Beijing & Hangzhou to Shanghai

Welcome to China! Upon your arrival in Beijing, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Explore Beijing or unwind at the hotel in preparation for the adventure ahead. In the evening, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner.

You’ll start your day by visiting Tiananmen Square, a site of profound historical importance where the People's Republic of China was founded and which has been the backdrop for numerous significant events in China’s history. Take a moment to admire the iconic portrait of Mao Zedong that hangs over the Tiananmen gates.

Next, you’ll proceed to the Forbidden City, the grand palace complex that served as the imperial residence for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. This vast palace boasts over 800 opulent buildings and 9,000 chambers. Please note that the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If your visit coincides with a Monday or if tickets are sold out, you will have the option to visit the Lama Temple or Confucius Temple as alternatives.

Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, followed by an afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven, renowned for its impressive religious architecture. Continue to the bustling Marriage Market, where parents gather to find suitable matches for their children.

As evening falls, enjoy a tea ceremony, a graceful ritual that emphasizes harmony, respect, and tranquility, allowing participants to savour both the tea and the serene atmosphere. Then, return to your hotel to relax and unwind, with the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll set out to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. In spring, the mountain is covered with beautiful flowers; in summer, it is lush and accompanied by the sound of flowing water; in autumn, the mountains are adorned with red leaves and abundant fruits; and in winter, it is blanketed in white snow, presenting a picturesque northern scenery. Perhaps even take the cable car, which can be arranged locally.

After lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a jade factory, where you can learn about and purchase exquisite jade jewelry.

In the afternoon, spend a leisurely time exploring the Summer Palace, where you can admire the blooming gardens grand pagodas. The Summer Palace is an impressive example of man-made beauty centered around Kunming Lake, an artificial body of water that was created by a labor force of over 10,000 workers. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure.

Beijing - Xi'an. Begin the day with a tour of Beijing’s alleyways, known as ‘Hutongs,’ in the style of a Hutong Walk. This is also the perfect opportunity to sample some of Beijing's unique street food. Wander through these charming and historic alleys, admiring the tightly packed courtyards that house several households. During your exploration, you’ll even peek into an unassuming courtyard once frequented by the last empress of the Qing dynasty in her later years.

Following your Hutong tour, you’ll enjoy lunch before transferring to Beijing West Railway Station. Here, you’ll board a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival in Xi’an, you’ll meet your local guide at the railway station and be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Dive into history at the Terracotta Warrior Museum, where you can marvel at the collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These life-sized figures were meticulously modeled after actual soldiers of the Qin Army, and the site includes approximately 8,000 soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses - none of which are identical. This impressive army was created to guard the remains of Emperor Qin Shihuang, which are housed in a vast mausoleum complex.

Following this, you'll enjoy a visit to a Terracotta Warrior Factory, where you'll learn about the intricate production process of these ancient artworks, a tradition that has remained unchanged since the Qin dynasty. As a special highlight, you may also have the opportunity to meet one of the farmers who discovered the Terracotta Army!

Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant before continuing your exploration at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Admire the exterior of this well-preserved ancient structure - one of the oldest surviving buildings of its kind in China.

The evening is free for you to explore at your leisure, allowing you to explore local dining options on your own.

Xi'an - Chengdu. Enjoy breakfast before boarding a high-speed train journey to Chengdu. The journey will take approximately 3-4 hours. Upon arrival in Chengdu, you'll be greeted by your local guide at the railway station.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before spending a leisurely afternoon at People's Park, the largest green space in downtown Chengdu. With its lake, gardens, teahouses, and monuments, it's an ideal place to observe local life. Stroll along the lake, watch people sing and dance, or paint water calligraphy. You can also relax in a teahouse, where you can learn to play Mahjong or Chinese chess.

Next, visit the Narrow and Wide Alley, a historic area part of Chengdu’s Cultural Protection Project. This area features traditional courtyards (Siheyuan) and old alleys where notable figures once lived.

As evening sets in, transfer to your hotel in the city center for check-in. The evening is free for you to explore your own way.

Today you'll visit the Panda Research Center for an up-close look at China’s beloved giant pandas. Wander through this sanctuary to witness the pandas' playful antics and learn about crucial conservation efforts to protect their future. This visit offers insight into the efforts made to protect one of China’s most iconic and cherished animals.

Afterwards, visit Wenshu Monastery, the largest and most popular Buddhist temple in Chengdu. This Qing Dynasty construction houses an impressive collection of buildings adorned with intricate art and architecture.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making your way to Jinli Street. This bustling area is known for its vibrant mix of teahouses, shops, and eateries, offering a lively experience with local arts, crafts, and snacks. Then tonight, indulge in a famous Sichuan hotpot dinner, where Chengdu's specialty lies in its unique numbing spices.

