10 Days Beijing Chengde Xian Highlights Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to our 10-day Beijing Chengde Xian Highlights Tour! Upon your arrival in Beijing, your driver will escort you to the hotel. After check-in, take some time to relax and recover from your travels.

   Meal: Dinner

   Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Tour
   Forbidden City, Beijing's Old Hutong

   After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit one of the world's largest palaces - the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. Served as the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Forbidden City boasts over 70 palaces and nearly 9,000 rooms. In addition to admiring the ancient architecture, you will appreciate the large collection of precious relics in the museum, which are the historical witnesses of Chinese civilization.

   

   After lunch, we will arrange a unique experience for you - a rickshaw ride through the old hutongs. Hutongs are the unique landscape of Beijing, which winds and contains the history and culture of the city.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing Historical Relics Tour
   Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

   Today's itinerary begins at the Temple of Heaven, a Taoist temple where emperors used to pray for good harvests. The park features numerous ancient structures such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Echo Wall, each with a rich historical background and cultural significance. Strolling through the Temple of Heaven, you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and immerse yourself in its profound history.

   Next, you'll head to the Summer Palace, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as a summer retreat for emperors during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). The Summer Palace is one of China's famous classical gardens, ingeniously combining natural landscapes with artificial architecture. Here, you can admire various attractions such as the Long Corridor, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and more. Additionally, you have the option to take a boat cruise on Kunming Lake to appreciate the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing - Jinshanling - Chengde
   Tiananmen Square, Jinshanling Great Wall

   After breakfast at the hotel, your guide takes you to visit the largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square. You can take a leisurely walk around the square, snap some photos, and learn about the history of China's political and cultural center.

   

   Then, head to the Jinshanling Great Wall, a less crowded section of the wall that is known for its beautiful scenery and fewer crowds. You can choose to take a cable car up and down or hike. Along the hiking way, you will see a variety of watchtowers, fortresses, and beacon towers. You will also have stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

   After finishing the hike, you will be transferred to Chengde, a city known for its temples and imperial gardens. It takes about an hour and a half to travel from the Great Wall to Chengde.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Chengde Qiwanglou Hotel

   

5. Day 5: Chengde Tour
   Putuo Zongcheng Temple, Chengde Mountain Resort

   This morning, take a guided tour of Putuo Zongcheng Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This temple is built against the mountains, with more than 60 halls and pavilions arranged in a picturesque manner.

   Following that, you will head to the Chengde Mountain Resort, the summer palace of the Qing Dynasty emperors and the largest existing imperial garden in China. With a pleasant climate and picturesque landscapes, it serves as a summer retreat. You can enjoy the beauty of lakes, mountains, and forests in this vacation paradise.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Chengde Qiwanglou Hotel

   

6. Day 6: Chengde - Gubei Water Town
   Puning Temple, Gubei Water Town

   Before leaving Chengde, you will be transferred to Puning Temple, a temple built in the mid-18th century, renowned for its massive statue of Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy. Here, you can admire exquisite Buddhist murals and catch a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

   Afterwards, drive for 2 hours to Gubei Water Town, a picturesque water town with a stunning view of the Great Wall. Here, you can explore well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, traditional handicrafts, local snacks, and vibrant cultural activities. While touring the town, appreciate the night view of the Great Wall.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Gubei Watertown Wuzhenhui Boutique Hotel

   

7. Day 7: Simatai Great Wall Hike - Xi'an
   Simatai Great Wall

   Today, take a hike on the Simatai Great Wall. Here, you will witness the magnificent scenery of the surrounding mountains. Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall that retains its original appearance of the Ming Dynasty and is recognized by UNESCO as the "Primitive Great Wall." During the hike, you will have the opportunity to see various watchtowers, beacon towers, and other fortifications. The wall is not as crowded as other sections of the Great Wall, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and take photos without too much obstruction.

   

   After the hike, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China. The flight takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival in Xi'an, you'll be transferred to the hotel for rest.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xian

8. Day 8: Xi'an City Tour
   Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Shadow Play, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City

   Your exploration of Xi'an starts with a visit to the Ancient City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China, with a history spanning over 600 years. The wall is surrounded by a moat, and there are drawbridges across the moat at the four main city gates. Strolling along the city wall, you'll have a panoramic view of the city.

   Next, head to the Shaanxi History Museum, which boasts a rich collection of cultural relics, including ceramics, bronze ware, jade articles, paintings, and more. Your knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the history of Chinese civilization. The Shaanxi History Museum is a cultural treasure trove that you won't want to miss.

   

   After lunch, your guide will lead you to experience some Shaanxi specialties, including tea tasting, sampling local snacks, and watching a shadow play. In the evening, take a free walk (on your own) in the Great Tang All Day Mall. It is a comprehensive scenic spot integrating culture, tourism, shopping, and entertainment, reproducing the prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). There are famous scenic spots such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang Paradise, as well as a wealth of cultural activities and performances. The night scene is particularly enchanting, adorned with dazzling lights throughout the area.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xian

9. Day 9: Terracotta Warriors Tour
   Terracotta Warriors, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, Muslim Quarter

   Today, you will be escorted to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can witness thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots that were buried with China's first emperor.

   

   Then, head to the Beilin Museum, also known as the Forest of Stone Steles Museum. This specialized museum focuses on collecting and studying stone tablets, epitaphs, and stone sculptures from various historical periods. Established in 1087, it has a history of over 900 years, and you'll see numerous historical steles during your visit.

   Finally, you'll head to the Muslim Quarter, a renowned food and cultural street in Xi'an. Here, you can indulge in various local delicacies such as grilled skewers, Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup), and soup dumplings. Additionally, it is also an old Hui district with hundreds of years of history, filled with a strong Muslim cultural atmosphere.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xian

   

10. Day 10: Xi'an Departure

    On your final day, we will escort you to Xian Xianyang International Airport for your departure flight. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring China and experiencing its rich history and culture. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A