Starting from 1590$ (based on 2 people sharing)
What to Expect
Private tour available any day
Top things to do with great flexibility
Customize the tour to fit your own schedule
No time-wasting shopping stops and sales pitch
Day by Day Tour Briefing
Day 01 Arrival in Shanghai, airport pickup, transfer to Shanghai hotel, free time
Day 02 Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, the Bund, optional Acrobatic Show or Huangpu River night cruise
Day 03 Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Jade Buddha Temple, fly to Guilin
Day 04 Li River Cruise to Yangshuo, West Street
Day 05 Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, fly to Xi’an, transfer to Xian hotel
Day 06 Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Muslim Streets, optional Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Day 07 Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, fly to Beijing, transfer to Beijing hotel
Day 08 Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, optional Kung Fu Show
Day 09 the Great Wall at Mutianyu, Sacred Way, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, optional Peking Duck
Day 10 Temple of Heaven, Hutong Rickshaw, tranfer to the airport
Beijing | Penta Hotel Beijing | Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town |
Xian | Wyndham Grand Xi’an South | Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an |
Shanghai | Les Suites Orient Bund Shanghai | Sunrise On The Bund |
Price | $$$ | $$ |
Tour Details
(This tour is a sample tour which can be customized for you exclusively.)
DAY 1 SHANGHAI ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Shanghai Pu Dong International Airport, which is also one of the busiest and progressive International airport in China, you will immediately welcome by a tour guide and will conveniently transfer you to the hotel. At the hotel, you have all the pleasure to choose from relaxing the day away or explore the city on your own right away.
DAY 2 SHANGHAI (B, L)
A full day of sight-seeing to explore and appreciate the wonders of old and present Shanghai. First on the list is the Shanghai Museum. Shanghai Museum is the haven of Ancient Chinese Art. Be mesmerized with collections of ancient arts, ancient ceramics, Calligraphy, Paintings, ancient sculptures, jades among others. This interactive museum is very tourist-friendly, equipped with an Audio Explanation Device that will help tourists and visitors understand and appreciate the history, artistry and technological evolution of the Chinese culture.
The next stop is the Yu Garden. This amazing garden is believed to be built more than 400 years ago. The impeccable and magical scenic layout of the Yu Garden architecture is one of the most celebrated attractions in Shanghai. With the perfect fusion of decorative halls, elegant pavilions, glistening pools and captivating fishes around, zigzag bridges, pretty pagodas, and captivating rockeries, this garden is definitely a breath of fresh air. Along with its impressive scenery, Yu garden is also known for its Yuyuan Bazaar, where visitors get to experience the plethora of goods on sale which includes; antiques, handicrafts, fresh produce, and the profusion authentic yet affordable Chinese grubs.
Later on, with several kilometers away drive, you will have the chance to enjoy Shanghai’s skyline in its majestic panoramic view straight from the 100th floor of Shanghai World Financial Center called the “Eye of Shanghai”.
After the “Eye of Shanghai” visit, it is an equally interesting tour to an equally amazing landmark in Shanghai which is the Nanjing Road. It is known to be China’s premier shopping pedestrian street. East and west long spread of retail haven, perfect for glimpsing the china’s products and merchandise pieces.
The final stretch of Day 2 touring is The Bund, a famous littoral of the west bank of Huangpu River. It is also considered as the symbol of Shanghai. Its scenery is the fusion of modern metropolis and an ancient civilization that gives an actual authenticity of the beauty of the present and past Shanghai.
Optional Activities:
Option A: Be entertained by an acrobatic show which includes the world-class “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hooping, benches juggling, walking in the air and other heart-stopping performances. (Showtime is at 19:30-21:00)
Option B: Opt to enjoy a relaxing and calming Huangpu River Night Cruise, and get the once in a lifetime chance to savor a 50-minute journey around the city’s night sparkle and winsomeness.
DAY 3 SHANGHAI TO GUILIN (B)
Start your day with a glimpse of Shanghai’s past, present, and future. The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, regarded as “Window of the City”. This six-story center with two basements is known for showcasing Shanghai’s urban planning and development.
This center was developed to successfully exhibits the past, the presents and at the same time opens the window of the city’s visons and outlook. One of its highlights is the large scale model showing the detailed layout of Shanghai.
The next amazing stop is a tour of the famous Jade Buddha Temple. Home to valuable Buddha figures, priceless paintings, and Buddhist scriptures. This temple is especially known for its collections of sitting well-imprinted, carved Buddha statues.
The Jade Buddha Temple is definitely a great way to feel and experience Chinese beliefs and traditions. It’s a walk down China’s faith and certitude.
In the afternoon, the guide will transfer you to the airport for your upcoming flight to Guilin. Then, per your convenience, another tour guide from Guilin will pick you up upon arrival and will transport you to the Guilin hotel.
DAY 4 GUILIN (B, L)
Ready yourself to an exciting exploration of Guilin’s fascinating views. Kickstarting it with a relaxing and calming sightseeing cruise across the Li River from Mopanshan Pier to Yangshuo Town. An 84-kilometer cruise packed with overwhelming sceneries and an ample backdrop of green limestone, karst mountain and countryside spectacle.
Ending the 4 hours of amazing cruise, you will then disembark at Yangshou Town, and will go straight to the hotel to relax and freshen up. There, you can have your breathing spell where you can squeeze in the opportunity to relish spectacular countryside views and appreciate the perfect landscape around.
This evening is also a perfect opportunity to stroll around the ancient West Street, where you can witness the amazing mingling of Western and Chinese culture. Sense and feel and entire ambiance with sumptuous local food, a mug of drink in a bar, or just simply unwind, loosen up through the tranquility of the place.
Optional activity:
You can grab the opportunity to pleasure up and watch the evening show of Liu Sanjie, with the performance held exactly at the Li River itself. The show is directed by no other than Zhang Yimou, a Chinese director with worldwide prominence for his ace directorial piece which includes the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic games held in Beijing. SHOWTIME (19:45-22:20)
DAY 5 GUILIN TO XIAN (B, L)
Right after an appetizing breakfast, you will be transported back to Guilin in a cozy and pleasant 1.5-2-hour drive.
There is a chance to witness the famous Guilin landscape called Elephant Trunk Hill. It is named after its exquisite shape of a giant elephant expanding its trunk to Li River. You can also enjoy the splendid scenery through a concoction of crystal clear waters, captivating caves, and charming rock formations.
The Water Moon Cave, Elephant Eye Cave, Puxian Pagoda, and Yunfeng temple, Buddhist Temple, Relic Exhibition and stone carving are also some of the tour’s highlights.
On to the next stop is a 7-kilometer drive to Reed Flute Cave, an alluring cave surrounded with stalactites and stalagmites and columns adorned with a fascinating light show.
The last leg on this day’s tour is the transfer back to the airport courtesy of your tour guide, for a journey flight to Xian. Upon arrival at Xian airport, a local tour guide will pick you up and accompany you to the hotel. The remaining time will be a leisure time to spend at your convenience.
DAY 6 XIAN (B, L)
Day six starts with a delectable breakfast, follows by a 40 km drive to Terracotta Warriors, a huge collection of life-size terra cotta sculptures in battle formations, representing the mega imperial guard troops of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is considered as one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites.
Right after the luncheon, the tour will return to Xian proceeded with an excursion on the ancient City Wall. An extraordinarily well-preserved city wall that represents the admirable testament of ancient Chinese people’s exceptional artistry.
Next is a relaxing gallivant around the vivid, the Muslim Streets. Consist of couples of streets famous for diversified food, welcoming locals along with traditional mosques, characteristics buildings in Ming and Qing dynasties.
Optional activities:
Option A: Pedal across the Ancient City Wall with rental bikes.
Option B: Treat yourself with an astonishing Tang Palace Dance Show after a sumptuous dumpling dinner at a local restaurant. (19:00-21:40)
DAY 7 XIAN TO BEIJING (B, L)
Bump-starting day 7 with an appetizing breakfast, followed by a tour to Da Cien Temple, known for its famous, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient structure and a holy Buddhist’s place. It is also rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve as well as an AAAA tourist spot.
(Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
Next on the tour is a stop to Shaanxi History Museum, home for the most valuable collections of artworks from the ancient dynasties. It is the first modern museum in China, where you can also educate at the same time fill your knowledge bucket with various artifacts unearthed all through the province.
(Note: Trip to Shaanxi History Museum availability tour depends on its crowd capacity. It is expected to be particularly packed during July to early September and during China’s National Day (October 1-7). It will be replaced by other activities if you visit at this time of the year.
The remaining time of the day is an opportunity for brief leisure. Then you will be transported back to the airport for a flight to Beijing. In Beijing airport, you will be picked up by a local tour guide who will drop you off to a Beijing hotel.
DAY 8 BEIJING (B, L)
Starting day 8 of the tour with breakfast, then an exploration of Beijing’s historical richness, Tiananmen Square is the first on the list. Tiananmen means “gate of heavenly peace.” Here you can witness some of China’s capital landmarks which include the famous Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, and Chairman Ma Zedong Memorial Hall. Flag-Raising Ceremony is also one of the highlights of this monumental place, where you can witness the guard of honor raise the Five Star Red Flag which is China’s National Flag.
Another place need not miss is the Forbidden City, considered as the grandiose heart of China, constructed during the early Ming Dynasty. It is also known as the largest imperial palace in the world, showcasing imperial living and governing quarters, valuable artworks, and traditional gardens.
A drive to the outskirts of Beijing after lunch, to be delighted by the inviting ambiance of The Summer Palace is a trip to look forward to. Summer palace is famed for its best-preserved imperial garden. There is so much scenery to enjoy here from its Kunming Lake, The Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, The Marble Boat, and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, it is a bucket-list-worthy place.
Optional activities:
Watch a wonderful Kung Fu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30.
DAY 9 BEIJING (B, L)
A 70-kilometer drive after breakfast to view and witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World sounds exciting enough right? Yes, because in there, your eyes will be graced by the majestic view of China’s most glorified structure, The Great Wall of China.
The Mutianyu section is most of the time the less crowded part of the Great Wall and the most highly recommended side to visit for the tourists. Here you will be transported by a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, followed by an exciting hike to the loveliest part Mutianyu. A guaranteed one of kind climb experience, where you can witness astonishing scenery of the wall wriggling along the mountain ridges. Then an equally exciting descend to Mutianyu by cable car is also a trip highlight.
(Note: Depending on your energy capacity, you have an option to take the 40-minute hike up or down. Kindly consult for further assistance and arrangement.)
Further on the trip, is the stop to the Sacred Way. A 7-kilometer long passageway leading to the thirteen Imperial Tombs. Also known as the Divine Road this scenic place is consists of monumental structures including a Memorial Stone Archway, The Great Red Gate, The Stele Pavilion, The Stone Creatures, and the Dragon and Phoenix gates.
Here you can have a very tranquil stroll in a calming surrounding along with the statues of various animals around.
The final stretch is a drive back to Beijing city and takes a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to see its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional activity:
After a fun-filled day of touring, it’s always a great idea to delight yourself with a decent and delectable dinner to the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude.
DAY 10 BEIJING (B, L)
After the morning chow, capping up the trip is a drive to the imperial site of the Temple of Heaven. A marvelous imperial complex used by ancient Chinese as a ceremonial ground to pray to Gods and Heaven. Now it is has become a breeding ground where locals take part in traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, among others.
To follow is a travel back to the central city to hop on a rickshaw, the most popular form of transportation for tourist’s taking part in the Hutong tour. It provides a unique touring and viewing experience along Beijing. Tour provides a visit among antique shops and small boutiques where you can experience Beijing’s historical progression. You can also visit Hutongs’ local family home preserved in its traditional state.
Your tour guide will finally drop you off at Beijing Capital International Airport for your flight back home. And that wraps up your memorable exploration of beautiful China.
Inclusions
- Free tour customization
- Knowledgeable veteran guides with fluent English
- Private vehicle as specified
- Hand-picked hotels
- Buffet breakfasts and non-tourist local restaurant lunches
- Admissions as specified
- Domestic flights, trains, cruises as specified
Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides and drivers