Epic Panorama

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby, and then today’s sightseeing will commence with a visit to Tiananmen Square. It has witnessed the country's development over the past 500 years and has become an important venue for most national ceremonies, regarded as the heart of the great nation.

Continuing ahead, you’ll witness an unparalleled ancient palace complex, the Forbidden City, which is the residence and power center of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1901 AD). Spend 2-3 hours exploring significant palaces while your guide shares fascinating stories about royal life, like how they survived the harsh winters and sweltering summers. When temperatures dropped below -15℃ (5°F), the emperor enjoyed warmth from underground heating in his bedroom and study, insulated further by thick carpets. In contrast, concubines used charcoal braziers with metal covers, which, while not as luxurious, were still superior to the thin clothing ordinary citizens had to endure. In the summer heat, which could soar above 40℃ (104°F), palaces were cooled using ice stored in underground cellars and by fanning from maids. 

Post a local flavor lunch, we’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial altar where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped the God of Heaven for good harvests.

★ Special Cultural Experience: Acrobatic Show from Life to Stage

Then your guide will invite you to a spectacular acrobatic performance at the Red Theater, including thrilling high-altitude stunts, contortion, and shoulder ballet. These acts have roots in essential skills developed in the primitive society. Gradually becoming art forms, they were still nurtured by daily life. For instance, to carry multiple bowls and plates at once, people would put some on their heads while walking, which evolved into the art of head balancing over time.

★ Taste Beijing with A La Carte Welcome Dinner

We’re well aware that a genuine and exquisite Chinese meal can enhance your trip. After the show, get ready to treat yourself to an a la carte welcome dinner in a fine high-end restaurant. At an average cost of USD 22 per person, double the local average, and included in your price, you can taste the iconic Peking Duck, a dish often served at state banquets, and local favorites, such as noodles with soybean paste. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted by renowned chefs.

As the day winds down, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch, a la carte welcome dinner with Peking Duck

This morning, gear up for an adventure to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a 1.5-hour drive from the city. To maximize your exploration time, we’ll take the cable car up to Watchtower No.14 and traverse military facilities, unraveling the reasons behind the construction of this 600-year-old defensive system. For those seeking variety, chairlift up and toboggan down the Great Wall are also available. Look back to the mid-14th century, when the new Ming Dynasty faced threats from the raiding cavalry units of the previous regime. To strengthen border defense, several passes and the unique double-sided crenellations were added to the old Wall. As military needs diminished, Mutianyu became a crossroads of cultural exchange, with nomadic tribes gradually settling and adopting farming techniques, while inland people absorbed aspects of their clothing and dietary habits. Today, it welcomes visitors from around the globe. After descending, you’ll have a buffet lunch.

★ Special Treat: 

After hiking, toast with red wine at the foot of the Great Wall to celebrate your milestone on China’s most famous landmark. 

We’ll then return to the city center, stopping by the Olympic Park. Try capturing creative photos for the curving steel lattice of the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and the bubble-like facade of the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube).

★ Local Life Immersion: Hutong Rickshaw Ride & Family Visit

Overwhelmed by too much ancient engineering? Jump onto our specially arranged rickshaw through the Hutong alleys for everyday life in Beijing’s veins. The courtyard houses with closed gates and shuttered garages are private residences, and the entrance stones will tell you the identities of their past owners. Stones shaped like war drums and carved with beast patterns belonged to generals, while those resembling bookshelves were once the property of civil officials. The deeper we venture, the more realistic the life of most Beijingers we’ll glimpse through rows of modest bungalows. These homes are often shared by 4-6 families, with doors left ajar for convenience. Your guide will accompany you to visit a local family. Typical living spaces are just 10-20 square meters and are primarily filled with beds and storage cabinets. If three generations live together, bunk beds and curtains are utilized to separate individual spaces. Despite the challenges, they’re unwilling to move away. Discover the reasons behind their attachment through a dialogue with the host!

Finally, we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, buffet lunch

Your last stop in Beijing is the Summer Palace, the world’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Beyond being a lavish summer retreat, it was also a winter sports arena. In the late 18th century, a Dutch delegation visited the Forbidden City to celebrate Emperor Qianlong’s (1711 - 1799 AD) birthday. After a brief audience, they were whisked away to the Palace to witness splendid games on ice, which included martial arts, hockey, and figure skating. The spirit of winter sports remains alive nowadays; if you visit in mid-to-late January, you can climb up to the Fragrant Buddha Pavilion and watch thousands of people gliding across the ice on bicycles! Enjoy a local flavor lunch before leaving Beijing.

★ Experience China Train's Speed at 300km/h

While you’re in China mainly for sightseeing, you may want to glimpse the country’s rapid development, and taking a high-speed train is absolutely worthy on your to-do list. After lunch, we’ll escort you to the train station to facilitate your journey. This world’s largest rail network, spanning 50,000 km (31,000 mi), seamlessly connects main cities and quaint villages. Once your guide has everything set and the porters help you with your luggage, enjoy the picturesque farmland and modern infrastructure flashing by as you zoom along the 1,200 km (750 mi) from Beijing to Xi’an in just 5 hours. Upon arrival, your Xi’an guide and driver will pick you up at the train station and escort you to your hotel.

► Evening Inspiration (at your own expense): 
If you’re energetic once settled, consider venturing out to Shuncheng Lane looped around the ancient City Wall. Discover a variety of bars offering distinctive atmospheres; choose one, enjoy some craft beers, and soak in the live performances.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast, lunch

Your Xi’an tour will start from the Eighth Wonder of the World, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC)’s Terracotta Army Museum, to check out his splendid burial objects. During his unification of ancient China, the Emperor undertook five chariot journeys across his empire. As his life drew to a close, he prepared for the afterlife with not only a formidable army of life-sized terracotta warriors, but also exquisitely crafted bronze chariots to carry him through eternity. The ingenious craftsmanship is reflected in every detail, from the soldier’s vivid facial expressions to the chariots’ sophisticated assembly. By combining advanced techniques of casting, inlaying, welding, interlocking fasteners, and movable hinges, these VIP vehicles stand as an extraordinary feat of the Bronze Age. Additionally, to ensure a comfortable ride for the emperor, a shock absorber shaped like a lying rabbit was incorporated at the junction of the axle and shaft, filled with flax to cushion the journey. What an innovative soft-connection suspension system developed 2,000 years ago that can compare to modern technologies found in a Maybach. Enjoy a local flavor lunch after visiting the museum.

★ Extra Experiences for Our Guests:

1. Walk into the Home of the Discoverer of Terracotta Army: We’ll visit the home of Mr. Yang, and glimpse the hoe that he used to dig up the first clay warrior, the wooden cart to carry it, and the replica of the first discovered terracotta figure.
2. Make a Mini Terracotta Figure and Take it Home: Visit a local workshop to create your own terracotta figure, about 11-centimeter (4.3-inch) tall, from the same clay that formed the ancient warriors. Try molding a soldier, a general, or even Emperor Qin Shi Huang with guidance from a local artisan. 

Driving back to downtown, we’ll glimpse the city’s ancient landmark - the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. This square brick pagoda was built over 1,300 years ago by the famous monk Xuanzang (602 - 664 AD) after his epic hike to India to access original Buddhist scriptures. With the help of your guide, take photos with this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

★ Listen to the Echo of Splendid Tang Dynasty

To immerse yourself in the Tang Dynasty’s (618 - 907 AD) splendor, your guide will then accompany you to watch a song and dance performance. The emperors of this era had an unparalleled love for court music, establishing the first national-level professional arts academy that attracted thousands of talented performers. In this performance, the musicians on the left represent the most skilled performers of the time, playing traditional instruments continuously, while lower-status musicians on the right build up the show with drums. During the performance, a hand-crafted dumpling banquet will feast your taste buds.

To conclude the day, we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch, dumpling dinner

After the morning rendezvous, let’s start a vigorous day at the City Wall Park. Here, you’ll find locals engaged in exercises from aerobics to shadowboxing. Guided by a local master of shadowboxing, you'll have a rare chance to learn basic moves while deeply exploring your spiritual world.

Then, go up to the City Wall, a 600-year-old legend of capital defense. It barely survived the massive urban construction in the 1950s, as it impacted urban planning and traffic efficiency, and its severe damage would be costly to repair. However, given its historical significance, as well as the mass voluntary restoration initiative of locals, the Xi’an City Wall, with over 26 million bricks used, was completely preserved and has become Xi’an’s current golden tourism card. Stroll on it while admiring the cityscape inside and outside. Cycling on the City Wall is a popular, and if you’re interested, rent a bicycle for sightseeing at your own expense with your guide’s help.

★ A La Carte Lunch Featuring Xi'an Signature Dishes

Afterwards, stroll through the bustling Muslim Quarter, a hub for all the famous local delicacies. Your guide will invite you to a top-rated restaurant for an a la carte lunch. Try the famous hot oil noodles, fried beef potstickers, and red date glutinous rice as you prefer. In this carb paradise, no one can resist the chewy texture of hot oil noodles, perfectly complemented by meat and vegetable toppings. While waiting for your meal, indulge in the chef slapping the belt-like noodles on the cutting board and the sizzling sound of hot oil splashing on the cooked noodles.  

Next, explore the Great Mosque in unique Chinese architectural and garden style. Following that, our journey extends to the Shaanxi History Museum. From prehistoric stone tools to jade seals and murals, you’ll see how Xi’an narrates the early chapter of Chinese history. One of the highlights is the Camel with Musicians, a tri-colored glazed pottery figurine, which perfectly recreates the cultural exchange that took place along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty.

Today’s itinerary is all done here, and you'll return to your hotel escorted by your guide and driver.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, a la carte local food lunch

After breakfast, bid farewell to Xi’an and we’ll escort you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Guilin. Your local guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport to escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Followed by a short break, head to the Reed Flute Cave, an encyclopedia of karst formations written by nature over 1.8 trillion years. A plethora of stalactites, stalagmites, and curtains is so stunning that even high-end jewelry designers would be envious. The grandest chamber, known as the Crystal Palace, spans approximately the size of four basketball courts, where hanging stalactites form a natural dome. The area is illuminated with blue-purple eco-friendly lights, creating a fantasy world perfect for capturing dreamlike reflections dancing on the water below.

After soaking up the underground artistry, let’s elevate our karst pilgrimage to the surface at the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill. Stroll along the riverside promenade and take photos of the Water Moon Cave between the elephant’s trunk and legs on the first viewing platform. 

A quick sightseeing of Guilin’s city highlights will end here, and we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast

★ Li River Cruise: Floating in a Living Ink Wash Painting 

This morning, after meeting in the hotel lobby, you’ll be escorted to the pier and board the cruise downstream along the Li River to Yangshuo. The Li River is the only river in China featured on CNN’s list of the world’s 15 most beautiful rivers, receiving top marks for its scenic beauty, the same as the champion Amazon River. Unlike the Amazon’s adventurous jungles, the Li River enchants with a landscape reminiscent of classic Chinese paintings. The karst peaks and their reflections create a Zen-like atmosphere, while the stone patterns on the cliff faces further stimulate your imagination. You’ll hear legendary tales from your guide that locals have passed down about famed spots like Five Fingers Mountain, Nine Horses Mural Hill, and Yellow Cloth Shoal. 
 Tip: Expect a leisurely 4-hour journey and arrive in Yangshuo around 14:00. Lunch served on board is a simple lunch box, so it’s recommended to have a hearty breakfast at your hotel.    

After disembarking, we’ll walk through West Street, where China meets the outside world early, famous for its international backpacker culture. You’ll find Italian cafes and bakeries alongside traditional teahouses and stalls selling handicrafts like painted fans, brocade, and wood carvings. 

Then, a countryside sightseeing is calling. Enjoy cycling through the Ten-Mile Gallery, a scenic belt offering intoxicating pastoral scenery, whose construction was inspired by U.S. President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s. Make stops along the way to take in drifting bamboo rafts, giant butterfly sculptures on the cliffs, and a banyan tree that has stood sentinel for over 1,000 years. Plus, your guide will accompany you to a local family, chatting with them to discover how tourism has transformed their lives. 

Relax as we’ll escort you back to your hotel in Guilin. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch box

After breakfast, we’ll escort you to the train station to board the 4.5-hour high-speed train to Chongqing. Once arrive, your local guide and driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Sweeping the globe on TikTok, Chongqing is now revealing itself more with the emerging cyberpunk charm brought by its intricate landform, even rivaling the futuristic Shanghai. Let’s check how locals build their city in the sky first at the Liziba Light Rail Station. At the outdoor observation deck, hold your camera ready for the moment when the light train vanishes through a 19-story residential building! Vibration-damping and noise-reducing equipment keep the noise level of the light rail at 75.8 decibels, which will not affect residents’ daily life, and they often liken it to the hum of their washing machine. Don’t miss lining up your mouth with the tunnel entrance for epic ‘swallowing the train’ shots!

Our next stop is the Kuixing Tower, an innovative urban design that reimagines space in a three-dimensional way. It’s located in a plaza that appears flat, but actually sits on the 22nd floor of the building! Step to the nearby skybridge connecting buildings of varying heights and create Inception-like photos.

