10 Days Beijing Xian Guilin Shanghai Group Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to this 10-day classic China group tour from Beijing. After you land at the airport, a local guide will pick you up at the exit and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

   The rest of the day is yours to relax at your comfortable room or explore Beijing for a first glimpse. Take a relaxed walk through Shichahai while experiencing the soft wind. After sunset, the shore's neon lights turn on. Enter a bar and enjoy its drinks and music.

   Note: If you land at Beijing Daxing Airport, the pick-up service fee will be slightly higher.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing Highlight Exploration
   Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Heaven

   After breakfast, head to Tian'anmen Square, the city’s central landmark. It is one of the largest public squares in the world covering an area of 440,000 square meters. Admire some important building including the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

   Continue to the Forbidden City, the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties (where 24 emperors lived). It is widely recognized as the largest and most well preserved wooden structure complex in the world.

   The tour guide will take you to visit some major palaces, among which the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest in scale. This was where the grand ceremonies were conducted such as the enthronement of emperors and the investiture of empresses.

   Common palace design includes three, five or seven roof beasts at the buildings but the Hall of Supreme Harmony displays ten different roof beasts such as dragon, phoenix, lion and seahorse. Not only for decoration, it also reflects the strict rules of ancient royal families.

   

   After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, a place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held sacrifices and prayed for a bountiful harvest. Summer Palace is a royal garden beautiful all year round, with magnolia and peach flowers blooming in spring, lotus flowers in summer, colorful fallen leaves in autumn and white snow in winter.

   The Long Corridor and the Seventeen Arch Bridge are definitely worth a visit. The 728 meter long corridor displays more than 14000 colored paintings. Visitors who want to see Wanshou Hill from a different viewpoint can pay on site to experience the Kunming Lake boat ride.

   Before the end of today's itinerary, you will be led to visit a pearl factory. Finally, transfer you back to the hotel to rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Hiking
   Hike on the Beautiful Mutianyu Great Wall

   It takes about two hours to drive to Mutianyu Great Wall located in Huairou District, about 73 kilometers away from the city center. This section of the Great Wall is connected to Juyong Pass in the west and Gubeikou in the east. For centuries, it has been an important military defense site.

   Note: In fact, among Chinese people, Badaling is regarded as more famous. The reason China Xian Tour chose Mutianyu is that compared to Badaling, there are fewer tourists here and the scenery is more beautiful.

   The Mutianyu Great Wall is 5400 meters long, making it the longest section. The area gets over 90% vegetation coverage so you will enjoy stunning views during the summer and late autumn. The highest point of Mutianyu is the No.20 watchtower, and if you have good physical strength, then do not miss it. From there, sweep the panoramic view of the winding wall.

   Also, you can choose to take the cable car up and down (optional, extra cost) to save energy and have more time to appreciate the scenery and take photos.

   If you travel with kids, consider riding a toboggan down for more fun. Please note that every child under the age of 10 needs to be accompanied by an adult!

   During the day, you will stop by a jade shop to admire beautiful pieces. Finally, head back to your hotel to relax.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by Bullet Train
   Enjoy a Food Adventure in Muslim Quarter

   After breakfast, say goodbye and take a high-speed train to Xian. In around 5 hours, a local guide will pick you up at the exit and send you to a comfortable hotel in the downtown area.

   Later in the evening, hop on a food exploration. Before that, go to admire the Bell Tower Square first. Located in the very center of the city, it is the largest, oldest and most well-preserved bell tower in China. As night falls, it will be illuminated by golden lights.

   After taking some pictures, take a short 5-minute walk to Muslim Street. This quarter is a paradise for food lovers. Your guide will take you to skip those fancy restaurants and head straight to those snacks favored by local people hidden in the deep alleys. Some Xi'an delicacies worth trying include Biangbiang Noodles, Roujiamo, Liangpi and Pita bread soaked in Lamb/Beef Soup.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xian
5. Day 5: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
   Visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Make a Mini Clay Warrior

   In the morning, drive about 1 hour to one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. It was made for China’s first emperor.

   Here are more than 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots buried in 3 pits for over 2,000 years. This huge underground army was accidentally discovered by a farmer. Visit these pits and marvel at the incredible skill of the ancient Chinese artists who made them.

   Next, at a nearby workshop, with help from an expert, make a mini clay soldier to take home as a souvenir.

   Return to downtown after lunch. Head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to understand the spread of Buddhism in China. This is a city landmark built for storing Buddhist texts brought by Xuanzang from his travel to India. The pagoda consists of seven levels and you can pay an extra fee on site to go up its top for a complete panoramic city view.

   Nearby is Datang Ever-bright City, a pedestrian street with buildings designed in the style of the Tang dynasty. The itinerary will ends around 5 pm and it’s quite popular especially in the evening featuring music fountain and cultural performances. If you want to stay for longer, you need to go back to your hotel on your own by taxi or metro.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xian
6. Day 6: Xian to Guilin by Flight
   Learn about the 3000 Years of Xi’an’s History

   After breakfast, explore the Xi'an Museum scenic area. It consists of three parts: the museum, the Jianfu Temple ruins and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. This place is even quieter than the Shaanxi History Museum.

