13 Days China tour of Beijing – Xian – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (No Meal)

   Upon arrival in Beijing, the local driver will meet you by holding a name board. Then Transfer to the hotel. The Rest of the Day will be free at your own exploration.

   Accommodation: Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, South Luogu Lane, Houhai, Chinese Kongfu Show (B + L)

   AM: Meet your guide and driver in hotel in the morning and then drive to visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Then from the square you will walk to visit Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. Then you will pay a short visit to a Silk Market and have lunch.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   

   PM: Enjoy some leisurely time 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. You also can take the option of boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake ( optional).

   Afterwords, come to explore the time-honored South Luogu Lane( also called Nanluoguxiang). It is the only traditional residential area in China that has completely preserved the checkerboard-style layout of hutongs exclusively to the Yuan Dynasty. Walking around the alleys with your tour guide to feel the hidden culture and check out the bars, souvenir stores or cafes if you would like to. Houhai, known as Beijing’s bar street, is a large man-made lake which can date back to the Yuan Dynasty. Today your last scenic site will be here! In ancient times, the place was only for royal family. Now there are many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops along the lake. You can just walk around, do people watching, and try some snacks. Today you will also pay a visit to silk shop to appreciate delicate silk product.

   In the evening you will appreciate Chinese Kongfu Show in Red Star Theater.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing
   Mutianyu Great Wall, Dingling Mausoleum (B + L)

   AM: The first stop of today is Dingling Mausoleum, one of the 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing. Then after a short visit in Jade carving factory we will have lunch.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Continue to visit 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).

   Finish the amazing hiking, drive back to Beijing city. On the way, you can have an exterior visit of the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube 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: Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing – Xi'an by High Speed Train
   Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda (B )

   AM: Meet your driver in hotel at about 05:00 and transfer to take the high-speed train G89 (06:53-11:24) to Xi’an. Upon arrival meet your local guide and driver.

   Noon: Lunch on your own.

   PM: In the afternoon you will pay a visit to Shaanxi History Museum, one of the largest museums in China that houses the cultural heritage of Shaanxi Province and show the development of Chinese nation. Then you will visit the nearby Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was originally built in the Tang Dynasty to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought from ancient India.

   Accommodation: Xi'an

   

5. Day 5: Xi'an
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque (B + L)

   AM: Meet your guide and driver at 08:30 and drive to visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China and the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: In the afternoon back to city area to visit the 600 years old City Wall, the best preserved and largest existed city wall in China. Biking riding on City Wall is available and optional.Then take a walk in Muslim Quarter – the best known food street in Xi’an. At last you will visit the Great Mosque. The Mosque was built in totally Chinese architectural style and is the major gathering place for all Muslims living in Xi’an.

   Accommodation: Xi’an

   

6. Day 6: Xi’an – Hangzhou by Flight
   Lingyin Temple, Felai Peak, China National Tea Museum (B + L)

   AM: Take the morning flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver in Hangzhou airport.

   The first stop will be the 1,700-year-old Lingyin Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains and many old trees, the temple is very serene. You will follow your tour guide to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and explore the cultural relics. You may also spot squirrels jumping up and down in the trees.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Go to Feilai Peak which stands just in front of Lingyin Temple. The peak composed of pure limestone differs greatly from the surrounding mountains. You will amaze yourself at the grotesque stones scattered everywhere, feel the charm of Buddhist art, and appreciate the vivid stone statues.

   you will visit one of the most important cultural sights in Hangzhou - China National Tea Museum. Hangzhou is home to China’s most famous variety of green tea (long jing) and it has thousand years’ history of tea planting. For tea enthusiasts, the museum is educational and enjoyable. The Exhibition Hall displays the development of tea throughout the dynasties and traditional tea etiquette. Walking through the tea fields around main hall is several tea-houses where to sip a cup a tea and clear your mind.

   Accommodation: Hangzhou

   

7. Day 7: Hangzhou
   West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, Meijiawu Tea Village, Hefang Street (B + L)

   AM: Meet your guide and driver after your hotel breakfast. Today we will firstly visit the most highlight site in Hangzhou – West Lake. After some minutes free walk you will take a boat on the lake and pass by some of the highlight attractions of the lake. When the boat riding ends you will pay a visit to Leifeng Pagoda. You will go upstairs to top of the pagoda to have an overlook of the lake scenic area.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Move forward to Meijiawu Tea Village, with a history of 600 years, this village is well known for producing high-quality Longjing tea. Here you will see layers and layers of green tea trees all over the mountains, have chance to taste authentic Longjing tea, and learn more about Chinese tea culture. Last, stroll around Hefang Street for further local culture exploration. It is an ancient street with a long history and profound culture. Walking on the old cobbled street lined with stores selling local snacks, interesting handicrafts, tea leaves, etc., you can appreciate the buildings dating back hundreds of years, do people watching, and find some nice souvenirs to bring back home.

   Finishing the sightseeing, transfer back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Hangzhou

   

8. Day 8: Hangzhou – Huangshan by High-speed Train
   Tunxi Ancient Street (B)

   Take morning high-speed train to Huangshan. Upon arrival, met by local guide and driver.

   Then, follow your guide to explore Tunxi Ancient Street, China’s most well-preserved ancient street combining architectural style of the Southern Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Just stroll on the street leisurely and appreciate the Hui-style buildings. Then we will visit Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory which was founded by Hu Kaiwen in 1765 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty to see how the ink stick is made. Ink stick is one of the four treasures of Chinese study (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper), and the best ink stick in China comes from Anhui Province, the home of Huangshan Mountain.

   Enjoy your free time in rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Huangshan

   

9. Day 9: Mt. Huangshan
   Mt. Huangshan (B+ L + D)

   After hotel breakfast, meet your guide and drive around 1 hour to the Yellow Mountain. Upon arrival, you will take the shuttle bus to Cloud Valley Temple and then take a cable car up the mountain.

   Then hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery at North Sea, Beginning-to-believe Peak, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and West Sea Valley. There will be many staircases that go up and down, but all the tiredness of climbing will be gone when you see the breathtaking scenery. If you are still in good shape and time & weather permits, you can continue to Sky Sea Scenic Area to enjoy gorgeous sunset at Bright Summit and explore Flying-over Rock. Please do not watch your camera or phone while walking.

   Tonight you will stay at a hotel on the mountain so as to catch sunrise next day.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Mt. Huangshan

   

10. Day 10: Mt. Huangshan – Shanghai by Flight
    Mt. Huangshan (B+ L)

    AM: If weather is good we will get up early to appreciate stunning sunrise on mountain top. Then you will explore Xihai Scenic Area and Beihai Scenic Area to enjoy the unique scenery. After that take a cable car down the mountain.

    Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

    PM:After a short rest we will drive to visit Hongcun Village where you will see the original buildings from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties (1368AD-1911AD). In the 870 years old village you will see the South Lake, Chengzhi Hall, Lexu Hall, Shuren Hall, and many other highlight places here. At last transfer to Huangshan airport for flight to Shanghai. Meet you local driver and transfer to hotel in Shanghai.

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai
    Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai Museum, People Square, Former French Concession, Nanjing Road, the Bund, Huangpu River Cruise (B + L)

    AM: At 08:30, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the downtown hotel. 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.

    Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

    

    PM: 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!

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: Half Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
    Zhujiajiao Water Town (B + L)

    Today you will enjoy and relax yourself in one of the most famous Water Towns in China - Zhujiajiao Water Town.

    Dubbed “the Venice of Shanghai”, Zhuajiajiao Water Town has a history of more than 1,700 years. Walking around the ancient water town, you will feel like traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties with elegant stone bridges across the rivers and plenty of old buildings around you. You can stroll around the streets to see as many things as possible, and you can optionally have a relaxing gondola ride to truly experience the charm of water town.

    Friendly Tips: Taking a boat cruise along the river is available and excluded. If you would like to take a cruise, please feel free to ask your tour guide for assistance ( optional ).

    Accommodation: Shanghai

    

13. Day 13: Shanghai departure (B)

    Our driver will meet you in the hotel 3-4 hours before the flight departs and transfer you to the airport. Your 13-day Beijing Xian Hangzhou Huangshan Shanghai tour ends here.