Tour Code: TOCN-BJ-XA-GL-SH-11D
Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin & Shanghai
Explore the route: click a numbered stop to see the visit details.
Welcome to Beijing.
To ensure a smooth arrival, your private guide will be waiting for you in the arrival hall. After meeting you, a comfortable private transfer will take you directly to your centrally located hotel for check-in. During the drive, your guide will introduce Beijing’s background, key historical context, and highlight what you can expect during your stay.
The remainder of the day is free for you to relax after the journey, adjust to the time difference, or explore the city at your own pace.
Accommodation: Beijing
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Not included on arrival day
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel to begin today’s sightseeing.
Start at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. After crossing the square, enter the magnificent Forbidden City, one of China’s most important historical and cultural landmarks. This vast imperial palace served as the residence of Chinese emperors and their court for over 500 years. As you walk through its grand halls and courtyards, your guide will explain imperial life, court rituals, and how the palace functioned as the center of power.
After exiting the Forbidden City, walk to nearby Jingshan Park. From the hilltop pavilion, enjoy a panoramic view overlooking the Forbidden City to the south, with Beihai Park, Shichahai, and the Drum Tower visible to the north. For photography enthusiasts, the corner towers of the Forbidden City offer especially memorable photo opportunities.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to visit the Summer Palace. Once an exclusive imperial summer retreat, it is now recognized as the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. The complex features elegant pavilions, palaces, temples, bridges, and landscaped hills surrounding Kunming Lake. Walk along the famous Long Corridor, decorated with thousands of vividly painted scenes depicting Chinese history and mythology.
Note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. Your guide may adjust the visiting order if necessary.
Accommodation: Beijing
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Early in the morning, depart for the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, located about 70 kilometers from Beijing. This section is known for its long history of over 1,400 years and relatively fewer visitors. You will take a cable car up and down the wall, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery before walking along the ramparts and observing the Ming Dynasty watchtowers.
Optional Toboggan Ride: Guests under 60 may choose to descend by toboggan from Watchtower No. 6 for an added thrill. Please note that waiting times may occur, especially during holidays and peak seasons.
Continue to the Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer ceremonial road leading to the tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. Emperors, regarded as the “Sons of Heaven,” were believed to travel between the earthly world and heaven along this route. Passing through China’s largest surviving stone archway and the grand gateway, you will see rows of stone guardian statues lining both sides—twelve pairs of animals and twelve civil and military officials—standing silently as they have for centuries.
On the return journey to Beijing, stop at the Olympic Park to view the iconic Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional Evening Activity: Enjoy a traditional Beijing roast duck dinner.
Accommodation: Beijing
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, a historic ceremonial complex where emperors once performed rituals to pray for good harvests. While exploring the architecture and gardens, learn about the beliefs and rituals practiced during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Beyond its historical significance, the park also offers a glimpse of local life, with residents practicing tai chi, dancing, and other morning exercises among the pine trees.
After the visit, transfer to the departure station shown on your confirmed train ticket. Your guide will assist with boarding procedures before you take a high-speed train to Xi’an. The journey lasts approximately five hours, traveling at speeds of up to 300 km/h, allowing you to relax and enjoy views of the changing landscape.
Upon arrival at the Xi’an station shown on your confirmed ticket, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your centrally located hotel.
Accommodation: Xi'an
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Today, visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, where you will explore three impressive excavation pits showcasing the vast underground army created to guard China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Your guide will explain how the warriors were constructed, preserved, and originally painted in bright colors, highlighting the craftsmanship and scale of this archaeological wonder.
In the afternoon, visit the Ancient City Wall, which has protected Xi’an’s inner city for over 600 years. Walking along the wall offers excellent views of the city. You may also choose to rent a bicycle and cycle around the wall.
In the evening, explore Datang Everbright City, an illuminated pedestrian area inspired by the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. The vibrant lights and performances create a striking contrast to daytime Xi’an.
Optional Activities:
– Hanfu costume experience and photography
– Tang-style dance performance (typically 8:00–9:00 PM)
Accommodation: Xi'an
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
After breakfast, begin the day with visits to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi’an Museum, both located within a well-maintained park. Smaller than its “sister,” the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built between AD 707 and 709. Standing 43.4 meters tall with 13 remaining levels (originally 15), it has survived nearly 70 earthquakes and remains remarkably intact. Walk inside the pagoda, admire its design, and take photos.
A short walk away is the Xi’an Museum, which houses over 130,000 artifacts, including jade, seals, paintings, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures, stone carvings, and other valuable relics that illustrate the city’s long history.
After sightseeing, transfer to Xi’an Airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel, providing a brief introduction to Guilin along the way.
Accommodation: Guilin
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
After breakfast, visit the scenic and mysterious Reed Flute Cave, where you will walk among impressive stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years.