   The treasure of the museum is the Tang Sancai Galloping Horse - it vividly portrays a young Hu man riding on a galloping horse. The museum has a three-dimensional sand table of Xi'an city from the Sui and Tang dynasties. You can intuitively see the city layout at that time and the precise location of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

   The Small Wild Goose Pagoda in the courtyard is a rare eaved brick pagoda used to store Buddhist scriptures and statues.

   

   Next, climb the 12 meter high Ancient City Wall. This is the largest city wall in China, with a circumference of 13.74 kilometers. Riding a bike on it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours for one lap. You can imagine how huge it is!

   Last, the tour guide will bring you to Shuyuan Gate to appreciate traditional Chinese paintings lucky to witness folk artists demonstrating their calligraphy skills. Understand the Four Treasures of Chinese Literature and touch the unique texture of Xuan paper.

   After the visit, take a 2.5-hour flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, check into the local hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
7. Day 7: Guilin to Yangshuo by Cruise
   Take a Relaxing Cruise Ship, Passing by Karst Peaks

   After breakfast, the driver will send you to Mopanshan Dock. There, your guide will accompany you on board a 3-star ship (offering simple buffet lunch). You’ll enjoy a relaxing 4-hour cruise down the Li River - the boat moves slowly, passing tall karst mountains and green water - a beautiful old Chinese painting.

   Some famous places along the way are Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal, which appears on China’s 20 Yuan bill. The Li River cruise is a wonderful experience and a must-try in Guilin.

   When your cruise ends, get off the boat in Yangshuo and then be taken to visit the popular West Street. This busy walking street shows old buildings alongside a lively, modern atmosphere. Here, you can find local handmade goods, rest in a comfortable cafe and try local foods such as beer fish and rice noodles. After that, transfer you to a hotel in Yangshuo to rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Yangshuo
8. Day 8: Yangshuo Back to Guilin, Fly to Shanghai
   Embark on a Countryside Sightseeing along the Yulong River

   After breakfast, spend 1.5 to 2 hours visiting the rural countryside along the Yulong River. You will see beautiful views - rice fields together with the high karst peaks. If you want to try bamboo raft drifting (optional, extra fee), the guide will help you buy the tickets. The transfer will take you back to Guilin through a 1 hour drive and on the way, Moon Mountain appears like a paper cutting in the sky.

   After arriving in the city, the guide will take you to Elephant Trunk Hill, located at the confluence of the Li River and Taohua River. It is a classic representative of karst landforms and also a landmark of the city. The entire mountain resembles a giant elephant extending its long nose into the river to drink water. Anyone who travels to Guilin will not miss it!

   Afterwards, head to Reed Flute Cave, known as the "Palace of Natural Art". This is a karst cave featuring stalactites and stalagmites formed over 700000 years of geological evolution. "Crystal Palace", the largest interior space, was the backdrop for the "East Sea Dragon Palace" scene in the Journey to the West.

   After the visit in Guilin, take a plane to Shanghai. In about 2 hours, you will be waiting and escorted to the hotel for check-in.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
9. Day 9: Shanghai Classic Day
   Feel the New and Old Aspects of Shanghai

   Your Shanghai tour guide will take you to explore the essence of this city in one day. The first stop is Yuyuan Garden, a private classical Jiangnan-style garden. It opens to the public in the 1950s. The Nine-Curve Bridge and Lake-Center Pavilion are the core of this scenic spot.

   In Chinese culture, the number "nine" represents yang and walking the Nine Curve Bridge means dispelling bad luck and bringing long-lasting auspiciousness. Lake Pavilion is the oldest and most famous tea house in Shanghai and also the location of Shanghai’s earliest chamber of commerce.

   

   Then head to admire various buildings, such as the pointed roofs of the Gothic style and the ornate decorations of the Baroque style at the Bund. Across the Huangpu River, you can see skylines including the tallest building in China - Shanghai center Building, 632 meters high ranking third in the world.

   After witnessing the modernization of Shanghai, go to Xintiandi to glimpse the charm of old Shanghai. Everywhere are Shikumen houses with a history of over a hundred years. Most of them have been transformed into galleries, designer studios, etc. You can experience the contrast - 'drinking trendy coffee in an old house'.

   After lunch, continue your visit to Jade Buddha Temple. Unlike ordinary ancient temples in the deep mountains, this place is a "tranquil pure land in the bustling city". The treasure of the temple is a whole white jade Buddha statue brought back from Myanmar, sitting about 1.9 meters high. It is a witness to the cultural exchange of the Maritime Silk Road.

   

   The last stop today is 1000 Trees, Shanghai's "Babylonian Sky Garden". It is not only a shopping center, but also a 'floating forest' built on the site of a century-old flour mill. Before going back to you hotel, you will visit a Tea House to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
10. Day 10: Departure from Shanghai

    Your 10-day China group tour to Beijing Xian Guilin Shanghai has come to an end here. After you finish breakfast, the driver will escort you to the airport for your flight. Wish you a safe journey home! Thank you for traveling with China Xian Tour and hope to welcome you again on your next trip to China!

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