Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai today and get transferred to your hotel. The city itself is quite massive with over 15 million people, and it's home to China's biggest commercial port. Shanghai functions as the country's most international city, so you'll notice that influence right away once you settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Your day starts in Pudong, where you'll see the modern skyline and the Pearl Tower up close. From there, head across the Huangpu River by ferry to reach Yuyuan Garden, where you can sit down for a traditional tea ceremony. After that, wander through Xintiandi's trendy shops and then check out the art galleries scattered throughout Tianzifang. Later, take a walk along The Bund to see the grand colonial-era buildings. You've got a free afternoon to rest or take an optional night boat trip if you're interested.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- City tour of Shanghai's iconic sights
- Visit to Pudong financial district
- Scenic ferry ride across Huangpu River
- Visit to Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Exploration of Xintiandi neighborhood
- Exploration of Tianzifang art galleries
- Walk along The Bund
- Lunch included
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks Pudong Financial District Pearl Tower Huangpu River Yuyuan Garden Xintiandi Tianzifang The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to the train station and board a high-speed train at 07:17 a.m. The journey runs about 5+ hours and covers 1,000 km through countryside toward Luoyang. Once you arrive, visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves, which stretch over a kilometer and contain more than 100,000 Buddha statues carved into the cliffs. You'll take a scenic boat ride along the river, then transfer to Luoyang's walled city with its lit streets and busy local scene.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Shanghai to Luoyang
- Visit to Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along river at Longmen
- Exploration of ancient Luoyang
- Lunch included
Landmarks Longmen Buddhist Caves Luoyang Ancient City 
- Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Start early at the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a significant historical center for Buddhist learning. Then travel to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River and visit Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda. Stop at the Guo Museum to look at ancient funeral carriages from the former State of Guo. Later, you'll pass Mount Hua, one of China's holiest mountains, before arriving in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit to White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit to Baolun Temple
- Visit to Guo Museum
- Scenic viewing of Mount Hua
- Lunch included
Landmarks White Horse Buddhist Monastery Yellow River Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua 
- Day 5
Xian
Today focuses on Xian, where the ancient Silk Road started. You'll see the Terracotta Army, an incredible archaeological site filled with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers that guarded the tomb of China's first emperor. Check out the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure that's stood for over a thousand years. Walk through the historic walled city and the vibrant Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque. In the evening, catch a traditional Chinese music performance at the Drum Tower, then you'll have free time to explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- City tour of Xian
- Visit to Terracotta Army
- Visit to Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Exploration of historic walled center
- Exploration of Muslim Quarter
- Visit to Great Mosque
- Traditional Chinese music performance at Drum Tower
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower 
- Day 6
Xian to Dunhuang
Fly to Dunhuang this morning, an oasis in the Gobi Desert that played an important role along the Silk Road. Staff will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. This afternoon, go on a desert excursion with a camel ride across the Singing Sand Dunes. You'll reach the Crescent Moon Spring, a crescent-shaped lake at the foot of the dunes, traveling by electric car. Return to Dunhuang for the night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dunhuang Huandong International), Hotel (Silk Road Yiyuan)
Included Activities
- Flight Xian to Dunhuang
- Airport transfer and hotel check-in
- Camel ride across Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan)
- Visit to Crescent Moon Spring
- Electric car access to desert site
Landmarks Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan) Crescent Moon Spring 
- Day 7
Dunhuang to Turpan
You'll visit the Mogao Caves, carved into a mountainside with 18 monasteries, then have lunch. The afternoon includes the vibrant Youjian Dunhuang Show, a local cultural performance. After that, head to the station and board a high-speed train to Turpan departing at 05:12 p.m. and arriving at 08:45 p.m. Turpan sits in the Turpan Depression, 500 meters below sea level.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meizhou Turpan)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Mogao Caves
- Youjian Dunhuang Show
- High-speed train journey to Turpan
- Lunch included
Landmarks Mogao Caves 
- Day 8
Turpan
Today covers several important Silk Road sites. You'll visit the Ancient City of Gaochang and the Astana Tombs, then explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves with their remarkable rock-carved caves from an ancient monastery. After lunch, check out the Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient adobe city that held key strategic importance along the Silk Road. End the day at the Flaming Mountains with their striking red sandstone ridges formed by volcanic activity, then return to Turpan.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meizhou Turpan)
Included Activities
- Visit to Ancient City of Gaochang
- Visit to Astana Tombs
- Visit to Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
- Visit to Jiaohe Ruins
- Visit to Flaming Mountains
- Lunch included
Landmarks Ancient City of Gaochang Astana Tombs Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves Jiaohe Ruins Flaming Mountains - Day 9
Turpan to Urumqi
Start with an exterior visit to the Su Gong Ta Mosque in Turpan, which houses the impressive Emin Minaret, China's tallest minaret built during the Qing dynasty. Visit a local vineyard and then explore the Karez irrigation system, one of China's greatest engineering feats. Later, head toward Daban District and walk through its busy bazaars. After lunch, continue to Urumqi where you'll see a salt lake and vast wind farms, one of the world's largest wind energy sites. You'll stay in Urumqi tonight, the capital of Xinjiang Province.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Huaming Accor Mgallery)
Included Activities
- Exterior visit to Su Gong Ta Mosque
- Visit to local vineyard
- Visit to Karez irrigation system
- Exploration of Daban District bazaars
- Exploration of Urumqi salt lake
- Viewing of wind farms
- Lunch included
Landmarks Su Gong Ta Mosque (Emin Minaret) Karez Irrigation System Daban District 
- Day 10
Urumqi
Travel to Tianchi Lake, also called Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake at around 2,000 meters altitude and a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. You'll have lunch during your visit. Return to Urumqi and explore the Grand Bazaar, which keeps the ancient spirit of the Silk Road alive. Stay another night in Urumqi.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Huaming Accor Mgallery)
Included Activities
- Visit to Tianchi Lake scenic area (Heavenly Lake)
- Exploration of Grand Bazaar
- Lunch included
Landmarks Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake) Grand Bazaar - Day 11
Urumqi to Beijing
After breakfast, fly to Beijing, China's capital. Staff will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Late this afternoon, head to Wangfujing Street, a lively pedestrian shopping area packed with stores and restaurants. You'll have an included dinner before returning to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Flight Urumqi to Beijing
- Airport transfer and hotel check-in
- Visit to Wangfujing Street
- Dinner included
Landmarks Wangfujing Street 
- Day 12
Beijing
This full day covers Beijing's main attractions. Start at the Forbidden City, the most impressive architectural complex in China where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. Then visit Jingshan Park and Coal Hill for views of the Forbidden City (weather allowing). Stroll through Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, with the Great National Theater in sight. After lunch, head to the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty with beautiful gardens and calm lakes. Experience traditional Beijing through a tricycle ride in historic Hutong neighborhoods, check out traditional shops, and visit a Siheyuan courtyard house. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- City tour of Beijing highlights
- Visit to Forbidden City
- Visit to Jingshan Park and Coal Hill
- Visit to Tiananmen Square
- Visit to Great National Theater (Beijing Opera House)
- Visit to Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit to Siheyuan courtyard house
- Lunch included
Optional Activities
- Visit to Confucius Temple (if Forbidden City unavailable)
- Visit to Lama Temple (if Forbidden City unavailable)
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Coal Hill Tiananmen Square Great National Theater (Beijing Opera House) Summer Palace Hutong Neighborhoods Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 13
Beijing
Visit the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, one of the world's most recognizable landmarks with over 2,000 years of history stretching through mountain landscapes. Take a cable car up and down for spectacular views. On the return to Beijing, stop at the 798 Art District, a former military factory now packed with galleries, studios, and creative spaces. Then visit the Temple of Heaven, one of China's largest sacred complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. End with a foot massage and Tai Chi class, followed by a lacquered duck dinner, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit to Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section
- Cable car up and down Great Wall
- Visit to 798 Art District
- Visit to Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section) 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 14
Departure from Beijing
After breakfast, your China tour comes to an end. You'll leave with wonderful memories from your journey through this diverse and historic country.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast buffet)
