- 4.9/5 853 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 16 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Besides China’s breathtaking scenery and rich heritage, this 16-day journey takes you deep into historic minority villages, offering close encounters with the Miao and Dong cultures of Guizhou Province. Begin in Beijing, exploring the iconic Great Wall and the grand Forbidden City. Continue to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties and home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Travel onward to Guizhou to experience the vibrant daily life of peaceful southwestern ethnic villages. Lose yourself among Guilin’s dramatic limestone landscapes, then conclude in Shanghai, strolling the Bund and Yu Garden to witness the fascinating blend of Eastern tradition and Western elegance.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 4
Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Shijia Hutong Museum
5 - 6
Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Street
7
Guiyang
Huangguoshu Waterfall, Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town, Ground Opera
8 - 11
Kaili, Rongjiang, Zhaoxing
Explore the Unique Culture of Miao and Dong Minorities
12 - 14
Guilin
Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside Tour, Reed Flute Cave
15 - 16
Shanghai
The Bund, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market, Former French Concession, Shanghai Museum
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing – Welcome to the Capital
Upon landing at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will be greeted by your private guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in assistance. The remainder of the day is free for you to unwind and adjust after your travels.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing – Forbidden City & Summer Palace Highlights
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares and a symbolic center of China. If you wish to witness the daily flag-raising ceremony, an early start is recommended. Walk through Tiananmen Gate to enter the grand Forbidden City, a 600-year-old imperial palace that housed 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and was once accessible only by royal permission. Later, continue to the Summer Palace, a magnificent imperial retreat where Qing emperors escaped the summer heat. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake, weather permitting (unavailable from November to April due to freezing).
Optional: In the evening, attend an exciting Kung Fu Show to experience the artistry of traditional Chinese martial arts.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: Beijing – Mutianyu Great Wall Excursion
The Great Wall of China is an essential highlight for any visit to Beijing. Constructed more than 2,000 years ago, it extends roughly 6,700 kilometers across northern China. This morning, explore the Mutianyu section, a quieter and scenic stretch of the Wall set amid rolling mountains. A cable car ride is available to make the climb easier due to the steep steps. Afterwards, continue to Changling Tomb, the largest and best-preserved site among the Ming Tombs, before concluding the day with a visit to a jade exhibition hall.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an – Temple of Heaven Visit
After breakfast, head to the Temple of Heaven, a vast ceremonial complex where ancient emperors once performed rituals praying for bountiful harvests and lasting harmony. Today, the surrounding park is a favorite gathering place for locals, who come to practice tai chi, play music, sing, or dance. Following lunch, transfer to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approximately 4.5–6 hours). Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
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- Xi’an
- Day 5: Xi’an – Terracotta Army & Muslim Quarter
After breakfast, visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors, an astonishing collection of life-sized clay soldiers, each with distinct facial features and expressions. Continue to the Xi’an Art Ceramics Factory to learn about the techniques used to create these remarkable figures. Later, walk along the Ancient City Wall, the most intact city wall in China, before heading to the lively Muslim Street to sample local snacks or shop for souvenirs.
Optional: In the evening, enjoy a Tang Dynasty cultural show to experience the music and dance of China’s golden age.
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Xi’an to Guiyang – Han Tomb & Small Wild Goose Pagoda
In the morning, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and take part in a calligraphy session held in its exhibition hall, where you can practice writing traditional Chinese characters. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guiyang. En route, stop at the Hanyang Tomb, the burial site of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty and his empress. Upon arrival in Guiyang, you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax at your own pace.
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- Guiyang
- Day 7: Guiyang – Anshun Excursion to Huangguoshu Waterfall
After breakfast, travel about 2.5 hours to Anshun to admire the spectacular Huangguoshu Waterfall, the largest in China, measuring 74 meters high and 81 meters wide. Later, visit the historic Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town, where traditional architecture and long-standing customs are well preserved. If timing allows, you may even catch a performance of the local Ground Opera, once a ritual dance staged by soldiers to pray for success in battle.
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- Guiyang
- Day 8: Guiyang – Kaili Cultural Discovery Tour
After breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Kaili, a region inhabited by 48 ethnic groups such as the Bai, Dai, Dong, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Naxi, and Hani, and widely recognized as the cultural center of the Miao people. Visit the Kaili Folk Museum to explore exhibits showcasing traditional costumes, handicrafts, paintings, and architectural styles. Continue to Matang Gejia Village, famous for its batik art and vibrant attire, followed by Qingman Miao Village, where you can appreciate traditional silk felting and textile weaving techniques.
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- Kaili
- Day 9: Kaili – Miao Villages Exploration
Today, explore three traditional Miao villages near Kaili. Visit Jidao Miao Village, a peaceful settlement beside the Bala River, featuring an old granary, drum tower, and singing hall. Continue to Shiqiao Miao Village, where the ancient craft of handmade hemp paper is still practiced. End the day in Paika Miao Village to learn about the Lusheng, a traditional Miao musical instrument central to local culture.
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- Kaili
- Day 10: Kaili – Rongjiang & Chejiang Dong Village
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer of approximately 3.5 hours to Rongjiang. Upon arrival, explore Chejiang Dong Village, known as the ancestral home of the Dong people, famous for their iconic drum towers and elegant wind-and-rain bridges.
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- Rongjiang
- Day 11: Rongjiang – Zhaoxing & Dong Villages
Today, travel to Congjiang and explore Basha Miao Village, where residents still live in traditional wooden homes and maintain their age-old customs. You might notice the men’s distinctive hairstyles and their right to carry guns.
Next, visit Yintan Dong Village, perched atop a mountain and regarded as one of Guizhou’s best-preserved Dong villages. Continue to Zhaoxing and wander through Zhaoxing Dong Village, admiring its charming wooden houses, drum towers, and elegant wind-and-rain bridges.
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- Zhaoxing
- Day 12: Zhaoxing – Congjiang – Arrival in Guilin
This morning, transfer to the train station and take a 1-hour high-speed train to Guilin.
Upon reaching Guilin, your private guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. After a brief rest, visit Reed Flute Cave to admire its stunning stalactites and stalagmites illuminated in vibrant, colorful lights. Afterwards, stop by a Pearl Shop featuring over 2,000 varieties of sea pearls, perfect for browsing or picking up souvenirs.
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- Guilin
- Day 13: Guilin – Yangshuo, Li River Scenic Cruise
After breakfast, drive approximately 40 minutes to the pier and embark on a relaxing Li River cruise to Yangshuo (around 3.5–4 hours), a highlight experience in Guilin. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of limestone karsts, clear waters, lush bamboo groves, and grazing water buffaloes – perfect for capturing memorable photos. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can wander along the lively West Street, sample local cuisine or drinks at a café or pub, or browse for souvenirs.
Optional: In the evening, you may attend the “Impression of Liusanjie” show, set against the stunning backdrop of the Li River and surrounding karst hills.
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- Yangshuo
- Day 14: Yangshuo – Guilin – Shanghai
After breakfast, enjoy a 1.5–2 hour tour of Yangshuo’s countryside, either by bicycle or car. Take in the stunning scenery of rice terraces and rolling hills. You can also arrange a visit to a local home to experience the daily life of residents.
In the afternoon, your private guide and driver will escort you to the airport for a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
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- Shanghai
- Day 15: Shanghai – The Bund & Yu Garden
After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Shanghai, a city where modernity meets tradition. Begin at the Shanghai Museum (closed Mondays) to explore its outstanding collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. Next, visit the classical Yu Garden, filled with pagodas, pavilions, fountains, and colorful flora, followed by a stroll through the nearby Yuyuan Market. Stop at a Silk Workshop to discover the traditional process of silk production, then continue to the Former French Concession, known for its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, cafes, and bars. Conclude the day with a scenic walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront.
Optional: In the evening, enjoy a dazzling Acrobatic Show, combining elements of opera, Kung Fu, and dance in a spectacular performance.
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- Shanghai
- Day 16: Shanghai – Departure
Spend the morning at your leisure, enjoying some free time in Shanghai. When it’s time, your private guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.
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