Glories of China

• Hotel: Novotel Peace Beijing No.3 Jinyu Lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing(or Same Class)
• None

Welcome to Beijing, welcome to China. Your private guide and driver will greet you at Beijing Capital Airport with a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening in the heart of the city, preparing for your imperial adventure.

Good to know

• There are two international airports in Beijing. One is Beijing Capital International Airport, and the other is Beijing Daxing International Airport. Both airports are available options for you. Once your flight is booked, advise your private advisor of your details for itinerary adjustments.

 

I have recommended their services to friends and they were treated with the same quality of service as we have always been treated.

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• Hotel: Novotel Peace Beijing No.3 Jinyu Lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing(or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

Your private guide will pick you up in the morning at the hotel lobby at the appointed time. You’ll first walk around Tian'anmen Square — the huge square for massive ‘secret’ meetings and political events.

Then, cross the street to the Forbidden City, the world’s largest imperial palace complex where 24 Ming and Qing emperors once reigned. Your guide will spend 2-3 hours uncovering hidden stories—from imperial rituals to palace intrigues—that are not told by typical tour guides.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for the famous Beijing roast duck.

Continue the tour to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed sacred rituals for bountiful harvests. Throughout your tour, you can admire the magnificent ancient architecture, beautiful gardens, and vibrant atmosphere of the Temple of Heaven. Additionally, take the opportunity to learn about the historical significance of this place and its importance in Chinese culture.

Evening Ideas

• Beijing offers two night shows: One is Peking Opera, and the other is an acrobatics show. If you are interested in these cultural performances, you can directly ask your travel expert to add them to your itinerary.

• Hotel: Novotel Peace Beijing No.3 Jinyu Lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing(or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, your tour starts at the Great Wall - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Drive 2.5 hours to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a UNESCO site. This section is one of the best-preserved ones of the Great Wall, renowned for its photogenic watchtowers and lush mountain vistas, but it is less busy than other sections of the amazing wall. Take a cable car up the wall and return. Your guide will show you the most recommended section to have a walk.

After finishing your lunch in a local restaurant, you'll be driven back to downtown. Then, get ready to explore the awe-inspiring exterior of the Beijing Olympic Stadiums, the magnificent Bird's Nest, and the futuristic Water Cube—two iconic landmarks from the 2008 Olympics.

Lastly, you'll take a stroll around the Hutong area. Walk through the narrow alleys and visit a local family to discover the traditional lifestyle and how these unique residential houses and culture are protected. You can also ascend the Bell Tower to have a bird’s-eye view of the hutong area. The total walking distance on this tour is about 800 meters.

• Eastern House Boutique Hotel 300 meters west of Fanxiang, South Street, Beilin District, Xi'an China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, your guide will take you to visit the Summer Palace (2-3 hours). The palace was primarily built by Emperor Qianlong as a birthday gift to his mother. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combining serene Kunming Lake with the lush slopes of Longevity Hill, offering a timeless retreat of imperial grandeur.

Take a high-speed train to Xi'an after lunch. Your Xi’an guide will meet you at the station for a seamless transfer to your hotel.

Good to Know:

• The boat rides on Kunming Lake may be limited or even suspended during the winter months (the middle of November to March next year) due to freezing temperatures or icy conditions.

• Eastern House Boutique Hotel 300 meters west of Fanxiang, South Street, Beilin District, Xi'an China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, your guide will escort you to Xi'an City Wall, constructed in the 14th century (Ming Dynasty) on the foundations of the Tang Dynasty imperial city. Encircling the city center, this landmark is China’s best-preserved, oldest, and largest ancient urban defense system. Walk along its Ming Dynasty–era fortifications, marveling at panoramic views of old pagodas juxtaposed with modern skyscrapers from the 12-meter-wide ramparts.

Afterwards, visit the world-famous Terracotta Army—the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Explore three massive excavation pits housing 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb. Allow at least half a day to fully appreciate the intricate details and grasp the sheer scale of this archaeological marvel.

Evening Ideas - Additional Tour

• Tang dynasty show (1 hour): a performance from China’s golden age of the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), with traditional dress for ladies and gentlemen, performing traditional song and dance. If you are interested in it as well, just inform your advisor.

• Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel No. 1 North Shanhu Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you'll discover more of Xi'an and China's ancient history at the Xi'an History Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. 

