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




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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Great tours!
I had an amazing two trips on the Great Wall and the Forbidden City with the guide Ivy during my stay in China. She was very helpful and answered all of our questions with an enthusiastic approach. I have nothing to say but to highly recommend the trips they offer on the Great Wall hiking/camping and also the in-depth Forbidden City tour! Thank you Ivy and China Highlights. more
May 2023,
Serhat Altay
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Amazing First Time to Beijing with China Highlights
Tom, my private tour guide was there when I landed and accompanied me all the way through to sending me off at the airport after check-in at the end of my trip. Zhao the driver, who also did all the driving during my trip, was calm, confident and knowledgeable in taking us around. Both Tom and Zhao were punctual too. The Great Wall of China Hike I wanted to do started in a very remote, unrestored part of the wall. This would not had been possible without Tom problem solving many issues we had on the way up and I could not have done this on my own a a foreigner. It was well worth the effort and probably the highlight of my trip.The remainder of the tour around Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Kingdom and The Temple of Heaven was paired with a detailed commentary by Tom of which I learnt a lot. more
May 2023,
Munsie
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Beijing - city of surprises
A fantastic guide was waiting for us - Jack, who told all the stories with passion and commitment. He also fulfilled those wishes that were not in the plan. I highly recommend visiting Beijing with this guide. more
May 2023,
Joanna i Piotr Kuzebscy
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Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot…
Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot of fun to spend time with during my first visit to Beijing. It was a wonderful intensive three days. more
May 2023,
Pam S.
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Great weather and a good trip out with Lily!
Many thanks to my guide Lily for customising the trip to make it as efficient and enjoyable as possible. She arranged to start an hour earlier to beat the crowd and I got to enjoy the Great Wall before the crowd streamed in and while the weather was cool. I requested to switch the next attraction to visit from Temple of Heaven to Ming Tomb and she not only accommodated the prompt request, but made all the necessary arrangements even before the trip coordinator managed to reply! Kudos! Our driver was jovial and friendly, always on top of traffic conditions and took detours to beat slow moving traffic. Hassle free day and I wouldn’t have been able to cover the two attractions so easily and comfortably without them! more
May 2023,
Meibao
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This was our first time traveling to Beijing
This was our first time traveling to China, so we really wanted to experience some of the major historical sights of Beijing together with a tour guide. Our itinerary was very carefully planned out according to our interests and tailored to our needs. First, we went camping on the Great Wall and hiked from Jiankou to Mutianyu, and the next day we got an in-depth tour of the Forbidden City as well as a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a taiji experience in the gardens. Our tour guide, Ivy, was truly wonderful in preparing and organizing our personalized itinerary. She is very friendly and knowledgeable, and she was always able and willing to answer all of our questions. Ivy provided us with a truly amazing first visit to China and I would warmly recommend China Highlights for everyone who wishes to travel to China and I would especially recommend Ivy as a tour guide for your trips! more
May 2023,
Annalina Wheeler
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Tom is the BEST tour guide EVER!
Just had the most AMAZING tour with Tom. He was beyond knowledgeable, so generous with his time and made me feel so at ease which was super important as I am travelling by myself. Thank you Tom for the best day-you have totally made my China trip a fabulous experience, one I will never forget! more
May 2023,
SHARRYN HINCHLIFFFE
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Superb service and wonderful time in Beijing
Superb service from Jack who were with us for 4 wonderful days in Beijing. Jack was clearly knowledgeable about the history and able to deliver insight information to us about places. He was also kind and accommodating to my mother who has bad knees. Both China Highlights and Jack were flexible about the itinerary to ensure that we enjoy the best of Beijing. We'll definitely use China Highlights' services again for our next trip to China. more
May 2023,
Chani
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Amazing Trip
First time booking a trip with China Highlights and was fortunate to have Sunny as my private tour guide. We went to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, then arrived and walked around Gubei Water Town, and then visited the Simatai portion of the Great Wall at night. Was a very enjoyable trip as we were able to see a night time drone show in the sky, ride a private boat through the canals of the Gubei Water Town, and eat a delicious lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Sunny is super knowledgeable when it comes to the history of the Great Wall and took the time to explain various interesting facts and stories which made the trip very meaningful. The driver we had was also a very nice man who was always on time and eager to help. Was an unforgettable experience and would highly recommend Sunny and China Highlights :) more
May 2023,
Allen C
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Tour to the great wall from the airport
My guide Tom was ver kind and knowlegable, he explained everything to me about the great wall and even went out of his way to help me the next day at Bejings downtown! amazing service!!! thank you so much Tom! more
May 2023,
Fer Villasefior
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Great tour, fantastic guide!
This tour was fantastic! I loved hearing about the history of the Forbidden City and admiring the views at the Great Wall. William was a fantastic tour guide. We were a group of families with several young children, and he was very accommodating and flexible with timing and arrangements. I totally recommend this tour and William as a guide! more
May 2023,
Ryan Corless
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Four excellent sightseeing days in Beijing
We had wonderful four days in Beijing. The entire trip was tailored exactly to our wishes. From experiencing local food, to exploring the major sites of the city up to hiking the great wall of China. Additionally, we had two amazing guides Ina and Fan taking care of all the tickets and coordination required. Also, they could not only tell us everything about the sights we visited and give us an insight to local customs and traditions, but they did so in perfect German. The chauffeur service from Mr Chang was also excellent, getting us from A to B without any hazzle. The past couple of days were one of the most carefree trips we have had so far. more
May 2023,
Katha
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Great tour from William
Great tour organized by China highlights, our tour guide was William - his knowledge was impressive, his English was great and he was always on time. We did the four day tour including the wall and forbidden city - would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an English tour guide. more
Apr 2023,
Lawrence
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Beijing 2 day private tour
The tour itself was great, private driver to and from, my guide Ivy was great English speaking guide. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about her country. Was a great time exploring the Great Wall of china and then my second day did a city tour (forbidden city, hutong tour, summer palace). Felt extremely safe, and was confident having an English guide. Thank you china highlights. (Provide them what you want and they’ll make it happen). Prices are reasonable as I looked at a few places but for private tour, my own schedule, and confidence of getting around safely you can’t go wrong. more
Apr 2023,
Mark
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Very enjoyable
Everything was to the vest standard, the history all very well explained by the Tour Guide in Beijing, Ivy. Really enjoyed it, and appreciated the time. more
Apr 2023,
Jonathan
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Amazing Beijing Experience
I had an amazing time in Beijing and glad Tom was my tour guide. He went above and beyond and I’m truly grateful. Tom did all that he could to ensure my stay in Beijing for two days was pleasant and thanks to him, I say that it was. The driver was also nice and courteous, I called him Jon. The company is blessed to have a good tour guide like Tom on their team so if you are planning to come down to Beijing, make sure you ask for Tom. Thank you Christy and Kimmy for replying all my emails with questions that I had. more
Apr 2023,
Pedro V
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Great experience
We had a great experience with China Highlights and Roger was highly efficient and helpful planning our itinerary exactly how we needed. more
Apr 2023,
Brenda Sarmanho
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Excellent service and tour guide!!
Excellent service and communication from the travel agent Roger Li and amazing tour and experience of Great Wall of China from our tour guide Amber. Highly recommended! more
Apr 2023,
Evangelos Athanasopoulos
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Maggie was such a tremendous help for…
Maggie was such a tremendous help for our recent Beijing trip. Very prompt and helpful in helping us plan and adjust/amend to our requests. more
Apr 2023,
Hi
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HK-Beijing-Wuhan-Guilin-HK
We travelled first to Beijing for a few days before moving on to Wuhan for the wedding and then for a few days in Guilin along with my son and daughter in law. It was a great trip and all went smothly with the help of the guides we had along the way. William in Beijing and Jenny in Guilin were excellent. Chas in HK was also very helpful in getting us to the right place and the right time to fly home. more
Apr 2023,
Alan Harris
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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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