7-Day Private China Highlights Tour: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai

Day 1: Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square-Forbidden City, Hutong (L)

1. Temple of Heaven
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Your tour guide and driver will pick you up in the lobby of your Beijing hotel, heading directly to Temple of Heaven
2. Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors in the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped the God of Heaven. Follow your tour guide to stroll around the park, in the morning you can see the local retired people doing all kinds of moving exercise. Feel free to join them if you want.
   
   Inside the Temple of heaven, you will visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, Hall of Imperial Zenith.
3. Echo Wall
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Walking via Danbi Bridge to Echo Wall and Circular Mount Alter.
4. Yuanqiutan
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Move on to Yuanqiutan. Learn how to talk with heaven, how the emperors worship the god of heaven in ancient time. Your tour guide will explain the related histories and stories along the way.
5. Tiananmen Square
   30m
   Next, heading to Tian'anmen Square- home to the Great Hall of the People, The Monument to the people's heroes, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall and Front Gate. Stroll around the square, and get to know the stories and histories about the buildings around the square.
6. The Palace Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Pass through the South Gate-Meridian Gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a 250-acre (101-ha.) complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions, and gardens that served as the imperial palace for emperors and their households for more than 500 years.
7. Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian)
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Stroll around the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden city with your tour guide, and learn the histories and stories about this massive palace. You will visit these buildings inside the Forbidden City. Hall of Great Harmony where the emperor handle states affairs. Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Compete Harmony.
8. Palace of Heavenly Purity
   Pass by
   Then continue to check out the living quarters in the palace: Hall of Union, Hall Heavenly Purity, and Hall of Earthly Tranquillity.
9. The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
   Pass by
   Your tour of the Forbidden city will end at the Imperial Garden, then you will exit the Forbidden city from the north Gate.
10. Shichahai Scenic Resort
    1h
    Move on to Shichahai area, enjoy lunch in the local restaurant , then enjoy a leisure walk around Yandai xie Street, Gulou East Street, and Nanluoguxiang Allay.
11. Nanluoguxiang
    Pass by
    Stroll around the shops and hutongs around Nanluoguxiang allay. After the tour finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing:Great Wall of China-Olympic Park-Summer Palace (B,L)

1. Mutianyu Great Wall
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your Beijing hotel, hop on your private air-conditioned vehicle, then Heading directly to Great Wall at Mutianyu Section. Your tour guide will explain the related histories and stories along the way, feel free to ask questions if you have.
   
   Upon arrival, follow your tour guide to take the cable car or ski lift up to the Great Wall, marvel at the surrounding area, hike up and down at different towers. You can decide how long you want to stay at the Great Wall.
2. Bird's Nest National Stadium
   1h
   Enjoy a delicious lunch in the local village restaurant. Here, you will sit with the village people, and enjoy the cuisine from Northeast of China.
   
   On the way back to city, you will drive pass by the Olympic park to get a glimpse of amazing modern stadiums built for 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
3. Summer Palace
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then, continue to the Summer Palace, a well-preserved royal garden that's renowned for its beautiful landscape and spectacular architecture, and is considered one of the most classical gardens in the world.
4. Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
   20m · Admission ticket included
   Learn the stories about Empress Cixi with your tour guide here and check out her living quarters.
5. Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
   Pass by
   Walk along the longest corridor in the world which listed on the Guinness book of world record;
6. Qingyan Stone Boat
   20m · Admission ticket included
   Then continue to the Marble Boat--a foreign style superstructure which was supposed to be a symbol of stability of the Qing Dynasty.
   
   After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Beijing

Day 3: Beijing - Xi'an-Big Goose Pagoda-City Wall-Muslim Quarter (B,L)

1. Pass by
   Your driver will pick you up from the lobby of your Beijing hotel, you will be transferred to airport for a 2 hour flight to Xi'an.
   
   Upon arrival, your local guide will hold your name sign waiting at the exit of the Arrival hall. Then heading directly to Xi'an city.
2. Xi'an City Wall
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Once arrive city, you will visit the Xi'an City Wall. Reach the top of the centuries-old city wall, admire views of the city below. Ride bike around the city wall if you want.
3. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Monk Xuanzang.
   
