Discover the Ancient China and the Unique Landscape
10-Day Imperial and Scenic China Family Tour
A whole family experience to make the stories from history books come alive: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. Then relax on the Yangshuo nature trails before enjoying exciting Hong Kong Ocean Park amusement area.
Highlights
- Walk or hike on the Great Wall of China
- Be welcomed by a local family and learn how to make dumplings with them
- Acquire the spirit of Chinese calligraphy and traditional painting
- Enjoy a relaxing Li River cruise to Yangshuo
- Take a bamboo raft on the crystal-clear Yulong River
- Learn to cook tasty Chinese dishes
- Revel in the Hong Kong Ocean Park
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Magical Adventure
Wow this tour was honestly the best tourI have ever taken! Our guide Simon Yao was simply superb! His English was excellent and he was very easy to talk to. He was personable and friendly but not overpowering or overbearing. Very knowledgeable about history. Thankfully the weather was good so we were not super hot !Finally at the wall we were amazed by it's beauty and grandeur. It really is something and pictures don't do it justice. more
Nov 2023,
Annika M
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Excellent two day visit to Great Wall
Our guide ‘Mark’ was incredible. So friendly, knowledgable and funny. The itinerary was perfect, we got to see two different parts of the Great Wall (one of which at night which was magical) and our hotel stay in Gubei was wonderful. Highly recommend to anybody visiting Beijing more
Nov 2023,
James_Wolstenholme
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Great day out with Mark, thanks China Highlights!
We did a 1 day private tour with China Highlights to see Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Communication was great throughout - from trip planning/booking with Roger and from our guide Mark who contacted us the day before to confirm meet up time/location. Avoided a lot of the queues and definitely learned quite a bit of history from our guide Mark…thanks again! No language barriers/issues…highly recommended. more
Nov 2023,
ykeezy
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China Three (3) Cities Tours
To the tour guides, Ethan, Jason and Tony, you guys have made my visit an awesome and memorable experience. All the tour guides spoke english and communicated very effectively. They are knowledgeable about all the sites visited including, Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Panda Breeding and Research Center, Leshan Giant Buddha, Hallelujah Mountains, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge, and Tianmen Mountain. The tour guides ensured I got the most out of my time I stayed in the various cities Beijing, Chengdu and Zhangjiajie. more
Nov 2023,
Kadar
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13 days in China
We booked a 13 day’s tour of China with China Highlights. Our travel advisor, Ms Leah Zhou organised an itinerary that suited what we wanted. She was really helpful and patient will all our needs. Leah helped us organised our 30th Wedding Anniversary Dinner and my 60th Birthday celebration?? in Beijing. For this to be possible, she had to liaise with our guide in Beijing. The flowers and cake were a real surprise. My husband and I, were really touched at the good service provided by China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou. Thank you China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou for your constant care of your customers. I will certainly recommend China Highlights to my friends. more
Nov 2023,
Eda Adams
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Perfect Beijing experience
Covering all major sights our exploration of Beijing and surroundings was flawless guided by Lily, along with her knowledgeable and balanced information on Chinas culture and history. In particular, Lily was able to adjust the tour according to personal preferences, e.g. focus on photography, as well as suggesting additional activities like an impressive authentic artistic show. I highly recommend China Highlights as China tour operator and Lily Liu as excellent guide regarding the Beijing area. more
Nov 2023,
Perfect Beijing experience
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Anne and Bob’s tour of Beijing
We did the China Highlights tour of Beijing with our excellent guide Mark and his driver. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Beijing highlights including the Lama Temple, the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Lama Temple. The Summer Palace with the boat ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony were memorable also and the Mutianyu Great Wall was a highlight. We were impressed with Mark as a guide. He knew his history and he was kind and thoughtful. He took us to some excellent restaurants and we were introduced to some beautiful food. We enjoyed his company and will always remember him. more
Nov 2023,
BendigoBob
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Amazing Beijing Tour with Risa!
Risa gave us a wonderful tour of the city! She thoroughly explained the cultuaral importance of each exhibit while also educating us on the Chinese culture. Appreciated having this wonderful Beijing trip with Risa:) more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M.
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Amazing Beijing Tour With Risa!
We were very kindly received in Beijing by our tour guide Risa. She gave us a very thorough tour of the city and showed us wonderful places, while also explaining the important history/culture of China! Very beautiful city filled with many things to do and full of culture! This was very well planned and made it very easy for us to visit the city and foreigners:) Thank you Risa! more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M
