15-Day Hong Kong, Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Xian Tour

Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at the arrival hall in Beijing. A comfortable private car with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check-in.

Tiananmen Square: Experience the magnificence of Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and the world's largest city square. Named after the iconic Tiananmen ("Gate of Heavenly Peace") to its north, this distinguished location has borne witness to several pivotal events in Chinese history. As a revered symbol of China's national pride, the square is flanked by impressive structures, including the Heavenly Gate, museums, official edifices, and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.

Emperor's Tour: Forbidden City Exploration. Embark on a deep-dive exploration of the Forbidden City with your knowledgeable guide. In contrast to standard group tours that cover 6-8 spots, you'll discover 12 select locations within this ancient city. Your guide will enrich your journey with insights into the city's architecture, history, Feng Shui, and art.

The tour delves into captivating tales related to notable figures from two dynasties, including hardworking emperors, long-lived empress dowagers, and a talented concubine. As you gain an understanding of their remarkable stories, you'll gain a richer perspective of what life was like within these old city walls.

Cooking Class in a Hutong Family's House: Experience the warmth of local customs and people with a uniquely intimate cooking class located in a traditional hutong. This hands-on experience has you learning how to make authentic dumplings, from mixing fillings to rolling the wrappers. Your gracious host will also guide you through cooking local dishes. In between learning cooking techniques, you'll enjoy tales of Chinese tradition within a friendly and relaxed environment. This activity is perfect for families, groups of friends, or colleagues seeking a unique cultural experience in Beijing. Savor a meal you've cooked afterwards for a rewarding culmination.

The Mutianyu Great Wall (chairlift up and toboggan down): Revitalize your sense of wonder at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, lauded for its stunning scenery and well-preserved architecture. This family-friendly section, about a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Beijing, offers several engaging ways to explore the Great Wall's rich history. A chairlift carries you up to a fully-restored 2½-kilometer section, bypassing a steep climb. Here, you can stroll along the Wall, visit watchtowers, and admire panoramic views. For an exhilarating ending to your visit, take a toboggan ride down, a fun-filled experience enjoyed by both adults and children.

Temple of Heaven: Immerse yourself in Beijing's history with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, constructed in 1420 during the Ming dynasty. This complex array of Taoist edifices served as the site for annual ceremonial prayers by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for bountiful harvests. The park surrounding the temple teems with life, especially in the morning, as local elderly gather for morning routines that include singing, exercising, and practicing Tai Chi. With the park spanning 273 hectares, prepare for approximately 1-1.5 hours of easy-paced walking.

Chinese Learning at Lao She Tea House: Experience authentic Chinese culture with a lesson at the antique-flavored Lao She Tea House. Amidst its Beijing-styled ambiance, you'll learn practical Chinese phrases and nuances of local culture guided by a certified, bilingual Mandarin teacher.

Summer Palace with Boat Ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony: Located in northwest Beijing, the Summer Palace stands as the most extensive, best-preserved royal park in China, often dubbed as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. Indulge in its exquisite natural vistas and cultural significance, influencing Chinese horticulture and landscape design for centuries. Prepare to spend around 2 hours walking through this picturesque park, topped off with a peaceful boat ride.

Xilamuren Grassland: Embark on a trip 90 km north from Hohhot to Xilamuren Grassland, a favorite escape for respite from summer heat due to its easy accessibility. Ideally visited between May to October, you'll find the grassland teeming with lush grass and roaming herds of sheep, horses, and cattle under tribesmen's watchful eyes in vibrant traditional attire.

Set at an average altitude of 1,700 meters, Xilamuren's grass doesn't grow too tall compared to other plateau area grasslands, offering unobstructed panoramic views. Your experience in these hinterlands includes an overnight stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt, equipped with all the best available amenities for a comfortable, unique lodging experience.

Large Mongolian Live Equestrian Performance: Head to the Hongge'er Aobao Scenic Area within Xilamuren Grassland for an exhilarating display known as "The Legend of Monan." This entails Mongolian wrestling, archery, and horse racing, collectively known as the Naadam sports. These sports are considered essential skills for Mongolian men, exhibiting their strength and wisdom.

