Get a taste of historical China on this culture-stuffed adventure. Travel from Shanghai to Beijing, taking in iconic attractions such as the Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World!) and the Terracotta Warriors along the way. In between the well-known sights, you'll delve beneath the surface, visit the ancient town and traditional garden in Wuxi City, snack through the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an and watch the sun setting on the Great Wall. In just eight days, you’ll have the perfect introduction to the highlights of China.
My trip to China was absolutely amazing! From the bustling streets of Beijing to the stunning landscape of Guilin, every moment was filled with incredible sights and experiences. The local guides were knowledgeable and friendly. It was a perfect mix of history, cutlure, and adventure.
Excellent!!The service delivered for our tour of China exceeded our expectations. We say that as we added additional days before and after the programmed tour. All the guides were excellent and oversaw all our check ins for hotels, flights and train journeys.
Book with us and get the chance to visit some of the major historic and natural sights of China during this 15-day private, guided tour. Learn more about the country's rich history, admire its spectacular scenery, and enjoy its diverse culture.
Starting from Beijing, this tour continues to Xi’an and Shanghai. See the highlights and spectacular monuments in each of these cities as you travel. Explore the Great Wall and visit the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square in the Chinese capital city. Dive deep into China's history in Xian, home to the more than 2,000 year old Terracotta Army and the ancient City Wall of Xian.
Contrast the antiquity of these monuments with the grand skyscrapers and modern outlook of Shanghai, one of the world's major financial centres. In between these destinations, you will also visit a water town in southern China, see a beautiful example of classic Chinese landscape gardening in Suzhou and discover the famous West Lake of Hangzhou.
Last but not the least, do not miss out on the experience of sailing down the Yangtze River and seeing the massive Three Gorges Dam. Enjoy your boat's luxurious amenities while taking in the sights along the majestic Yangtze. Also included in the tour price are bullet train and flight tickets. For more details, please scroll down to the itinerary below.
Discover the breathtaking countryside and rich cultural history of China's north on this 12-day trip bookended by the bright city lights of the country’s biggest hubs. From the dizzying heights of Huangshan, the Great Wall and waterfront Shanghai to the underground pits that hold thousands of Terracotta Warriors, this trip explores the diversity and significance of China. Go beyond the tourist trail, immersing yourself in the local ways of life, with hand-picked experiences to choose from and curated stays in small village guesthouses along the way. Northern China is a feast for the senses, especially your appetite.
Becky and the driver in Xian were great. We also had a positive experience with both drivers in Beijing and Luoyang. Overall, we are very pleased and enjoyed our tour experience.
I recently had the pleasure of touring Beijing with an amazing guide Steven and driver, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! From the moment we were picked up, everything was well-organized, smooth, and enjoyable. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. He shared fascinating insights about Beijing’s history and culture, making each site we visited even more meaningful. Their enthusiasm and storytelling brought places like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven to life. They also gave us great recommendations for local food and hidden gems, which made our trip even more special. The driver was equally fantastic—always punctual, professional, and courteous.
Navigating Beijing’s busy streets can be challenging, but our driver made it feel effortless. The vehicle was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, making our journey stress-free and enjoyable. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience, thanks to our guide and driver. I highly recommend their services to anyone visiting Beijing.
I like free and easy trips. But for some local detailed arrangements related to itinerary/activities in various countries, it can be rather challenging. My trip to Yangtze River cruise and travel between Chongqing and Yichang involved details that I am not familiar. Olivia helped me to do the booking, train ticketing, route planning etc. The trip was smooth going without any hiccups. Additional related information and continuous support by Olivia throughout my trips was excellent.
Tee from Singapore
Get ready to see the fabled Terracotta Warriors and know the history behind them in this private layover day tour.
Our local tour guide along with an experienced driver will pick you up from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport based on the flight details you have provided. Upon arrival at the customs exit, you will see the guide holding a sign with your name on it.
Enjoy a comfortable, 1-hour drive from the airport to the world famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. The museum was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world heritage sites. The tour guide will accompany you to all the three pits in the museum, which have been numbered 1, 2 and 3 according to the dates of their discovery, and give you a detailed explanation of this historical site.
After lunch, proceed to visit the ancient City Wall of Xian. The wall is not just the most complete, surviving city wall in the country, but is also considered to be one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
In case you are interested, we can arrange for you to go cycling on the wall. Walk your way down the lively, bustling Muslim Street, where you can taste some of the most delicious Xian food and snacks while experiencing the local culture. Also, you can take a leisurely stroll around the Bell & Drum Tower Square.
Afterwards, we will arrange for your transfer back to Xi’an airport to catch your departure flight, concluding the Essential Xian Layover Private Day Tour.
8:30: Pick-up
At the appointed time, meet your guide at the hotel lobby, who will get you on a luxury car to meet your fellow travelers and to our first destination.
Stop 1: Stele Forest 1.5h
Here, appreciate nationally-treasured ancient stone slabs carved with Chinese calligraphy and philosophies and listen to the story behind every stele. Your guide will also illustrate to you the architectural aesthetics, as the museum is housed in a carefully-designed temple that once worshiped Confucius.
Stop 2: Banpo Museum 2h
Then, let’s go far, far back to prehistoric China at Banpo Museum, which is based on the site of a typical matrilineal clan village from the Neolithic era of 6,000 years ago. There are also many potteries with the same motifs and with your guide’s explanation, you will see into the aesthetic taste and wild imagination of the Chinese ancestors.
Stop 3: Yongxingfang Food Street for Lunch Break 1.5h
At noon, we will take you to the Yongxingfang Food Street, literally “the lane of eternal prosperity”, and leave you a lunch break at your own expense.
Stop 4: Great Mosque 1.5h
We will then take a dip in the Muslim Bazaar and then escape the secular hustle and bustle to the Great Mosque. The mosque is not of the typical Islamic style you normally expect; instead, you will see a beautiful architectural complex reminiscent of classical traditional gardens with ornate carvings.
Last Stop: Bell Tower 1.5h
Go on to admire the Bell Tower that sits at the heart of Xian. As the Ming-era (1368 - 1644) heritage and the most magnificent of its kind in China, it radiates a pride among the modern landscape that beckons you to capture. We will also visit the interior and climb the tower to discover Chinese aesthetics through architectural details.
After the visit, you can either choose to be escorted back to your hotel or ask for insider advice from your guide on evening activities. Maybe linger awhile to see the Bell Tower lit all over in the evening. Take care!
Explore the ancient capitals of China on this 12-day tour. Arrive in Beijing, where you will see the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and more, and also spend a day visiting Mutianyu Great Wall. Discover the Longmen Grottoes and practice Kung-fun in Shaolin Temple. Uncover the ancient Silk Road on tour in Xi'an and spend an afternoon exploring the famous West Lake in Hangzhou by boat before wandering the streets of historical Shanghai. See the full itinerary for all the fabulous activities and sights offered on this trip.
We offer so many choices, choose a private tour or group adventure tour for this trip. Private trips can be booked for one to twenty travelers. Book a certain departure date, set your own pace, enjoy more one-on-one attention from the tour leader and if you would like, upgrade your hotels. This is a great idea for families, friends, company employees or social clubs as there is something for everybody. If you prefer group travel, you can choose from our most adventurous trips, with international groups traveling with participants of all ages from all over the world.
