Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and head to your hotel after clearing customs. This city of over 15 million people serves as China's largest commercial hub, so you're starting right in the heart of things. Get settled in and take the rest of the day to rest up before exploring tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
- Day 2
Shanghai
Start in Pudong to see the skyscrapers and Pearl Tower rising from the skyline. Then you'll take a ferry across the Huangpu River before walking through the Old City to Yuyuan Garden, where you'll have a traditional tea ceremony. From there, head to Xintiandi for some shopping and cafes, then wander through Tianzifang's artistic streets. Later, stroll along The Bund to see the colonial-era buildings. Your afternoon is free, or you can book an optional night boat trip to see Shanghai lit up.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Shanghai Atlantis)
Included Activities
- City tour of Shanghai
- Visit Pudong financial district
- Scenic ferry ride across Huangpu River
- Stroll through Old City
- Visit Yuyuan Garden
- Traditional tea ceremony at Yuyuan Garden
- Explore Xintiandi neighborhood
- Explore Tianzifang district
- Walk along The Bund
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to see Shanghai at night
Landmarks Pearl Tower Yuyuan Garden The Bund Huangpu River - Day 3
Shanghai to Luoyang
An early start gets you to the train station for a 7:17 a.m. departure on a high-speed train heading 1,000 km to Luoyang, taking just over five hours. Once you arrive, visit the Longmen Buddhist Caves, which hold over 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings carved into the rocky cliffs. You'll take a scenic boat ride along the river, then transfer to Luoyang to walk the ancient city walls and check out the illuminated streets.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Luoyang)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Shanghai to Luoyang
- Visit Longmen Buddhist Caves
- Scenic boat ride along the river at Longmen
Landmarks Longmen Buddhist Caves - Day 4
Luoyang to Xian
Early morning finds you at the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a major center for Buddhist learning. Continue on to Sanmenxia to see the Yellow River, then visit Baolun Temple with its tall pagoda. The Guo Museum comes next, showcasing ancient funeral carriages from the State of Guo. You'll pass Mount Hua, one of China's holiest mountains, on your way. Arrive in Xian by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- Visit White Horse Buddhist Monastery
- Visit Baolun Temple
- Visit Guo Museum
- View Mount Hua
Landmarks White Horse Buddhist Monastery Baolun Temple Guo Museum Mount Hua - Day 5
Xian
Xian is where the Silk Road began. Your morning focuses on the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding China's first emperor's tomb. After that, see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist structure standing for a thousand years. Walk through the walled center and the Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque. The Drum Tower comes with a traditional Chinese music performance on ancient instruments. Spend your free afternoon exploring at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Xian Scpg)
Included Activities
- City tour of Xian
- Visit Terracotta Army Museum
- Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Explore Muslim Quarter
- Visit Great Mosque
- Drum Tower with traditional Chinese music performance
Landmarks Terracotta Army Small Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque Drum Tower - Day 6
Xian to Pingyao
Board a high-speed train from Xian to Linfen in less than three hours, then switch to a coach heading to the Mansion of the Wang Clan. This estate, built between the 17th and 19th centuries, shows traditional Chinese architecture at its finest. Travel continues to Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved historical city in China with over 4,000 ancient buildings. Explore the charming streets and access temples, mansions, and city walls.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kylin Hotel Pingyao)
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey Xian to Linfen
- Visit Mansion of the Wang Clan
- Explore Pingyao historic city
- Access to Pingyao temples, mansions, and city walls
Landmarks Mansion of the Wang Clan Pingyao Historic City - Day 7
Wutai Mountain
Head to Wutai Mountain, one of China's most spiritually significant locations with over 40 ancient monasteries serving as a major center of Lamaism. Visit the Nanshan Temple, known for its serene atmosphere and historical importance. You'll have free time to explore lesser-visited temples where you can watch monks going about their daily practices.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Friendship Hotel Wutai)
Included Activities
- Visit Nanshan Temple
Optional Activities
- Explore lesser-visited temples and observe monks
Landmarks Nanshan Temple Wutai Mountain - Day 8
Wutai Mountain to Datong
After breakfast, you'll travel through scenic mountain roads toward Yanmen Pass near the Mongolian border. Stop for a peaceful walk on a secluded section of the Great Wall away from the crowds. Continue to Yingxian, a village known for its remarkable wooden pagoda, then visit the Hanging Temple of Xuankong, built directly into a cliff face. Head to Datong for the evening and stroll through the historic center past impressive city walls.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Datong Yungang Meigao)
Included Activities
- Great Wall of China visit
- Visit Hanging Temple of Xuankong
Landmarks Yanmen Pass Great Wall of China Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Hanging Temple of Xuankong - Day 9
Datong to Beijing
The morning takes you to the Yungang Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century with 252 caves containing over 51,000 intricately carved Buddhist statues. Visit Jiming Post, a small traditional settlement that kept its peaceful character from its days as a rest stop for imperial couriers. Travel onward to Beijing, arriving by mid-afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Visit Yungang Caves
- Visit Jiming Post
Landmarks Yungang Caves Jiming Post 
- Day 10
Beijing
This full day covers Beijing's major sights. Visit the Forbidden City where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years, then head to Jingshan Park at Coal Hill for panoramic views looking back at the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square and its Great National Theater come next. See the Summer Palace with its gardens and lakes, then ride a tricycle through historic Hutong neighborhoods to experience traditional Beijing life, visiting local shops and a classic Siheyuan courtyard house. Wrap up with dinner back at your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Lacquered duck dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- City tour of Beijing
- Visit Forbidden City
- Visit Jingshan Park with Coal Hill views
- Tiananmen Square
- Summer Palace visit
- Tricycle ride through Hutong neighborhoods
- Visit Siheyuan courtyard house
- Foot massage
- Tai Chi class
- Lacquered duck dinner
Landmarks Forbidden City Jingshan Park Coal Hill Tiananmen Square Great National Theater Summer Palace 
- Day 11
Beijing
Take a cable car up to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the most scenic stretches spanning over 2,000 years of history through mountain landscapes. Ride back down by cable car, then head to the 798 Art District, a former military factory now filled with contemporary art galleries and studios. Visit the Temple of Heaven, a large sacred complex where emperors once prayed for good harvests. End your day with a foot massage and Tai Chi class before returning to the hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Included Activities
- Great Wall of China Mutianyu section
- Cable car ride at Great Wall
- 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 tour ends and you head home with lasting memories of your journey through China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
