China

With a sunny smile, your private guide will be on time and waiting for you in the arrival hall. A comfortable private car and an experienced driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. We aim to give you a good first
impression of China.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Start your day with the symbol of new China, the Tian’anmen Square. From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces with 500 years of history. While most tour groups
only visit the six halls on the central axis, your private guide will help you explore 12 carefully-selected places.

Enjoy the Beijing Roast Duck for lunch. Watch the exquisite cutting skills of the chef, taste crispy duck skin, and learn how to eat it in the correct way. Spend a relaxing afternoon in the hutong alleyways.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Start your day from the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed to ‘heaven’ for a good harvest. You may arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never
see in your country.

In the afternoon, visit Mutianyu, which is the section ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 2½ hours’ drive from
downtown Beijing, but the view and experience make it well worth your time.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Be amazed by the imperial garden at the Summer Palace. It was originally the imperial court’s summer retreat, and it still makes a nice place to escape the heat of summer.

Get ready to race towards Xi’an on a high-speed train, which is a good way to experience the technological development of China.

Breakfast at your hotel.

In the morning, uncover the mysteries of an underground army that dates back to 206 BC at the Terracotta Army Museum. Then, discover a local craftsman’s cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

Return to the city area and visit the Ancient City Wall, which has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Discover more of Xi’an and China’s ancient history at Xi’an History Museum and Little Wild Goose Pagoda, then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.

In the afternoon, we’ll take you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Your Shanghai guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, where you can have a good rest.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Do more than just take one or two selfies on the Bund. Let’s travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s during our In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour.

Go into some of the old Bund buildings and listen to their stories. Ascend the tallest building in China — Shanghai Tower, where you will not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai but will also see the future of China.

Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience

After traveling in China for around 8 days, you might want to do something different at the end of your tour. Do you want to have some relaxation time? Do you have any unfulfilled trip wishes? In the magic city of Shanghai,
your private guide will make your wishes come true! Just tell us what you’re interested in.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, as they help you check in and escort you to the correct security gate. We will take the
stress out of your travel and set you up for a nice journey home.

Greeted at the airport & transfer to the hotel. Night in Beijing.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Private escorted Beijing tour to the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square first.

Then go to the Forbidden City, which is the largest imperial palace in China, where 24 emperors reigned during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a history of around 600 years.

Later, move to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for God’s blessing for the whole nation.

This evening, you are treated to a performance of the Peking Opera, a fascinating cultural experience.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Private escorted Beijing tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, one of the world’s great wonders and a symbol of China. Then visit the Ming Tomb, an underground palace for the emperors of the Ming dynasty.

For tonight’s dinner, we recommend the famous Peking Duck Banquet (optional).

Overnight in Beijing.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Spend time exploring Beijing’s traditional hutongs by rickshaw, offering a unique glimpse into local life and the city’s rich cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, board a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an. The journey takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph).

Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Xian.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Start your day with a visit to Xi’an’s most famous attraction, the Terracotta Army Museum. Widely regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, this remarkable site showcases thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors and
horses, created to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.

Afterward, drive back to the city to visit the iconic Bell Tower, a symbol of Xi’an. Built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty, the tower stands 36 meters tall and covers an area of 1,377 square meters, offering a glimpse
into the city’s rich history.

Continue to Muslim Street, located in the heart of Xi’an near the Drum Tower. This lively area is the center of the city’s Muslim community and is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and wide variety of local street food and
traditional snacks.

Overnight in Xian.

Transfer to visit the Xi’an Ancient City Wall, originally built over 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty (1374–1378). It remains the largest and best-preserved city wall in Xi’an.

Afterward, continue to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a multi-eaved, square brick structure dating back to 707 A.D. in the Tang Dynasty (618–907).

In the afternoon, take a flight to Chongqing, where you will board a 4-star cruise ship.

While on board, enjoy a shore excursion to either Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai, depending on the cruise schedule.

Since 2010, some cruise companies have also offered optional shore excursions during the journey. Please check with your travel consultant for further details.

