19 Days China Essence Tour: Golden Triangle, Guilin, Chengdu, Lhasa

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai

   Welcome to Shanghai, one of China's biggest cities! When you land, your driver has been waiting to take you to your hotel downtown. He will hold a welcome board saying “China Xian Tour” to make it easier for you to recognize.

   Shanghai's got some exciting nightlife to experience, like walking the Bund and trying some local street food. Here is a guide on Top Things to Do in Shanghai at Night for your reference.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

2. Day 2: Shanghai City Sightseeing
   Explore Shanghai's Art, History, Skyline, and the Bund Views.

   Your China tour begins at the Shanghai Museum, a very large museum of ancient Chinese art. Here you will learn about the 6,000 years of brilliant development of ancient Chinese art. The museum has a collection of 120,000 precious artifacts, especially featuring ceramics, bronzes, calligraphy and paintings. Then, we head to Wukang Road, formerly known as Route Ferguson, named after American missionary John Ferguson. This road condenses Shanghai's modern century history. You can appreciate nearly 40 well-preserved historical buildings.

   Right after lunch, you're heading up to the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center to observe the panorama from the Observation Hall – it's about 474 meters up. The building looks like a bottle opener and it's the fourth tallest in China. From up there, you'll get a great view of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. If you're feeling brave, try walking on the glass-floored promenade and look down at the Huangpu River scenery.

   

   Then, you will be transferred to Nanjing Road, the first commercial pedestrian street in China. Once the window of Shanghai's opening to the outside world, it is now a shopper's paradise. It is 5.5 kilometers long and is divided into two sections, east and west, bounded by Xizang Middle Road. East Nanjing Road is mainly an affordable commercial and tourist area; while West Nanjing Road is dominated by luxury goods and high-end consumption.

   The Bund, the last stop on today's Shanghai tour, is a must-see for visitors to the city. It is known as the "Wall Street of the East". The streetscape of the Bund, with its river, long embankment, green belt and beautiful buildings, is the most characteristic landscape of Shanghai. You can enjoy 52 classical buildings of different styles such as Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque.

   Optional Night Activity:

   You can enjoy a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise and watch the glamorous view of the dazzling city lights reflecting on the water.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou by Van
   Visit the Classical Garden, Old Street, & Learn about Pagoda Stories

   After breakfast, there's an hour and a half car ride to Suzhou. The visit starts at Lingering Garden, known as one of China's four most beautiful gardens. It's up there with the Summer Palace, Chengde Mountain Resort, and Humble Administrator's Garden also in Suzhou. Dating back to 1593, the garden earned its place on the UNESCO list in 1997. Over four centuries, it switched owners many times and came close to collapsing in the '30s. Luckily, the local government stepped in to fix it up, and now we get to see how great it looks. Celestial Hall of Five Peaks in the eastern section of Linger Garden is the largest and most elegant hall. It exhibits a wonderful collection of calligraphy works and paintings. Small Penglai Isle is the most celebrated part built upon a lake. Its name draws inspiration from the legendary fairyland of Penglai in Chinese mythology.

   Then, go to Shantang Old Street. You will see ancient residential houses (most of them are from the Late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China), elegant stone bridges spanning across the river, and shops selling handicrafts and local snacks.

   

   In the afternoon, your private guide will show you around Tiger Hill and tell you interesting stories about it. The hill got its name from a legend after King Helu of Wu Kingdom died in a war, his son Fuchai buried his remains on this hill, and a white tiger sat here for 3 days. One of the must-see sites is Tiger Hill Pagoda, the second leaning tower in the world.

   Today's last stop is Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory. The factory was founded in 1926 and has become one of the symbols of the 2500-year culture of Suzhou where you can see the process of silk making from silkworm to silk. It is truly an eye-opening experience. At the end of the tour, transfer to local hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Suzhou

4. Day 4: Suzhou Back to Shanghai
   Enjoy a Ancient Water Town Tour with Poetic Heritage, Ming-Qing Mansions

   Today we're hitting up the Suzhou Museum in the morning. It's been around since 1960, and it was initially set up in King Zhong's old mansion, from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom days. The impressive feature is the new building we'll see. A famous architect, I.M. Pei, designed it, and they opened it up for everyone to enjoy back in 2006. You can go with your tour guide to see remarkable items, like old Buddhist relics and high-standard ceramics, in addition to awesome calligraphy, paintings, and crafts.

   Then, we go to visit Zhouzhuang Water Town, which enjoys the reputation of being "the first water town in China". In ancient China, many writers and poets have lived and composed poems here. More than 50% of the town's houses are of Ming and Qing styles, and there are nearly one hundred classical mansions in only 0.4 square kilometers of the area. The ancient town is built along the river and connected by bridges and streets. If you are interested, you can take a boat tour through the bridges, which is a leisurely experience (at your personal expense).

   

   You will enjoy lunch in Zhouzhuang. Your driver will then escort you back to your hotel in Shanghai.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

5. Day 5: Shanghai to Guilin by Flight
   A Journey Through Spirituality and Creativity

   This morning is the last time on your Shanghai tour. After breakfast, we head over to the Jade Buddha Temple first. The temple gets its name from the jade Buddha statue that's the main attraction there. It's known as one of the best places to see in Shanghai, a quiet sanctuary in the middle of the city's hustle and bustle. We'll take a look at the Main Hall and the Jade Buddha Building. Then, we're off to Tianzifang. It used to be a Shikumen area, but now it’s a creative park with studios, art galleries, and coffee shops. Artists and designers from different places gather here. Walking around the narrow lanes, you'll see different art displays, handmade crafts, and cool decorations. Take your time to enjoy all the artwork and maybe grab a coffee while you're at it.

   

   After lunch, your driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Guilin, which boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in China. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local guide and transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Guilin

6. Day 6: Guilin Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
   Cruise the Serene Li River, Wander Through a Vibrant Town

   Your Guilin exploration starts with a cruise down the Li River. This area isn't just any pretty place; it's known as one of the most impressive karst landscapes in the world. During your peaceful journey, keep an eye out for those picture-perfect mountains mirrored in the water. You'll pass caves, pools, and even some waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.

   Note: You will have lunch on the cruise, but it is very simple on a 3-star ship. You can bring some snacks or we can also help you upgrade to a 4-star ship.

   The cruise takes around 4 hours, bringing you to Yangshuo. Once you've checked into your hotel, you have some choices. You could chill out and save your energy for exploring the town later, or if you're feeling up, consider a bike ride by the Yulong River. There's also bamboo rafting. This will cost a bit extra, but it's a great way to immerse in the countryside scenery of the so-called Hundred Mile Gallery at your own pace.

   

   As the sun sets, your guide will take you to explore West Street, which is located in the center of Yangshuo County. The street is famous for its rich exotic atmosphere. 517 meters long, West Street is lined with ancient houses and buildings. The small stores on both sides of the street offer a variety of tourist souvenirs and snacks and are well worth a visit.

   In the evening, you can enjoy the performance of Impression Liu Sanjie, a grand open-air show featuring local folk songs and stunning visual effects (optional).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yangshuo

7. Day 7: Longji Rice Terraces
   Explorations of Guilin Rice Terraces and Ethnic Villages

   Today, you will enjoy a Guilin day trip to rice terraces. After 4-hour car ride to the foot of the mountain, you will walk about 35 minutes or so to the Ping'an Village. The village is home to the nationally renowned, 650-year-old Longji Rice Terraces. Your eyes will be treated to a spectacular view of the terraced fields, just like a cascading sea of green or yellow.

   Pay a visit to Huangluo Yao Village, which has beautiful scenery and Jinjiang River running through the village. Here resides the Yao ethnic group, the women of this ethnic group's long hair, singing and dancing, and clothing are beautiful folkloric scenery. After that, take a guided hike to the viewing platform of Nine Dragons and Five Tigers for more breathtaking views. During this time, you will learn about the other unique ethnic minority culture of the region.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Longji

   

8. Day 8: Guilin City Landmarks
   Sunrise Over Terraces, a City Landmark, and a Natural Wonder

   Wake up early to catch the sunrise over those incredible rice terraces. Seriously, it's a view you won't forget. Once the sun's up, we'll head back to Guilin. The central feature there is Elephant Trunk Hill. It really does look like a gigantic karst elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River. It's been a popular spot for ages - like, people have been visiting here since the days of the Tang dynasty, which is well over a thousand years!

   Then, transfer you to Reed Flute Cave, which is acclaimed as the "Palace of Natural Arts". Here you'll witness intricate and translucent stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, and stone flowers. The entire cave is just like a grand and magnificent underground palace crafted from gems, coral, and jade.

   After the tour, drive to your hotel for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Guilin

   

9. Day 9: Guilin to Chengdu by Flight

   Enjoy your leisurely morning at your hotel until your private driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, the hometown of China Panda. Upon arrival in Chengdu, local driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in downtown area. Have a good rest. In the evening you can explore Chengdu's nightlife on your own.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

10. Day 10: Chengdu Panda Visit
    Get Up Close with Giant Pandas and Red Pandas at Their Breeding Base

    One thing you absolutely HAVE to do in Chengdu is go see the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. You have the opportunity to view those cute giant pandas and red pandas doing their thing. The panda base is just outside of the city, maybe 10 kilometers or so to the north. What’s really cool is they’ve made it just like the pandas' natural habitat - lakes, little creeks, tons of bamboo (of course!), and big grassy areas. Your guide will tell you what the pandas do all day, what they eat, how they sleep... Remember to take “a million” pictures. Trust me, even if you think you're not a panda person, you'll be won over. It's hard not to smile when you see those fuzzy creatures!

    

    Continue your Chengdu tour to Wenshu Temple which was built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618) with a long history. The temple is still operating and frequented by local people who come to pray and relax themselves. It is a good place to learn Buddhism. You can have a nice stroll around the pleasant garden and take photos of the wonderful ancient architecture.

    After that, unwind with some tea at Renmin Park. You can sip a cup in a cozy tea house and watch locals play cards, do Tai Chi, play mahjong, or even just take a nap. Finally, visit Jinli Pedestrian Street, it’s a must-see in Chengdu. The buildings are constructed in the Qing Dynasty style, and walking through the street feels like you’ve gone back in time. Have fun trying tasty food you’ve never seen before and buying some little souvenirs.

    Optional activities in the evening: you might consider watching the Sichuan Opera Face Changing Show, which is a quick face-changing performance that is truly unique to the area.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Chengdu

    

11. Day 11: Chengdu to Lhasa by Flight

    After a chill morning in Chengdu, your driver will take you to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Lhasa, a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhists and called the City of Light, is where many followers gather. When you land, a local driver will pick you up and send you to your hotel downtown.

    Some Advice: To help prevent altitude sickness, take it easy on your first day in Lhasa. Don't shower to avoid colds. Skip the booze. Drink lots of water and rest up.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Lhasa

12. Day 12: Lhasa City Highlights
    Explore Tibet's Most Famous Palace, Temple, and Street

    The first stop on your Tibet tour is the magnificent Potala Palace, built in the 7th century AD. It is the highest palace in the world and the largest and most complete ancient palace complex in Tibet. The entire palace has a distinctive Tibetan style, built on the mountain, by the White Palace and Red Palace and its ancillary buildings. Potala Palace also collects countless treasures, which can be called a temple of art.

    

    After lunch, we will visit the Jokhang Temple, a blend of Tibetan, Tang, Nepalese and Indian architectural styles. With a history of more than 1,300 years, the Monastery is the most splendid existing building in Tibet from the Tubo period (633-842) and the earliest adobe structure in Tibet. The 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni enshrined in the temple is the treasure, which is one of the must-see attractions for tourists and pilgrims. Last, take a leisurely stroll through Barkhor Street. Barkhor Street is the famous pilgrim route and the busiest commercial street in Lhasa, which preserves the traditional appearance and living style of the ancient city more completely.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Lhasa

13. Day 13: Lhasa's Temples
    Discover Art Treasures in Drepung & Sutra Debates in Sera

    Today's Lhasa tour takes you first to tour Norbulingka Park, located in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It is the summer palace of successive Dalai Lamas and is the largest and most monumental of the man-made gardens in Tibet. Next you are transferred to Drepung Monastery. The monastery complex is magnificent, with white houses and red halls lining the mountainside. Drepung Monastery is surrounded by mountains on three sides, facing the Lhasa River and the flat river, like a white mountain city. Entering the interior of the temple you will appreciate the exquisite carvings, solemn statues of Buddha, and a large number of Thangka paintings, embroidery, murals and other valuable art treasures.

    

    Sera Monastery is the last stop on your Tibet tour. Together with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery, this temple is known as the three major monasteries in Lhasa and is the latest of the three to be built. Here you will witness one of the most famous sutra debates in Tibet. Sera Monastery is also home to many ancient murals and tens of thousands of Vajra statues, both locally made and a few brought from India.

    In the evening, you are recommended to capture the night view of the Potala Palace.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Lhasa

14. Day 14: Lhasa to Xian by Flight

    Spend a leisurely morning at your hotel, with a relaxing breakfast. Then your driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Xian, the Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties. Upon arrival, the local drivers will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to rest and the evening is yours to explore the city at your own pace.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Xi'an

15. Day 15: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
    Explore the Life-size Underground Army of Clay Warriors Dating Back Over 2000 Years

    This morning you will take an inspiring tour of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The Terracotta Warriors, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", have been visited by more than 200 foreign heads of state and government. During 2.5 hours, you will be guided through Pits 1, 2 and 3 of the Terracotta Army, where you will see life-sized warriors, and many horses and chariots. There is no doubt that the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a golden calling card of China's glorious ancient civilization.

