Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing and head to a 6 pm welcome meeting at your hotel where you'll meet your tour leader and other travelers. After that, there's time to walk around the central Beijing streets and try some Peking duck if you're hungry, which is a great way to start things off.
- Day 2
Beijing
A private bus takes you to Mutianyu Great Wall, about 2 hours away. You'll spend the morning on restored sections covering roughly 5 kilometers, which typically takes 2 to 3 hours depending on how fit you are. Cable cars, chairlifts, and toboggans are available if you want them (you pay separately). Pack a picnic lunch to eat on the wall, then return to Beijing for a free evening.
Included Activities
- Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
Optional Activities
- Cable car access to Mutianyu Great Wall (at your own expense)
- Chairlift access to Mutianyu Great Wall (at your own expense)
- Toboggan descent from Mutianyu Great Wall (at your own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Mutianyu Great Wall - Day 3
Beijing to Xi'an
This morning combines walking and public transport to see Beijing's main attractions. You'll visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of Chinese power, then go into the Forbidden City, which was built over 500 years ago. Walking through the great halls and courtyards gives you a sense of how grand the Imperial court was. Later in the evening, you'll board an overnight train heading to Xi'an.
Included Activities
- Beijing - Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City
Optional Activities
- Beijing - Temple of Heaven - CNY34
- Beijing - Summer Palace - CNY40
- Beijing - Peking Opera - CNY260
- Beijing - Lama Temple - CNY25
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Gate of Heavenly Peace Mao's Mausoleum Great Hall of the People National Museum Forbidden City - Day 4
Xi'an
The train arrives at Xi'an station around 9 am and you'll transfer to your hotel. Your leader takes you on a walking tour through the Muslim Quarter, where narrow streets and lively markets line the way. You can walk along the City Walls and Gates, which run over 13 kilometers around the city, or optionally check out the Bell and Drum Towers. Food options showcase Silk Road history and local specialties.
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter walking tour
Optional Activities
- Xi'an - Cycling on City Wall - CNY99
- Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers - CNY50
- Xi'an - Small Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
- Xi'an - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY80
- Xi'an - Great Mosque - CNY25
- Xi'an - Night markets exploration
Landmarks/POIs Xi'an City Walls and Gates Bell Tower Drum Tower Small Wild Goose Pagoda Big Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Xi'an Muslim Quarter - Day 5
Xi'an
Private transport takes you about 2 hours to reach the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world's greatest archaeological sites. You'll see three main pits containing almost 2000 individually sculpted warriors, horses, and chariots standing in battle formation. This discovery was rediscovered in 1976 and offers insight into ancient Chinese military power. The evening is free to explore Xi'an on your own.
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Warriors - Day 6
Xi'an to Chongqing
You'll board a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chongqing, which takes about 5 hours. Chongqing is China's biggest city with over 20 million residents and serves as the gateway to the Yangzi River. Once you arrive, you'll board your river boat, which has twin-share cabins with private bathrooms. Before boarding, grab snacks and anything else you might need from the Chongqing supermarket.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine (plain but available)), Lunch (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine (plain but available)), Dinner (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine (plain but available))
Landmarks/POIs Yangzi River - Days 7 - 8
Yangzi River
The boat cruises through the Three Gorges, a 200-kilometer stretch where gorge widths range from 100 to 300 meters. You can join optional group excursions to riverside attractions and towns, including trips up tributary rivers. If you prefer staying onboard, there's time to learn Mandarin, play mahjong, enjoy Chinese songs, update your travel diary, or chat with fellow travelers and locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine), Lunch (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine), Dinner (Buffet-style Chinese cuisine)
Optional Activities
- Yangzi River - Optional group excursions to riverside attractions and towns
- Yangzi River - Optional tributary river side trips
- Yangzi River - Learn Mandarin from tour leader
- Yangzi River - Learn mahjong
- Yangzi River - Chinese songs
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges - Day 9
Yangzi River to Shanghai
Your boat trip ends in Yichang, a small city that gives a real sense of typical Chinese provincial life. You'll tour the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project, which generates power and controls flooding. After that, a private bus takes you to the train station where you'll board an overnight soft sleeper train to Shanghai, about 14 hours away. The compartment fits 4 people and has a lockable door.
Included Activities
- Yichang - Three Gorges Dam Project
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Dam - Day 10
Shanghai
You arrive early and take the subway to your hotel. The full day mixes guided and unguided exploration starting with a leader-led walking tour through historical Shanghai. The Bund shows off Art Deco architecture from the 1920s, while Old Shanghai's narrow winding lanes offer local insights. The French Concession has European influence and tree-lined avenues. Later, explore Huaihai Road with its Tudor mansions, then sample Shanghai's varied food scene as evening comes.
Included Activities
- Shanghai - Walking tour
Optional Activities
- Shanghai - Propaganda Museum - CNY20
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum - Free
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens - CNY40
- Shanghai - Urban Planning Exhibition Centre - CNY30
- Shanghai - Acrobat Show - CNY180
- Shanghai - Oriental Pearl Tower Viewing Deck - CNY150
Landmarks/POIs The Bund Old Shanghai French Concession Huaihai Road - Day 11
Shanghai to Xitang
Your leader takes you through historical Shanghai starting at the Bund with its Art Deco buildings from the 1920s. You'll wander Old Shanghai's narrow lanes, explore the French Concession with its tree-lined avenues and Tudor mansions. In the afternoon, travel about 2 hours to Xitang water town, once a hub for 19th-century businessmen. When evening comes, stroll the lantern-lit canals after day-trippers leave and eat at local restaurants with their lights reflected on the water.
Included Activities
- Xitang - Walking tour
Landmarks/POIs The Bund Old Shanghai French Concession Huaihai Road Xitang Water Town - Day 12
Xitang to Guilin
Get up early to explore Xitang's charming streets by wandering across bridges, relaxing by canals, having tea, checking out local museums, or getting lost on the peaceful cobblestone streets. Later you'll return to Shanghai and board an overnight soft sleeper train to Guilin, about 19 hours away. Train travel in China is a good way to experience the country and meet locals since it's how most Chinese travelers get around.
Optional Activities
- Xitang - Gondola ride - CNY120
Landmarks/POIs Xitang Water Town - Day 13
Guilin to Yangshuo
You'll get off the train and a private bus takes you to Yangshuo, a charming town with a mix of Chinese and Western travelers. It's known for beautiful landscapes and a vibrant cafe culture that makes it one of the best places for experiencing local traditions. The countryside features the dramatic limestone karsts towering over rice paddies and the meandering Li River that you see in traditional Chinese paintings and on every 20 yuan note.
Landmarks/POIs Li River - Day 14
Yangshuo
Discover Yangshuo's dramatic countryside through optional activities or on your own. Float down the Li River past limestone monoliths, rice paddies, and water buffaloes. Bike through green surroundings and nearby villages, or join a peaceful Tai Chi session. There's also a guided walk through a local market followed by a visit to a converted country house where you can learn to cook local specialties.
Included Activities
- Yangshuo - Cycling tour
Optional Activities
- Yangshuo - Li River cruise
- Yangshuo - Tai Chi session
- Yangshuo - Local market guided walk and cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Li River - Day 15
Yangshuo
You have options to discover Yangshuo's natural wonders and cultural sites. Pick tea leaves and learn tea making at Seven Fairies Peak tea plantation while listening to local rhymes. Hike Xianggong Hill for views of the meandering Li River and stunning landscape features including sunlight effects and cloud formations, plus sunrise or sunset views. Also explore the Ancient Stone Village to see its mysteries.
Optional Activities
- Yangshuo - Pick tea leaves at Seven Fairies Peak tea plantation
- Yangshuo - Tea making at Seven Fairies Peak
- Yangshuo - Mountaineering Xianggong Hill with Li River views
- Yangshuo - Ancient Stone Village exploration
Landmarks/POIs Seven Fairies Peak Xianggong Hill Ancient Stone Village - Day 16
Yangshuo to Hong Kong
Leave Yangshuo and head to Guilin for your final journey to Hong Kong. You'll board a high-speed train taking about 3 and a half hours to Hong Kong West Kowloon High Speed Railway Station, then go to your centrally located hotel. Your leader takes you on a walking tour, then check out Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. Celebrate your final night with the group in this city.
Included Activities
- Hong Kong - Walking tour
Optional Activities
- Hong Kong - Temple Street night market
- Hong Kong - Victoria Harbour light show
Landmarks/POIs Temple Street Night Market Victoria Harbour - Day 17
Hong Kong
Your China tour ends this morning with no scheduled activities. You're free to leave your accommodation whenever you're ready.
