【Glories of China】11-Day Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai

DAY 1Arrival in Beijing and Transfer to Hotel Welcome to Beijing, the lively capital of China. Your special journey through this land of deep history and lively culture begins here. When you arrive, your private guide and skilled driver will be there to take you to your hotel smoothly. Get ready for a personalized trip exploring China's rich past and vibrant traditions. Good to Know There are two international airports in Beijing. One is Beijing Capital International Airport, and the other is Beijing Daxing International Airport. Both airports are available options for you. Once your flight is booked, advise your private advisor of your details for itinerary adjustments. The Guide with a Flag Bearing the China Travel Logo

DAY 2Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Rishow Ride in Xicheng District Your private guide will pick you up in the morning at the hotel lobby at the appointed time. You’ll first walk around Tian'anmen Square — the huge square for massive ‘secret’ meetings and political events. Then, cross the street to the Forbidden City, the world’s largest imperial palace complex, where 24 Ming and Qing emperors once ruled. Your guide will spend 2–3 hours revealing hidden stories, from imperial rituals to palace intrigue, that typical tour guides don't tell.Visit the Main Halls along the Central Axis of the Forbidden City Savor a delectable lunch at a renowned local restaurant known for its specialty dish, Beijing roast duck.Professional Carvers Use a Thin, Sharp Knife to Slice the Duck into Thin Pieces Discover the historic Hutong area in Xicheng District. Ride a rickshaw through old narrow streets, visit a local family, walk on the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge), and learn about the courtyards' different thresholds.Rickshaw Ride through the Hutong in Xicheng District Evening Free Time Ideas Beijing offers two night shows: one is a Peking Opera performance, and the other is an acrobatics show. If you are interested in these cultural performances, you can directly ask your travel expert to add them to your itinerary.

DAY 3 The Temple of Heaven, The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car) Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall, a top-rated section known for its scenic views and well-preserved structure. Located about 1.5 hours from Beijing, we'll provide round-trip cable car rides for a more efficient experience instead of climbing steps. Your guide will introduce the Wall before giving you free time to explore, and you'll traverse the stunning stretch between the 14th and 23rd watchtowers, considered the "golden route" by hikers. Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences. After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed sacred rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest. As you walk around, you can admire the magnificent ancient architecture, beautiful gardens, and vibrant atmosphere of the Temple of Heaven. Take the opportunity to learn about the historical significance of this place and its importance in Chinese culture.

DAY 4 Summer Palace with the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Hotel to Train station Transfer (Beijing), Train station Transfer (Xian) The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), located in Beijing, is not just a park but a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces that serves as a pinnacle of Chinese landscape garden design. It was originally built in 1750 by the Qianlong Emperor and later restored and expanded by Empress Dowager Cixi. Nestled at the northeastern corner of the Summer Palace complex, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony is a self-contained compound that was the center of entertainment for the imperial court. Have lunch in the local restaurant, then take a high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North railway station in the afternoon. The final booking confirmation will provide the details of the train number and departure times. Upon arriving at Xi'an North Railway Station, you will be greeted by your guide and driver, who will then escort you to your hotel for check-in.

DAY 5 Ancient City Wall, The Terracotta Warriors and Horses The Xi'an City Wall offers a blend of historical charm and scenic beauty, and visitors can immerse themselves in ancient grandeur. Explore this well-preserved architectural marvel by walking or cycling (extra charge needed) along its majestic expanse, providing panoramic views of the cityscape. Admire the watchtowers and gates that stand as testaments to the city's rich history. After exploring the City Wall, your driver will transport you to an authentic local restaurant (avoiding tourist traps) to savor Xi’an’s iconic flavors. In the afternoon, travel 30 kilometers east of Xi’an to the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Museum—home to the Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “Eighth Wonders of the World". Your first stop must be the breathtaking Pit 1, where thousands of life-sized soldiers and chariots stand in battle formation in a cavernous hangar. Next, explore Pit 2 to see the army's diverse military units—archers, cavalry, and chariots—up close and to admire famous, exquisitely preserved individual warriors like the Kneeling Archer in its display cases. Don't miss the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall, which houses two astonishingly detailed, half-size bronze chariots that are marvels of ancient metallurgy.Pit 1 is the largest pit of the Terracotta Army Evening Free Time Idea Defachang Dumpling Banquet: A famous restaurant specializing in artistic dumplings. A banquet allows you to sample dozens of varieties, each differently shaped and filled (representing different auspicious meanings). It's a meal and a show in itself. Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show: A professional, theater-based performance of traditional music and elaborate dances that recreate the splendor of the Tang Dynasty court. The costumes and orchestration are magnificent.

