10 Days Beijing-Xian-Dunhuang-Shanghai Tour with Silk Road Treasure

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (No meal)

   Upon your arrival at Beijing airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Tour (B,L)
   Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

   You will start today’s tour with the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China’s history and visiting it is a dream for many generations of Chinese people. So don’t be surprised when you see the square is teeming with Chinese people. You can just wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then you will follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, which was once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 big and small palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China’s long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   After lunch, continue your visit to Temple of Heaven, famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture and magnificent decoration, this grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to the heaven and pray for good harvests. It was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1998. You will definitely marvel at the craftsmanship and learn more historical facts about ancient China.

   Last, come to enjoy the amazing royal garden in Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. You will love every minute here with so much to see.

   Optional Night Activity: Kungfu Show

   Chinese Kung Fu has a very wide influence in the world, and most foreigners know Kung Fu from Jackie Chen and Bruce Lee’s films. Today you are going to enjoy a superb Kung Fu show at a nice theater. The entire cast is very professional and talented which combines fantastic martial arts, challenging acrobatics and a wonderful story. You will totally immerse yourself in the show from start to finish and may want to do it again.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing Tour (B,L)
   Mutianyu Great Wall, Dingling Mausoleum, Bird's Nest and Water Cube

   Today will be the highlight of your Beijing tour as you will be hiking on the famous world’s heritage Mutianyu Great Wall. It would be around 2 hours’ driving, you can take this chance to see the urban and suburban scenery of Chinese capital on the way.

   Mutianyu Great Wall is the most scenic part of Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty at 1368 and stretches for 5400 meters. 90 percent of the Mutianyu is covered by vegetation. So in each season this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. If pure-hiking is too much for you, there are also options of cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles ( optional).

   After a Chinese style lunch, continue your exploration to Ming Tombs -Dingling Mausoleum, a shared tomb by Emperor Wanli and his two empresses, which is the only excavated tomb among the thirteen tombs of the Ming Dynasty. The mausoleum was built from 1584 to 1590, and the emperor was only 28 years old when its construction was complete. It was put there for 30 years until 1620. Your tour guide will tell you some information about the emperor and Ming Dynasty and lead you to the underground palace which housed the emperor and empresses’ coffins.

   Finish the amazing sightseeing, you’ll have an exterior visit of the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube on the way back to Beijing, which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Walking around the outside of the building to appreciate the unique design and take some pictures would be perfect.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing-Xian by High-speed Train (B,L)
   Beihai Park, Beijing Hutongs

   Today’s first stop will be the charming Beihai Park, which is absolutely a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! It is one of the oldest, most complete, most comprehensive and representative royal gardens in China. You will have lots of opportunities to take great photos of the lovely lake and historic buildings.

   Beijing Hutongs are full of history which attracts many worldwide tourists! Today your tour guide will take you to feel the charm of the hutongs in Shichahai scenic Area. Taking a rickshaw to ride along the ancient alleys, you will know more about the background information of the Hutongs, experience authentic old Beijing life, and witness the blending of tradition and modernity.

   After the exciting Hutong exploration, come to a local family who living in the Hutong and enjoy a homemade lunch with the friendly family. It will be a great chance for you to visit a real courtyard house - Siheyuan and and have a glimpse of the local people’s lifestyle.

   In the afternoon, taking afternoon high-speed train to Xian. After 5-6 hours' train riding, you will arrive at Xian North Train Station, and you will find  the local driver picking you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian 

   

5. Day 5: Xian Tour (B,L)
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter

   At 08:30, meet your guide and head to the must-see Terracotta Warriors and Horses.  Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture, which is listed in the most significant discoveries of the 20th century. The splendid scene and format will leave you an impressive memory. You can spend 2.5-3 hours there.

   After lunch, continue to visit Ancient City Wall. It is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for the military defense in the ancient time. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall(optional).

   Later, move to Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square which is a strategically important building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital of Xian, have some relaxing walk here would be very worthwhile to experience local people’s life.

   Last, go to Muslim Quarter to have relaxing sightseeing and enjoy the local food/ snacks. Muslim Quarter is the most famous food street in Xian. It consists of Islamic food area, ethnic group shopping center, Great Mosque and living area of Hui people, with a history of more than 1,000 years. The tour guide will give recommendations for you to have the best local food experience.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian 

   

6. Day 6: Xian Tour (B,L)
   Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Yuanjiacun Village

   At around 10:00, meet your guide and start today’s exploration in Xian city.

