Northern and southern China end Hong Kong

Welcome to China! Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel. In the early evening, we’ll take a transfer to Wangfujing Street, a vibrant pedestrian avenue known for its lively atmosphere, numerous shops, and diverse restaurants. This will be a great opportunity to get acquainted with the city. Dinner will be included, followed by a return to the hotel.

An exciting day awaits us as we explore the highlights of Beijing, the vibrant capital of China. We’ll embark on a fullday tour, discovering some of the city´s most iconic avenues. Our journey will take us to the Great Chinese Imperial Palace, better known as the Forbidden City, the most majestic architectural complex in China, where 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. We’ll also visit Jingshan Park, home to Coal Hill, one of the bestpreserved imperial gardens in Beijing. From its summit, we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Forbidden City—weather permitting. Next, we’ll stroll through Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, from where we can admire the Great National Theater, also known as the Beijing Opera House. Lunch will be included. Our journey will continue with a visit to the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat of the Qing Dynasty, renowned for its picturesque gardens and serene lakes. In the afternoon, we’ll immerse ourselves in traditional Beijing life with a tricycle ride through the historic Hutong neighborhoods. Here, we’ll experience the city´s rich cultural heritage, explore traditional shops, and visit a Siheyuan, a classic courtyard house that reflects the city´s architectural charm. We’ll then return to the hotel for an overnight stay. Note: Due to heritage protection measures and visitor safety regulations, the governing body of the Forbidden City has temporarily reduced daily visitor capacity. As a result, we cannot guarantee this visit. If access is unavailable, we’ll instead explore the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple, both of which are emblematic sites in Chinese history and culture.

Today’s journey will take us to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world—the Great Wall of China, at the Mutianyu section. This aweinspiring architectural masterpiece spans over 2,000 years of history, winding through breathtaking mountain landscapes. We’ll take a cable car up and down to one of the most scenic sections, offering spectacular views of this legendary structure. On our way back to Beijing, we’ll visit the vibrant 798 Art District, a former military factory that has been transformed into a dynamic hub of contemporary art, filled with galleries, studios, and creative spaces. Our next stop will be the Temple of Heaven, one of China’s largest and most significant sacred complexes, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning architectural masterpiece was where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Before returning to the hotel, we’ll take a moment to unwind after this eventful day with a soothing foot massage, followed by a Tai Chi class—a perfect way to experience the balance and harmony of traditional Chinese culture. To bid farewell to Beijing, we’ll enjoy a lacquered duck dinner, a local culinary tradition that will leave a lasting impression.

After breakfast, we’ll head to the train station to board one of China’s stateoftheart highspeed trains. Traveling at 300 km/h, we’ll reach Taian in just two hours. This historic city lies at the foot of Mount Taishan, the most sacred mountain in China and a revered site of spiritual pilgrimage for centuries. Our first stop will be the Dai Temple, a magnificent Taoist complex dating back to the 11th century. This temple marks the starting point of the ancient pilgrimage route to the summit. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll take a cable car up to the legendary “Gates of Heaven” on Mount Taishan. The final ascent must be made on foot, climbing its steep staircase alongside hundreds of devoted pilgrims, an experience filled with history and spiritual significance. As the day comes to an end, we’ll continue our journey by bus to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius.

Today, we’ll explore Qufu, the city of Confucius, the great philosopher of the 5th century B. C. and the founder of Confucianism. Our visit includes the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Temple, two remarkable sites that offer insight into his legacy and influence on Chinese culture. We’ll then continue our journey to Xuzhou. Lunch will be included. In Xuzhou, we’ll visit the impressive underground Mausoleum of the Han Emperor, a fascinating archaeological site. Inside the museum, we’ll marvel at the terracotta army—a remarkable discovery reminiscent of the famous warriors in Xi’an, though on a smaller scale. Before reaching our hotel, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive past Lake Yunlong, a beautiful body of water located in the heart of the city. Overnight stay in Xuzhou.

We’ll depart from Xuzhou early in the morning, making our way to Nanjing, a vibrant city of eight million residents, often regarded as one of the most pleasant in China. We’ll arrive around 12:30 p. m. , just in time to experience the energy of this dynamic metropolis, known for its bustling commercial life and rich history. Our visit will take us to Purple Mountain, home to the impressive Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, a grand tribute to the founding father of modern China. We’ll also explore the picturesque Linggu Temple, a serene and historically significant Buddhist site nestled among lush landscapes. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Nanjing.

We’ll depart for Suzhou, a city renowned for its exquisite classical gardens, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historically, Suzhou was the world’s leading silk producer and has long been associated with beauty and elegance. Our visit includes entrance to the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the largest and most famous garden in the city, where winding pathways, tranquil ponds, and lush greenery create a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscaping. You’ll then have free time to explore the charming Pingjiang Road, a picturesque historic street lined with canals, traditional teahouses, and artisan shops. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Tongli, a delightful water town where narrow canals, stone bridges, and traditional houses evoke the charm of ancient China. We’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride through its tranquil waterways, offering a glimpse into the town’s timeless beauty. Our journey will then take us to Shanghai, where we’ll check in for the night.

Our tour of Shanghai will take us through its most iconic sights. We´ll begin in Pudong, Shanghai’s modern financial district, located across the Huangpu River. This area is home to towering skyscrapers, including the iconic Pearl Tower. We’ll then take a scenic ferry ride across the Shanghai River, offering spectacular views of both the historic and contemporary sides of the city. Next, we’ll stroll through the Old City and visit the serene Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved private garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Here, we’ll also experience a traditional tea ceremony, an integral part of China’s rich cultural heritage. Our tour will continue through Xintiandi, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its stylish boutiques, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll explore Tianzifang, a former residential district now famous for its mazelike alleys, charming craft shops, and contemporary art galleries. We’ll conclude our day with a walk along The Bund, where grand colonialera buildings reflect the influence of European trade in Shanghai. Free afternoon. If you wish, you can enjoy a boat trip to see Shanghai at night, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Transfer to the train station to board a highspeed train (scheduled departure at 07:17 a. m. ). In just over five hours, we’ll travel 1,000 km through picturesque landscapes, passing through beautiful stretches of countryside before arriving in Luoyang. Lunch will be included. Our visit will begin at the aweinspiring Longmen Buddhist Caves, an extraordinary complex stretching over a kilometer along the rocky cliffs of the river. Here, more than 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings have been sculpted into the stone, creating one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this site, we’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river. Afterward, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Luoyang, where we’ll pass through its imposing walls and immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of its illuminated streets, filled with traditional charm and vibrant local activity.

In the early morning, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we’ll visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a vast and historic center of Buddhist learning that welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world. We’ll then continue our journey to Sanmenxia, a city rich in history. Here, we’ll admire the mighty Yellow River and visit the Baolun Temple, known for its striking tall pagoda. We’ll also explore the renowned Guo Museum, considered one of the finest in China, where we’ll see the ancient funeral carriages of the former State of Guo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past. Lunch will be included. Our journey eastward will take us past the sacred Mount Hua, one of China’s holiest mountains, known for its dramatic peaks and spiritual significance. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Xian, where our day will come to an end.

We have arrived in Xian, the fascinating city where the ancient Silk Road began. In the morning, we’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Army, an astonishing archaeological site where thousands of lifesized clay soldiers, hidden underground for centuries, stand guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor. Afterward, we’ll return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist structure that has stood for over a thousand years. Next, we’ll explore the city’s historic walled center, passing through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where we’ll visit the Great Mosque. This unique site reflects the rich blend of cultures and religions that have shaped China over the centuries. Our tour also includes entrance to the Drum Tower, where we’ll enjoy a short performance of traditional Chinese music played on ancient instruments. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

We leave Xian in a very modern highspeed train, and in just over three hours we cover the 700 km that separate us from CHENGDU. On arrival we will go to the Panda Bear research and breeding centre, a reserve where 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas live. Lunch included. In the afternoon we will take a stroll through the People´s Park, with its small lake, the local people doing Taichi, and its tea houses.

Today we include fullday tour of Sichuan Province, with its pleasant landscapes and traditional villages. In DUJIANGYAN we see the traditional irrigation system, which has been working for more than 2000 years and is a world heritage site. QUINGCHENG SHAN, “mountain of the green city” is a Taoist holy mountain. Its paths through the forests show us caves, pavilions and centuriesold wooden temples, lunch included. Finally, we will visit the ancient city of JIEZI with its alleys with over a thousand years of history. Return to CHENGDU.

