
This 10-night journey showcases China’s mesmerizing cities and magical scenery, all without missing out on its iconic historical and cultural treasures. Explore the mysterious preserve of China’s emperors at Beijing’s Forbidden Palace, retrace the steps of soldiers on the Great Wall, and sail along the Li River among landscapes reminiscent of ancient Chinese watercolors. Finally, gaze into the individually carved faces of Xian’s Terracotta Warriors before experiencing the futuristic skyline and excitement of buzzing Shanghai.
Read moreItinerary at a glance:
Board your international overnight flight in the US today and relax on your journey to China’s capital.
Meet your guide at the airport and after a comfortable transfer to your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day to do as you choose. Opt to lounge by the hotel pool or dive into this frenetic metropolis to sample its sights, shops, or restaurants.
Following breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Beijing. An intriguing mixture of ancient, medieval and modern; the city offers everything from glass high-rises to bustlingmarkets, imperial palaces, narrow lanes and imposing public buildings dating from the time of Mao Tse Tung. Explore the vast Forbidden Palace, a collection of walled imperial residences that was the residence of China’s emperors for more than 500 years. Visit infamous Tiananmen Square, the world’s biggest public square, and view the bridges and pagodas of the Summer Palace. Other highlights include photo stops at Beijing’s world-famous 2008 Olympic buildings: the Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Head out of Beijing this morning and journey to the Great Wall, officially listed as one of the new ‘Wonders of the World.’ Hear how this extraordinary structure stretches for an estimated 21,000 kilometers from the Gobi Desert to the Korean border, and follow in the footsteps of ancient China’s warrior guards as you walk part of the battlements. After lunch, continue to the mystical Sacred Way, the path said to have been taken by China’s deceased emperors to reach heaven. Stride out along the paved walkway, which is gently curved to confuse evil spirits, and inspect the stone sculptures of animals and figures that flank it along the way.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch
After breakfast, enjoy this morning at leisure, perhaps relaxing at your hotel or making the most of your time in Beijing to pick up last-minute souvenirs. Later, transfer to the airport to fly to Guilin, a riverside city famous for its dream-like scenery. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in time for dinner.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
This morning is devoted to experiencing some of China’s most beautiful landscapes—with a cruise on the Li River from Guilin. Board a comfortable riverboat to sail along the winding Li past a mosaic of fairy tale-like karst peaks, conical hills, emerald rice fields and wooden fishing boats. Along the way, perhaps spot the local fishermen who use cormorants to dive for fish. Your cruise finishes at Yangshuo, a charming town brim with traditional architecture and known for its buzzing main thoroughfare—West Street. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your Guilin hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Today begins with a visit to the Reed Flute Cave, an age-old limestone cavern crammed with stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient rock inscriptions. Tour the illuminated caverns and corridors, and hear the folk tales associated with the cave and its rock formations. Next, transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian, the home of the incredible Terracotta Warriors and also a one-time capital of China and junction on the legendary Silk Road. After checking in at your Xian hotel, spend the remainder of the day unwinding and getting your bearings.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Sometimes called the ‘Eternal City’, Xian is best-known for its Terracotta Warriors, an army of thousands of life-size clay warriors and horses depicting the real-life guards and animals of China’s first Qin Emperor, which were buried with him in around 210 BC. Marvel at the rows of sculpted soldiers, each boasting unique, hand-carved facial features; and admire other treasures laid alongside the Emperor for his afterlife. After taking in these ancient wonders, savor lunch at a local restaurant, and take in two of Xian’s other highlights—the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall before enjoying a glittering Tang Dynasty folklore dinner show this evening.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show
