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

Shanghai Tourist Service Center (Pudong Airport T2) - The driver will be holding a sign with your name in the lobby of your Shanghai hotel, ready to transfer you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Beijing.

Upon arrival in Beijing, your tour guide will be waiting with a sign at the exit of the arrival hall. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head into the city. During the drive, your guide will share interesting facts and history about Beijing. 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 guide for a walk around the park, where you can observe local retirees engaging in various exercises. You are welcome to join them.

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. Discover how ancient emperors communicated with heaven and worshipped the God of Heaven. Your guide will narrate the historical stories along the way.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - After lunch at a local restaurant, head to Tiananmen 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. Explore the square and learn about the history and stories of the surrounding buildings.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Enter through the South Gate-Meridian Gate to the grand 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) - Walk through the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden City with your 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 explore 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 Forbidden City tour at the Imperial Garden, then exit through the North Gate.

Shichahai Scenic Resort - Proceed to the Shichahai area for 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 guide will share historical stories along the way, and you are welcome to ask questions.

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

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

On the return to the city, drive past the Olympic Park to glimpse the stunning 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 world’s most classical gardens.

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

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

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

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 your Beijing hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Xi’an.

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

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - Upon reaching the city, visit the Xi’an City Wall. Climb to the top of the centuries-old wall and admire the city views below. You can choose to ride a bike around the wall.

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

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

Muslim Quarter - Head to the Muslim Quarter, the hub of Xi’an City’s Muslim community. Stroll around the Muslim food and souvenir market with your guide. Try delicious local snacks at your own expense.

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 guide will share historical 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 become Xi’an’s most important attraction. Explore the museum and gain rich information from your guide.

Guilin - After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Guilin.

Your driver in Guilin will be waiting with a sign 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 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 require imagination to visualize. Listening to your guide’s legendary stories about the attractions is a delightful experience while appreciating the landscapes. Most stories are mystical fairy tales 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, offering beautiful and poetic scenery. It has been depicted in many Chinese landscape paintings. Even the newly-issued 20 RMB note features this 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 guide, and explore various shops, craft shops, painting and calligraphy stores, backpack shops, and cafes. Your guide will assist with price negotiations if you wish to purchase any souvenirs.

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

Strolling down a country road feels like 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, featuring rolling hills, endless fields, idyllic villages, and clear rivers on both sides.

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

Big Banyan Tree - As the journey through Ten-Mile Gallery continues, you will encounter a Big Banyan Tree, over 1,400 years old. Follow your guide to explore and 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 guide know if you wish to stop for photos.

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

Guilin City Highlights (B, L)

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

Typically, 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, built to worship Samantabhadra. Learn its history from your guide, then enjoy panoramic views of the city, Li River, and surrounding scenery.

Yunfeng Temple - Continue to Yunfeng Temple, one of Guilin’s famous ancient temples. 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 - Proceed to Guilin Fubo Hill. Fubo Hill stands next to the Li River and rises abruptly from the surrounding landscape, known for its 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 guide. Admire the Sword-Testing Rock and learn the legendary stories behind it.

Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) - Head to Reed Flute Cave. Over millions of years, dripping water has eroded the cave to create a unique 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, including 77 travelogues and poems from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Seven Star Park (Qixing Gongyuan) - In the afternoon, stroll around Seven Stars Park. The park features elegant mountains, clear water, miraculous stone forests, deep and serene valleys, plentiful animals and plants, and valuable cultural relics. It has been popular since the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties.

Cross the Flower Bridge, built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the oldest bridge in Guilin.

Putuo Mountain - Explore Putuo Mountain, where Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is worshiped. It abounds with caves and pavilions. On the mountain’s top, find Putuo Stone Forest, Xuanwu Pavilion, and Zhaixing Pavilion. Additionally, there are numerous valuable tablets on the mountain. You can choose how far you wish to go.

After the tour, you can choose to end your tour in Guilin or return to Shanghai/Beijing.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Economy class plane tickets
• Cable car or ski lift and toboggan ride at the Great Wall
• Lunch
• 4-star cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
• Overnight twin room accommodation (optional twin share)
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Breakfast
• Private air-conditioned transport
• All entrance fees included

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

Travel through China for six days of sightseeing around Beijing, Xi’an and Guilin from Shanghai. You’ll travel by private air-conditioned car and plane. At each destination, a local guide meets you and takes you around the top sights. Discover the culture and history of China as you see famous sites such as: Terra-cotta Army, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square. Xi’an City Wall and check out the local muslim quarter, admire the nature landscape at Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill. Cruise down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo and admiring the stunning karst peaks. Your friendly and knowledgeable private guide will give you a comprehensive history class about the attractions. Tour including plane tickets, cruise ticket, entrance fee, lunch, English speaking tour guide and private vehicle, you can choose to end your tour in Guilin or return Shanghai/ Beijing. Tour includes the option to book 4 star accommodation 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.