About this Tour
Built for those wanting an in-depth experience of China’s cultures, this 12-Day cultural journey begins in Beijing, moves deep into Shanxi Province, then finishes in Shanghai. This journey is perfect for those interested in learning about the many cultures of China, ranging from the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties to the colonial-era waterfront of modern Shanghai.
Along the way, you will be able to walk the Forbidden City and climb the Mutianyu Great Wall, then travel west into Shanxi, home to the densest concentration of surviving ancient timber architecture in China. There you will see Buddhist carvings at the Yungang Grottoes, the 11th-century Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the monasteries of Mount Wutai, the Yellow River at Hukou Waterfall, the Qiao Family merchant compound, and Pingyao, one of China’s best-preserved walled cities. The trip closes in Shanghai, with a choice to visit one of two water towns.
4CanGo Small Group Program
Our 4CanGo departures are confirmed to operate as soon as four guests are booked, with a maximum of ten travelers per departure. Once the minimum is met, your trip goes ahead, so you can plan with confidence and enjoy the attentive pace that only a small group allows.
Online booking is set up for parties of four or more. If you are traveling solo or with a group of three or fewer, please contact us and we will arrange your booking directly. We are glad to build flexible arrangements around your preferred dates, group size, and travel style.
Quality of service is our priority. Every Horizon itinerary is planned by a team led by a founder with more than 20 years in the travel industry, specializing in both U.S. national park tours and international travel. We are committed to delivering a personalized and memorable journey.
About China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with thousands of years of history spread across an enormous range of landscapes and cultures. From ancient cities and sacred mountains to deserts, rivers, and modern megacities, it offers a depth and variety few countries can match.
Tour Highlights
- Explore the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, the ceremonial centers of imperial Beijing
- Climb the Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car and ridgeline trail
- See over 51,000 Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs at the Yungang Grottoes
- Visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, built in 1056 and the oldest fully wooden pagoda still standing in China
- Walk the monasteries of Mount Wutai, a center of Chinese Buddhism for nearly 2,000 years
- Wander Pingyao, one of China’s best-preserved ancient walled cities
- Step inside the Qiao Family Compound, a Qing-era merchant residence
- Watch the Yellow River thunder through Hukou Waterfall
- Close in Shanghai along the Bund and through the classical Yu Garden, with a water town day trip
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Transportation: High-speed trains or optional domestic flights, and private luxury coach
- Lodging: 5 Star Hotels and Cultural boutique inns with daily breakfast (twin-sharing basis)
- Meals: As per itinerary with complimentary daily drinking water
- Tour Guide: English-speaking tour guide
- Included Sightseeing & Signature Experiences: Entrance fees and required advance reservations where applicable, together with guided sightseeing and the following scheduled experiences:
- Beijing: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Mutianyu Great Wall with a cable car ascent.
- Datong and Mount Wutai: Yungang Grottoes, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, and Pusa Ding.
- Pingyao: Ancient City sightseeing, including the city wall, County Government Office, historic draft banks, a paper-cutting workshop, and the Qiao Family Compound.
- Hukou and Taiyuan: Hukou Waterfall, Jinci Temple, and the Shanxi Museum.
- Shanghai: The Bund, Yu Garden, Old Town, Xintiandi, and either the Shanghai Museum or China Art Museum.
- Water Town Excursion: A day trip from Shanghai to either Suzhou for its classical gardens and canals or Zhujiajiao Ancient Town for its bridges and waterways.
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 for a seamless transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or explore nearby neighborhoods.
Day 2: Beijing Imperial Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
Explore Beijing’s imperial heart. Visit Tiananmen 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 to 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 51,000 Buddhist statues carved into sandstone cliffs. Continue to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, built in 1056, the oldest and tallest surviving wooden pagoda in the world. 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.
Show Time: 19:00–20:30 | Closed Mondays
Immerse yourself in this spectacular large-scale historical drama directed by acclaimed director Wang Chaoge. The production tells the gripping story of Zhao Yishuo, a wealthy Pingyao draft bank owner during the late Qing Dynasty, who spends his entire fortune to hire 232 armed escorts to rescue his branch manager Wang from Russia.
This innovative immersive theatrical experience takes you on an emotional journey through Shanxi merchant culture, revealing the depth of loyalty, sacrifice, and the rich heritage that defined this remarkable era.
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.
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.
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.
Scheduled Departure Dates
Select a year below to view currently scheduled small-group departure dates.
2026 4 departures
September
October
November
December
2027 10 departures
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2028 11 departures
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Scheduled departures are subject to availability and final operational confirmation. Additional departure dates may be available on request.
Accommodation Selection
Hotels are selected for their location, facilities, service standards, and overall guest experience, rather than by formal star classification alone. Star ratings, where referenced, follow local standards and are provided for general reference only. Hotel assignments are finalized for each departure based on availability and operational requirements, with selections made to maintain the intended level of comfort and overall guest experience.
Age Requirements
Travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult responsible for their supervision and well-being throughout the tour. All travelers should be able to safely and comfortably participate in the itinerary.