   Follow your tour guide to explore the area, get to know the history behind.
4. Muslim Quarter
   1h
   Afterwards, heading to Muslim Quarter, It is the hub of the Muslim community in Xi'an City, Follow your tour guide to stroll around the Muslim food and souvenir market. Try delicious local snacks if you want at your own cost.
   
   After the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Xi'an.

Day 4: Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Museum- Guilin (B,L)

1. The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Your tour guide will pick you up in the lobby of your Xi'an hotel, then Heading directly to Terracotta warriors museum. Your tour guide will explain the related histories and stories along the way, feel free to ask questions if you have.
   
   Start with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta warriors museum which known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”. The museum divided into three sections: No.1 Pit, No.2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit. The original site was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974 and now it has turned into the most important attraction in Xi'an. Stroll around the museum and get rich information from your tour guide.
2. Guilin
   Pass by
   After lunch in the local restaurant, you will be transferred to airpot for a 2 hour flight to Guilin.
   
   Your driver in Guilin will hold your name sign waiting at the exit of the arrival hall. You will be transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Day 5: Guilin: Cruise to Yangshuo (B, L )

1. Li River
   Pass by
   Your private English-speaking guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel's lobby at 8:00am and you will be transferred to Zhujiang Pier, where you will embark and start the boat cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo County. The Li River Cruise is considered as the highlight of any visit to Guilin.
2. Pass by
   Along the river, enjoy breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and picturesque pastoral countryside scenery. The river generally has three sections. Various attractions like peaks and villages along the river have interesting descriptive names, which calls for much of your imagination to see what it is like. Listening to tour guide's legendary stories about the attractions is a delightful experience when you are appreciating the landscapes. Most are mystical fairy and love stories. The cruise usually takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depends on water condition.
3. Xingping Fishing Village
   Pass by
   Li River takes a big turn at Xingping and endowed with beautiful and poetic scenery. It has been reproduced in many Chinese landscape paintings. Even the newly-issued 20 RMB note has the scenery on its back. A photographer once said: 'Shots from any perspective for this place turn to be impressive and stunning'.
   
   You will enjoy a simple lunch on the boat.
4. West Street
   30m
   Arrive Yangshuo at 1:30 pm, stroll around West Street with your tour guide, explore various shops, craft-works shops, painting and calligraphy stores, backpack shops, cafes, your tour guide will help you to negotiate price if you want to purchase any souvenir.
5. Shili hualang
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the afternoon, you will explore the Ten-Mile Gallery in Yangshuo.
   
   Sauntering down a country road makes you feel like you are travelling in a painting. This is true of the Ten-Mile Gallery in Yangshuo County, a fairyland on earth. As the name implies, Ten-Mile Gallery is a picturesque road stretching from the Yangshuo town area to Moon Hill, endowed with rolling hills, endless fields, idyllic villages and clear rivers on both sides.
6. Guilin Butterfly Spring
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Along Ten-Mile Gallery, there are few famous sites you should no miss, such as Butterfly Spring Park. In the park, peculiar peaks, grotesque rocks, magnificent waterfalls, and bubbling springs can be found everywhere. A winding path meanders to the sightseeing terrace where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Ten-Mile Gallery.
7. Big Banyan Tree (darongshu Scenic Area)
   30m · Admission ticket included
   As the journey of Ten-Mile Gallery goes on, you will encounter a Big Banyan Tree, which is more than 1,400 years old. Follow your tour guide to stroll around, get to know the love story about Liusanjie, and see how new lovers come here to make wishes for their future.
8. Moon Hill
   Pass by
   Your last stop is Moon Hill, let your tour guide know if you want to stop to take photos.
   
   After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Guilin.

Day 6: Guilin City Highlights-Shanghai (B, L)

1. Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbishan)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your hotel, discuss the highlights and attractions you wish to see in Guilin City with your knowledgeable guide who will help you plan an itinerary according to your interests. Then, set off and explore.
   
