China Highlights: Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, Guilin & Shanghai

Welcome to Beijing. After your journey, your China tour begins at a relaxed pace. Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may rest in your room or take a short walk nearby to get a first look at the city.

Begin at Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City, where courtyards and palace halls reveal the scale of imperial Beijing. Continue to Jingshan Park for a sweeping view across the palace rooftops. Enjoy a Peking duck lunch, then discover a different side of the capital around Shichahai. Follow the lakeside and wander through the nearby hutongs, where narrow lanes and everyday neighborhood scenes bring the city's history down to a more personal scale.

Travel to the Mutianyu Great Wall, where stone ramparts follow the mountain ridges into the distance. Explore this celebrated stretch of wall and take in the changing views from its pathways and watchtowers. Back in Beijing, see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, whose striking shapes recall the city's Olympic chapter. Round off the day with a walk along the Liangma River, enjoying a gentler pace beside the water.

Explore the Summer Palace, where landscaped grounds, lakeside views and imperial architecture create a graceful retreat from the busy city. Continue to the Temple of Heaven to discover another side of Beijing's imperial heritage. Later, travel by high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an. As the capital gives way to a new landscape, look ahead to Xi'an's ancient monuments and lively streets. On arrival, settle into your hotel in Xi'an.

Discover the Terracotta Warriors at Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Museum, where ranks of life-sized figures offer a memorable encounter with China's early imperial history. Continue to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark associated with Xi'an's Tang Dynasty heritage. In the evening, explore the Great Tang All Day Mall. Its illuminated streets and lively atmosphere provide a colorful contrast to the day's ancient sites and an inviting introduction to the city after dark.

Walk along Xi'an's Ancient City Wall and enjoy a fresh perspective on the city, with the old center on one side and modern neighborhoods beyond. Continue to Han Yang Ling Museum, where archaeological displays introduce the world of the Han Dynasty and its imperial burial traditions. Later, fly from Xi'an to Zhangjiajie. After arrival, continue to Wulingyuan and settle into your hotel, ready to discover the region's remarkable mountain landscapes.

Spend the day exploring Wulingyuan, where slender sandstone pillars rise above forested valleys. Continue to Yuanjiajie and follow its scenic paths to discover new perspectives on the surrounding peaks. The shifting layers of rock and greenery create a landscape that feels different at every turn, with time to pause and appreciate its scale. After a day surrounded by the mountains, return to your hotel in Wulingyuan for the evening.

Discover Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where steep cliffs and a deep valley reveal another side of the region's dramatic scenery. Continue to Baofeng Lake, framed by green hills and distinctive rock formations. The contrast between the canyon's rugged forms and the lake's tranquil setting gives the day a varied rhythm, with two different perspectives on Zhangjiajie's landscapes. After sightseeing, travel to your hotel in downtown Zhangjiajie and settle in for the night.

Explore Tianmen Mountain, taking in the dramatic heights and broad mountain views that make it one of Zhangjiajie's signature sights. The day's scenery offers a different perspective from the sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan. Afterwards, continue to 72 Qilou, where striking traditional-style architecture, shops and local food stalls create a lively setting to explore. Enjoy the contrast between the mountain landscape and this colorful cultural complex before returning to your hotel in Zhangjiajie.

Travel by high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Guilin, watching the scenery change as you head towards southern China's karst country. After arrival, visit Reed Flute Cave, where illuminated rock formations create an atmospheric underground landscape. Continue to Elephant Trunk Hill, one of Guilin's most recognizable natural landmarks. Together, the two sights introduce the region's distinctive limestone scenery from below ground and beside the water. Stay overnight in central Guilin.

Cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing the limestone peaks and riverside landscapes that define this celebrated stretch of southern China. Watch the scenery unfold from the boat as villages, hills and reflections slip into view. In the afternoon, enjoy a bamboo raft ride in Yangshuo for a different experience of the landscape. Explore West Street in the evening, then stay overnight in Yangshuo, close to the countryside you will discover tomorrow.

Cycle through the Yangshuo countryside, enjoying the rural scenery before returning to Guilin for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival, ride the Maglev Train and begin exploring the city. Walk along the Bund, see Shanghai Tower and continue to Nanjing Road, taking in the contrast between historic riverfront architecture and the modern skyline. From peaceful countryside to bright city streets, the day's changing scenes reveal the breadth of the journey. Stay overnight in Shanghai.

Visit Yu Garden, where pavilions, ponds and carefully arranged rockeries create a peaceful setting within the city. Follow its winding paths and discover the details that make a classical Chinese garden feel like a series of small landscapes. (Please note that Yuyuan Garden closes on Mondays, except for public holidays. Should the scheduled visit fall on its closing day, it will be replaced by the City God Temple. No extra refund or compensation will be provided for this itinerary adjustment.) Continue to Shanghai Museum to explore collections of Chinese art and cultural treasures. From garden design to museum displays, the day offers a thoughtful look at traditions that still shape China's cultural identity. Return to your Shanghai hotel.

Enjoy some free time in Shanghai before heading to the airport for your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, relax at the hotel or take a final stroll nearby as your journey through China comes to a close.