome hot shower at the Hua Shan Hotel.
  
  Cycling to the foot of Mt. Hua Shan: 25 miles.

• Day 6

  We take breakfast early in order to have time to complete a full day’s hike.  Mt. Hua Shan is one of the five sacred – and most famous – mountains in all of China.  It has been a pilgrimage site for the religiously devout for centuries.  Our objective is to join the pilgrims on the summit at sunrise tomorrow morning.  Although the trail is ancient and trod upon every day, it’s still a very challenging hike that includes sheer cliffs and substantial elevation gain (more than 5,000 feet, much of it on stone steps).  But the rewards are spectacular…the dramatic scenery is just as impressive today as it must have been a thousand years ago.  Plan on carrying extra film/memory cards or the folks back home just won’t believe the interesting configurations of the trail and the dramatic rock cliffs.  We spend the night in a small but pleasant guesthouse called the “Lotus Inn”, an easy 45-minute hike from the East Summit.  We’ll hike to the West Summit before dinner to view the sunset.  
  
  Hiking: 6 to 7 hours (or take a gondola part way for approx. $10 and hike the remainder of the trail - about 90 minutes).

• Day 7

  We awaken before sunrise and hike to the East Summit. The hike is tranquil as it meanders through an old-growth forest and passes a Dong Monastery. Reaching the summit provides many “wow!” views. After the sunrise, we have the option to hike on to the South summit before we return to the Lotus Inn for breakfast. Later this morning, we’ll pack up for the thrilling descent as we walk down the trail for about an hour to a European-built gondola that provides a dramatic and quick return to the base of the mountain. We return by van to Xi'an this afternoon and relax before attending a theatrical dinner show of Tang Dynasty music and dance.
  
  Hiking: 2 miles.

• Day 8

  We take a morning flight from Xi’an to Beijing and upon arrival, are transported by private vehicle to the outskirts of the city. Our bikes will be waiting and we’ll begin our ride through the rural countryside to the town of Huai Rou where we’ll spend the night. Most of the cycling will be on paved roads as we go from town to town en route to our hotel, but we also take advantage of small dirt roads whenever possible. 
  
  Cycling: about 21 miles.

• Day 9

  Our ride today takes us through more farmland, as we follow a large canal containing local drinking water upstream from the scenic Miyun Reservoir. The road weaves its way around the reservoir, offering spectacular views of the lake and surrounding terraced fields. 
  
  Cycling: 25 miles with options for longer rides.

• Day 10

  Today we hike the Great Wall! We begin our adventure at Simatai, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is considered by many to be the most beautiful section of this 3,000-mile-long wonder of the world.  Though the wall is really a series of mainly earthen barriers, conscripted workers in the Ming era enlarged the brick and granite work, redesigning watch towers and adding modern cannons (most purchased from the Portuguese). The Ming Emperors had tossed out the Huns and hoped – fruitlessly – that the walls would keep them out. Our route follows a restored section towards the village of Jin Shan Ling and our hotel. This part of the Wall receives very few tourists, especially Western tourists. Though ultimately ineffective as a barrier, the Wall has symbolically, as well as economically, maintained the power of imperial dynasties through the centuries.
  
  Hiking: 6 miles.

• Day 11

  We hike an unrestored section of The Wall from Gu Bei Kou back to Jin Shan Ling. What was restored into a wide, even walkway on yesterday's hike now varies between ancient steps and a hiking trail where the steps have been covered by centuries of dirt. Winding its way along ridgelines, with many towers dotting the hilltops – even this crumbling segment of the Wall still stirs up a feeling of awe as it stretches out towards the distant horizon.
  
  Hiking: 6 miles.

• Day 12

  After breakfast, we transfer back to Beijing, where we can poke about in the endless sprawl of markets filled with Chinese arts, crafts and fresh food. Sightseeing highlights include a visit to the Summer Palace, a graceful and magnificent former home to emperors that has one of the most impressive gardens in the world. We spend the night in Beijing and may take in an acrobatic show this evening.

