10 Days Beijing Xian Guilin Shanghai Group Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to our 10-day classic China group tour from Beijing, China’s capital! After you land at Capital International Airport, a local driver will pick you up at the exit and send you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore. There will be no English-speaking guide or planned activities today. If you land at Beijing Daxing Airport, the pick-up service fee will be slightly higher.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Highlight Exploration
   Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Heaven

   After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and then take you to Tiananmen Square, the city’s central landmark and one of the largest public squares in the world (covering an area of 440,000 square meters). Here, you can see impressive building such as the Monument to the People’s Heroes while hearing stories about key events.

   Then, follow your guide walk to the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum. This grand wooden palace complex, one of the largest and best preserved in the world, was home to 24 emperors during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1616–1912) dynasties. The palace complex is covered with yellow glazed tiles, a symbol of imperial power. Its many cultural treasures reflect China’s 5,000 years of history. Since the Forbidden City is vast, your guide will lead you along the most classic route based on the time available.

   After lunch, transfer you to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site once used by Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices, pray for rain, and wish for good harvests. Your final stop is the Summer Palace, a grand royal garden that remains beautiful in every season - spring flowers, summer lotus blooms, autumn’s colorful leaves, and winter snow. Blending natural landscapes with careful design, this is a masterpiece of Chinese garden art. Stroll through pavilions, rest in quiet courtyards, and admire Kunming Lake. (You can take a boat ride on the lake for an extra fee, paid on site.) Today, you will have an experience at a pearl factory.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Tour
   Hike on the Beautiful Mutianyu Great Wall

   After breakfast, drive for about 2 hours to reach Mutianyu Great Wall located in Huairou County, 73 kilometers away from the city center. This section of the Great Wall is connected to Juyong Pass to the west and Gubeikou to the east. So it has been an important military defense for centuries. With a total length of 5400 meters, Mutianyu is the longest and most beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. Surrounded by green pine trees, the wall winds its way, forming a magnificent scenery. Climb up to the No. 20 Watchtower to test your endurance. Once arrive, you will truly experience the dream of the Great Wall.

   Tip: If hiking feels too tiring, you can take a cable car or ride a toboggan for different views of the wall. (Optional, extra cost.)

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

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

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

   In the morning, you have free time to explore Beijing by yourself. When it’s time, the driver will at the agreed time to pick you up and escort you to the train station. Catch a high-speed train to Xi’an, which takes around 5 hours. Upon arrival, a local driver sends you to a comfortable hotel in the city center.

   Later in the evening, your Xi’an guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and then enjoy a food tour. First, visit the Bell and Drum Tower Square, where your guide will tell you about the important landmarks and the history. After spending some time taking great pictures, take a short 5-minute walk to the lively Muslim Street. This area is full of delicious local snacks. Get to taste some of the most well-known foods in Xi’an, including a refreshing local drink called Ice Peak, soup dumplings, sour plum soup, Biangbiang Noodles, and tasty lamb/beef skewers.

   Meal: Breakfast + Street Food

   Accommodation: in Xi’an

   

5. Day 5: Xian Terracotta Army Tour
   Visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Make a Mini Clay Warrior

   After breakfast, you will travel about 1 hour to see one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These were made by China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang. More than 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots were buried in three pits for over 2,000 years until a farmer found them in 1974. Together, they form a complete ancient army. Seeing these figures up close, you’ll be amazed by the incredible skill of the ancient Chinese artists who made them.

   Next, at a nearby workshop, you can try making your own small Terracotta Warrior. With help from an expert, you’ll create a mini soldier to take home as a souvenir.

   After that, drive back to downtown. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous symbol of Xi’an. Built in 652 AD, it was used to store important Buddhist books brought by the monk Xuanzang. The pagoda has seven floors and you can pay extra if you want to climb to the top for a wide view of the city.

   Nearby is Datang Ever-bright City, a pedestrian street with buildings designed in the style of the Tang dynasty. It’s a popular spot in the evening where you can see the music fountain at North Square, watch cultural performances...

   After the visit, your guide will take you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xi’an

   

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

   Today you will be first guided to Xi'an Museum, which holds about 130,000 valuable cultural items. Most of these were found in important tombs from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Some special pieces include the Tang Dynasty horse pottery, a phoenix-shaped pot, and a jade cup. Still in the same area, you can see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark of Chang’an City, which was Xi’an’s old name during the Tang Dynasty.

   Next, we will climb the Ancient City Wall. You can choose to walk or rent a bike (optional, extra cost) on this 12-meter-tall, well-preserved ancient wall. Then, we’ll visit Shuyuan Gate. The street is named after Guanzhong Academy, which was the top school in Shaanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This area is full of culture - you can see famous calligraphy and paintings, and four treasures of Chinese writing: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

   It’s time to say goodbye to Xi’an. You will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, Guilin driver will pick you up and escort you to our selected hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: 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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Guilin

   

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

   After breakfast, you will spend 1.5-2 hours on a countryside sightseeing along the Yulong River. Along the way, you can enjoy the picturesque scenery of karst peaks and forests reflecting the clear water. If you are interested, you can experience bamboo raft drifting for an additional fee. Then transfer back to Guilin (1 hour drive), overlooking the Moon Mountain as a paper cutting embedded in the sky.

   After arriving in Guilin, we first visit Elephant Trunk Hill. There is a huge rock that looks just like an elephant drinking water. Around it, you can explore many historical places like stone carvings. After that, drive about 20 mintes to the next place called Reed Flute Cave. This cave is like a beautiful underground palace full of colorful lights. Nature took millions of years to create amazing shapes inside, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and stone waterfalls of many sizes.

   After the visit, we take a plane to one of the busiest cities in China - Shanghai. After arriving in about 2 hours, the local driver will pick you up and send you to the hotel to rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

9. Day 9: Shanghai Classic Day Tour
   Feel the New and Old Aspects of Shanghai

   After breakfast, meet your Shanghai guide at the hotel lobby. Your first stop is Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful Jiangnan-style garden from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is famous for its delicate Jade Linglong rockery. Next, walk along the Bund and take pictures of the 52 old buildings. Across the Huangpu River, you will see the modern skyline of Lujiazui. After that, head to Xintiandi to explore art shows and trendy shops in the old Shikumen alleys.

   In the afternoon, be transferred to Jade Buddha Temple. You will see a large reclining Buddha statue carved from Burmese jade and feel the mix of temple incense and city life around you. Then, go to M50 Creative Park. This place used to be a textile factory. From the year of 2000, it has changed into an art park. Now, you can explore over 140 artist galleries and see colorful street graffiti everywhere.

   Next, visit 1000 Trees, a group of buildings covered with thousands of green plants. At night, the light show there looks magical. Finally, you will be taken to Mid-lake Pavilion Tea House to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Departure from Shanghai

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

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A