Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (No meal)

   Upon your arrival at Beijing airport / train station, the 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 Classic City Tour (B, L)
   Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Beijing Hutongs

   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, move on to 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).

   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.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing City and Great Wall Exploration Tour (B, L)
   Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird's Nest and Water Cube

   Today, get up early in the morning, follow your guide to enjoy the nice morning time in Temple of Heaven and see how local people spend their morning time in the square.

   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.

   Next, move on to today’s highlights - 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).

   Finish the amazing hiking, you’ll end today’s tour with 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: Overnight in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing - Huangshan Tour by High-speed Train (B, L)
   Tunxi Ancient Street

   In the morning, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drive to train station for your high-speed train to Huangshan. The train rides around 6-7 hours, you are suggested to prepare some food before departing from Beijing.

   Upon arrival at Huangshan North Station, our local English speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name. After a late lunch in a local restaurant 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.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Huangshan City

   

5. Day 5: Mountain Huangshan Tour (B, L)
   Mountain Huangshan

   After hotel breakfast, meet your guide and drive around 1 hour to the 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: Overnight in Huangshan Mountain

   

6. Day 6: Huangshan Departure (B, L)
   Mountain Huangshan

   If weather permits, you will get up in the early morning to witness the incredible sunrise. When the mountain is still sleeping under starry sky, you will leave the hotel to occupy a vantage point and quietly wait for the thrilling moment. With the passage of time, the color of sky will change slowly. The sun finally show its head and the peaks are bathed in dazzling gold.

   After enjoying the sunrise, follow your guide to go back to the hotel and have breakfast. Then move on to explore Lion Peak which got its name from the look of a crouching lion. You will visit Dawn Pavilion and see an interesting rock called “Stone Monkey Watching Sea”.

   Next, hop on a cable car and descend the mountain to meet your driver and transfer to Huangshan airport/train station for your departure. Your 6 days Beijing and Huangshan tour ends here.

   Accommodation: N/A