We will travel by train, we get up early (our train leaves at 7. 38 hrs), and we have to do almost a thousand kilometres in just over five and a half hours amidst magnificent mountain scenery (picnic lunch on the train). On arrival in Congjiang, we are in a magnificent and unknown area of China inhabited by ethnic minorities. We see the BASHA MIAO Village in the forest, with its wooden houses. This is the only ethnic group authorised to carry firearms, as they were traditional bear hunters. We continue to ZHAOXING, the most important town of the Dong minority, a beautiful place with its more than 800 traditional homes; many say that it is the most beautiful town in China. Accommodation.

Today you will do one of the most beautiful and exciting stages of your trip. GUANGXIAO, among amazing villages of the Dong ethnic group with its beautiful wooden architecture, this charming town frozen in time is little visited by international tourism; we will see its suspension bridge, the drum tower and the opera house. We also stop at CHENGYANG, with its magnificent “wind and rain bridge”. Lunch included. In LONGSHENG we will go to the LONJI rice fields, a World Heritage Site. A small bus will take us to the viewpoints and you can walk down a sector along paths between rice paddies and wonderful scenery. After that we continue to GUILIN Arrival at the end of the afternoon

A full day in GUILIN, one of the most popular cities in China with a very pleasant atmosphere on the banks of its lake, next to the river Li, and with its busy shopping streets in the centre. We include a visit to the Cane Flutes Grotto, a magnificent cave in which there are numerous fantastically shaped stalactites and stalagmites lit up in beautiful colours, creating a spectacular world in the bowels of the earth. Afternoon free, we recommend you visit the Jingjiang Palace, the “miniature forbidden city”. Accommodation. Note: The order of visits in Guilin as well as the day of the Li River Cruise may be adjusted without altering the overall tiinerary.

We will leave Guilin by boat and take a cruise on the Li river. The countryside is spectacular with its green mountains, the villages on the banks, the amazing rocks and its mountain peaks in amazing shapes. Lunch included. We come to YANGSHUO, a very lively tourist city. A stroll before continuing through central China to the rural HUANGYAO; this ancient city is magnificently preserved with its small streets, old buildings, temples. The life and activity of its inhabitants will also take us to another time. Time for a stroll. We continue on our way to GUANGZHOU Arrival at the end of the day

Guangzhou, we include a twohour tour of this thriving metropolis of southern China; we will walk along Shangiaxju Street with its traditional market, see the House of the Chen Clan from the end of the 19th century and we will explore the riverside area. Free time and lunch included. In the afternoon we travel to ZHUHAI on the China Sea; we stop next to the impressive Opera House built on land reclaimed from the sea, opened in 2016 and whose impressive shape symbolises the sun and the moon. BORDER CROSSING and entry in MACAU, where we see the area of the casinos, many of which are in the same style as those in Las Vegas. Their activity is impressive. VERY IMPORTANT: If you return to mainland China on your trip after your stay in Macau and Hong Kong, you need a double entry visa.

MACAU. We include a tour of the city whose historic centre has been declared a World Heritage Site. Administered by the Portuguese from the 16th century until 1999, its history can be seen in its ancient churches, the tiles of the civil buildings, its fortress and the oldest lighthouse in China. Free time and lunch included. In the afternoon we take the impressive bridge that connects Hong Kong with Macao. This was opened at the end of 2018 and is an engineering feat with more than 30 kilometres of bridges over the China Sea, 6 kilometres of tunnel under the sea and artificial islands; we will stop at its tourist platform to admire this work. HONG KONG Arrival. After our accommodation, we will take the Star ferry, crossing Hong Kong bay by boat to enjoy a short walk to see the illuminated buildings from the other shore. Return to the area of our hotel. Dinner included. Accomodation. Note: If there are fewer than 12 people in the group, the trip from Macau to Hong Kong may be done by Shuttle bus.

After breakfast, we will visit the city to see the financial centre with its tall skyscrapers, and we will visit the History Museum that enlightens us on the history of the city (colonial period, World War, etc. ) the avenue of the Stars by the dock, which shows us the celebrities of the cinema industry. We will take the Star ferry across Hong Kong Bay and climb by bus up to Victoria Peak (552 m) with a view of the whole city. Return on Peak Tram. After our visit, free afternoon.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.