11 Days China Golden Triangle (Beijing-Xian-Shanghai) With Zhangjiajie

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Welcome to Beijing

   Welcome to our 11-day China tour! We'll visit Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai. When you arrive, our local driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a China Xian Tour sign and take you to your hotel.

   Once you're checked in, go explore freely! Try some local food or shop around. Visit Panjiayuan Antique Market, the city's biggest flea market, where you can find cool treasures and old crafts. For dinner, head to Wangfujing Snack Street. We suggest yummy snacks like sugar-coated haws, Peking duck, Hong Kong beef balls, and old Beijing yogurt.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Sightseeing
   Glimpse the Royal History of the Qing Dynasty

   After breakfast, your guided Beijing tour starts at Tian'anmen Square, the biggest public square in the world. Tiananmen was the main gate of the Imperial Palace in the Ming and Qing dynasties, situated on Beijing's traditional central axis. Only the emperor could pass through it in the past.

   Heading north, you'll get to the Palace Museum, also called the Forbidden City. It's huge, covering 720,000 square meters with nearly 9,000 rooms. It’s China's biggest and best preserved old palace area. The museum houses tons of paintings, calligraphy, pottery, gold and silver stuff, and more impressive artwork. A visit here will take about 3 hours, and you'll see the actual historical spots, learn about the royal court's past, and appreciate all the different art collections.

   

   For lunch, we will arrange Peking Roast Duck for you at a local restaurant.

   In the afternoon, take a rickshaw tour through the Hutongs. Your guide will show you a local family and share with you real Siheyuan life. Next on the list is the Temple of Heaven, China's biggest old building made for sacrifices. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties came here to worship and pray for good harvests. Enclosed by two walls, the temple is divided into the Inner and Outer Altars. The important buildings are concentrated in the Inner Altar. We mainly visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a triple-eaved circular hall. Its cylindrical form symbolizes the heaven (the circle), while its brilliant blue tiles represent the sky.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Great Wall Adventure
   Hike on the Most Beautiful Section of the Great Wall in China

   In the morning, we'll drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, 75km north of Beijing. It's 5,400 meters long, the longest section in China and one of Beijing's famous sixteen sights. In every season, this section attracts tourists with its unique scenery. To save you time and energy, your tour guide will take you up by cable car. You'll get some great views of the wall and the scenery. Just follow your guide along the winding path, and you'll stop at a few towers to learn what made them important.

   

   You can add to your fun by riding a toboggan down the mountain (pay on site). This is better for those under 60. You'll get to see the views from a different angle. Keep in mind, the lines can get long, mostly during holidays such as National Day and May Day holidays.

   Next, we'll visit the Ming Tombs, where emperors were buried. Your guide will tell you about the Ming Dynasty and how these grand mausoleums were built. On the way back to Beijing, you'll see the Bird's Nest, the famous stadium from the 2008 Olympics.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train
   Enjoy Leisurely Time in a Qing Dynasty Garden

   After breakfast and a relax, go on a leisurely morning at the Summer Palace, one of China's four most famous classical gardens. The Summer Palace is also the best-preserved imperial garden in China. It was designed based on West Lake in Hangzhou and the Jiangnan garden art. Do not miss the Long Corridor; it is very impressive. It is 728 meters long with over 14,000 paintings of landscapes, plants, and historical figures - all the way along - the world's longest painted corridor. You might take an optional boat cruise on Kunming Lake for another perspective at your expense.

   

   At the end of your China tour in Beijing, your guide will transfer you to take a high-speed train to Xi'an (about 5.5 hours). When you arrive, a Xi'an local driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in the city center.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

5. Day 5: Xi'an Historical Exploration
   Explore Pits 1, 2 and 3 of the Terracotta Army and Museum Artifacts

   After breakfast, take one-hour drive to Lintong District, home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Your exploration will span 2 to 2.5 hours, focusing on the three excavation pits. The most impressive is Pit No. 1, the largest of the three, which was accidentally discovered in 1974 by local farmers drilling a well - the shaft to be located at the southeastern corner of this pit. The pit alone contains 6,000 life-size clay soldiers and horses, each with uniquely detailed facial expressions, alongside over 50 chariots and bronze weaponry. From that, you can get a glimpse into the military might of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).

   

   After lunch, drive back to Xi'an city center to continue your Xian trip - admiring the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. This Buddhist building from the Tang Dynasty is one of the symbols of ancient Xi'an. Then, visit the nearby Xian Museum, which displays gold and silver artifacts, pottery, bronze ware, calligraphy and painting, seals, porcelain, jade, Buddhist statues, and more.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

6. Day 6: City Exploration, Xian to Zhangjiajie by Flight
   Ascend Ming Dynasty City Wall and Try Shaanxi Snacks

   Today, continue your guided Xian city tour in the City Wall Park, where you can watch locals do Tai Chi and play table tennis. If you want, you can join them. Then, your guide will lead you to walk up to the Ming Dynasty City Wall. Enjoy an optional bike ride (at your own expense) and see a city panorama.

   

   Next, head to the Great Mosque, a mix of Chinese and Islamic architecture and one of Xian's oldest. Then, explore the lively Muslim Quarter with its delicious smells and colorful market stalls. Your guide will take you through the small streets, showing you local foods and important places.

   Before heading to the airport, go explore the Han Yang Ling Museum. This heritage site was built for Emperor Jingdi and Empress Wang of the Han Dynasty. Unlike the famed Terracotta Warriors, the Hanyang Mausoleum has a detailed design with the emperor's tomb and nearby burial pits. The figurines here are only one third the size of real people, about 60 cm high (much smaller than those in the Terracotta Army). You'll see the royal Han tombs and preserved clay figures, animals, and other objects. After that, you will fly to Zhangjiajie.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Zhangjiajie

   

7. Day 7: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
   Explore the Famous Hallelujah Mountains

   Your China trip in Zhangjiajie starts at Tianzi Mountain. It has amazing rock peaks, thick forests, and clear streams. From the top, you can see the whole valley.

   Next, spend the rest of your day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Visit Yuanjiajie, where the world's highest natural stone bridge and the Guinness World Record Bailong Elevator are. Ride the highest outdoor elevator and see the view of "Hallelujah Mountain" from Avatar.

   Walking around Golden Whip Stream is said to be one of the favorite things to do here - an easy 2-hour hike. The stream flows for 7.5 kilometers through a verdant canyon. It takes its name from a large giant residing nearby called Golden Whip Rock. The area is called a "Landscape Gallery" because of the wealth of plants, exceptionally clean water, and towering peaks. You may get a glimpse of the locations where Journey to the West, a popular behind-the-classic-Chinese-mythology-story TV show, is filmed.

   Finally, take a scenic train ride through the beautiful Ten-mile Gallery.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Zhangjiajie

   

8. Day 8: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
   Challenge Walking on the World's Highest and Longest Glass Bridge

   Your China tour in Zhangjiajie today leads you to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a natural scenic spot with lush vegetation and cool, fresh air. Here you will challenge yourself to walk on the world's highest and longest glass bridge - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. The arch of the bridge is about 400 meters in relative height from the bottom of the valley, and the total length is about 536 meters. The bridge surface is all paved with transparent glass, and there is the world's highest bungee jump in the center of the bridge. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

   

   After that, go to visit the Baofeng Lake Scenic Area. This is a lake-type natural scenic area that combines natural landscape with humanities and folklore. A boat ride is the best way to visit this lake. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel for rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Zhangjiajie

9. Day 9: Zhangjiajie to Shanghai by Flight
   Discover Breathtaking Natural Sights of Tianmen Mountain

   After breakfast, conclude your tour in Zhangjiajie at Tianmen Mountain, characterized by typical karst mountainous terrain. You will be arranged to take a cable way up the mountain. With a total length of 7,455 meters and a height difference of 1,279 meters, the ropeway is the longest alpine passenger ropeway in the world.

   Upon arrival at the mountain, some highlights await you, such as the Sky Walk on the cliff and the Tianmen Mountain Temple. After that, take the escalator through the mountain down to Tianmen Cave. With a height of 131.5 meters and a width of 57 meters, this cave is a rare high-altitude natural cave through the mountain in the world.

   

   After the adventure, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport for a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, a local driver will take you to your hotel in the downtown area.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

10. Day 10: Shanghai's Highlights
    Enjoy a Historical and Modern Exploration of Shanghai

    After breakfast, your Shanghai guide will meet you and go with you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. You’ll see how the city is planned and has changed through models, displays, and videos. Then, you can explore the Yuyuan Garden, a classic garden that's 400 years old. It's one of Shanghai's three great Ming Dynasty gardens. It took more than 20 years to build as a private place for a father to enjoy his retirement. It shows the artistry of Jiangnan-style gardens from the Ming and Qing times. Your guide will tell you about its past and design ideas. Right next to the garden is the Yu Bazaar. There, you can try local foods like steamed soup dumplings and look for souvenirs.

    

    Then, relax on a Huangpu River night cruise and hear about Shanghai's skyline history. Visit the Bund, a symbol of Shanghai's evolution. In the late afternoon, walk around Tianzifang, a lively area with art studios, boutiques, and cafes. Your guide will explain its transformation.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Departure from Shanghai

    Your 11-day private China tour ends here. Enjoy your leisurely morning in Shanghai. Your driver will pick you up at the appointed time and escort you to the airport or train station. Thanks for choosing China Xian Tour! Hope to see you on your next China trip with us!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A