11 Days China Family Tour: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   We’re so excited to welcome you on our 11-day China family tour in Beijing. After your arrival on the first day, your local private guide will meet you at the airport or station and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. We can assist you with the check-in process and luggage. For the rest of the day, take your time to rest from the journey or explore the city at your leisure.

   If you’re interested in the local food culture, we can provide you with a detailed guide to the most authentic restaurants. From well-known brands to the nameless eateries hidden deep in the hutongs, you will be directed to places where locals frequently patronize.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing City Exploration
   Uncover Imperial History and Life in the Hutongs

   Begin your Beijing tour today from Tian’anmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Capture your excitement by taking a family photo against the iconic palace building.

   From the square, continue your visit to the Forbidden City. We’ll go on a game of scavenger hunt for a series of elements in the palace architecture. You’ll notice mysterious beasts made of colored glaze sitting in a row on the roof ridge. They each have a different name and symbolic meaning. Count the golden door nails on the vermilion gates. The 81 nails (9x9) symbolize supreme power of the emperor.

   

   We have also prepared a unique stamp book to add another layer of experience to your visit. You can collect different souvenir stamps as you make your way through the halls of the palace. It’ll make a wonderful reminder of your Beijing culture tour in the future.

   After admiring the palace structure and learning about Chinese history, wind down by taking a rickshaw ride through the old hutongs of Beijing. It’s a fun way of sightseeing and getting around for a family. You’ll see locals playing cards or chess in the shade, smell delicious homecooked meals from the resident houses, and immerse in the Beijing local vibe.

   In the evening, your tour guide will take you to a restaurant to taste the famous Peking Duck. A whole duck is roasted and brought to your table. The chef will slice the duck in front of you which is part of the culinary experience. Your waiter will then demonstrate the traditional way of eating Peking Duck.

   You take a thin slice of pancake. Wrap it around slices of duck and condiments like cucumber sticks, spring onion, and sweet bean sauce. All of the flavors and textures come together perfectly in one bite.

   Optional Experience:

   After exploring the hutongs, you can choose a cultural activity to try. You can learn Chinese calligraphy in a traditional Beijing courtyard house, paint a Lord Rabbit Figurine (a Beijing folk art tradition), or paint a Beijing Opera mask.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall
   Discover the Local Beijing Lifestyle and Witness the Iconic Great Wall

   Your third day in Beijing will start at the Temple of Heaven. It used to be the sacrificial site for Ming and Qing emperors. Its architecture appears particularly beautiful in the morning sun.

   After seeing the main structure, proceed to the Temple of Heaven Park. It’s a popular place for locals to kill time and enjoy the outdoors. You might see people practicing Tai Chi, dancing to music, or exercising. It is the best place to observe the leisurely local life.

   After a slow morning, we will drive to Mutianyu Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall is known for its beautiful sceneries and quiet surroundings. 5,400 meters of consecutive stone walls sprawl across the mountain ridge like a dragon.

   

   To save time and energy, you can take the cable cars up and down the mountain instead of hiking. The ride provides excellent views of the Great Wall and is itself a fun experience for the whole family.

   Travel Tip:

   The cable car is an optional activity. Your guide can help you purchase tickets on site.

   Dinner Ideas:

   Beijing Copper Pot Hotpot – It’s a Beijing specialty where you and your family will sit around a copper pot for a hearty hotpot meal. The main dish will be sliced fresh lamb boiled in the clear broth. You will then dip it in a sesame sauce to enhance its flavors.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an by High-Speed Train
   Tour the Royal Garden and Travel to Xi’an

   After breakfast, we will head to the Summer Palace. It is an imperial garden with beautiful design and lots of history. The scenic area is stroller friendly. The roads are flat and easy to walk on.

   Walking down the Long Corridor, each pillar has unique carvings with paintings on the roof. It’s an outdoor experience combined with elements of history, art, and culture.

   

   Seventeen-Arch Bridge spans across the clear Kunming Lake. On the bridge, sit 544 unique stone lions that are vividly crafted. The Marble Boat by the shore makes a perfect spot for a family photoshoot.

   After the Summer Palace visit, you will take a high-speed train to Xi’an. The journey will take about 5 hours.

   Travel Tips:

   • You and your family can rent a small boat on Kunming Lake. The views of Tower of Buddhist Incense and Longevity Hill are particularly beautiful.
   • If you’d like to add more fun to your experience, you can reserve for a Qing-Dynasty themed photoshoot. You and your kids can try out an exquisite Qing outfit. Professional photographers will take you to the best photo spots like Hall of Jade Ripples and Hall of Happiness and Longevity. It’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the imperial time.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
5. Day 5: Xi’an Historical Site
   Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an and Explore the Ancient Capital

   In the morning, we will drive for an hour to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. You and your family will go on a guided tour to see the grand clay army, and see how each soldier is made unique. You will also learn about how they are made.

   After your visit, you can handmake a mini clay figure for yourself. Make your own warrior after the original models from 2,000 years ago. It’s a fun hands-on experience and will make a meaningful souvenir of your trip.

   

   In the afternoon, we’ll head back to Xi’an city center. The first stop of our city exploration will be the Ancient City Wall. With 600 years of history, it is still an important landmark in modern day Xi’an. To maximize your experience, you can rent a bike on the city wall. Feel the breeze and get an excellent view of the city below.

   Around dusk, we will head over to Datang Everbright City. From a distance, see the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda against the sunset. Then, catch the evening Music Fountain Show at North Square, the largest musical fountain in Asia. it’s a spectacular show combining water, light, and music, which is a great experience for everyone in the family.

   Travel Tip:

   Biking on Xi’an City Wall is an optional activity. If you’re interested, your guide can help you rent a bike on site.

   Optional Activity:

   At Datang Everbright City, you can rent a beautiful Han costume. When the night falls, the whole place will be lit up and busy like back the golden days of Tang Dynasty. The atmosphere and vibe will be amazing.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
6. Day 6: Xi’an to Guilin by Flight
   Try out Delicious Local Foods and Fly to Guilin

   On your second day in Xi’an, we’ll first head to Xi’an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. You can continue collecting your souvenir stamps here. Take a walk in the quiet garden under the ancient trees and pagoda. At the museum, learn about the local history of Xi’an, how it thrived as a city from Zhou to Tang Dynasty.

   In the afternoon, we’ll visit the most central landmark of Xi’an, the Drum Tower, on Bell and Drum Tower Square.

   Just 5 minutes of walking will take you to the Muslim Quarter, the best place to discover local snacks and dishes. Your tour guide will take you to try the sticky and sweet Rice and Jujube Cake, delicious Soup Dumplings, or traditional flatbread with Mutton Soup. It’s a great spot to experience the vibrant local life of this ancient capital.

   

   After your Xi’an exploration, your tour guide will take you to the airport for a flight to Guilin.

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
7. Day 7: Guilin Family Discovery
   Be Amazed by the Karst Formations of Guilin and Make Your Own Art Work

   After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Reed Flute Cave, a representative cave of the karst landform in Guilin, known as a “Palace of Natural Arts.” The amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations took a million years. You can also see natural formations like stone curtains and the crystal palace.

   From there, we will head to Elephant Trunk Hill. It’s a naturally formed karst hill whose shape resembles an elephant drinking from Li River. There are many other amazing mountains and peaks like this one in Guilin that you can discover.

   Having seen the beautiful mountains and waters of Guilin, now you have the chance to make a piece of artwork after it using a special technique. A professional artist will teach you how to make a pebble painting.

   

   Then we’ll head to Dayu Ancient Town by Li River. The town has thousands of years of history, and the houses and stone-paved streets still retain their original look. There are many small workshops and stalls. You can wind down, have a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy some quiet family time.

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
8. Day 8: Guilin to Yangshuo by Cruise
   Cruise down Li River to the Beautiful Countryside

   In the morning, you and your family will board the four-star Li River Cruise accompanied by your tour guide. You will spend the next four hours relaxing on the deck while watching the gorgeous views slowly unfold beside you, amazing karst peaks and mountains, small villages, cattle roaming about the field. When you reach the Yellow Cloth Shoal, the location printed on China’s 20 Yuan bill, you can capture the moment by taking a family photo.

   After your cruise journey ends, your tour guide will take you on a China countryside experience in Gaotian Town. You will be taken to a village to learn about the local farming culture. Depending on the season, you can even take part in the farmwork by helping out the locals.

   

   Afterwards, we will drive to your hotel in Yangshuo.

   Travel Tips:

   • During your cruise journey, you can enjoy a local meal. You will be served freshwater products from Li River like fish and shrimp. It’ll add another layer of experience to your trip.
   • After we get to Yangshuo, you can take part in optional activities like taking a cooking class, rock climbing, or joining an art workshop.

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   4-Star Hotel in Yangshuo
9. Day 9: Guilin to Shanghai by Flight
   Explore the Outdoors by Biking and Bamboo Rafting

   After waking up in the beautiful Yangshuo, your tour guide will take you on a leisurely countryside biking excursion. The flat paths at the foot of the karst hills wind their ways across rice fields. You’ll see locals working and cattle roaming about. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and pastoral atmosphere.

   

   Afterwards, you can go bamboo rafting on the quiet river. Slowly drift past the mountains and villages by the shore as if you’re inside a painting. (Note: bamboo rafting is not recommended for children under 1 meter or elders over age 70 for the sake of safety)

   In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Guilin by private car. You’ll catch your flight to the last stop on our journey, Shanghai.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
10. Day 10: Shanghai Day Sightseeing
    Discover Both History and Modernity in the Landmarks of Shanghai

    After breakfast, your tour guide will take you to visit Yu Garden, a renowned classical Jiangnan garden. Aside from admiring its architecture and landscaping, you can feed the koi fish in the pond. Walk over the Nine-Zigzag Bridge.

    Then we’ll head to the Bund. You’ll see the heart of Shanghai across the Huangpu River. The famous skyline consists of famous skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. On the other side, you can still see historical buildings that are reminiscent of Shanghai’s past. Your tour guide will tell you about the transitions that have taken place in the city.

    After seeing the skyline from a distance, we’ll go on an exciting adventure inside the tallest building of China, Shanghai Tower. The high-speed elevator will take you above the clouds to the 118^th floor in just one minute. You can look over Huangpu River and the buildings around it from the observation deck.

    

    You will have the afternoon free to on your own. If you’d like to experience the unique water town culture around Shanghai, we recommended visiting Zhujiajiao Water Town. You can take a boat ride through the narrow waterways and enjoy some leisurely time.

    If you’re drawn to the urban lifestyle, shopping on Nanjing Road or in the malls of Xujiahui is a good idea. Everyone in the family will find something they like.

    Optional Activity:

    It’s a good idea to take a Huangpu River Night Cruise to see how the city lights up after dark and get close to the iconic skyline.

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    4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
11. Day 11: Departure from Shanghai

    Depending on the time of your departure, you may have the morning free for more exploration. If time allows, you can visit Shanghai Legoland Resort on your own. It’s a large theme park built entirely out of Lego bricks with rides and attractions. Young children will have lots of fun.

    Your private transfer service will take you to the airport to catch your flight. We hope you have a wonderful family experience with China Xian Tour.

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