China Tour of Magnificent History and Awesome Landscapes

Afternoon — Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, your private guide greets you in the arrivals hall and escorts you to your hotel by private vehicle. Your guide also handles your luggage and assists with the hotel check-in process.

Evening — At Your Leisure
Lunch or dinner will be arranged according to the voucher provided for you; otherwise, you can find some local restaurants nearby or dine at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest and recover from your journey.

Morning — Temple of Heaven
Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, an esteemed complex of religious structures where emperors once prayed for good harvests, epitomizing the connection between Earth and Heaven. Built in the Ming Dynasty and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also a beloved public park where you can watch local residents practicing their distinctive morning exercises.

Lunch — A Well-Known Local Eatery
For lunch, enjoy a meal at a well-known local eatery featuring authentic regional cuisine. Your guide assists you in selecting dishes that suit your taste.

Afternoon — Tian'anmen Square & the Forbidden City
Stroll through Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, then delve into the enigmatic Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace. Home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it contains hundreds of halls and courtyards; venturing off the main axis uncovers fascinating tales of notable figures often overlooked by conventional tours.

Evening — At Your Leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure in Beijing.

Morning — Mutianyu Great Wall
After breakfast, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. As your guide leads you to the most rewarding stretches for a leisurely walk, you learn the fascinating stories behind this world wonder. Restored Ming Dynasty watchtowers line the ridge, and the surrounding hills offer sweeping views.

Afternoon — Simatai & Gubei Water Town
In the afternoon, travel to the Simatai section of the Great Wall and spend time exploring the picturesque Gubei Water Town, nestled at the foot of the wall. You also have the option to unwind with a soak in a hot spring.

Evening — Simatai Night Views
As evening falls, your guide accompanies you on a cable car ride up to the Simatai section to enjoy breathtaking night views, a unique experience distinct from the daytime scene. Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall that is open and illuminated at night. For a more romantic experience, visiting between April and October allows a special dinner with a view of the wall glowing along the mountain ridges.

Morning — Summer Palace
Explore the Summer Palace, a Qing Dynasty masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site set around Kunming Lake. Highlights include the Marble Boat, Longevity Hill, and the Long Corridor, whose beams are covered with thousands of painted scenes. A dragon-boat ride across the lake offers a royal perspective on the gardens.

Lunch — Local Restaurant
Pause for lunch before your afternoon train.

Afternoon — High-Speed Train to Xi'an
Board a high-speed train to Xi'an, a journey of roughly 4.5 to 6 hours that carries you past rural landscapes and ancient villages.

Evening — Arrival in Xi'an
On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in.

Accommodation
Hotel options include Mercure Xi'an, a comfortable hotel with easy access to the sights; Grand Mercure Xi'an, a hotel in traditional Chinese style near the Shaanxi Provincial Government; Hyatt Xi'an, a luxury hotel near South Lake in the city's Cultural Development Zone; and Legend, a luxury hotel in the walled area of Xi'an.

Morning — Warrior Replica Making & Terracotta Army
Begin at a local warrior replica-making center near the museum, where you craft a miniature terracotta warrior by hand and learn about the traditional techniques. Then visit the world-famous Terracotta Army, the burial complex of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site ranked among the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Cultural Insight
The army was discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, and the thousands of life-sized soldiers, each with a distinct face, were buried to guard the emperor in the afterlife.

Afternoon — Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Drive back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the Da Ci'en Temple. This is where the famous Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang translated the Buddhist scriptures he brought back from ancient India.

Evening — Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show
Enjoy a Tang Dynasty-styled dinner and music show, a cultural landmark that blends dining with performance. The evening features the renowned Great Tang Empress dance show.

Morning — Famen Temple
Famen Temple is a Tang Dynasty temple that houses Buddhism's most sacred relic, a finger bone of Sakyamuni, in its underground palace. Marvel at the octagonal Zhenwu Pagoda and a 1,400-year-old bodhi tree, and explore the museum's gold-plated sutra cases and Empress Wu Zetian's embroidered robes. Your guide will explain the temple's long role as one of China's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Lunch — Famen Temple Vegetarian Feast
Savor a Buddhist meal of lotus root soup with wolfberries, mushroom-stuffed buns that mimic meat textures, and walnut tofu drizzled with honey, served in a tranquil courtyard.

Afternoon — Qianling Mausoleum
The Qianling Mausoleum is the joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, set against the hill known as the Sleeping Beauty. Its Sacred Way is lined with stone lions and mythical qilin beasts, and the tomb is famous for 61 headless stone statues representing foreign envoys and the enigmatic Wordless Stele. Your guide will share the stories behind these monuments as you explore.

Evening — Yuanjia Village
Yuanjia Village is a Ming-style folk village that offers hands-on activities: grind flour at a watermill, press oil from sesame seeds, and taste Biángbiáng noodles tossed with chili and garlic. You can also visit craft workshops making shadow puppets and wheat-straw paintings.

Dinner — Yuanjia Village Food Street
Feast on communal dishes such as liquor-braised pork belly, buckwheat cold noodles with black vinegar, and crispy persimmon cakes, dining under red lanterns while listening to Shaanxi opera from nearby teahouses.

Morning — 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), it 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 walk along it or rent a bicycle and enjoy panoramic views of the city and its historic landmarks.

Afternoon — Departure to Zhangjiajie
After your visit, head to the train station or airport for your departure to Zhangjiajie. Xi'an is well connected by both high-speed train and air, so your onward journey should be smooth and efficient. On arrival in Zhangjiajie, your guide transfers you to your hotel.

Evening — Flexible Evening / at your leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure after settling into your hotel.

Meals
Breakfast at the hotel; meals during travel.

Morning — Tianmen Mountain
Begin with the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, a long aerial ride with views of jagged peaks and the 99 Bends Road winding below. At the summit, walk the Glass Skywalk that clings to the cliffs, then ascend the 999 Steps to Tianmen Cave, a natural arch that symbolizes a gateway to heaven. Local legends link the cave to Tang Dynasty Taoist immortals.

Afternoon — Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Cross the glass-bottom bridge that spans the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, one of the world's longest and highest bridges of its kind, suspended over lush ravines. Admire the waterfalls and karst pillars far below your feet, and, for the adventurous, consider the optional bungee jump.

Evening — Tujia Cultural Performance
Dine at the Xibu Yuefu restaurant on smoked bacon with wild bamboo shoots, then attend Charming Xiangxi, a dance-drama blending Tujia drumming, stilt-walking, and legends of the Xiangxi River.

Accommodation
Overnight at Pullman Zhangjiajie.

Morning — Yellow Dragon Cave
Explore this 15-km karst labyrinth, lit in vivid colors. Cruise its underground river past the Stone Coral Waterfalls and the Dragon King's Throne Hall, home to a towering stalagmite, and listen as your guide shares local legends of dragons guarding hidden treasure.

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 the hanging walkways for close-up views of waterfalls and nesting swallows.

Evening — Departure
Conclude with a farewell meal at Tianzi Snack Street, featuring grilled river fish with sticky rice. A private transfer then takes you to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport for your onward journey.

Morning — Elephant Trunk Hill
Visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's emblem, a natural limestone formation resembling an elephant drinking from the Li River. Explore the park's caves, pagodas, and riverside paths, and see the Water Moon Cave where the moon seems to float on the water at night.

Afternoon — Reed Flute Cave
Discover Reed Flute Cave, a luminous underground world of millennial stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful illuminated formations. Highlights include the Crystal Palace chamber and rock shapes named after myths—an otherworldly natural spectacle.

Evening — Transfer to Yangshuo
In the evening, transfer to Yangshuo and check into your hotel. Stroll West Street, a lively mix of cafés, souvenir shops, and street performances blending Chinese and Western atmospheres.

Morning — Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
Glide down the Yulong River on a traditional bamboo raft, surrounded by karst peaks, rice paddies, and grazing water buffalo. This peaceful, less-crowded alternative to the Li River offers intimate rural views.

Afternoon — Countryside Cycling
Cycle through Yangshuo's idyllic countryside, passing villages such as 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 flavors.

Evening — Impression Liu Sanjie Show
Watch the open-air “Impression Liu Sanjie,” directed by Zhang Yimou and staged against the Li River's natural backdrop. Over 600 performers use lights, music, and Zhuang ethnic traditions to retell the folk tale of Liu Sanjie, the “Song Fairy.”

Morning — Li River Cruise
Take a short Li River cruise toward Xingping, an area whose karst peaks appear on the 20-yuan banknote. Capture the iconic Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal before returning to Guilin. Your guide points out the landscapes that define this classic Chinese scenery.

Afternoon — Departure
Transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or the train station for your onward journey.

Evening — Flexible Evening
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure as you travel onward.

Morning — Yuyuan Garden & Surroundings
Start at the over-400-year-old Yu Garden, a classic Shanghai example of Ming-era garden design with elegant pavilions, ponds, and bridges. Next, browse the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar, a lively market of antiques, silk fans, and crafts where you can sample Shanghai soup dumplings (xiao long bao) — your guide provides an allowance for lunch here. The 600-year-old Temple of the City God adds folk atmosphere with statues of Taoist immortals.

(Optional: Stroll the Old French Concession, admiring its tree-lined streets and blend of Chinese and French culture.)

Afternoon — Nanjing Road & Oriental Pearl Tower
Nanjing Road is Shanghai's oldest and busiest shopping street, packed with malls and restaurants. Follow it to the Oriental Pearl Tower, completed in 1994 and rising 468 meters in Pudong, an iconic symbol of modern Shanghai with its distinctive linked spheres.

Evening — The Bund
In the evening, don't miss the Bund, Shanghai's historic waterfront epitomizing the city's history. Enjoy sweeping skyline views and the blend of prosperity, history, and elegance that defines Shanghai as the city lights come alive.

Morning — Departure from Shanghai
Your guide assists with hotel checkout, and a private vehicle transfers you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide helps with your luggage and sees you to the departure hall, ensuring a smooth end to your time in China.