Mountain Majesty: Zhangjiajie & Huangshan

An Epic Adventure Through China's Most Spectacular Landscapes

Introduction

This meticulously crafted 10-day journey showcases China's most breathtaking mountain scenery, combining the otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie with the legendary beauty of Mount Huangshan. Experience seamless travel between China's iconic cities while immersing yourself in landscapes that have inspired artists and poets for centuries.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Arrival and Hotel Transfer

Meals: No Meals Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, China's magnificent capital city and one of the world's great travel destinations. Your local guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and acclimate.

Day 2: Beijing's Imperial Wonders

Temple of Heaven and Mutianyu Great Wall

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

[08:00-08:30] Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin today's exploration of Beijing's highlights.

[08:30-10:00] Visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998. This magnificent complex represents China's largest existing structure for celestial sacrifices, where emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests. The surrounding square buzzes with local residents practicing morning exercises, offering opportunities to witness authentic Chinese Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and traditional dancing.

[10:00-13:30] Journey to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, particularly favored by international visitors. Enjoy lunch at Xiaolongpu Restaurant, renowned for its vegetarian specialties including fried vegetables, dry-fried beans, and sweet corn cakes.

[13:30-15:30] Explore Mutianyu Great Wall, celebrated as one of the best-preserved sections with exceptional construction quality and scale. Choose between hiking the wall or utilizing the included round-trip cable car for panoramic views.

[15:30-17:30] Return to Beijing city center, with opportunity to rest during the drive. Consult your guide about evening entertainment options or Peking duck dining experiences.

Day 3: Beijing to Zhangjiajie

Imperial Beijing and Flight to Mountain Paradise

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Santa Dominga International Hotel ★★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to discover Beijing's historical treasures.

[09:30-12:30] Experience Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, before entering the magnificent Forbidden City - the planet's most extensive and well-preserved ancient imperial palace complex. Continue to Jingshan Park, where Coal Hill offers spectacular panoramic views over the Forbidden City.

[12:30-14:00] Lunch at Shi Yuan Restaurant featuring local Chinese cuisine, famous for braised eggplant, vegetable balls, and diced chicken with walnuts in soy sauce.

Following your tour, transfer to the airport for your 2.5-hour flight to Zhangjiajie, a region celebrated as a living exhibition of traditional customs and carefree lifestyles. Your Zhangjiajie guide will greet you upon arrival and assist with hotel transfer.

Day 4: Zhangjiajie's Avatar Mountains

Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Santa Dominga International Hotel ★★★★★

[08:30-09:00] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin exploring Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

[09:00-12:30] With your guide's assistance, obtain Wulingyuan Scenic Area passes before boarding shuttle buses to Bailong Elevator - the world's highest and heaviest outdoor elevator. Ascend to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where the landscape mirrors the spectacular vistas from the movie Avatar. From Yuanjiajie's observation platforms, witness thousands of peaks resembling countless brave warriors and handsome generals, creating an imaginary world of living artistry during your two-hour exploration.

[12:30-13:30] Enjoy a simple Chinese lunch at Yuanjiajie's rest area restaurant. We recommend bringing supplementary snacks and fruits.

[13:30-16:30] Transfer via shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain Area for afternoon exploration. As the saying goes, "you have no wish to visit any other mountains after viewing Tianzi Mountain." The landscape transforms with seasons and daily weather conditions, featuring four breathtaking highlights: peak forests, cloud seas, sunrise, and winter snow. The mountain's clouds and mist enjoy nationwide renown, particularly after rainfall when they enhance Tianzi Mountain's magical atmosphere.

[16:30-17:30] Descend via cable car and return to your hotel. Consider the "Amazing Xiangxi" folk show for evening entertainment.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie to Shanghai

Tianmenshan Mountain and Flight to Metropolitan Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★

[08:30-09:00] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to explore Zhangjiajie's highest peak.

[09:00-12:30] Ascend Tianmenshan Mountain via cable car on Asia's longest line. During the 40-minute ride, spectacular mountain views unfold before you. Hike across the floating glass plank road, experiencing the unique sensation of wandering through clouds.

[12:30-13:30] Enjoy lunch at a Tianmen Mountain restaurant before taking the cable car halfway down.