Wudangzhao Monastery: Venture 70 kilometers northeast of Baotou to discover the grandeur of Wudangzhao Monastery, nestled in the Wudanggou valley. As the largest and best-preserved lama monastery in Inner Mongolia, this Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary displays remarkable Tibetan-style architecture. The monastery's white buildings rest against the green hills, providing a visually striking and majestic sight.

Local Herdsman's Home Visit: Accompanied by your guide, visit a local herdsman's home situated in the peaceful Xilamuren Grasslands. Embrace the opportunity to partake in local activities such as brewing Mongolian milk tea, feeding lambs, and engaging in conversation with the herdsman. Learn a Mongolian song and gain insights into their grassland life. Please note that local herdsmen of Xilamuren Grassland typically reside in concrete brick houses, providing a more comfortable and stable living environment than tents.

Resonant Sand Bay (Xiangshawan) With Round-Way Cable Car: Set on the backdrop of the Kubuqi Desert, located between Baotou City and Ordos in the Dalad Banner, the Resonant Sand Bay (also known as 'Whistling Dune Bay') stands as one of the three most renowned resonant sand bays in China. In the dry climate, you'll hear the dune's unique resonating sounds when sliding down the slopes, giving the bay its distinctive name. This mesmerizing desert, with its whispering sand dunes, offers panoramic views that stretch for miles, creating a splendid landscape. Dedicate half or spend an entire day participating in a plethora of engaging desert activities.

Resonant Sand Bay Single 'Island': Boost your desert resort experience at Resonant Sand Bay, the top-of-the-chart destination in China. Choose from two relaxing areas: Yuesha Island and Xiansha Island.

Yuesha Island is highly recommended for families with kids and seniors, offering a variety of activities. Discover camel riding, a sightseeing train, the unique Desert Science Museum, Nationally Recognized Cultural Performances, Mongolian Costume Exhibitions, themed parades, aqua shows, and a Sand Sculpture Park. For the youngsters, amusement facilities keep them well-engaged, and for water lovers, water yachts and water flying cars at the Water Village add to the fun. Engage in a game of desert volleyball to round off your exhilarating experiences

Helan Mountains Rock Paintings Excursion (Including Golf Cart Tour): Experience the raw majesty of the Helan Mountains, the original canvas to hundreds of prehistoric and ancient rock paintings. This unique tourism area showcases splendid scenic beauty - unique mountain peaks, the soft murmur of spring water flowing from the ravine and the evergreen charm you always wanted to get lost in.

On the flanks of the ravine, an open-air museum awaits with around 600 neoteric rock paintings. These exquisite murals still resonate with the lifecycles of our ancestors who lived 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. Travel back in time as you witness these ancient canvases illustrating scenes of pastoral grazing, riveting hunts, ritual ceremonies, formidable wars, joyful entertainment, and even intimate scenes of human reproduction.

Western Xia Imperial Tombs Exploration: Allow us to take you on a journey back to a dynasty that flourished for nearly 200 years in Chinese history: the Western Xia Dynasty. Renowned for its unique cultural and historical characteristics, it left an indelible mark on China despite its decimation by Genghis Khan in 1227.

One of the most fascinating legacies of Western Xia Dynasty is its mysterious imperial tombs. Be prepared to step into a world where history and mystery sit side by side. Let's unravel their intriguing tales and unsolved questions together.

Visit to the Chateau Legacy Peak: Nestled at an elevation of 4,088 feet (1,246m), within the mesmerizing scenic expanse of the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, discover the Chateau Legacy Peak. This vineyard is a prized gem within China, boasting of vines over 18 years old - a rarity in the Chinese wine-making industry.

Explore the breadth of this magnificent vineyard that spans over 6.9 hectares (17 acres) of lush Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.2 hectares (3 acres) of robust Merlot, and 0.8 hectares (2 acres) of refreshing Chardonnay. These abundant vineyards were carefully nurtured by owner Liu Hai's father, who planted them back in 1997.

108 Pagodas at Qingtongxia: Situated on the west bank of the Yellow River and 90 kilometers away from Yinchuan, discover the spectacle of the 108 Pagodas. These architecturally distinct structures range from 2.5 to 3.5m in height, and are arranged in a pyramid of 12 rows. Mostly constructed in Lamaism style, these uniquely designed pagodas feature an octagonal Sumeru pedestal and are topped with a bead. The entire complex, painted white, offers a striking testament to Chinese pagoda architecture.

Xige Winery - Wine Tasting Experience: Embark on a vinaceous voyage at the Xige Winery, known for cultivating a variety of distinguished grapes spread across 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres) of vineyards. Their cultivation method is attentive to the soil types and microclimate characteristics of each plot, ensuring optimal growth of varietals including Cabernet Gernischt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Xige Estate, besides its vineyards, hosts state-of-the-art production facilities, an oak barrel cellar, a professional tasting area, a visitor center, a winery hotel, and an organic restaurant. The advanced production equipment includes proprietary fermentation tanks, a temperature-control brewing system from New Zealand, pretreatment equipment from Germany and France, an advanced filling line from Italy, and a vineyard intelligent agricultural control system. Thousands of French oak barrels cater to its extensive production resulting in high-quality wines.

Shapotou Scenic Area Exploration: Situated just 20 kilometers west of Zhongwei City, the Shapotou stands as a testament to the majestic diversity of China's landscapes. Here, the Yellow River carves its path through the Tengger Desert, creating an extraordinary scenery that fuses desert, river, grassland, and mountains together. Discover this breathtaking region and indulge in a myriad of fun-filled activities.

Shapotou Adventure Package (Including Sand Sledding, Camel Trekking, Dune Car, Shuttle Bus, Speedboat, Sheepskin Rafting, and Glass Bridge): Shapotou isn't just a feast for the eyes; it's an adventurer's playground. We offer a range of thrilling activities for you to immerse into the heart of this diverse landscape

Ancient City Wall Exploration: Step back in time with a visit to one of the oldest and most well-preserved city defenses around: the Ancient City Wall. Constructed in the 13th century over the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, these walls still encompass the city center to this day.

Take your time exploring the 14km circuit - walk or opt for bike rentals (CNY40 per person) or an electric cart (CNY80 per person) to get around. Both alternatives offer spectacular views of the city on either side.

Tang Imperial Banquet Show: Immerse yourself in an evening of flourishing culture and palatable cuisines with the Tang Imperial Banquet & Show. Inspired by court songs, dance, and music from the golden age of the Tang Dynasty, the performance is staged in a world-class theater restaurant. The enchanting melodies, exquisite costumes, and vibrant staging, coupled with a delicious dinner, offer a glimpse into a prosperous era when Chang'an (Xi'an) was the capital of China and the arts were blossoming like never before. Showtime: 8:30pm.

Hanfu Traditional Dress Experience: Enter the world of Hanfu, the traditional attire of the Han Chinese, the predominant ethnic group within China. A significant symbol of Chinese civilization and its rich history, Hanfu has a story to tell. During this one-hour experience, your guide will introduce you to different variations of Hanfu and explain ancient Chinese etiquette in an authentic ancient academy setting.

But the experience doesn't end there. You can try on these attires and even learn about movable type printing after the introduction to Hanfu. Enjoy a calming break, sip on a flavorful cup of tea, and be enriched by the vibrant heritage of China.

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Imagine stepping into a time-capsule where an army awaits its commander, forever frozen in time. Discovered by chance in 1974, an astounding count of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots have been standing guard by Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC in perfect battle formation. Every figure here tells its own tale and is distinct from the rest.

This archaeological marvel, spanning three massive pits, continues to undergo painstaking restoration and excavation. The site, which is an hour-and-a-half drive from Xian, also houses an informative museum and provides a captivating film detailing the history of this incredible vault.

Please note that photography is permitted providing you do not use flash. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for this adventure as you explore the world-famous ancient army up close.

Our guide will help you transfer from your hotel to Xi'an Airport for departure with independentcar/van and guide.