Continue to Longsheng to explore the Longji Rice Terraces. Created by generations of farmers working with limited land and water resources, the terraces stretch across the mountainsides in dramatic layers. Walking through the area, you will be surrounded by breathtaking views. The region is also home to Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities, each with distinctive traditional clothing, architecture, customs, and festivals.
After the visit, your guide and driver will transfer you to a local guesthouse located within the Longji Rice Terrace area.
Accommodation: Longji Rice Terraces
Hotel: Local guesthouse in the Longji Rice Terraces area
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
After checking out, travel with your guide to Zhujiang Pier to begin a half-day Li River cruise to Yangshuo. As you cruise downstream, enjoy classic karst scenery with limestone peaks, reflections on the water, and rural landscapes along the riverbanks.
Upon arrival in Yangshuo, take time to experience the town’s relaxed pace and countryside atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy free time and the opportunity to dine with locals.
Note: Lunch is included on the cruise. Alternative lunch arrangements can be made before boarding if preferred.
Accommodation: Yangshuo
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast and Li River cruise lunch included
After breakfast, drive to Guilin Airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for rest or independent exploration.
Accommodation: Shanghai
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Begin your Shanghai tour in Lujiazui, where you will take one of the world’s fastest elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower. At 632 meters, it is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world. From this height, enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of Pudong, the historic Bund, and the winding Huangpu River.
Next, visit the Shanghai Museum, home to over 140,000 cultural artifacts that showcase China’s artistic and historical development.
Continue to the old city area to explore Yuyuan Garden, a classical southern Chinese garden dating back approximately 450 years. Walk among traditional pavilions, rockeries, ponds filled with koi fish, and ancient plants. Outside the garden, the Yuyuan Bazaar offers opportunities to shop for traditional handicrafts and sample local snacks.
Then visit Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s earliest commercial street and one of its most popular landmarks. Stroll along this lively pedestrian avenue lined with shops, restaurants, cafés, souvenir stores, and skyscrapers.
End the day at The Bund, Shanghai’s most famous waterfront area and the best place to view the Lujiazui skyline across the Huangpu River. Lined with 52 historic European-style buildings, the Bund is often described as an open-air museum of world architecture.
After sightseeing, return to the hotel.
Optional Evening Activity:
Huangpu River night cruise (approximately 50 minutes).
Accommodation: Shanghai
Hotel: Handpicked boutique hotel (Local 4-Star Standard or above)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation: Not included (Departure day)
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
You will stay for 10 nights in carefully selected local 4-star standard hotels (except the Longji Rice Terraces night, which uses a local guesthouse), with room upgrade options available upon request.
Professional licensed English-speaking local guides are arranged in each destination.
• Travel accident insurance and travel agency liability insurance (RMB 200,000 per person)
• Two bottles of drinking water per person per day
• Guide and driver meal allowances
Air-conditioned private vehicle with a dedicated driver for all scheduled transfers and sightseeing activities, as well as domestic flights or high-speed train tickets within China as outlined in the itinerary.
Daily hotel breakfasts are included, and lunch is also included during the Li River cruise. Other meals are intentionally left open to keep your private tour flexible, so you can choose restaurants based on your preferences each day.
Entrance tickets for the scheduled sightseeing visits are included. Activities marked “Optional” are subject to the inclusions in your confirmed quotation.
The tour price includes travel accident insurance and travel agency liability insurance, with coverage of RMB 200,000 per person.
This insurance applies during the tour period as arranged in the itinerary.
International transportation to and from China is not included in the tour price. However, we are happy to assist with flight recommendations or booking arrangements to help ensure a smooth connection with your itinerary.
Activities marked “Optional”, including any optional rides, performances, dinners or evening cruises, are not included unless expressly included in your confirmed quotation. Any additional cost will be confirmed before you book the activity.
Attractions, transportation and activities outside the confirmed itinerary are not included.
All personal expenses during the trip are not included, including shopping, personal purchases, and optional activities during free time.
Tips for the guide and driver are not included in the tour price.
Tipping is not mandatory and is completely at the guests’ discretion.
The local travel accident insurance included in this tour does not replace personal international travel insurance.
Guests are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive coverage in their home country before departure.
To book this itinerary, simply contact us with your preferred travel dates and basic requirements. We will confirm availability, adjust details if needed, and guide you through the booking and payment process step by step.
Yes. This is a private, customizable tour. Adjustments to the route, hotels, activities, or pace can be made before travel and, when feasible, during the trip, depending on availability and timing.
Yes. The itinerary is designed as a flexible framework and can be tailored to different interests, such as cultural depth, relaxed pacing, photography-focused travel, or family-friendly arrangements.
You will be accompanied by professional local guides in each city. This ensures in-depth local knowledge and smooth coordination while maintaining consistent service standards throughout the journey.
You will receive on-trip coordination support throughout the journey, in addition to your local guides, to assist with logistics, adjustments, and any unexpected needs during travel.
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11-Day Classic China Highlights Private Tour
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