12-Day China Classic Tour
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12-Day China Classic Tour

Classic Wonders of China

This 12-day China top cities tour covers the most popular four destinations and five World Heritage sites in China. It makes an ideal tour for first-time visitors who would like to discover China's history, culture, modernization and landscape.

The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Tell us your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.

Suggested 12-Day Itinerary

Day Highlights
1-4
Beijing
Experience rich history: the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tian'anmen Square
5-6
Xi'an
Uncover the Terracotta Warriors, bike along the ancient City Wall, explore the lively Muslim Quarter and Xi'an History Museum
7-9
Guilin & Yangshuo
Admire the stunning Longji Rice Terraces, enjoy a scenic Li River cruise, and relax in the charming countryside of Yangshuo
10-12
Shanghai
Explore modern Shanghai: the iconic Bund, panoramic views from Shanghai Tower, and a personalized city experience

Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Shanghai Tour Map

Beijing Xian Guilin Shanghai tour map

Tour 'Wow' Points

Unveil the Lives of China's Royal Family in their Hidden Halls

Get off the ordinary sightseeing route in the Forbidden City. Listen to the interesting stories of the famous personalities that are not told by typical tour guides.

the Forbidden City
the hidden hall of the Forbidden City

Witness the Great Wall and Enjoy the Dreamy Night Views

Walk on the spectacular Great Wall at Mutianyu. See both a restored section and a wild section of the Wall. See the Simatai Wall lit up along a mountain ridge at night.

the Great Wall on the mountains
the Great Wall at a full-moon night

Discover China 101: The Secret of Effortless Living

Step into everyday China, where smart parcel lockers, contactless transit, Xiaomi and Huawei flagships, electric vehicles, and AI robot dogs make technology simply part of daily routine.

Beijing Heshenghui Mall
Beijing Heshenghui Mall

Unearth Secrets of the Terracotta Army and its "Hidden Collectibles"

Marvel at the 2,000-year-old clay army that once guarded Emperor Qin's tomb. Join a guided tour to see and touch the artifacts from the same era, including the first unearthed terracotta figure. Immerse yourself in the role of an archaeologist by participating in a conservation workshop.

Terracotta Warrior No. 1 in Xi'an Lintong Museum
Xi'an Lintong Museum Qin Dynasty Relics Handling

Enjoy a Cruise in the Painting Gallery of the God

Relax on a top-class guided Li River cruise, enjoying spectacular landscapes. Find the exact sight on the note of RMB20

enjoy the cruise
the scenery on the note

Feast Your Eyes on the Best Scenery of the Rice Terraces.

The Longji Rice Terraces are known widely for the awe-inspiring view. Standing on top of such a huge man-made wonder is itself an extraordinary experience.

the green terraced fields
the yellow terraced fields

Visit a Minority Family and Explore Their Centuries-Old Lifestyle.

Enjoy lunch with a Yao family who invite you into their home. Learn how to stuff and cook rice inside a bamboo tube, sip the freshly-extracted oil tea.

cook in the kichen with minority ladies
make bamboo rice

Discover the Rural China by Exploring the Less Touristy Villages

To experience the daily life of the local farmers will let you see another side of China.

countryside with the reflection of the hills
shopping in a market

Savor China's True Flavor and Fusion Cuisine

Enjoy an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner in a time-honored brand restaurant. Stroll from the birthplace of Shanghai fusion cuisine to authentic local eateries, sampling iconic dishes at time-honored restaurants and tasting how Jiangnan traditions met the world.

roast duck
food tour in Shanghai

Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.

Day 1Beijing Arrival

Welcome to majestic Beijing! To ensure your arrival is stress-free, your private tour guide will meet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel in a private car. Your luggage and hotel check-in will be taken care of.

Day 2The Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City

Start your journey at the Temple of Heaven, a dignified complex of religious buildings, symbolizing the relationship between Earth and Heaven. There you will see local people doing morning exercise in their unique ways. Lunch is served in a popular local restaurant with authentic local food. Your guide will help you to order the dishes you like.

Walk through Tian'anmen Square to explore the mysterious Forbidden City. Being the largest imperial palace in the world. Get off the ordinary sightseeing route in the Forbidden City. Listen to the interesting stories of the famous personalities that are not told by typical tour guides.

Enjoy an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner in a time-honored brand restaurant.

the Temple of HeavenThe Temple of Heaven
Day 3The Summer Palace and Hutong

In the morning, visit the Summer Palace. It is where the emperors used to retreat from the summer heat.

Your guide will show you the palace area and the lake area. The best way to do sightseeing at the Palace is by taking a dragon boat on the lake. On the way, you will have a chance to view all the beautiful palaces around the lake.

After lunch, go to the old hutong area with your guide. A visit to a local family offers a local perspective on the area's history and is a highlight for most visitors.

Then,visit a vibrant CBD, where smart parcel lockers, contactless transit, and flagship stores of Xiaomi and Huawei make innovation simply part of daily routine. Step inside the latest electric vehicles and meet playful AI companions like robot dogs, and see how technology quietly makes life smoother, smarter, and more connected.

Beijing Heshenghui Mall
Day 4Day and Night Tour of the Great Wall

After breakfast, travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Listen to the stories about this world wonder. Your guide will show you the most recommended section to have a walk.

Head to Simatai Great Wall in the afternoon. Spend the afternoon wandering around the Guibei Water Town, which is at the foot of the Great Wall. You can also enjoy a soak in a hot spring if you want to.

When it gets dark, your guide will accompany you to take the cable car up to the Simatai section to enjoy the stunning night views, which is a different experience from the day version. It's the only section that's open and lit up at night.

Visit the Great Wall at NightVisit the Great Wall at Night
Day 5The High-speed Train to Xi'an

Enjoy a relaxing morning in the Gubei Water Town, and then your guide will escort you to the railway station in Beijing city. Take a high-speed train to Xi'an.

Day 6The Terracotta Warriors

Enter the Terracotta Warriors Museum via tram, and witness three captivating pits that display the concealed power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's extensive military force. Your guide will provide insights into their fabrication and safeguarding, emphasizing the precise workmanship, lasting strength, and the former colorful brilliance of these historical sentinels.

Get up close with the first restored Warriors, learn the restoration story, handle Qin Dynasty relics in the Conservation Laboratory.

In the afternoon, visit the ancient city wall that has been guarding the inner city for 600 years.

Walking along the wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.

the Terracotta ArmyThe Terracotta Army
Day 7Xi'an City Highlights and Flight to Guilin

Discover more of Xi'an and China's ancient history at Xi'an History Museum and Little Wild Goose Pagoda, then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.

Fly to Guilin in the afternoon.

The Big Goose PagodaThe Big Goose Pagoda
Day 8Longji Terraced Rice Fields and Ethnic Minority Culture

Begin your day by exploring the Longji Terraced Rice Fields.

Built into the hillsides, the terraces are beautiful when the sun reflects on the water of the paddy fields, and the fields glow when the harvest is ripe.

The Zhuang minority have lived there for generations in wooden houses, and the people eat their own unique food, such as bamboo rice and oil tea.

Sit around a bonfire in a traditional kitchen, make bamboo rice with the host.

Cook in a local home in the Longji Terraced Fields Cook in a local home in the Longji Terraced Fields
Day 9Li River Cruise

A cruise along the Li River is an unforgettable experience. Between spectacular limestone peaks, you will see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffalo cooling off in the river.

Disembark in Yangshuo town around 1:30 pm and explore the famous West Street. Transfer to the cozy hotel in the countryside and enjoy your free time in the rest of the day.

Countryside of YangshuoCountryside of Yangshuo
Day 10Countryside Lifestyle and flight to Shanghai

Drive toward the south of Yangshuo to explore the peaceful villages. You might meet someone on his way to the fields with a water buffalo or someone working in the paddy.

Visit an old couple who still live in a traditional house. Learn about their lifestyle and philosophy of living.

Continue to drive pass an old ferry along the Li River. The old buildings in the ancient style are the memory of the busy water transportation on the Li River in the past. Then you will take a ferry and a local farmer's taxi (a kind of motorbike with three wheels) to the local market.

Your guide will show you around to explain the different types of food and show you the local people's daily necessities.

Fly to the modern city of Shanghai in the afternoon.

Experience of countryside LifestyleExperience of countryside Lifestyle
Day 11Shanghai Highlights with Bund Discovery

Do you just want to take one or two selfies in the Bund as most tourists do? Let's travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s during our In-depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour.

Enjoy lunch and ascend to the highest building in China, Shanghai Tower, where you will not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai but will also see the future of China.

Embark on a relaxed culinary walking tour from the birthplace of Shanghai's fusion cuisine to the city's most authentic local eateries. Sample iconic dishes at carefully selected time-honored restaurants, and discover how Jiangnan traditions and international influences together shaped Shanghai's unique food identity.

Visit Yu Garden, which used to be a private garden built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty, with typical Chinese classic architecture and style. Yuyuan Garden is surrounding by a busy market place, where visitors can find everything such as popular handicrafts, antiques, and souvenirs.

Shanghai TowerShanghai Tower
Day 12Shanghai Depature

As your China trip comes to end, your tour guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight home.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

Hotel room in Beijing5-star option: Hotel Eclat Beijing
the balcony of the hotel4-star option: Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Bellagio by MGM Shanghai5-star option: Bellagio by MGM Shanghai

Tour Price

From US$3,719 p/p Based on a private tour including 4-star hotels for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • Flights/trains between itinerary cities
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Tour code: cht-63

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