Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll arrive at Beijing airport and get transferred to your hotel. Once you've dropped your bags, head out with your guide to walk through the historic hutongs. These narrow alleyways give you a real feel for local life, with traditional courtyards and street food vendors selling authentic Beijing cuisine at every corner.
Included Activities
- Explore Beijing's hutongs with guide
- Visit local food stalls and taste Beijing cuisine
- Day 2
Beijing
Start early by watching locals doing Tai Chi in the neighborhood. After that, head to Tiananmen Square to take in some of China's pivotal history, then move on to the Forbidden City with its 800+ buildings and 9,000 chambers. You'll grab lunch somewhere in the area, and then visit the sacred Temple of Heaven. By evening you'll head back to your hotel with the rest of the day free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Watch locals perform Tai Chi exercises
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Visit the Forbidden City
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven - Day 3
Beijing
After breakfast you'll drive out to the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall for a scenic hike along this lesser-known segment. The trail takes you through both restored sections and weathered ruins, and some parts are actually submerged underwater. You'll have a picnic lunch on the wall with sparkling wine, then drive back to the hotel for a Peking duck dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch on the wall with sparkling wine), Dinner (Peking duck dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike along Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall
- Picnic lunch on the wall with sparkling wine
- Peking duck dinner
Landmarks Huanghuacheng Great Wall - Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
Breakfast comes first, then you'll head to the Summer Palace, a royal summer retreat sitting around the beautiful Kunming Lake. Walk through pagodas and gardens at your own pace. There's an optional coffee stop at the Garden of Harmonious Interests if you want it (at your own expense). After lunch you'll take the high-speed train to Xi'an, and once you arrive you'll transfer to your hotel for a traditional dumpling dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dumpling dinner featuring local specialties from Shaanxi province)
Included Activities
- Visit the Summer Palace
- Take high-speed train to Xi'an
- Dumpling dinner
Optional Activities
- Coffee at the coffee shop in the Garden of Harmonious Interests (own expense)
Landmarks Summer Palace Kunming Lake Garden of Harmonious Interests - Day 5
Xi'an
After breakfast, you'll visit the Terracotta Warriors, a UNESCO-protected site with 8,000 life-size soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum. Lunch will feature biang biang noodles and local specialties. In the afternoon you'll visit Xingshan Temple, an active Buddhist site where locals worship and monks chant throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Biang biang noodles and other local delicacies)
Included Activities
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors UNESCO site
- Lunch featuring biang biang noodles and local delicacies
- Visit Xingshan Temple
Landmarks Terracotta Warriors Xingshan Temple - Day 6
Xi'an to Shanghai
You'll have breakfast and then stroll or bike along Xi'an's Ancient City Wall, which is the most complete surviving wall in China. From there, head to the Great Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic mosques in the world and a fascinating blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture. You'll spend time in the Muslim Quarter exploring aromatic food stalls and the busy atmosphere. Later you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walk along the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an
- Visit the Great Mosque
- Explore the Muslim Quarter food stalls
Optional Activities
- Bike hire along the Ancient City Wall (payable locally)
Landmarks Ancient City Wall of Xi'an Great Mosque of Xi'an Muslim Quarter of Xi'an - Day 7
Shanghai
After breakfast, check out the Bund waterfront with its dramatic modern skyline, then walk through the beautiful Yu Garden with its intricate pathways and pavilions from the Ming Dynasty. Later you'll wander the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession and visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre to see communist-era artworks. If there's time left, stroll through Lujiazui to see the futuristic skyline and iconic towers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit the Bund
- Visit Yu Garden
- Explore the former French Concession
- Visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre
Optional Activities
- Visit the marriage market (best during weekends)
- Stroll in Lujiazui (if time permits)
Landmarks The Bund Yu Garden Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre Shanghai Tower Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower Jinmao Building - Day 8
Shanghai to Xichang Water Town
After breakfast, you'll head to Xichang Water Town, a charming traditional destination with canals, old houses, and arched bridges. A local guide will share the untold stories and family legacies of this historic place. You'll return to your hotel in the afternoon with the rest of the day free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Xichang Water Town with local guide
- Explore traditional canals, houses, and bridges
Landmarks Xichang Water Town - Day 9
Shanghai (Departure)
Your morning is free. Later, you'll get transferred to the airport for your onward flight, completing your trip through China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
