China Tour of Magnificent History and Awesome Landscapes

Arrival in Beijing Welcome to the magnificent city of Beijing! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, our dedicated private tour guide will greet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to your hotel via a private vehicle. We will also handle your luggage and assist with the hotel check-in process.

Lunch or dinner would be arranged according to the voucher Linkedtours gives you. Otherwise you can find some local restaurants nearby or have meals in the hotel.

Hotel options:

ATOUR Hotel Beijing Yansha Sanyuan Bridge (4-star)

Doubletree by Hilton (5-star)

Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, an esteemed complex of religious structures that epitomizes the connection between Earth and Heaven. Here, you'll witness local residents engaging in their distinctive morning exercises. For lunch, enjoy a meal at a well-known local eatery, featuring authentic regional cuisine. Your guide will assist you in selecting dishes that suit your taste.

Stroll through Tian'anmen Square and delve into the enigmatic Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace. Venture off the beaten path within the Forbidden City to uncover fascinating tales of notable figures, stories often overlooked by conventional tour guides.

After breakfast, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Discover the fascinating stories behind this world wonder as your guide leads you to the most recommended areas for a leisurely walk.

In the afternoon, travel to the Simatai section of the Great Wall. Spend your time exploring the picturesque Guibei Water Town, nestled at the foot of the Great Wall. You also have the option to unwind with a soak in a hot spring.

As evening falls, your guide will accompany you on a cable car ride up to the Simatai section to enjoy the breathtaking night views, a unique experience distinct from the daytime view. Simatai is the only section that is open and illuminated at night.

Tips to Tailor-Make Your Tour:
Are you looking for a more romantic experience? Visit between April and October to enjoy a delightful dinner at a special restaurant, where you can see the Simatai section of the Great Wall beautifully lit up along the mountain ridges at night.

Hotel options:

William Edgar Hotel

Beijing Water Town Hot Spring Resort

Explore the Summer Palace, a Qing Dynasty masterpiece featuring Kunming Lake, marble boats, and the Long Corridor's painted ceilings. Glide across the lake by dragon boat for a royal perspective. 

Lunch. Later, board a high-speed train to Xi'an (4.5-6 hours), passing rural landscapes and ancient villages. 

Hotel options: 

- Mercure Xi'an: A beautiful and comfortable hotel, easy access to the tourist attraction.

- Grand Mercure Xi'an: A hotel in tradational Chinese style located next to the Shaanxi Provincial Government. 

- Hyatt Xi'an: A luxury hotel near the South Lake in the Cultural Development Zone of this ancient city.

- Legend： A luxury hotel sitting next to Sofitel in the walled area of Xi'an.

Visit the world-famous Terracotta Army, also known as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Get to a local warrior replica making center near the Army Museum before the visit to the actual Army Museum, make a miniature of the warriors by yourselves.

Drive back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the Da Cien Temple. The pagoda is where the famous monk in the Tang Dynasty translated Buddhist scriptures when he came back from ancient India.

Enjoy a Tang-Dynasty-styled Dinner and Music Show in the evening. It is a cultural landmark offering a unique blend of dining and performance, featuring the renowned "Great Tang Empress" dance show.

Moring: Famen Temple

This Tang Dynasty temple houses Buddhism's most sacred relic—Sakyamuni's finger bone—in its underground palace. Marvel at the octagonal Zhenwu Pagoda and 1,400-year-old bodhi tree. The museum displays gold-plated sutra cases and Empress Wu Zetian's embroidered robes.

Lunch: Famen Temple Vegetarian Feast
Savor Buddhist Meal: Lotus Root Soup with wolfberries, Mushroom-Stuffed Buns mimicking meat textures, and Walnut Tofu drizzled with honey. Meals are served in a tranquil courtyard with chanting monks.

Afternoon: Qianling Mausoleum
The joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian features 61 headless stone statues (foreign envoys) and the enigmatic Wordless Stele. The Sacred Way is lined with stone lions and mythical qilin beasts guarding the “Sleeping Beauty” hill.

Evening: Yuanjia Village
This Ming-style folk village offers hands-on activities: grind flour at a watermill, press oil from sesame seeds, and taste Biángbiáng Noodles tossed with chili and garlic. Visit craft workshops making shadow puppets and wheat-straw paintings.

Dinner: Yuanjia Village Food Street
Feast on communal dishes: Liquor-Braised Pork Belly, Buckwheat Cold Noodles with black vinegar, and Crispy Persimmon Cakes. Dine under red lanterns while listening to Shaanxi opera snippets from nearby teahouses.

Morning: Visit Xi'an City Wall

Start your day with a visit to the Xi'an City Wall, one of the most well-preserved ancient city walls in China. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the wall encircles the old city and offers a unique glimpse into the city's rich history and military fortifications.The wall is approximately 13.7 kilometers long and features watchtowers, ramparts, and a moat. You can choose to walk along the wall or rent a bicycle to explore its length, enjoying panoramic views of the city and its historic landmarks.

Afternoon: Departure to Next Destination

After your visit to the Xi'an City Wall, head to the train station or airport for your departure to the next destination. Xi'an is well-connected by both train and air, making it easy to continue your journey. Whether you choose to take a high-speed train or a flight, you can expect a smooth and efficient travel experience.

Arrival in Zhangjiajie. Your guide and guide will transfer you to the hotel.

Morning: Tianmen Mountain (天门山)

Begin with the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, a 7.4km ride offering aerial views of jagged peaks and the 99 Bends Road snaking below. At the summit, walk the Glass Skywalk clinging to cliffs, then ascend the 999 Steps to Tianmen Cave, a natural arch symbolizing a gateway to heaven. Local legends tie the cave to Tang Dynasty Taoist immortals.

Afternoon: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Cross the world's longest (430m) and highest (300m) glass-bottom bridge, suspended over lush ravines. Admire waterfalls and karst pillars beneath your feet. Thrill-seekers can opt for a 260m bungee jump. Interactive holograms at the canyon's base recount Tujia minority myths of mountain spirits.

Evening: Tujia Cultural Performance
Dine at Xibu Yuefu restaurant (smoked bacon with wild bamboo shoots) before attending Charming Xiangxi, a dance-drama blending Tujia drumming, stilt-walking, and legends of the Xiangxi River.

Hotel: Pullman Zhangjiajie (5-star with mountain vistas).

Key Features

1. Cultural Integration:

   • Tujia minority storytelling through meals, performances, and guided hikes.

   • Myths linked to geological wonders (e.g., Tianmen Cave's Taoist legends).

2. Logistics:

   • Private transfers between sites; cableways/elevators reduce physical strain.

   • Meals emphasize local flavors (wild herbs, smoked meats, river fish).

3. Pacing:

   • Balanced mix of adventure (glass bridge, bungee) and serenity (stream hikes, lake cruises).

   • Evening cultural activities deepen immersion without overcrowding days.

Morning: Yellow Dragon Cave

Explore this 15km karst labyrinth lit by neon hues. Cruise its underground river past Stone Coral Waterfalls and the Dragon King's Throne Hall, home to a 19m stalagmite. Laser projections animate tales of dragons guarding hidden jade, a nod to ancient local mining traditions.

Afternoon: Baofeng Lake
Glide by boat across this emerald lake encircled by cliffs. Tujia singers perform on floating stages, their melodies echoing off Eagle's Nest Village, a cliffside hamlet. Disembark to walk Hanging Walkways for close-up views of nesting swallows and waterfalls.

Evening: Departure
Conclude with a farewell meal at Tianzi Snack Street (grilled river fish with sticky rice). Private transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport

Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill

• Visit Guilin's symbol, Elephant Trunk Hill, a natural limestone formation resembling an elephant drinking from the Li River. Explore the park's caves, pagodas, and riverside paths while learning about its legends. Don't miss the Water Moon Cave, where the moon appears to float on water at night.

Afternoon: Reed Flute Cave

• Discover the surreal underground world of Reed Flute Cave, adorned with millennia-old stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful LED-lit formations. Highlights include the Crystal Palace and vibrant rock formations named after myths, creating an otherworldly experience.

Evening: Transfer to Yangshuo

• Check into a Yangshuo hotel and stroll through West Street, a lively hub of cafes, souvenir shops, and street performances blending Chinese and Western cultures.

Morning: Yulong River Bamboo Rafting

• Glide down the Yulong River on a traditional bamboo raft, surrounded by karst peaks and rice paddies. This peaceful, lesser-crowded alternative to the Li River offers intimate views of rural landscapes and water buffalo grazing along the banks.

Afternoon: Countryside Cycling

• Cycle through Yangshuo's idyllic countryside, passing villages like Chaoyang and Jiuxian. Stop at a local farm for a hands-on cooking class to learn Guilin rice noodles or beer fish, immersing in authentic rural life and flavors.

Evening: Impression Liu Sanjie Show

• Watch this spectacular open-air performance directed by Zhang Yimou, set against the Li River's natural backdrop. Over 600 actors use lights, music, and ethnic traditions to retell the folk tale of Liu Sanjie, the “Song Fairy” of the Zhuang people.

Morning: Li River Cruise (Yangshuo to Xingping)

• Take a short cruise to Xingping, famed for its stunning scenery depicted on the 20 RMB note. Capture photos of iconic peaks like Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal before returning to Guilin.

  
  

Afternoon: Departure

• Transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or train station for your onward journey.

Morning

Start with the over 400-year-old Yuyuan Garden, whichthe representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. You will enjoy a splendid view of the intricate garden design and graceful pavilions, villa, lotus lake and bridges.

Then move to the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar, which is a lively marketplace renowned for its traditional Chinese arts and crafts. You can peruse a variety of antiques, silk fans, bamboo items, shell carvings, and paintings, or savor some authentic Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) to immerse yourself in a bit of Shanghai's cultural flavor. Your guide will provide everyone with some allowance to purchase lunch at the small restaurants in Yuyuan Bazaar. This is a good chance for you to practice your Chinese and shopping abilities.

The 600-year-old Temple of City God are also full of Chinese worldly liveliness, where will encounter numerous sculptures that embody various powerful Taoist immortals according to Chinese beliefs.

(Optional Activity: You can also choose to take a leisurely stroll through the Old French Concession and admire the charming buildings lining both sides of the street. Here, you can wander through quaint cafes, art galleries, and boutiques, immersing yourself in a unique blend of Chinese and French cultures.)

Afternoon

Nanjing Road, Shanghai's oldest and most bustling shopping street, also provides you with an array of comprehensive shopping malls and delectable restaurants.

Walk along the Nanjing Road to another must-do in Shanghai-Oriental Pearl Tower, which currently stands as the fifth tallest in the world and the third tallest in Asia.

Evening

Of course, in the evening, don't miss another symbolic landmark of Shanghai – The Bund, whicih is also an epitome of Shanghai's history. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city's skyline, witness the essence of Shanghai that blends prosperity, history, and elegance. For your memorable dining experience, we highly recommend the renowned restaurants for an unforgettable dinner.

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey.