Beijing: Explore city highlights (L)

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Begin your day with a hotel pick-up and follow your guide to one of the world’s largest public squares, Tian’anmen Square. Use the travel agency’s expedited security check to enter the square and admire significant landmarks such as the National Museum of China, Mao Zedong’s mausoleum, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Tian’anmen Gate.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Pass through the Tian’anmen Tower and South Gate to enter the grand Forbidden City, a 250-acre complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions, and gardens that served as the imperial palace for over 500 years. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, the Forbidden City offers a deep dive into the history and culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Lama Temple, one of the largest and most significant Tibetan Buddhist monasteries globally.

In the evening, you have the option to enjoy a spectacular Chinese show, choosing between a Chinese Acrobatic show, Kungfu Show, or Peking opera at your own expense.

Beijing: Great Wall Adventure (L)

Mutianyu Great Wall - Your driver and tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. This section is more rugged and less crowded than the famous Badaling section. With over 96% of Mutianyu covered in trees and orchards, it offers a more serene experience. You can leisurely explore the iconic monument and even climb ancient watchtowers for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Bell and Drum Towers - Next, explore the local Hutong area near the Drum and Bell Towers to get a glimpse of life in Hutong. The day concludes with an optional Chinese acrobatic show before being transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.

Beijing: Temple and Garden (L)

Temple of Heaven - Start your day at the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors performed annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Ming Emperor YongLe, the Temple of Heaven is one of several worship sites in the capital. Follow your guide to visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Nine Dragon Juniper.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - After a delicious duck lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Summer Palace, a well-preserved royal garden known for its beautiful landscape and spectacular architecture. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your hotel.

Beijing-Datong: Explore the Grottoes and City Highlights (L)

Beijing Railway Station - Your driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby and transfer you to the railway station for a 2-hour bullet train trip to Datong. (Note: You will be on your own during the train ride.)

Yungang Grottoes - Upon arrival, your local guide in Datong will meet you at the train station exit. Board your private vehicle and head directly to the Yungang Grottoes, a 30-minute drive away. Your guide will share the history and stories of the grottoes along the way. Feel free to ask questions.

Upon arrival, follow your guide to admire the outstanding Buddhist cave art from the 5th and 6th centuries at Yungang Grottoes.

Datong-Pingyao: Hanging Temple and Ancient Town (L)

Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) - Check out and bring your luggage. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head directly to the Hengshan Hanging Temple, a 1.5-hour drive. Built in 491 A.D., this architectural wonder hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge, more than 50 meters above the ground. It is the only temple that hosts worship for Taoists, Confucians, and Buddhists. Learn about the history of these three major religions in China and how they influenced the temple’s architecture.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Datong railway station for a 3-hour train trip to Pingyao.

Pingyao County - Upon arrival in Pingyao, your driver will hold a sign with your name and transfer you to your hotel.

Pingyao: City highlights (L)

Pingyao Old Town Jixiang Temple - Enjoy a free day in Pingyao Old Town to explore. Walk along the ancient Ming-Qing Street, experience the town’s history, culture, and architecture, and visit the nearly 200-year-old Rishengchang Exchange Museum.

Pingyao-Xi’an (L)

Wang’s Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan) - After breakfast at your hotel, head to Wang’s Family Compound. Built over 300 years during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, this 250,000-square-meter complex is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient residential complexes in northern China. Stroll through the courtyards and halls, listening to stories from your guide.

Shuanglin Temple - As a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Shuanglin Temple is noted for its venerable age and over 2,000 painted statues that decorate its halls. These statues, made by molding clay over wooden frames, symbolize the connection between deities and humans.

Xi’an - After the temple visit, you will be transferred to the railway station for a 3-hour bullet train ride to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your driver will hold a sign with your name and transfer you to your hotel.

Xi’an: Admire one of the seven wonders in the world

Terracotta Warriors Museum - Your guide will pick you up from your Xi’an hotel lobby and take you 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. Discovered by four local farmers in 1974, it is now Xi’an’s most important attraction. Stroll through the museum and learn from your guide.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) - After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a prime example of Tang-style architecture. Completed in AD 652, it was built to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang, whose travels inspired the famous Chinese literary work, Journey to the West.

Muslim Market - Continue to the Muslim Street to taste local snacks and shop for souvenirs. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Xi’an.

Xi’an-Chengdu: City Explore (L)

Wenshu Yuan Monastery - In the morning, you will be transferred to Xi’an railway station for a 4-hour bullet train ride to Chengdu. Your local guide will meet you at the arrival hall exit. Head directly to Wenshu Temple, a large Buddhist monastery dating back to the Tang dynasty. The monastery features five central buildings surrounded by well-maintained gardens and over 400 statues made of various materials.

Jinli Pedestrian Street - After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Jinli Old Street, one of the oldest shopping streets in Sichuan Province, dating back to the Three Kingdoms Period over 1,800 years ago. The street showcases the culture of Shuhan and features architecture typical of western Sichuan Province. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Chengdu.

Chengdu: highlights of the City

Leshan Giant Buddha (Da Fo) - Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and take a private vehicle to the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 2.5-hour drive. This UNESCO site, the largest carved stone Buddha in the world, was constructed between 713 and 803 during the Tang Dynasty. Thousands of workers contributed to this 90-year project. Explore the area with your guide and view the Buddha from different angles.

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi) - After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Spend time observing pandas at different life stages, from infancy to adulthood. Visit the research laboratory, museum, panda playground, animal hospital, and the facility’s beautiful lake. Take photos of these enchanting and endangered creatures in their natural environment. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Chengdu.

Chengdu-Changsha-Zhangjiajie (L)

Changsha - Check out in the morning, and your driver will pick you up from your Chengdu hotel and transfer you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Changsha. Upon arrival, another driver will transfer you to the railway station for a bullet train trip to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel in Zhangjiajie. (During peak season, a direct flight from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie may be available.)

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start your adventure. Located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie are the most popular sites in Zhangjiajie. To save time and energy, take a cable car or elevator up and down the mountain. Enjoy spectacular views of the sandstone peaks from the glass cable car and various angles along the steps.

Tianzi Mountain - After a simple lunch at a local restaurant or McDonald’s near Tianzi Mountain, take a 30-minute shuttle bus ride to explore the famous Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. This 1,080-meter-high quartz-sandstone pillar inspired the

• Bullet train tickets - 2nd class
• Lunch
• Overnight 4-star hotel standard room
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• English-speaking guide
• Breakfast
• Plane tickets mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrance fee, cable car etc mentioned in the itinerary
• Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle in each city

• Gratuities
• Food not mentioned in the itinerary

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.