• Day 13

  Our last cycle trip takes us to the Hutong (alley ways) of the city and the vibrant mosaic of the Lama Temple. The afternoon is set aside for free time to shop, a return visit to the Summer Palace or any number of other possibilities. Tonight we have an original Chinese Banquet. It is our last night and we enjoy a farewell celebration dinner that includes the real thing – roast Peking duck.
  
  Cycling: 2 hours.

• Day 14

  Morning group transfer to the airport. From Beijing, trips members may fly home.

Note on Itinerary:

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Single Travelers:

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Price Includes:

All accommodations; all meals starting with dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14; all sightseeing arrangements as noted; one group airport transfer on Days 1 and 14; internal flights from Beijing to Xi’an and return; support vehicle; 21-speed hybrid bikes; dinner shows in Xi’an and Beijing; gondola ride down Mt. Hua Shan; park fees; local guides; government permits and state and local taxes.

Not Included:

Air transportation to China; cost of visas; airport taxes; medical immunizations; insurance of any kind; airport transfers outside of group transfer; airline excess baggage fees; gratuities to guides and hotel staff; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages or laundry.

Qualifications:

This trip is rated Moderate [3] and will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and likes to cycle and hike.  The daily cycle rides (5 days) average 20-30 miles in length on both rural and urban paved and dirt roads over flat or gently undulating terrain.  The hiking portions of the trip can be strenuous in terms of elevation gain and exposure (particularly Mt. Hua Shan, although a gondola ride most of the way up is an available option) or with loose rocks requiring some scrambling (The Great Wall).  The tour is fully vehicle-supported and on cycling days, trip members have the option to cycle or ride in the support vehicle as they wish.  A regular conditioning program beginning at least 3 months prior to departure is highly recommended for all trip members, even more so for those individuals planning to hike Mt. Hua Shan from bottom to top.  Cycling, hiking, walking/running, stair-climbing (vital when conditioning for Hua Shan!) and a daily stretching regimen are all great ways to prepare and will significantly enhance your level of enjoyment on this adventure. 

Bikes:

We provide twenty-one (21) speed mountain/cross bikes. The bikes come equipped with a water bottle cage and rear rack.  The support vehicle carries spare tubes and tools. 

Weather:

The seasons in this region of China are similar to those in the U.S. Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit as daytime temperatures are generally comfortable (60s-80s) and rainfall amounts are minimal. High humidity can be expected in and around Beijing. 

General Information:

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active adventure trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The seasons in the regions we visit are similar to those in the U.S. The days begin with cooler temperatures and gradually warm up to 65-80° . Beijing is prone to higher humidity, and temperatures generally range between 65-90°, with many days in the 80s. Typically, this is a warm trip with cool mornings and evenings. Each trip may also include a thunderstorm or rain shower, so keep this in mind as you pack your gear. It can be cool and windy on Mt. Hua Shan due to the higher elevation.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing (including hiking boots and cycling helmet) and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.  Cameras should also be packed in your carry-on bag.
• The support vehicle has room for one large piece of luggage per trip member.  It also carries spare inner tubes, tools and extra drinking water.
• Showers are usually available each evening, with warm to hot water. Laundry facilities are available several times throughout the trip, however, many of the hotels do laundry by hand and will not accept 'personal' garments for washing. Bring lightweight clothes that dry quickly, and hand-wash them in your hotel room.
• There is no heating in some of the guest inns and hotels, but the provided quilts are thick and warm. You will be pleasantly surprised by most accommodations during the trip, with only one or two hotel nights offering extremely basic services and amenities. Remember, relatively few Western travelers have visited many of the locations on our itinerary. The minor inconveniences we may encounter are far out-weighed by the opportunity to see and experience the real China.
• Bringing a few of your favorite snacks, energy bars and drinks from home is a good idea in order to add variety to between-meal food options. Bottled water, green tea, sodas, juices and snacks are available for purchase everywhere we travel.
• Helmets are required, so please bring your own. We also recommend brightly-colored bicycle clothing for visibility and safety.
• Please note: There is a 45 lb (20 Kg) weight limit on all internal flights in China.
• Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The Expert Advice section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.