Hiking Tour in Yunnan

Welcome to Beijing, a flourishing metropolitan city where heritage meets dynamism. When you arrive, your guide will pick you up at the airport. Then you will be transferred to a hotel where the guide is ready to help you with check-in. What you need to do is get relaxed and ready for the fabulous Beijing hiking tour.

Today, let’s start exploring some attractions in Beijing. The first destination is Tian’anmen Square. Covering an area of 440,000 square meters, it is located in the center of Beijing. Take Tian’anmen Tower as an example. Located in the north end of Tian’anmen Square, it is considered the symbol of China as many important historic events happened here. For instance, it is in this place that New China was born as soon as Chairman Mao Zedong announced the foundation of the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1st, 1949. That day, the whole country turned out to celebrate such a grand ceremony.

Next, you will visit the Forbidden City (Closed on Monday). Covering an area of 720,000 square meters, it used to serve as the imperial palace where 24 emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) Dynasties acceded the throne. The Forbidden City tops among the five largest palaces in the world. The other four are the Palace of Versailles, the Buckingham Palace, the White House, and the Kremlin. Therefore, the whole buildings in the Forbidden City are extremely magnificent, which demonstrates the supremacy of the imperial power. Surprisingly, there is an underground palace under the garden of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility in the Forbidden City. According to the archaeologists, it used to be the imperial palace of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). 

After lunch, let’s go to the Temple of Heaven covering an area of 2.73 million square meters, which is almost four times as large as the Forbidden City. Completed in 1420, it was where the emperor of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) Dynasties paid tribute to Heaven and Earth. Among all the buildings, Circular Mound Altar was the main place for the emperors to worship Heaven, where there is Heavenly Heart Stone. If you stand on the stone and speak, you can hear your echo, the volume of which is louder than that you speak. In ancient times, this phenomenon was considered to be an answer from Heaven to the prayers of those who prayed. Therefore, the Temple of Heaven represents not only spectacular architecture but also the Chinese pursuit of harmony between Heaven and humankind. 

Then, Summer Palace is your destination. Covering an area of 2.97 square kilometers, it is an imperial garden in the Qing Dynasty. It was built for the emperor Qianlong and the empress Dowager Cixi to enjoy the beautiful rain and snow view of Kunming Lake. There are many splendid architectures. Take Long Corridor as an example. It is 728 meters long, stretching from the Inviting the Moon Gate to the Shizhang Pavilion. The Long Corridor boasts various colorful paintings. One of the paintings is named “Cao Cao Donating Sword”. It tells in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), a governor called Dong Zhuo committed all manners of crimes, bullying the ministers and the emperor. Therefore, many ministers wanted to kill him and Cao Cao was one of them. One day, hiding a sword, Cao Cao went to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Unfortunately, the sword was discovered by Dong Zhuo before Cao Cao could draw it and stab him. At this point, Cao Cao cleverly knelt and pretended that it was originally his intention to present the sword to Dong Zhuo. Feeling his sincerity, Dong Zhuo did not detect the hostility. That was how Cao Cao got through this crisis. 

Tian'anmen Square

Summer Palace

Today, you will be driven northeast for over two hours to Jinshanling Great Wall, 167 kilometers away from the urban city in Beijing. As one section of the Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall built in 1368 stretches from Gubeikou in the west to Wangjing (Overlooking Beijing) Tower in the east, with a total length of 10.5 kilometers. Built to prevent northern nomads from attacking people in the south, the Jinshanling Section is composed of various parts with different defensive roles. There are 5 garrison passes, 67 strategically located watchtowers, and 3 beacon towers along the wall. Famed as the most beautiful part of the Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall boasts various dreamy scenes in four seasons. In spring, the clusters of the blooming flowers on the mountains juggle with the breeze, exuding light fragrance; in summer, the mountains on both sides of Jinshanling Great Wall are dotted with verdant vegetation; in autumn, myriad hills are tinged with vermilion hue as layer upon layer of woods are dyed crimson; in winter, when snow falls, the trees on the hills are wrapped in a soft blanket of pure white. What the picturesque scenes they are!

It is on the Jinshanling Section that you start your Great Wall Hiking tour. Built in the Ming Dynasty, Simatai Section best represents the rhythmic flow of the Great Wall as it rises to the crests of mountains and falls into deep valleys. Along the way, you can see serpentine mountains. The more you climb up, the more your horizons expand. When you look far away, the mountains covered with clouds are like islands floating in the sea of clouds, and the majestic city wall resembles a giant dragon rushing to the clouds. As night falls, the sunset glow creates a vibrant Great Wall. The bricks and tiles of the wall appear more majestic as if you can hear the mighty shouts of the soldiers who repelled the nomadic invasion.

