Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing and connect with your driver at the airport for the transfer to your 4-star hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to rest and adjust to the time change. It's a good opportunity to grab a light meal if you're hungry and settle into your room.
- Start point
- Beijing, China (Pickup in Beijing Capital iternational airport by your guide and driver., 09:00 - 21:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
Beijing
Your guide will meet you at the hotel early morning to start exploring Beijing's major sites. First stop is Temple of Heaven, where you'll walk through the expansive grounds and see the historic structures. From there, you'll hop into a rickshaw for a tour through the old Hutong neighborhoods, getting a real sense of traditional Beijing life. Part of this includes visiting a local family's home to understand how people actually live in these areas. Around midday, grab lunch at a local restaurant to refuel. After eating, head over to Tian'anmen Square and spend some time taking in the scale of it all. Next comes the Forbidden City, and you'll need a good two hours or more here to properly walk through the palace halls, check out the gardens, and see the art and historical pieces on display. By evening, your guide will take you back to your hotel. If you're interested, there's an optional Kung Fu or Acrobatic Show you can catch that night for extra entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte Chinese lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with local family visit
- Visit Tian'anmen Square
- Explore Forbidden City for more than 2 hours
Optional Activities
- Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theater
- Acrobatic Show at night
Landmarks Temple of Heaven Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City - Day 3
Beijing
Drive about 2 hours north to Mutianyu Great Wall and spend time exploring this section built back in the 6th century. The round-trip cable car is included, so you can take in the views without the steep climb. Before heading back, stop by the Bird Nest and Water Cube for some photos and return to Beijing by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel Breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at restaurant at foot of Mutianyu)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
- Round-trip cable car at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Photo stop at Bird Nest and Water Cube
Landmarks Mutianyu Great Wall Bird Nest Water Cube - Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
After checking out, visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Walk around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, explore the Long Corridor, and if you'd like, take a boat out on the lake. Later in the afternoon, catch the high-speed train to Xi'an (5 to 5.5 hours), meet your guide when you arrive, and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant on way to Beijing West Railway Station)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Summer Palace
- Walk Long Corridor
Optional Activities
- Boating trip on Kunming Lake
Landmarks Summer Palace Longevity Hill Kunming Lake 
- Day 5
Xi'an
Start your day on Xi'an's City Wall, walking along the ancient fortifications that circle the city center. From there, head to the Terracotta Warriors archaeological site outside the city, where you'll see thousands of life-sized warrior statues from the Qin Dynasty. Before lunch, stop at a pottery workshop to try your hand at traditional terracotta craftsmanship and see how artisans create these pieces. Later in the afternoon, make your way to Bell Tower Square in the city center and spend some time walking around the area before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant near Terracotta Warriors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Xi'an City Wall
- Learn pottery at cave dwelling pottery workshop
- Visit Terracotta Warriors
- Walk around Bell Tower Square
Optional Activities
- Bicycle riding on Xi'an City Wall
- Tang Dynasty Show or evening entertainment (inquire with local guide)
Landmarks Xi'an City Wall Terracotta Warriors Bell Tower Square - Day 6
Xi'an to Chengdu
Take a relaxed morning in Xi'an, then explore Gao's Courtyard in the Muslim Quarter to see traditional courtyard architecture and check out shadow puppetry performances. Head to Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza for photos, and if timing works out, catch the noon music fountain show. After lunch, you'll board a high-speed train heading to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, with the journey taking about 4 hours. By evening, you'll arrive in Chengdu and settle into your accommodations there.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Gao's Courtyard in Muslim Quarter
- Explore shadow puppetry at Gao's Courtyard
- Photo stop at Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza
- Watch music fountain show at Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza
Landmarks Muslim Quarter Gao's Courtyard Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza 
- Day 7
Chengdu
Spend 2 to 3 hours at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can see the pandas in a natural setting. After grabbing lunch, drive to Mt. Leshan and walk from the Buddha's head down to his toes (or take a boat if you prefer). Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening, and if you're interested, check out a Sichuan opera show.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (2-3 hours)
- Visit Mt. Leshan
Optional Activities
- Boat trip from ferry to river in front of Buddha at Mt. Leshan
- Sichuan opera evening entertainment
Landmarks Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Mt. Leshan - Day 8
Chengdu
Spend time at People's Park where locals hang out singing, dancing, playing cards and chess. Sit down at a local tea house and enjoy a cup. After lunch, visit Wuhou Temple, a quiet museum from the Three Kingdoms Period, then take a walk around the historic Jinli Ancient Street right next to it.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (Authentic Sichuan food lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit People's Park
- Tea time at local tea house
- Visit Wuhou Temple
- Walk around Jinli Ancient Street
Landmarks People's Park Wuhou Temple Jinli Ancient Street - Day 9
Chengdu to Guilin
Have a relaxed breakfast and keep your morning free to explore Chengdu. You could check out the Jinsha Site Museum for ancient Shu culture, wander Kuanzhai Alley with its Qing Dynasty courtyards, or try some local hotpot. In the afternoon, hop on the high-speed train to Guilin, meet your guide at the railway station, and settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Jinsha Site Museum
- Explore Kuanzhai Alley
- Hotpot lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Jinsha Site Museum Kuanzhai Alley 
- Day 10
Guilin
Drive about 2 hours to Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon's Back) and take in the hillside terraces winding around the mountains. You'll have lunch in Ping'an Zhuang Village trying bamboo rice and other bamboo-cooked specialties. Explore the ethnic villages where Yao and Zhuang people live in wooden houses and visit local craftspeople. By around 3 PM, you'll head back to Guilin.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant in Ping'an Zhuang Village with bamboo-cooked local food including bamboo rice and chicken)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area
- Explore Ping'an Zhuang Village
- Explore ethnic villages of Yao and Zhuang people
Landmarks Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area Ping'an Zhuang Village 
- Day 11
Guilin
Cruise down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, a roughly 4-hour journey through fairytale-like landscapes as the river winds past towering karst formations. Once you arrive, walk along the popular West Street and have free time to explore. An Impression Liusanjie show is available if you want, then you'll drive back to Guilin for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (Lunch-box)
Included Activities
- Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (approximately 4 hours)
- Walk along West Street in Yangshuo
Optional Activities
- Impression Liusanjie show in Yangshuo
- Extended stay and evening entertainment in Yangshuo
Landmarks Li River West Street - Day 12
Guilin to Shanghai
After breakfast, visit Elephant Trunk Hill (1 hour), which is the symbol of Guilin with its distinctive shape. Then check out Reed Flute Cave (1 hour) and its colorful stalactites and stalagmites. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the airport to fly to Shanghai. You'll meet your Shanghai guide at the airport and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Elephant Trunk Hill
- Visit Reed Flute Cave
Landmarks Elephant Trunk Hill Reed Flute Cave 
- Day 13
Shanghai
Walk through the historic Nong Tang alleys in the Shikumen district to see local Shanghai life and unique architecture. Visit Yuyuan Garden, a classic Chinese garden in downtown, then explore the nearby Yuyuan Bazaar and Chenghuangmiao Old Street. After lunch, head up the Oriental Pearl TV Tower where you can see the Shanghai City History Museum and take the elevator to the 2nd ball for views of the city. Drive through Lujiazui to see the modern financial district, then finish with a stroll along the Bund watching the buildings light up at night by the Huangpu River.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast), Lunch (A la carte lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walk through Shikumen Nong Tang alleys
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Explore Yuyuan Bazaar and Chenghuangmiao Old Street
- Visit Shanghai City History Museum at Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Elevator to 2nd ball of Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Drive through Lujiazui finance and trade zone
- Walk along the Bund
Landmarks Shikumen Yuyuan Garden Yuyuan Bazaar Oriental Pearl TV Tower Lujiazui The Bund - Day 14
Shanghai
Have breakfast at the hotel, then your driver will take you to Shanghai airport for your homebound international flight. You'll say goodbye to China and head back home.
- End point
- Shanghai, China (Drop off in Shanghai Pudong international airport by your driver, 09:00 - 21:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
