A Private China Tour – Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshou, Shanghai

Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, be met by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel by private car for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 Beijing (The Great Wall)
This morning, journey northwest bound by road to the less crowded and best preserved section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Here, enjoy a cable car ride, followed by a trek on the wall comprised of 22 watch towers stretching over two kilometers. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city and enjoy a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s Old Quarters (Hutongs), visiting a local family residence, and the Bell & Drum Tower. This evening, enjoy one of Beijing’s specialties – Peking Duck at one of the city’s famed restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Beijing
Enjoy a full day tour of the ancient capital’s most revered sites. Visits include the Forbidden City (closed Mondays*), the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties built in 1420; and Temple of Heaven (closed Mondays*), the largest temple compound and one of the most strictly protected and preserved cultural heritages of China. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

*Note: City tour will be switched to the day prior in case this day lands on a Monday due to venue closures. 

Day 4 Beijing / Xian
This morning, board a super-fast high speed Train, with speeds up to 300km/hour, for an exhilarating 4.5 hour ride for Xian. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of Yangling Tombs, the mausoleum of the Han Dynasty Emperor Liu Qi and his Empress, dating back to 153 A.D. Its intricate relics of miniature figures and burial objects offer revelations to the strict hierarchical social structure during this period. Afterwards, visit the City Wall, one of the oldest and best preserved city walls of China, as well as one of the most comprehensive ancient defensive systems in the world. This evening, enjoy a stroll through Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (a.k.a. The Great Tang All Day Mall), a 1.5km pedestrian street lined with buildings featuring Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) architecture, street performances, and array of of food stands and shops. Check in to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B)

Day 5 Xian
Today’s highlight takes you to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Museum, the excavated tomb of Qin Shi Huang Di, China’s first Emperor. Discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers, this massive burial site is comprised of 7,000+ life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Horses depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, constructed to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Return to the city for lunch followed by a visit of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening, enjoy a Hot Pot dinner for which Shaanxi Province is famous followed by a Tang Dynasty Show. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Xian / Guilin
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Flight schedule permitting,  enjoy a tour of Guilin city visiting Elephant Trunk Hill and/or Flute Reed Cave. Check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight in Guilin. (B,D)

Day 7 Guilin / Li River Cruise / Yangshuo
Today’s unforgettable journey takes you on a cruise down the majestic Li River to the charming artisan village of Yangshuo. Upon disembarkation, take a stroll through the vibrant West Street followed by an afternoon enjoying the great outdoors to explore the region’s spectacular landscape. Either by foot or by bicycle, visit local rice fields and rural villages and/or trek up Moon Hill, which boasts a bird’s eye view of Yangshuo’s picturesque countryside. Overnight in Yangshuo. (B,L)

Day 8 Yangshuo (Ruyi Peak)
This morning, embark on yet and other scenic adventure starting with a cable car ride up Ruyi Peak that boasts breathtaking panoramic views of karst mountains, lush valleys, and winding rivers. Enjoy a light hike/walk (approx. 2km)  around this spectacular park that features paved walkways, suspension bridges and glass bottom walkways. This visit will absolutely light up your Instagram! Return to your resort and enjoy the balance of the afternoon to relax or head out to town for some shopping and eating. (B)

Day 9 Yangshuo / Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to relax, shop and explore Shanghai on your own. (B)

Day 10 Shanghai
Full-day city tour of Shanghai, visiting Old Town and its revered Yu Garden (closed on Mondays), one of China’s most famous classical gardens built in the 1500s; the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s most impressive museums of ancient Chinese art, with relics representative of its thousands years’ history. We sample some of Shanghai’s world famous  Soup Dumplings at a local joint before continuing on to the Art District of Tianzifang, famed for its Old Shanghai Shikumen houses in a laid back atmosphere of eclectic art galleries and chic cafes;  Time permitting, take a stroll along the Bund for spectacular views of the city’s iconic skyline. Capping off your trip, enjoy a breathtaking ERA Acrobatics Performance this evening. (B,L)

Day 11 Return Home
Transfer to Pudong airport by the MagLev Train, one of China’s technological marvels and the word’s fastest train (without wheels!) with speeds of up to 430 km/h, for your departure flight home. (B)