Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

Starting from Tiananmen Square, walk through Tiananmen Gate and enter the Forbidden City. After touring the Forbidden City, climb Jingshan Park for a spectacular panoramic view of the entire complex. After lunch, take a rickshaw ride through the Houhai (Shichahai) area, exploring the old Beijing hutongs and traditional courtyard houses up close, experiencing the historical charm of the old city. Finally, arrive at the Drum Tower and Bell Tower. Afterwards, you can relax at a nearby teahouse with a cup of authentic Chinese tea. Return to the hotel to conclude the day's itinerary.

Gallery: Forbidden City 1Forbidden City 2

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Today we will visit the Temple of Heaven, the most important ancient Chinese site for sacrificial rites and the largest sacrificial architectural complex in Beijing. En route, we will stop at a jade carving factory to learn about traditional Chinese jade carving techniques and have the opportunity to admire or purchase exquisite jade artifacts. Afterwards, we will proceed to the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most popular and scenic sections of the Great Wall. You can choose to hike up or take the cable car for an easy ascent. Once at the summit, stroll along the ancient Great Wall and enjoy the magnificent mountain and Great Wall scenery. After lunch, we will visit the Beijing Olympic Park, including the iconic Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), admiring the unique design of these two modern buildings from the outside. Finally, we will return to the hotel, concluding the day's itinerary.

Gallery: Mutianyu Great Wall 1Mutianyu Great Wall 2

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After checking out, proceed to the Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden, and a representative work of Qing Dynasty imperial gardens. You will enjoy a boat ride on Kunming Lake, admiring the scenic views, the Long Corridor, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and other classic sights, experiencing the poetic beauty and grandeur of this imperial garden. Lunch will follow the boat ride. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Xi’an, a comfortable and fast journey of approximately 4-5 hours. Upon arrival in Xi’an, your local guide will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, concluding the day's itinerary. After arriving in Xi’an, you can rest briefly to recharge for exploring the ancient capital.

Gallery: Summer Palace 1Summer Palace 2

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Today, we will visit the Eighth Wonder of the World—the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of ancient China. You will get up close to thousands of lifelike terracotta warriors, learning about the grandeur of Qin Shi Huang's unification of the six kingdoms and the secrets of his underground palace. Afterwards, we will participate in a pottery-making workshop, where you will experience making pottery yourself (usually small terracotta figures or simple vessels in the style of the Terracotta Army). Under the guidance of a professional craftsman, you will learn to throw and color the pottery, experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese ceramics. You can also take your own creation home as a souvenir.

Gallery: Terracotta Warriors 1Terracotta Warriors 2

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After checking out, visit the Xi’an City Wall in the morning, one of the best-preserved and largest ancient city walls in China. Experience the grandeur and historical weight of Ming Dynasty defensive architecture. The spacious square often hosts performances or fountain shows, making it a great spot for photos. After lunch, take the high-speed train to Chengdu, a comfortable and quick journey of approximately 3-4 hours. Upon arrival in Chengdu, your local guide will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, concluding the day's itinerary. After arriving in Chengdu, you can relax for a while and prepare for the next leg of your Sichuan journey, filled with both spiciness and leisure.

Gallery: Big Wild Goose Pagoda 1Big Wild Goose Pagoda 2

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In the morning, we will visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world's most renowned institutions for giant panda conservation and research. You will have the opportunity to observe the adorable pandas up close, watching them play and learning about their daily lives. Enjoy an authentic Sichuan lunch and experience the spicy and flavorful charm of Sichuan cuisine. Afterwards, we will visit Jinli Ancient Street, one of Chengdu's most representative ancient streets.

Gallery: Panda 1Panda 2

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In the morning, visit the Jinsha Site Museum, an important archaeological site museum in Chengdu, to admire the unearthed gold masks, bronzes, jade artifacts, and most famously, the Sun Bird gold ornament. After lunch, visit the Wuhou Temple, the largest Three Kingdoms culture museum in China and even the world, primarily commemorating Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han, while also enshrining Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and other heroes of the Three Kingdoms period. In the afternoon, take a flight to Guilin. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, concluding the day's itinerary.

Gallery: Wuhou Temple 1Wuhou Temple 2

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Today we depart from Guilin and drive for about 2 hours to Longji Rice Terraces, also known as the Dragon's Backbone or the Dragon's Spine. This is one of China's most spectacular and representative rice terrace landscapes. Created by hand over 700 years by the ancestors of local ethnic minorities, the terraces wind their way through the mountains like a dragon's spine, a true miracle of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Gallery: Longji Rice Terraces

Today, embark on a Li River Cruise, departing from a pier in Guilin city or near Yangshuo, to begin your classic tour of the most scenic section of the Li River. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, disembark and rest briefly. You can choose to walk, take a sightseeing train, or ride an electric cart to the nearby meeting point. After the ride, return to the Yangshuo meeting point and take a bus or private car back to your hotel in Guilin, concluding this magical day trip along the Li River.

Gallery: Li River Cruise

This morning is free to relax and enjoy your last moments of rest. Afterwards, check out of the hotel and be accompanied by your tour guide to the airport for your midday flight to Hangzhou. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel for check-in and to allow you to settle in. The evening is free for you to explore. We recommend visiting Hefang Street on your own; it's Hangzhou's most famous historical and cultural pedestrian street and a modern continuation of Qinghefang.

After breakfast, we will head to Meijiawu Tea Village, a famous production area of West Lake Longjing tea. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the environment is tranquil and serene, surrounded by green mountains and layered tea gardens, making it the best place to experience authentic Longjing tea culture. After the morning tea village experience, we will travel to West Lake and climb Chenghuang Pavilion, one of the best vantage points for panoramic views of West Lake. In the afternoon, we will continue exploring West Lake, taking a boat trip on the lake.

Gallery: West Lake, Hangzhou 1West Lake, Hangzhou 2

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After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will take you to the train station for your high-speed train journey to Suzhou. After lunch, you will begin exploring Suzhou's most classic classical gardens. First, visit the Lingering Garden, the largest existing private garden in China and one of Suzhou's four famous gardens, renowned for its Qing Dynasty architectural style. Next, proceed to the Lion Grove Garden, another of Suzhou's four famous gardens, with over 650 years of history. After the tour, visit Pingjiang Ancient Street, one of Suzhou's best-preserved and most vibrant historical districts.

Gallery: Lion Grove Garden 1Lion Grove Garden 2

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Today we depart from Suzhou and drive to Tongli Ancient Town, one of the six famous water towns in Jiangnan, known as the "Little Venice of the East, " which preserves an extremely rich historical and cultural heritage. Upon arrival, you will take a local boat trip, leisurely cruising along the crisscrossing ancient canals and waterways. After lunch, we will drive to Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport to board our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, you can take a short rest to recharge for exploring the vibrancy and charm of this international metropolis.

Gallery: Tongli Ancient Town

Stroll through the old Shanghai Shikumen neighborhoods and visit the Bund—a renowned center of foreign trade in late 19th-century Shanghai. Afterwards, proceed to the Bund, Shanghai's most famous landmark. Next, visit Yu Garden, located next to the City God Temple in the city center. It is Shanghai's most complete and famous surviving classical private garden, built during the Ming Dynasty. After lunch, head to the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai's most famous Buddhist temple, renowned for its two jade Buddha statues carved from single pieces of jade imported from Myanmar. The temple is a popular place of worship, with solemn and ancient architecture and a tranquil environment.

Gallery: The Bund, ShanghaiYuyuan Garden

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Your wonderful China journey comes to an end today. When you are ready, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight. Wishing you a pleasant journey!