Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
Your transfer from Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport takes you straight to your hotel for check-in. After getting settled, you've got the rest of the day to yourself. Walk around and get a feel for this massive city at whatever pace works for you.
Optional Activities
- Explore Shanghai's historic neighborhoods
- Visit the Bund
- Visit Yu Garden
Landmarks The Bund Yu Garden 
- Day 2
Shanghai to Beijing
Following breakfast, you'll have some free time to do more exploring around Shanghai before heading to the airport for your afternoon flight to Beijing (departure around 3-4 p.m.). When you land, there's a welcome meeting with your guide and the group at 6 p.m. After that, the evening is open for you to check out Beijing's nightlife on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Houhai Lake area with bars and restaurants
- Explore Beijing's CBD area and modern skyline
- Evening stroll through Temple of Heaven Park
Landmarks Houhai Lake Temple of Heaven Park 
- Day 3
Beijing
After breakfast, you'll head to Tiananmen Square and see the exterior of Chairman Mao's tomb. Then you're walking into the Forbidden City, this massive palace with over 800 buildings spread across the complex. During the afternoon, you'll wander through some of Beijing's old hutongs and stroll down Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. Dinner features Peking roast duck, which is the way to end this day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Peking roast duck dinner wrapped in thin pancakes with spring onions and hoisin sauce)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Tour the Forbidden City
- Explore Beijing's hutongs (ancient alleyways)
- Stroll along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
- Peking roast duck dinner
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Wangfujing Pedestrian Street 
- Day 4
Great Wall
You're heading out to Huanghuacheng, also called the Yellow Flower Great Wall, for a scenic hike along this UNESCO site. Part of the wall here actually goes into a partially submerged section, which is pretty unique. Later that evening, there's a Chinese acrobatic performance to catch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic hike along Huanghuacheng section of Great Wall
- Chinese acrobatic performance
Landmarks Huanghuacheng Great Wall Great Wall of China - Day 5
Beijing to Luoyang
After breakfast, you'll take a high-speed train to Luoyang, which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. Your local guide meets you there, and you'll grab lunch together. The main stop is the Longmen Caves, a UNESCO site with over 1,400 years of art carved into the rock. By evening, you're walking through Old City Shizi Street to try some local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey to Luoyang (2nd class)
- Visit Longmen Caves UNESCO World Heritage site
Optional Activities
- Explore Old City Shizi Street food market
Landmarks Longmen Caves Old City Shizi Street 
- Day 6
Luoyang
The morning starts at Xiyuan Park where locals do their thing with dancing and singing. From there, you're off to the famous Shaolin Monastery, where you'll see a kung fu performance and learn about this birthplace of Chinese martial arts. Dinner at a local restaurant wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant featuring Luoyang cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Xiyuan Park to observe morning community activities
- Visit Shaolin Monastery with martial arts performance
Optional Activities
- Join in morning activities at Xiyuan Park
Landmarks Xiyuan Park Shaolin Monastery - Day 7
Luoyang to Xi'an
You're catching an early train to Xi'an. Once there, you can bike or walk along the Xi'an City Wall for great views. Then it's into the Muslim Quarter with all its food stalls and local crafts. You'll catch a 15-minute shadow puppetry show at the Gao Family courtyard, pay respects at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its museum, and finish with a dumpling-making class and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dumpling-making experience with dinner and refreshing drink)
Included Activities
- Bike ride or walk along Xi'an City Wall
- Explore Muslim Quarter
- Shadow puppetry show at Gao Family courtyard
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum
- Dumpling-making experience with dinner
Landmarks Xi'an City Wall Muslim Quarter Gao Family Courtyard Small Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an Museum 
- Day 8
Xi'an
Your day centers on the Terracotta Army and Warriors, where 8,000 life-size soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses stand as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll also visit a Terracotta Warrior Factory to see how they're made. After lunch, you've got free time to explore Xi'an on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army and Warriors UNESCO World Heritage site
- Visit Terracotta Warrior Factory
Optional Activities
- Explore Xi'an at your own pace
Landmarks Terracotta Army - Day 9
Xi'an to Shanghai
After breakfast, you're flying back to Shanghai. There, you'll explore the French Concession with its tree-lined streets and nice architecture. Stop by the Matchmaking Corner to see this local tradition, then check out a silk factory to learn about production. A walk along the historic Bund is next, and if the timing is right, you might catch the sunset from a river cruise. Dinner at a local restaurant finishes your evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Explore French Concession
- Visit Matchmaking Corner
- Learn about silk production at silk factory
- Leisurely walk along the Bund
- Huangpu River Cruise (if weather permits sunset)
Landmarks French Concession The Bund Huangpu River 
- Day 10
Shanghai
This day is yours in Shanghai. Go back to places you loved, spend time shopping, or find new local spots to check out. It's completely up to you how to spend your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Shanghai at own pace
- Revisit favorite spots
- Shopping
- Discover local experiences
- Day 11
Shanghai (Departure)
Your trip ends today. After breakfast and checking out by noon, you'll make your own way to the airport for your onward flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