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7th-century Tang Dynasty architectural marvel in Xi’an, was built under monk Xuanzang to enshrine Buddhist scriptures from India, now part of the UNESCO-listed Silk Roads heritage. As China’s oldest intact brick pagoda, it uniquely blends Indian stupa design with Chinese pavilion-style structure, symbolizing the fusion of cross-cultural Buddhist exchange.

Near Xi’an’s Bell Tower, the Muslim Quarter has been a vibrant Hui cultural hub since the Tang Dynasty. Stroll along lantern-lit alleys where the air fills with the scent of grilled meats and cumin. Don’t miss Roujiamo (crispy pork-stuffed flatbread), Yangrou Paomo (lamb stew with hand-torn bread), and Red Willow Skewers—lamb grilled on fragrant branches. Pair with pomegranate juice or sweet Zeng Gao (steamed rice cake) for a taste of Silk Road flavors.

Transfer to Xi'an Airport for boarding your onward flight to Guilin. Your Guilin private tour guide will meet you at the airport. 

• Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel No. 1 North Shanhu Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s tour starts from Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic site in Guilin, providing a great photo opportunity. It's a karst hill naturally sculpted into an elephant drinking from the Li River. 

Then, take 1 hour drive to Guilin's urban Daxu Ancient Town, which allows you to experience the authentic local culture. Interact with locals, visit traditional shops, and try local street food. The town has a vibrant market where you can buy handicrafts, traditional medicines, and other local products.

Enjoy lunch at the delightful local restaurant.

After that, you'll go to the most famous Karst cave in Guilin - Reed Flute Cave. Explore this 180-million-year-old limestone cavern illuminated by rainbow-colored lights. Marvel at stalactite formations resembling crystal curtains and mythical creatures. Do you know who first discovered this cave and the fun story about it? Find out from your guide.

Evening Idea - Additional Tour

• Night Cruise on the Four Lakes of Guilin(1 hour): an ancient circular water system that people refer to as Little Venice. A boat tour lasts about an hour and permits breathtaking, colorful views of life on bridges and river banks, as well as a chance to see fishermen demonstrating how to catch fish using their pet cormorants.

• Yangshuo Mountain Retreat Yulong River Rd, Gaotian Town, Guilin, China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch Onbroad

The Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is a must for you in Guilin.  Stay on the top deck to see the picturesque views of the jagged karst peaks immortalized in traditional ink paintings, which vary as you move along the river. Do reserve a 20 RMB note if possible, to compare the hill view on the note with the view you see from the river.

A simple lunch is provided on the cruise. You arrive in Yangshou at about 1 pm. Later, afternoon cycling in Yangshuo countryside. With us, you’ll ride around rice paddies, and visit a local farming family halfway through the bike trip.

Evening Idea - Additional Tour

• Night Show – Impression Sanjie Liu (1 hour 10 minutes): Directed by the famous Chinese director, Zhang Yimou, who was in charge of the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games and a lot of world-class movies, the show has a great set up and backdrop — 3 massive peaks which light up when the show is on.

• Sunrise On The Bund No.168, Gaoyang Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai, China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

Relax in Yangshuo, and then take your onward flight to Shanghai, your last stop in China. 

Check into your centrally located hotel, then enjoy free time to explore the Bund’s colonial architecture or Nanjing Road’s glittering shops.

• Sunrise On The Bund No.168, Gaoyang Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai, China (or Same Class)
• Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, go to the Shanghai Tower, the highest skyscraper in China. Take the elevator to the observation deck located on the 118th floor for dizzying views of the Huangpu River and the city’s futuristic skyline—a testament to China’s 21st-century ambition. The elevator ride itself is quite remarkable, as it is known for being one of the fastest elevators in the world.

The riverfront pavement on the Bund has witnessed many changes in Shanghai. It is a great place to walk for a good appreciation of how the old Shanghai still co-exists alongside the new modern, bustling, high-tech city. It provides the perfect angle to take a pictures of the amazing skylines. 

Then visit the classical Yuyuan Garden where you will see how the concept of harmony has been applied in garden design.

After lunch, go to the Former French Concession area for a taste of Chinese-style petty bourgeoisie.

Evening Idea - Additional Tour

The ERA Acrobatics Show is guaranteed to give you a wow night. Our Shanghai tour guide will help you book tickets.

• Breakfast

Your guide and driver will escort you to Shanghai airport to board your onward flight.