Your tour - at a glance
Day 1~4 Arrival & Beijing Tour
Two full days and a half day sightseeing covering the grand Tiananmen Square, historical Forbidden City, spectacular Temple of Heaven, manmade wonder Great Wall of China, royal park Summer Palace, traditional Hutong, etc.
Day 5~6 Xian Tour & Flight to Guilin
One full day to visit the incredible Terracotta Warriors, leisurely bike on the Ancient City Wall and explore the snack street - Muslim Quarter. Before leaving for Guilin, go to visit a local family and have lunch.
Day 7~8 Guilin Tour & Flight to Shanghai
One full day and a half day to explore Guilin and Yangshuo, take 4-hour Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, then wander along West Street, go biking outside of Yangshuo Town to enjoy countryside scenery. Then take a flight to Shanghai.
Day 9~10 Shanghai Tour & Departure
Experience the great contrast of Shanghai by visiting the traditional Yu Garden, modern and prosperous Shanghai World Financial Center, Nanjing Road and the Bund, etc. And take an interesting family trip to beautiful Zhujiajiao Water Town.
Full Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Ni Hao, welcome to Beijing, the iconic city as well as the capital of China!
You will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Day 2 Beijing ( B,L )
After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern side of the square was the site where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s five most important palaces – the Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Pass through various doorways in this magnificent structure to admire the beautiful and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow-glazed tile roofs, white marble bases and splendid colorful paintings.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor.
Family-friendly activities: 1) leisurely boating on the Kunming Lake of Summer Palace; 2) watching a Chinese Kungfu Show to get a sip of Chinese martial art culture in the evening.
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Linda's family visited the Forbidden City with China Disocvery
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Tiananmen Square Family Tour with China Discovery
Day 3 Beijing ( B,L,D )
After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Great Wall. It is once in a lifetime trip to visit this man-made wonder with your family. Beijing has the best masterpieces of all sections of Great Wall, such as the Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai, Jiankouk, etc. The less-crowded Mutianyu, a well-preserved segment of Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty, lives up to all of your nice expectation. Take cable car to set your feet on Great Wall. Then you can take some leisure walking, climb up the rising towers to enjoy scenic views as the wall wriggling along mountain ridges, and take some family-memory photos with the Great Wall. The Toboggan ride from the Mutianyu Great Wall is very popular with both adults and kids. It is an exciting and safe ride from the upper location of Great Wall to the lower place. After the Great Wall visit, drive back to the city for a good rest.
Family-friendly activities: 1) enjoying a leisure walking on the beautiful Mutianyu Great Wall with your family; 2) treat yourselves a great dinner to taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude Restaurant in the downtown Beijing.
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Tiffany's family hiked on the Mutianyu Great Wall
Day 4 Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian ( B,L )
After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.
Then, get back to central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing. Here in the Hutong, an interesting Chinese Calligraphy Course will be offered for your family to experience this magnificent Chinese traditional art which has lasted for more than thousands of years.
Till now, your Beijing tour is about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for your high speed train to Xian (about 5 hours). Be pick up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station, and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.
Family-friendly activities: 1) taking an interesting rickshaw tour in the traditional old alleys of Beijing Hutongs; 2) experiencing an interesting Chinese Calligraphy Course.
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Carsha's group from USA experience Hutong Richshaw in Beijing in September 2019
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Rebeca's group from Mexico visited the Temple of Heaven
Day 5 Xian ( B,L )
After breakfast, drive about 40km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.
After lunch, return back to Xian to take a wonderful biking on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian while you leisurely examine this well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circuit of nearly 14 kilometers. This visit is followed by a relaxing wander around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.
Family-friendly activities: 1) tasting local Xian snacks at Muslim Quarter; 2) enjoying a relaxing biking on the Ancient City Wall.
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Our customer Heather's family visited Terracotta Warriros in Xian
Day 6 Xian & Flight to Guilin ( B,L )
After breakfast, start today's tour with an educational visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum to learn a lot about the history and culture about the ancient city of Xi’an. They are together located in a clean and beautiful park.
Next, you will be taken to the home of local family to check out what is the daily living of a traditional Chinese Family. You will also be taught to make Chinese dumplings under the friendly instruction of the host. Enjoy the unique Dumpling Banquet and delicious Chinese food.
The rest of today is free for you until get escorted to catch flight to Guilin (about 2hrs), the darling of tourists. You will be welcomed by local tour guide at airport, then be escorted to your hotel in Guilin City. The rest of today is at your leisure to have fun.
Family-friendly activity: visit a local family and learn to make Chinese dumplings.
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Enjoying Making Chinese Dumplings in a Local Family
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Xian Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 7 Guilin-Yangshuo
As the declaration in Chinese textbook "Guilin’s landscape is the best under heaven", today you will explore this best landscape starting with a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the Li River from Mopanshan Pier to Yangshuo Town. Along the 84-kilometer cruise, dazzling scenery overwhelms your eyes like a vast endless Chinese painting of winding river, green limestone karst mountains, fascinating countryside views.
After about 4 hours’ cruise, disembark in Yangshuo Town, and check in your hotel. Take a short break, throw yourself into the stunning countryside views and relaxed atmosphere. Be enthralled by the patches of paddy fields nestling under green hills and near the mirror-like river, with farmers cultivating the soil with their water buffalos.
This evening is for you to walk leisurely on the ancient West Street to witness how the western culture and Chinese culture perfectly and peacefully coexist here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of drink in bar, taste some local food, or just experience the relaxing atmosphere, you get it here.
Family-friendly activity: cruise leisurely along the picturesque Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo Town.
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Li River Scenery, Taken by Our Customer Santos from Canada in September, 2018
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Li River View at Xianggong Hill, Taken by Mona from Germany in November, 2021
Day 8 Yangshuo - Guilin ( B,L )
In the morning, you will go to explore beautiful countryside views of Yangshuo - serene pastoral view, fantastic limestone mountains, peaceful farming villages, and roaming water buffaloes...Firstly take an enjoyable biking to the delicate Moon Hill, and climb 20 minutes up to the top to get the breathtaking view of the limestone peaks, farmland, etc. Then keep cycling along the beautiful Yulong River all the way upstream to Jiuxian Village from where you may see some traditional Chinese building. Lastly, you will be taken to visit a local family's home. The rest time is free at your leisure until your tour guide escorts you back to Guilin City.
Family-friendly activities: 1) biking to enjoy the pleasant countryside sceneries of Yangshuo Town; 2) visiting a local family's home in Yangshuo Countryside.
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Josh's Group from USA Enjoyed Cycling along Yangshuo Yulong River in July, 2023
Day 9 Guilin & Flight to Shanghai ( B )
After breakfast, transfer to make a visit to the symbol of Guilin landscape - Elephant Trunk Hill. A giant rock hill vividly shapes like an elephant which is drinking water. Besides, there are many historical sites here for you to explore, such as stone carving, Buddhist temple, relic exhibition, etc. Then, drive about 7 kilometers to next attraction - Reed Flute Cave, a majestic underground palace with sparkling different colors. The magical Mother Nature condenses millions years of natural efforts to form the incredible stalactite, stalagmite, stone shield and stone waterfall of different sizes and shapes.
Lastly, your tour guide will take you to airport to catch your flight to Shanghai, the most flourishing metropolis in China. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be escorted by local tour guide to check in your downtown hotel. The rest of today is free for you to explore this cosmopolitan.
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Reed Flute Cave
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Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 10 Shanghai ( B,L )
You will take a full day of sightseeing to explore both the past and present of Shanghai. The first stop is the interesting Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan. This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Next, you will drive several kilometers to enjoy a panoramic view of the modern face of Shanghai from the 100th floor (474m) of “the Eye of Shanghai” Shanghai World Financial Center.
You will then be transferred to another popular landmark of Shanghai, Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise as well as a great place to take a wonderful walk to experience the modern atmosphere of the City. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund, originally a simple towpath for transporting goods but now transformed into a feverish trading district. You will stroll along the Bund, seeing and feeling the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time taking in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes!
Optional activities: take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).
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Our Guests visited Yu Garden and Bazaar in 2017
Day 11 Zhujiajiao Water Town & Shanghai Departure ( B,L )
After breakfast, an hour’s drive will take you away from the city’s hustle and bustle and you’ll visit Zhujiajiao Water Town which is known as the “Venice of Shanghai”.
Zhujiajiao has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. You’ll stroll along Hundred-year-old North Street, take some awesome pictures on the Fangsheng Bridge, have a panoramic view of Zhujiao by climbing up to Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, enjoy some leisure time cruising along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges which are filled with classic architectural style in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 AD - 1911 AD).
After the water town tour, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport, railway station or port to catch your flight/train/ship to your next destination or home. Tour ends.
Family-friendly activity: 1) enjoy a leisure cruise on the canals in the Zhujiajiao Water Town.
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Boats in Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shot by Our Guest Gaye from Australia
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Visa Notice for Traveling to China
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on December 18, 2024:
1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 38 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, Malaysia, South Korea, Brunei, and Japan are included. This policy is valid till December 31, 2025. Read more »
2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 54 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free. Read more »
3. Countries with a mutual visa exemption agreement with China include several European nations, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Malta, San Marino, Serbia, and Seychelles. From North America, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, and Barbados are listed. Several Caribbean nations are also included, such as Dominica, Grenada, and Solomon Islands. Oceania is represented by Fiji, Suriname, and Tonga. In South America, countries like Ecuador, Mauritius.
4. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
5. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
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Practical Info about Traveling with Us
Restaurant & Food
Vegetarian food Requirement
Vegetarian food in Chinese cuisine culture is usually divided into 3 categories: the Monastery
Vegetarian
Food, the Court Vegetarian Food and the Folk Vegetarian Food. And the main ingredients are:
soybean,
taro powder, mushrooms, fresh vegetables and tofu (bean curd). It will be easier to find the
vegetarian
restaurants in big cities of china, such as: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, HK, etc.
If allergic to some food
We suggest you to list any food or ingredients that you are allergic to and let our travel
consultant
know. Then your travel consultant will mark them in the guide’s itinerary, so that our guides
in
different cities can make some preparations and arrangements in advance.
Do our guide and driver join the meal with us?
The tour guides and driver will be at the same restaurants with you, but they will only join the
meal
when you invite. Sometimes the drivers are shy to join as they usually eat fast and could not
understand
English talk around the table, so the guide will be with you more often.
Will we be able to try some local foods during our visit?
Yes, you will. There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private
guide
will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants, if you
are
interested in local food tasting. But remember, some local snacks may not match your stomach,
so
ask your guided for more information before eating.
Shopping
What to buy in China?
In China, there are myriads of souvenirs for visitors, and each city has its own specialty.
How to bargain?
Bargains are not acceptable in big supermarkets and department stores. But in some night markets
or tourist
shops, you can bargain for a lower price, since the vendors always ask for very high price for
a
certain item. You’d better ask the opinion of the guide first, and then the guide will tell you
the
real value and quality of the item. Please note that when the bargain is processing, the guide
will
be hesitate to help as it may annoy the bosses. Just try to let the guides know you will
bargain
in advance.
What to do with persistent vendors?
If you do not need something from them, just do not ask for price. Some of the venders are very
persisted,
and if they keep selling things to you, you can simply say “No, thanks.” (Chinese
pronunciation:
”Bu, XieXie”). If they do not give up, you just keep silence. Silence is sometimes useful to
handle
this situation.
Private tour features
- 1. Private guide, driver and vehicle are for your exclusive use; no matter you are
individually,
or in a family or friends group. The tour is run exclusively for you without strangers.
- 2. Every itinerary can be customized to meet your specific interests/ wishes, that is, you
can choose
your favored hotels, sightseeing spots, the tour length, means of transportation, budget,
etc.
All are free of charge.
- 3. Start the tour on any date you want.
- 4. Escort you through the whole tour. All private transfers during the tour are offered,
including
airport/train station transfer, hotel-attractions round trip transfer.
- 5. The sightseeing during the tour could be based on your own timetable and pace. Flexible
to change
at your short notice.
- 6. Ideal for people who need considerate care and assistance, such as elderly, the
disabled, families
with small children.
Emergency calls
Call your guide, or if you can’t find your guide, call your travel consultant or our office
immediately.
All the phone numbers include in our confirmation letter. Keep the letter with your during your
trip.