   Typically, you will start fro the Elephant Trunk Hill. Elephant Trunk Hill is the landmark of Guilin. It has been a famous tourism destination since the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). The hill looks like a giant elephant drinking water from the river.
   
   Enjoy a vigorous walk to the top, visit the the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) Puxian Tower which was built to worship Samantabahdra. Get to learn its history from your tour guide, then enjoy the panoramic views of the city, Li River and surrounding scenery.
2. Yunfeng Temple
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Yunfeng Temple-one of the famous ancient temples of Guilin. Which was the dwelling place of Monk Jianzhen, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, crossing over to Japan six times to spread Buddhist doctrines and help regularize monks' behavior. Stroll around the temple and the exhibition gallery on the second floor.
3. Fubo Hill
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Guilin Fubo hill. Fubo Hill stands next to the Li River and rises abruptly out of the surrounding landscape, it is famous for both natural beauty and historic art.
   
   Follow your tour guide to explore etchings of Buddha dating back to the Song and Tang Dynasties (618 - 1279) at Thousand-Buddha Cave and Pearl-Returning Cave. Admire the Sword-Testing Rock and get to know the legendary stories behind it.
4. Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan)
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Afterwards, heading to Reed Flute Cave. Over millions of years, dripping water has eroded the cave to create a special world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations. Explore important spots in the attraction such as :Tower-shaped Pine,Crystal Palace etc. Despite the fantastic natural scenery inside Reed Flute Cave, there are many writings on the wall. There are 77 travelogues and poems left, which are derived from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
   
   Then, enjoy lunch in the local restaurant.
5. Shanghai
   Pass by
   You will be transferred to airport for a 2 hour flight to Shanghai.
   
   Your driver in Shanghai will hole your name sign waiting at the exit of the arrival hall. You will be transferred to your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 7: Shanghai City Highlights (B, L)

1. Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Meet your tour guide in the lobby of your Shanghai hotel, hop on your private air-conditioned vehicle, embark upon your customized tour of the city's sights. Discuss the historical highlights and attractions you wish to see with your knowledgeable guide who will help you plan an itinerary according to your interests. Then, set off and explore.
   
   Typically, you will start with the Shanghai Museum. The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. With bronze ware, ceramics, and painting and calligraphy as its distinctive collections, the museum boasts 120,000 pieces of rare and precious cultural relics in 21 categories.
2. Jade Buddha Temple
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then, move on to Jade Buddha Temple. You will see the White Jade Buddhas which were brought here from Burma in the nineteenth century. Stroll around halls and courtyards in the temple with your tour guide, learn the history about the temple and buddhism in China, see how the locals come to worship and burn incense.
3. Yu Garden
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then explore the Yuyuan Garden.
   
   Yuyuan Garden is the largest ancient gardens with Ming and Qing style architecture. Follow your tour guide to explore the garden, learn how to form a perfect garden. Then visit the Old City God Temple, where various of local snack shops and streets are scattered around.
4. The Bund
   1h
   Continue to the Bund, where you will see amazing city skyline, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Tower and colonial buildings along the Huangpu River. Take a walk and stop for photos.
5. Former French Concession
   1h
   Continue to explore the Former French Concession. Besides its historical and religious factors, Shanghai French Concession is also a fantastic place for spending leisure time. Follow your tour guide to wandering the narrow alleyways, dining and one of the million cafes or restaurants(at your own cost), or browsing through the endless art galleries and photographic studios.
6. Xintiandi
   1h
   Finally, finish your tour in the lively nightlife district of Xintiandi. As a window to the past and the future, to China and the world, Shanghai Xintiandi's Shikumen attraction was created by converting residential blocks into a multifunctional dining, retail and entertainment center flowing with restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars of an international standard. Follow your tour guide and explore the area.
   
   If you have already visit some of those places above before, and want to do something different. Please feel free to discuss with your tour guide on where to go, you can choose these attractions or activities base on your interests:
   
   Shanghai Museum/ Pearl TV Tower/World financial center/Jinmao Tower
   
   After the tour, you can choose to end your tour in Shanggai or return Beijing.

Pickup details

We will pick you up from you hotel in Beijing, please provide hotel information when make booking

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels