Time Travel in Two Ancient Chinese Capitals
Imagine ancient imperial Beijing and discover Xi'an's 2,000-year-old secrets in 6 days. Enrich your trip with our handpicked experiences at the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors. Discover more with top-class guides at all sites and ride the Chinese high-speed train between cities.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Discover a "living" Forbidden City
Your guide will help you explore 12 carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City, while many other group tours only visit 6 spots briefly. Admiring the architectural splendors and listening to the stories of 8 famous figures.
![The Forbidden City](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![a hidden house in Forbidden City](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Walk into the 300-Year-Old Hutongs and Discover Traditional Beijing Lifestyle
Enjoy a home-visit to a traditional hutong courtyard house and learn Chinese calligraphy. Ascend the Bell Tower and take a bird's-eye view of the hutong area.
![Beijing hutong](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![a home-visit in hutong](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Explore a Top-Ranked Section of the Great Wall
The Great Wall at Mutianyu is ranked top among all parts of the Great Wall on TripAdvisor.Walk leisurely through the watchtowers, enjoying a superb view of the Mutianyu Great wall snaking across the mountains.
![The Great Wall](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![Mutianyu Great Wall](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Unveil the Secrets of the Terracotta Army that can't be Googled.
You will not only see the life-size warriors at the site, but also get opportunity to know how ancient craftsmen made them. Your guide will unveil some secrets of the world wonder and share his/her insight from a local people's point of view.
![the Terracotta Army](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![discover the Terracotta Army with our professional guide](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Make Your Own Terracotta Warriors in A Disappearing Cave Dwelling
Visit a traditional cave dwelling, learn how to make Terracotta Warriors from a local artisan in a traditional way, and get to know local people's life in countryside.
![make your own Terracotta Warriors](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Cycle or Walk on the Ancient Xi'an City Wall to Hear the Echo of History
Enjoy an ancient city perspective by biking or walking on the City Wall and take a bird's-eye view of Xi'an.
![Xi'an City Wall](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
![Trip Advisor certificate of 2024](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![Tour Review](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
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Beijing tour with family, tour guide Jason
![]() Our tour guide Jason was great, my kids absolutely loved him. He was knowledgeable, responsive, friendly and i personally enjoyed chatting with him. He was always on time and made the entire trip smooth. Thank you for your attentive and excellent service while in Beijing! more
Jun 2024, Lourdes K
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Shanghai - Beijing trip
![]() Tom, our tour guide in Beijing was a delight to work with. He is very personable, excellent communicator and a pleasure to be with. Tom’s knowledge of the history and culture was a great background for us during our visit. We also benefited from Tom’s insider knowledge of local eating spots and sampled different cuisines. more
Jun 2024, Ravi Krovi
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Memorable trip
![]() We were able to cover all the historical sites in Beijing. Special thanks to our tour guide Tom who went out of his way to organize and show us all the sights. He speaks fluent English and made sure we understood the history, culture and background. Tom took us to local restaurants - we were able to eat delicious Chinese cuisines such as Xian noodles and Beijing trout. more
Jun 2024, Ravi K
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at the arrival hall. A comfortable private car with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel.The rest of the day is your own to explore Beijing.
After breakfast, visit Tian'anmen Square. Your guide will provide you with commentary about the history and architecture about the square.
Then start to enjoy the main highlight of the day - the Forbidden City. Your guide will help you explore 12 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 8 famous figures in the 2 dynasties and help you to trace elements of their lives here.
Ride to the old hutong area with your guide and walk through the 300-year-old hutongs. A visit to a local family, whose ancestors have lived in the hutongs for generations, offers a local perspective on history.
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.
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 the tour, your guide will accompany you to the railway station to ride the high-speed train to Xi'an (about 6 hours).
Discover the incredible Terracotta Army, which has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210 BC. Travel back in time and put yourself in the Emperor's shoes. What was he thinking? Your guide will help you find your favorite terracotta warrior using a unique process designed by China Highlights.
After visiting the museum, you will have an opportunity to visit a typical Shaanxi cave house and to learn how to make warriors in the cave dwelling. Get to know traditional techniques used 2,000 years ago and try your hand at molding, carving, and painting.
In the afternoon, cycle or walk on the City Wall to hear the echo of history and take a bird's-eye view of the city.
Visit the Xi'an History Museum – which gives a perfect overview of Chinese history and is not to be missed.
See the Chinese-style architecture combined with dozens of historic Buddhist statues and murals at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is another landmark of Xi'an.
In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to the train station or to the airport, for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
![Regent Hotel Beijing](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![Regent Hotel Bedroom](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
![Regent Hotel Restaurant](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif)
Price includes: