Totally China & Guilin - 11 days Tour by On The Go Tours

11 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

18 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Starts

Beijing, China

Ends

Shanghai, China

Highlights

Beijing - Discover the Forbidden City’s Treasury Gallery, home to imperial artefacts including the Pearl-Inlaid Gold Tower

Great Wall - Explore the scenic Mutianyu section by cable car and celebrate with a toast at the summit

Temple of Heaven - Visit this grand ceremonial site where emperors prayed for abundant harvests

Panda Hall - Encounter giant pandas during their lively morning feeding at Beijing Zoo

Xi’an - Experience the extraordinary Terracotta Army and view rare artefacts in the exhibition hall

City Wall - Cycle or walk atop Xi’an’s ancient fortifications for panoramic views of the city

Reed Flute Cave - Marvel at Guilin’s colourful limestone formations in this atmospheric cavern

Yangshuo - Cruise the Li River and meet a local family to gain insight into rural Chinese life

Shanghai - Stroll the Bund and cruise the Huangpu River for views of Shanghai’s contrasting skyline

City Wall - Cycle or walk atop Xi’an’s ancient fortifications for panoramic views of the city

Reed Flute Cave - Marvel at Guilin’s colourful limestone formations in this atmospheric cavern

Yangshuo - Cruise the Li River and meet a local family to gain insight into rural Chinese life

Shanghai - Stroll the Bund and cruise the Huangpu River for views of Shanghai’s contrasting skyline

Itinerary

Discover China on this 11-day tour from Beijing to Shanghai, packed with iconic sights and cultural highlights. Explore the Forbidden City, walk along the Great Wall, and visit the historic Hutongs of Beijing. In Xi’an, admire the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army and ancient city walls. Cruise the scenic Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing picturesque villages and karst landscapes. The journey concludes in dynamic Shanghai, where elegant gardens, lively markets and a glittering skyline await. A rich blend of history, scenery and culture.

day 1 - Arrival in Beijing!

Upon arriving at Beijing Airport, you will be greeted outside customs by your guide. From there, our driver will take you to our hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and unwind.

OverNight:Beijing

day 2 - Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & Acrobatic Show

This morning, at 08:30 AM, we will meet our guide in the hotel lobby for a 30-minute tour briefing before beginning a 2-3 hour guided tour at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban square and a significant site for national ceremonies, surrounded by historic landmarks. From there, we will stroll to the Forbidden City, once the political and imperial center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911). With our expert guide, we will efficiently explore key areas and visit the specially included Treasury Gallery, which houses priceless imperial treasures such as the remarkable 1.29m-tall Pearl-Inlaid Gold Tower, crafted from 85 kilograms of gold and decorated with hundreds of pearls and gemstones. Our guide will also share fascinating stories from the palace’s history, including accounts of abandoned wells after court intrigue led to maids and eunuchs being thrown into them, forcing the imperial household to fetch water from a mountain over 20 kilometers away.

Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, offering an opportunity to sample authentic Chinese cuisine, including the world-renowned Peking Roast Duck. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, an iconic ceremonial site where Ming and Qing emperors once worshipped Heaven in prayers for a good harvest. To conclude the day, we will attend a spectacular acrobatic performance at the Red Theater, showcasing incredible feats of skill and artistry.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Beijing

day 3 - Great Wall, Olympic Stadium & Hutong Experience

Today, we will experience the wonder of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, one of its best-preserved and most scenic sections. A round-trip cable car ride is included, allowing ample time to explore the Wall comfortably while enjoying breathtaking views as it winds across the rugged landscape. To commemorate the visit, we will celebrate with a group toast of red wine after our walk along the Wall.

On our return journey to Beijing this afternoon, we will pass by the Bird’s Nest, the iconic National Stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games, where we will stop for a photo opportunity to admire its striking and award-winning architecture up close.

Later, we will take a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic Hutongs, a maze of narrow lanes lined with traditional courtyard residences known as Siheyuan. This 40-minute ride offers a glimpse into old Beijing life and concludes with a visit to a local family’s Siheyuan, providing an authentic experience of this distinctive way of living. Afterward, we will return to our hotel, where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Beijing

day 4 - Pandas, Summer Palace & Flight to Xi’an

Beijing - Xi'an. After breakfast, we will set out for the Panda Hall at Beijing Zoo, offering a special chance to see China’s treasured giant pandas. We will arrive early to catch them at their liveliest, as they busily graze and eat bamboo. An adult panda consumes an astonishing 23 to 40 kilograms each day to meet its nutritional needs.

We will then continue to the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, where elegant landscapes and grand historical structures await. If visiting in early July, the lotus flowers in bloom will add an extra charm to the scenery.

Following lunch with local specialities, we will say farewell to Beijing. Your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. On arrival, a Xi’an guide will meet you and transfer you to your central hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure after checking in.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Xi'an

day 5 - Terracotta Army, Pagoda & Tang Dynasty Evening

This morning, we will visit the extraordinary Terracotta Army, created as funerary guardians for Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 to 210 BC), founder of the Qin Empire. We will view the vast ranks of life-sized warriors in their original pits and explore a new exhibition hall showcasing 230 carefully preserved artefacts, including intricately sculpted animals and vividly painted pottery and bronze. Our guide will help us uncover the grandeur and enduring mystery of this ancient empire.

After visiting the Terracotta Army, we will visit the home of Yang Zhifa, the farmer who discovered the first warrior in 1974, where you can hear his story, see the original hoe and cart he used, and view a full-size replica. If Mr Yang is present, you may also have a chance to meet him and take photos. We will then continue to a terracotta warrior workshop, where an artisan will demonstrate the traditional crafting process before guiding you as you make your own miniature warrior to keep as a souvenir.

After, we will make our way to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD) to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India. The surrounding Da Ci’en Temple offers not only a strong Buddhist atmosphere but also fascinating imperial history, as it was built by Emperor Li Zhi in gratitude to his father and in memory of his late mother. In the evening, we will enjoy a dumpling dinner followed by the renowned Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. After the performance, we will return to our hotel.

Please note: As the theatre is usually closed in January, February, March and December, the show and dumpling dinner will not be included for tours during these months.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Xi'an

day 6 - City Walls, Muslim Quarter & Shaanxi History Museum

Today, we will make our way to the City Wall Park, where we can observe locals enjoying their morning activities such as singing, dancing, playing music, and chess, and you’re welcome to join in if you wish. You can also take part in a traditional Tai Chi class, a graceful practice that combines slow flowing movements to promote both physical and mental well-being.

After that, you will visit the City Wall, the best-preserved urban fortification in China, dating back to the 1300s. You can walk or cycle along the top of this ancient structure, an experience many find unforgettable.

We will then have lunch at a popular restaurant in the bustling Muslim Quarter, a lively bazaar known for its street food and atmosphere. Alongside a variety of traditional dishes, you can savour local treats such as sweet steamed rice, green bean cake, persimmon cake, and rice cake

We will then head deeper into the lively district to explore the Great Mosque, a serene complex blending Islamic worship spaces with classical Chinese garden design. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Shaanxi History Museum, home to an extensive collection of artefacts that showcase Xi’an’s role as capital of thirteen dynasties.

Please note: that the bike rental fee will be at your own expense for cycling the City Qall. If the museum is closed, we will instead visit the renowned Forest of Stone Steles Museum.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Xi'an

day 7 - Flight to Guilin & Reed Flute Cave Visit

After breakfast, our guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, your local guide will greet you at Guilin Airport, and a driver will transfer you to your hotel. Once you've checked in, we will enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour. We will visit the mesmerising Reed Flute Cave, known for its stunning limestone formations, and explore the picturesque Elephant Trunk Hill. As the day comes to a close, we'll return to our hotel.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Guilin

day 8 - Journey to Yangshuo

Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin. This morning, we set off on a leisurely cruise along the Li River, a journey of about 4.5 hours from Guilin to Yangshuo. This route, often called ‘A Hundred Mile Gallery’, showcases some of the most striking scenery in the region. As we glide along, you’ll have plenty of time to take in the serene landscapes and let go of everyday worries.

Upon reaching Yangshuo, you will step ashore and enjoy some time exploring the lively West Street, where you can wander among local shops and soak up the unique atmosphere. From there, we continue our day with a drive into the picturesque countryside that surrounds Yangshuo.

During our time in the countryside, we’ll stop for a special visit to a local family’s home. Here we discover scenes reminiscent of an older, simpler China: a courtyard shaded by moss, a kitchen where meals are still prepared over a wood fire, and rooms decorated with antique furnishings. The family will be happy to share their way of life and answer any questions you might have. Later, we make our way back to our hotel in Guilin.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Guilin

day 9 - Guilin to Shanghai

Today, we will make our way to Guilin Airport for our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. You have the rest of the day free to relax at your leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Shanghai

day 10 - Shanghai Highlights & Farewell Cruise

This morning, we will visit the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s finest museums, known for its exceptional collection of ancient art. We will then explore the elegant Yu Garden, with its charming Nine Zigzag Bridge and mid-lake pavilion. You will also have the chance to browse the nearby bazaar for souvenirs if you wish. Around noon, we will enjoy an à la carte farewell lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will stroll along the lively Bund where you will have free time to explore before taking a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River, offering views of Shanghai’s contrasting skyline, from historic riverside buildings to modern landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower. After the cruise, You will have some free time to explore the Bund. After, we will return to your hotel, you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Shanghai

day 11 - Departure from Shanghai

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time to further explore Shanghai, do some last-minute shopping, or relax before making your way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!

Meals:1 Breakfast

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour

What's Included

Accommodation

10 nights in 5 star hotelsTips or gratuities for hotel porters

Meals

10 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 1 dinner

Transport

Transportation in air-conditioned coachesAirport arrival transfer on day 13 domestic flights Beijing - Xi'an & Xian - Guilin & Guilin - Shanghai

Others

Services of local English-speaking guides for all included activities & sightseeingGuided sightseeing in Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, & ShanghaiNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Entrance

Entrance fees to included sights

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Why Book with Bookmundi

Earn USD 97+ in travel credits.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.66/5

Excellent based on 805 customer reviews from

Karen

Excellent booking process. Easy to do online - simple and straightforward plus the 1 query I did have was quicckly solved due to customer service being on hand to help

1 day ago

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

Hi there

Highlights