This morning, fly to Shanghai—China’s biggest city—which stands where the Yangtze River flows into the East China Sea. Once known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, this fast-moving city blends dizzying skyscrapers with elegant 1930s architecture and antique teahouses and pagodas. Upon arrival in Shanghai, enjoy a convenient transfer to your hotel. After checking in and settling in, meet your fellow travelers again for a dinner followed by an exciting Chinese Acrobatic Show.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner and show
Following breakfast, embark on a tour of Shanghai to experience its major landmarks, such as the buzzing Nanjing Road, City God Temple Bazaar, and Xintiandi. Highlights include a stroll along the Bund, the waterfront famous for its grandiose European-style buildings, which recall the city’s occupation by foreign powers in the 1930s and 1940s. Admire the colonial-era architecture and soak in the stellar views across the river of the high-rises of the Pudong district—a contrast that encapsulates Shanghai’s transformation over the last century. You will also pay a visit to the vast Shanghai Museum, home to a captivating collection of Chinese art and antiquities, before spending the rest of the afternoon as you wish.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Today is yours to enjoy and explore Shanghai in the way you want. Scout out souvenirs in the shops and markets, discover local cuisine at the myriad restaurants, or seek out other sights. Alternatively, opt to join a half-day excursion to Suzhou, sometimes nicknamed the ‘Venice of the East’ for its canals and gardens. Stroll through this charming town’s exquisite, UNESCO-listed Master of the Nets Garden, absorb its serene beauty on a boat trip along its picturesque Grand Canal, and visit a silk factory.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to Shanghai as you transfer to the airport and fly back to the US or continue your vacation in exhilarating Hong Kong.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
Beijing - New Otani Hotel (5*)
Guilin - Sheraton Guilin Hotel (5*)
Xian - Sheraton Xian North City (5*)
Shanghai - The Kunlun Jing'an Hotel (5*)
Daily buffet breakfast at hotel, 5 lunches and 7 dinners at local restaurant or at hotel
Comprehensive sightseeing tours with professional English speaking local guide in each city
All entrance fees and activities as specified in the itinerary
International flights and China domestic flights (if applicable)
Services of an English-speaking tour manager if the group size is 10 or more
Special entertainment: Xian - Tang Dynasty folklore show, Shanghai - Chinese Acrobatic Show.
All hotel taxes, duties and surcharges, airport taxes (for China domestic flights)
Private airport transfers on arrival and departure in China with purchase of Land+Air Package
Private air-conditioned coach touring
Private comprehensive sightseeing tours with professional English speaking local guide in each city
Private tour for 2 Passengers: Additional $400 per person
Private tour for 3-5 Passengers: Additional $300 per person
Private tour for 6-9 Passengers: Additional $200 per person
Private tour for 10+ Passengers: No Additional cost. Please Contact US for booking
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong, a five-star international hotel with a distinctive exterior, is located in the heart of Beijing, China. A long history of exceptional service assured by the New Otani Hotel Management of Japan, your Beijing experience begins at the moment you enter the oriental garden designed courtyard adjacent to the lobby.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ideally located alongside the Li River lies the five-star Sheraton Guilin Hotel. Guilin has been an inspiration to Chinese poets and artists throughout the centuries. Today, the hotel sits in the heart of this enchanting city. Retreat to the 430 guest rooms, including 19 suites. Make it a night in, with your favorite satellite TV shows, dinner ordered in and sending the day s adventures over email. Explore the city s famous limestone crags and deep caves, cruise the majestic Li River, or just hang out – by the pool, in the fitness center, or on the nearby golf course.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Step into one of our 491 inviting guest rooms and suites, and escape the stresses of the day. Special, updated touches such as an ergonomic chair, generous work area and High Speed Internet Access—as well as our signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper? Bed—will make you feel comfortable and relaxed.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Located in the heart of the former French Concession, the Kunlun Jing An hotel is within walking distance of many popular shanghai attractions and offers 714 well-appointed rooms and suites with magnificent sweeping views of the city. Choose from one of the 18 meeting rooms to host your Shanghai conference, meeting or wedding reception. Shanghai airports and train stations are easily accessible from the hotel. In Shanghai's business, entertainment districts.