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Do Beijing like a local
They organised my trip very quickly and efficiently. On the day, Anna was very friendly to me, my mum and my baby. Very accommodating to our needs. The car was immaculately clean and very comfortable. We visited everything we initially wanted and more. Also, Anna took us to the best meal we had in China. It makes a difference to have a local choosing the dishes! more
Nov 2023,
Natali A
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Must-see Beijing sights in two days
Going on the guided tour gave me the opportunity to visit the main 'must-see' Beijing attractions in two days' time. Although I prefer to travel on my own, it simply would not have been possible for me to arrange tickets and figure out logistics to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall with such a compressed schedule and short notice. My guide, Lucy, was very knowledgeable about Chinese history and cheerfully accompanied me through two grueling days. Traffic in and around Beijing is bad, and the sights are notnin walking distance from one another. Our driver, Li Li Mon, patiently fought the traffic allowing me to snooze in between the long more
Nov 2023,
Marcis J
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China Highlights - Great Wall Mutianyu
I arranged a private tour with China Highlights to see the Great Wall, as I had a few hours to spare near Beijing. I was promptly collected, taken to the wall via comfortable car and escorted all the way by my allocated tour guide Jack. The day was highly memorable and thoroughly enjoyable, we walked 20 watchtowers across the Wall and then took the luge back down. The knowledge and history of the Great Wall was shared and Jack’s English was great. Fantastic day, thanks for your great hospitality, Jack! more
Nov 2023,
Daniel White
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Great Day in China!
The experience was great! Amazing learning about history and culture.Thanks for everything Lucy! more
Nov 2023,
Evandro S
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Unforgetable experience
It was the best experience foi my whole life. Thanks a thousand to Lucy for all her assistente and knowledge regarding China. If you are planing to know China as native perspective do not think twice Luci is the best. more
Nov 2023,
Evandro F
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Amazing experience in Beijing
Spent 3 days in Beijing under China Highlights! Our tour guide Jennifer spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable in Chinese history. Not only was she friendly, she was always on hand to help me with my heavy luggage. She also recommended us very good chinese restaurants for lunch and dinner. She went beyond her call of duties to make sure we had a enjoyable time in Beijing. China highlights also surprised me with a birthday cake on my birthday. Kimi Huang who was my consultant was ever ready to answer all my queries promptly. Thank you for making our trip a memorable one. more
Nov 2023,
Delltravellor
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Great Experience on Beijing Day Visit with tour guide Lucy Yubo
She took me on a side excursion to see the next door park where locals exercise and she took me yo some shops also to get hat and gloves for the cold. Our last stop was 978 Art Center which was super interesting. My day was relaxing, fun, and very special as I feel I learned something much about both China’s past and present. I highly recommend booking a tour to see Beijing in this way. more
Nov 2023,
Nancy H
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Memorable Beijing & Gubei with China Highlights
Jack as the tour guide is a good story teller. He is inquisitive. He knows when to leave us alone exploring the sights and pick out interest again with the historical facts and stories.Then, we explored Jinshanling that provides a balanced view between reconstructed and ruined walls. Finally, we explored the Forbidden City and The Summer Palace. In between, we enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisines which were delicious. more
Nov 2023,
Dian W
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Beijing 2 day tour
Spent 2 days in Beijing with Ethan as my guide and had a fantastic experience. Ethan is very knowledgeable, easy company and takes excellent photographs. The organisation was excellent as well including the driver for the tour as well the airport pick up. more
Nov 2023,
Tam
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My very first trip to Beijing
My guide Jack was excellent- very knowledgeable, organised, kind, helpful, and great English speaker. So I learned a lot about the fascinating history of China while enjoying breathtaking sceneries and monuments. more
Nov 2023,
Amanda Barbosa
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Thank you Mark and China Highlights for an amazing trip!!
Mark was the first sight that we had after getting off the plane and what a beautiful site he was! We felt very safe having him as our first tour guide! We sure appreciate having him guide us through Beijing wouldn’t replace him with anyone!! Thanks Mark for all of your hard work and preparation! more
Nov 2023,
adyn h
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Suggested Itinerary
Your vacation starts from the moment you arrive. Your guide and driver will be waiting for you, ready to take you to your hotel in a private van. Your guide will assist you with the check-in and take any stress away.
Hotel Recommendations
The itinerary price includes 4-star hotels for your reference.

