South China Explorer

From the bustling streets and futuristic skyline of reawakened Shanghai to the Tibetan-influenced villages and snow-capped peaks of Yunnan, China is a land of dramatic contrasts and remarkable cultural diversity.  During our active two-week swing through this vast country’s captivating southern provinces, we’ll gain a firsthand perspective on the abundance of scenic treasures and fascinating people that place China firmly at the top of many adventurous travelers’ “must visit” list.  After exploring Shanghai’s historic Bund, we’ll hike to the summit of Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site cherished for its stunning natural beauty.  The karst limestone pinnacles of Yangshuo offer a picture-postcard setting for three days of perfect cycling through pastoral countryside filled with rice paddies and small farms.  The final leg of our odyssey unfolds in the higher elevations of Yunnan where we discover Lijiang and its enchanting old town, hike in spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, and are entranced by a traditional musical performance by the Naxi minority people and their famous orchestra.  Our journey appropriately ends in Shangri-La (Zhongdian), a small town near the Tibetan border and a tranquil base from which to explore the surrounding mountains and monasteries.

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.

South China Explorer Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Shanghai, China.  After clearing customs and claiming your baggage, transfer to our central hotel for a short orientation and dinner hosted by our guide.  Those trip members arriving earlier can opt to explore the many notable sights of this legendary port city that rises from the banks of the Yangtze River Delta and is known as the “Paris of the East”.  Originally built on the profits of the opium, silk and tea trade in the mid-nineteenth century, the city lured gamblers, gangsters and adventurers from around the globe.  The vibrant economy also attracted some of the world’s largest banking institutions and by the 1940’s, Shanghai’s position at the center of China’s financial universe was indisputable.  After taking control of the government in 1949, the communist party began focusing on cleansing the city of its many vices and continued to maintain authoritarian control for the next half-century.  In the early 1990’s, the central Chinese government authorized a free market economy in Shanghai and today, the city once again finds itself at the leading edge of China’s economic growth and cultural significance.
  
  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

  Our adventure officially begins with a morning stroll through the walled, old section of the city and Frenchtown followed by a visit to the Bund, the fascinating mile-long embankment lining the shore of the Huangpu River and containing dozens of historical buildings of various architectural styles dating back to the late nineteenth-century.  We’ll continue our sightseeing after enjoying lunch in a restaurant serving local specialties and spend time in classical Yu Gardens and the Shanghai Museum.  This evening, we’ll transfer back to the airport for a one hour flight to Tunxi, an old trading town located near the slopes of Huang Shan.  Overnight in Tunxi.

• Day 3

  After breakfast, we’ll briefly explore Tunxi’s main street (Lao Jie), an ancient thoroughfare with houses built in traditional Chinese-style and numerous shops selling wood carvings and various art work and crafts.  We then board our private vehicle and drive a short distance out of town where our bikes will be waiting.  After a safety briefing and fitting, we begin our ride through rural countryside, eventually reaching the charming UNESCO World Heritage village of Hongcun.  Hongcun is well-known for its unique and exceptionally well-preserved architecture and was one of the primary set locations for the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.  After our village visit, we’ll jump back aboard our van and drive to our hotel located in a peaceful valley in the Huang Shan foothills.  Cycling: 40 miles on predominantly flat terrain through rural countryside.

• Day 4

  An inspiration for Chinese painters and poets through the centuries, Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain) offers a spectacular setting for today’s hike.  The Yellow Mountain range (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is renowned for its craggy peaks, uniquely-shaped pine trees and the ethereal sea of mist and clouds that regularly blows in from the nearby Pacific Ocean.  After a short van transfer, we’ll lace up our boots and begin hiking up along the eastern steps of the range towards one of Huang Shan’s numerous summits.  Our route incorporates a series of dirt trails and stone stairways that lead ever-higher, passing through a variety of rich ecosystems and vegetation zones and eventually leading to numerous dramatic vantage points above the clouds.  The photographers among us should be sure to have cameras at the ready and batteries fully charged as there will be no shortage of picture-taking opportunities as our guide leads us along the trails from one magnificent peak to the next.  We’ll return to the trailhead late this afternoon and head back to our nearby hotel for dinner and overnight lodging.  Hiking: 8 miles with 2,500’ elevation gain.

