Qingdao-Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square-Forbidden City, Hutong (L)

Airport Toll Gate - The driver will be waiting with a sign displaying your name in the lobby of your Qingdao hotel, ready to transfer you to the airport for a two-hour flight to Beijing.

Upon arrival in Beijing, your tour guide will be waiting with a sign displaying your name at the exit of the arrival hall. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head into the city. During the drive, your tour guide will share interesting facts and history about the city. Feel free to ask any questions.

Temple of Heaven - Proceed directly to the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors worshipped the God of Heaven. Accompany your tour guide for a walk around the park, where you can observe local retirees engaging in various exercises. Feel free to join them if you wish.

Inside the Temple of Heaven, visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Hall of Imperial Zenith.

Echo Wall - Walk across Danbi Bridge to Echo Wall and Circular Mount Altar.

Yuanqiutan - Continue to Yuanqiutan to learn about ancient practices of communicating with heaven and how emperors worshipped the God of Heaven. Your tour guide will share related histories and stories.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Next, visit Tian’anmen Square, home to the Great Hall of the People, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall, and the Front Gate. Stroll around the square and learn about the stories and histories of the surrounding buildings.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Enter through the South Gate-Meridian Gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a 250-acre (101-ha.) complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions, and gardens that served as the imperial palace for over 500 years.

Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian) - Explore the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden City with your tour guide, learning about the history and stories of this vast palace. Visit the Hall of Great Harmony, where the emperor conducted state affairs, as well as the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Complete Harmony.

Palace of Heavenly Purity - Continue to the living quarters in the palace: Hall of Union, Hall of Heavenly Purity, and Hall of Earthly Tranquillity.

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum - Conclude your tour of the Forbidden City at the Imperial Garden, then exit from the North Gate.

Shichahai Scenic Resort - Proceed to the Shichahai area, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and take a leisurely walk around Yandai Xie Street, Gulou East Street, and Nanluoguxiang Alley.

Nanluoguxiang - Explore the shops and hutongs around Nanluoguxiang Alley. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.

Beijing: Great Wall of China-Olympic Park-Summer Palace (B,L)

Mutianyu Great Wall - Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your Beijing hotel, board your private air-conditioned vehicle, and head directly to the Great Wall at the Mutianyu Section. Your tour guide will share related histories and stories along the way, and you are welcome to ask questions.

Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to take the cable car or ski lift up to the Great Wall, marvel at the surrounding area, and hike up and down different towers. You can decide how long you wish to stay at the Great Wall.

Niaochao National Stadium - Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local village restaurant, dining with the village people and savoring cuisine from Northeast China.

On the way back to the city, drive past the Olympic Park to glimpse the impressive modern stadiums built for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Continue to the Summer Palace, a well-preserved royal garden renowned for its beautiful landscape and spectacular architecture, considered one of the most classical gardens in the world.

Hall of Benevolence and Longevity - Learn about Empress Cixi with your tour guide and explore her living quarters.

Long Corridor at the Summer Palace - Walk along the longest corridor in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Qingyan Stone Boat - Visit the Marble Boat, a foreign-style superstructure symbolizing the stability of the Qing Dynasty.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Beijing.

Beijing - Xi’an-Big Goose Pagoda-City Wall-Muslim Quarter (B,L)

Capital Airport Residential District - Your driver will pick you up from the lobby of your Beijing hotel and transfer you to the airport for a two-hour flight to Xi’an.

Upon arrival, your local guide will be waiting with a sign displaying your name at the exit of the arrival hall. Head directly to Xi’an city.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - Upon arrival in the city, visit the Xi’an City Wall. Reach the top of the centuries-old city wall and admire views of the city below. Ride a bike around the city wall if you wish.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) - Continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Monk Xuanzang.

Explore the area with your tour guide and learn about its history.

Muslim Quarter - Afterwards, head to the Muslim Quarter, the hub of the Muslim community in Xi’an City. Stroll around the Muslim food and souvenir market with your tour guide. Try delicious local snacks at your own cost.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Xi’an.

Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors Museum- Guilin (B,L)

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Your tour guide will pick you up in the lobby of your Xi’an hotel and head directly to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Your tour guide will share related histories and stories along the way, and you are welcome to ask questions.

Begin with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum, known as “the Eighth Wonder of the World.” The museum is divided into three sections: No.1 Pit, No.2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit. The original site was discovered by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974 and has since become Xi’an’s most important attraction. Stroll around the museum and gain rich information from your tour guide.

Guilin - After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a two-hour flight to Guilin.

Your driver in Guilin will be waiting with a sign displaying your name at the exit of the arrival hall. You will be transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Guilin: Cruise to Yangshuo (B, L )

Li River - Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel’s lobby at 8:00 am and transfer you to Zhujiang Pier, where you will embark on a boat cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo County. The Li River Cruise is considered a highlight of any visit to Guilin.

Gui Lin Zhujiang Pier - Along the river, enjoy breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water, and picturesque pastoral countryside scenery. The river generally has three sections. Various attractions like peaks and villages along the river have interesting descriptive names, which call for much of your imagination to see what they resemble. Listening to your tour guide’s legendary stories about the attractions is a delightful experience while appreciating the landscapes. Most are mystical fairy and love stories. The cruise usually takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on water conditions.

Xingping Fishing Village - The Li River takes a big turn at Xingping, endowed with beautiful and poetic scenery. It has been reproduced in many Chinese landscape paintings. Even the newly-issued 20 RMB note features the scenery on its back. A photographer once said, “Shots from any perspective of this place turn out to be impressive and stunning.”

You will enjoy a simple lunch on the boat.

West Street - Arrive in Yangshuo at 1:30 pm, stroll around West Street with your tour guide, and explore various shops, craftwork shops, painting and calligraphy stores, backpack shops, and cafes. Your tour guide will help you negotiate prices if you wish to purchase any souvenirs.

Shili Hualang - In the afternoon, explore the Ten-Mile Gallery in Yangshuo.

Strolling down a country road makes you feel like you are traveling in a painting. This is true of the Ten-Mile Gallery in Yangshuo County, a fairyland on earth. As the name implies, Ten-Mile Gallery is a picturesque road stretching from the Yangshuo town area to Moon Hill, endowed with rolling hills, endless fields, idyllic villages, and clear rivers on both sides.

Guilin Butterfly Spring - Along the Ten-Mile Gallery, there are a few famous sites you should not miss, such as Butterfly Spring Park. In the park, peculiar peaks, grotesque rocks, magnificent waterfalls, and bubbling springs can be found everywhere. A winding path meanders to the sightseeing terrace, where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Ten-Mile Gallery.

Big Banyan Tree - As the journey of the Ten-Mile Gallery continues, you will encounter a Big Banyan Tree, which is more than 1,400 years old. Follow your tour guide to stroll around, learn about the love story of Liusanjie, and see how new lovers come here to make wishes for their future.

Moon Hill - Your last stop is Moon Hill. Let your tour guide know if you want to stop to take photos.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Guilin City Highlights-Shanghai (B, L)

Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbishan) - Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your hotel and discuss the highlights and attractions you wish to see in Guilin City with your knowledgeable guide, who will help you plan an itinerary according to your interests. Then, set off and explore.

Typically, you will start at Elephant Trunk Hill, the landmark of Guilin. It has been a famous tourist destination since the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). The hill resembles a giant elephant drinking water from the river.

Enjoy a vigorous walk to the top, visit the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) Puxian Tower, which was built to worship Samantabhadra. Learn its history from your tour guide, then enjoy panoramic views of the city, Li River, and surrounding scenery.

Yunfeng Temple - Continue to Yunfeng Temple, one of the famous ancient temples of Guilin. It was the dwelling place of Monk Jianzhen, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, who crossed over to Japan six times to spread Buddhist doctrines and help regularize monks’ behavior. Stroll around the temple and the exhibition gallery on the second floor.

Fubo Hill - Continue to Guilin Fubo Hill. Fubo Hill stands next to the Li River and rises abruptly out of the surrounding landscape. It is famous for both natural beauty and historic art.

Explore etchings of Buddha dating back to the Song and Tang Dynasties (618 - 1279) at Thousand-Buddha Cave and Pearl-Returning Cave with your tour guide. Admire the Sword-Testing Rock and learn the legendary stories behind it.

Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) - Afterwards, head to Reed Flute Cave. Over millions of years, dripping water has eroded the cave to create a special world of various stalactites, stone pillars, and rock formations. Explore important spots in the attraction such as Tower-shaped Pine and Crystal Palace. Despite the fantastic natural scenery inside Reed Flute Cave, there are many writings on the wall. There are 77 travelogues and poems left, which are derived from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Shanghai - You will be transferred to the airport for a two-hour flight to Shanghai.

Your driver in Shanghai will be waiting with a sign displaying your name at the exit of the arrival hall. You will be transferred to your hotel in Shanghai.

Shanghai City Highlights (B, L)

Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan) - Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your Shanghai hotel, board your private air-conditioned vehicle, and embark on your customized tour of the city’s sights. Discuss the historical highlights and attractions you wish to see with your knowledgeable guide, who will help you plan an itinerary according to your interests. Then, set off and explore.

Typically, you will start with the Shanghai Museum. The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. With bronze ware, ceramics, and painting and calligraphy as its distinctive collections, the museum boasts 120,000 pieces of rare and precious cultural relics in 21 categories.

Jade Buddha Temple - Then, move on to Jade Buddha Temple. You will see the White Jade Buddhas, which were brought here from Burma in the nineteenth century. Stroll around the halls and courtyards in the temple with your tour guide, learn about the history of the temple and Buddhism in China, and see how the locals come to worship and burn incense.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then explore Yuyuan Garden.

Yuyuan Garden is the largest ancient garden with Ming and Qing style architecture. Follow your tour guide to explore the garden and learn how to form a perfect garden. Then visit the Old City God Temple, where various local snack shops and streets are scattered around.

The Bund - Continue to the Bund, where you will see an amazing city skyline, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower, and colonial buildings along the Huangpu River. Take a walk and stop for photos.

Former French Concession - Continue to explore the Former French Concession. Besides its historical and religious factors, Shanghai French Concession is also a fantastic place for spending leisure time. Follow your tour guide to wander the narrow alleyways, dine in one of the many cafes or restaurants (at your own cost), or browse through the endless art galleries and photographic studios.

Xintiandi - Finally, finish your tour in the lively nightlife district of Xintiandi. As a window to the past and the future, to China and the world, Shanghai Xintiandi’s Shikumen attraction was created by converting residential blocks into a multifunctional dining, retail, and entertainment center flowing with restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and bars of an international standard. Follow your tour guide and explore the area.

If you have already visited some of the places above before and want to do something different, please feel free to discuss with your tour guide where to go. You can choose these attractions or activities based on your interests:

Shanghai Museum/ Pearl TV Tower/World Financial Center/Jinmao Tower

After the tour, you can choose to end your tour in Shanghai or return to Qingdao.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Plane Tickets (economy class)
• Cable car round trip or ski lift up and toboggan down at the Great Wall
• Lunch
• 4 Star Cruise Ticket from Guilin to Yangshuo
• Overnight accommodation in a standard twin room
• English-speaking guide
• Breakfast
• Transportation in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees included

• Gratuities to tour guide and driver(recommended)
• Accommodation if you choose to have the tour only

Embark on a seven-day expedition through China, visiting Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai from Qingdao. Transport by private air-conditioned car and flight is arranged. You’re greeted at each location by a local guide who introduces you to the prime attractions. Unravel the historical and cultural tapestry of China by exploring renowned sites such as: the Terra-cotta Army, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tian’anmen Square. Investigate Xi’an City Wall, discover the local Muslim quarter, visit Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden, White Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, and Xintiandi area. Enjoy a boat ride along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo while marveling at the magnificent karst peaks. Your private guide, well-versed in history, will provide a detailed commentary about the sites. Your tour package includes airfare, cruise ticket, entrance fee, meal for lunch, a tour guide proficient in English, and a private vehicle. You can choose to wind up the tour in Shanghai or go back to Qingdao. The package also offers you an option to book a 4-star hotel with daily breakfast.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.