9 Days Through Skylines, Water Towns, and Dynasties

• Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees Hong Kong or hotel of similar caliber
• None

Your English-speaking guide will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel. Check in and take some time to recover from any jet lag.

• Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees Hong Kong or hotel of similar caliber
• Breakfast

Half-Day Tour of Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, and Repulse Bay (meals not included): Your Hong Kong guide will pick you up from the hotel for a tour lasting up to five hours. Hong Kong, with its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, is an exciting travel destination.

This half-day excursion will take you to one of Hong Kong's most popular attractions—Victoria Peak. You'll ride the 112-year-old Peak Tram and visit the iconic Peak Tower. Next, you'll head to Aberdeen Harbour, famous for its community of fishermen living on boats. You have the option to take a sampan ride for $10-12 to experience this distinctive lifestyle. The final stop is Repulse Bay, one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious and upscale residential areas. 

• Sunrise On The Bund or hotel of similar caliber
• Breakfast

 Today, you will journey to Shanghai by air. The guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at the appointed time and drive you to the West Kowloon Railway Station, where you will board the high-speed train to the ancient city of Xi'an.

Upon arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you will be welcomed by the guide. You will then proceed to the hotel for check-in. After settling in, you may retire to your room for rest. The remaining time is yours to enjoy at your leisure. 

• Sunrise On The Bund or hotel of similar caliber
• Breakfast, lunch

Your local guide will lead you to ascend Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, offering a monumental view over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a sweeping panorama of the city.

Amidst the bustling crowds, board a public ferry across the Huangpu River, drifting slowly from the modernity of Pudong to the historical depths of old Shanghai, crafting the latest chapter of its story.

Begin your historical journey at the Bund, the landing site of foreigners centuries ago. Each building narrates tales of its golden era, and you'll discover the traces of time etched into its structures, reflecting the ebb and flow of history.

Wander through alleys to observe local life, where residents cope with the city's housing pressures by dwelling in confined spaces.  

Take a moment to relax in a restaurant, savoring exquisite Shanghai delicacies. You'll also have the chance to experience China's most popular method of ordering takeout.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near The Bund. Here, you can savor a wide range of cuisines. 

After lunch, continue your tour with an afternoon visit to Yuyuan Garden. 

With a history exceeding 400 years, the Yuyuan Garden offers a wealth of attractions—from the dragon-lined walls and ancient trees to tranquil paths and historic halls filled with valuable antiques.

After concluding today's tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest. 

• Sunrise On The Bund or hotel of similar caliber
• Breakfast, lunch

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town. As you will be flying to your next destination, Xi'an, please bring your luggage with you when you leave the hotel.

Zhujiajiao Water Town is shaped like a fan and boasts a history of several hundred years. Along the lakeside are thousands of structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with 36 stone bridges maintaining their rustic style. You will visit the following attractions: Helong Art Gallery, the Chenghuang Temple, Hexin Garden, Yuanjin Temple and Kezhi Garden.

We will arrange for lunch at a restaurant featuring local specialties. Your local guide will recommend suitable dining options based on your interests and itinerary. It is suggested to try some typical Shanghainese dishes such as xiaolongbao, braised pork, and eight-treasure stuffed duck. 

After lunch, you may either continue exploring the water town on your own or have the guide arrange for you to visit a traditional local teahouse. There, you can savor a cup of Chinese tea, enjoy local snacks, and immerse yourself in the leisurely and relaxed lifestyle typical of the region south of the Yangtze River.

After concluding today's tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town, you will return to your hotel in Shanghai to rest. Tomorrow, you will depart Shanghai by high-speed train.

•  Beijing Peace Hotel or hotel of similar caliber 
• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, the guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at the agreed time and transport you to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, where you will board a high-speed train to Beijing.

Upon arriving at Beijing South Railway Station, your guide and driver will greet you. After being picked up, you will proceed to have lunch. Following the meal, you'll check into your hotel and enjoy a brief rest. In the afternoon, you will set out to explore Beijing.

Hop on an e-bike and trace Beijing's historic Central Axis from the Temple of Heaven to the Drum Tower. Glide past ancient palaces and modern theaters, weaving through hutongs and bustling squares. This immersive ride unveils Beijing's dual identity—as both an ancient capital and a modern metropolis—offering a unique perspective unattainable by car or foot.

After this delightful excursion, the guide will escort you back to your hotel for a rest. 

•  Beijing Peace Hotel or hotel of similar caliber 
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at Beijing Roast Duck

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on today's itinerary, visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning.

Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city square, resides at the heart of Beijing, with the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) to its north, demarcating it from the Forbidden City.

Encircled by formidable structures, it includes the Heavenly Gate, numerous museums, government edifices, and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.

The Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors from 1368 to 1911, is a World Heritage Site. It stands as the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial architectural complex globally.

Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences.

After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Hutongs in Beijing's Dongcheng district for a walking tour, where you'll also have the opportunity to learn about applying Peking Opera facial makeup.

Hutongs are historic alleyways flanked by traditional single-story courtyard houses, relics of old Beijing that are rapidly fading. As you wander through these narrow paths, you can visit local residents to experience the traditional lifestyle and learn about the preservation of these unique homes and their culture.

In a workshop within the hutongs, you'll also learn how to create Peking Opera masks. Additionally, you can ascend the Bell Tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the hutongs.

After this delightful excursion, you'll savor dinner featuring Beijing Roast Duck, with your local tour guide recommending a specific venue based on your itinerary.

Beijing Roast Duck, a dish originating from the imperial era, is celebrated for its thin, crisp skin. Authentic versions predominantly feature the skin with minimal meat, sliced before diners by the cook. It stands as the epitome of Beijing cuisine. 

After dinner, the guide will escort you back to your hotel for a rest. 

•  Beijing Peace Hotel or hotel of similar caliber 
• Breakfast, Lunch

Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Temple of Heaven.

Constructed in 1420 during the Ming dynasty, the Temple of Heaven is a complex of Taoist structures where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties conducted annual ceremonies to pray for abundant harvests.

The park surrounding the Temple of Heaven is vibrant with life. In the morning, numerous local elderly residents gather to sing, exercise, and practice tai chi. 

After visiting the Temple of Heaven, you will depart for the Mutianyu Great Wall, where today's lunch is arranged at a nearby local restaurant. 

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully restored architecture. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Beijing.

In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14.

Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route".

Following your tour of the Mutianyu Great Wall, you will be escorted back to your hotel for some rest.

• Breakfast

Today, you will conclude your journey and fly back home. The guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel at the arranged time and take you to Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport, where you will board an international flight departing from Beijing.