13 Days China Tour of Beijing – Xian – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   A warm welcome to our 13-day tour in China departing from Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival, a local private driver will meet you by holding a name board. Then you will be transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free for your exploration.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Exploration Tour
   Admire the Magnificent Imperial Buildings from Hundreds of Years Ago

   Meet your tour guide in the hotel in the morning and then drive to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Then from the square, you will walk to visit the Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complexes built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here.

   

   In the afternoon, enjoy some leisurely time in Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. Optionally, you can take a boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake (at your own expense).

   Afterward, go to explore the time-honored South Luogu Lane (also called Nanluoguxiang). It is the only traditional residential area in China that has completely preserved the checkerboard-style layout of hutongs exclusively to the Yuan Dynasty. Walk around the alleys with your tour guide to feel the hidden culture and check out the bars, souvenir stores, or cafes if you would like to.

   Houhai, known as Beijing's Bar Street, is a large man-made lake that dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). In ancient times, the place was only for the royal family. Now there are many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops along the lake.

   In the evening, if you are interested, you can appreciate the Chinese Kungfu Show at Red Star Theater.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: China Great Wall Tour in Beijing
   Enjoy a Great Wall Hike on Mutianyu, Explore the 2008 Olympic Sites

   Before heading to the Great Wall, you will be guided to visit the Dingling Mausoleum first. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the longest among all of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), and his two impresses. After the visit, continue your China tour in Beijing to the Mutianyu Great Wall.

   As the most scenic part of the Chinese Great Wall, it was built in the early Ming Dynasty in 1368 and stretches for 5400 meters. Ninety percent of the Mutianyu is covered by vegetation. So you will enjoy unique scenery in each season. The cable car is available and optional if hiking is too much for you. After all the activities, be transferred back to your downtown hotel.

   On the way, you can have an exterior visit to the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an Tour by High Speed Train
   Explore Xi'an Heritage and Cultural Relics

   Meet your driver in the hotel in the early morning and transfer to take a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, the Xian local guide and driver will escort you to have lunch (at your own expense).

   In the afternoon, you will take a guided tour of Xi'an Museum. Here, you can learn about the thousand-year history of founding the capital and the development of Xian. Also, admire a large collection of cultural relics from all eras of Xian. In addition, visit many thematic displays, such as Buddhist statue art, ancient paintings and calligraphy, and jade wares.

   Then, be transferred yo visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was originally built in the Tang Dynasty to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought from ancient India.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

5. Day 5: Xi'an Terracotta Army Tour
   Dig into Profound History of This Ancient Capital

   Your China tour in Xian today takes you to visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as "the Eighth Wonder of the World", it was found by local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-2.5 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those life-sized sculptures.

   

   In the afternoon, go back to the city area to visit the 600-year-old Ancient City Wall, the best preserved and largest existing city wall in China. Biking riding on City Wall is available and optional. Then take a walk in the Muslim Quarter – the best-known food street in Xi’an.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xi’an to Hangzhou Tour by Flight
   Learn about a Buddhist Temple, Have a First Impression of Longjing

   After breakfast, take the morning flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver at Hangzhou airport.

   Your guided tour in Hangzhou will take you to the 1,700-year-old Lingyin Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains and many old trees, the temple is very serene. You will follow your tour guide to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and explore the cultural relics. You may also spot squirrels jumping up and down in the trees.

   

   After that, go to Feilai Peak which stands just in front of Lingyin Temple. The peak composed of pure limestone differs greatly from the surrounding mountains. You will be amazed at the grotesque stones scattered everywhere, feel the charm of Buddhist art, and appreciate the vivid stone statues.

   Last, you will visit one of the most important cultural sights in Hangzhou - the China National Tea Museum. Hangzhou is home to China’s most famous variety of green tea (long jing) and it has a thousand years’ history of tea planting. For tea enthusiasts, the museum is educational and enjoyable. The Exhibition Hall displays the development of tea throughout the dynasties and traditional tea etiquette. Walking through the tea fields around the main hall are several tea-houses where to sip a cup of tea and clear your mind.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hangzhou

   

7. Day 7: Hangzhou Essence Tour
   Explore around West Lake and Go Deep into the Tea Culture

   Today we will first visit the most highlight site in Hangzhou – West Lake. After some minutes of free walk, you will take a boat on the lake and pass by some of the highlight attractions of the lake. Next, pay a visit to Leifeng Pagoda. You will go upstairs to the top of the pagoda to have an overlook of the lake's scenic area.