Today, you will enjoy a closer look at the enchanting landscape as you board a small boat to cruise along a tributary of the Yangtze River, exploring either the stunning Goddess Stream or the Lesser Three Gorges, depending
on the cruise company’s arrangements.

Shore excursion to the amazing Three Gorges Dam: it is the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW).

Later, disembark at Yichang. After lunch, transfer to the airport and fly to vibrant Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The first stop is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Standing at 468 meters, it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Shanghai and offers some of the best views of the city along the Huangpu River.

Next is Yu Garden, the only fully restored classical Chinese garden in Shanghai, originally built during the Ming Dynasty. It features beautiful rockeries, lush greenery, tranquil ponds, and a network of walls, bridges, and
pavilions that divide the garden into scenic sections.

The third stop is the Jade Buddha Temple. Filled with the scent of incense and adorned with intricate decorations, it has a solemn and spiritual atmosphere that makes it feel much older than it is.

Finally, you will visit the Former French Concession, once an area designated for the French. Today, it includes parts of the Luwan and Xuhui districts and is known for its tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and unique
blend of Eastern and Western influences.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue your private Shanghai tour with a drive to the nearby water town of Zhujiajiao. This ancient town is unique for its charming old bridges arching over gently flowing streams, narrow rivers shaded by willow trees, and
traditional houses with peaceful courtyards, offering a glimpse into old Shanghai life.

Afterward, drive back to the Bund, where the past and present meet in perfect harmony. This famous waterfront showcases a striking contrast between the modern skyline of towering skyscrapers across the Huangpu River and the
historic colonial-era buildings lining the promenade.

Adjacent to the Bund is Nanjing Road, known as the busiest shopping street in Shanghai. Here, you can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and a wide variety of shops, making it a perfect place for a one-stop shopping experience.

Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Li River, renowned for its breathtaking karst landscapes. Along the way, you will be surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks, lush greenery, and picturesque rural scenery. Disembark at the
charming town of Yangshuo, famous for its stunning natural beauty.

Upon arrival, you will have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. An ideal way to experience Yangshuo is simply to wander around or visit popular attractions such as Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree.

In the evening, be sure to visit West Street, a lively and vibrant area known for its unique blend of Chinese and Western culture. With its bustling atmosphere, shops, cafes, and bars, it offers an exciting glimpse into Yangshuo’s
nightlife.

Overnight stay in Yangshuo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, your day begins with a relaxing bike ride through the countryside, accompanied by your private guide. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning scenery, peaceful rice paddies, grazing water buffalo, and a glimpse
into the daily life of local farmers.

Afterward, you may choose to take an optional one-hour bamboo rafting trip along the Yulong River, a tranquil experience that lets you fully appreciate the area’s natural beauty.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, offering a taste of regional cuisine.

In the afternoon, a special cooking class is arranged for you, where you can learn to prepare traditional local dishes and gain hands-on experience with authentic Chinese cooking.

After breakfast, drive back to Guilin and visit the remarkable Reed Flute Cave, located near the city center. This impressive limestone cave is often described as a natural art gallery, filled with stunning stalactites and
stalagmites illuminated by colorful lighting.

After the visit, take a leisurely walk around Guilin’s central lakes, where you can enjoy a harmonious blend of natural beauty and elegant man-made landscapes.

Later, transfer to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Hongkong.

Breakfast served at the hotel.

Free day at leisure for your own visits. Overnight in Hongkong.

Hong Kong delivers a high-energy, cinematic city experience—especially if you go beyond the postcard highlights.

Victoria Peak offers one of the world’s best skyline views, particularly at sunrise or sunset.

At street level, lively markets like Temple Street and local hubs like Sham Shui Po reveal the city’s character, alongside must-try Cantonese dishes like dim sum, roast goose, and wonton noodles.

What sets Hong Kong apart is its density—you can move from sleek skyscrapers to historic temples in minutes, with neighborhoods like Central, Sheung Wan, and Mong Kok each offering its own distinct vibe.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free until transfer to the airport for your flight onward.

Welcome to China! Upon landing, your tour guide and driver would meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel.

You would start with the Forbidden City, a massive palace complex with nearly 600 years of history. It covers an area of about 73 hectares (180 acres) and contains over 980 surviving buildings with over 8,700 rooms. Your tour
guide would take you to the most typical sections but with fewer tourists, and tell you stories about the royal family that happened exactly where you would be standing.

After having some delicious Chinese food for lunch, you would visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. The temple is known for its unique and intricate architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it would offer you profound
insights into China’s religious practices during the imperial era.

Breakfast at your hotel.

You would explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The round-trip cable car ride would help to save your energy and time compared with climbing up the
mountainside to the wall. Walk leisurely along the wall’s pathways and touch bricks that are connected with China’s imperial past.

Hutongs are narrow alleys that are commonly found in Beijing. They are not just for sightseeing travelers who wander along the streets — with us, you would visit a family that has lived in a hutong house for generations. Nothing
would help you to understand a foreign country’s culture more than visiting a locals’ house and conversing with them.

Breakfast at your hotel.

The Summer Palace is one of the most well-preserved imperial gardens in the world. It covers a huge area and includes a combination of traditional Chinese architecture, landscaped gardens, pavilions, temples, bridges, and a
large lake. It is admired for its beauty and cultural and historical significance.

Next, you would depart from Beijing Railway Station and travel to Xi’an Railway Station on a high-speed train that only takes 4 hours to travel a distance of 1,209 km (751 miles).

Breakfast at your hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing one-hour private ride with your guide to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

Enter the Terracotta Warriors Museum via tram, and witness three captivating pits that display the concealed power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s extensive military force. Your guide will provide insights into their fabrication
and safeguarding, emphasizing the precise workmanship, lasting strength, and the former colorful brilliance of these historical sentinels.

Get up close with the first restored Warriors, learn the restoration story, handle Qin Dynasty relics in the Conservation Laboratory.

You would head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon.

Breakfast at your hotel.

For you to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness, your tour guide would pick you up from the airport, help you to check in, and let you rest in the hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel.

You would start your Lhasa trip from Norbulingka, a Tibetan palace that consists of beautiful gardens, luxurious buildings, pavilions, and other architectural elements.

Drepung Monastery is 6 km (4 miles) away from Norbulingka. It is one of the three great monastic universities in Tibet. The most important Tibetan festival, Shoton Festival, is held there annually in late summer.

Have you seen monks debating before? In Sera Monastery, you would see monks engaged in a lively exchange of questions and answers. It is a unique and vibrant expression of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, helping monastic students
to sharpen their knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Breakfast at your hotel.

As the most famous site in Tibet, the Potala Palace is always full of tourists. To take great pictures of the palace, your tour guide would escort you to an area with amazing views and fewer crowds.

Next, you could experience real Tibetan life as you visit Jokhang Temple and walk to Barkhor Street afterward. There are numerous tea houses, restaurants, and stalls along the streets. Pilgrims walk in a clockwise direction
around Jokhang Temple, spinning prayer wheels and prostrating themselves as a form of devotion.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Yamdrok Lake is one of the most beautiful and sacred lakes in Tibet. Its turquoise waters, surrounded by snowcapped mountains and vast grasslands, create a breathtaking landscape.

Your tour guide would prepare a picnic for you at the side of Yamdrok Lake if the weather permits. You could take your time at the holy place.

Breakfast at your hotel.

This would be a transfer day from Lhasa to Chengdu with a 2-hour flight.

Breakfast at your hotel.

The giant pandas are ready to meet you at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding! There are about 200 pandas, including adults and cubs, at this location. The base has recreated a (small-scale) natural habitat for
these fluffy balls of fun.

You could immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a city park to witness the lifestyles of the locals. Chengdu has been deemed the happiest city in China to live in based on an annual urban survey. You would see its people having
tea, playing mahjong, or doing square dancing leisurely in the park. Visitors can’t fail to be infected by their happiness.

Breakfast at your hotel.

It takes about 2 hours to get to the Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu. You would explore the area via both a cruise and walkways to fully appreciate its scale.

Not only known for its Buddha statue, Leshan is also renowned as a food paradise. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the spicy and flavorsome cuisine, such as spicy Sichuan skewers, sweet-skinned duck, and Qiaojiao Beef Soup
Pot.

Breakfast at your hotel or breakfast box to go.

After an early flight from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie, you would start a half-day trip to Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie in the afternoon.

Tianmen Mountain offers a range of fascinating sights and experiences, such as Tianmen Cave, the longest cableway, a glass skywalk, and a cliff-hanging walkway.

Tianmen Cave is the symbol of Tianmen Mountain. It’s an impressive opening in the mountainside and accessible via a long staircase or a cable car ride.

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is located at the mountain’s summit. Walking on this transparent walkway would provide you with a thrilling experience and remarkable views.

Breakfast at your hotel.

You would see some of the area’s most notable attractions in Yuanjiajie Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie. Avatar Hallelujah Mountain is located there. Be amazed by its towering height and marvel at the stunning views from the
top. These views have been admired by millions of international travelers.

Tianzi Mountain offers panoramic vistas of Yuanjiajie. Its peaks are characterized by their unique shapes, resembling human figures, animals, and mythical creatures.

To avoid too much hiking, you would take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, to reach the mountain peaks. You would enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes as you ascend or descend.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is famous for the world’s longest glass bridge that stretches across it. It offers an adventurous experience of walking on a transparent pathway. The tranquil surroundings and lush vegetation in
the canyon create a beautiful picture of natural wonders.

Baofeng Lake is located in the canyon. It is a crystal-clear reservoir surrounded by picturesque mountains. The serene beauty evokes peaceful and joyful feelings.

Breakfast at your hotel or breakfast box to go.

Your transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin would start early in the morning because there are only early high-speed trains on this route. If you would like to set off later, you could transfer from Zhangjiajie to Changsha, and
then head to Guilin.

Arriving in Guilin in the afternoon, you would be escorted to Reed Flute Cave, which is full of awesome rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and other intricate calcite deposits. Geologists say these formations have been
sculpted over millions of years by flowing water. It’s worth a visit for cave enthusiasts.

Breakfast at your hotel.

The Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County, Guilin. The awe-inspiring terraced fields are Longsheng’s most iconic attraction. They offer stunning views throughout the year, no matter whether it’s a planting
season or a harvesting season.

You would have an opportunity to hike in Ping’an Zhuang Village, a minority village nestled amid the rice terraces, for 1½ hours. It’s a wonderful place to explore and learn about the ethnic culture and local traditions.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Taking a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the best way to enjoy the scenic beauty along the Li River. As you sail along the Li River, you will be surrounded by breathtaking karst mountain formations. Be sure to take some great
photos of yourself in these surroundings, which resemble a classical Chinese painting.

After arriving in Yangshuo, you would go to a rural village to experience authentic life in the countryside. Have you shopped in a local market without any language support? Have you written a Chinese couplet before? All of
these experiences would be unique ways to enhance your trip.

Breakfast at hotel.

You would head to Shanghai late in the afternoon after a chance to fully relax in a rural hotel beside the Li River. You could enjoy a lovely, lazy day there.

Breakfast at your hotel.

The last stop of your trip is Shanghai, an international metropolis with a rich history and traditions.

You would not only see the historical buildings along the Bund but also hear some stories about each landmark from your knowledgeable tour guide.

Yu Garden was built in the 16th century as a private retreat. The garden beautifully combines elements of traditional Chinese art, architecture, and natural scenery. It provides insights into traditional Chinese architecture
and offers a glimpse into the past.

Breakfast at your hotel.

It’s time to say goodbye! Your tour guide and driver would take you to the international airport smoothly and on time. We welcome you back to explore more places in China next time!

****************