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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

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.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

![]() |
Beijing in a day
![]() My partner found this company and booked with ease and no hassle. From start to finish we have been so looked after, upon arrival in Beijing after a train from Shanghai we were met by our guide Selinda. She has been amazing through out the day, flexible with times. She showed us the best place to get some food and then taking us to and from the Great Wall was filled with information and little facts. Plenty of time was given to explore the wall and then we were taken for some dumplings to revive us. Selinda made sure we were looked after and ensured we got back on the correct train. She made this trip so much less stressful and much more enjoyable. Would highly recommend this company for future use. more
Jan 2025, French-Biscuit14
|
Great way to tour Beijing
![]() My daughter and I toured Beijing with Selinda. She was prompt, professional, friendly, and helpful. We saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall section. At each site she shared the history and offered suggestions of good places for pictures. She was attentive to us and made sure we had everything we needed. The driver was helpful and having him drop us off and pick us up was immensely helpful. We toured the Summer Palace with Jason and he also did a stellar job sharing interesting facts and information which gave us context and a greater appreciation of what we saw. Jason, like Selinda, did a splendid job suggesting good photo spots and always happily offered to take our picture for us. I highly recommend these two tour guides and the driver. This was a great way to see some of the tourist attractions in Beijing. more
Jan 2025, Chris
|
Epic time in Beijing with Selinda Zhang
![]() A huge shoutout to our most awesome tour guide Selinda Zhang!!! She is a walking talking encyclopaedia with a wealth of knowledge both historic and current. She made our visits to well preserved historical sites all the more interesting sharing architecture, literature, Chinese penmanship and poems to highlight the significance of each site we visited! She engages both adults and children and usually reticent kids were asking questions and learnt heaps about Beijing history this trip. We had an epic time in Beijing thanks to Selinda!! more
Jan 2025, Hwei ling C
|
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.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty Buddhist architectural gem, symbolizes the integration of Buddhism into Han Chinese culture. Visitors can ring the bell for blessings and luck.
The Anrenfang Heritage Museum, situated in the former Anrenfang District from the Tang Dynasty, showcases local traditions and historical events.
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.



Price includes: