- 4.9/5 350 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 14 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Historical
About This Trip
This 14-day journey offers an in-depth look into China’s rich history, taking you to Beijing, Datong, Pingyao, Xi'an, Luoyang, and Nanjing. Discover remarkable engineering feats such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Explore the artistic treasures of the Yungang Grottoes, showcasing ancient Buddhist carvings. Marvel at Pingyao Ancient City, one of the best-preserved historic cities in China. Learn about the mysterious Terracotta Warriors and the history behind them. Visit the famous Shaolin Temple and enjoy an exciting Kung Fu demonstration. In Nanjing, pay respects at the Massacre Memorial Hall. Pack your bags and embark on this unforgettable adventure!
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Shijia Hutong Museum
4 - 5
Datong
Yungang Grottoes, Nine Dragon Screen, Hanging Temple, Huayan Temple
6 - 7
Pingyao
Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple, Wang's Family Compound, Zhangbi Ancient Castle, Temple of the City God, Rishengchang Former Bank, Ming and Qing Street
8 - 9
Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter, Home Visit
10 - 11
Luoyang
Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, Songyang Academy
12 - 14
Nanjing
The Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling, Jiangnan Examination Hall, Zhonghua Gate
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to rest or independently explore the capital, a city with over 3,000 years of history.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Forbidden City & Hutong Exploration
Begin your historical journey at Tiananmen Square, a site of immense cultural importance that has witnessed key moments in Chinese history, including the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Passing through Tiananmen Gate, step into the Forbidden City, the imperial residence of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for nearly 500 years. Explore beyond the main palaces along the central axis to discover lesser-visited areas, gaining a deeper understanding of ancient China’s reverence for imperial authority.
In the afternoon, stroll through the bustling hutongs, narrow lanes full of local life, hidden courtyards, and charming shops. Visit a traditional siheyuan once inhabited by notable figures and immerse yourself in Beijing’s living culture with a Peking Opera performance while enjoying a traditional local beverage.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: Temple of Heaven & Mutianyu Great Wall Adventure
After breakfast, begin the day at the Temple of Heaven, historically a sacred site where emperors offered prayers for abundant harvests. Today, the surrounding park is lively each morning with locals practicing tai chi, dancing, or playing traditional instruments, providing a window into Beijing’s daily life.
Next, travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, an incredible feat of ancient engineering built to defend China’s northern borders from nomadic invasions. The two-hour drive leads you to this well-preserved Wall, with origins dating back to the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577). Take a cable car up and hike along the mountain ridges, marveling at the Wall’s winding grandeur.
Return to central Beijing in the afternoon, leaving time to relax or explore the city at your own pace.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: High-Speed Train to Datong & Yungang Grottoes
In the morning, transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train to Datong, one of China’s nine ancient capitals. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver for a visit to the 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes, a world-renowned site showcasing exceptional Buddhist art and cultural heritage.
Next, find serenity at Huayan Temple, one of only three surviving Liao Dynasty (916–1125) temples in China. Climb the pagoda within the temple complex for a panoramic view of the old walled city of Datong. Stop briefly to admire the Nine Dragon Screen, China’s oldest existing glazed screen wall, decorated with nine magnificent dragons.
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- Datong
- Day 5: Hanging Temple Visit & High-Speed Train to Pingyao
After breakfast, drive to the Hanging Temple, a remarkable ancient structure that integrates elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Though its architecture is not overly complicated, the temple’s position on a steep cliff gives a sense of the incredible effort required to construct it.
Later, take a high-speed train to Pingyao, a well-preserved historical county known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture.
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- Pingyao
- Day 6: Explore Pingyao Ancient City
Spend the day discovering the Ancient City of Pingyao, one of China’s best-preserved historical towns. The city retains its traditional charm, including city walls, elegant courtyards, and scattered temples, reflecting the urban planning of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Take in panoramic views of the city from the Pingyao City Wall. Visit the Rishengchang Former Bank, the birthplace of China’s banking system, to learn about its historical operations. Stroll along Ming and Qing Street, a cobbled road lined with traditional buildings. Continue to the Temple of the City God to understand local Taoist practices, then drive about 15 minutes to Shuanglin Temple to admire its numerous painted clay statues.
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- Pingyao
- Day 7: Wang’s Family Compound & High-Speed Train to Xi’an
In the morning, drive about an hour to Zhangbi Ancient Castle, a fortified village featuring historic sites, ancient tunnels, burial mounds, traditional dwellings, and cultural relics. The Northern Dynasty (386–581) fortress tunnels are particularly remarkable. Continue to Wang’s Family Compound, an extraordinary residential complex built by the Jingsheng Wang family over more than 300 years during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. With 231 courtyards, 2,078 rooms, and numerous auxiliary buildings covering 250,000 square meters, this sprawling estate is often called a “folk Forbidden City” and serves as a living museum of traditional Chinese architecture.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Xi’an, a city with a rich history spanning over 3,100 years.
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- Xi’an
- Day 8: Xi’an & Terracotta Warriors
Xi’an is renowned for the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in the world. Spend the morning exploring the site, marveling at thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged as if ready for battle.
Afterward, return to Xi’an city. Take a stroll through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, a lively neighborhood that has been the heart of the local Muslim community for more than a millennium.
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- Xi’an
- Day 9: Local Home Experience & Train to Luoyang
Start your last morning in Xi’an with a heartwarming home visit, giving you a taste of everyday life. Join a local family in their kitchen, learn traditional cooking techniques, and try making dumplings or hand-pulled noodles before enjoying the meal together.
After the visit, board a high-speed train to Luoyang, a city famed for being one of China’s earliest capitals and hosting more dynasties than any other in the country’s history.
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- Luoyang
- Day 10: Shaolin Temple & Songyang Academy Excursion
Meet your guide at the scheduled time and transfer to Dengfeng to explore the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple. Renowned as the “No. 1 Temple in the World,” it is the birthplace of the legendary Shaolin Kung Fu. Wander through the Forest of Dagobas to appreciate its cultural and artistic significance, and enjoy a breathtaking Shaolin Kung Fu performance.
Continue your day in Dengfeng with a visit to Songyang Academy, famous for its Confucian philosophical teachings. Established in 484, it was one of China’s four major ancient academies. After the tour, return to Luoyang to conclude your day.
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- Luoyang
- Day 11: Longmen Grottoes Exploration & High-Speed Train to Nanjing
A must-see highlight in Luoyang is the Longmen Grottoes, one of China’s three great centers of Buddhist grotto art, alongside the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang and the Yungang Grottoes in Datong. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these grottoes were carved over more than four centuries, from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–535) through the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). Today, the site preserves over 2,100 cave niches and more than 100,000 stone statues, making it the largest collection of its kind in China.
After admiring these extraordinary Buddhist carvings, transfer to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Nanjing, an important cultural and political center with over 2,500 years of history.
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- Nanjing
- Day 12: Discover Nanjing’s Historic Landmarks
Dedicate the day to exploring Nanjing’s rich past across different eras. Begin with a visit to the impressive Zhonghua Gate, a fortress-style ancient city gate known for its enormous stone walls and layered arched passages. Continue to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, where you’ll gain insight into the life of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the development of modern China in the 20th century.
Later, tour the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the burial site of the first Ming Dynasty emperor. As the principal tomb among the Ming Mausoleums, Ming Xiaoling is grand in scale and design, and its layout influenced imperial tomb construction throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties for over five centuries.
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- Nanjing
- Day 13: Exploring Nanjing’s Past and Traditions
Begin the day at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, a solemn site commemorating the 300,000 victims of the 1937 tragedy and promoting remembrance and peace. Next, visit the formidable Zhonghua Gate, a fortress-style city gate with enormous stone walls and impressive arched passages that once defended the capital. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed walk through Laomendong, a restored historic area filled with traditional homes, craft shops, and local street food. Conclude with a visit to the Jiangnan Examination Hall, where you will learn about the imperial examination system and the scholars who once sought success and honor there.
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- Nanjing
- Day 14: Departure from Nanjing
Gather your lasting memories of the journey and transfer to the airport to continue on to your next destination.
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