10-Day Classic China Study Tour

Arrival — Welcome to Beijing
Upon landing at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), your dedicated guide will greet you in the arrivals area just outside the luggage claim, holding a sign that clearly displays your name. A private vehicle will transfer you to your hotel, and your guide will assist with check-in and offer a brief orientation. After your long flight, take a well-deserved rest and relax.

Evening — Flexible Evening
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure as you settle in after your journey.

Accommodation
Your guide assists with check-in at your hotel in Beijing.

Morning — Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square ranks among the largest public squares in the world, and in imperial times it served as the entrance to the imperial city, used for issuing royal edicts and for grand celebrations such as imperial weddings. Stroll from the square to the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum, which served as the residence of 24 emperors and their households and as the ceremonial and political heart of the imperial government. Beyond its magnificent architecture, you can uncover the stories of the royal household that lived within its walls.

Afternoon — Hutong Tour
The hutongs, akin to a maze, are historic alleyways lined with countless traditional courtyard houses, and in many locals' minds Beijing is inextricably linked with them. These lanes serve as a living museum of folk customs, bearing witness to the city's past. You can stroll on foot, rent a bicycle, or hire a rickshaw to explore them, and on this tour you will wander the narrow alleys and join the dumpling-making process with a local family at home. As an optional activity, you can also learn to paint a Peking Opera face mask from a skilled artisan.

Evening — Peking Roast Duck
In the evening, you will savor an authentic Peking Roast Duck dinner at a renowned restaurant.

Morning — Temple of Heaven and Tai Chi
The Temple of Heaven stands as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and is the largest religious complex in the world dedicated to heaven worship, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed rituals to pray for good harvests. Its circular halls and landscaped grounds are a marvel of design and symbolism. Visiting at dawn reveals a surprising number of locals engaging in morning exercises, and you can watch and join them in practicing Tai Chi, experiencing the serene rhythm of daily life in Beijing.

Cultural Insight
The complex was completed in 1420, and its Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a circular timber structure built without a single nail, has become a symbol of the city.

Afternoon — Mutianyu Great Wall
A visit to the Great Wall is a must on any itinerary. Among the best-preserved sections, Mutianyu once served as a formidable northern defense protecting the capital and the imperial tombs, with a history spanning over 1,400 years. Surrounded by lush grasslands and dense forests, it is often called the most beautiful part of the Wall, and the area resembles a garden perched atop a mountain. You can hike the most stunning stretch between Towers 14 and 20, or take the cable car up and down for convenience.

Evening — Water Cube and Bird's Nest
After such a long hike, the evening schedule is more relaxed: on the way back to your hotel you will pass the Water Cube and the Bird's Nest, both landmarks of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Morning — The Summer Palace
With its magnificent buildings, charming scenery, and tumultuous history, the Summer Palace is a wonderful place to explore. Originally an imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty, it was later extensively expanded and renovated under the direction of Empress Dowager Cixi, who spent summers here, entertained guests, and received foreign envoys. Stroll the Long Corridor, a painted gallery that ends at the Marble Boat, and climb Longevity Hill for sweeping views over the lake and the surrounding Fragrant Hills.

Afternoon — High-Speed Train to Xi'an
After lunch, you will board the high-speed train for a journey of 1,216 kilometers to Xi'an. About four hours later you will arrive at Xi'an North Railway Station, where your driver and guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Evening — Arrival in Xi'an
After check-in, you can take a rest or take an easy walk around the city at your leisure.

Accommodation
Your guide assists with check-in at your hotel in Xi'an.

Morning — Terracotta Army and Clay Warrior Workshop
The Terracotta Army was built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221–206 BC), the first emperor of a unified China. The subterranean escort he commissioned includes thousands of life-sized warriors, along with chariots, horses, and weapons, each figure uniquely crafted with distinct facial features; four pits have been excavated so far, and many figures remain buried. Your guide will lead you through the pits, explaining the discovery, construction techniques, and historical significance of this extraordinary find. Afterward, you will have the chance to craft a clay warrior yourself at a local artisan's workshop set within a cave dwelling.

