Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and head to your hotel to settle in. This is one of China's largest cities with a major commercial port and lots of international influence.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start in Pudong checking out the financial district and the Pearl Tower, then take a ferry across the Shanghai River. After that, you'll walk through the Old City to see Yuyuan Garden and try a traditional tea ceremony. Later, head through Xintiandi with its shops and cafes, then wander through Tianzifang's alleyways and galleries. The afternoon is free, with an optional boat trip available in the evening. End by walking along The Bund with its colonial-era buildings.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- Ferry ride across Shanghai River
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Walk through Xintiandi neighborhood
- Explore Tianzifang district
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks Oriental Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden The Bund Xintiandi Tianzifang - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
Head to the train station early for a 07:17 a.m. departure on a high-speed train. The five-hour journey covers about 1,000 km through countryside. You'll arrive in Luoyang to visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves with thousands of Buddha statues carved into rocky cliffs, then take a boat ride to see more of the site. After that, explore Luoyang's old city with its walls and lit-up streets.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang), Hotel (Ramada By Wyndham Downtown)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Shanghai to Luoyang
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river at Longmen
Landmarks Longmen Grottoes 
- Day 4
Luoyang - Sanmenxia - Xian
This morning, visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery outside Luoyang, then travel to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River. You'll check out the Baolun Temple and its tall pagoda, then visit the Guo Museum for ancient funeral carriages. As you head east, you'll pass Mount Hua with its dramatic peaks before arriving in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- View the Yellow River
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Explore Guo Museum
Landmarks White Horse Temple Baolun Temple Mount Hua - Day 5
Xian
In the morning, see the Terracotta Army with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the first emperor's tomb. Return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure that's been standing for over a thousand years. Walk through the historic walled center and the Muslim Quarter, visiting the Great Mosque. There's also the Drum Tower with a short performance of traditional Chinese music, plus free time to explore at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg), Hotel (Delta By Marriott Xian)
Included Activities
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Visit Great Mosque in Muslim Quarter
- Entrance to Drum Tower
- Traditional Chinese music performance at Drum Tower
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque of Xian Drum Tower, Xian - Day 6
Xian - Linfen - Pingyao
Take a high-speed train from Xian to Linfen in less than three hours, then continue by coach to the Wang Clan Mansion, a 17th-19th century estate showing traditional Chinese architecture. Travel to Pingyao, which is the best-preserved historical city in China with over 4,000 ancient buildings and UNESCO recognition. Your ticket covers entry to temples, mansions, and city walls so you can explore thoroughly.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kylin Hotel Pingyao), Hotel (Wanda Moments Pingyao)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Xian to Linfen
- Visit Mansion of the Wang Clan
- Explore Pingyao ancient city streets
- Access to Pingyao temples, mansions, and city walls
Landmarks Wang Family Mansion Pingyao Ancient City 
- Day 7
Pingyao to Wutai
Head to Wutai Mountain, one of China's spiritually important places surrounded by green mountains and forests. This is a major center for Lamaism with more than 40 ancient monasteries. With your guide, visit the Nanshan Temple, then have free time to explore other temples and watch monks going about their daily routines.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Friendship Hotel Wutai), Hotel (Xinzhou Fanhua)
Included Activities
- Visit Nanshan Temple
Optional Activities
- Explore lesser-visited temples
- Observe monks in daily practices
Landmarks Wutai Mountain Nanshan Temple 
- Day 8
Wutai - Yanmenguan - Yingxian - Datong
After breakfast, drive through mountain roads toward Yanmen Pass near the Mongolian border and walk along a quiet section of the Great Wall away from crowds. Stop in Yingxian to see its remarkable wooden pagoda, then visit the Hanging Temple of Xuankong built into a cliff face. By evening, you'll reach Datong where you can walk around the historic center and see the impressive city walls.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Datong Yungang Meigao)
Included Activities
- Walk on secluded section of Great Wall of China
- Visit Yingxian wooden pagoda
- Visit Hanging Temple of Xuankong
Landmarks Yanmen Pass Great Wall of China Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Hanging Temple of Xuankong 
- Day 9
Datong to Beijing
This morning, head to the Yungang Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 5th century with 252 caves holding over 51,000 carved Buddhist statues. Continue to Jiming Post, a small traditional settlement that was once a rest stop for imperial couriers. In the afternoon, travel to Beijing, arriving by mid-afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Yungang Caves
- Visit Jiming Post traditional settlement
Landmarks Yungang Grottoes Jiming Post 
- Day 10
Beijing
Spend a full day exploring Beijing's main sights. Visit the Forbidden City where 24 emperors ruled, then head to Jingshan Park for views of the complex. Walk through Tiananmen Square and see the Great National Theater, then go to the Summer Palace with its gardens and lakes. Take a tricycle ride through historic Hutong neighborhoods to see traditional life and a courtyard house. Head back to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Visit Forbidden City
- Visit Jingshan Park and Coal Hill
- Stroll through Tiananmen Square
- Visit Summer Palace
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit Siheyuan courtyard house
Optional Activities
- Explore Confucius Temple (alternative if Forbidden City unavailable)
- Explore Lama Temple (alternative if Forbidden City unavailable)
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Tiananmen Square Summer Palace National Center for the Performing Arts Confucius Temple Lama Temple 
- Day 11
Beijing
Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and take a cable car up and down through mountain scenery. On the way back to Beijing, visit the 798 Art District, a former factory turned creative hub with galleries and studios. See the Temple of Heaven where emperors once prayed, then unwind with a foot massage and Tai Chi class. Finish with a lacquered duck dinner before saying goodbye to Beijing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown), Hotel (Grand Concordia), Hotel (Grand Mercure Beijing Central)
Included Activities
- Cable car ride at Great Wall Mutianyu section
- Walk on Great Wall of China
- Visit 798 Art District
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
Landmarks Great Wall of China, Mutianyu 798 Art District Temple of Heaven - Day 12
Beijing
After breakfast, your China tour ends here, leaving you with memories from your journey through Shanghai, the Buddhist caves, the Terracotta Army, historic cities, and Beijing's iconic landmarks.
