13 Days China Landscape Tour:
Beijing-Xian-Zhangjiajie-Guilin-Shanghai

Tour Highlights

⦁ Visit iconic historical and cultural sites in Beijing and Xian.
⦁ Capture unforgettable moments in some of China's most photogenic spots, from the Great Wall to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
⦁ Take in the picturesque Li River scenery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Yangshuo countryside.
⦁ Experience the vibrant mix of old and new in Shanghai.

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-D9 Zhangjiajie Sightseeing & High speed train to Guilin

Visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park(Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain).

D10-D11 Guilin & Yangshuo Sightseeing

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

D12-D13 Shanghai Sightseeing & Departure

Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund

Detailed Itinerary

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

D1 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.

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 the 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 Zhangjiajie(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 Zhangjiajie(abt 1.5hrs). Welcome to Zhangjiajie! You will be welcomed by local tour guide at the airport, and transferred to your hotel in Wulingyuan area.

D7 Zhangjiajie(B)

In the morning, drive about 20mins to visit the Baofeng Lake. Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on the lake, taking in the stunning natural scenery including towering cliffs, lush forests, and waterfalls. After the cruise, you will explore the walking trails around the lake, which offer great views of the surrounding landscape.

Then head to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, also known as the "World's Longest and Highest Glass-Bottomed Bridge". It offers you a thrilling and vertigo-inducing experience. After that, enjoy some hiking along the cliffs, and immerse yourself in its breathtaking natural landscapes, such as lush subtropical forests, gorges, waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams. You will also participate in exciting outdoor activities like slide way and ziplining to fully experience the natural beauty and thrill of the canyon.

Transfer back to hotel after the tour.

D8 Zhangjiajie(B)

Today you will further explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. First take a sightseeing bus to experience Bailong Elevator, the fastest elevator and also the tallest outdoor elevator in the world. Then head to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Here you will see the Hallelujah Mountain (Avatar Mountain). Inspired by the floating rocks in the movie "Avatar," this uniquely shaped pinnacle became a global sensation. And you won’t miss the First Bridge Under Heaven which is a natural arch bridge formed by erosion between two towering peaks, providing a thrilling and awe-inspiring viewpoint. You will also get panoramic views of a sea of peaks shrouded in mist, creating a dreamlike and mystical ambiance at Enchanted Terrace.

After that, take a shuttle bus to visit Tianzi Mountain. Visit Helong Park. Named after a revered Chinese military leader, this park contains several lookout points that provide spectacular views. The "Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion" and "Tianzi Pavilion" are particularly famous for their sweeping panoramas of the Karst formations. Take an exhilarating cable car to descend the mountain, and exit Wulingyuan Park by taking a shuttle bus.

You will be transferred back to Zhangjiajie City for accommodation.

D9 Zhangjiajie to Guilin by high speed train(B)

In the early morning, you will take a high speed train to Guilin. You can prepare some snacks for the 7-hour train journey. 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.

Free time ideas: You can take a leisure walk around the famous city water system - Two Rivers and Four Lakes. The night view is amazing.

D10 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.

D11 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.

D12 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.

Optional activity: You can also take a relaxing Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.