13 Days Shanghai Guilin Yangtze Xian Beijing Small Group Tour

Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China's most internationalized and vibrant city! Shanghai's long-term fusion of Eastern and Western cultures has contributed to Shanghai's unique culture. Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Shanghai, the driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Shanghai. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Shanghai Arrival Ideas:

Travelers can go to Shanghai easily by air or high speed train. There are two airports - Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport operating numerous international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Shanghai by air from most cities in China, like Beijing, Xian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Guilin, Kunming, Lijiang, Lhasa, and more. In addition, travelers can take high speed train to Shanghai from Beijing (4.5-6 hours), Xian (6-7.5 hours), Huangshan (2.5-3 hours), Guangzhou (7-8.5 hours), Suzhou (0.5 hour), Hangzhou (about 45 mins), Wuhan (3.5-4.5 hours), etc.

Today, follow your local guide in Shanghai to discover why this city is often called the "Paris of the East." From world-class museums and classical gardens to futuristic towers and iconic architecture, the city is where East and West, past and future harmoniously coexist.  

Start in Pudong's Lujiazui financial district, home to a trio of landmark skyscrapers. At 632 meters, Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the third-tallest on earth, twisting a dramatic 120-degree twist from base to peak.

Ride one of the world's fastest elevators (64 km/h) to the Shanghai Observatory on the 118th floor for breathtaking 360-degree views with the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center spread below.

Next, head to the Shanghai Museum (East) to see some of the best examples of ancient Chinese art. The new building itself is a striking sight, whose modern, sweeping facade looks like river water, and is inspired by Shanghai's spirit of embracing all that the world brings to its shores.

Inside the museum, the numerous displaying bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and painting, jade, antique furniture, coins, and sculpture make it like a iving encyclopedia of Chinese art.

The highlight of the museum is the Da Ke Ding, a Western Zhou ritual vessel over 3,000 years old. Cast into its inner wall is a long inscription recording stories of the Zhou royal house.

Continue to Yu Garden, a classical Jiangnan-style private garden founded in the Ming Dynasty (1559). Hidden in the heart of Shanghai, it offers a striking counterpoint to the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui. Wandering through its pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and winding corridors, every step reveals a new scene.

The Exquisite Jade Rock (Yu Linglong) featuring delicate hollows and perforations is the garden's centerpiece. The Nine-Turn Bridge and the Mid-Lake Pavilion are iconic photo stops.

Several minutes' walk away, the red-lantern-lined lanes of the Yuyuan Bazaar are filled with century-old shops. You can sample local specialties such as Nanxiang xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), browse traditional craft stalls, and soak up the old-Shanghai buzz and classical culture.

In the afternoon, stroll along Nanjing Road, China's most famous shopping street. Running east to west, it's lined with time-honored shops, modern department stores, and small boutiques.

Follow the pedestrian street all the way east and you'll reach the Bund. Along the Huangpu River stands a row of dozens of century-old buildings in a mix of neo-classical, Gothic, and Baroque styles, all of which are testaments to a hundred years of Shanghai's history.

From the riverside promenade, the Huangpu River stretches before you, with the Lujiazui skyscrapers clearly visible on the opposite bank. As dusk falls, old and new cityscapes come together in a single frame, creating Shanghai's most classic photo scene.

At the end of the day, your driver will drop you off at your hotel in Shanghai.

Travel Notes:

• Yu Garden is closed on Mondays. If your visit falls on a Monday, your guide can suggest an alternative such as the nearby City God Temple or the Former French Concession instead.

• The Shanghai Museum (East) is shut on Tuesdays. On those days the museum at People's Square takes its place, or another city sight.

In this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin (about 2.5 hours). Upon your arrival in Guilin, your driver will meet you at the exit of the airport and escort you to your hotel in Guilin's downtown area.

In this afternoon, start your visit to the Symbol of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill. Located at the intersection of the Li River and Peach Blossom River, Elephant Trunk Hill looks like a huge elephant drinking water from the river. Then you will pay a visit to the Reed Flute Cave, a classic scenic spot with karst landforms. The amazing stalactites and stalagmites in the cave resemble animals or plants. When the colorful neon lights turn on, you will feel as if you are walking through a crystal palace.

Start your morning with a transfer to the cruise pier about 40 minutes away. Please arrive early to allow time to collect tickets and clear security check.

During the 4–5 hours Li River cruise, you will immerse yourself in the otherworldly natural beauty as the river opens up, and the karst peaks begin closing in on both banks. You can head up to the deck and claim a spot for a better view and many great photo opportunities.

Key sights you can expect along the way include the misty scenery of Yangdi, the panoramic view of Langshi, the iconic Nine Horses Mural Hill, and the Yellow Cloth Shoal — the scene printed on the back of the 20 RMB note — among others.

Lunch is served on board, a home-style Chinese set menu or buffet depending on the boat. If you are a picky eater, please bring a few snacks.

Good to know:

• The top deck is the best place to watch the scenery but it can be windy — hold on to your hat.

• There are seats and restrooms in the cabin if you need a break from the sun.

The cruise ends at Longtoushan Pier, right next to Yangshuo town. Your driver will be waiting at the pier to take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is about stepping into the countryside scenery in Yangshuo.

You can ride a bike to explore the postcard-like karst hills and rice paddies, pass by some tranquil villages, and cross quaint old stone bridges. To save time and energy, you can also rent an e-bike (optional, at an extra cost).

The two well-trodden cycling routes are:

• Ten-Mile Gallery: a roughly 10 km landscaped road — easy to follow, quicker to finish, and a good pick if your time is short.

• Yulong River (recommended): set off from Gongnong Bridge, ride past the old village of Jiuxian to Fuli Bridge, and follow the river for about 1.5–2 hours through rice fields, bamboo and bridge reflections, stopping whenever you like. This is the most pastoral ride of all.

After the cycling adventure, enjoy your night at the West Street, Yangshuo's oldest street — about 500 meters of flagstones lined with houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the 1970s and 80s, Western backpackers began arriving here, and many stayed for years, opening cafés and bars. That is how the street became one of China's earliest and best-known "foreigner streets".

Dinner ideas: Beer Fish, the local signature — Li River fish braised with beer, tomatoes and chili, mildly spicy and best with a bowl of rice. Other local flavors worth trying include Guilin rice noodles, stuffed river snails and bamboo rice.

On this day, you will be transferred to the train station for a high-speed train to Chongqing (about 4-4.5 hours). Welcome to Chongqing, the Mountain City of China! Upon your arrival in Chongqing, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station and escort you to Chongqing Chaotianmen Port to board your Yangtze cruise. You will have some time after the cruise ship check-in and you can go around the area of Chaotianmen Port. Your memorable relaxing cruise journey starts at 21:00!

Remarks:

1. Please call the ship one day ahead or at least in the morning on the boarding day to have clear idea about which pier you are going to use;

2. All the times on the schedule are estimated ones which are subject to change due to weather and navigation conditions.

3. The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors.

Notice for Transferring from Chongqing to Fengdu to Board the Cruise:

During the summer months, if the water level is too high or too low, it may be necessary to transfer from Chongqing to Fengdu by bus (arranged by the cruise company) in order to board the cruise. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. This situation occurs more frequently in March-April and July-August. If this happens, our travel consultant will provide you with detailed information about the transfer in advance.

Wake up to a river morning. Before the buffet breakfast, enjoy the sunrise, mist and ridges on both banks from either your balcony or the deck. If you like, practice Tai Chi with a professional instructor and enjoy a cup of coffee (services may vary by cruise).

The shore excursion in this morning is Fengdu Ghost City, on the north bank of the Yangtze — a cultural mountain with more than 2,000 years of history, long known as the "capital of the ghost kingdom". Here, you will follow a professional guide to learn legends, rituals and customs in Chinese underworld culture. The site weaves underworld lore with Confucian, Buddhist, Taoist and folk traditions, offering a fascinating window into how the Chinese have imagined the afterlife over two millennia.

From the mountain gate, you will tour the classic sites in sequence, including Naihe Bridge, Gate of Ghosts, Road to the Yellow Springs, Wangxiang Terrace, and Hall of the Heavenly King.

If you are interested to Chinese ancient architectural marvels, consider the shore excursion to Shibaozhai (optional, with additional cost). With a 12-story, this red wooden tower was built against the cliff, with the entire structure built without iron nails. As one of the tallest and best-preserved examples of traditional chuandou-style timber architecture in China, it is sometimes listed among the “Eight Wonders of the World” for its unusual construction.

Good to know:

• The shore excursions differ from ship to ship, and the above information is for reference only.

• A local guide will meet you when you disembark from the cruise ship and escort you throughout the shore excursion.

Today should be the most rewarding day of the cruise, as some of the most breathtaking scenery along the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River will unfold one after another. Onboard announcements usually point out the main sights, and you can head to the front deck for the widest views.

The first highlight today is Qutang Gorge, which is the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic of the three gorges. Many cruise ships offer a shore excursion to White Emperor City (Baidi City) before passing the gorge. Many famous Chinese poems and legends are associated with White Emperor City, and it offers a great platform to marvel at Kuimen - the landscape featured on the CNY 10 note, and the gateway to the three gorges.

After getting back to the cruise, admire the dramatic scenery of Kuimen and Qutang Gorge from the deck until you cruise into Wu Gorge. As the ship winds through the gorge, you will be surrounded by a succession of steep peaks often shrouded in mist. Try to spot the Twelve Peaks of Wushan.

At the Wu Gorge section, a shore excursion to Shennv Stream (vary by cruise, may be optional, with additional cost) will be available. You will transfer to a small wooden boat to venture into the tranquil Shennv Stream. Look for hanging coffins on steep cliffs that rise almost vertically on both sides, and listen to the guide explain local customs and sing local folk songs.

Expect a Captain's Farewell Dinner in the evening.

After breakfast, it is time to go through the check-out procedure and you'll disembark at Maoping Port. The highlighted attraction today is the largest hydropower project in China - Three Gorges Dam. Catch the chance to view the dam and the system of locks. The body of the dam is immense with a height of 181 meters and spanning 2335 meters across the Yangtze River and 115 meters in width. (Optional experience: you can choose to sail through the world's largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers.)

After the dam visiting, you'll take the tourist bus arranged by the cruise company transferring you to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal around 12:30~13:30. In this afternoon, you will be escorted to the airport for a flight to Xian (about 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at the airport and escort you directly to downtown Xian

Many travelers know Xi'an for the Terracotta Army, and you will witness this remarkable underground army dating back over 2,200 years this morning. About 40 km from the city center, the Terracotta Army ranks among the world's greatest archaeological discoveries.

Qin Shihuang, China's first emperor, ordered craftsmen to build this vast burial army to guard him in the afterlife. Though the entire site has not been fully excavated yet, you will be amazed by the military formation of the Qin Dynasty, revealed through the over 8,000 life-sized terracotta figures that have been unearthed so far. All of them are testaments to the extraordinary skill of ancient Chinese craftsmen.

Currently, there 3 pits open to the public. Pit 1 is the most striking one, housing over 6,000 soldiers and horses. Pit 2 houses around 1,300 warriors and horses, showing the battle formation with its kneeling and standing archers, chariot ranks and weapon-bearing troops.

After lunch, drive back to the city center to enjoy your time on the Ancient City Wall, the Fortification of Xi'an and one of the most complete and oldest city walls still standing in China. Stroll along its ramparts, gazing over the inner and outer walls, watchtowers and moat, and enjoy panoramic views of modern Xi'an.

Descend from the City Wall at Yongning Gate, then walk to the Bell & Drum Tower Square to admire the over 600-year-old Bell Tower and Drum Tower, which offer an ideal backdrop for photos capturing the city's blend of past and present. After dark, the square offers a vibrant city nightscape and a glimpse into locals' evening routines.

This morning, you will go to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi'an's most recognizable landmarks and symbol of the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. This seven-story pagoda standing in the tranquil Da Ci'en Temple is one of China's best examples of a Tang-style pagoda (squarish rather than round). It was completed in AD 652 to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. His travels inspired one of the best-known works of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. Later, you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant and bustling Muslim Quarter (Muslim Street). This historic quarter, situated just behind the Drum Tower about 430 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xian, has been around for over 1,000 years.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to next destination - Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, your driver will meet you at the train station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can explore by yourself around your hotel.

Today is for you to discover the imperial side of Beijing through its iconic landmarks, imperial palaces and gardens.

Meet your guide after breakfast and begin your tour at Tian'anmen Square, a vast plaza that ranks as the largest of its kind anywhere on earth. It has played host to one landmark moment after another in modern Chinese history, and it offers a perfect photo spot in front of the Tian'anmen Gate.

A short walk brings you into the Forbidden City (aka Palace Museum), where 24 emperors once lived behind its walls. For roughly five centuries, it functioned as the ceremonial and political core of the country, through both the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. UNESCO now lists it among the world's heritage treasures. Its more than 8,700 rooms make it the country's finest and most complete collection of ancient buildings — a true city within a city.

Enter from the Meridian Gate and walk along the central axis to encounter some of its best highlights, taking in the architecture details and treasures as your guide recounts how the rulers who resided here spent their days.

After the visit, a gentle 15-minute climb to the top of Jingshan Park follows. The view platform at the highest pavillion in the park will reward you with a bird's-eye view over the rooftops of the Forbidden City and the modern city beyond.

Visit the Summer Palace in the afternoon, a lakeside retreat where generations of emperors in the Qing Dynasty escaped the summer heat. It has long been called a "Museum of Royal Gardens," with temples, pavilions, bridges, gate-towers and a painted corridor well arranged along shores of Kunming Lake. Wandering through the garden feels like stepping into a scroll of classical Chinese landscape painting.

Travel Note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If your planned visit falls on a Monday, your guide will adjust the itinerary and arrange the visit for another day during your stay in Beijing.

Drive roughly 73 km (about 1.5-2 hours) out of the city this morning to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. This restored section borders Jiankou Wild Great Wall to its west and is widely praised as the longest and best-preserved open stretch of the Ming Great Wall. Compared to the popular Badaling Great Wall, this section sees fewer visitors and features 23 Ming-era watchtowers and sweeping views.

Based on your energy level, you can hike the whole section or take a cable car up to Watchtower 14. The hike from Watchtower 14 to Watchtower 20 is mostly easy with expansive scenery and excellent photo spots, though the final stretch between Tower 19 and 20 is steep (the famous Hero Slope).

Drive back to the city center after this once-in-a-lifetime experience. En route, stop for photos outside two Olympic icons: the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), built for the 2008 Summer Games and reused for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Your driver then drops you at the hotel, and the rest of the evening is your own.

It is time to end your 8-day China group tour. You will have some time in Beijing and explore more on your own till be escorted to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.

Trip Extension Ideas: If you want to explore other Asia destinations rather than return home right away, we would be glad to assist you with an extension trip. Feel free to tell us your ideas!