About this Tour
This thoughtfully curated 12-day cultural expedition begins in Beijing, continues deep into Shanxi Province, and concludes in Shanghai. The journey blends China’s imperial legacy, Buddhist sacred mountains, World Heritage architecture, dramatic Yellow River landscapes, and refined modern urban culture.
From the grandeur of the Forbidden City and the magnificence of the Mutianyu Great Wall, travel west to Shanxi—China’s open-air museum of ancient architecture. Follow the intellectual footsteps of Liang Sicheng, exploring Tang and Song dynasty masterpieces, Buddhist grottoes, sacred mountains, merchant compounds, and one of China’s best-preserved ancient walled cities. The journey culminates in cosmopolitan Shanghai, offering a graceful transition from ancient civilization to modern China.
This itinerary is ideal for history enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and spiritual travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and comfort.
About China
China is a vast and diverse country known for its rich history, ancient wonders, and vibrant traditions that span thousands of years. From the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors, China offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Transportation: High-speed trains or optional domestic flights, and luxury coach
- Lodging: 4-5 Star Hotels and Cultural boutique inns with daily breakfast (twin-sharing basis)
- Meals: As per itinerary with complimentary daily drinking water
- Activities and Tickets: All listed entrance fees and guided experiences as specified in the itinerary
- Tour Guide: English-speaking tour guide
What’s Excluded
- International flights and airport taxes
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tour guide gratuities (recommended 10% gratuity)
- Personal expenses, optional activities, and any items or attraction tickets not mentioned in the Inclusions section
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Single supplement
- Visa fees (if applicable)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing – Airport Transfer & Hotel Check-in
Upon arrival in Beijing, meet your professional guide and private driver for a seamless transfer to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or explore nearby neighborhoods.
Day 2: Beijing Imperial Highlights: Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
Explore Beijing’s imperial heart. Visit Tian’anmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City, following its central axis to fully appreciate the palace’s political, ceremonial, and architectural significance. In the afternoon, stroll through the Summer Palace, an exquisite royal garden blending lakes, pavilions, and painted corridors.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall – High-Speed Rail to Datong
Travel to the Mutianyu Great Wall, ascending by cable car and hiking along panoramic watchtowers surrounded by forested mountains. After lunch, transfer to Beijing Railway Station for a high-speed train to Datong (approx. 2–2.5 hours). Upon arrival, check in and rest.
Day 4: Datong – Yungang Grottoes – Yingxian Wooden Pagoda – Wutai Mountain
Morning visit to the Yungang Grottoes, featuring over 59,000 Buddhist statues carved into sandstone cliffs. Continue to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, a millennium-old architectural marvel and UNESCO-recognized engineering wonder. Drive onward to Mount Wutai and overnight in Taihuai Town.
Day 5: Mount Wutai Exploration – Drive to Pingyao
Explore key monasteries of Mount Wutai, including Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, and Pusa Ding, gaining insight into nearly 2,000 years of Chinese Buddhist history. Afternoon drive to Pingyao Ancient City. Optional evening performance: “Seeing Pingyao” historical drama.
Day 6: Pingyao Ancient City – Qiao Family Compound – Jixian
Morning walking tour of Pingyao Ancient City, including the city wall, County Government Office, and China’s earliest draft banks. Participate in an intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting workshop. Visit the Qiao Family Compound, a grand merchant residence famous from Raise the Red Lantern. Continue to Jixian.
Day 7: Hukou Waterfall – Jinci Temple – Taiyuan
Visit the awe-inspiring Hukou Waterfall, where the Yellow River thunders through a narrow gorge. Continue to Jinci Temple, renowned for ancient halls, sculptures, and millennium-old trees. Optional Shanxi pasta-making experience with local artisans. Overnight in Taiyuan.
Day 8: Taiyuan Cultural Discovery – High-Speed Rail to Shanghai
Morning visit to the Shanxi Museum, offering a comprehensive overview of Shanxi’s history, Buddhism, commerce, and architecture. Transfer to the railway station for a high-speed train to Shanghai (or flight, upon request). Arrival and hotel check-in.
Day 9: Shanghai City Highlights: Bund, Yu Garden, Old Town
Explore Shanghai’s Bund, showcasing colonial-era architecture along the Huangpu River. Visit Yu Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design, followed by a walk through the Old Town bazaars.
Day 10: Shanghai Modern & Cultural Experience
Visit Shanghai Museum or China Art Museum, stroll along Xintiandi, and enjoy leisure time in upscale shopping districts. Optional Huangpu River night cruise.
Day 11: Water Town Excursion (Suzhou or Zhujiajiao Ancient Town)
Day excursion to a nearby water town—Suzhou (classical gardens and canals) or Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (ancient bridges and waterways). Return to Shanghai in the evening.
Day 12: Shanghai Departure
Private transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Shanghai Pudong International Airport for departure.
Itinerary Note: To ensure the best possible travel experience, the order of visits and daily arrangements may be adjusted by the guide based on local conditions, travel time, visitor traffic, weather, and operational considerations. All key included experiences will be arranged as appropriately as possible throughout the journey.
Hotel Rating System
Although some hotels on this itinerary may appear to have a lower star rating on international booking websites, they are officially classified by the China National Tourism Administration. This government-regulated system evaluates hotels based on a strict set of standards for quality, facilities, and service. Some differences in rating systems and cultural expectations may account for the variation in online ratings. In order to ensure quality, we rate hotels by this system.