Ethnic Heartlands & Karst Landscapes: Guiyang to Guilin
An Epic Adventure from Imperial Beijing to Futuristic Shanghai
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Your professional private guide will meet you at the Arrival Hall of the airport, holding a welcome sign with your name. After a warm welcome, you'll be escorted to your carefully selected hotel by private vehicle. En route, receive an introductory overview of Beijing. After check-in, enjoy free time to rest or explore your surroundings.
Day 2: Beijing's Imperial Heart
- Morning: Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest downtown square, then explore the magnificent Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the world's best-preserved wooden royal architectural complex
- Afternoon: Enjoy an a la carte welcome lunch featuring Peking Roast Duck at a noted local restaurant
- Cultural Immersion: Experience a rickshaw ride through traditional Hutong alleyways and visit a local family in their courtyard home
- Late Afternoon: Discover the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once worshipped the God of Heaven
Day 3: The Great Wall Adventure
- Morning: Journey to Badaling section of the Great Wall, the most famous and well-preserved portion
- Afternoon: Explore the Ming Tombs, focusing on the Sacred Way with its stone figures and Dingling Tomb
- Evening: Drive by the iconic Bird's Nest stadium en route back to your hotel
Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an via High-Speed Rail
- Morning: Visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design
- Afternoon: Experience China's advanced high-speed train system on your 4.5-5.5 hour journey to Xi'an
- Evening: Arrive in ancient capital Xi'an and transfer to your hotel
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors Discovery
- Morning: Explore the Terracotta Army Museum, featuring the newly-introduced exhibition of Archaeological Discoveries
- Cultural Experience: Visit the home of Mr. Yang Zhifa, the farmer who discovered the terracotta figures
- Hands-On Activity: Create your own mini terracotta figure at a local workshop
- Afternoon: Visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum
Day 6: Xi'an's Ancient Walls to Zhangjiajie
- Morning: Connect with locals at City Wall Park, then explore the impressive City Wall
- Cultural Discovery: Visit the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, enjoying a snack tour of Xi'an delicacies
- Afternoon: Explore Hanyangling Museum with its unique glass-covered excavation areas
- Evening: Fly to Zhangjiajie and transfer to your hotel
Day 7: Avatar Mountains Exploration
- Full Day: Discover Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Morning: Ride Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area to see the iconic Hallelujah Mountain (Avatar Mountain) and No.1 Bridge under Heaven
- Afternoon: Explore Yangjiajie Scenic Area's Natural Great Wall and Tianzi Mountain's spectacular peaks via cable car
Day 8: Glass Bridge & Golden Whip Stream
- Morning: Experience the thrilling Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- Afternoon: Hike along the most beautiful section of Golden Whip Stream, spotting rare wildlife and unique rock formations
Day 9: Tianmen Mountain to Shanghai
- Morning: Ascend Tianmen Mountain via the world's longest cableway
- Adventure: Walk the Glass Skywalk and marvel at the magnificent Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate)
- Cultural Stop: Visit the record-breaking 72 Tujia Stilted Buildings
- Afternoon: Fly to Shanghai and transfer to your hotel
Day 10: Shanghai's Past and Future
- Morning: Visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and the classical Yu Garden
- Lunch: Enjoy an a la carte farewell lunch at a selected restaurant
- Afternoon: Cruise Huangpu River for stunning city views, stroll the historic Bund, and explore the artsy Tianzifang cultural zone
Day 11: Departure from Shanghai
According to your flight schedule, our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your journey home, concluding your 11-day Chinese adventure.