Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll get transferred to your hotel after arriving in China. Later in the evening, head out to Wangfujing Street, where you can walk through shops and try local restaurants. Dinner's included, and then you'll head back to the hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Transfer to hotel
- Visit Wangfujing Street
Landmarks Wangfujing Street 
- Day 2
Beijing
This day focuses on Beijing's main attractions. You'll see the Forbidden City, an imperial palace complex, then go to Jingshan Park for views across the city. After visiting Tiananmen Square and having lunch, you'll continue to the Summer Palace. Later, try a tricycle ride through the Hutong neighborhoods to get a feel for traditional Beijing life, and check out a traditional courtyard house called a Siheyuan. Return to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Full-day city tour of Beijing
- Visit the Forbidden City
- Visit Jingshan Park
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit traditional courtyard house (Siheyuan)
Optional Activities
- Visit Confucius Temple (alternative if Forbidden City unavailable)
- Visit Lama Temple (alternative if Forbidden City unavailable)
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Tiananmen Square Summer Palace Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 3
Beijing
Start at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, taking a cable car up and down to see the views. On the way back to Beijing, stop at the 798 Art District, a former military factory now filled with galleries. You'll also visit the Temple of Heaven, a sacred UNESCO site. Later in the day, try a foot massage and Tai Chi class before dinner, which features traditional lacquered duck.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section
- Cable car ride up and down the Great Wall
- Visit 798 Art District
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Traditional lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks Great Wall of China - Mutianyu section 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 4
Beijing to Taian to Qufu
After breakfast, you'll take a high-speed train to Taian, traveling about 300 km in roughly 2 hours. Visit the Dai Temple, an 11th-century Taoist complex at Mount Taishan's base. Following lunch, take a cable car up to the Gates of Heaven, then climb the steep stone staircase to the summit with other pilgrims. By late afternoon, you'll travel by bus to Qufu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shangri-la Qufu)
Included Activities
- Visit Dai Temple
- Cable car ride to Gates of Heaven on Mount Taishan
- Climb Mount Taishan staircase to summit
Landmarks Mount Taishan Dai Temple Gates of Heaven 
- Day 5
Qufu to Xuzhou
Spend time in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, visiting the Confucius Mansion and Temple to learn about his influence on Chinese culture. After lunch, continue to Xuzhou to see the underground Mausoleum of the Han Emperor, where you'll find a terracotta army and museum exhibits. On the drive to your hotel, you'll pass by Lake Yunlong. Stay overnight in Xuzhou.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hyatt Regency Xuzhou)
Included Activities
- Visit Confucius Mansion
- Visit Confucius Temple
- Visit underground Mausoleum of the Han Emperor
- View terracotta army in museum
- Scenic drive past Lake Yunlong
Landmarks Confucius Mansion Confucius Temple Mausoleum of the Han Emperor Lake Yunlong - Day 6
Xuzhou to Nanjing
Leave Xuzhou early and travel to Nanjing, arriving around 12:30 p.m. Check out Purple Mountain to see the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a grand structure honoring China's founding father. You'll also visit the Linggu Temple, a Buddhist site set in lush surroundings. The rest of the day is free for exploring the city on your own. Overnight in Nanjing.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Nanjing Central), Hotel (Hilton Nanjing Riverside)
Included Activities
- Visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Purple Mountain
- Visit Linggu Temple
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Nanjing at your own pace
Landmarks Purple Mountain Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Linggu Temple 
- Day 7
Nanjing to Suzhou to Tongli to Shanghai
Head to Suzhou, known for its classical gardens (UNESCO World Heritage sites). Walk through the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the city's largest garden with winding paths and ponds. You'll have free time on Pingjiang Road, a historic street with canals and traditional teahouses. After lunch, continue to Tongli, a water town with canals and stone bridges, and take a boat ride through the waterways. End the day in Shanghai.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Visit Garden of the Humble Administrator
- Visit Pingjiang Road
- Visit Tongli water town
- Scenic boat ride through Tongli
Optional Activities
- Explore Pingjiang Road at own pace
Landmarks Garden of the Humble Administrator Pingjiang Road Tongli 
- Day 8
Shanghai
Explore Shanghai starting in Pudong, the modern financial district with tall skyscrapers including the Pearl Tower. Take a ferry across the Shanghai River for good views. Visit the Old City and Yuyuan Garden (built during the Ming Dynasty) for a traditional tea ceremony. Walk through Xintiandi, known for boutiques and cafés, and later check out Tianzifang, a former residential area with alleyways, craft shops, and galleries. Stroll along the Bund to see colonial-era buildings. You have a free afternoon and can optionally take a night boat ride.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Visit Pudong financial district
- Scenic ferry ride across Shanghai River
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Walk through Xintiandi
- Explore Tianzifang
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night (available during free afternoon)
Landmarks Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden Xintiandi Tianzifang The Bund - Day 9
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to the train station to catch a high-speed train at 7:17 a.m., traveling 1,000 km through countryside in just over 5 hours to Luoyang. After lunch, visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves, a massive complex stretching over a kilometer along river cliffs with more than 100,000 Buddha statues. Take a scenic boat ride along the river, then continue to Luoyang, passing through historic city walls and experiencing the illuminated traditional streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river
Landmarks Longmen Buddhist Caves - Day 10
Luoyang to Sanmenxia to Xian
Early in the morning, visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery on Luoyang's outskirts, a major center for Buddhist learning. Travel to Sanmenxia, a historic city on the Yellow River, and see the Baolun Temple (known for its tall pagoda) and the Guo Museum with its ancient funeral carriages. After lunch, you'll pass by Mount Hua, one of China's holiest mountains. Arrive in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Visit Guo Museum
- View ancient funeral carriages
Landmarks White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua 
- Day 11
Xian
In the morning, visit the Terracotta Army, an archaeological site with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the first emperor's tomb. Return to Xian to see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure over 1,000 years old, and explore the walled city center. Check out the Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque, which reflects cultural blend in China. Stop at the Drum Tower for a traditional music performance. You'll have free time to explore further.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Explore historic walled city center
- Visit Great Mosque
- Visit Drum Tower
- Traditional Chinese music performance at Drum Tower
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore the city at your own pace
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 12
Xian
After breakfast, your tour ends here. You'll leave with memories from your journey through China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
