With a 5,000-year-long history, China boasts a vast territory, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Embark on the classic 10-day journey that takes you to visit China’s top four cities including Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai. Explore renowned world cultural heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace, immersing yourself in the depths of history and unraveling dynastic legends and stories.
Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, boasts world-renowned heritage sites like the Terracotta Warriors and the Ming Dynasty City Walls, which have witnessed millennia of Chinese civilization. You can stroll or cycle along the ancient fortifications for panoramic views, savor local delicacies at the bustling Muslim Quarters, and discover the charm of this city.
The breathtaking natural scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo resembles a traditional Chinese painting and will surely be one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip. You will have a relaxing and slow-paced tour in Guilin, discovering the wild beauty and local leisurely lifestyle.
Shanghai, a modern and futuristic metropolis, stands as the final stop of the trip, offering profound insights into how this ancient yet vibrantly progressive country has evolved.
If you visit China for the first time, the trip is undoubtedly your top choice.

Highlights
- The well-preserved and spectacular Forbidden City
- Relaxing tour on Mutianyu Great Wall
- The fantastic acrobatic show in Red Theater
- Experience the bullet train (the fastest train in China) from Beijing to Xi’an
- The world-famous and amazing Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
- The leisurely bamboo rafting down the Lijiang River
- Enjoy the sunset of Lijiang River on Wuzhishan Hill in Yangshuo
- Cycling tour in the countryside in Yangshuo
- The bird’s eye view of downtown Shanghai from the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower
- Three hand-picked special meals during the trip
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Meals included: None
Hotel options:
SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing, 4-star or similar class
JW Marriott Beijing, 5-star or similar class
Upon arrival, our local guide will pick you up at the Arrival Hall of Beijing International Airport. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. You will stay in Beijing for 3 nights.
Day 2 Beijing
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Peking Roast Duck Dinner.
Hotel options:
SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing, 4-star or similar class
JW Marriott Beijing, 5-star or similar class
After enjoying the breakfast, you will visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Covering 440,000 square meters, it has witnessed many significant historic events. Next, explore the Forbidden City (closed on Mondays), one of the five most famous palaces in the world, where the 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and ruled for over 500 years.
Lunch will be a local Chinese meal.
In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Built in the late Qing Dynasty as a summer retreat for Empress Dowager Cixi, it was inspired by the famous West Lake and designed using techniques of private gardens in South of Yangtze River.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring the famous Peking Roast Duck, a local specialty.
After dinner, we will drive you back to the hotel.

Tian’anmen Square
Day 3 Beijing – Mutianyu Great Wall
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Hotel options:
SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing, 4-star or similar class
JW Marriott Beijing, 5-star or similar class
In the morning, you will be transferred to visit the world-famous Great Wall (Mutianyu Section), which is listed among the 8 wonders of the world and recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. As one of the most crucial military defense structures in ancient China, it was built to restrict the movement of enemy cavalry, safeguard national security, and maintain the stability of the people’s production and livelihood. The section is the highlight of the Great Wall. You will take a leisurely round-trip cable car up and down the Great Wall, and explore the incredible great building of human being.
Lunch will be a local Chinese meal.
After Lunch, we will drive you back to the downtown. On the way, you will have a chance to see the “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” on the bus, which are the representative buildings of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a fantastic acrobatic show at the famous Red Theater. Acrobatics are considered to be the quintessence of Chinese culture, with a history spanning over 2,000 years.
After the show, we will drive you back to your hotel.

Great Wall

Bird’s Nest
Day 4 Beijing – Xi’an 
Meals included: Buffet breakfast
Hotel options:
Novotel Xian The Bell Tower, 4-star or similar class
JW Marriott Xi’an, 5-star or similar class
It’s day 4 of your China tour! After breakfast, we will take you to visit the famous Houhai Park, a charming spot that offers a glimpse into local life. Locals gather here daily to exercise, providing a great opportunity to experience the culture up close. We will then drive to visit the famous Temple of Heaven, a landmark of Beijing, which was historically used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for good harvests and perform Heaven Worshiping Ceremonies. Then, embark on a leisurely rickshaw tour through Beijing’s Hutongs, offering you the opportunity to witness the authentic residences of the locals and immerse yourself in their traditional way of life.
Afterward, we will drive you to the railway station to board the bullet train to the ancient legendary city Xi’an (around 5.5 hours). It is absolutely an unforgettable travel experience of A Tale of Two Cities in One Day. Enjoy the comfortable and modern facilities on the fastest train in China while taking in the landscape along the way.
Upon arrival in Xi’an, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the hotel. You will stay in Xi’an for 2 nights.