   The first stop will be  Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Also known as Da Ci’en Pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 for keeping the Buss-hist Scriptures which were taken back from India by Master Xuanzang. Till today the pagoda has been standing here for over 1,350 years.

   After lunch, drive around 1 hour to Yuanjiacun Village - one of ten most beautiful villages in Shannxi Province.  It is a best place to feel the history of Guanzhong area and the idyllic life of local people that is akin to the 1950s and 1960s. Here, you would have chance to watch Qin Opera Show, taste authentic local food, and try milling flour, waving cloth, making vinegar, and grinding soybean to make Tofu (Bean Curd). That surely will be an interesting and much more impressive experience.

   After finished, transfer back to your hotel.

   

7. Day 7: Xian-Dunhuang by Flight (B,L)
   Shazhou Night Market, Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain

   In the morning, the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Dunhuang. When you arrive at Dunhuang airport, the local English speaking guide and driver will meet you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   When it is not too hot, you will start the visit with Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. Echo Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring are harmonious mates of miracle created by natural, glittering like a pearl along the Silk Road for thousands of years. The incredible co-existence between spring water and sand mountains always amazes visitors at their first sight here: the sand mountains meanders like a huge dragon and roars when wings blowing while the Crescent Spring, like a gentle maiden, is embraced in arms of mountains without being smudging. A life-time experience provided here as optional activity is camel ride at Echo Sand Mountain.

   Friendly tip: There is camel ride available in the Echo Sand Mountain, if you would like to try it, please pay in cash on your own (around CNY100 /pax ). Of course your tour guide will help to purchase tickets.

   Later, move on to Shazhou Night Market for further food exploration. Though you might have visited many night markets or food streets during your weeks of vacation, Shazhou Night Market still brings something different for you. Mogao Caves visited in daytime put the most outstanding highlight of Dunhuang before you, Shazhou Night Market just takes you into the down-to-earth life of the local. Do you feel a pull from the strong perfume emitting from the stalls bathed in the dim lights and speed up towards the hawkers and carefully avoid the busy crowds? For sure, you will find the special vitality of this northwest city remoting from the country center during your leisure strolling.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

8. Day 8: Dunhuang-Shanghai by Flight (B,L)
   Mogao Grottoes

   Today you will head to the amazing Mogao Grottoes. As the existing anthology of Buddhist art with biggest scale and the best preservation in the world, Mogao Caves wins a fame of “the pearls of oriental art”. It keeps 735verns, about45,000 square kilometers frescoes, 2,415 painted sculpture, more than 4,000 flying Apsaras (the beautiful Bodhisattva in the Buddhism who has fair scent and does well in dancing and music), and 5 wooden constructions of Tang and Song Dynasty as well as thousands of Stone pillars and flagstones with lotus carving on them.

   In the afternoon, you will head to the airport to catch an evening flight to Shanghai. When you arrive at Shanghai, the local driver will pick you up and transfer to local hotel.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai 

   

9. Day 9: Shanghai Tour (B,L)
   Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Former French Concession, Nanjing Road, the Bund, Huangpu River Cruise

   Your exploration in Shanghai begins with the famous Yuyuan Garden, which is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. It was originally built by Pan Yunduan in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty for his parents to enjoy their old age in peace. The garden has gone through a lot in the over 400 years’ history. It was once deserted at the death of Pan Yunduan, restored by new owners, badly damaged during the Opium War, and reopened in 1961 after a lot of repairs.

   Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market, wonder around here you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chop with rice cakes. Don’t forget to haggle for a better price.

   After that, move on your visit to Shanghai Museum( closed on every Monday ). The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings and calligraphy works.  Finish the exploration of history, 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.

   Next, come to the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. From 1849 to 1943, this area was ruled by France for almost a century. Here your tour guide will reveal a history of humiliation and you will see many old beautiful European style buildings which look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

   Afterwords, come to the earliest shopping street in Shanghai-Nanjing Road. Your tour guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong’an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

   Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into British settlement and Shanghai’s financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of amazing skyline. Make sure to bring your camera!

   Huangpu River Cruise would be a not-to-miss activity for travelers to Shanghai! The river separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Shanghai Departure (B)

    At the confirmed time, the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your departure. Your 10-day Silk Road China tour ends here.

    Accommodation: N/A