11 Days Charming China Tour:
Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai

Tour Highlights

⦁ Visit iconic landmarks and must-sees in each destination.
⦁ Taste Chinese Cuisine, and learn about Chinese cuisine culture.
⦁ Enjoy a scenic cruise down the Li River, and explore Yangshuo countryside.
⦁ Immerse yourself in Suzhou's gardening art at the Lingering Garden and Tiger Hill.

Itinerary Overview

D1-D4 Beijing Arrival & Sightseeing

Visit Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Hutongs.

D5-D6 Xian Sightseeing

Visit Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda,Shaanxi History Museum.

D7-D8 Guilin&Yangshuo Sightseeing

Take Li River cruise, and visit Yangshuo countryside, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave.

D9-D11 Shanghai and Suzhou Sightseeing & Departure

Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Panmen Gate.

Detailed Itinerary

(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing Airport, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from the jet lag.

D2 Beijing (B,L)

After breakfast, the local guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby. Transfer to the scenic Shichahai area, known for its interconnected lakes—Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. Dive into the labyrinthine network of narrow alleys known as Hutongs. Wander down Yandai Xiejie, a 700-year-old sloping street once famed for its tobacco pipe shops. These alleyways are home to some of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods and provide a glimpse into the daily lives of local residents. Hop on a rickshaw to shuttle through the Hutong streets and alleys, and get knowledge of the lifestyle of old Beijing.

For lunch, indulge in one of China's most celebrated dishes, Peking Roasted Duck, savoring the flavors that have made it world-renowned.

The highlight of your day continues as you walk cross the city moat en route to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), one of the world's five major palaces. This vast complex, with over 9,000 rooms, once served as the imperial residence for 24 emperors throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Traverse through various gateways to marvel at its splendid architecture adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble foundations, and exquisite colorful paintings.

Optional activity: In the evening, you can watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at the Red Theater.

D3 Beijing (B,L)

After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Heaven first. The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest.

Then you will make a stop at a renowned Chinese pharmacy - Tong Ren Tang which was designated to provide traditional Chinese medicine to the imperial family in 1723. Here you will discover the enchanting world of traditional Chinese medicine as you explore an array of time-honored remedies, medicinal herbs, and an assortment of traditional tools.

After the visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit Mutianyu which is one of the best preserved yet less crowded sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall serves as a strategic link between the Juyongguan Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou to the east, effectively safeguarding Beijing throughout history. It has earned the moniker "Perilous Mountain and Mighty Pass". You will take a cable car up to the half way to enjoy some hiking. After that, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car.

Then dive back to Beijing downtown, and make a stop at Beijing Olympic Village to view Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional experience: Appreciate the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.

D4 Beijing&High speed train to Xian (B,L)

In the morning, drive to Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Here you can leisurely stroll amidst ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges, and corridors. Take a leisure stroll on the rippling Kunming Lake to enjoy the verdant mountain view of Longevity Hill. You will visit the Long Corridor, boasting a total length of 728 meters and housing 273 rooms. Renowned for its exquisite architectural design, meandering layout, and vibrant color paintings, it has long been hailed as an epitome of artistic brilliance.

After the visit, you will be transferred to the railway station to take a high speed train to Xian(abt 5hrs). On your arrival, you will be picked up by our tour guide, and escorted to your hotel for check in.

D5 Xian (B,L)

After breakfast, you will visit Terracotta Warriors Museum which is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in human history. There are more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made to protect the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang in this afterlife. The Terracotta Warriors and horses are all life-sized, and the warriors carry real bronze battle weapons. Orderly arrayed in rows and lines, these figures of warriors and horses make up a great underground army consisting of war chariots, infantrymen, cavalrymen and other armed servicemen. You will also learn to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.

Then drive back to downtown area and pay a visit to the Ancient City Wall. The wall was built for defensive purposes, enclosing and protecting the city from invading forces, constructed initially during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). You will get up to the wall to get panoramic views of the city. If you like, you can also enjoy a relaxing bike riding on the Wall(optional). Leave the City Wall, head to Muslim Quarter, where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Optional activity: You can have a dumpling banquet for dinner, followed by a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show.

D6 Xian & Flight to Guilin(B,L)

In the morning, you will visit Da Cien Temple, where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda stands as a renowned architectural masterpiece. Soaring to a height of 64.5 meters, this pagoda was constructed by the esteemed Buddhist master Xuanzang during the early Tang Dynasty to safeguard invaluable scriptures he acquired from India. (Note: An additional fee of 30 RMB is required for ascending the Big Wild Goose Pagoda).

