Discover China Tour: Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City & More ( 12 Days Tour)

Beijing – Arrival in the Forbidden City

Offload your bags and unwind from your flight in the luxury surroundings of your premium hotel. Unpack a good amount of your luggage, as you will be exploring the fascinating surroundings of the country’s capital for the next four nights.

You can make the decision whether to head out for the evening and get your first glimpse and taste of the bustling streets and its restaurants and bars or dine in your hotel if you are still feeling a little jetlagged. At your request, you will have reservations at some of the top restaurants in the city – whether it’s local Beijing cuisine or dishes that you’re more used to eating at home – your needs will be catered for.

You will want to get your head down on that pillow at a reasonable time to recharge those batteries for the following day’s wonderful private tour of the city. Consider reading some of our travelers' China travel reviews, and gain further inspiration to perfect your own China itinerary. 

What’s Included: airport transfer, accommodation

Beijing – Private Excursion to the Great Wall and Peking Opera Performance

The Great Wall of China: perhaps the most famous piece of man-made history in the world. Throughout today, you will have the opportunity to walk along the various sections of the magnificent structure while also soaking up the endless breathtaking views it has to offer. Begin at the Mutianyu section, the most restored part of the Wall, before moving onto one of the glorious forts: Juyongang.

Later in the evening, prepare to be dazzled as you head to the theater and witness the alluring and wonderful Peking Opera Performance. This glamorously unique show is cherished by the nation and dates back over 200 years. Sit back and let the performers astonish you in their traditional make-up and costume, with dancing, singing, acrobatics, and mime. Many of the stories told in the show relate to famous historical moments in ancient Chinese history, featuring emperors and generals.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, performance ticket, accommodation

Depart Beijing to Lijiang – Private Transfer to Airport and Flight

Unwind and reflect on your time in Beijing as you head south, to the city of Lijiang, in Yunnan Province. You will arrive at your luxury resort, with traditionally designed Chinese buildings amongst peaceful courtyards - situated at the foot of the mountains.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, accommodation

Lijiang – Mu’s Residence and Baisha Village

Begin the day visiting the magnificent Mu Residence – belonging to the Tusi (Tribal Leader) Mu - who ruled Naxi from 1271 until 1911. During the family’s ruling, their home was the hub of ancient Naxi’s financial prosperity, politics, and authority. Reconstructed in 1996, this wonderful palace provides a fascinating insight into how the family lived over generations. As you make your way through the residence, which covers eight acres of land, you will see gloriously decorated halls and pavilions, with the magnificent Shizi Mountain overlooking the establishment.

The afternoon will allow you the opportunity to get a real up-close insight into how the native Naxi people live today – as you visit the peaceful Baisha Village. Less commercialized than Lijiang Old Town, this village possesses a genuine feel, with a laid-back atmosphere created by the locals. You will catch a glimpse of famous murals - depicting the Buddha, plants, and animals, among others – dating back to 1644.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, accommodation

Hangzhou – Tour of Tea Plantation, Buddha Caves, Town and Cruise on West Lake Followed by Evening Impression West Lake Performance

Morning tea, anybody? Today you will begin with a visit to the tranquil Longjing Mountains of Hangzhou, where China’s most highly regarded green tea is produced. As you explore the wonderful Longjing Village, you will witness local workers collecting tea along the near 800 acres of flawless grassy terraces that look truly breathtaking in their mountainous surroundings. The mazy walk through the village will charm you as you pass picturesque teahouses and slender staircases into the plantations. You will even get the chance, if you wish, to stand alongside the locals and pick your own tea.

After sipping your hot beverage, you will make your way to the spectacular Peak Flown From Afar. This gigantic limestone structure is made up of caves and outstanding carvings featuring hundreds of statues of Buddha, incredibly dating back to 907 AD. The sheer history and beauty of the Peak Flown From Afar will leave you in awe long after you have finished this stage of the tour.

Continuing with the theme of history, but with an utterly contrasting experience, you will visit the Song Dynasty Town. This spectacular theme park fantastically recreates the culture of the Song Dynasty era with theatrical performances (acrobatics and dancing), traditional customs (including matchmaking proposals where women would throw a ball into a crowd of men, who fought to capture it and therefore wed the lady!), ancient activities (torch and water-splashing festivals) and much, much more.

To perfectly conclude the day, you will take a boat cruise down the quaint West Lake. As you venture along, the stunningly beautiful gardens, pagodas, and temples will absorb your eyes, while your ears will be massaged by the peaceful sound of water gently splashing the side of the boat. Shadows of the willow trees along the waterside become stretched, and the glow of the fish dim as the night sky descends before the enchanting Impression West Lake Show begins.

Witnessing the West Lake Show is the perfect parting gift from Hangzhou. The beauty of the lake and its magical surroundings, combined with the setting of the stage on the fringes of the crisp water, creates a magical experience. Dancers appear as if they are gliding and jumping on the lake as the delightful music and lights are in tandem with their every move. The beautiful love story unfolds as perfectly as the flowers that grace the backdrop of its setting; making a memorable end to your stay in this serene city.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation

Shanghai – Riverfront Bund, French Concession, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Art and Shopping Districts

Finish the tour in real style as you spend a day exploring the ins and outs of China’s largest and most populous city. Begin by strolling along The Bund, a glamorous promenade that stretches alongside the Huangpu River, boasting an abundance of stunning Western-style architecture. Glance across the river and you will see the world’s second-tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, with a backdrop of other magnificent skyscrapers.

Next, explore the stylishly renowned area that is the French Concession – where you may well believe you are, in fact, walking the streets of Paris. This extremely admired region is one of the most popular in the city among both natives and expats. Western-style houses, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants line the charming streets, which are hard not to fall in love with as you make your way around. There are historic buildings and neighborhoods featuring lavish mansions and villas – the most famous buildings have details displaying their intriguing history.

A visit to the Shanghai Museum of ancient Chinese art will leave you rubbing your eyes in disbelief as you stand meters away from unbelievably historic artifacts. This fascinating museum attracts visitors from all over the world, and possesses over one million objects. You will learn about the history of these captivating artifacts, which include sculptures, calligraphy, paintings, furniture and coins.

Stepping away from the modern buildings and shops, you will pay a visit to the luscious Yuyuan Garden. Originally built more than 400 years ago, it boasts stunning architecture and natural scenery that rivals most gardens in the Middle Kingdom. You will notice the walls are magnificently decorated with dragons as you make your way along the winding pathways.

Your trip to Shanghai will not be complete without visiting the city’s art and shopping districts. You will be inundated with a vast selection of shopping malls, open art studios and markets that are at your disposal. Whether you are looking to spend your time picking up some last-minute souvenirs, get a glimpse of the contemporary art scene or revel in the glitzy fashion retail areas - your needs will most certainly be catered for.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation