China 8 day tour

Planet

In China we work with a local partner who, like ourselves, is committed to running an energy efficient office recycling office waste whenever possible and use energy efficient lighting. Our partners also encourage their team to travel by public transport and bicycle.

Before departing on this trip we send our customers an informative document called 'be a responsible traveller'. It gives our customers information advising them how to use as little water and energy as possible whilst travelling.

Wherever possible we try to provide low impact transport links between trips. For example, sleeper train travel between Beijing and Xi'an is a more carbon-efficient means of transport as opposed to flying. Travelling by sleeper train slows the pace of this taster itinerary and gives you the opportunity to meet local Chinese travellers and see more of the countryside.

We like to encourage our customers to explore the cities using various forms of public transport. During this itinerary customers will be exploring Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Both Beijing and Shanghai have very good metro systems that are relatively easy to use and great for getting around the cities to the various points of interest. In Xi'an we recommend that in their spare time they head off on foot to explore the alleyways and markets of the Muslim quarter and when visiting the city walls it is recommended to hire bicycles to get around.

People

Wherever we can during our China trips we try to offer small, locally-run hotels and guest houses. A good example of this is our hutong hotel in Beijing, steering away from larger chain hotels we have opted for a small, traditional courtyard hotel for our standard accommodation. These hotels are close to the local communities in the central hutongs or alleyways of this big capital city. We feel this not only allows our customers to have a more authentic experience but it also benefits the local people and community with income through tourism. We encourage our customers to eat at local restaurants sampling tasty local cuisines from each region like Peking duck in Beijing and spicy Sichuan hot pot in Chengdu and buying souvenirs from local crafts people.

During this we use local guides and drivers who have a specialised knowledge of each area you will visit. Using different guides throughout allows our customers to gain a real insight into the local customs, traditions and livelihoods unique to each area. With your guide in Beijing you will get to visit the most important highlights and, if you ask, they will show you the best local markets to shop and restaurants to eat in, just like a local.

In China we support an international development programme called Braille without Borders, who run their programme in the region of Tibet. We offer every customer who travels with us the opportunity to contribute to the project. The project's aim is to create training programmes and print Braille books for the blind and visually impaired of Tibet. The programme works with the local community and seeks to instil independence, teach workplace skills and help blind and partially sighted students master professional training with the purpose of providing the students with a means to have a career and an opportunity to create a better future for themselves.