Followed by a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum. It is one of the first large-scale modern museums in China and is particularly known for its extensive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. The diverse range of artifacts are of high quality and great historical values.

The rest of today is free for you until get escorted to catch flight to Guilin(abt 2hrs). Upon arrival, be picked up by the local guide, and get transferred to your hotel in Guilin city. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

D7 Guilin-Yangshuo(B,L)

After breakfast, start your Guilin tour with Li River cruise (4-star ship).The cruise begins in Guilin City and ends in Yangshuo after 4-5hrs, covering a distance of approximately 83 kilometers (52 miles). As you glide along the Li River, you'll encounter a picturesque tapestry of towering karst peaks, verdant bamboo groves, lush rice paddies, and rustic villages. The dramatic limestone cliffs rising from the riverbanks form a backdrop that seems straight out of a traditional Chinese ink painting. During the cruise, you will witness the scene depicted on the 20 yuan note near Xingping town. Lunch is served on the cruise.

After the cruise, disembark at Yangshuo, and start the exploration of Yangshuo countryside. You can take either mini bus or bicycle to explore the countryside. Passing through quaint villages, rice paddies, and fruit orchards, you will never get bored with its breathtaking countryside scenery. During the tour, you will visit a local farm family. Try some local snacks and interact with friendly locals to know their daily life.

After the that, have some leisure time at West Street, a great place to try local delicacies, buy handcrafted souvenirs.

Optional activity: In the evening, watch the amazing outdoor night-time performance Impression Liu Sanjie.

D8 Guilin& Flight to Shanghai(B,L)

After breakfast, drive back to Guilin city(1.5-2hrs). You will visit the symbol of Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill first. Elephant Trunk Hill gets its name because it resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River. Hike up to the pagoda for panoramic views of the city and the Li River. There are trails that lead around the base of the hill and across the arch bridge, allowing for close-up views and photo opportunities.

Afterwards, drive to the Reed Flute Cave. Inside, the cave extends for approximately 240 meters (787 feet), with various chambers connected by narrow passageways. These chambers showcase an incredible display of illuminated natural wonders that resemble everything from landscapes and plants to mythical creatures and heavenly palaces.

After the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai(abt 2hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel in downtown area.

D9 Shanghai (B,L)

Start today with an exploration of Yu Garden - an iconic classical garden nestled within bustling Shanghai's core. Situated northeast of Huangpu District's Old Town area, you will see the stylish Chinese pavilion and authentic old architectures in Yu Garden. Surrounding the garden is a bustling marketplace filled with shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, souvenirs. Enjoy shopping time at Yuyuan Bazaar, and you can try snacks and local delicacies like xiao long bao (steamed dumplings).

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Former French Concession to explore the city's unique history, architecture, and modern lifestyle. The city walk starts from Tianzifang, a place filled with artsy shops, studios, galleries, and cozy cafes. Here you can appreciate traditional Shanghai shikumen architecture. Continue north to Sinan Mansions, an upscale residential and commercial complex that exemplifies the elegance of the French Concession era.

Next highlight for today is Shanghai Tower. Stands in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial Zone, Shanghai Tower(632 meters) is the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world. You will take a high-speed elevator ride that swiftly takes you up to the observation deck(118F), reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour (73 km/h). Enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai from the observation deck, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the sprawling cityscape stretching to the horizon.

To conclude your day filled with exploration and discovery, take a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road to the Bund and enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.

D10 Shanghai-Suzhou-Suzhou(B,L)

Start early today and drive 2 hours to Suzhou. Upon arrival, you will visit the Lingering Garden, one of China's finest classical gardens and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take your time to wander through the exquisite landscapes, rockeries, and pavilions, experience the essence of Suzhou's garden art, and appreciate the harmony between nature and human creativity.

Then head to Panmen Gate, an ancient city gate with a history dating back over 2,500 years. Climb up for a panoramic view of the old city walls, moat, and the modern cityscape beyond.

This afternoon visit Shantang Ancient Street. The street is lined with well-preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Next pay a visit to the Tiger Hill. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Tiger Hill is renowned for its scenic beauty, profound history, and cultural significance. Visit the iconic Yunyan Pagoda (Leaning Tower). This seven-story pagoda leans slightly due to the uneven settling of its foundation. Another highlights is the Sword Testing Rock (Jianjian Feng). This large rock is said to have been split by the legendary king of Wu, Helü, who tested his sword on it.

After the tour, transfer back to Shanghai.