• Day 5

  The city of Hangzhou, its history dating back to 221 B.C., is known most prominently for its marvelous natural scenery and large, lovely lake; Xi Hu (West Lake).  We’ll drive to Hangzhou this morning (4 hours) and gain an appreciation for the allure of this region as we visit one of China’s celebrated tea plantations and hike in the surrounding countryside.  An excursion to a local monastery famous for its spectacular garden and bamboo grove provides a peaceful setting in which to contemplate the amazing cultural history of this vast country.  Dinner and overnight in Hangzhou.  Hiking: 3 miles.

• Day 6

  Xi Hu, the symbol of Hangzhou, is considered by many to be China’s most beautiful lake.  We’ll explore the lakeshore on foot as our guide leads us over ancient bridges and past tranquil pagodas while sharing the long history and legend associated with this picturesque landscape.  After lunch, we’ll transfer to the Hangzhou airport for our flight to Guilin and, upon arrival, drive directly to Yangshuo.  Situated amongst hundreds of towering karst limestone pinnacles, Yangshuo is the perfect base from which to discover this gorgeous region and we’ll spend the next three days enjoying the scenic highlights on foot and by bicycle.  This evening, a sunset boat ride on the Li River provides picture-postcard views of the surrounding karst mountains and an opportunity to watch cormorant fisherman and their trained birds harvest the daily catch.  Overnight in the Yangshuo Paradise Resort Hotel for the next three nights.

• Day 7

  We’ll take advantage of multiple modes of transportation today as we spend our time along a beautiful stretch of the Li River between Xing Ping and Yangti.  After breakfast, we grab our bikes for a spin along quiet, country roads to the village of Xing Ping.  From here, we’ll begin our hike along the riverbank, occasionally crossing from one side of the Li to the other by small ferry and stopping for lunch in a local farmer’s home.  We’ll pass through peaceful farming villages and rice paddies before reaching Yangti where our vehicle will be waiting to drive us back to Yangshuo and our now familiar hotel.  Cycling: 15 miles on predominantly flat terrain.  Hiking: 10 miles on predominantly flat terrain with some small, rolling hills.

• Day 8

  After admiring the intriguing karst from a distance for the past two days, it’s time to get up close and personal this morning on a hike up Yueliang Shan (Moon Hill).  We’ll climb a series of approximately 1,200 stone steps en route to the summit of the pinnacle where we’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the verdant farmland and small villages that blend together to create this rich panorama.  This afternoon, we venture further out into the tranquil countryside on a 42-mile bike ride to the tiny community of Grapes.  Along the road, we may encounter local farmers tending to their fields or village inhabitants waving warmly at the strangely-clad group of riders zipping by.  Overnight again in Yangshou.  Hiking: 1 mile with approximately 600’ of elevation gain/loss.  Cycling: 48 miles on predominantly flat terrain (including morning ride to Moon Hill).

• Day 9

  We’ll fly west this morning towards Yunnan Province, filled with some of the country’s most breathtaking and diverse geography and home to a third of China’s ethnic minorities.  In the city of Lijiang, near the Tibetan border, we encounter a large population of Naxi people (descendants of Tibetan nomads) as well ethnic Yi, Lisu, Bai, Miao, Zhuang and numerous other local groups.  In addition to this wonderful cultural mix, Lijiang’s charming old town beckons us to explore its maze of cobblestone streets, tile-roofed wooden houses and the extensive network of bridges and canals that contributed to it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.  A treat tonight as we attend a performance of the Naxi Orchestra, a locally famous ensemble of Naxi musicians who use traditional Chinese instruments to play classical music whose origins date back almost 2000 years.  Overnight in the old town of Lijiang (elevation 7,900’) for the next two nights.

• Day 10

  Our hike today takes us into the mountainous Wenhai region near Lijiang and through a series of villages inhabited by the Li minority people.  The Li are believed to have lived in this part of China for over 3000 years and have subsisted primarily through agriculture and the production of various handicrafts.  We’ll stop in some of the villages and have some casual interaction with these resilient people before continuing along the trail and enjoying big views of the surrounding peaks including Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (18,040’).  We return to Lijiang in time for dinner tonight. Hiking: 9 miles with 1,700’ of elevation gain/loss.  Wenhai is located at approx. 9,900’.

• Day 11

  One of the deepest river canyons in the world, spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge will be the location of our full-day hike today.  Here, the mighty Yangtze River squeezes between two 18,000’ peaks and flows beneath rocky cliffs 6,000 feet high.  During our 9-mile hike, we’ll pass through some small Naxi villages and come upon numerous vantage points overlooking the river’s churning rapids.  We spend the night in a peaceful mountain guesthouse near the gorge. Hiking: 9 miles with 2,600’ of elevation gain.

• Day 12

  After breakfast, we’ll set out on foot from our guesthouse to the lovely village of Walnut Grove, in the heart of Tiger Leaping Gorge.  The charming houses of the village, interspersed among a small patch of terraced green fields and rice paddies, blend in perfectly with the natural splendor of their surrounding.  After lunch in this small, friendly hamlet, we’ll board our bus for the two-hour ride to Zhongdian, renamed Shangri-La because of its picturesque setting and claim to be the inspiration for the fictional utopian monastery in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon.  Overnight in Zhongdian for the next two nights.  Hiking: 4 miles, mostly downhill.

• Day 13

  We head into the mountains near Zhongdian for another all-day hike that includes a visit to splendid Jietang Songlin, a Tibetan monastery that houses several hundred monks and contains a variety of interesting sculptures and colorful murals.  We’ll return to Zhongdian late this afternoon and have some time to relax before gathering for our farewell celebration dinner, hosted by our guide.  Hiking distance: 10 miles.

• Day 14

  On our final morning together, we’ll board a flight at the Zhongdian airport bound for Kunming where our adventure officially ends.  From Kunming, trips members may connect with flights back to the U.S. (via Hong Kong or Shanghai) or choose to extend their journey with a 4-day Yangtze River cruise (please contact REI Adventures for additional details and pricing).

Note on Itinerary:

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, the 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 on the trip itinerary.  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.

Trip Price Includes:

All accommodations as noted; all meals starting with dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14; English-speaking guide; all sightseeing as noted; one group airport transfer on Days 1 and 14; internal flights from Shanghai-Tunxi, Hangzhou-Guilin, Guilin-Lijiang and Zhongdian-Kunming; 21-speed hybrid bikes and support vehicle on cycling days; Li River boat cruise; Naxi Orchestra performance in Lijiang; park entrance fees; 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 hike and cycle.  The daily cycle rides (4 days) average 16-48 miles in length on rural paved and dirt roads, over flat or gently undulating terrain.  The tour is fully vehicle supported, and on cycling days, trip members will have the option to cycle or ride in the support vehicle as they wish.  The hiking portions of the trip can be strenuous in terms of both elevation gain (particularly Huang Shan/Yellow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge) and the altitude at which we hike (above 10,000’ during numerous hikes in Yunnan).  A regular conditioning program beginning at least 3 months prior to departure that incorporates cycling, uphill hiking, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is highly recommended for all trip members.

Weather:

As our adventure takes us from sea level to over 10,000’ and from the shores of the China Sea to the Tibetan Highlands hundreds of miles inland, we can expect to encounter a variety of weather patterns throughout the course of our trip.  In Shanghai, Hangzhou and Yangshuo, daytime temperatures during spring and fall months generally run in the 70s with nights dropping into the 50s and low 60s.  In Yunnan, daytime temperatures range between the high 50s and low 70s with nights cooling down to the high 40s and low 50s.  While clear weather is not unusual during the spring and fall, at least some rainfall is a possibility during any season of the year.  Although we have scheduled our departures during months when weather conditions are typically most ideal, trip members should arrive prepared for varying weather patterns by following the recommendations on our Gear List.    

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 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.  This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip.  Try to bring only what is necessary as this will make things easier for you and the field staff.

Weather

As our adventure takes us from sea level to 10,000’ and from the shores of the China Sea to the Tibetan Highlands hundreds of miles inland, we can expect to encounter a variety of weather patterns throughout the course of our trip.  In Shanghai, Hangzhou and Yangshuo, daytime temperatures during spring and fall months generally run in the 70s with nights dropping into the 50s and low 60s.  In Yunnan, daytime temperatures range between the high 50s and low 70s with nights cooling down to the high 40s and low 50s.  While clear weather is not unusual during the spring and fall, at least some rainfall is a possibility during any season of the year.  Although we have scheduled our departures during months when weather conditions are typically most ideal, trip members should arrive prepared for varying weather patterns by following the recommendations below.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 REI’s Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will also 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.