About this Tour
This nature-based journey highlights the karst formations of southern China, while also exploring the cities and ancient sites among them. A Li River cruise brings you up close to these dramatic limestone landscapes, and a countryside ride takes you through the rice fields and villages around Yangshuo. The journey also reaches into China’s imperial past, standing before the Terracotta Warriors that have guarded the first emperor’s tomb for over two thousand years and walking Xi’an’s ancient city wall. It closes in Beijing, the seat of China’s emperors, with the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and the watchtowers of the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
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 a country of striking contrasts, where thousands of years of history meet fast-moving modern life. From the imperial grandeur of Beijing and the Great Wall to ancient Silk Road capitals and the panda-filled, food-famous region of Sichuan, it offers a depth of culture, landscape, and heritage few places can match.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Beijing’s imperial core: the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square
- Walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu Stand before the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an
- Make dumplings by hand and watch a Tang Dynasty cultural show
- See Zhangjiajie’s Hallelujah Mountains, the sandstone peaks behind Avatar
- Cruise the Li River through its karst landscapes
- Stroll Shanghai’s historic Bund and the classical Yu Garden
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Accommodation: 11 nights in five-star hotels and distinctive boutique properties with local character, at the hotels listed in the itinerary or equivalent-standard alternatives, based on double occupancy.
- Meals: Daily breakfast and other meals as listed in the itinerary, with complimentary bottled drinking water provided daily.
- Transfers and Transportation: Scheduled arrival and departure transfers, air-conditioned ground transportation for included sightseeing and transfers, and intercity travel by second-class high-speed rail and/or economy-class domestic flights, as outlined in the itinerary or confirmed for the applicable departure.
- Guides: Professional English-speaking guides for scheduled sightseeing.
- Included Sightseeing & Signature Experiences: Entrance fees and guided experiences as specified in the itinerary, including:
- Shanghai: Yu Garden, the Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck, the historic Shikumen neighborhood, and a guided walk along the Bund.
- Guilin & Yangshuo: Reed Flute Cave; a Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo; and a gentle guided cycling tour through Yangshuo’s countryside.
- Zhangjiajie: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, including Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain, a cable-car descent, and the Ten-Mile Gallery mini-train.
- Xi’an: A hands-on dumpling-making experience, dumpling banquet, and Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show; a Terracotta Army artisan workshop; the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum; Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; and a walk on the ancient City Wall.
- Beijing: The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall with cable-car access.
What’s Excluded
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and alcoholic beverages; optional activities arranged on request; and any costs not listed as included
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Single room supplement
- Gratuities for the guide and driver
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai
Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Shanghai and eastern Chinese cuisine—an elegant introduction to your journey.
Day 2: Shanghai City Discovery
Begin the day with a visit to the classical Yu Garden, a serene Ming Dynasty masterpiece nestled in Shanghai’s historic Old Town.
Continue to the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, ascending to the observation deck for sweeping views over the city’s skyline.
In the afternoon, explore the historic Shikumen neighborhood, where traditional stone-gate houses reveal the fascinating fusion of Chinese and Western influences that shaped modern Shanghai.
As evening approaches, take a leisurely walk along the Bund, where colonial-era architecture contrasts strikingly with Pudong’s futuristic skyscrapers—one of the city’s most unforgettable scenes.
Day 3: Shanghai → Guilin | Karst Cave Exploration
Fly to Guilin (approximately 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, visit the spectacular Reed Flute Cave, famed for its illuminated stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, offering an immersive journey into Guilin’s unique karst geology.
Day 4: Guilin → Yangshuo | Li River Cruise & Countryside
This morning, travel to the pier to board the renowned Li River Cruise, one of southern China’s classic scenic journeys. Drift downstream toward Yangshuo, passing emerald waters, bamboo groves, fishing rafts, and dramatic limestone peaks that resemble a traditional Chinese landscape painting.
Upon arrival, venture into the countryside for a gentle cycling tour, offering close-up views of rural villages, rice fields, and everyday local life.
Day 5: Yangshuo → Guilin → Zhangjiajie
Return by vehicle to Guilin and board a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, you will be met at the station and transferred to your hotel for check-in and rest.
Day 6: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
After breakfast, ascend to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area via the spectacular Bailong Elevator. Explore highlights such as Mihun Stage, First Bridge Under Heaven, and the iconic Hallelujah Mountains, whose soaring stone pillars inspired the landscapes of Avatar. Continue by shuttle to Tianzi Mountain, visiting Helong Park and admiring scenic formations such as Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers, before descending by cable car. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed mini-train ride through Ten-Mile Gallery, where imaginative rock formations are brought to life through legend and nature.
Day 7: Zhangjiajie → Xi’an
Fly to Xi’an, the ancient capital of China. Upon arrival, transfer to the Tang Dynasty Theater for a hands-on dumpling-making experience, learning traditional techniques from local chefs.
In the evening, savor a lavish dumpling banquet, followed by the celebrated Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a vivid recreation of imperial court culture through music, costume, and dance.
Day 8: Xi’an | Terracotta Army
Begin with a visit to a Terracotta Army Workshop, where artisans demonstrate traditional sculpting techniques. Continue to the legendary Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, where thousands of life-sized figures stand guard over Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.
Return to the city to visit the elegant Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7th-century Buddhist landmark central to the spread of Buddhism in China.
Day 9: Xi’an → Beijing
Walk along Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved in China, before boarding a high-speed train to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 10: Beijing | Imperial Heritage
Explore the spiritual and political heart of China. Begin at the serene Temple of Heaven, followed by a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of China’s most significant public spaces.
Enter the majestic Forbidden City, once home to emperors and the center of China’s imperial court.
Conclude at Jingshan Park, where panoramic views reveal the full grandeur of the palace layout.
Day 11: The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Travel to the scenic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, celebrated for its dramatic mountain setting and well-preserved watchtowers. Enjoy cable car access and walk along the ancient ramparts, experiencing one of humanity’s greatest architectural achievements.
This evening, gather for a farewell dinner featuring regional Beijing cuisine.
Day 12: Departure from Beijing
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight, bringing this unforgettable journey through China’s landscapes, history, and culture to a close.
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 6 departures
September
October
November
December
2027 15 departures
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2028 15 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.