10 Days Immersive China Tour of Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to Beijing, the starting point of your 10 days private China Tour! Your driver will greet you at the exit of the arrival hall by holding a "China Xian Tour" sign and transfer you to your Beijing downtown hotel.

   Before getting off the plane, please double-check your belongings to ensure you have collected all your stuff. The rest of the day is for your own arrangement. If you need any suggestions in your free time, we will be very happy to help you. (No tour guide service today)

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Great Wall Hike

   After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby. First, we will drive to visit the Ming Tomb and see the underground palace of Dingling (one of the 13 Ming Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums). Dingling is the tomb of Emperor Shenzong, Zhuyijun, who reigned the nation for 48 years as the longest-serving monarch among all Ming emperors.

   Next up, we're driving an hour to the Mutianyu Great Wall. It's a really pretty section that was built way back in 1368 during the early Ming Dynasty – it goes on for about 5,400 meters! It's almost all green (90%) and the scenery changes a lot with the seasons. If you're not up for a walk, there's a cable car to the top. For some fun, experience the toboggan slide (it's ideal for those younger than 60). The views from the top are fantastic! Just so you know, the lines could get pretty long, especially during Chinese holidays like National Day, usually October 1st to 7th.

   After all the activities, you will be transferred back to your downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing's Highlights
   Admire Grandiose Imperial Complexes Hundreds of Years Ago

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby in the morning and start the tour with Tian'anmen Square, the heart and symbol of Beijing and the largest city square in the world. The spacious square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years.

   Next, you will explore the magnificent Forbidden City, the world’s largest and best-preserved ancient wooden palace complex. This UNESCO World Heritage site served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). Allow approximately 2.5 hours to admire its some most famous rooms (8707 in total) and countless cultural treasures - including ancient paintings, calligraphy, jade, bronze ware, and oracle bones - offering a fascinating glimpse into China’s royal history.

   

   After lunch, we will go to the Temple of Heaven. Located in the southern part of Beijing, it served as a complex of sacrificial buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest. The last scenic site of your China tour in Beijing will be the Summer Palace. It is located in the west skirt of Beijing and covers an area of 290 hectares. During the Qianlong Era of the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace was built by imitating the layout of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Now it is the largest and most completely preserved imperial garden in China.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by High-speed Train
   Xi'an City Highlights and Authentic Local Food

   In the morning, say goodbye to Beijing and you will be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xian. It takes around 5 hours. Upon arrival, the local Xian tour guide will wait for you at the exit of the train station.

   Next up, you are going to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It's a special Buddhist place made way back in the Tang Dynasty. A famous translator named Xuanzang built it to keep the scriptures and Buddha figures he brought back from India. The pagoda is in the Da Ci'en Temple. It’s in good shape and stands about 64.5 meters tall. At first, it had five floors, but they added two more later on. Inside, there are some amazing historic relics, like the Pattra-leaf scripture. Word is, not many people - maybe less than 10 in the world - can still read this text (Sanskrit),which makes it a super rare find.

   Later, have a walk on Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, a landmark building in Xian. Nearby, go to explore the famous Muslim Street, a paradise for food lovers where you will find all kinds of delicious local snacks such as Biang Biang Noodles, Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger), and Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup).

   At the end of the Xian city tour, escort you to a downtown hotel to have a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Xi'an

   

5. Day 5: Xian to Guilin by Flight
   Explore Historical Landmarks of the Ancient City

   Today's first stop is the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors slept under the ground for 2,200 years before the accidental discovery by local farmers who were digging wells. The life-size clay warriors differ from one another in clothing, hairstyle, posture, and facial expression. Since its opening to the public in 1979, it has attracted millions of people from all over the world each year and has become one of the things that represent China throughout the world. Today you will spend around 2.5 hours exploring three pits here.

   

   Your next stop is the magnificent Ancient City Wall when we drive back to the city center. It is one of China's largest and most completely preserved ancient defensive structures. With a perimeter of 13.74 kilometers and 4 main gates, its South Gate is the oldest and longest-used entrance. You can optionally ride a bike along the ramparts and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of historic Xi'an from a unique vantage point.

