China

Itineraries

These are some of the most loved and popular itineraries suggested by our team of discoverers. Find what you love, or make your own way with a custom travel plan.

Day 1: Shanghai

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Shanghai, China’s largest and most dynamic city.

Day 2: Shanghai

A full day tour begins with the Yu Garden (UNESCO). Owing to its ingenious design in Ming and Qing dynasties, it becomes a real museum of Chinese ancient architecture. Walk around the Old Downtown with its maze of walkways, reflecting ponds, pavilions and stone bridges.
Then head to the Jade Buddha Temple that is famous for two precious jade Buddhist statues.
Continue to visit the Shanghai Museum, with its 120,000 piece collection of Chinese ancient treasures.
A short stop at the local gift shop en route.
Wander through the bustling Bund, featuring outstanding European colonial architectures, new skyscrapers and historical buildings in Shanghai.

Ideas for leisure time:

  • Acrobatic Shows in Shanghai are known as the best in China. You can never imagine how exciting the show is.
  • Take a Huangpu River Night Cruise which is the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous night view of Shanghai.

Day 3: Shanghai – Guilin (by air)

This morning transfer to take a flight to Guilin, which is said to be “the best scenery under heaven” for its unique karst limestone along the Li River, creating the picturesque beauty.
On arrival, meet your guide and take a visit to Fubo Hill, a perfect spot to explore the limestone karst landscape in Guilin.

Ideas for leisure time:

  • If time permits, you should not miss a boat tour of Two Rivers and the Four Lakes. The boat is available for whole day, but the best time to go is definitely during the evening. Smooth surface of quiet water reflects the lights of the Solar and Lunar Towers.

Day 4: Guilin – Yangshuo (by automobile)

In the morning, take a car ride to Yangshuo and take a bamboo rafting on Yulong River. Why not the Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo? To avoid the noise and crowd of electric boat, we truly recommend the relaxing bamboo rafting at Yangshuo. One small raft with a boatman could take two people. Sitting in a chair on the raft and floating down the Yulong River, you will be impressed by the amazing natural beauty in the countryside.
After lunch, enjoy your free time in Yangshuo.
In the late afternoon, take a short visit to a pearl factory and drive back to Guilin.

Ideas for leisure time in Yangshuo:

  • Yangshuo County is dotted with rolling hills, bamboo forests and local villages. Taking an optional tour with your guide and explore this scenic countryside is not a bad choice.
  • Join in a 3-hour Chinese Cuisine Cookery Class. It is a great chance to learn a course of Chinese dish from local people. Your friends and family will be amazed when you make them Chinese dishes at the party.

Day 5: Guilin – Xi’an (by air)

This morning transfer to take a flight to Xi’an, which was the ancient capital for 11 dynasties and was east end of the Silk Road. On arrival, meet your guide and visit the Ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest walls in China and still compasses the center of Xi’an.

Day 6: Xi’an

Today’s excursion will take you to the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (UNESCO), one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. More than 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots silently guarded the tomb of China’s First Emperor for over 2,200 years. A short stop at the ceramics & pottery workshop en route. Then head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark. This seven-story pagoda was initially constructed in 652 AD, and a larger team of scholars was organized here for translation of the Buddhist sutras brought back from India and it became a holy place for pilgrimages.

Ideas for leisure time: Enjoy a tasteful Dumpling Banquet followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Show.
Good to know: If you have an extra day in Xi’an, you could explore the Mount Hua and get impressed of its unique natural beauty. Or to take a day trip to Luoyang by bullet train and visit the Longmen Grottoes, one of the Three Most Famous Buddhist Grottoes in China.

Day 7: Xi’an – Beijing (by bullet train)

Today, transfer to take a bullet train to Beijing (about 5.5 hours), China’s historic and vibrant capital city.
Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the Summer Palace (UNESCO), the largest imperial garden in the world.

Day 8: Beijing

In the morning, pay a visit to the Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place.
Then walk into the Forbidden City (UNESCO), where the 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards and private quarters.
Visit a silk gift shop en route.
After the lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where ancient Chinese emperors would make sacrifices to Heaven and pray for good harvests.

Ideas for leisure time: If you are interested in Chinese Kung Fu, the Legend of Kung Fu is a good choice for tonight. It is stunning Kung Fu show with a great story line and martial arts skills.

Day 9: Beijing

Today setting out to the China’s most renowned monument – Great Wall(UNESCO) which is the most spectacular structures ever built by humans and as the only one visible from space.
Take a stop at a cloisonné workshop en route.
After lunch, visit the Lama Temple. Initially built as a prince residence in 1694 and later transformed into a royal resort palace, the temple finally became the Tibetan Buddhist temple as we know today, which has the largest sandalwood Buddha in the world.

Ideas for leisure time:

  • Enjoy the Peking Duck dinner at time-honored restaurant – Quanjude or Bianyifang. The duck is characteristic with its crispy skin, tender meat and the fragrance from the fruit-wood.
  • Watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater or Tiandi Theater.

Day 10: Beijing

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight.

 

Please note that the above itinerary only covers a few highlights. Discoveries Worldwide specialises in tailor-made itineraries and can assist with any requirements or interests.