   After lunch, move forward to Meijiawu Tea Village, with a history of 600 years, this village is well known for producing high-quality Longjing tea. Here you will see layers and layers of green tea trees all over the mountains, have a chance to taste authentic Longjing tea, and learn more about Chinese tea culture.

   

   Last, stroll around Hefang Street for further local culture exploration. It is an ancient street with a long history and profound culture. Walking on the old cobbled street lined with stores selling local snacks, interesting handicrafts, tea leaves, etc., you can appreciate the buildings dating back hundreds of years and find some nice souvenirs to bring back home.

   After finishing the sightseeing, go back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Hangzhou

   

8. Day 8: Hangzhou to Huangshan Tour by High-speed Train
   Appreciate the Hui-style Buildings at Hongcun

   Take the morning high-speed train to Huangshan. Upon arrival, met by a local guide.

   Then, follow your tour guide to start your China tour of Huangshan by exploring Tunxi Ancient Street, China’s most well-preserved ancient street combining architectural styles of the Southern Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Qing Dynasty. Stroll on the street leisurely and appreciate the Hui-style buildings.

   Then we will visit Hu Kaiwen Ink-stick Factory which was founded by Hu Kaiwen in 1765 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty to see how the ink stick is made. The ink stick is one of the four treasures of Chinese study (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper), and the best ink stick in China comes from Anhui Province.

   After all visits, transfer you to your hotel in Huangshan for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Huangshan

   

9. Day 9: Mt. Huangshan Adventure Tour
   Explore Scenic Peaks of Yellow Mountain

   After hotel breakfast, drive around 1 hour to the Yellow Mountain. Upon arrival, you will take the shuttle bus to Cloud Valley Temple and take a cable car up the mountain.

   Then hike to enjoy the beautiful scenery at North Sea, Beginning-to-believe Peak, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion, and West Sea Valley. There will be many staircases that go up and down, but all the tiredness of climbing will be gone when you see the breathtaking scenery. If you are still in good shape and time & weather permits, you can continue to Sky Sea Scenic Area to enjoy the gorgeous sunset at Bright Summit and explore Flying-over Rock. Please do not watch your camera or phone while walking.

   Tonight you will stay at a hotel on the mountain so as to catch the sunrise the next day.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: on the mountain

   

10. Day 10: Huangshan to Shanghai Tour by Flight
    Visit Historic Hongcun Village, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

    If the weather is good we will get up early to appreciate the stunning sunrise on the mountaintop. Then you will be guided to explore Xihai Scenic Area and Beihai Scenic Area to enjoy the unique scenery. After that take a cable car down the mountain.

    After a short rest, we will drive to visit Hongcun Village where you will see the original buildings from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties (1368AD-1911AD). In the 870-year-old village, you will see South Lake, Chengzhi Hall, Lexu Hall, Shuren Hall, and many other highlight places. At last, transfer you to Huangshan Airport for a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your local private driver and be escorted to a hotel in Shanghai.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

11. Day 11: Shanghai Highlights Tour
    Experience the Past and Present of the Magic City

    In the morning, your tour guide will pick you up from the downtown hotel and start your China tour in Shanghai with the famous Yuyuan Garden, which is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc.

    Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market. Wander around and you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chop with rice cakes. Don't forget to haggle for a better price.

    After that, move on to the Shanghai Museum. The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings, and calligraphy works.  Finishing the exploration of history, stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals.

    

    After lunch, be guided to visit the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. Here your guide will reveal a history of humiliation and you will see many old beautiful European-style buildings that look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

    Afterward, come to the earliest shopping street in Shanghai - Nanjing Road. Your guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong'an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company, and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street.

    Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. The area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into a British settlement and Shanghai's financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of the amazing skyline.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

12. Day 12: Half-Day Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
    Enjoy a Leisurelt Time in the Venice of Shanghai

    Today you will enjoy and relax in one of the most famous Water Towns in China - Zhujiajiao Water Town.

    Dubbed "the Venice of Shanghai", Zhuajiajiao Water Town has a history of more than 1,700 years. Walking around the ancient water town, you will feel like traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties with elegant stone bridges across the rivers and plenty of old buildings around you. You can stroll around the streets to see as many things as possible, and you can optionally have a relaxing gondola ride to truly experience the charm of the water town.

    Friendly Tips: Taking a boat cruise along the river is available and excluded. If you would like to take a cruise, please feel free to ask your tour guide for assistance (optional ).

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

13. Day 13: Departure from Shanghai

    After breakfast, your guide will escort you to the airport for your departure. Your 13-day Beijing Xian Hangzhou Huangshan Shanghai tour ends here! Say goodbye to China with cherished memories. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A