10-Day China Business Insight & Cultural Tour

Morning — Arrival in Beijing
Your guide and driver will welcome you at Beijing Capital International Airport with a name sign and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, your guide provides a brief orientation to help you settle in and get ready for the journey ahead.

Afternoon — Tiananmen Square
Visit Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, covering roughly 440,000 square meters in the heart of Beijing. Your guide will share the history of this symbolic site, where major national ceremonies and gatherings have taken place since the founding of the People's Republic.

Evening — Welcome Dinner (Peking Duck)
Enjoy your first taste of authentic Peking duck, a dish refined in Beijing over centuries and traditionally roasted in closed ovens. Savor the crisp skin and tender meat wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions and hoisin sauce as you toast the start of your trip.

Meals
Welcome Dinner included.

Accommodation
Your Beijing hotel.

Morning — Zhongguancun Science Park
Journey to Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing's Haidian District, China's premier innovation center often called 'China's Silicon Valley.' Home to over 20,000 high-tech enterprises and giants such as Baidu, Lenovo, and Xiaomi, it represents the forefront of China's technological advancement. Meet executives from a cutting-edge AI or biotech startup to understand the innovation ecosystem and discuss potential partnerships.

Afternoon — Industry Association Briefing
Continue your business immersion with a visit to a leading industry association, where experts brief you on market trends, regulatory frameworks, and practical strategies for foreign companies entering China. Engage in a roundtable discussion addressing your specific business questions, gaining insider perspectives unavailable in any guidebook.

Evening — Hutong Tea Ceremony
Unwind with a traditional tea ceremony at a historic teahouse in a quiet hutong neighborhood, where narrow alleyways lined with courtyard homes preserve old Beijing's character. As a master prepares delicate teas, learn about tea's role in Chinese business relationships and how the patience it demands reflects Chinese negotiation styles.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodation Options
4-Star: Courtyard by Marriott Beijing | DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing | Novotel Beijing Peace.
5-Star: The Peninsula Beijing | Ritz-Carlton Beijing | Waldorf Astoria Beijing.

Morning — Forbidden City
Step into the Forbidden City, the imperial palace that served as home to 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties (built 1406–1420) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Beyond its architectural splendor, discover how imperial bureaucracy and management principles continue to echo in modern Chinese organizational culture. Your guide decodes the symbolism of halls and courtyards, revealing the strategic thinking that governed the empire.

Afternoon — Jingshan Park & Courtyard Home
Ascend Jingshan Park, the imperial garden just north of the Forbidden City, for panoramic views of the palace and Beijing's central axis, a layout reflecting traditional feng shui and cosmological principles. Then visit a traditional courtyard (siheyuan) residence to see how space and relationships are organized in Chinese domestic life, offering insight into the collectivist values that shape business practices.

Evening — Beijing Opera
Enjoy a performance at the Beijing Opera House and witness China's most prestigious theatrical art form, combining song, dance, acrobatics, and elaborate makeup. Beyond the costumes, learn how these stories convey moral lessons and cultural values — loyalty, strategy, and the importance of relationships — that still resonate in Chinese society.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodation Options
4-Star: Courtyard by Marriott Beijing | DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing | Novotel Beijing Peace.
5-Star: The Peninsula Beijing | Ritz-Carlton Beijing | Waldorf Astoria Beijing.

Morning — Mutianyu Great Wall
Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and most spectacular stretches of this ancient wonder. As you walk the stone path, marvel at the engineering feat that mobilized millions of workers and linked defensive systems across mountains and valleys. Your guide explains how the project reflects China's historical approach to security, infrastructure, and long-term planning.

Afternoon — Toboggan & Farmhouse Lunch
Descend from the wall on an exciting toboggan ride, then enjoy lunch at a nearby farmhouse restaurant featuring fresh, organic ingredients from the surrounding countryside. The meal introduces regional Chinese cuisine and the importance of seasonal, locally sourced foods in Chinese culinary culture.

Evening — 798 Art District
Return to Beijing for a free evening to explore at your leisure. Visit the vibrant 798 Art District, where decommissioned factory buildings have been transformed into galleries, studios, and creative spaces, showcasing Beijing's contemporary art scene and the entrepreneurial spirit driving China's creative industries.

Accommodation
• 4-Star Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Beijing, DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing, Novotel Beijing Peace. • 5-Star Hotels: The Peninsula Beijing, Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Waldorf Astoria Beijing.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch.

Morning — Fly to Xi'an & Shaanxi History Museum
Fly to Xi'an, the ancient capital that served as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road for over 2,000 years. On arrival, visit the Shaanxi History Museum to understand how the city connected China with the world, facilitating the trade of silk, spices, ideas, and technologies. The exhibits reveal Xi'an's role as a cosmopolitan center where East met West — parallels that resonate today.

Afternoon — Muslim Quarter
Explore the Muslim Quarter, a vibrant neighborhood that has preserved traditions dating back to the Tang Dynasty, when Xi'an welcomed merchants from across Asia and the Middle East. Navigate narrow alleys filled with aromatic food stalls, craftspeople, and historic mosques, experiencing the multicultural heritage that made Xi'an one of the world's most sophisticated cities during its golden age.