When today’s hiking tour ends, you will go to Beijing Water Town where you spend your nighttime. Covering 9 square kilometers, the town is located at the foot of the magnificent Great Wall. Ancient buildings in the town are built along a river while pretty willows stand on both sides, which looks like an ink painting. Sometimes, there are thousands of lanterns along the river, glowing with the sunset. You can have a walk by the river and feel the fresh breeze. After that, you will have a sense of tranquility and may get a picture of what true life is.

Jinshanling Great Wall

Jinshanling Great Wall

Wonderful tours in Beijing come to an end. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to take the estimated flight CA4172 11:55/15:45 to Kunming, the capital of southern China’s Yunnan Province. Covering an area of over 2,600 square kilometers, it is home to more than 6 million people. Dubbed as Spring City both at home and overseas, Kunming represents a world-renowned international city and a fascinating tourist destination, enjoying sunny and warm weather throughout the year. 

Upon your arrival, your guide will pick you up at the airport. Then you will be driven to the hotel where your amicable guide will help you to check in. You can have a good rest so as to be prepared for the following wonderful days.

After breakfast, let’s drive you southwest for 40 minutes to West Hills Scenic Spots, about 15 kilometers away from the urban center of Kunming. You will start your hiking journey here.

At an altitude between 1,900 and 2,350 meters, West Hills is characterized by dense forests that are lush all year round. About its origin, there is a heartbreaking love story. In ancient times, there was a princess who could not endure loneliness living in a palace. Therefore, she sneaked out and met a friendly lad. Spending several months with the man, she gradually fell in love with him, so did the man. Later, they were married. Not long before they lived a happy life, the king knew about their marriage and decided to break them up as a princess could not get married to a civilian in the feudal period. To prevent the princess from meeting the man again, the king ordered his soldiers to kill him. Inconsolable enough, the princess died for love and their bodies turned into the West Hill. 

The hiking tour starts from Gaoxiao Village. The first destination is Huating Temple. Built in the early 14th century and at an altitude of 2,050 meters, the temple is a famous Buddhist shrine in Kunming. You can have a rest here. Then you will walk on the Taihua Ancient Passway to Taihua Temple. Located on the peak of the West Hills and founded in the Yuan Dynasty, the temple is encompassed by dense bamboos. Next, Mao Mao Qin is the destination. There are many shops selling souvenirs and delicious food. Maybe you can see a cute cat lazily basking in the sun. Then you will go through Small Stone Forest and Cenotaph of the Chinese People’s Composer Nie’er. Later, the highlights of the hiking tour begin. You will go down the mountains from Thousand-Step Cliff. During the way down, a panoramic view of Dian Lake is accessible. You will find the azure sky and the lucid lake water merge into one color.

West Hills Scenic Spots

West Hills Scenic Spots

A wonderful hiking tour in Kunming ends. Today, your guide will drive you to the airport. You will take a flight to Hong Kong. Covering a land area of 1,106 square kilometers and the sea area of 1,648 square kilometers, Hong Kong is home to 7.5 million people. It combines Chinese and western culture. As such, visitors to Hong Kong, no matter which country they come from, always feel warmth and ease.

Upon your arrival, your guide will pick you up at the airport. Then you will be transferred to a hotel for rest.

The first destination today is Wong Tai Sin Temple. Covering an area of 18,000 square meters, the temple, built in 1921, is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, the Taoist immortal of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). It is well-known that Wong Tai Sin enshrined in the temple can fulfill prayers’ wishes. Therefore, every year from 1st to 15th January in the lunar calendar, the temple is packed with hordes of people. Some come to pray to Wong Tai Sin, and others return to express their gratitude as Wong Tai Sin makes their wishes come true. About Wong Tai Sin, there is a story. A long time ago, there was a man called Wong Chunping (original name of Wong Tai Sin), who was extremely poor. He pastured sheep every day for a living. One day, when pasturing sheep, he met a Taoist priest. They talked with each other for a while. Knowing Wong Chunping’s experiences, the priest decided to help him and said, “Do you want to become an immortal so that you can live a better life? And the precondition is that you have to go into self-discipline in a secluded cave for ten years and help the poor to achieve their dreams when going out.” Wong Chunping agreed. After ten years, Wong Chunping came out. Following the priest’s instruction, he went around, helping those in need. That is how Wong Tai Sin becomes widely known. 

