8-Day Beijing, Luoyang, 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.

After breakfast, Starting with Tian'anmen Square You will visit the famous sites on Beijing's central axis, including the Forbidden City.

In the Forbidden City. Your guide will help you explore carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City. In addition to giving a background introduction on architecture, history, and art of the city, your guide will explain to you stories of the famous figures in the 2 dynasties and help you to trace elements of their lives here.

Enjoy a hutong with a rickshaw. Your guide will explain the traditional residential houses in Beijing. Taste some traditional snacks loved by locals and desserts that were once exclusive to the royal court.

In the morning, your guide and driver will take you to the Temple of Heaven – a place where emperors used to pray for a good harvest. The Park is full of life. Immerse yourself in the lives of local people – now and centuries ago – through joining in local elderly people's morning activities.

In the afternoon, hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu. In order to save time, we will arrange round-trip cable car rides to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. On the Wall, you will have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions.

First stop, the Summer Palace — an oasis of beauty and tranquility situated in northwest Beijing. Known as China's best-preserved royal park, the Summer Palace is a landmark of Chinese horticulture and landscape design that has long been celebrated as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. Expect a leisurely 2-hour stroll through its picture-perfect landscapes and historic structures which reflect the art of classical Chinese garden design.

Take a bullet train from Beijing to Luoyang, which is actually as important as Xi'an in Chinese history. After arriving in Luoyang, enjoy a night tour including Lijing Ancient City Gate and Luoyang Old Town.

Visit Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum in the morning. Learn about the mysterious tradition and strict burial system in ancient China.

Experience an awe-inspiring journey through time at the Longmen Grottoes, one of the four largest grottoes in China. Stay to enjoy the magnificent view when the grottoes are lit up at sunset

Option in April: If you have no interest in Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum and you come in April, it is recommended to visit a peony park to enjoy the national flower of China.

Embark on a journey steeped in legend and mystery, right to the heart of China's martial arts heritage - the Shaolin Temple. This sacred site is not only celebrated for its significant history and its critical role in Chinese Buddhism, but also for its unparalleled connection to martial arts or 'Wushu'.

Marvel at the prowess and dexterity of the Shaolin monks, who carry the legacy of this ancient discipline. The temple may well be the most famous in all of China, etching an indelible imprint on the country's cultural landscape.

Adding to the allure of this tour is the included Shaolin Kungfu Show. Hosted in a quaint, intimate theatre that only accommodates about 200 people, these shows are a must-see, offering a glimpse into the incredible world of Chinese martial arts.

Take a bullet train from Luoyang to Xi'an in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a relaxing one-hour private ride with your guide to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

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.

Explore the Huaqing Palace, a Tang Dynasty retreat famous for its hot springs and the love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, and optionally, enjoy the popular 'Everlasting Regret' show.

Visit the ancient City Wall in the morning and feel the glory of China's ancient capital before saying goodbye to Xi'an. Then, transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.