Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Shanghai
You'll land in Shanghai today and your private guide meets you right at arrivals. From there, it's a private car transfer to your hotel where the guide handles your luggage and check-in so you can relax and get settled without worrying about the details.
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start by walking through the French Concession, a former colonial area that's now filled with upscale shops and residences. Then head to Yuyuan Garden and Chenghuangmiao Temple nearby. The old street and Nongtang neighborhoods show you how locals actually live. Later you'll check out Xintiandi Shopping Center and the Bund, where the 1920s architecture and modern luxury shops line the waterfront.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit French Concession
- Explore Yuyuan Garden
- Visit Chenghuangmiao (Old City God Temple)
- Walk through Shanghai old street
- Explore Nongtang
- Visit Xintiandi Style Shopping Center
- Visit Bund
Landmarks/POIs French Concession Yuyuan Garden Chenghuangmiao (Old City God Temple) Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Suzhou
You have free time this morning before your guide picks you up for the high-speed train to Suzhou, which takes about 30 minutes in second class. Once there, you'll visit Lingering Garden, a UNESCO site known for its classical Chinese landscape design. After that, stop at the ancient Panmen Gate to learn Suzhou's history, then walk through Pingjiang Historic Street with its traditional buildings. Hanshan Temple offers quiet reflection, and the Suzhou No. 1 Silk Mill shows how the city became famous for silk production.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Take high-speed train Shanghai to Suzhou (0.5 hours, second class)
- Visit Lingering Garden
- Visit Panmen Gate
- Visit Hanshan Temple
- Explore Pingjiang Historic Street
- Visit Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill
Landmarks/POIs Lingering Garden Panmen Gate Hanshan Temple Pingjiang Historic Street Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill - Day 4
Suzhou to Xi'an
Spend the day exploring Tongli Water Town with its canals, old bridges, and Ming and Qing dynasty buildings. You'll also see the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of China's most famous classical gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful landscaping and calm ponds. In the afternoon you have free time before heading to the high-speed train for the 6.5-hour journey to Xi'an in second class. Your guide meets you there and checks you into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Tongli Water Town
- Visit Humble Administrator's Garden
- Take high-speed train Suzhou to Xi'an (6.5 hours, second class)
Landmarks/POIs Tongli Water Town Humble Administrator's Garden - Day 5
Xi'an
Start at the Terracotta Army to see the thousands of crafted soldiers and horses. The museum exhibits explain how ancient craftspeople made these warriors. Later you'll bike along the Ancient City Wall, an iconic part of Xi'an, with views out over the city and surrounding areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army
- View Peasants made terracotta warriors and horses exhibit
- Cycling on Ancient City Wall
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Ancient City Wall - Day 6
Xi'an to Beijing
Begin at Xi'an Museum looking at artifacts from when the city was an ancient capital on the Silk Road. Head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist site. You'll then watch a Shadow Play performance with traditional puppets, and later try a Paper Cutting workshop at Gaojia Courtyard where local artisans teach the technique. After some free time, take the 4.5-hour high-speed train to Beijing in second class. Your guide will transfer and check you in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Xi'an Museum
- Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Watch Shadow Play performance
- Paper Cutting workshop at Gaojia Courtyard
- Take high-speed train Xi'an to Beijing (4.5 hours, second class)
Landmarks/POIs Xi'an Museum Big Wild Goose Pagoda Gaojia Courtyard - Day 7
Beijing
Start your day at Tian'anmen Square to see this important historical site. Then go through the Forbidden City where guides tell stories about the royal court. Next, head up to Jingshan Park for views looking back at the Forbidden City and out across Beijing. Walk around the old Hutong neighborhoods to see how people live traditionally. A Shadow Play performance shows Beijing Opera facial makeup techniques. Wrap up with Peking Roasted Duck dinner at Quanjude restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude)
Included Activities
- Visit Tian'anmen Square
- Visit Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Visit Jingshan Park
- Explore Hutongs
- Experience Beijing Opera Facial Makeup
- Dinner: Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude
Landmarks/POIs Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City Jingshan Park Hutongs Quanjude - Day 8
Beijing
Travel to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall where you'll climb the stone steps and walk the pathways with views of the surrounding landscape. You'll see watchtowers and guard stations while learning about this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, visit the Temple of Heaven, a Ming dynasty structure that represents ancient Chinese cosmology. Then try a Tai Chi session with instructors who teach you the movements and philosophy behind this martial art.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mutianyu section of Great Wall
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Tai Chi experience
Landmarks/POIs Mutianyu section of Great Wall Temple of Heaven - Day 9
Departure from Beijing
You have free time this morning. Your guide will come pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight onward.