   After that, escort you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival in Guilin, your driver will greet you at the exit of the arrival hall and transfer you to the Guilin downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Guilin

6. Day 6: Guilin to Yangshuo by Cruise
   Enjoy a Wonderful Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

   Today is about the cruise on the beautiful Li River and old Yangshuo West Street. It's an enjoyable journey for both your eyes and soul.

   Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of green hills, rivers, lakes, and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting; it is alive and vivid - light bamboo rafts leaving ripples on the water, cormorants circling above the working fishermen... Your guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their lives along the famous Li River.

   After a 4-hour cruise, you will embark at Yangshuo. Follow your guide to visit the famous local West Street where you will find local crafts and snacks gathering. Listen to the guide's introduction to explore the place better. Finally, drive back to your hotel in Guilin.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Guilin

   

7. Day 7: Guilin to Shanghai by Flight
   Take in Rustic Landscape & Experience Unique Customs of Minorities

   Your China tour of Guilin would be hardly complete without a visit to the impressive Rice Terraces. Rice Terraces is an incredible work with an amazing combination of ancient Chinese wisdom and local geographic conditions.

   After about a 2-hour drive, you will arrive at Longji Terraces Scenic Area. You will first enjoy a Long Hair Show performed by Yao Minority women in Huangluo village which was awarded "World's Longest Hair Village" by Guinness World Records. The women here are famous for long and shiny hair, and you may not believe that they only cut their hair once upon turning 18.

   The terraces have been managed by the local Zhuang Minority people for thousands of years, hence today's large-scale rice fields with the stilted buildings inset. You will be amazed by the rolling terraced fields especially when you look down from the top. There are cable cars available at your own cost if the hiking is too much for you.

   After a joyous day at this fantastic place, you will go to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, the local driver will greet you at the exit of the arrival hall and transfer you to the Shanghai downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Shanghai

   

8. Day 8: Shanghai City Essence
   Explore Both the History and Prosperity of the City

   After a hearty breakfast, you will be guided to the renowned Shanghai Museum, home to over a million cultural relics. The four-storey museum is systematically organized: the first floor shows ancient bronze ware and sculpture; the second features exquisite ceramics; the third displays classical paintings, calligraphy, and imperial seals; while the fourth floor presents jade artifacts, coins, Ming-Qing furniture, and ethnic minority crafts.

   Then, you will stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square now is most famous for its match-making corner where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   

   After lunch, we're heading to Yuyuan Garden, which is like, the best of Shanghai's five classic gardens. It was built in the time of the Ming Dynasty for a family's elderly members to chill, and it's a great example of that exquisite, subtle Southern Chinese landscape style. You'll see ancient trees, furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, calligraphy, and impressive carved artworks scattered around. Next, you will visit the former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943. Then wander around Nanjing Road to see traditional department stores and optionally try some authentic Shanghai snacks.

   The last stop of the Shanghai tour in China is the Bund. You will admire buildings of various styles, enjoy the beautiful Huangpu River, and listen to your guide explaining its history. After a leisurely walk, escort you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Shanghai

   

9. Day 9: Shanghai Day Trip to Zhujiajiao
   Have an Enjoyable Time at an Ancient Water Town

   Enjoy your free time in the morning. At 12:00 noon, meet your guide and driver in your hotel lobby. Then depart toward Zhujiajiao Water Town.

   You will stroll along the old-time town while listening to the guide's introduction about its history. The town can date back to even 1,700 years ago, as early as the time of the Three Kingdoms. In the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the village grew into a town and got the name "Zhujiacun Village". The appearance of the town we see today was left from the Ming Dynasty.

   Nowadays the ancient town is best known for its bridges, old streets, and gardens built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The highlight things to see here are Fangsheng Bridge, Baoguo Temple, Town God's Temple, and Zhuxi Garden. Capture snapshots of charming alleyways and ancient stone houses. You can also take the optional boat cruise here if you are interested.

   After the tour, we will transfer you back to your downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Departure from Shanghai

    Enjoy a leisurely morning after breakfast. Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight (usually 4 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights). Our 10 days Beijing Xian Guilin and Shanghai tour will end here. Wish you a pleasant journey!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A