Beijing. O/N Beijing

Beijing - Today, your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your Beijing hotel at 8:00 am. From there, you’ll be taken to Tiananmen Square.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - At Tiananmen Square, you can capture stunning photos of the Tiananmen Tower, Monument to People’s Heroes, and Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. Located in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square has been the site of numerous historical events and gatherings over the centuries. Today, it hosts grand celebrations, military parades, and welcoming ceremonies for foreign dignitaries. Visitors can also admire the towering Monument to People’s Heroes and the solemn Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. Traditional structures like the Tiananmen Tower, Zhengyang Gate, and Qianmen Arrow Tower are also present.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Next, you’ll cross the Tiananmen Tower to visit the Forbidden City, the residence and administrative center for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1911). The Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden complex in the world, served as the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The palace is divided into the Inner Court and Outer Court by the Palace of Heavenly Purity, with the Outer Court used for state affairs and the Inner Court as the living quarters for the imperial family. The complex also functions as a vast museum, showcasing over a million national treasures.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Upon arriving at the scenic area’s parking lot, you’ll take an electric car to the entrance and then a chairlift up to the 14th watchtower. Enjoy a leisurely hike on the wall for about 2 hours, ending with a toboggan ride down. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), is one of the most renowned sections. Known for its unique beauty, Mutianyu stands out among all the Great Wall sections. Explore the ancient structure and learn about its history and significance. Your professional guide will provide insights and answer any questions about the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Beijing - Xi’an by flight. O/N Xi’an.

Beijing - In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to continue your Beijing tour.

Temple of Heaven - Your first stop will be the Temple of Heaven, the largest group of royal ceremonial buildings in China. Emperors used to hold annual sacrificial ceremonies here to worship heaven and pray for a good harvest. Today, it has become a large park where you can see locals exercising and engaging in recreational activities.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - Next, you’ll visit Beijing Hutong, where you’ll take a rickshaw ride through the old alleys and visit a Hutong family to see how traditional Beijingers live. The area is filled with popular restaurants, cafes, and local food stores, making it a great place to have lunch. Your guide will offer suggestions. After lunch, you can stroll around Houhai Lake and explore more of the Hutong area.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - After visiting the Hutong, you’ll be driven to the Lama Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Beijing. The temple combines various architectural styles from different ethnic groups, including Han, Manchu, Mongol, and Tibetan. Open to tourists since 1981, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for prayer and sightseeing.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - A 30-minute drive will take you to the Summer Palace, known as the museum of ancient royal gardens. Your expert guide will show you around the garden, which mainly consists of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. The Long Corridor, 728 meters (796.2 yards) long, is the longest corridor in Chinese gardens. It connects Longevity Hill with Kunming Lake, featuring exquisite murals and melodious music along the way.

Beijing Capital International Airport - Finally, your guide and driver will escort you to Beijing airport for your flight to Xi’an, possibly booking the CZ8821 20:00–22:10 for you. The flight takes around 2 hours.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Upon arrival in Xi’an, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel (Driver only, no guide).

Xi’an. O/N Xi’an.

Xi’an - In the morning, your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your Xi’an hotel at 9:00 am and transfer you to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, an 80-minute drive (45 km).

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Your guide will reserve tickets online in advance and help you skip the line at the entrance. You’ll explore the museum by visiting the three excavated pits and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall. Despite being buried for over 2,200 years, the clay warriors and horses remain vivid and distinct. You’ll spend at least two and a half hours at this remarkable site.

Small Goose Pagoda - Next, you’ll visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located inside Jianfu Temple, about one kilometer south of Xi’an city proper. This pagoda, along with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is one of the two significant Buddhist sites from the Tang Dynasty, dating back 1300 years. The two pagodas symbolized Chang’an (Constant Peace) city, which was the name of Xi’an until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - After lunch, you’ll transfer to the city wall, where you can walk or cycle around. Bike rental fees are paid locally. The ancient City Wall, one of Xi’an’s most famous attractions, is one of the oldest and best-preserved Chinese city walls and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Muslim Quarter - Your last stop will be the Muslim Bazaar, the city’s most vibrant area. You can explore the bazaar at your own pace and return to the hotel on your own. Your guide will provide directions. The Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square are within walking distance. The bazaar offers many boutique stores with fair prices and numerous excellent dining options.

Xi’an - Finally, you’ll be driven back to your Xi’an hotel.

Xi’an - Chongqing by flight. O/N Chongqing.

Xi’an - In the morning, your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your Xi’an hotel at 8:30 am and transfer you to Hanyanglin, a 30-minute drive (15 km).

Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling) - You’ll first drive for an hour to visit the Hanyangling Mausoleum, the site of the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, built in 153 AD. With your guide, you’ll closely examine the thousand-year-old tombs through glass floors and walls in the tomb pits. The advanced Spectra Vision program will recreate the life of the Western Han Dynasty from 2,000 years ago. You’ll have two hours to explore the site.

Shaanxi History Museum - After lunch, you’ll continue your Xi’an tour at the Shaanxi History Museum. The museum, a treasure house of Chinese civilization, showcases Shaanxi’s unique historical and cultural heritage. It houses around 370,000 antiquities, ranging from prehistoric relics to those from the 1840s, spanning over a million years. Your guide will provide detailed explanations.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) - Instead of entering the temple, you’ll have a photo stop at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda for half an hour. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda was where Monk Xuanzang translated Buddhist sutras. The area around the pagoda is popular with both tourists and locals, offering charming night scenes and relaxation. The south square leads to the Great Tang All Day Mall, featuring Tang Dynasty-style sculptures and classical music performances. The north square has the largest musical fountain in Asia, free to the public with scheduled show times.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Finally, you’ll be driven to Xi’an airport for your flight to Chongqing, possibly booking the GS7665 (20:15-22:00). The flight takes 2.5 hours.

Jiangbei Airport - Upon arrival in Chongqing, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel (Driver only, no guide).

Chongqing. O/N Victoria Cruise boat.

Chongqing - At around 08:00, your tour guide will pick you up at your downtown Chongqing hotel for a 3-hour drive to Wulong County.

Wulong Karst geological park - Wulong, known for its unique karst landforms, features stunning stone bridges, caves, pits, eroded sinkholes, and gorges. Wulong gained international fame from Michael Bay’s movie “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” which showcased the majesty of the Three Natural Bridges. Other attractions include Furong Cave, Longshuixia Gap, and Fairy Mountain.

Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges - After a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, your Wulong karst tour begins with the Three Natural Bridges, the main scenic feature of this world heritage area. These three giant stone arch bridges are natural wonders sculpted by nature. During the 2-2.5 hour visit, you’ll also stop by an ancient staging post near Qinglong Bridge, built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) for official business and guest reception. The wooden-structured courtyards are well-preserved with over 20 rooms remaining.

After some free time to explore, your Wulong trip concludes, and you’ll be transferred back to your hotel, arriving around 18:30.

Chongqing Chaotianmen - Finally, your guide will escort you to Chaotianmen cruise port. Board the ship between 18:30 and 21:00, and depart Chongqing at 21:30.

Sailing & Shore Excursion at Fengdu Jade Emperor. O/N Victoria Cruise boat.

Sailing through Three Gorges & Shore Excursion at Shennv Stream. O/N Victoria Cruise boat.

Sailing & Shore Excursion at Three Gorges Dam. The cruise ends at Yichang, followed by a flight to Shanghai. O/N Shanghai.

Yichang - Your local guide will meet you at the Three Gorges tourist center and accompany you to visit Yichang city center, including Riverside Park and Wanda Plaza. After lunch, you’ll be dropped off at Yichang airport for your flight to Shanghai, possibly booking the Mu2675 (18:00–19:55).

Pudong International Airport - Upon arrival in Shanghai, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel (Driver only, no guide).

Shanghai. O/N Shanghai.

Shanghai - Your guide will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel at around 09:00 am. You’ll be escorted to the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, a 20-minute ride away.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - At the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, you can view various textual and graphic files and architectural models, providing an overall understanding of Shanghai’s development.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Next, enjoy a relaxing stroll through the beautiful Yu Garden. Located in the old town, Yuyuan Garden is famous for its intricate layout and delicate architecture. The garden’s treasure, Yu Ling Long (an exquisite jade stone), is considered one of the three most famous peaks in Southern China.

Yuyuan Bazaar - Then, visit the Yuyuan Bazaar, also known as Yuyuan Market, located outside Yu Garden in the heart of Old Shanghai City, near the Old City God Temple. The area features traditional Chinese buildings now used as commercial stores selling local products, snacks, jewelry, souvenirs, antiques, and more.

Shanghai World Financial Center - Afterwards, head to the Shanghai World Financial Center and ascend to the 100th floor for panoramic city views. The world’s 8th tallest building and the 4th tallest in Mainland China, the 100th floor has a 55-meter-long viewing gallery, the second highest observation deck in China.

The Bund (Wai Tan) - Finally, visit the Bund area, the quintessential part of Shanghai. Located on the bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund offers charming riverside scenery and unique western and gothic architecture. You’ll have free time to stroll around and take photos.

Shanghai - At the end, your guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Shanghai - Guilin by flight. O/N Guilin.

Shanghai - Your guide will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel at around 09:00 am. You’ll be escorted to the Zhujiajiao water town, a 60-minute ride away.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - The Zhu Jia Jiao water town, with a history of over 1,700 years, is known as Shanghai’s Venice. Covering 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), the fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl among lakes and mountains. You’ll visit Kezhi Garden, Qing Dynasty Post Office, and Fangsheng Bridge.

Kezhi Garden, built in 1912, features various pavilions, buildings, a lotus pond, stele corridors, a bridge of nine turnings, and diverse plants. The stele corridor displays calligraphy inscriptions from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) with high artistic value.

The Qing Dynasty Post Office houses precious old postcards and letters from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), and a post box with a carved dragon still in use today.

Fangsheng Bridge, built in the Ming Dynasty, is the largest and longest stone arch bridge in Shanghai with five arches.

You’ll take a local wooden boat from Kezhi Garden and disembark at North Street. You’ll have free time to wander the ancient streets and interact with locals.

Jade Buddha Temple - After lunch, you’ll visit the Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882 to house two white jade Buddha statues from Burma. The temple is a famous Buddhist shrine and active Zen monastery, playing a significant role in spreading Buddhism through cultural activities, including lectures, library services, academic publications, and regular cultural events.

Tianzifang - Later, you’ll visit Tianzifang, an old-style cultural block with distinctive Shikumen buildings, art studios, themed cafés and bars, and handicraft workshops.

Pudong International Airport - Finally, you’ll be driven to Shanghai Pudong airport for your flight to Guilin, possibly booking the FM9381 (21:15-23:55). The flight takes around 2.5 hours.

Guangxi Airport Management Group Guilin Liangjiang International Airport Company - Upon arrival in Guilin, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel (Driver only, no guide).

Guilin. O/N Guilin.

Guilin - Your guide will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel at around 08:30 am. You’ll be escorted to the Reed Flute Cave, a 30-minute ride away.

Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) - Inside the cave, you’ll marvel at the stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites. The Reed Flute Cave is a renowned karst cave with numerous formations resembling bamboo shoots, pillars, curtains, and flowers, creating a splendid underground palace. You’ll discover more astonishing sights, such as stone lions, miniature forests, pagodas, and crystal chambers, each with a romantic or interesting story. The guide’s vivid interpretation and the lighting add mystery to the scene. The cave tour lasts about 40 minutes.

Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces - After a two-hour drive, you’ll reach the entrance for the Longji Terraces in Ping’an Village, known for its beautiful rice terraces. From the entrance, it’s a 30-minute drive to the village.

Ping’an Village - Upon arrival, you’ll take a moderate trek along steps to Ping’an Zhuang Village, a 40-minute walk. Your guide will show you around the village, where you can see the unique wooden stilted houses of the local Zhuang people. You’ll have lunch in the village.

After lunch, continue exploring the terraces to the No.2 Viewing Platform (Seven Stars with the Moon), a 15-minute walk, offering a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the Longji Terraces. You’ll have time to take pictures and enjoy the fresh air. Then, head to the No.1 Viewing Platform (Nine Dragons and Five Tigers), a 30-minute walk along a flat path.

Guilin - Afterwards, you’ll return to your Guilin hotel by private car around 17:30, with free time for the evening.

Guilin. The tour ends.

Guilin - In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel at around 07:45 and escort you to the Zhujiang pier for the Guilin Li River cruise to Yangshuo (4-star boat with buffet lunch).

Li River - Boarding is scheduled for 9:20 am, and the journey takes about 4 hours. With your guide’s company and interpretation, you’ll immerse yourself in the stunning karst landscape of rolling hills, verdant forests, odd caves, and tranquil villages along the Li River. A buffet Chinese lunch will be served on board before you reach Yangshuo at 2:00 pm.

Xianggong Mountain - After disembarking, you’ll drive to Yangshuo Xianggong Hill. You’ll climb a moderately sloped staircase for 15 minutes to reach the top. If you need a walking stick, inform your guide in advance. Located between the Yellow Cloth Shoal and the Mural Hill, Xianggong Hill offers one of the best views of the Li River. The 180-degree bend in the river attracts countless visitors and photographers annually.

Guilin - Finally, your guide will escort you to your hotel/airport/train station, concluding your 12-day tour.

• The entrance tickets
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Private car service
• 4 economy class flight tickets from Beijing to Guilin

• Others not mentioned above
• The hotels and dinner
• Yangtze Cruise service charge of CNY150 per adult