Then you will take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. As a public transport with a history of over one hundred years, Peak Tram was built based on the mountain. It can rise to 396 meters above sea level and has a total length of 1.4 kilometers, providing you with beautiful scenery along the way. During your way upward, you will find the Peak Tram that you take is leaning a gradient between 4 and 27 degrees. As such, what you step on inside the tram is a specially designed wave-shaped floor, which can increase friction. Therefore, you can keep balanced when on a slope. What an exciting trip it is! Besides, the tram enjoys worldwide fame. A case in point is that a Hollywood movie called Fortune Warrior starred by an international superstar Kyle Keebo found a view in the Peak Tram. 

On Victoria Peak stands Peak Tower. Designed by the famous British architect Terry Farrel, the tower is a must-see in Hong Kong that combines sightseeing, entertainment, and shopping. It is very unique in shape, looking like a big bowl. The pattern of Peak Tower has appeared in millions of postcards and photos around the world. On the top floor of Peak Tower, there is a viewing platform called Sky Terrace 428. It is the best place that you can not miss, where a stunning panoramic view of Hong Kong is accessible. Standing here, you can see layers of verdant mountains, modern high-buildings, and world-renowned Victoria Harbor. 

Next, let’s go to Repulse Bay. Located south of Victoria Peak, the crescent-shaped bay faces the azure sea with green mountains on its back. With a water temperature between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit), you can lay on the bay, bathe in the sunshine, feel its soft sands and appreciate the view over the sea. In the eastern end of Repulse Bay, green trees make a shade under which you can cool yourself. 

On the back of Repulse Bay is Tin Hau Temple. Built in the early Qing Dynasty, the temple is believed to bless the people fishing on the sea to return safely even in the stormy weather. Though small it is, the temple boasts many statues such as the Tin Hau statue, Guanyin statue (the Buddhist counterpart of the Virgin Mary), and beast statue. Among them, both Tin Hau and Guanyin statues are over 10 meters high. About its origin, there was an old legend. Once upon a time, a red censer was washed into a dilapidated temple in a town on the Causeway Bay. At first, people who saw the censer did not take care of it. However, those who fished out on the ocean could return home safely and the people living in that town led happy lives after the censer shown up. Gradually, the local villagers and fishermen believed that it was Tin Hau (Chinese patron goddess who is said to protect seafarers) who made the red censer. Therefore, they renovated the temple, which was dedicated to Tin Hau. And the incense was burned in the red censer. That is how the temple originates. 

After that, you will move to Stanley Market where the sun is shining and the breeze is cool. Located on the south end of Hong Kong, the market is full of small shops with local characteristics, which sell a wide array of goods such as jewelry, clothing, antiques, and Chinese handicrafts. Wandering the streets of the market, you can choose what you like best or pick some souvenirs as gifts for your friends!

Victoria Peak

Repulse Bay

After breakfast, let’s drive you southeast for about 25 minutes to Shek O, about 25 kilometers away from urban Hong Kong. Its name “Shek O” literally refers to “rocky bay”. As a beach located in the southeastern part of Hong Kong and facing the South China Sea, it enjoys beautiful scenery that is the setting of many music videos. The entire beach area is surrounded by Shek O Country Park, Big Wave Bay, and Cape D’Aguilar. 

It is around the Shek O beach that you start your Hong Kong Hiking Tour. About 8-kilometer trekking route will take you about three hours. You will go up the mountain from To Tei Wan. The mountains in Shek O are undulating, looking like a flying dragon with its bones exposed, hence named Dragon's Back. Along the way, there are dense forests that make a shade and the engaging sea views are accessible. On top of that, many signposts indicate the right direction for you to follow, so you don't have to worry about getting lost. When on the peak, you can overlook the Pacific with blue seawater. At that moment, you can feel that the sweat you put into climbing the mountain is worth it. Then, you will go down the mountain from Big Wave Bay. As its name suggests, big waves roll onto the beach, propelled by the wind, making it a popular destination for surfers. You can play in the water and feel the coolness of the “big waves”.

Shek O

Shek O

China Hiking and Trekking Tours have come to an end. It is time to say goodbye. After enjoying breakfast, your friendly guide will take you to the airport. Hope to see you next time.

Author: Xie Peng

Proofreader: Lexie