Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll touch down in Shanghai, a sprawling city with over 15 million people. After landing, head to your hotel and get settled in for the trip ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start the day in Pudong's financial district, then take a scenic ferry across the Huangpu River. Walk through the Old City and spend time at Yuyuan Garden, where you'll try a traditional tea ceremony. From there, check out trendy Xintiandi and wander through the artistic alleys of Tianzifang. By evening, stroll along The Bund to see the colonial-era buildings. You'll have free time in the afternoon, and there's an optional night boat trip if you're interested.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Pudong financial district
- Ferry ride across Huangpu River
- Visit to Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony demonstration
- Stroll through Xintiandi neighborhood
- Exploration of Tianzifang
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden Xintiandi Tianzifang The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to Shanghai train station and board a high-speed train at 07:17 a.m. for a five-hour journey covering 1,000 km through countryside to Luoyang. After lunch, visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves, an archaeological site with over 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings stretching more than a kilometer. Take a scenic boat ride along the river, then transfer to Luoyang city to walk around its lit streets and see the traditional atmosphere.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Shanghai to Luoyang
- Visit to Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river
- Transfer through ancient Luoyang city walls
Landmarks Longmen Buddhist Caves - Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Start early at the White Horse Buddhist Monastery on Luoyang's outskirts, a historic center for Buddhist learning. Head to Sanmenxia city to see the Yellow River and visit Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda, plus check out the Guo Museum with ancient funeral carriages. After lunch, you'll pass Mount Hua with its dramatic peaks and arrive in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- Visit to White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Admiration of the Yellow River
- Visit to Baolun Temple
- Exploration of Guo Museum
- Views of Mount Hua
Landmarks White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua - Day 5
Xian
In Xian, where the ancient Silk Road started, see the Terracotta Army with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers. Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a thousand-year-old Buddhist structure. Walk through the historic walled center, see the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, and catch a short performance of traditional Chinese music at the Drum Tower. You'll have free time to explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- Visit to Terracotta Army
- Visit to Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Exploration of historic walled center
- Visit to Great Mosque in Muslim Quarter
- Performance of traditional Chinese music at Drum Tower
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 6
Xian to Dunhuang
Fly to Dunhuang, an oasis in the Gobi Desert that was crucial on the Silk Road. After reaching your hotel, take a camel ride across the Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan). Visit the crescent-shaped Crescent Moon Spring at the foot of the dunes by electric car. Return to Dunhuang for the night.
Included Activities
- Flight to Dunhuang
- 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
See the Mogao Caves carved into a mountainside, home to 18 monasteries. After lunch, watch the vibrant local Youjian Dunhuang Show cultural performance. Transfer to the station to catch a high-speed train at 05:12 p.m., arriving in Turpan at 08:45 p.m. This city sits 500 meters below sea level in the Turpan Depression, making it the lowest point in China.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Mogao Caves
- Youjian Dunhuang Show performance
- High-speed train journey to Turpan
Landmarks Mogao Caves - Day 8
Turpan
Explore Silk Road sites including the Ancient City of Gaochang and Astana Tombs. Check out the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, remarkable rock-carved caves from an ancient monastery. After lunch, see the Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient adobe city and key strategic point on the Silk Road. End your day at the Flaming Mountains with their red sandstone ridges shaped by volcanic activity, then return to Turpan.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Ancient City of Gaochang
- Visit to Astana Tombs
- Exploration of Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
- Visit to Jiaohe Ruins
- Visit to Flaming Mountains
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, home to China's tallest minaret, the Emin Minaret built during the Qing dynasty. Visit a local vineyard, then explore the Karez irrigation system, one of China's greatest engineering achievements. Wander through Daban District's bustling 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 production sites. Spend the night in Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Exterior visit to Su Gong Ta Mosque
- Visit to local vineyard
- Exploration of Karez irrigation system
- Stroll through Daban District bazaars
- Exploration of salt lake in Urumqi
- Visit to wind farms in Urumqi
Landmarks Su Gong Ta Mosque Emin Minaret - Day 10
Urumqi
Head to Tianchi Lake scenic area, also called Heavenly Lake, an alpine lake at around 2,000 meters altitude and a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. After lunch, return to Urumqi to visit the Grand Bazaar, which keeps the ancient spirit of the Silk Road alive. Stay overnight in Urumqi.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake) scenic area
- Visit to Grand Bazaar in Urumqi
Landmarks Tianchi Lake Grand Bazaar - Day 11
Urumqi to Beijing
After breakfast, head to the airport and fly to Beijing, China's capital. Transfer to your hotel when you arrive. In the late afternoon, explore Wangfujing Street, a lively pedestrian avenue filled with shops and restaurants. Have dinner before heading back to the hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Flight to Beijing
- Visit to Wangfujing Street
Landmarks Wangfujing Street 
- Day 12
Beijing
Spend the full day exploring Beijing's highlights. Visit the Forbidden City, the most majestic architectural complex where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. Head to Jingshan Park and Coal Hill for views of the Forbidden City (weather permitting). Walk through Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, and see the Great National Theater. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty known for its gardens and lakes. Take a tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods to experience traditional Beijing life, explore shops, and visit a Siheyuan courtyard house. Return to the hotel. (Note: Forbidden City visits can't always be guaranteed due to capacity; if unavailable, you'll explore the Confucius Temple and Lama Temple instead.)
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit to Forbidden City
- Visit to Jingshan Park (Coal Hill)
- Stroll through Tiananmen Square
- Visit to Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit to Siheyuan courtyard house
Optional Activities
- Confucius Temple (if Forbidden City access unavailable)
- Lama Temple (if Forbidden City access unavailable)
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Coal Hill Tiananmen Square Great National Theater Summer Palace Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 13
Beijing
Travel to the Great Wall's Mutianyu section, an architectural masterpiece spanning over 2,000 years through mountain landscapes. Take a cable car up and down one of the most scenic sections with great views. On the way back to Beijing, visit the 798 Art District, a former military factory now filled with galleries and studios. Next, see the Temple of Heaven, one of China's largest sacred complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once prayed for good harvests. After this busy day, enjoy a foot massage and Tai Chi class to experience traditional Chinese balance. Finish with lacquered duck dinner, a local culinary tradition.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit to Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section)
- Cable car ride on 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) 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 14
Beijing to Nanjing
After breakfast, head to the train station and board a high-speed train traveling at 300 km/h. Cover nearly 1,000 km in less than four hours to reach Nanjing, a vibrant city of eight million people regarded as one of China's most pleasant. Explore this dynamic metropolis known for its commercial life and history. Visit Purple Mountain to see the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a grand tribute to the founding father of modern China. Check out the Linggu Temple, a serene Buddhist site surrounded by lush greenery. You'll have free time to explore the city. Stay overnight in Nanjing.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Nanjing Central)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Beijing to Nanjing
- Visit to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
- Visit to Linggu Temple
Landmarks Purple Mountain Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Linggu Temple - Day 15
Nanjing to Shanghai
Head to Suzhou, a city famous for its classical gardens designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically the world's leading silk producer, Suzhou is linked with beauty and elegance. Visit the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the largest and most famous garden with winding pathways, tranquil ponds, and greenery. You'll have free time to explore Pingjiang Road, a historic street lined with canals, traditional teahouses, and artisan shops. After lunch, continue to Tongli, a water town with narrow canals, stone bridges, and traditional houses evoking ancient China. Enjoy a boat ride through its waterways. Then head to Shanghai to check in.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Visit to Garden of the Humble Administrator
- Exploration of Pingjiang Road
- Scenic boat ride through Tongli water town
Landmarks Garden of the Humble Administrator Pingjiang Road Tongli - Day 16
Shanghai
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories of your journey through China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