DAY 6 Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarters, Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum, Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport Transfer (Guilin) The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a very old building from the Tang Dynasty in Xi'an. A monk named Xuanzang made it to keep important books from India. Now, this place is part of the UNESCO Silk Roads history. It is the oldest brick pagoda in China, and it mixes Indian and Chinese styles, showing how different cultures shared ideas about Buddhism. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a fifteen-story brick structure with a square shape and multiple roofs. Visitors can ring the bell at the pagoda for blessings and good fortune. Nearby, the Xi'an Museum, which opened in 2007, reflects the city's long history, combining ancient buildings like Janfu Temple with modern exhibition halls for a unique cultural experience The last stop is to Muslim Quarter, which is the gathering place of Xi'an snacks, where you can taste almost all Xi'an snacks, such as mutton kebab, Yangrou Paomo, soup-filled buns, spicy sheep's feet, basin-style mutton, pickled cabbage fried rice, spiced beef and mutton, cold noodles, and mutton cakes. After the trip, your guide and driver will escort you to Xi'an Xianyang Airport, where you'll board a flight to Guilin Liangjiang Airport. Upon arrival at Guilin, your guide will greet you and accompany you to the hotel, assisting with check-in. As there are no scheduled tours today, you have the freedom to arrange your own activities and meals.

DAY 7 Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Discover the Folk Culture of South China in Daxu Ancient Town Today’s tour starts from Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic site in Guilin, providing a great photo opportunity. It's a karst hill naturally sculpted into an elephant drinking from the Li River. Then, take 1 1-hour drive to Guilin's urban Daxu Ancient Town, which allows you to experience the authentic local culture. Interact with locals, visit traditional shops, and try local street food. The town has a vibrant market where you can buy handicrafts, traditional medicines, and other local products.Visit a Local Family in Daxu Ancient Town Enjoy lunch at the delightful local restaurant. After that, you'll go to the most famous Karst cave in Guilin - Reed Flute Cave. Explore this 180-million-year-old limestone cavern illuminated by rainbow-colored lights. Marvel at stalactite formations resembling crystal curtains and mythical creatures. Do you know who first discovered this cave and the fun story about it? Find out from your guide. Evening Free Time Idea - Additional Tour Night Cruise on the Four Lakes of Guilin(1 hour): an ancient circular water system that people refer to as Little Venice. A boat tour lasts about an hour and permits breathtaking, colorful views of life on bridges and river banks, as well as a chance to see fishermen demonstrating how to catch fish using their pet cormorants.

DAY 8 Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (by 4-star boat), Yangshuo Countryside Cycling The Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is a must for you. You will be picked up from the hotel and taken 1-hour transfer to the wharf, the trip will take 4 hours (departing Guilin around 9:30 AM, arriving in Yangshuo around 1:30 PM). Stay on the top deck to see the picturesque views of the jagged karst peaks immortalized in traditional ink paintings, which vary as you move along the river. Do reserve a 20 RMB note if possible, to compare the hill view on the note with the view you see from the river.The Li River Cruise Ship Passes the 20 RMB Note Site A simple lunch is provided on the cruise. You arrive in Yangshou at about 1:30 pm. Later, afternoon cycling in the Yangshuo countryside. With us, you’ll ride around rice paddies and visit a local farming family halfway through the bike trip. Stay overnight in Yangshuo.Cycling in the Yangshuo Countryside Evening Idea - Additional Tour Night Show – Impression Sanjie Liu (1 hour 10 minutes): Directed by the famous Chinese director, Zhang Yimou, who was in charge of the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and a lot of world-class movies, the show has a great setup and backdrop — 3 massive peaks which light up when the show is on.

DAY 9 Flight from Guilin to Shanghai, Airport Transfer (Guilin), Airport Transfer (Shanghai) Relax in Yangshuo, and then take your onward flight to Shanghai, your last stop in China. Check into your centrally located hotel, then enjoy free time to explore the Bund’s colonial architecture or Nanjing Road’s glittering shops.

DAY 10The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, French concession region, Shanghai Tower In the morning, go to the Shanghai Tower, the highest skyscraper in China. Take the elevator to the observation deck located on the 118th floor for dizzying views of the Huangpu River and the city’s futuristic skyline—a testament to China’s 21st-century ambition. The elevator ride itself is quite remarkable, as it is known for being one of the fastest elevators in the world.Experience the panoramic view from the Shanghai Tower The riverfront pavement on The Bund has witnessed many changes in Shanghai. It is a great place to walk for a good appreciation of how the old Shanghai still co-exists alongside the new modern, bustling, high-tech city. It provides the perfect angle to take pictures of the amazing skylines. Then visit the classical Yuyuan Garden, where you will see how the concept of harmony has been applied in garden design. After lunch, go to the Former French Concession, a historic district spanning parts of Shanghai’s Xuhui and Huangpu districts, which is much more than just a relic of China’s colonial past. This living urban landscape, where neoclassical mansions, tree-lined boulevards, Art Deco apartments, and contemporary cafés coexist, embodies Shanghai’s unique "East meets West" identity. Evening Idea - Additional Tour The ERA Acrobatics Show is guaranteed to give you a wow night. Our Shanghai tour guide will assist you in booking tickets.

Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai), Shanghai Departure