Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Xi’an and Beijing

Your splendid China tour with cultural and natural highlights starts from Shanghai. Upon arrival in this mesmerizing city, you will be warmly greeted by your guide and transferred to your downtown hotel in a private car. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Shanghai is a city that perfectly integrates its old and new glamour, which can be fully found today. The city exploration begins at the Shanghai Museum, where you will be astounded by the bronzes, jades, paintings, sculptures, and other valuable collections of ancient Chinese artifacts. Continue to the Yu Garden, an artistically designed one with over 400 years of history, shining among all traditional Chinese gardens in the south of the Yangtze. Then change your tempo to the Yuyuan Market, a bustling bazaar nearby that sells all kinds of stuff. Later, wander through the Former French Concession and the Bund to feel the old appeal of the city. End today's tour at the Shanghai Tower, ascending this skyscraper to enjoy an amazing view of the Huangpu River.

Gallery: The BundYu Garden

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There are several picturesque water towns not far from Shanghai, and Xitang is a representative of them. Check out your hotel in the morning and take a drive (around 1.5 hours) to Xitang Ancient Town, a quaint town dating back to 771 B.C. Have a mesmerizing boat ride on the canals and soak up the charming views. Afterward, be escorted to the airport in Shanghai for your flight to Zhangjiajie. When you land at the airport, your Zhangjiajie local guide will be awaiting you and ready to take you to the hotel.

Gallery: Xitang Ancient Town 1Xitang Ancient Town 2

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A full day of in-depth exploration of the fantastical landscape of Zhangjiajie, a World Natural Heritage site hailed as the inspiration for "Avatar, " renowned for its bizarrely shaped stone pillars and peaks, mist-shrouded canyons, and dense primeval forests. Morning/Late Morning: Take the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor sightseeing elevator (326 meters vertical height, reaching the summit in just 88 seconds), ascending directly from the valley floor to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. This is the inspiration for the "Hallelujah Mountains" in the movie "Avatar." Afterwards, take the scenic area's eco-friendly shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. Tianzi Mountain is known as the "King of Peaks."

Gallery: Tianzi Mountain 1Tianzi Mountain 2

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The day's itinerary begins at Baofeng Lake. This tranquil alpine freshwater lake, located near the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, is surrounded by dense primeval forests and uniquely shaped peaks and rocks. In the afternoon, we will travel to Tianmen Mountain, a magnificent mountain renowned as one of the "most beautiful mountains in the world, " famous for its Tianmen Cave, the 99-bend Tongtian Avenue, and the thrilling glass walkway. After the tour, we will transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport for check-in and our flight to Xi’an.

Gallery: Baofeng LakeTianmen Mountain

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Unlike Zhangjiajie, which is well-known mainly for its natural wonders, Xi’an is world-famous due to its extraordinary archaeological discovery of the Terracotta Warriors. These life-size clay soldiers had been created about 2,200 years ago to accompany the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, after his death. After being astonished by the incomparable Terracotta Army, meander through the famous Muslim Quarter, which has been the center of the Muslim community in Xi’an for over 1,000 years. Explore Muslim culture and try some exotic snacks there. Proceed to the 600-year-old Drum Tower, one of the largest and best-preserved among the many drum towers left from ancient China. Nowadays, ancient folk music can even be admired in the tower.

Gallery: Terracotta Warriors 1Terracotta Warriors 2

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Begin with a one-hour Tai Chi instruction session, led by an experienced master who will guide you through the fundamentals of this tranquil martial art. Afterwards, cycle up the Xi’an City Wall, one of the best-preserved and largest ancient city walls in China. You can rent bicycles and leisurely ride along the wide brick paths of the wall. After the ride, return to your hotel for a short rest or lunch before heading to Xi’an North Railway Station to board the high-speed train to Beijing.

Gallery: Ancient City Wall 1Ancient City Wall 2

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Begin your Beijing journey at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square, surrounded by the majestic Great Hall of the People. Then cross the Jinshui Bridge and enter the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors, now the Palace Museum. In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, a well-preserved imperial garden centered around Kunming Lake, dotted with numerous temples, long corridors, pavilions, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. It served as the summer palace for Qing emperors, blending natural landscapes with exquisite garden art.

Gallery: Forbidden CitySummer Palace

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The day's itinerary begins at the Temple of Heaven, the sacred site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held their annual Prayer for Good Harvests ceremony, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests. Afterwards, we drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall outside Beijing. This section of the Great Wall is relatively less crowded and well-preserved. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Wall winding its way up the mountain peaks, with expansive views and lush greenery, making it an excellent choice for experiencing the beauty of the Great Wall.

Gallery: Temple of HeavenMutianyu Great Wall

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Today you are saying goodbye to China. Enjoy some free time on your own until you're taken to the airport for your flight. Thank you for traveling with us and wish you a pleasant flight.