Discover China in 15 Days

Our English-speaking guide will greet you at airport/train station according to your landing time. Look for a sign of your name out of the luggage claim area (if not specific). Transfer to hotel and check in.

After breakfast, depart to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square. We will have a brief stop here and photograph some national iconic structures including Monument to the People’s heroes, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, etc. Many visitors come very early for the spectacular flag-raising ceremony (not included in). To the north of the square is the South Gate of the Forbidden City where we will spend the next 2.5-3 hours. Forbidden City is 600 years old in 2020. It has the largest and best-preserved collections of ancient architectures with more than 900 rooms in the palace. Out of the Forbidden City from its north gate, we continue a short visit Jingshan Park right on the other side of the road. Located on the axis of the inner city, the park offers good panoramic view of Forbidden City and other historic sites like the Bell and Drum Tower, Beihai park, etc.

We have a long walk this morning. Refresh ourselves and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, head to the World Heritage Park- Temple of Heaven which was built for worship and pray for harvest. Architectures in the park are outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese art.

“Not reach the Great Wall not a true man” is a common Chinese saying. The Great Wall visit is part of the highlights in Beijing. We meet at your hotel at 8:30am, and head northeast to Mutianyu Great Wall. This section of the wall ranks number one among all sections on TripAdvisor list with beautiful-restored architectures but less tourists. Round trip cable car is included to save energy and enjoy a fun walk on the top. On the way back, we drive passing the Olympic Park and photograph the new landmark of Bird Nest and Water Cube.

We start our city trip from Summer Palace, which is the best-preserved imperial garden in the world and the largest of its kind in existence of China. The garden is like an art gallery with over 3000 man-made pavilions, palaces, temples, bridges and corridors. It is too much to see in the two hours. Move on to Hutong, a type of traditional neighborhood, to touch the real life of common people. Then transfer to catch up the train (Train No. G2515 Dep 15:07 - Arr 17:35) in the afternoon.

A day dedicated to the city highlights. We start from the most important site of Yungang Grottoes and spend two hours or more here. Yungang Cave is one of the most supreme achievements of Buddhist cave art in China. The remains of this wonder comprise of 252 caves and niches with over 51,000 ancient statues and celestial beings, all were built by the top artists 1500 years ago. Each is unique and beautifully painted with mixture of Chinese character and influences of designs from Indian, Persian and Greek that swept along the Silk Road.

In the afternoon, we visit Huayan Temple, a nearly 1000-year old Buddhist Temple, located right in the downtown of Datong city. There are beautiful artistic sculptures, frescos and inscriptions in the ancient architectures. Huayan pagoda also provides a very good overview over the whole old city at its highest balcony. Then take a brief visit of a very nice artistic work, Nine Dragon Screen, which is the oldest and largest one in China. 

Check out after breakfast and we will depart for Pingyao after visit of Hangying Monastery and Wooden Pagoda. Located 1.5 hours south of Datong, Hangying Monastery is a beautiful architectural wonder with history over 1,500 years. It was built on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge, more than 60 meters above the foot of Mt. Heng. The whole complex based on the support of wooden pillars inserted into the side of the cliff, and rock at the back of the building, seemingly hanging on the cliff face. The temple was built for religious purpose and it is the only existed one hosting worship for the Taoists, Confucians and Buddhists.

Then we drive 70km to Ying Xian county to have a brief visit of the world’s tallest Wooden Pagoda and take the train nearby onto Pingyao city. The pagoda was built without the help of a single nail, screw or bolt, and has survived from all the natural disasters for nearly a century. It is a shining spot for architecture lovers.

Today we move 35km south of Pingyao to visit Wang Family Compound. It is a massive complex built over many generations by Wang Family, one of the four prominent merchant families of Shanxi Province. The courtyard remains 1,000 rooms and takes at least two hours to stroll through the entire place. The designs, decorations, carvings and statues are artistic and charming. Apart from that, there are also temporary exhibitions showing the high standards of local art.

Proceed to Zhangbi Ancient Castle in the afternoon. It is a well-preserved miniature castle that has combined defense, habitation and religion functions. You can see teetering alleys and beautiful temples in the village, and the most impressive part is the underground tunnels. It is interesting to descend some 26m in places and tour the 1500m narrow passages which once were guardhouses and bedrooms.

Back to Pingyao and visit Shuanglin Temple in the outskirt. The temple is reputed as an "oriental art gallery of painted sculptures".

Pingyao is China’s best-preserved ancient town. It well retains its whole building complex as well the spirit and culture. The town was developed from 14th century and reached its prosperity from the 19th century to the early 20th century, as a financial center for the whole of China. The ancient walls, temples, streets and lanes, nearly 4,000 shops and dwellings illustrate Pingyao’s age-old charms. On the other hand, the town is a living and breathing community for over 30,000 residents, and it is the base for International Photography Festival and many other interesting cultural activities.

Transfer to train station and depart to Xian.

After breakfast, we meet at hotel lobby around 8:30am and visit the most popular site in Xian today. The Terracotta Army is large number of figures buried 2km in front of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Tomb in east of Xian. In 1979, local farmers discovered this site and surprised the whole world. Now in the museum, visitors can view 1,868 unearthed terracotta warriors and chariots that have been restored to their former glory as well as a digging site where the craftsman restoring the broken pieces. As part of the park, we will also pay a brief stop at Qinshihuang’s Tomb.

Lunch will be at cave house nearby. The traditional cave dwellings are rare to see in this area now. We can also experience pottery making here. With the instruction of potters working there, you can create your own Terracotta figures. It takes around 40 minutes from start to finish.

Later, we drive back to the city and have a brief stop at Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist structure of Xian city. If lucky, it is possible to see a music fountain show at the front square.

The morning hours, we will visit the city essentials starting from the City Wall. The 13.7 kilometers City Wall once was the fortification encircles the old Xian City. It is considered as a landmark of Xian and one of the top sights for visitors. When ascending to the top, you can have great view of the old inner city and the modern outer city.

Muslim Street is a must-see place in the center of the inner city. It consists of a couple of streets and home to more than 60 thousand Hui Minority people. The street is well known for diverse food, ancient architectures, traditional mosques and rich culture of Hui People.

We will also pay a visit to the Great Mosque, a perfect mixture of Islamic and Chinese architecture styles with seating for 1,000 worshipers (If you are more interested in the Gao Family Courtyard, we can change on request).

Transfer to the airport to catch up afternoon flight to Guilin City. Guilin guide will meet you on arrival and enjoy a private transfer to hotel.

After an early breakfast, we drive about 1.5 hour to Longji Scenic Area which covers several villages featuring terraces fields. Since Yuan Dynasty, people here began to construct the fields innovative on the mountains. Now, the existing paddy fields covers an area of 66 square kilometers. Local People still grows the rice and the whole rice terrace fields take on green color in Jun and August, and become yellow layer of rip rice in late Sep and Oct. And that was always considered as the most beautiful scenes. However, we are sure the fields are impressive at any time. The cascading terraces are astonishing when covered with snow in winter or filled with water in Spring.

We will spend 4-5 hours in Ping’an village to have home visit and take pictures of the typical wooden architectures. Continue a walk for about 20 minutes onto the top of the hill to have panoramic view of the Terraces Fields. Start the drive back around 3:30pm.

We start from hotel around 8:15am to Mopanshan cruise pier and board the newly decorated 3-star ship for a 4-5 hours journey on the Li River. Guide will accompany you for the whole journey, sharing you interesting legends of the hills, villages alongside, and helping to shot with the picturesque scenery.

We reach Yangshuo around 2pm. If weather permits, we will immerse in the countryside beauty along the Yulong River which is reputed as the “Little Li River” for its enchanting natural landscape of “Karst” mountains. The best way for the trip is biking, hiking or taking battery car as no private motor vehicles are allowed into the scenic area.
Evening hours is free on your own or enjoy an optional show – Impression Liu Sanjie.

Drive from Yangshuo to Guilin Airport for your morning flight to Shanghai. Shanghai guide will see you at the airport and start your journey in this busy cosmopolitan city.

The Bund, a landmark of Shanghai, refers to the western bank of Huangpu River in the city center. It is renowned as “museum of buildings” for the aged European style architectures lined along the Bank. The view over the river is also stunning with many skyscrapers in good shape. A leisure cruise on Pujiang provides great opportunities to photo the most picturesque parts of Shanghai.

To discover Shanghai’s history, local life and development, we would always recommend a stop at Xintiandi, a former Shikumen Alley. The whole street retains the characteristics of Shikumen houses - the antique walls and tiles. While inside the houses are international galleries, fashionable bars and cafes, boutiques and restaurants.

Transfer back to your hotel when tour end or you can stay at Xintiandi if the active nightlife is the right thing for you. Then manage your own way back to hotel with taxi.

Zhujiajiao is a 1700-year old water town located in the suburb of Shanghai city. The town has many well-preserved historical buildings, 36 bridges and numerous streams. Walk along the street, you will come across attractions such as rice shops, banks, pharmacy, a Qing dynasty post office and gardens. A relaxing cruise provides great opportunity to soak in the landscape of a real Chinese village.

We will also visit the Shanghai World Financial Center, a 492-meter high building facilitating an amazingly glass on the 100th floor. Many people come for a challenge and a panoramic view of Shanghai.

Transfer to the airport/train station for your transport home.