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.
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
- 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 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, widely regarded as the highlight of any visit to China. 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, the world’s highest outdoor lift. 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, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, 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, the largest public square in the world.
Enter the majestic Forbidden City, once home to emperors and the world’s largest palace complex. 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 relatively fewer crowds. Enjoy cable car access and walk along the ancient ramparts, experiencing one of humanity’s greatest architectural achievements.
Day 12: Departure from Beijing
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international flight home, 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.
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.
Customer Cancellation Policy View refund eligibility and cancellation fee details
We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be as fair and transparent as possible:
| Cancellation Timing | Refund | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days or more prior to departure | 80% | 20% |
| 59 to 35 days prior to departure | 50% | 50% |
| 34 days or fewer prior to departure | No Refund | 100% |
Travel Insurance Recommended: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect your trip investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.