12-Day China Discovery: Heritage, Nature & Modern China

Beijing · Xi’an · Zhangjiajie · Shanghai — From Imperial China to the Avatar Mountains and the Modern Skyline

$2139.00

Tour Highlights

Step Into Imperial Beijing
Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, including the fascinating Treasure Gallery, before taking in panoramic views from Jingshan Park.
Experience the Living Traditions of Old Beijing
Join locals for morning Tai Chi, explore Hutong lanes by rickshaw, visit a local family and try traditional Chinese paper-cutting.
Discover China’s Ancient Civilization
Meet the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, walk along the ancient city wall and experience local traditions through dumpling making and hands-on cultural activities.
Journey into the Avatar Mountains
Explore Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly sandstone peaks, soaring cable cars, the Bailong Elevator, glass skywalk and spectacular Tianmen Mountain.
See China’s Past Meet Its Future
Experience Shanghai’s historic lanes, silk culture and Bund skyline alongside Shanghai Tower, humanoid robots and the city’s cutting-edge technology.
Enjoy a Day to Make Shanghai Your Own
Take a free day to choose your own experience — from Shanghai Disneyland and Zhujiajiao Water Town to a relaxing Tangquan & SPA experience.

Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing（/）

Upon arrival in Beijing, meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for leisure and rest after your international flight.

Meals: not included

Hotel: Beijing

Day 2 | Imperial Beijing & Traditional Hutong Life（B，L）

Visit Tiananmen Square and explore the magnificent Forbidden City, including the Treasure Gallery and Nine-Dragon Screen (or Prince Gong’s Mansion if Forbidden City tickets are unavailable). Continue to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the imperial palace complex.

In the afternoon, experience old Beijing through a traditional Hutong rickshaw tour and a local family visit featuring Chinese paper-cutting activities. End the day with free time around Shichahai Lake, where you may optinal explore cafés, bars, or lakeside walks.

Lunch: Hutong Family Lunch
Hotel: Beijing

Day 3 | The Great Wall Experience（B，L）

Discover the world-famous Mutianyu Great Wall, including round trip cable car or chairlift up + toboggan slide down). Walk along one of China's best-preserved sections of the Great Wall and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.

Later, pass by the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube(Outside view). In the evening, optional activities include a Chinese acrobatic performance and a traditional Peking Duck dinner.

Lunch: International Buffet Lunch with Wine
Hotel: Beijing

Day 4 | Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & High-Speed Rail to Xi’an（B,L）

Start the morning with a Tai Chi experience at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Continue to the beautiful Summer Palace and enjoy a dragon boat cruise on Kunming Lake (seasonal).

· In the afternoon, board a high-speed train to Xi’an(Supply light snacks, mineral water on board the train）. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure to self explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Tang All Day Mall-Optional Hanfu photography experience.

Lunch: Beijing Zhajiang Noodles Lunch
Hotel: Xi’an

Day 5 | Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Xi’an（B,L）

Visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum (wireless tour receiver included). Continue to a traditional cave dwelling village, where you will learn how to make Chinese dumplings , and participate in a miniature Terracotta Warrior crafting workshop.

Later, walk or cycle atop Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall and explore the lively Muslim Quarter.

Optional evening program: Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show with Imperial Banquet.

Lunch: Dumpling Banquet & Local Farm Cuisine
Hotel: Xi’an

Day 6 | Flight to Zhangjiajie（B,L）

Fly to Zhangjiajie, home to some of China's most spectacular natural landscapes. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.（Between November and March, if direct flights are unavailable, we will take a 9.5-hour high-speed train instead.）

You can optional self explore the dazzling 72 Wonder Towers at your leisure time, a unique architectural and cultural attraction illuminated at night.

Lunch: Chairman Mao’s Braised Pork Lunch
Hotel: Zhangjiajie

Day 7 | Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Avatar Mountains（B,L）

Explore the UNESCO-listed Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

Visit Tianzi Mountain by cable car, featuring Helong Park, Imperial Brush Peaks, Fairy Scattering Flowers and scenic viewing platforms overlooking dramatic sandstone pillars.

Continue to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area via the famous Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator. See the legendary Hallelujah Mountain that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, the First Bridge Under Heaven and Enchanting Platform.

Optional evening: Tianmen Fox Fairy Show + local Sanxia Guo three-pot stew

Lunch: inside the Scenic Area
Hotel: Zhangjiajie

Day 8 | Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park（B,L）

Experience one of China’s most thrilling mountain destinations.

Ride the world’s longest high-altitude cable car to Tianmen Mountain. Enjoy panoramic views of the famous 99-Bend Mountain Road, Yunmeng Summit, Lingxiao Platform and Guigu Cliff Walk.

Walk across the spectacular Glass Skywalk attached to the cliff face before reaching Tianmen Cave, a giant natural arch accessed by escalator, overlooking the famous 999 Heavenly Steps.

Lunch: Modern Hunan Cuisine
Hotel: Zhangjiajie

Day 9 | Zhangjiajie to Shanghai (B,L)

In the morning visit Ten-Mile Gallery (round-trip mini train included), a leisurely scenic zone featuring iconic rock formations: Herbalist Elder, Three Sister Peaks & Index Finger Peak. Then proceed to Golden Whip Stream Landscape Area, where wild monkeys can be spotted along the path. After that visit key spots here include Zhang Liang’s Tomb, Camel Peak and Waters around Four Gates.

After lunch transfer to airport or high-speed railway station for departure.

Pick-up service by local driver in Shanghai

Lunch: Hunan-style cuisine

Hotel: Shanghai

Day 10 | Modern Shanghai: Heritage, Skyline & Innovation（B,L）

Discover Shanghai’s fascinating blend of history and future technology.

Explore the charming old lanes and tree-lined avenues of Wukang Road by bicycle. Visit Jiuguang Department Store, where you can experience humanoid robots, a robot-made coffee, and interactive technology displays.

Ascend to the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower for panoramic views over the city. Then proceed to Silk Culture & Exhibition Center to gain an insight into the full manufacturing journey from silkworm breeding to finished silk goods. End the day with an in-depth visit to the Bund and admire the dazzling Huangpu River skyline.

Lunch: Shanghai Soup Dumplings
Hotel: Shanghai

Day 11 | Shanghai (B)

Full day free for your own explore, you can select one-day Disneyland tour or Zhujiajiao water town tour

Meals: Breakfast only