As night falls, we’ll head to Hongya Cave, an 11-story stilted complex connected by a labyrinth of staircases, elevators, and covered bridges. It maximizes the city’s magic charm when illuminated, and some tourists are surprised to say, ‘It’s incredible to build such a starry sky on the cliff!’ Dining here is also an experience unlike any other. If you like, taste local delicacies at your own expense, trying the grilled sweet potato starch skins, iced sweet rice dumplings, and dry chili chicken. Your guide is willing to assist you with ordering. After a wonderful day, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Let’s kick off today with a ride on the Yangtze River Cableway. From this 4-minute mobile observation deck, enjoy panoramic views of the Yangtze River flowing alongside towering skyscrapers on both banks and further experience the city’s intertwined topography built into the mountains. The moist, foggy climate often envelops the area in a mythical haze, which has inspired many filmmakers. However, this novel experience has long become a part of locals’ daily routine since 1987, providing a quick transit for work, groceries, and school pickups.

Upon reaching the other side, we’ll head north to Longmenhao Old Street, the best-preserved historical district in the main urban area. The architecture there captures the essence of the late 19th century, when Chongqing opened to international trade. Bes sure to wear comfy sneakers to explore artistic shops and century-old churches nestled within those stereoscopic lanes. As you pant on the steps, you can appreciate the hardships locals face in this mountain town, which may explain why they are often slim. Additionally, the elevated observation deck offers panoramic views of the Raffles city skyline and Dongshuimen Bridge.

As your 8D city discovery comes to an end, we’ll escort you to the train station for a 3-hour high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. Once there, your Zhangjiajie local guide and driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today is all for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, known for its unique sandstone landform. Unlike limestone peaks in Guilin resembling pieces of ‘cheese’, slowly softened and reshaped into rounded hills, Zhangjiajie’s landscape is like a ‘hard loaf of bread’, whose softer parts in the crevices are shaved away by wind, rain, and water erosion, leaving behind tall and dense 3,000 magnificent sandstone pillars. 

Our sightseeing will start with the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Ready to ascend to the summit via the Bailong Elevator, which will send us to the summit in just 88 seconds! Clinging to the cliff, it attracts thrill-seekers from around the globe, including a French rock climber who admires its engineering brilliance. Before setting off, he thoroughly examined the entire steel derrick structure, claiming that it’s more challenging than climbing the Eiffel Tower. Admire a 360° view of soaring peaks through transparent glass walls and step out to marvel at the Hallelujah Mountain, the prototype of the floating mountain in the sci-fi film Avatar. Surrounding peak forests also showcase distinctive geological features, and you can marvel at the No.1 Bridge under Heaven, a natural stone bridge effortlessly crafted from two colossal rocks on your right.

After lunch, we’ll venture into the Yangjiajie Scenic Area. Discover the world’s rare Natural Great Wall - a 380-million-year-old series of parallel quartz-sandstone peak walls still evolving. Standing on the platform, try capturing vertically to highlight their grandeur while seeing a peak appearing like a proud rooster.  

The next stop is the Tianzi Mountain, renowned for its packed stone peaks that stand in contrast to the solitary pillars in Yuanjiajie. Lengthy and complex geological processes gifted it with wonders like the Imperial Brush Peak and Fairy Dispersing Flowers. If our visit happens to be after or in a drizzle, you may see the sea of clouds climbing over the summits. 

Finally, your guide will accomapny you to take the cable car down and back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch

Fuel up with breakfast, and we’ll drive 40 minutes to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, reputed for its Yuntiandu Glass Bridge. Inspired by the iconic glass observation deck at the Grand Canyon of Colorado, the bridge takes adventure to the next level. Unlike standing at a fixed point facing sheer height at the Grand Canyon, you will appreciate its charm through crossing its 430-meter (1,410 ft.) length with sustained psychological pressure, followed by stunning 360° panoramic views of surrounding waterfalls, streams, and sandstone pillars. Congratulations on your bravery!

Post lunch, re-enter the Forest Park for a soothing hike along the Golden Whip Stream, venturing into the lush valley floor and looking up the surrounding peaks. Starting with an easy path alongside the babble streams, we’ll transition into a shadier area filled with dense vegetation. Further ahead, the landscape opens up to reveal breathtaking peaks framed by towering treetops. Keep your eyes peeled for those playful macaques, which likely appear when spotting snacks or plastic bags. Be sure to enjoy their antics from a safety distance of 2-3 meters (6-10 ft.).  

Our exploration will draw to a close here, and your guide will escort you back to your hotel. Have a good rest!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch

In the morning, complete your Zhangjiajie exploration at Tianmen Mountain, the highest and most revered peak in Zhangjiajie. To keep energy, we’ll take advantage of the round-trip cable car and escalators. You’ll be amazed by Heaven’s Gate halfway up the mountain, a natural karst cave running through the heart of the mountain. Back in 1991, daring pilots from six nations flew their planes through this cave, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records. It thus became the Mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts, and hosted Wingsuit Flying World Championships many times. A German athlete once excitedly said after his competition, “Flying here once and then returning to the Alps feels as easy as taking a walk in Central Park”. When reaching the summit, we’ll stroll along the glass skywalk hugging the cliff’s edge. If time allows, a visit to the 7th-century Taimen Mountain Temple is available, and you can admire the four-faced, thousand-armed wooden sculpture of Bodhisattva.

After lunch, we’ll escort you to the airport for the 2-hour flight to Shanghai. Your local guide and driver will offer airport pick-up service and escort you to your hotel. As its superior location is close to the north Bund, perhaps stroll the quieter riverside trails for a stunning skyline once settled. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch

Start our Shanghai sightseeing from the Yu Garden. Contrasting with Western gardens emphasizing human order, this classic Chinese garden invites you to examine how nature and human beauty are well-balanced and blended. Wander along irregular paths to explore the rockeries, ponds, and pavilions while being absorbed in the lovely interplay of landscape and light framed by archways and latticed windows in various shapes. Outside the garden, the Nine-Turn Bridge and the Lakeside Pavilion will lead us to find the hustle and bustle of Yuyuan Bazaar. An array of cultural stalls showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of knotted buttons, silk umbrellas, and bamboo carvings. What cannot resist is the aroma from traditional street food stalls! Try famous soup dumplings, crab roe noodles, and sweet and sour mandarin fish at your own expense if you’re tempted. The budget-friendly and popular eateries include Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, Da Hu Chun, and Lv Bo Lang Restaurants. 

The next stop is the Shanghai Museum, whose collections of bronze wares, from the 18th century AD to the mid-19th century BC, top the country and even the globe. One fascinating artifact is the bronze ‘handwashing basin’ from over 2,700 years ago. Twelve three-dimensional animals were crafted on its base, rotating as water flows into the basin.

Continue our journey to the iconic Bund, where 52 architectural marvels, mainly the headquarters of banks and chambers of commerce, shaped Shanghai’s early financial center. To thoroughly appreciate them, your guide will accompany you for a 1-hour cruise on the Huangpu River. When Shanghai became a treaty port in the late 19th century, the Bund’s busy docks on the west bank emerged as a crucial logistics hub connecting East and West, where goods from cotton made in London to machinery shipped from New York were sent across China. While switching perspective to the east bank, you’ll see Shanghai’s inclusive spirit and limitless potential through the skyline of glass-clad skyscrapers. Once the boat ride concludes, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

► Evening Free Time Inspirations:
If you don't want to go back early, part way with your guide and continue your adventure on the Bund at your leisure. The buildings are a dazzling sight when lit at night, and the stretch from Chen Yi Square to Waibaidu Bridge is the best spot to catch the first seconds of the lightning process. Itching for more urban charm? Just walk 15 minutes southwest to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Finally, you can take a 10-to-15-minute taxi ride back to your hotel on your own. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Your two weeks China tour package will end today. For hotel-to-airport transfer, private tour guests will enjoy your guide's escort by our private car, while group travelers should proceed to the airport independently. If you want to extend your trip to other cities, like Chengdu or Hong Kong, we would be happy to tailor a private itinerary for you. Just share your ideas with our travel consultants!

► Transport Information:
As there are two airports in Shanghai, Pudong Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao Airport (SHA), please carefully check which one you’ll depart from.
1.To Pudong Airport: A 1-to-1.5-hour taxi ride costs about USD 30. Metro is a good choice if without heavy luggage: walk 10 minutes to the International Cruise Terminal Station → take Line 12 to Dalian Road Station → transfer to the inner loop of Line 4 and ride to Century Avenue Station → change to Line 2 until you reach the airport. The entire process takes 1.5 hours and costs only USD 1 with no risk of delay.
2.To Hongqiao Airport: A 40-to-60-minute taxi ride costs around USD 15; an hour’s metro costs just USD 0.7: walk 10 minutes to the International Cruise Terminal Station → take Line 12 to Tiantong Road Station → transfer to Line 10 to Terminal No.2 of the airport.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast