China16 days
China: Wall, Warriors & Yangtze — 16 Days
Beijing to Hong Kong via high-speed rail, spanning the Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Three Gorges, and karst countryside of Guangxi.
This 16-day itinerary moves through China's layered geography and historical periods without nostalgia or compression. You begin in Beijing—the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and hutong alleys—then travel by high-speed rail to Shanghai's Art Deco Bund and onward to Xi'an, where the Terracotta Warriors stand in formation after 2,000 years underground. The route descends through Chengdu's panda centers and into the Yangtze River Gorges via four-day cruise, passes the Three Gorges Dam—the world's largest hydroelectric project—and ends in Yangshuo's karst landscape, where rural cycling and the Li River complete the transit from north to south. The pacing mixes urban walking, train travel, river time, and countryside exploration, holding both archaeological scale and daily local detail.
Highlights
- Walk the Summer Palace's longest corridor and visit Kunming Lake's imperial gardens in Beijing.
- Hike the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved segments with 22 towers.
- View the Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an—nearly 2,000 clay figures, each individually sculpted with distinct costumes and facial expressions.
- Visit the Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu and observe conservation efforts for this endangered species.
- Climb to Mount Emei's Golden Summit (3,077 meters) to see the Huazang Temple and 48-meter-high golden Buddha statue.
- Cruise through the Qutang and Wu Gorges on the Yangtze River, passing through Shennv Valley's limestone cliffs.
- Tour the Three Gorges Dam, completed in 2009, the world's largest hydroelectric facility.
- Cycle through Yangshuo's rural countryside and visit Moon Hill's crescent-moon-shaped natural arch.
Day by day
1Beijing Arrival and WelcomeBeijing · your hotel lobby · the city · Chongwenmen Hotel or similar
Welcome to Beijing, capital of China. Your tour begins with a 6 p.m. meeting in your hotel lobby, where your guide will brief you on the itinerary and introduce the guides who'll lead you through each city ahead. Following the meeting, you'll take an orientation walk through the city before settling in for a traditional Peking Duck dinner. You'll stay at Chongwenmen Hotel or similar for three nights.
2Summer Palace and Great Wall at MutianyuSummer Palace · Mutianyu · Kunming Lake
The morning centers on the Summer Palace, the largest imperial garden in China. Your guide leads you through its political center, living quarters, and classically designed garden spaces. The longest corridor in the world spans the complex, and Kunming Lake extends across the grounds. A private vehicle then carries you north to Mutianyu, roughly two hours away. The Great Wall section here ranks among the best preserved, with 22 towers winding along the ridges of Huairou county. Time spent on the wall includes views across the suburban landscape and a picnic lunch at elevation. Return to downtown Beijing in the late afternoon.
3Forbidden City and Hutong AlleysForbidden City · Tiananmen Square · Beijing's hutong alleys
Tiananmen Square—one of the world's largest public squares—houses the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People. From here, enter the Forbidden City, constructed between 1406 and 1420 as the ceremonial and political seat of Chinese government for over 500 years. UNESCO designates it the most extensive collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world; it became a World Heritage Site in 1987. The afternoon moves into Beijing's hutong alleys—traditional courtyards that form the older neighborhoods of the city—offering a window into daily life in Old Beijing. Extensive walking and subway transit connect the day's sites.
4High-Speed Rail to Shanghaiyour hotel · Old Shanghai's narrow winding lanes (longtangs) · the Bund · Beijing to Shanghai
A five-hour journey on high-speed rail carries you south to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a short rest, then walk through Old Shanghai's narrow winding lanes (longtangs), streets that reveal how locals live and move through the city. Later, visit the Bund—the row of Art Deco buildings that once lined Asia's most important financial corridor.
5Shanghai Temples, Gardens & Overnight TrainCity God Temple · Shanghai Railway Station
The City God Temple anchors the morning. Adjacent to Yuyuan Garden, this folk temple originated as the Jinshan God Temple, dedicated to the island spirit of "Gold Mountain" off Shanghai's coast. The Ming Dynasty converted it to a City God Temple in 1403; today it draws crowds into a sprawling pedestrian area of shops, restaurants, and teahouses, as well as annual temple fairs. Late afternoon brings a transfer to Shanghai Railway Station and an overnight soft-sleeper train to Xi'an, arriving the following morning.
6Terracotta Warriors and Muslim Quarterhotel · Terracotta Warriors site · Xi'an's Muslim Quarter
Upon arrival in Xi'an, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for breakfast. The Terracotta Warriors site is a vast archaeological find buried for 2,000 years until farmers digging a well uncovered it in 1976. Three main pits are open to view. Nearly 2,000 of the total 6,000 warriors, each individually sculpted from clay with distinct costumes, heights, and facial expressions, stand in battle formation alongside horses and chariots. After lunch in a local village, visit Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, moving through narrow streets lined with small shops, markets, and restaurants.
7Fast Train to Chengdu and Jinli Historic StreetChengdu · Jinli Street · People's Park · Heming Teahouse
A four-hour fast train carries you west across the landscape to Chengdu. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to the Joha Forstar Hotel or similar before heading out to visit Jinli Street, famous for its historic architecture, commercial activity, and local food vendors. The street presents an array of Sichuan specialties: sticky rice cakes with sesame sauce, spicy chicken skewers, sweet rice jelly, fried beef pancakes, and regional preparations of rabbit. In late afternoon, walk through People's Park and settle in for tea at the century-old Heming Teahouse, a local institution where you can rest and observe the pace of Chengdu life.
8Panda Breeding Center, Leshan Buddha & Mount EmeiPanda Breeding Center · Leshan Buddha · Mount Emei
A morning at the Panda Breeding Center reveals the conservation efforts underway to protect this endangered species. You'll observe pandas at close range—watching them at play, eating, napping, and eating bamboo.
After lunch, continue to Leshan Buddha, one of the region's most significant historical sites. This 71-meter-tall stone statue was carved into the hillside in 713 during the Tang Dynasty, a monumental undertaking that took 90 years to complete. The craftsmanship includes a well-designed drainage system built into the back of the Buddha's head and ears—a sophisticated engineering solution that has preserved the sculpture for over a millennium.
Your day concludes at Mount Emei, where you'll spend the night at a mountain-base inn, allowing time to rest before exploring further.
9Mount Emei: Temple, Bus & Hike to Golden SummitGolden Summit · Baoguo Temple · Leidongping · Huazang Temple and Jinding Temple
Begin at Baoguo Temple, a 16th-century structure featuring a 3.5-meter porcelain Buddha from 1415 and gardens of rare plants. An eco-bus climbs to Leidongping, the second-highest parking lot, in 1.5 hours. From there, hike a staired path to the Golden Summit at 3,077 meters—or take the cable car. The summit holds the Huazang Temple, Jinding Temple, and a 48-meter-high golden Buddha statue. On clear days, views extend across the Cloud Sea phenomenon. Return to the mountain's base by eco-bus. Note: The hike covers steep terrain; cable car is available.
10Mount Emei Temples, Monkeys & Yangtze River CruiseEmei town · Fuhu Temple and Hongchunping · the station · your river cruise vessel · the gorges and landscape
A short morning walk around Emei town precedes a trek to Fuhu Temple and Hongchunping, where wild monkeys often appear. Later, travel to the station for the bullet train to Chongqing, arriving mid-afternoon. Transfer to your river cruise vessel and board. The passage through the gorges and landscape unfolds from your cabin and deck.
11Yangtze River Cruise & Fengdu Ghost CityYangtze River Cruise · Fengdu
Wake to river scenery framed by your cabin window. A shore excursion takes you to Fengdu, known as the "Ghost City"—a reputation earned during the Eastern Han Dynasty through its temples and association with Chinese Ghost Culture. Visit the temple grounds to understand this aspect of Chinese heritage. In the evening, a cultural performance by Chinese minority groups offers educational insight into the traditions and customs of China's ethnic communities.
12Three Gorges: Qutang and Wu Gorges with Shennv ValleyQutang and Wu Gorges · Shennv Valley · the cruise ship
The cruise continues through two of the Three Gorges—Qutang and Wu—each with distinct geological formations. A morning or afternoon excursion ventures into Shennv Valley, known locally as the Goddess Stream. Thousands of limestone cliffs rise vertically overhead at heights of hundreds of meters, creating a narrow passage where the water reflects the surrounding rock face. In the evening, the captain hosts a farewell banquet with crew members.
13Three Gorges Dam & Overnight Train to LiuzhouThree Gorges Dam · Yichang to Liuzhou
Early morning visit to the Three Gorges Dam, completed in 2009 as the world's largest hydroelectric project. It manages flood control, power generation, tourism, ecological protection, south-north water transfer, and irrigation. Disembarkation at Yichang brings a transfer to the railway station and an overnight soft-sleeper train to Liuzhou, arriving the following morning.
14Liuzhou to YangshuoLiuzhou to Yangshuo · West Street · Yangshuo's restaurants · Floral Hotel Qinghui Villa
A three-hour journey from Liuzhou brings you to Yangshuo, a rural town in southern Guangxi province. The landscape features karst mountains rising from the countryside. Upon arrival, take an orientation walk through West Street with your guide. Later, settle into a local meal at one of Yangshuo's restaurants. You'll stay at Floral Hotel Qinghui Villa or similar for two nights.
15Yangshuo Countryside Bicycle TourYangshuo countryside · Yangshuo · Moon Hill · a local residence
After breakfast, depart Yangshuo by bicycle to cycle through the surrounding countryside, gaining insight into China's rural life and agricultural practices. The route passes through villages and agricultural areas with limestone peaks visible throughout. Stop at Moon Hill, one of Yangshuo's recognizable attractions, distinguished by its natural crescent-moon-shaped arch. A steep path ascends to the summit with views across the valley; this section is optional. Continue to lunch at a local residence where a meal is prepared from locally grown produce. Return to town by bicycle. The evening is yours to spend at leisure.
16Li River Cruise & Departure to Hong KongLi River · Guilin Railway Station
Begin with a morning cruise on the Li River, moving through karst landscape and clear waters. After this journey, transfer to Guilin Railway Station for the fast train to Hong Kong, where your tour concludes. Breakfast is included.
Where you go
- 1Beijing
- 2Mutianyu
- 3Forbidden City
- 4Tiananmen Square
- 5the Bund
- 6City God Temple
- 7Terracotta Warriors site
- 8Yangshuo
- 9Li River
Included
- Included:
- · 10 nights' hotel accommodation based on twin share
- · 4 days and 3 nights Yangtze cruise accommodation based on twin share
- · Local English speaking guide service in each city for FIT booking of 2-5 pax
- · National English speaking guide throughout for group booking of 6 pax or up
- · Private/Public transportation in each city as specified
- · Sightseeing tours with entrance fees as specifed
- · 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
- · Overnight soft-sleeper train Shanghai-Xi'an(1 night) & Yichang-Liuzhou(1 night)
- · Regular class fast train Beijing-Shanghai, Xi'an-Chengdu & Guilin-Hong Kong
Not included
- Excluded:
- · International flights
- · Travel insurance
- · Chinese visa
- · Expenses of personal nature, ie laundry, alcoholic drinks, and etc.