Temple of Heaven

Beijing Hutong
Day 5 Xi’an
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Hotel options:
Novotel Xian The Bell Tower, 4-star or similar class
JW Marriott Xi’an, 5-star or similar class
After breakfast, start your full day tour in the ancient city. Firstly visit the well-known Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The Terracotta Army was crafted with the primary purpose of safeguarding Emperor Qin Shihuang’s tomb and ensuring his protection in the afterlife. It is estimated that this remarkable archaeological site houses over 7,000 meticulously detailed, life-size terracotta figures and horses, providing a glimpse into the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Chinese craftsmanship.
Lunch will be a local Chinese meal.
In the afternoon, visit the landmark of the city, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in the Tang Dynasty, the square pyramid stands at 60 meters high and has seven stories. It was built to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back by the famous Monk Xuanzang, whose journey was later immortalized in the famous classic novel, ” Journey to the West” . Next, visit the Grand Mosque. It is a time-honored and large-scale architecture complex that shows the interpenetration between Islamic belief and Chinese culture. Stroll around the famous Muslim Quarter, where you can taste delicious local snacks. After the tour, we will drive you back to your hotel.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 6 Xi’an – Guilin
Special activity: Cycling on the Ancient City Wall
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Dumpling Banquet at De Fa Chang Restaurant
Hotel options:
Grand Bravo Guilin Hotel, 4-star or similar class
Shangri-La Guilin Hotel, 5-star or similar class
After breakfast, visit the Ancient City Wall. Constructed in the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago, it is considered the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. You will enjoy an interesting cycling tour on the massive city wall. Next, visit the Square of Bell and Drum Tower, where you can see the well-preserved ancient Bell and Drum Tower of the Ming Dynasty (outside visiting only). After that, visit the Former Residence of Family Gao. It is famous for its well-preserved traditional courtyard residence. Here, you will also enjoy a traditional puppet show.
Your lunch will be a famous Dumpling Banquet at De Fa Chang Restaurant. Established in 1936, the restaurant is one of the most famous dumpling restaurants in Xi’an.
After the tour, we will drive you to the airport for the departure flight to the fairyland city of Guilin, which features fascinating landscapes and beautiful countryside. Overnight in Guilin.

Ancient City Wall

Former Residence of Family Gao
Day 7 Guilin – Xingping – Yangshuo
Special activities: Bamboo Rafting down the Lijiang River (Yangdi Pier-Xingping Ancient Town), Enjoy the sunset on Wuzhishan Hill
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Hotel options:
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat or similar class
Banyan Tree Yangshuo, 5-star or similar class
After breakfast, we will drive to Yangdi Pier where you will take the leisurely and interesting bamboo rafting down the Lijiang River to Xingping Ancient Town. The rafting takes around 3 hours, offering breathtaking natural views along the Lijiang River and the beautiful countryside. Next, explore the ancient town Xingping, a stunning pearl along the Lijiang River. The town is known for its well-preserved traditional residences, big ancient banyan trees, and flagstone streets. It is considered to be the most beautiful ancient town along the Lijiang River.
After that, we will drive you to Yangshuo and take a stroll around the famous Yangshuo West Street. Continue on to visit the vivid Wuzhishan Hill (Five Fingers Hill), which offers the best views of the sunset over the Lijiang River (depending on the weather) and the surrounding countryside. After the tour, we will drive you to your hotel in Yangshuo for check-in.

Bamboo Rafting down the Lijiang River

Xingping Ancient Town
Day 8 Yangshuo – Guilin – Shanghai
Special activity: Cycling in the countryside in Yangshuo (1 hour)
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.
Hotel options:
SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund, 4-star or similar class
Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai, 5-star or similar class
In the morning, you will enjoy an interesting cycling tour in the countryside of Yangshuo (1 hour) to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Then, we will drive you back to Guilin and visit the Reed Flute Cave, a remarkable example of a typical karst landform. This enchanting cave is widely regarded as the “Art of Nature Museum”, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the Earth’s geological wonders. The last stop today is Elephant Trunk Hill, a landmark of Guilin. Standing at 200 meters above sea level, Elephant Truck Hill rises 55 meters above water surface and measures 108 meters in length and 100 meters in width. Lunch will feature local Chinese food during the trip.
After the tour, we will drive you to the airport for the departure flight to Shanghai, the financial center of China. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. You will stay in Shanghai for 2 nights.

Yangshuo

Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 9 Shanghai
Meals included: Buffet breakfast, Chinese Lunch.
Hotel options:
SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund, 4-star or similar class
Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai, 5-star or similar class
After breakfast, start your full-day tour to explore the metropolis. Visit the Shanghai Museum (closed on Mondays), one of the TOP 3 museums in China, which features a large collection of bronze artifacts and other rich collections. It’s a great place to learn about the history and culture of China. Next, take a leisurely stroll around the romantic Bund, a renowned waterfront area adorned with 52 distinct buildings showcasing a diverse array of architectural styles. Here, you can indulge in the breathtaking skyline of the city, where history and modernity blend seamlessly.
Lunch will feature authentic Shanghai cuisine at the famous LULU Restaurant, which has been serving guests since 1985. It is highly recommended by the locals.
After lunch, visit the renowned Yu Garden, Shanghai’s most famous private garden, which was constructed in 1559 A.D. Esteemed as the “Stunning Pearl” of Shanghai, this historic gem offers a glimpse into traditional Chinese garden design. Then, we’ll explore the nearby lively Yuyuan Bazaar, where you can indulge in some shopping and pick up unique souvenirs. Be sure to sample the delectable street food, Long Xiang Baozi (steamed stuffed-buns), a local favorite. Afterward, we’ll wander around the famous Tianzifang, a once-ordinary neighborhood transformed into a vibrant hub of trendy boutiques, bars, restaurants, and art studios. Dinner will be at your own expense.
After the tour, we will drive you back to the hotel.

The Bund

Yu Garden
Day 10 Departure from Shanghai
Meals included: Buffet breakfast
Today marks the final day of your discovery tour in China. You will have a glimpse of the metropolis before boarding your flight.
We will set out on a drive around the Lujiazui Financial Zone, which is often referred as the “Wall Street of China” due to its high concentration of international banks and financial institutions. Then, visit the new landmark of Shanghai, the Shanghai Tower. With a total height of 632 meters, it is the tallest building in China. You will take a high-speed elevator up the 118th-floor Observation Hall, where you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the metropolis.
After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight. (We recommend booking a departure after 4:00 pm).
End your memorable trip in China.

Lujiazui Financial Zone