[13:30-16:30] Transfer to shuttle buses journeying to Tianmen Cave via Tongtian Avenue's 99 turns, symbolizing heaven's nine palaces. This remarkable roadway deserves its title as a world highway wonder. Visit Tianmen Cave, the world's highest natural mountain-penetrating karst cave. This massive mountain opening has evolved into a major attraction, representing unique heavenly scenery and cultivating profound local cultural significance. Prepare to conquer 999 steps to reach the cave entrance.

Following your tour, transfer directly to Zhangjiajie airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your Shanghai guide will greet you and assist with hotel transfer.

Day 6: Shanghai Exploration

Traditional Gardens and Modern Marvels

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to discover China's most modern metropolis.

[09:30-12:30] Visit Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its seated Buddha encrusted with jewels and weighing approximately 1,000 kg. Continue to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for panoramic views of this dynamic metropolis.

[12:30-13:30] Lunch featuring local specialties including Dim Sum and Steamed Buns.

[13:30-16:30] Explore Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden in the city center, followed by shopping at Shanghai Old Street and Nanjing Road - Shanghai's earliest commercial street, ideal for unique souvenirs. Conclude with a leisurely walk along the Bund, celebrated for its architectural gallery of international buildings.

[16:30-17:30] Return to your hotel, with opportunity to arrange evening entertainment such as the acclaimed ERA Acrobatic Show.

Day 7: Shanghai to Huangshan

Ancient Villages and Cultural Heritage

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Huangshan International Hotel ★★★★

[07:30-08:00] Early morning check-out and transfer to the train station for your bullet train journey to Huangshan.

[09:30-14:00] Board the bullet train to Huangshan City. Your local guide will meet you at Huangshan station, where you'll enjoy a simple lunch.

[14:00-17:00] Afternoon tour of Chengkan Ancient Village, representing perfect harmony between natural beauty and Huizhou cultural artistry. The village showcases exceptionally preserved Ming Dynasty residential architecture, including elegant pavilions, bridges, houses, ancestral temples, and wells. Sample local snacks, including the famous flocky bean curd.

[17:00-18:00] Return to Huangshan city for check-in. Enjoy free time exploring Tunxi Old Street, described by Western-European architects as "The Eastern Ancient Rome," with abundant dining options.

Day 8: Huangshan Mountain

China's Most Celebrated Mountain

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Xihai Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for today's Mount Huangshan exploration. Store luggage at the hotel and travel light.

[09:30-12:30] Full-day excursion to Mount Huangshan, ranked among China's ten best scenic spots and celebrated as the "No. 1 Mountain under heaven." The mountain features four wonders: uniquely-shaped pines, grotesque rock formations, cloud seas, and crystal-clear hot springs. Ascend via cable car to Xihai Hotel, with approximately 30-minute hiking to reach your accommodation. En route, appreciate Lion Peak and Shixin Peak.

[12:30-13:30] Check-in and lunch at the hotel restaurant, which offers the best dining options on the mountain.

[13:30-18:30] Afternoon hiking through Xihai Grand Canyon (West Sea), highlighting Yellow Mountain's most prime scenery. This circular footpath begins at Paiyun Pavilion, connects with White Cloud Area at Fairy-walking Bridge, and creates a breathtaking sightseeing route concluding at your hotel.

Day 9: Huangshan to Shanghai

Mountain Sunrise and Return Journey

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Recommended Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★

[06:00-12:00] Early morning excursion to Danxia Peak or nearby vantage points for sunrise and cloud sea viewing (weather dependent). With luck, you might witness Huangshan's magnificent colorful cloud seas. Return to your hotel for refreshments before descending via cable car.

[12:00-13:30] Lunch at a local old town restaurant before collecting stored luggage from your Huangshan city hotel. Transfer to Huangshan train station.

[14:00-18:30] Four-hour bullet train journey to Shanghai. Your Shanghai guide will meet you at the station and assist with hotel transfer.

Day 10: Shanghai Departure

Farewell to China

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy leisure time before your scheduled airport transfer. Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at the appointed time. We can arrange Maglev train transportation to Pudong Airport upon request, or provide direct vehicle transfer.

Service Concludes