Destinations
Each region is mapped by a guide who lives there. These are our favourites — never the full list.
01 — 2 days北京The quiet heart of the empire
Enter the Forbidden City at first light before the crowds arrive, crossing vast wet-stone courtyards toward golden-roofed throne halls, then climb the Drum Tower as swallows circle the grey quadrangles below.
02 — 3 days桂林Mountains that float on water
Drift the Li River on a wooden sampan as mist lifts off the karst peaks at first light. Cycle between rice paddies and bamboo groves, learn to brew osmanthus tea beside the water, and sleep hidden among the jade hills.
03 — 2 days西安Eight thousand guardians, unearthed
A private after-hours viewing of the Terracotta Army with a senior archaeologist. At dusk, cycle the Ming ramparts as rain gathers in the moat and the lantern quarters flicker below.
04 — 3 days黃山Above the clouds, below the eaves
Watch the Sea of Clouds from a quiet granite ledge, then descend to Hongcun, a Ming-dynasty water village where every lane was painted by a master and no coach tour is permitted.
05 — 4 days大理Stand beneath the Jade Dragon
Face the thirteen peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the alpine meadows below, ride the cableway up to a glacier viewpoint, then warm up in Lijiang’s old town as the last light turns the snow pink.
06 — 3 days敦煌Where caravans once met the sky
Ride a camel up the singing sand dunes as the desert turns gold, watch the sun sink over Crescent Moon Spring, and enter the Mogao caves before opening hours to stand alone beneath a thousand years of Buddhist wall paintings.