15 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Huangshan Guilin Xian and Beijing Tour .

China is a terrific all-rounder: the thousand year-old historic cities and towns draw you in with incredible ancient wonders and distinct culture, bustling metropolises mix the latest fashion and old traditions, and some of the world’s best scenic destinations allow travelers to see striking natural landscapes.

This all-encompassing journey across China is suitable for people of ages, starts in Shanghai and ends in Beijing, with excursions to cultural Hangzhou, picturesque Guilin, Yangshuo and Yellow Mountain, and historic Xian. You will also experience the thrills of China’s high speed train.

Trip Highlights

  • See skyscrapers on Shanghai’s skyline, and discover its cultural roots
  • Delight in the beautiful West Lake and Nanxun Water Town by cruise
  • Hike Yellow Mountain on its most spectacular part
  • Explore the historical sites
  • Cooking experience with local chef

Customizable Tour Itinerary

Hello, welcome to China! After touching down in Shanghai, your private guide and driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer to your luxurious hotel. Shanghai is a city of tremendous vitality and beautiful at night when the flashing neon come on.

  • Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong areaShanghai Pudong area

Start classic Shanghai city tour by experiencing traditional Chinese horticulture at the Ming Dynasty Yu Garden, where the ancient structures with carved eaves, windows and gates are well preserved. Shanghai’s old streets, known as the Town God Temple area, embrace Yu Garden with beautiful Qing Dynasty buildings, food stalls and souvenir shops.

Thereafter, walk through the Bund to see the striking colonial architectures and Shanghai’s modern iconic landmarks across Huangpu River. Ascend the observation deck of Shanghai Tower, the highest building in China and the second highest in the world, to see the New China from the air.

Finally explore M50 Contemporary Art District. Admire the artistic works at the gallery and studios, and the street art with creative graffiti.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Shanghai Pudong areaShanghai Pudong area

Take a high speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou - known as a heaven on earth ever since the ancient times.

Pick up and transfer to UNESCO-listed West Lake. Enjoy a boat cruise, which is the best way to admire West Lake and takes you to a pretty islet in the middle of the lake. Later visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies. It is one of the earliest extant brick-wood structural pagodas in China and a finest example of ancient Chinese architecture.

Enjoy peaceful Zen moments at the 4th Century Lingyin Temple and appreciate the ancient Buddhist grotto art at the Feilai Peak, where there are hundreds of Buddha statues in different sizes are elaborately carved.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
West LakeWest Lake

Drive to Ancient Nanxun Water Town, as charming and beautiful as Wuzhen and Zhouzhuang, but with fewer crowds. Take a boat traversing the town to see its traditional riverside dwellings, corridors, alleys, ancient bridges, and discover the essence of Jiangnan (the south of the lower reaches of the Yangze River) water town.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Nanxun Water Town with cruiseNanxun Water Town with cruise

Take a high speed train to Huangshan. Upon arrival, pick up at the railway station.

Take Yungu cableway up Yellow Mountain, which is known as the most beautiful mountain in China. Hike for about 2 hours along West Sea Grand Canyon, the highlight of Yellow Mountain, with steep mountain paths, wondrous pines and fantastic rock peaks. Enjoy the stunning sunset view of Yellow Mountain with seas of clouds if weather permits.

Stay overnight on the Yellow Mountain.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
  • Hotels: Huangshan Beihai Hotel, Huangshan Shilin Hotel, Xihai Hotel
Yellow MountainYellow Mountain

Take cableway down Yellow Mountain, and drive to ancient Hongcun Village. It is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in China and known as “a village in painting”. There are 140 Ming and Qing Dynasty residential houses to explore. Then walk through the culturally rich Tunxi Old Street in downtown Huangshan, with a glimpse of ancient Chinese street market. See the finest Huizhou style architecture and many traditional crafts shops.

Fly to Guilin. Its natural landscape is regarded as the most gorgeous in the world.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
  • Hotels: Guilin Shangri La Hotel, Sheraton Guilin, Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel Guilin
Hongcun VillageHongcun Village

Escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life with a day trip to Longji Rice Terraces, a stunning cultural landscape created on the mountain slops by Zhuang and Yao tribes. With clean fresh air and magnificent view, it is a great place for sightseeing, hiking and photography. Meet local minority people at Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, to experience the exotic mountain tribal life and admire their wooden diaojiaolou dwellings.

Drive back to downtown Guilin. Enjoy yourself a brisk stroll around the Ronghu and Shanhu lakes, and pass by Elephant Trunk Hill and Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Longji rice terracesLongji rice terraces

Li River is an epitome of Guilin Karst landscape. Enjoy a 4-hour cruise voyage on the best section of Li River and feel like you are drifting on a Chinese landscape painting. Pass by the renowned Nine-horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal.

Land in Yangshuo. Ramble on through the bustling West Street. Then travel deep into the countryside of Yangshuo by car or by bike. You will see the picturesque Yulong River, the lush farmlands and the serene traditional villages… Be close to the nature and experience the humble Chinese countryside lifestyle.

Enjoy the night show of Impression Liu Sanjie (optional).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
  • Hotels: Alila Yangshuo, Yangshuo Banyan Tree Hotel, Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Li River cruiseLi River cruise

In the morning, attend a private cooking class and learn to cook authentic Chinese dishes. Use the fresh food materials prepared or bought by yourself from the market, and the kitchen range, pan, cutting boards and knife at the kitchen, to make Yangshuo beer fish, tofu stuffed with meat, scrambled egg with tomato… And enjoy the dishes you cook for lunch.

Fly to Xian, the ancient heart of Chinese history.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
  • Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian
Yangshuo Cookery LessonYangshuo Cookery Lesson

Visit the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which is actually an ancient tomb to house the big “army” of Emperor Qinshihuang. The life-sized terracotta figures were perfectly carved and the replacement of human sacrifices in the feudal society.

Tour Xian’s Ming Dynasty City Wall dating to 600 years ago. Ascend the Wall hung with red lanterns through one of its 18 gates, and see the watching towers, and other historical buildings. Later discover a diverse range of street foods and architectures mixing traditional Chinese style and Islamic style on the Muslim Quarter.

Taste different flavors of dumpling for dinner and enjoy the night show of Tang Dynasty Music and Dance.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Xi'an Ancient City WallXi'an Ancient City Wall

Visit the Shaanxi History Museum to be embraced by thousand years of Chinese history. Learn the social process of ancient China from prehistoric period to Qing Dynasty, and see numerous valuable cultural relics. Then go to the Ci’en Temple, where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is located. This Tang Dynasty pagoda is the iconic landmark of ancient Xian and one of the earliest and most important Buddhist architectures in China.

Take high speed train to Beijing, the political and cultural center of China.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
  • Hotels: Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel, Fairmont Beijing Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Big Goose PagodaBig Goose Pagoda

Travel back in time to visit the Old Beijing. Cross the Tiananmen Square to the see the portrait of Chairman Mao and then walk into the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, converted from the perfectly-preserved Ming and Qing Imperial Palace. Get to know its history and admire the beautiful architecture and cultural treasures. Your guide will also lead you to climb Jingshan Hill for a full view of Forbidden City.

Take a rickshaw ride through hutongs to experience traditional Beijing culture. For in the know travelers, the maze of hutongs is where to explore the real Beijing. Each of the hutong alleys has its own legendary stories.

Savor Beijing Roast Duck for dinner (optional).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Forbidden CityForbidden City

Wonder at the Mutianyu Section of Great Wall, which is one of the best-kept parts, relatively easy to hike and free of crowds. It is an ancient miracle in world architecture history and one of the human heritages. When standing on the mountaintop Great Wall, you can also take in the magnificent landscape of Northern China.

On the way back to downtown Beijing, walk into the Beijing Olympic Park and marvel at the architectures of Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Watch a wonderful show of Shaolin Kung Fu or Peking Opera (optional).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Great WallGreat Wall

The altars for rulers of Ming and Qing Dynasty to pray for a prosperous year, Temple of Heaven is the most spectacular religious building in China and the finest example of Ming Architecture. Practice Tai Chi with the instruction of a master at the sacred Temple of Heaven. If it is a weekend, you can also explore the Panjiayuan Weekend Market, where various antiques and handicrafts are for sale.

Enjoy hours in Summer Palace, including a relaxing boat cruise. The garden for Qing Dynasty royal family to cool off in summer, Summer Palace is the best classic Chinese garden, incorporating Wanshou Hill, Kunming Lake and exquisitely-designed architectural complex.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Summer Palace with Dragon Boat CruiseSummer Palace with Dragon Boat Cruise

Meet your private guide and driver at hotel for a transfer to the airport. China Culture Tour service ends.

  • Meals: Breakfast,
Great WallGreat Wall

Price Includes

  • In-country transportationas noted in the itinerary.
  • Admission fees and activity expenses as noted in the itinerary.
  • Luxury or boutique hotels centrally located.
  • Meals in local restaurants as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water.
  • Your own English-speaking guide service.
  • Your own chauffeur and vehicle service.

Price Excludes

  • International transportation.
  • Chinese tourist visa. (which enquired for most foreign passport holders)
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Meals, snacks, alcohol, etc. apart from those included in the itinerary.
  • Excess baggage charges.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Sights, excursions and activities not included in the itinerary.
  • Gratuities to guide and driver.

ANY QUESTIONS?

This tour is tailor-made and we can tailor to meet your reqeusts. Your personal travel consultant will contact you within 24 working hours!

FABULOUS TOUR COMPANY

CHINA OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2019 We researched several companies and studied reviews on Trip Adviser before contacting who did a very China Culture Tour with an initial query. Right from the outset Grace who owns the company was excellent. She emailed detailed with pictures information and a suggested…read more details

Karen from US

Ready to Create a Unique Dream Travel?

Create My Vacation