Novotel Beijing Peace
- Very central location, 15 minutes walk to the Forbidden City
- Member of Accor Group, ensuring standard Western service

Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
- Wins Certificate of Excellence of Tripadvisor
- Near Sanlitun, in the new CBD area, surrounded by touring conveniences
- Member of Intercontinental Group, ensuring great breakfasts and services

Hotel Eclat Beijing
- Ranked 3/6561 of Beijing hotels on TripAdvisor
- Near Sanlitun, about 5 km (3 mi) from the Forbidden City
- Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with a unique artistic atmosphere
The vast Tian'anmen Square is probably the most famous square in the world, and the surrounding buildings, such as Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, the National Museum, and the People's Congress, emphasize its iconic appearance. History comes to life in the Forbidden City, with interesting insights into the emperors' lives and the impressive architecture in the public spaces in contrast with the domestic space in the private accommodation.
The classic hutongs area is a charming place to spend an afternoon, and a visit to a local family still living in one of the traditional houses brings the experience to life. You will learn how to make dumplings (jiaozi) and you will also get to savor them together.
Good to know
- As well as dumpling making, many other interactive activities can be arranged in the hutongs area to enrich your day: learn traditional crafts like Chinese knot-tying and decorative paper-cutting, see a remarkable acrobatic display by a Chinese yo-yo master, and learn to make dumplings with a local family.
- Night shows, such as the Kung fu Show at the Red Theater and the Acrobatic Show at Chaoyang Theater, are recommended to enrich your night. It is recommended to book with your guide a day before, or on the day, to allow flexibility.


The Great Wall is an exciting experience for the whole family. It evokes images of soldiers and battles from ancient China. The Mutianyu section that you will be taken to is much less crowded than other sections, and the drive is through beautiful countryside. Lunch is served in the best restaurant nearby, with several dishes appealing to the younger customers. Fish is a specialty and is always fresh from the ponds.
After returning to Beijing, you will get to visit the Temple of Heaven, surrounded by a beautiful park. There, the emperors made their offerings for a good harvest each year, and locals now do their daily exercises there and practice singing and dancing.
Good to know
- Want to spend more time on the Great Wall and make the most of your time? No problem! We can arrange a picnic lunch including sandwiches, bread, cake, fruit, and coffee or milk for you to enjoy on the Great Wall.
- To make the Great Wall tour more memorable, taking a toboggan to slide down is an exciting option when the weather is nice. You can control the speed to ensure your safety.


The Forbidden City was the winter abode of the emperors, but the Summer Palace is where they escaped the heat and enjoyed outdoor living in the vast gardens and pavilions. A short boat ride across the lake takes you to the main buildings, and you can climb the tower and see the entire park.
At lunchtime you will taste the popular cuisine of the Hakka people. Then, the kids will not need to wait any longer to see the pandas; Beijing Zoo has many wild and rare animals from China, and among them are some adorable pandas.
Good to know
If you are arriving in summer, the Water Magic Cube Amusement Park is highly recommended to escape the heat. The Water Cube was used during the Beijing Olympics for aquatics and is now designed to be the biggest water amusement park in China. Remember to take a swimsuit, slippers, sunscreen lotion, shower gel, shampoo, and a towel.


In the morning, you will catch a flight to Guilin which is said to have the most beautiful scenery in China and is home to very distinctive karst mountains.
Two of the most famous local sites - Reed Flute Cave with a large natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites, and the Elephant Trunk Hill which is the symbol of Guilin - are on the experience list this afternoon.
Hotel Recommendations
The itinerary price includes 4-star hotels for your reference.

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel
- Ranked 4/651 of Guilin hotels on TripAdvisor
- Very central location, 2 minutes walk to the Li River and lakes
- Its man-made waterfall from hotel building top wins Guinness World Records

Shangri-La Hotel Guilin
- Ranked 2/651 of Guilin hotels on TripAdvisor
- Wins Certificate of Excellence of Tripadvisor
- Located amidst mountain & river vistas, full of enchantment, fascinating and distinct Chinese-style architecture

Guilinyi Royal Palace
- Ranked 4/651 of Guilin hotels on TripAdvisor
- Wins Certificate of Excellence of Tripadvisor
- Located in a botanical garden, quiet and picturesque setting, fascinating and distinct Chinese-style architecture


A tranquil four-hour cruise along the Li River offers great views of the bamboo forests and limestone peaks, the scenery immortalized by Chinese artists throughout the centuries.
After arriving in Yangshuo, you will be taken to your hotel. In the afternoon, our arranged experiences of Chinese painting or calligraphy give a taste of the cultural activities of the local people.
Good to know
- Your luggage will be transferred directly from Guilin to your hotel in Yangshuo by a private van and driver. Your personal guide will accompany you on the cruise and take care of you.
- Currently, either 3-star or 4-star riverboats are available for the Li River cruise. The 3-star boats are lower-priced, but have less-modern facilities. Their seat- spacing is narrower and the lunch on board is simpler. The 4-star boats are the best. We will only use the relatively new 4-star boats, which serve a buffet lunch.
Hotel Recommendations
The itinerary price includes 4-star hotels for your reference.

Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
- Ranked 3/482 of Yangshuo hotels on TripAdvisor
- Wins Certificate of Excellence of Tripadvisor
- A riverside gem with breathtaking view on the Yulong River

Yangshuo Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel
- Opened in 2016 and managed by the same hotel company of Tea Cozy
- It is hidden behind and nestled in the mountain areas
- Reformed from local traditional mud and wooden houses, authentic flavor

Tea Cozy Hotel
- Ranked 2/482 of Yangshuo hotels on TripAdvisor
- Wins Certificate of Excellence of Tripadvisor
- Away from hustle and bustle town center, enjoy fresh air and quiet atmosphere


In the morning, your guide can show you around the local food market - the hub of life there. All the food is fresh, even the chickens are still flapping in their cages. A cookery class helps you to discover where those delicious dishes get their flavor from, as you see which vegetables and meat are used, cook with the teacher, and then taste the results. You even get the recipes to take home.
A bamboo raft ride along the Yulong River is a fun experience due to the small weirs giving you a light spray. This section of the area has been called "Paradise on Earth", and for good reason.


Exploring thecountryside continues with a bike ride in the small roads and lanes surrounded by paddy fields and orchards away from traffic and the crowds. A visit to a local farmer's home lets you see how people really live in these rural areas.
After lunch, you will be taken back to Guilin Airport for your late afternoon flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by a local guide, private van and driver, and transferred to your hotel.
Good to know
If your children are too young to ride a bike, we can arrange to have a seat fitted to the back of the bike for you. There is also the option to choose a tandem bike for you to share with your child.


Your guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you on a whole day tour in a private car, which really maximizes your time in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong in all its vastness spreads beneath your feet from the Victoria Peak, the highest point on the island. Then you descend to the Repulse Bay beach, considered the finest in Hong Kong. Aberdeen has a lovely harbor full of local fishermen's boats and seafood restaurants. Lunch is not included, but feel free to ask your tour guide for recommendations.
The Ocean Park is an amusement park and zoo all-in-one, and is sure to delight the smallest to the biggest member of the family.
Good to know
The price includes a private car/van transfer to and from the Victoria Peak. This may save time if the lines are long for the Peak Tram. You can choose to take it at an extra cost of HK$28 per adult for a one-way trip and HK$40 for a round trip. The cost for a child is HK$11 and HK$20 respectively.


Trip Notes
Tailoring your tour
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extend or shorten it to suit your price, interest, and schedule. Feel free to tell us your requirements, and we are happy to help you arrange with our professional knowledge and experience.
Hotel
- Hotels with a convenient location and swimming pool are recommended. Please note that a swimsuit/trunks and swimming cap are required to enter the swimming pool.
- If you prefer other hotel options: economical choices, Chinese-style hotels, home stay, apartment, or would like to book the hotels on your own, please feel free to inform us and we will be happy to adjust the details.
- Most hotels in China allow at most three people in one room. If there are more than three people in your group, we will check if there is family room available or do our best to arrange interconnecting rooms or adjoin rooms.
Food
Lunches at popular local restaurants are included for you in order to taste authentic Chinese food. Your guide will assist you with ordering dishes loved by both adults and children. Most families enjoy eating local Chinese food as there is plenty of variety and different flavors, and the food is so much better and different from the Chinese food served back home. Some children may prefer Western food or have some special requirements for meals. Please inform us and we will do our best to cater to your needs
Car Seats, Stroller, and Baby Crib
To maximize the safety of your children, we can arrange for car seats to be fitted at your request during the private transfers in Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. A baby stroller can be provided in Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. For a baby under two years old, we will inform the hotel to arrange a crib for you. No extra cost is needed. The number of car seats, strollers, and cribs are limited. Please inquire and confirm early to reserve them.
Tour Price
Price includes:
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