Beijing. O/N Beijing

Beijing - At 9:00 am, the guide will meet the group in the hotel lobby in Beijing to commence a one-day tour of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - The first stop is the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, or Gu Gong in Chinese. Located in the heart of Beijing, it served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Construction began during Emperor Chengzu’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and took 14 years to complete. Ancient Chinese astronomers believed the Purple Star (Polaris) was at the center of heaven, where the Heavenly Emperor resided in the Purple Palace. Thus, the emperor’s earthly palace was called the Purple City, and entry was forbidden without the emperor’s permission, hence the name ‘The Purple Forbidden City’, commonly known as ‘The Forbidden City’.

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - Next, visit Jingshan Park, a stunning royal landscape garden covering 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters). The park is located on the central point of the city’s south-north axis, facing the Forbidden City’s north gate. It is situated on Jingshan Hill, originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill, or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill). The hill’s mid-summit is the highest point in Beijing, offering a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Then, proceed to Tiananmen Square, a large plaza near Beijing’s center, named after the Tiananmen (“Gate of Heavenly Peace”). It is located north of the city, separating it from the Forbidden City. The square holds significant cultural importance, having been the site of several key events in Chinese history.

Temple of Heaven - After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, a complex of Taoist buildings in southeastern urban Beijing, known as the Xuanwu District. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the complex for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Although regarded as a Taoist temple, the Chinese Heaven worship by the reigning monarch predates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing!

Beijing. O/N Beijing

Beijing - In the morning, the tour guide will meet the group at the hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a 90-minute drive, 80 km away.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Upon arrival at the scenic area’s parking lot, take an electric car to the entry, then a chairlift to the 14th watchtower. Enjoy a leisurely two-hour hike on the wall, ending with a toboggan ride down. The Great Wall at Mutianyu, built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), is one of the most renowned sections. Mutianyu is celebrated for its unique charm, “Out of all the Great Walls, Mutianyu stands apart”. Explore the ancient structure and learn about its history and significance. The professional guide will answer questions and share exclusive stories and facts about the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) - At 1:00 pm, enjoy lunch at a local countryside restaurant before heading to the Ming Tombs. Located in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing’s urban area, the site is a tomb cluster from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including 13 emperor’s mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines, and one grave for eunuchs. Situated at the foot of Mount Yan, the surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful.

Beijing - At the end of the day, the guide will escort the group back to the Beijing hotel.

Beijing - Xi’an. O/N Xi’an.

Beijing - The tour guide and driver will meet the group at the Beijing hotel at 9:00 am and drive to the Beijing Lama Temple, an 18-minute drive, 6 km away.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - Discover the best of Beijing on this one-day private sightseeing tour. Start the day at the serene Lama Temple and learn about its fascinating history. The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery or Lama Temple, is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. The temple’s architecture and artwork combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Afterwards, head to the expansive Summer Palace, covering an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water: Kunming Lake. This artificial lake was created by extending an existing body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. As the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, earning the title ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - Then, take a private car to the Houhai Lake area for a rickshaw hutong tour. A Hutong tour offers a chance to mingle with local residents and experience a unique travel experience in the intricate winding Hutongs. These maze-like, deep alleys remain as they were long ago, recording the city’s history. Many residents are still reluctant to leave their beloved Hutongs. Visit a local family’s house to experience authentic Beijing life and stop occasionally to take pictures.

Nanluoguxiang - Next, visit Nanluoguxiang. For those interested in shopping, Nanluoguxiang in the Gulou, or Drum and Bell Tower district, is a must-see hutong. It features several kilometers of shops, galleries, and cafés ranging from chic to kitschy. Find cool T-shirts here (Plastered has a good line) with tricked-out images of everything from Mao Zedong to garden gnomes.

Beijing Capital International Airport - After the tour, the group will be driven to Beijing Capital International Airport for a flight to Xi’an, possibly booking the MU2116 19:00–21:25. The flight takes around 2.5 hours.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Upon arrival in Xi’an, the group will be picked up and transferred to the Xi’an hotel (driver only, no guide).

Xi’an. O/N Xi’an

Xi’an - In the morning, the tour guide will meet the group at the Xi’an hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, an 80-minute drive, 45 km away.

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - The guide will reserve tickets online in advance and help the group skip the line at the Museum entrance. Follow the guide to explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum by visiting the three excavated pits and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall. Despite being buried for over 2,200 years, the clay warriors and horses remain vivid with distinct appearances. Spend at least two and a half hours exploring this incredible site.

Small Goose Pagoda - Next, transfer to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located inside Jianfu Temple, about one kilometer south of Xi’an city proper. It is one of two famous and important Buddhist pagodas erected in the Tang Dynasty about 1300 years ago. Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its larger neighbor, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, are two significant Buddhist sites dating back to the Tang Dynasty, 1300 years ago.

The two pagodas symbolized Chang’an (Constant Peace) city. Xi’an (West Peace) was called Chang’an until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when Beijing became China’s capital. Chang’an served as the capital for ten dynasties.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - After lunch, transfer to the city wall. Walk or cycle around the wall, with bike fees paid locally if chosen.

The first landmark visitors encounter in Xi’an is the ancient City Wall, which encircles the old city. It is one of Xi’an’s most famous attractions. Today, this wall is one of the oldest and best-preserved Chinese city walls and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Muslim Quarter - The last stop is the Muslim Bazaar, the city’s most bustling area. Explore the bazaar at your own pace and return to the hotel independently. The guide will provide directions for returning to the hotel. The Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square are within walking distance of the Bazaar. The Bazaar offers many boutique stores at fair prices and numerous excellent dining options for dinner.

Xi’an - At the end of the day, the group will be driven back to the Xi’an hotel.

Xi’an - Shanghai. O/N Shanghai.

Xi’an - In the morning, the tour guide will meet the group at the Xi’an hotel lobby at 8:30 am and transfer to Hanyanglin, a 30-minute drive, 15 km away.

Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling) - First, drive for one hour to visit the Hanyangling Mausoleum, located at the site of the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, built in 153 AD. With the guide, get a close look at the thousand-year-old tombs through the glass floors and walls in the tomb pits. Additionally, the advanced Spectra Vision program will recreate the real life of the Western Han Dynasty about 2,000 years ago. Spend two hours exploring the site.

Shaanxi History Museum - After lunch, continue the Xi’an group tour to explore the Shaanxi History Museum. The unique historical and cultural heritage of Shaanxi is undoubtedly praiseworthy as a treasure house of Chinese civilization, and the Shaanxi History Museum is a palace of art displaying Shaanxi’s history and culture and China’s ancient civilization. The museum houses approximately 370,000 antiquities, ranging from prehistoric relics to those from the 1840s. The collection spans over a million years and is superior in value, quantity, rank, and species. The guide will provide professional explanations.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) - Instead of entering the temple to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, enjoy a photo stop here for half an hour. Based on suggestions from previous guests, it is sufficient to see the pagoda and the statue of Monk Xuanzang at the south square outside the temple. As a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists, the pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty, was once the site for Xuanzang to translate the Buddhist sutras.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - After the tour, the group will be driven to Xi’an Xianyang International Airport for a flight to Shanghai, possibly booking the HO1216 18:30–21:05. The flight takes around 2.5 hours.

Pudong International Airport - Upon arrival in Shanghai, the group will be picked up and transferred to the Shanghai hotel (driver only, no guide).

Shanghai. O/N Shanghai.

Shanghai - The guide will pick up the group at the hotel lobby at around 9:00 am. They will be escorted to the renowned Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, a 20-minute ride away.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - At the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, view numerous textual and graphic files and architectural models, providing an overall understanding of Shanghai’s development.

The Urban Planning Exhibition Hall showcases Shanghai’s urbanization and modernization. Learn more about Shanghai’s past and present by viewing city miniatures and rich materials about city planning. High-tech methods are widely used to forecast Shanghai’s blueprint through 2020.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing stroll in the beautiful Yu Garden. Located in the old town, Yuyuan Garden is the city’s most famous ancient site, known for its ingenious layout and delicate architecture. The garden’s treasure, Yu Ling Long (an exquisite jade stone), an artificial hill, is considered one of the three most well-known peaks in Southern China.

Yuyuan Old Street - Next, visit the Yuyuan Bazaar, also known as Yuyuan Market, located outside Yu Garden in the heart of Old Shanghai City, near the Old City God Temple. The area features many traditional Chinese buildings, now used as commercial stores selling local products, snacks, jewelry, souvenirs, antiques, and more.

Shanghai World Financial Center - Afterwards, visit the Shanghai World Financial Center and ascend to the 100th floor for panoramic city views. It is the world’s 8th tallest building and the 4th tallest structure in Mainland China. The 100th floor has a 55-meter-long viewing gallery, the second-highest observation deck in China. It is higher than the viewing platforms on the Canadian TV Tower (447 meters) and the Dubai Tower (440 meters).

The Bund (Wai Tan) - After that, visit the Bund area, the quintessential Shanghai area. Located on the bank of the Huangpu River, travelers visit the Bund for its charming riverside scenery and unique western and gothic architecture. Free time will be provided to stroll around the Bund and take photos.

Shanghai - Finally, the group will be driven back to the hotel, or they may enjoy their own time at Nanjing Road, which is very close by.

Shanghai. The tour ends.

Shanghai - The guide will pick up the group at the hotel lobby at around 9:00 am. They will be escorted to the renowned Zhujiajiao water town, a 60-minute ride away.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - The Zhujiajiao water town is famous nationwide, with a history of over 1,700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), the fan-shaped town, known as Shanghai’s Venice, glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Three places in the water town deserve a visit: Kezhi Garden, Qing Dynasty Post Office, and Fangsheng Bridge. The tour guide will accompany the group to these sites.

Kezhi Garden, built in 1912, contains various pavilions and buildings, a lotus pond, stele corridors, a bridge of nine turnings, and different kinds of plants. The stele corridor features calligraphy inscriptions from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD) with high artistic value.

In the Qing Dynasty Post Office, see precious old postcards and letters from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). A post box with a carved dragon, still in use today, is also on display.

Fangsheng Bridge, built in the Ming Dynasty, is the largest and longest stone arch bridge in Shanghai, featuring five arches.

Take a local wooden boat from Kezhi Garden and go ashore at North Street. The remaining time is for a free visit to wander around the ancient streets.

Get in close touch with the local people and their lifestyle.

Jade Buddha Temple - After lunch, visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Built in 1882 for two white jade Buddha statues from Burma, the Jade Buddha Temple is a famous Buddhist shrine and an active Zen monastery. The temple plays a significant role in disseminating Buddhism through cultural means, including lectures, library services, Buddhist academic publications, and regular Buddhist cultural activities.

Tianzifang - Later, conclude the tour at Tianzifang, an old-style cultural block featuring distinctive Shikumen buildings with art studios, themed cafés and bars, and handicraft workshops.

Shanghai - At the end, the guide will escort the group to the hotel or Shanghai airport/train station, marking the end of the 7-day tour services.

• Entrance tickets included
• Round-trip flights from Beijing to Xi’an, and Xi’an to Shanghai (economy class)
• Lunch provided
• Air-conditioned in-vehicle comfort
• Private car and guide for personalized experience

• The hotels and dinner

• Can add more days if you want

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.