Evening — Ancient City Wall Light Show
Watch the spectacular Ancient City Wall Light Show from a rooftop restaurant, where projections bring the city's long history to life on the fortifications that still encircle the old city. As you enjoy local specialties such as biangbiang noodles and roujiamo, consider how Xi'an's past as a trading hub informs its present role in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Accommodation
• 4-Star Hotels: Crowne Plaza Xi'an, DoubleTree by Hilton Xi'an, Mercure Xi'an Downtown. • 5-Star Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an, InterContinental Xi'an, Sofitel Legend Xi'an.

Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included today.

Morning — Terracotta Warriors
Visit the Terracotta Army, built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (reigned 221–210 BC), the first emperor of a unified China. More than 8,000 life-sized warriors, 670 horses, and 150 chariots were buried with the emperor, each figure uniquely crafted with distinct facial features; the army was accidentally discovered by farmers in 1974. Your guide leads you through the three excavation pits, explaining the discovery, construction techniques, and the organizational systems — standardization and division of labor — that enabled this vast project.

Afternoon — Local Manufacturing Visit
Meet with executives from a Xi'an manufacturing company that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern production. Learn how the region's historical expertise in precision work — visible in the terracotta warriors' individualized features — has evolved into contemporary strengths in aerospace, electronics, and automotive components. Xi'an, former capital Chang'an, remains a major industrial and research center in northwest China.

Evening — Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Experience a traditional Tang Dynasty dinner show, where performers in elaborate costumes recreate the music, dance, and poetry of Xi'an's cosmopolitan golden age. As you watch, reflect on how that era's openness to foreign influence parallels China's current balance of tradition and global engagement.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Accommodation Options
4-Star: Crowne Plaza Xi'an | DoubleTree by Hilton Xi'an | Mercure Xi'an Downtown.
5-Star: The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an | InterContinental Xi'an | Sofitel Legend Xi'an.

Morning — Flight to Shanghai & The Bund
Fly to Shanghai, China's financial capital and largest city, a symbol of the country's economic transformation since its opening up. Upon arrival, drive along the Bund, the historic waterfront where 52 colonial-era buildings — in Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles — stand as monuments to Shanghai's role as China's gateway to the West in the 19th and 20th centuries. Your guide explains how this district's history informs Shanghai's current standing as China's most international city.

Afternoon — Pudong & Shanghai Tower
Cross the Huangpu River to Pudong, the financial district that rose from farmland in just three decades into one of the world's most impressive skylines. Visit the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building at 632 meters, for panoramic views, plus a briefing on the Pudong Free Trade Zone — a testing ground for economic reforms and opening-up policies.

Evening — Huangpu River Dinner Cruise
Board a dinner cruise on the Huangpu River and watch Shanghai's skyline transform as millions of lights illuminate the city. This vantage showcases the contrast between the Bund's historic architecture and Pudong's futuristic towers — a visual story of China's journey from ancient civilization to modern powerhouse.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Accommodation Options
4-Star: Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong | DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai | Novotel Shanghai Clover.
5-Star: Kempinski Hotel Shanghai | Grand Hyatt Shanghai | Shangri-La Shanghai.

Morning — Shanghai Stock Exchange
Visit the Shanghai Stock Exchange, one of the world's largest stock markets by market capitalization, to understand how China's financial system operates and how it differs from Western models. Engage with financial experts who explain the opportunities and challenges facing international companies seeking access to Chinese capital markets and the regulatory frameworks involved.

Afternoon — Innovation & Enterprise
Tour the China headquarters of a leading multinational corporation or an innovative Chinese tech company making waves globally. Through meetings with senior executives, gain insight into market strategies, consumer behavior, and the unique aspects of doing business in China's digital economy, where mobile payments, e-commerce, and social commerce have created unprecedented opportunities.

Evening — Xintiandi
Explore Xintiandi, a stylish district that combines restored traditional shikumen (stone gate) houses with upscale boutiques, restaurants, and bars. The project offers a model for balancing heritage conservation with modern development — a challenge facing many Chinese cities as they urbanize rapidly.

Accommodation
• 4-Star Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong, DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai, Novotel Shanghai Clover. • 5-Star Hotels: Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Shangri-La Shanghai.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch.

Morning — Yu Garden
Visit Yu Garden, a classical garden laid out some 400 years ago that represents the pinnacle of Chinese garden design. Beyond its beauty, the garden's layout embodies principles of harmony, balance, and strategic positioning — ideas that have influenced Chinese military strategy, business thinking, and feng shui for centuries.

Afternoon — Strategic Workshop
Participate in a strategic workshop facilitated by a China business consultant who helps you synthesize the insights of your journey into actionable plans for your organization. Reflect on how lessons from imperial governance, Silk Road trade, innovation ecosystems, and financial markets can inform your China strategy.

Evening — Farewell Banquet
Enjoy a farewell banquet at a restaurant specializing in Huaiyang cuisine, one of China's most refined culinary traditions, known for its delicate flavors and artistic presentation. As you toast to new friendships and insights, your guide helps you reflect on the journey and the opportunities it has opened.

Accommodation
• 4-Star Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong, DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai, Novotel Shanghai Clover. • 5-Star Hotels: Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Shangri-La Shanghai.

Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and farewell dinner.

Morning — Departure from Shanghai
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before your guide assists with checkout. A private vehicle then transfers you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey. As you depart, you carry not only business contacts and market insights but a deeper understanding of China's cultural foundations and the confidence to navigate its business landscape with cultural intelligence.

Meals
Breakfast.