Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing and settle into your hotel. There's a welcome meeting with your group leader at 6 pm, which is a good chance to meet everyone and get oriented. After that, grab dinner with other travelers and your leader can point you toward some solid local restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Visit Forbidden City (entrance fee CNY60)
- Visit Lama Temple (entrance fee CNY25)
- Visit Summer Palace (entrance fee CNY60)
- Visit Temple of Heaven (entrance fee CNY40)
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Lama Temple Summer Palace Temple of Heaven - Day 2
Beijing to Gubeikou
This morning you have free time to walk around Beijing on your own. Then you'll board a 3-hour private bus heading to the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall, which was originally built between AD550-AD557 and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty. For the night, you'll stay in a family-run guesthouse that's basic but comfortable with genuine local hospitality.
Included Activities
- Visit Gubeikou section of Great Wall
- Private bus transfer to Great Wall
Landmarks/POIs Gubeikou section of Great Wall - Day 3
Gubeikou to Jinshanling
Head out early for a challenging hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. You'll trek over steep, remote terrain for about 5 to 6 hours across both unrestored and restored parts of the wall, plus countryside walks alongside it. The views of the wall winding through the hills are great. Back at the guesthouse in the evening, you can relax, grab beers, or play mahjong with locals.
Included Activities
- Hike from Gubeikou to Jinshanling section of Great Wall
Landmarks/POIs Jinshanling section of Great Wall - Day 4
Jinshanling to Beijing
Drive back to Beijing in 3 hours, arriving before midday. You'll have your last free afternoon in the capital, so think about checking out the Temple of Heaven or trying a Peking Duck banquet. Later tonight you'll board a 13-hour overnight train to Xi'an, so pick up snacks and bring something to keep you entertained during the ride.
Optional Activities
- Visit Forbidden City (entrance fee CNY60)
- Visit Lama Temple (entrance fee CNY25)
- Visit Summer Palace (entrance fee CNY60)
- Visit Temple of Heaven (entrance fee CNY40)
- Peking Duck banquet at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Lama Temple Summer Palace Temple of Heaven - Day 5
Xi'an
You'll arrive in Xi'an and drop your luggage at the hotel. Then take 2 hours on public transport to see the Terracotta Warriors, a major archaeological discovery buried for 2000 years. Walk through three main pits where you'll see nearly 2000 of the 6000 warriors, each with unique costumes, heights, and facial features. Return to Xi'an in late afternoon, check in, and have a relaxing evening trying Xi'an's famous Silk Road food specialties.
Included Activities
- Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
- Public transport to Terracotta Warriors
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Warriors - Day 6
Xi'an
Your leader will walk you through Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, showing you the narrow streets full of shops and lively food markets that reflect Chinese Muslim culture. After that, you have free time until your evening train. Check out the Bell Tower (a legendary earthquake protector), the Drum Tower (historic timekeeping), or rent a bike to ride along the 13-kilometre City Walls. Then board an overnight train to Shanghai, around 16 hours.
Included Activities
- Muslim Quarter Walking Tour - leader led
Optional Activities
- Visit Big Goose Pagoda (entrance fee CNY80)
- Visit Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee CNY50)
- City Wall bike hire (CNY45)
- Visit Great Mosque (entrance fee CNY25)
Landmarks/POIs Muslim Quarter Bell Tower Drum Tower City Walls Big Goose Pagoda Great Mosque - Day 7
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and take the subway to your hotel. Explore this city where modern architecture meets old-world character. Your leader will walk you along the Bund to see art deco buildings from the 1920s. Wander the narrow winding lanes of Old Shanghai, check out the European-influenced French Concession, and stroll Huaihai Road, the busy shopping street nicknamed 'Paris of the East' for its tree-lined avenues and Tudor mansions. Gather with fellow travelers for dinner.
Included Activities
- Shanghai Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Subway transfer to accommodation
Optional Activities
- Visit Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee CNY25)
- Visit Shanghai Museum (entrance fee Free)
- Visit Yuyuan Garden (entrance fee CNY40)
- Visit Urban Planning Exhibition Centre (entrance fee CNY30)
- Acrobat Show (ticket CNY280)
- Oriental Pearl Tower Viewing Deck (entrance fee CNY150)
- Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket CNY150)
- Traditional tea ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Bund Old Shanghai French Concession Huaihai Road Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre Shanghai Museum Yuyuan Garden Urban Planning Exhibition Centre Oriental Pearl Tower - Day 8
Huangshan
Take a bullet train into the countryside to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), known for its 72 sharp limestone peaks. Check into your guesthouse and have free time to explore however you like. Consider the Eastern Steps (7.5 km, roughly 3 to 4 hours), the Western Steps (15 km), or use the cable car to reach the summit. Come back to the guesthouse for a well-deserved rest.
Included Activities
- Huangshan National Park Trek - access and exploration
Optional Activities
- Eastern Steps hike (7.5 km, approximately 3–4 hours)
- Western Steps hike (15 km)
- Cable car to summit
- Descent via Western Steps
Landmarks/POIs Huangshan - Day 9
Huangshan
Spend your second day at Huangshan with free time to do what you want. Take in the dramatic limestone peaks and views at your own pace. You can hike the Eastern Steps (7.5 km, roughly 3 to 4 hours), tackle the Western Steps (15 km), or use the cable car to explore the summit. Return to the guesthouse in the evening.
Included Activities
- Huangshan National Park Trek - continued exploration
Optional Activities
- Eastern Steps hike (7.5 km, approximately 3–4 hours)
- Western Steps hike (15 km)
- Cable car to summit
- Descent via Western Steps
Landmarks/POIs Huangshan - Day 10
Huangshan to Hongcun
Head 2 hours by public bus to the Huizhou region villages, which are World Heritage listed and feature ornate, ramshackle buildings you might recognize from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. You'll arrive in Hongcun and check into your village guesthouse, then your leader will take you on a tour of the cobbled alleys and Ming Dynasty architecture. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring on your own, hiking into hillsides for panoramic views or checking out surrounding villages by bike.
Included Activities
- Public bus to Huizhou villages
- Hongcun Leader-led Village Walking Tour
Optional Activities
- Bicycle hire to explore surrounding villages
- Hiking to hillsides for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Hongcun - Day 11
Hongcun to Shanghai
Leave the countryside behind and head back to Shanghai by bullet train, a 3-hour journey. You'll arrive mid-afternoon, and if there's time, think about booking a traditional tea ceremony to learn about this important part of Chinese culture. Tonight's a celebration, so get together with your travel group for dinner and try xiao long bao (steamed soup dumplings) if you haven't had them yet.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Shanghai
Optional Activities
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Day 12
Shanghai Departure
No activities are scheduled for today. You're free to check out whenever you want, depending on your accommodation's check-out times. Your adventure doesn't have to end here though. If you want to stay longer in Shanghai, we can sort out extra accommodation subject to what's available.
