Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin & Shanghai: 11-Day Golden Highlights Tour
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Five Thousand Years of Splendid History, the World-Renowned Chinese Civilization, Awe-Inspiring to All. Marvel at the Magnificent Forbidden City and the Stretching Great Wall, and the Brilliant Eastern Culture.
Highlights
- Explore the Forbidden City: Immerse in Centuries of Royal Splendor
- Witness the World's Largest Underground Military Museum at the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang
- Shanghai Meets World Heritage: A Fusion of Modern City and Ancient Towns
- Adventure through the Terraced Fields, Cruise the Li River, and Trek through Caves
Itinerary
DAY 1 Beijing
No matter when your flight arrives in Beijing, you will be greeted by a guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you will have free time for the rest of the day.
DAY 2 Tiananmen - Forbidden City - Temple of Heaven
The tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin exploring the historical city of Beijing, the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient palace in the world. You will then walk to Jingshan Park, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Forbidden City from the top of Coal Hill.
The Forbidden City is one of the most well-preserved and largest wooden structure ancient architectural complexes in China and even in the world. These magnificent buildings can be divided into two main parts: the "Outer Court" and the "Inner Courtyard." The Qianqing Gate serves as the boundary, with the Outer Court located to the south of the Qianqing Gate, where the emperor handled state affairs, and the Inner Courtyard to the north, where the empress and concubines lived, serving as the emperor's family residence. Walking through the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, while enjoying the flowers and plants in the emperor's garden, makes one feel as if they have traveled back to a historical drama.
The Palace Museum houses a large number of precious cultural relics, with estimates exceeding one million pieces. Due to the different types of relics, it is divided into several exhibition halls. Among them, the Treasures Hall and the Clock Hall are particularly striking. The Clock Hall hosts demonstrations of clocks every day at 11 AM and 2 PM, showcasing various uniquely designed mechanical clocks collected during the Qing Dynasty, which is sure to broaden your horizons.
Enjoy lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant along the way
Visit the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Heaven is a dedicated altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven, pray for rain, and seek a good harvest. It is a nationally renowned ancient structure. The northern part of the altar is circular, while the southern part is square, symbolizing "heaven is round and the earth is square." The entire Temple of Heaven is divided into two parts: the Inner Altar and the Outer Altar, with well-known buildings such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Echo Wall located in the Inner Altar.
Area Overview
The inner altar is divided into north and south parts by palace walls. The northern part, known as the "Qigu Altar," is where the emperor holds the major Qigu ceremony in spring, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests. The main buildings include the Qinian Hall, Huangqian Hall, East and West Side Halls, Qinian Gate, Divine Kitchen, Sacrificial Pavilion, and the Seventy-two Long Corridors.
The southern part is the "Round Altar", an open-air three-tiered circular stone altar, which is the place where the emperor worships heaven on the winter solstice. The main buildings include the Round Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, along with auxiliary halls, the divine kitchen, three storages, and the slaughtering pavilion.
The connection between the two altars is a stone platform measuring 360 meters long, 28 meters wide, and 2.5 meters high, referred to as the "Divine Way," also known as "Haimai Avenue," or "Danbi Bridge," symbolizing the long road that must be traversed to reach the heavenly court.
Return to the hotel, where you can plan an evening performance or a Beijing roast duck dinner with your guide along the way, and seek their advice.
DAY 3 Badaling Great Wall - Bird's Nest - Water Cube
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and then start exploring the Great Wall.
Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Huairou District, Beijing, connecting to Juyongguan Great Wall in the west and Gubeikou in the east. Since ancient times, it has been a strategic military point guarding Beijing, known as the "Majestic Mountain Pass." The architectural style of Mutianyu Great Wall is unique, with dense enemy watchtowers, particularly the rare main pass platform with three enemy towers standing side by side.
Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant near the Great Wall.
Drive back to Beijing, and you can take a nap in the car. Visit the exterior of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, which are stunning structures built for the Beijing Olympics. Return to the hotel for free time.
The Bird's Nest (National Stadium) is located at the northern end of Beijing's central axis. It served as the main stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and has become one of Beijing's new landmarks in recent years due to its high-end and grand appearance, as well as the numerous international competitions it has hosted.
The Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) is located on the northern side of Beijing. The architecture is very unique, with its exterior made up of over 3,000 irregularly shaped air bubble cushions, resembling water molecules in a blue sea from a distance. At night, the colorful lights are dazzling, making it a great place for night photography.
DAY 4 Beijing Gulou Yangmeizhuxie Street - Nanluoguxiang - Xi'an
In the morning, you will have ample time to pack your luggage. Our guide and driver will wait for you in the hotel lobby. After checking out, we will load your luggage onto the vehicle, and you will enjoy a half-day leisurely tour. We’ll drive to Gulou Yangmeizhu Xiejie and Nanluoguxiang, experiencing the lively atmosphere of Beijing's hutongs. After lunch, in the afternoon, the driver and guide will take you to the high-speed train station to board the train to Xi'an (approximately five hours). Your Xi'an guide will be waiting for you at the station to assist you in transferring to your hotel.
DAY 5 Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang - Chang Hen Ge Performance
Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and begin exploring the ancient city.
The Terracotta Army Museum, also known as the Terracotta Warriors, is a part of the burial pits of the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. Together with the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, it constitutes the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum.
The Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang is known as the eighth wonder of the world. Over a thousand clay soldiers unearthed here show different appearances and vivid expressions, making it a brilliant gem in the history of ancient Chinese sculpture art, hailed as “one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century.”
A Chinese-style lunch will be arranged near the Terracotta Army scenic area. Enjoy a large-scale mountainous water stage historical drama adapted from the narrative story of Bai Juyi.
DAY6 Xi'an City Wall - Guilin
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel, and the guide will take you to visit the ancientcity wall of Xi'an, which is currently the largest and best-preserved city wall of its kind in China. Surrounding the former capital of China, it stretches nearly 14 kilometers long, allowing you to explore it on foot or by bicycle and enjoy your leisure time. After the morning activities, you will be transferred to Xi'an Airport to check in for your flight toGuilin. Upon arriving inGuilin, your local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel while providing a brief introduction toGuilin on the way.
DAY7 Photography Paradise Stunning Longji Rice Terraces [Long-haired Yao Beauty - Terracing Marvels with Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon - Rare Scenic Spot of Nine Dragons and Five Tigers] - Guilin
Rest for one night and enjoy a buffet breakfast
Travel by bus to Longji Rice Terraces, taking the expressway for a safer and faster journey, reducing your travel fatigue and enhancing your overall travel comfort.
Huang Luoyao Zhai is located within the Longji Scenic Area, where the Jinjian River flows through the village, creating a beautiful landscape. This area is home to the Red Yao ethnic group, known for their longstanding tradition of growing long hair among women. Their long hair, songs and dances, and traditional Red Yao attire have become vibrant aspects of the local folklore scenery.
Visiting Longji Rice Terraces, Ping'an Village is a classic destination. This area was developed for tourism quite early, and the facilities for eating, drinking, and entertainment are more comprehensive. There are 170 households with a population of over 700, primarily a Zhuang ethnic village, with most residents having the surname Liao. The rice terraces are made up of small plots of land, creating a tranquil and beautiful landscape. In autumn, when the crops are ripe, the scenery turns golden, and the terraced fields are particularly stunning at this time of year. The viewing platforms in the scenic area, notably "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers," are a must-see, though a little imagination is needed when visiting. "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" refers to the seven small hills left over from the time when the fields were opened, resembling seven little stars accompanying the terraced fields like a moon. "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" refers to the nine small ridges that branch out from the main Longji ridge, with five slightly raised hilltops resembling five tigers, encircling the rice terraces and guarding this land and water.
DAY8 The Scenic Beauty of the Li River is Unmatched in the World 【Designated Three-Star Boat Upper Cabin for Panoramic View】 - Silver Cave 【Karst Cave Wonder】 - Impression Liu Sanjie / Guilin Eternal Love - Yangshuo Boutique Resort Hotel
【VIP Experience - Li River Three Star Cruise, Upper Deck, 4.5h Tour of the Great Li River~】 (Amazing Views, Close-Up of Mountains and Rivers)
The green waters ripple, and the blue mountains greet you; a hint of overcast skies shrouds the mountain peaks in light mist, making every sight picturesque and frame-worthy. A sightseeing boat glides through the heart of the river, with a bamboo raft accompanying it nearby. People on the boat wave in greeting, while those on the raft cheerfully respond. Traveling together on the river, each enjoying the wonders around them, it's all a matter of fate.
The elementary school Chinese textbook features a piece titled "Guilin's Scenery is the Best Under Heaven," which refers to a trip along the Li River. The peaks on both sides of the Li River are majestic and towering, with various forms, representing the essence of Guilin's landscape. "A hundred miles of the Li River is a hundred miles of a gallery"; every scene is like a typical Chinese ink painting. In the Li River scenic area, green peaks flank the river, clear waters swirl, gorges and cliffs rise steeply, waterfalls cascade, lush oases and perilous shoals appear, along with stunning caves and beautiful stones, creating countless scenic spots, with dozens of well-known attractions distributed along the river.
Yinzi Cave is a typical karst landform, with the entire cave traversing twelve mountain peaks, gathering stalactites from different geological eras, resembling the Milky Way slanting down from the night sky, sparkling with a silvery brilliance. The saying that "visiting Yinzi Cave ensures a lifetime of wealth" has also attracted many tourists to explore it.
