Calling all Climbers: We’re going to China!
We’re launching a brand-new China Climbing tour for November 2019 and we want you to be a part of it.
Climbing is set to make its debut at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and is an ever-growing pastime in the UK and across the world. Over 100,000 people are classed are ‘regular climbers’ and in 2018, over 1 million people visited indoor climbing gyms across the United Kingdom. Don’t just take our word for it, this brilliant UK Climbing article has lots of information on the rise of UK climbing.
Our motto at MSG is Delivering the Unexpected and that’s exactly what we plan to do here. We’ve compiled an amazing itinerary using our in-house travel expertise and unrivalled local knowledge. It will offer a chance to get totally off the beaten track, attend the Yangshuo Climbing Festival and, most importantly, to do it all alongside an amazing bunch of fellow climbers and adventurers!
What’s it all about?
So you’re a little curious but you’ve got no idea what you’re getting yourself into. Click below to get into the nitty gritty!
| DAY | MORNING | AFTERNOON/EVENING |
| 1 | Arrive into Hong Kong, collect your bags and head to your hotel in central Hong Kong | After settling in and freshening up, head over to one of Hong Kong’s amazing beaches to enjoy a group BBQ. Free evening to unwind. |
| 2 | Using your open top bus tickets, get your bearings in the city. A full day can be spent exploring the different neighbourhoods and learning the colonial past of Hong Kong. | As evening approaches, make your way to the Victoria Peak tram to head up to the Sky Terrace where you can get the best night time views of the skyline. Head back to the hotel to check out and leave for Shenzhen by bus. Cross the border to mainland China and check in to your Shenzhen hotel. |
| 3 | Early train directly to Yangshuo. Transfer from Yangshuo station to the town centre to check in to your hotel. | Freshen up before heading over to West Street for the first day of the climbing festival where you’ll meet up with other climbers. Dinner included at a local restaurant. |
| 4 | Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival. | Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival. Dinner or lunch included (group to decide which) |
| 5 | Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival | Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival. Dinner or lunch included (group to decide which) |
| 6 | Follow your local guide out to Xing Ping (famous for the scene depicted on 20 yuan note). Take the morning to explore the town before a surprisingly awesome curry (included in price). | Hike along the Li River, taking in various bouldering spots before arriving at the town of Pubutang. Here you can hike to hidden waterfalls before an evening BBQ at a converted farmhouse (included in price) |
| 7 | Visit a local cooking school to learn how to make delicacies such as beer fish and Jiao Zi (Chinese dumplings) | Take busses out to the heart of the Yangshuo countryside to visit a local village, get involved in the local community and have a home coked meal. Head back in to town for a farewell party at the Rusty Bolt climbers’ bar. |
| 8 | Check out and head to the train station for an early train to Guangzhou. | Take the metro over to Canton Tower, the second tallest tower in the world. Take in the amazing views before heading to the roof for a heart stopping ride on the roof-top rollercoaster! In the evening experience local markets and the best Cantonese food the city can offer! |
| 9 | Check out your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK | Flight dependent, arrive back in the UK. |
- 1 x night’s accommodation Hong Kong
- 1 x night’s accommodation Shenzhen
- 5 x night’s accommodation Yangshuo
- 1 x night’s accommodation Guangzhou
- Open Top Bus ticket in Hong Kong (inc. access to Victoria Peak)
- Expert guide for the duration to assist with day to day arrangements, translation and to offer cultural insight
- Access to Yangshuo Climbing Festival
- 3 x meals during the festival
- Group meal (curry!) in Xing Ping
- Pubutang Farm House BBQ
- Xing Ping 20 Yuan note view point
- Li River Hiking and Bouldering
- Local village visit and family meal
- Canton Tower + Observation Deck + Sky Drop
- All transfers between locations (excluding local bus and metro fares)
- International Flights from London to Hong Kong, returning from Guangzhou to London
- 1x 20kg hold luggage + 1x 10kg carry on
And why should climbers head to China?
If the that itinerary wasn’t enough, let’s take a look at why you might embark on an adventure to China.
It’s a destination that evokes intrigue but often a sense of trepidation. What if the food is as mental as I’ve heard? What if I get myself stranded with no translator or can’t even book a taxi?
Our very own Mike Hendey is a self-confessed China nut. Having lived in the country for over 2 years, traveling from Inner Mongolia to the Southern Islands and everything in between, he’s perfectly positioned to answer; Why China?
* Pictured above: Mike Hendey, our resident China expert.
“I think the reason to go to China lies in that very question. There’s so much mystery and intrigue and, as a result, misconception. I couldn’t work out at first why I kept going back, but it dawned on me that it’s because there’s so much to discover.
Over the past year I was lucky enough to work in the Outdoor Industry alongside some amazingly knowledgeable climbers and adventurers. Yangshuo is one of the top destinations in the world for climbing with routes to suit all abilities. In town there are multiple bars with bouldering walls and places like the Rusty Bolt that are amazing spots to meet fellow enthusiasts.
I’m lucky to work for a company who want to get behind this project to bring the UK climbing community closer together.
China has so much variety, from food, to landscape to culture and customs, that it will be a trip you’ll never forget. And you can trust that our advice comes from hard earned, first-hand experience and passion.”
We’re offering all of the above for £1600 per person, subject to final numbers.
If, like us, you hate vague ‘from’ prices, let us explain a little further.
The more people that sign up, the more people there are to cover costs of transport, guides and other related costs. The price of £1600 is a guide price based on projected numbers and we’ll do everything we can to ensure we offer the best possible value.
This is an amazing opportunity to push your climbing skills, make lifelong connections with other enthusiasts and represent the UK climbing scene overseas.
If this is something that would interest you, just fill out the form below!