    

    After lunch, we'll head back into the city center to take photos at the iconic Bell and Drum Tower Square. It's right where the four main streets meet – East, West, South, and North. Bell Tower on the east side has been there for over 600 years! And on the west side is the biggest Drum Tower in China. Our guide knows all the stories about it, so you’ll learn a lot. From there, it's just a ten-minute walk to the Great Mosque. Featuring the design of mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles, it’s one of the most well-preserved Islamic temples in China. After that, let's stroll around the Muslim Quarter to find some real Xi'an food. You gotta try the Biangbiang noodles, Mutton Soup, Ice Peak, and Roujiamo – they're super tasty.

    

    Last, go to the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City, which is adjacent to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is like a time travel when you stroll among the many Tang Dynasty style buildings.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Xi'an

16. Day 16: Xian to Beijing by High-speed Train
    Dig into Profound Historic Heritages of the Ancient City

    After breakfast, you will go on a historical exploration tour of Xi'an. First we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, another city landmark of Xi'an. This pagoda is about 65 meters high and was built in 652 A.D. (Tang Dynasty) to store Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by Xuanzang. You can choose to climb the pagoda (additional charge) to enjoy the panoramic view of Xi'an.

    After that, transfer you to Xi'an Museum Scenic Area, where history comes alive through its museum, temple, and the elegant Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The museum narrates the city's evolution as the capital of 13 dynasties through a vast collection of artifacts - gold and silver ware, bronze ware, calligraphy and painting, seals, porcelain, jade, Buddhist statues, etc. The pagoda was built to house Buddhist scriptures brought from ancient India. It’s more quieter comparable to its "older sister," the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

    

    After lunch, your guide will take you up the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Here, you can choose to ride a bicycle (extra charge). Later in the afternoon, you will be escorted on the high-speed train to Beijing, which takes about 5.5 hours. Upon arrival in Beijing, a local driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

17. Day 17: Beijing's Essence
    Admire the Magnificent Imperial Buildings from Hundreds of Years Ago

    This is the last city of your 19-day private China tour. After breakfast, start your Beijing tour at 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 be guided to walk to the Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complexes built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here.

    

    This afternoon, you'll visit the Summer Palace, which was the Qing Dynasty's royal garden. It's built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, taking inspiration from Hangzhou's West Lake. It’s a particularly well-preserved imperial gardens and is often called the Royal Garden Museum. Discover how nature and buildings come together. If interested, you can pay extra on site for a leisurely boat ride on Kunming Lake.

    In the evening, you have the option of watching a Chinese Kung Fu Show where skilled performers demonstrate martial arts techniques and acrobatics (extra charge).

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

18. Day 18: Beijing Great Wall Hiking
    Enjoy a Great Wall Hiking Tour on Mutianyu

    Today, you will be transferred to enjoy a Great Wall hiking tour on Mutianyu Section. Built in the early Ming Dynasty in 1368 and stretching for 5,400 meters, it is the most scenic part of the Chinese Great Wall. 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 for cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles (optional).

    Note: The toboggan is not recommended for people over 60 years old. If your child is under 10 years old, he/she must be accompanied by an adult.

    After lunch, transfer to the Ming Tomb. On the way to the Ming Tomb, you will pass through the Sacred Way. The Ming Tomb is the place where 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) were buried. On the way back to the downtown center, we will visit the Bird's Nest and Water Cube which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Walk around the outside of the building to appreciate the unique design and take some pictures.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Beijing

    

19. Day 19: Departure from Beijing
    Embrace Beijing's Imperial Past and Traditional Living Spaces

    After breakfast, you will be guided to the Temple of Heaven. It's where emperors in ancient times would go to pray for good weather and harvests. The temple is made up of two sections. We will largely explore the inner part, where we’ll see remarkable buildings like the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (a circular construction with a height of six meters and three floors, each covered with blue glaze) and the Echo Wall (with a smooth and neat surface, which can refract sound waves).

    After that, we head to Beijing Hutong. Enjoying the rickshaw riding through narrow alleys will be your memorable experience. You can learn about the daily life of Beijing people by visiting a local family.

    

    Say goodbye to Beijing and this is the end of your 19-day China tour. Your tour guide will then escort you to catch your flight or train to your next destination or home. So many thanks to you for choosing your China trip with us. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A