The large-scale outdoor performance "Impression Liu Sanjie" is directed by renowned directors Zhang Yimou, Wang Chaoge, and Fan Yue, with national playwright Mei Shuaiyuan as the chief planner. It brings together the scenery of the Li River, the culture of ethnic minorities in Guangxi, and the creations of elite Chinese artists. It is the first entirely new concept of "outdoor performance with a landscape" in the country, pioneering large-scale outdoor performances in China and becoming a model for the successful operation of the domestic cultural industry.
DAY 9After breakfast, drive back to Guilin Airport to board your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, a local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to freely explore and relax.
DAY10 City God Temple/The Bund/Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
Your personal driver and guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby.
Go to: Chenghuang Temple Tourist Area The Chenghuang Temple Tourist Area features two main attractions, Yuyuan Garden and the Old Chenghuang Temple, which are must-visit places for first-time tourists in Shanghai. Here, visitors can experience the local customs of Shanghai, taste authentic Shanghai snacks, and enjoy traditional local cuisine. At night, the colorful decorative lights on the ancient buildings also make this place a stunning sight.
The Nanxiang dumplings here are a must-try, and you can also sit in the Green Wave Corridor restaurant, savoring Shanghai local cuisine while enjoying the bustling crowd below.
The Bund is located along the Huangpu River, stretching about 1.5 kilometers. It is a symbolic landmark of Shanghai, showcasing the essence of its diverse architectural styles and the night view of the river.
The Bund is lined with dozens of classical revival buildings of varying styles, including the well-known Bank of China building, the Peace Hotel, the Customs House, and the HSBC building, all of which showcase the former splendor of the "Far East Wall Street." Surprisingly, these buildings were not designed by the same architect nor constructed in the same period, yet they possess a unique harmonious beauty. The Bund features a variety of architectural styles, including French Classical, French Renaissance, Gothic, and more. These are significant historical sites and representative buildings of modern China, and they also form a beautiful landscape along the Huangpu River.
As night falls, the neon lights on both sides of the river shimmer and reflect off each other. Taking a cruise or ferry on the Huangpu River, you can feel the refreshing river breeze. On one side lies the Bund, a testament to historical development, and on the other stands the modern landmarks of Shanghai, Lujiazui. The elegant silhouette of the Waibaidu Bridge offers you a different perspective to appreciate the beauty of this bustling city.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is about 1200 meters long, with shops lining both sides. At a glance, modern buildings intermingle with European-style old buildings, and the hanging storefront lightboxes seem endless. Especially at night, the neon lights flicker, creating a unique charm. You can also take a ride on the "Ding Ding Car," reminiscent of a scaled-down vintage tram, to experience the taste of old Shanghai.
The pedestrian street starts from Xizang Zhong Road (to the east of People's Square) and extends to Henan Zhong Road, with a dark red marble monument at both ends. Walking along the pedestrian street, you can find creative urban sculptures everywhere, as well as unique street lamps, flower beds, and phone booths. Looking down, you can see many manhole covers engraved with different city architectural patterns, and in the center of the street, there are plenty of chairs for visitors to take a rest.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is one of the bustling commercial streets in Shanghai. As early as the early 20th century, it was already a gathering place for department stores, and a stroll here will surely yield plentiful rewards. Today, it features both long-established department stores like Yongan Department Store, Hualian Commercial Building, and Silk Commercial Building, as well as large shopping centers such as New World City, Bailian World Trade International Plaza, Plaza 66, Hung Hom Shopping Center, and Hongyi Plaza, where you can find almost any product.
Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is still a paradise for foodies, with shopping centers featuring various brand-name fashion restaurants and cafes, as well as several restaurants and food shops. For example, there are the traditional Shanghai cuisine restaurants like Lao Kele Restaurant, Dexing Pavilion, and Cuiteng Restaurant, as well as the First Food Store and Shen Dacheng Dim Sum Shop among other food specialty stores.
After enjoying the beautiful night view, a private car will take you to the hotel.
DAY11 Oriental Pearl - A Warm Home or the Next Destination
Start your day with a wonderful breakfast, whether it includes meals depends on the room type you choose.
Special car to the Oriental Pearl Tower attraction.
The Oriental Pearl Tower stands in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, overlooking the Bund across the river and is a landmark of Shanghai. Dining at the rotating restaurant 267 meters high while enjoying the night view of the city is truly an extraordinary experience.
The Oriental Pearl Tower stands at 468 meters tall, consisting of 11 spheres of varying sizes linked together. This design is inspired by the beautiful imagery of "large beads and small beads falling onto a jade plate." Ascending to the three main spheres allows visitors to enjoy the cityscape along both banks of the Huangpu River from different heights, especially from the completely transparent observation corridor at 259 meters, where one can appreciate the panoramic view of the city in a unique "skywalk" style. Visiting the observation deck at night to experience the vibrant colors of the "City that Never Sleeps" under the night sky is truly an unforgettable pleasure.
After enjoying your lunch, we will take you to the airport or high-speed train station according to your flight information.