only 17 spots leftEarlier this year, Kind of a Big Deal went to China to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out, quite a lot. They travelled through Chongqing and Zhangjiajie, worked out what they rated, what they’d happily skip, and came home with a pretty clear opinion: China is Kind of a Big Deal. So together, we built a trip around the good stuff. For seven nights, you’re doing their version of it. Start in Chongqing with hotpot, neon, stacked highways, Baguo Hall, ancient Ciqikou, a river cruise and, weather permitting, one seriously ridiculous drone show. There’s also a free day to get properly lost in a city that makes very little architectural sense. Then it’s a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie for Tianmen Mountain, the Avatar-like peaks of the National Forest Park, glass bridges, cable cars, cliffside elevators and a zipline into the Grand Canyon. The world’s tallest bungy could be added for anyone who thinks the glass bridge feels a little too safe. The boys have already done the recce. You’re getting the version they’d go back for.
Highlights
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Itinerary
The day to day
Location
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Host
The experts
Kind of a Big Deal
Earlier this year, the Kind of a Big Deal boys travelled through Chongqing and Zhangjiajie to scope the place properly. Now, they’re taking ARRIVAL travellers through all the places they loved. This is less of an influencer-hosted tour, more being shown around by mates who have already made the mistakes and know where the good stuff is.
Accommodation
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Hosted by Kind of a Big Deal
They’ve already done the trial run. Earlier this year, the boys travelled through Chongqing and Zhangjiajie to figure out what they rated, what they’d skip and what was worth coming back for. Now they’re coming back with you. Same boys. Better itinerary. Guaranteed bants. Zero pretending they know where they’re going for the first time.
Day 1
Chongqing Has Entered the Chat
Day 2
Traditional Chongqing to Full Cyberpunk
Day 3
Free Day in Chongqing
Day 4
Bullet Train to the Mountains
Day 5
The Actual Avatar Mountains
Day 6
Glass Bridge, Zipline and One Very Optional Bungy
Day 7
Back to Chongqing
Day 8
Fly Out
Your Chongqing base sits in Yuzhong District, putting you in the middle of the city's central action and well placed for food, nightlife and exploring on the free days. After days spent dealing with Chongqing's vertical geography, a normal hotel bed becomes surprisingly exciting.
Howard Johnson Life Jiefangbei Chongqing
CN
Right in the thick of Yongding District, and only 1.5km from the Tianmen Mountain cableway, so you're basically first in the queue for the world's longest cable car ride without having to think about logistics. There's an on-site fitness centre if you're that person on holidays, and The MESH, the hotel's Chinese restaurant. Location-wise, Tianmen National Forest Park is on the doorstep, and both Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (the Avatar mountains) and the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge are an easy run away.
Four Points by Sheraton Zhangjiajie
军邸路, 张家界市, CN
The trip starts around a bubbling hotpot table, which is a far better introduction than a hotel conference room. Chongqing hotpot is spicy, messy, deeply local and designed to be shared. Included.
Chongqing Hotpot Welcome Dinner
Chongqing, CN
A proper immersive session rather than a quick walk-through. Costume, makeup and hairstyling run from 11:20–11:50, followed by a welcome ceremony, lunch and show from 12:00–2:20pm. Included.
Baguo Hall Cultural Experience
Chongqing, CN
One of Chongqing's historic neighbourhoods, with old lanes, local snacks, traditional architecture and a visit to an old home beside the Jialing River. A useful reminder that this city existed long before anyone called it cyberpunk.
Ciqikou Ancient Town
CN
Hundreds of drones above one of China's most dramatic skylines. Scheduled for Saturday from 8:30–8:50pm and included when operating. Weather dependent, because even Chongqing has not worked out how to control that yet.
Dynamic Chongqing Drone Light Show
Chongqing, CN
Board at 9:00pm for around 45 minutes on the river after dark. The best angle on Chongqing is arguably from the water, where the scale of the lit-up towers, bridges and layered city finally makes a tiny bit of sense.
Chongqing Night River Cruise
Chongqing, CN
A mountain day with one of the most memorable cable-car approaches anywhere. Huge elevation, huge views and a fast transition from city streets to cliffs and forest. Included.
Tianmen Mountain
Zhangjiajie, CN
A full day among Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, using the Bailong Elevator to gain elevation and a cable car to descend. This is the main-event landscape: vertical sandstone pillars, forest and mountain views that barely look real.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie, CN
Cross the glass bridge, descend by zipline, walk through the canyon and cruise Rainbow Lake. It is a very efficient way to discover whether anyone in the group has been lying about being comfortable with heights.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge
306省道, Zhang Jia Jie Shi,...
An evening cultural performance in Zhangjiajie after the Grand Canyon day. Music, dance and local traditions, giving the trip a cultural finish to one of its biggest adventure days. Included.
Charming Xiangxi Show
Zhangjiajie, CN
Optional on Day 6 at an additional cost. It is exactly what it sounds like: stepping off a very high platform above Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Book because you genuinely want to, not because someone in the group says 'surely you won't'.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Bungy Jump (Optional)
Cancel 65+ days from departure for a 80% refund. Within 64 days of departure, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone. Please make sure your dates are correct before booking, and we strongly recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.
