Upon arrival in Beijing, the capital of China and one of the world’s great cultural cities, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely walking tour to get a first impression of the city:

Nanluoguxiang Hutong: A lively historic alley lined with traditional courtyard homes, boutique shops, cafés, and street food stalls — a perfect introduction to Beijing’s old-meets-new charm.
or
Qianmen Street: A vibrant pedestrian avenue south of Tiananmen Square, featuring Qing Dynasty architecture, specialty shops, and local snacks, offering a taste of Beijing’s traditional commercial culture.
Return to your hotel for check-in. Evening free at leisure.

Overnight stay in Beijing.

Morning: Begin the day at Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and a symbolic heart of modern China. Surrounded by monumental landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China, the square has been the stage for many pivotal moments in Chinese history.

Continue with a guided visit to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest imperial palace complex. For nearly 500 years, this vast complex of halls, courtyards, and gardens served as the home of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk through the Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony, and Imperial Garden, discovering the grandeur of traditional Chinese architecture and the rich symbolism woven into every detail.

Afternoon: Free time to relax, or optional activities such as exploring Jingshan Park, offering panoramic views over the Forbidden City.

Overnight stay in Beijing.

Morning: After breakfast, set out for a full-day excursion to the world-famous Great Wall of China (Mutianyu or Badaling section), one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along its ancient stone ramparts, admire the watchtowers winding across the mountain ridges, and take in panoramic views of the rugged northern landscapes that once protected China’s heartland.

Afternoon: Return to the city for a Hutong Rickshaw Tour, exploring Beijing’s historic narrow alleys where traditional courtyard homes (siheyuan) still preserve the essence of old Beijing life. Visit a local family in their courtyard residence for an authentic exchange, gaining insight into daily traditions and the community spirit that defines these neighborhoods.

Evening: Optional Peking Duck dinner to taste Beijing’s most famous dish.

Overnight stay in Beijing.

Morning: After breakfast, visit the magnificent Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture. Built in the early 15th century, this vast ceremonial complex was where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Stroll through the surrounding park, where you can also witness locals practicing tai chi, calligraphy, and traditional music, adding to the cultural atmosphere.

Afternoon: Transfer to Beijing Railway Station and board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approx. 4.5–5.5 hours), traveling through China’s heartland with comfort and efficiency.

Evening: Upon arrival in Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties and starting point of the Silk Road, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay in Xi’an.

Morning: After breakfast, visit the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Explore the excavation pits housing thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, more than 2,200 years ago.

Afternoon: Return to Xi’an and explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter, a bustling neighborhood filled with market stalls, local street food, and centuries-old shops reflecting the city’s role as the starting point of the Silk Road. Visit the nearby Great Mosque of Xi’an, one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved Islamic mosques in China, blending traditional Chinese and Islamic architecture.

Evening: Conclude the day with a visit to Datang Everbright City, a modern cultural and entertainment district designed in the style of the Tang Dynasty. The pedestrian street comes alive at night with dazzling light displays, cultural shows, and lively performances, offering a festive glimpse into Xi’an’s ancient glory and modern vibrancy.

Overnight stay in Xi’an.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Xi’an to Guilin, the gateway to southern China’s most iconic landscapes. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city orientation or relax at leisure. Suggested visits include Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin where the Li River and Peach Blossom River converge, or the dazzling Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites illuminated in vibrant colors.

Overnight stay in Guilin.

Morning: After breakfast, embark on a Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, one of the most celebrated journeys in China. Sail past breathtaking karst landscapes of emerald peaks, bamboo groves, terraced fields, and traditional riverside villages. Iconic sights include Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal, immortalized in countless Chinese paintings and poems.

Afternoon: Arrive in Yangshuo, a charming town surrounded by spectacular limestone hills. Stroll along West Street, famous for its lively mix of cafés, boutiques, and local specialties. Enjoy some free time to explore or take an optional activity such as cycling through the countryside or a short bamboo rafting experience on the Yulong River.

Evening: Return by bus transfer to Guilin, where you will spend the night.

Overnight stay in Guilin.

Morning: After breakfast, visit the spectacular Reed Flute Cave, Guilin’s most famous karst cave. Known as the “Palace of Natural Art”, this limestone cavern is filled with stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and crystal-clear pools, all beautifully illuminated with multicolored lights. The cave has been a celebrated attraction for over 1,200 years, with ancient inscriptions dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province and long praised as “Heaven on Earth” for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Evening free at leisure.

Overnight stay in Hangzhou.

Morning: Begin the day with a boat cruise on West Lake, Hangzhou’s most celebrated attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire mist-shrouded pagodas, willow-lined causeways, and picturesque islands that have inspired poets and artists for centuries.

Continue to the Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul’s Retreat), one of the most important and wealthiest Buddhist monasteries in China. Founded in 328 AD, the temple complex features grand halls, colorful Buddhist statues, and the nearby Feilai Feng grottoes, decorated with hundreds of ancient stone carvings.

Afternoon: Visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda), a towering masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture overlooking the Qiantang River. Originally built in 970 AD, the 13-story pagoda served both as a religious site and a lighthouse. From its upper levels, enjoy sweeping views of the river, bridges, and Hangzhou’s scenic surroundings.

Overnight stay in Hangzhou.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer by high-speed train or private coach from Hangzhou to Suzhou, a city famed for its classical gardens, silk heritage, and canals — often called the “Venice of the East.”

Upon arrival, visit Tiger Hill (Huqiu), Suzhou’s most popular historical site. This scenic hill features ancient temples, bonsai gardens, and the iconic Leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda, often referred to as the “Leaning Tower of China.” With more than 2,500 years of history, Tiger Hill is both a cultural landmark and a tranquil green retreat.

Afternoon: Continue to the Garden of the Master of Nets (Wangshi Yuan), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Suzhou’s finest classical gardens. Despite its compact size, this masterpiece is renowned for its harmonious design of pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and courtyards, exemplifying traditional Chinese aesthetics and literati lifestyle.

Evening: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Suzhou’s charming old streets or relax at your hotel.

Overnight stay in Suzhou.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train to Shanghai, China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin exploring this dynamic metropolis where East meets West.

Afternoon: Stroll along Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s most famous shopping street, bustling with department stores, boutiques, and international brands. Continue to the historic Bund (Waitan), the city’s iconic riverside promenade, where grand colonial-era buildings face the futuristic skyline of Pudong across the Huangpu River.

Evening: Enjoy a memorable Huangpu River Cruise, offering panoramic views of Shanghai’s illuminated skyline. See landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the glittering skyscrapers of Lujiazui as they light up the night.

Overnight stay in Shanghai.

Morning: Begin with a walk through the Former French Concession, a leafy district known for its European-style villas, elegant cafés, and boutique shops. This charming area blends colonial heritage with Shanghai’s cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Continue to the Yu Garden (Yuyuan Garden), a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Wander through its rockeries, koi ponds, pavilions, and zigzag bridges, then explore the lively Shanghai Old Street, lined with traditional shops and snack stalls.

Afternoon: Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai’s most revered Buddhist temples, famous for its two rare jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. Experience the peaceful atmosphere amid incense-filled halls and chanting monks.

Conclude the day with a visit to the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building and the second tallest in the world. From the observation deck, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city’s sprawling skyline, the Huangpu River, and beyond.

Overnight stay in Shanghai.

After breakfast, enjoy free time at leisure until your transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) for your onward or return flight.

Bid farewell to China’s unforgettable journey, from Beijing’s imperial grandeur and Xi’an’s ancient treasures to Guilin’s natural beauty, Suzhou’s classical gardens, and Shanghai’s modern skyline.