Chengdu - Leshan - Chengdu. This morning, you'll journey to see the Great Buddha of Leshan, an awe-inspiring marvel carved directly into the cliff face where the Dadu, Minjiang, and Qingyi rivers meet. Standing over 71 meters tall, this colossal statue, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Take a brief boat ride on the Minjiang River for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Buddha.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue your journey. If time permits, stop by the ancient town of Huanglongxi on your way back to Chengdu. This charming town offers a captivating glimpse into Sichuan's timeless past, boasting traditional architecture, cobbled pathways, age-old temples, and bustling market stalls.

Chengdu - Hangzhou. After breakfast this morning, you will fly to Hangzhou, with a flight duration of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Hangzhou, once hailed by Marco Polo as the most prosperous city in the world, still showcases its timeless charm through its shimmering West Lake, vibrant tea culture, grand canal, and the ancient Liangzhu ruins.

Upon arrival, transfer to Liangzhu, an ancient Neolithic site on the outskirts of Hangzhou. This site is a key representative of Neolithic culture in southern China. After lunch, get ready for a visit to the Liangzhu Museum. Here, you will explore a collection of over 3,000 cultural relics, including jade, pottery, stone vessels, and bone objects. The museum’s permanent exhibition features 608 pieces, with nearly half newly discovered in recent years.

Next, visit the Liangzhu Ruins, dating from 3,300-2,300 BCE. These ruins reveal an early regional state with a unified belief system based on rice cultivation, showcasing advanced urban planning, a water conservation system, and social hierarchies expressed through differentiated burials. Announced as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, the ruins are a significant representation of early urban civilization with rice cultivation as its economic foundation.

Tonight, head to your hotel for check-in and enjoy an included dinner featuring herbal cuisine at a local restaurant.

Start your day with a leisurely stroll along the Grand Canal, the world’s oldest man-made river, which begins in Hangzhou and stretches to Beijing. This remarkable feat of civil engineering, begun in the 5th century BC, served as a vital communication link across the Empire and remains the largest such project before the Industrial Revolution.

Next, visit the Grand Canal Museum, the country’s first comprehensive modern museum dedicated to preserving, researching, and exhibiting cultural relics related to the Grand Canal. Then, experience local craftsmanship at the Workmanship Demonstration Pavilion, where you can choose between painting your own fan or creating an oil-paper umbrella.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic walk along the West Lake, Hangzhou’s most iconic landmark. This picturesque freshwater lake is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance. You may also opt to take a boat trip on the serene lake, which can be booked and paid locally.

In the evening, attend the Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show, an outdoor performance set against the backdrop of West Lake. Debuting at the G20 summit in 2016, this spectacular show blends the natural beauty of the lake with captivating artistic performances.

Hangzhou - Shanghai. Start your day with a visit to Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple, a renowned Zen Buddhist temple known for its impressive collection of over 470 stone carvings of Buddhist figures, dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the Meijiawu Tea Plantation, where you can observe the tea-making process and participate in a traditional tea ceremony.

Enjoy lunch locally before exploring Hefang Street, a vibrant shopping area that captures the essence of the Song dynasty. Here, you can browse Chinese crafts, sample local snacks, and experience the bustling atmosphere of art vendors, food stalls, and traditional shops.

Next, visit the Huqing Yutang Chinese Medicine Museum, established in 1874 by Qing dynasty merchant Hu Xueyan. The museum, located in a historic building with a charming courtyard, offers insights into traditional Chinese medicine. Also, explore the Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, a grand 19th-century residence that reflects the opulence and sophistication of a wealthy merchant family.

Finally, take a high-speed train to Shanghai, with a journey time of approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Time to explore the metropolis of Shanghai with a full day tour. Your first stop is the enchanting Yu Garden, located in the old city center. This classical garden, constructed 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, offers a serene escape from the modern city and provides a fascinating glimpse into Shanghai's historical past.

After lunch, head to The Bund. This iconic waterfront area showcases a striking contrast between the modernist architecture of Pudong and the ornate colonial buildings across the river, offering a dramatic and picturesque skyline.

Next, explore the Former French Concession. Wander through its tree-lined streets and elegant architecture, where the blend of Chinese and Western influences creates a unique atmosphere.

Conclude your day with a visit to a silk factory, where you can learn about the traditional silk production process. Afterward, transfer back to your hotel to unwind and enjoy the final night of your tour.

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. We hope you enjoyed your journey through China. Safe travels!