Cultural Insight
The terracotta figures were originally painted in vivid colors, but most of the pigment faded within minutes of exposure to air after excavation.

Afternoon — Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Hanfu Experience
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was first built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty by the monk Xuan Zang as a repository for the Buddhist scriptures and relics he had brought back from the West. It began with five stories, was later expanded under Empress Wu Zetian, and after damage in war stands today as a seven-story brick tower; from the top visitors enjoy a spectacular view of the city. At a local Hanfu experience center, you can choose a set of traditional robes and period makeup, then continue your day in costume — a memorable way to step back into the Tang Dynasty.

Evening — Datang Everbright City
In the evening, dressed in Hanfu, you will continue to Datang Everbright City, a large pedestrian street lined with a cluster of Tang-style buildings. Stroll among the illuminated architecture and enjoy interactive experiences such as light shows and palace dancing performances, along with authentic local cuisine.

Morning — Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Today you will visit the 600-year-old Xi'an City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient military defense systems in the world, rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty on the foundation of the earlier Tang city wall. It stretches 13.7 kilometers in a rectangle around the old town and still retains its moat, drawbridges, ramparts, watchtowers, and crenellations. From atop the wall you can enjoy sweeping views of both the historic and modern districts, and cycling along it is a truly memorable experience.

Afternoon — Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque
Xi'an, the starting point of the famous Silk Road, has drawn traders from the West since the 1st century BC, and their descendants have long lived alongside the Han population. Spend the afternoon in the lively Muslim Quarter, browsing its exotic shops and restaurants and tasting the local cuisine and traditional markets. Nearby, the Great Mosque is one of the largest and best-preserved early mosques in China; by the 8th century Xi'an had become one of the world's largest cities, and this complex of pavilions, towers, and courtyards blends Islamic design with traditional Chinese architecture.

Evening — Muslim Quarter at Night
As night falls, the Muslim Quarter becomes one of the busiest places in the city, its streets lit and its food stalls in full swing. It is an ideal spot for an evening stroll and a bite of local cuisine.

Morning

Hanyang Mausoleum (also called Hanyangling Museum) is a tomb from Western Han Dynasty and it is the most intact royal mausoleum. It serves as the joint tomb of Emperor Jing and his queen from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD) in ancient China. The reign of Emperor Jing, along with his father Emperor Wen, is collectively known as the Rule of Wen and Jing (180 BC-141 BC), which is regarded as one of the golden ages in Chinese history. His reign fostered economic and cultural development, earning him a reputation as a capable emperor. The mausoleum encompasses the emperor's tomb, the empress's tomb, southern and northern burial pits, a ceremonial area, a graveyard for human sacrifices, and a cemetery for criminals. The tomb of Emperor Jing resembles a pyramid without a top, standing prominently in the center, surrounded by numerous satellite tombs scattered in various directions, serving as its protective guardians. In Hanyangling Museum, there is underground exhibition hall for tourist to visit. In the area, tens of thousands of artifacts have been unearthed, including terra-cotta nude figurines and a diverse array of animal sculptures, with vivid expression on their face.

Afternoon

After lunch, you will continue your journey to Shanghai by air. On arrival, you will be picked up by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a good night's rest.

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 — The Shanghai Museum
The Shanghai Museum, established in 1952 and relocated to People's Square in 1996, is a world-renowned institution showcasing China's ancient art. Its circular roof above a square base symbolizes the traditional ‘round sky, square earth' philosophy, and it houses over 1.2 million cultural relics including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings across 12,000 square meters of galleries.

Afternoon — Modern Manufacturing Visit
Visit a factory showcasing China's modern manufacturing strength, chosen according to your delegation's interests. For example, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), founded in 1992 and headquartered in Shanghai, is a global leader in port machinery and heavy equipment, supplying container cranes and offshore engineering to major ports worldwide and standing as a symbol of ‘Made in China' innovation.

Evening — At Your Leisure
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure — you may rest at the hotel or explore the nearby surroundings on your own.

Morning — Departure Transfer
Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) for your journey home. Your guide will assist with check-in and see you off at the departure hall, bringing your China tour to a comfortable close.

Meals — Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
All three meals are included on this day.