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Beijing, Xi'an & Hangzhou

Beijing, the capital city of China, is one of the worlds largest cities. From our accommodations just outside the Forbidden City (from where 24 emperors ruled for over 500 years) we'll be within walking distance of Tian’an Men Square, Jing Shan Hill, Beihai Park, and Wangfujing Street (where we'll shop and enjoy Peking Duck). We'll use the metro system to visit the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Olympic Park. Our time in Bejing ends with an excursion out to see the Great Wall of China!
Xi’an was the capital for 1000 years, with 13 dynasties and 73 emperors. At the end of the Silk Road, it was once the largest and wealthiest city in the world, with a city wall protecting over a million people. Highlights include the Terracotta Army, the Hua Qing hot springs, Caligraphy lessons at the Great Goose Pagoda, biking along the top of the fortifications protecting the original city, stone rubbings at the Forest of Stellae Museum, and the Muslim District at night with it's markets and the beautifully lit Drum and Bell Towers.
Hangzhou was the largest city in the world - with a bustling population estimated at around one million people - when the venetian trader Marco Polo arrived there in the 13th century. He called it "the finest and most splendid city in the world". The islands, temples, pavilions, gardens and arched bridges of West Lake have captivated poets and artists over the centuries. Highlights include the Ling Yin Temple, our bicycle ride around the lake, a tour of the nearby Tea Plantation and the evening performance of "Impression West Lake".
Program Highlights
The Great Wall
The Forbidden Palace
The Terracotta Army
Fortifications of Xi'an
Xi'an Night Markets
Caligraphy Workshop
Itinerary
Day | City | Highlights |
---|---|---|
1 | Airborne | Meet your Group Director at the airport and start your journey to the other side of the world! |
2 | Beijing | Arrive late afternoon and board shuttle for transfer to the hotel. Check into hotel, unpack, freshen up. Enjoy the authentic Chinese dinner. |
3 | Beijing | Navigate to Tiananmen Square for the dawn flag raising ceremony. Breakfast at the hotel. Board shuttle for a ride out to the Great Wall of China. Climb the stairs up to the top of the wall, stroll along the top between some of the watchtowers, take in the views, and toboggan back down! Lunch, then board shuttle for ride to the Summer Palace. Enjoy the cool breeze from the lake as you explore the many halls, pavilions, gates, and gardens within the grounds. Subway from the Summer Palace to the hotel, then freshen up for dinner. End the day with a sunset stroll through Olympic Park to see the “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” lit up at night. |
4 | Beijing | Pre-breakfast climb of Jing Shan Hill for a panoramic view of Beijing. Breakfast at the hotel. Navigate to the Temple of Heaven, visit the buildings and watch the locals enjoying the park. Guided tour of the Forbidden City. Enjoy lunch then relax in Beihai Park. Subway to Wangfujing for shopping and the best Peking Duck in the world. |
5 | Xi'an | Navigate to airport using Beijing’s public transport. Fly to Xi’an. Board shuttle for a ride out to see Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Army. Lunch, then visit the Hua Qing Hot Springs made famous by the love story of Yang Guifei. Dinner, then enjoy the evening performance of “Song of Eternal Sorrow”. |
6 | Xi'an | Breakfast, then enjoy the views of Xi’an on a bicycle ride that follows the broad walkway along the top of the city’s defensive walls. Climb the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy calligraphy lessons at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Lunch and then admire the stone rubbing at the Beilin Museum. Head over to the Muslim Quarter to find the mosque, stroll through the night markets and try some Xi’an’s best known foods - like hot and sour dumplings, biangbiang noodles, and of course the Xi’an meat burger. |
7 | Shanghai | Fly to Hangzhou. Board private transport for a ride into town and lunch at Zhangshengji. Spend the afternoon in the Grand Canal Museum Zone watching the artists printing, carving, weaving, and making paper, folding-fans, umbrellas, pottery, embroidery, swords, knives, scissors. Make your own oil-paper umbrella before we enjoy a Junk Cruise on the Grand Canal. Explore the dinner options along Dadou Road. |
8 | Shanghai | Breakfast, then enjoy the panoramic view of Hangzhou and West Lake from Chenghuang Pavilion. Rent bicycles and ride out to the explore the Meijiawu Tea Plantation. Lunch, then visit Lingyin Temple before enjoying the afternoon exploring West Lake. Farewell dinner, then enjoy the performance of “Impression West Lake”. |
9 | Airborne | Flight from Hangzhou. Zài jiàn China! |