Ancient Echoes & Natural Wonders

You are likely to arrive in Shanghai in the late afternoon or evening today. After landing, please take a taxi directly to the hotel we booked for you. If you land at Pudong Airport (PVG), a taxi to the hotel takes about 1 hour and costs around CNY 160 (USD 22). Alternatively, you can take Metro Line 2 to Nanjing East Road Station, and leave from Exit 3, taking 1.5 hours for CYN 7 (USD 1). It’s then a 15-minute walk to the hotel. For those landing at Hongqiao Airport (SHA), a taxi takes around 50 minutes and costs about CNY 100 (USD 14). The metro is also convenient: take Line 10 to Yuyuan Station (Exit 4), taking 50 minutes for CNY 5 (USD 0.7). Then, walk 10 minutes to the hotel.
► Car-hailing Tip: Didi is China’s best car-hailing app. You can register using an overseas mobile number and link a Visa or MasterCard for smooth payment. The app offers a range of vehicle options with upfront fare estimates, making it easy to choose what suits your needs.

Once you check in independently, we recommend you rest at the hotel to adjust to the time zone and prepare for your next-day Shanghai exploration.

Accommodation: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (3 stars)

After a good rest, enjoy exploring Shanghai at your own pace. Start your visit at Yu Garden, located just a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride from your hotel. With a history of over 400 years, it is Shanghai’s best-preserved classical Chinese garden, known for its elegant pavilions, terraces, and halls. You may notice the striking “dragon walls” crowned with grey tiles looks like the dragon’s scales, and end with a sculpted dragon’s head. Winding along the top of the walls, the dragons appear as if flying through the garden.

Then, take Metro Line 14 to Lujiazui in Pudong. Upon exiting at Exit 9A, you'll be greeted by the iconic trio of skyscrapers: Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, and Shanghai Tower. Standing at their base, you can capture all three giants piercing the sky. For an unforgettable perspective, consider ascending the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building. Tickets need to be booked in advance through the official WeChat mini-program. The world's fastest elevator will whisk you to its 118th-floor observatory within one minute, where a breathtaking panorama awaits: the Huangpu River winding like a silver ribbon through Lego-like buildings.

After descending from the tower, a short 500-meter (1640-foot) walk will lead you to Dongchang Road Ferry Pier, where you can board a ferry across the Huangpu River. During the crossing, feel the gentle river breeze and admire the skyline you see from the tower now unfolds around you at eye level. Upon disembarking, take a stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s celebrated waterfront, once known as the “Wall Street of the East.” Here, you can admire a striking collection of over 50 historical buildings in styles ranging from Baroque to Gothic, where European elegance seamlessly merges with the charm of old Shanghai. As dusk falls, the buildings on both sides of the Huangpu River will be illuminated with colorful neon lights, while the Waibaidu Bridge glows like a golden artery connecting historical and contemporary Shanghai. Finally, walk 20 minutes or take a taxi back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel (3 stars)

After breakfast, enjoy your free morning in Shanghai with a visit to Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. As you step onto this iconic thoroughfare, you’ll find yourself flanked by historic department stores and modern shopping centers, resembling an open-air architectural museum where old-world charm blends with contemporary commerce. Here, you can find all products from luxury brands to trivial souvenirs. Please note that most shops open around 10:00 AM.

Then, please make your own way to the airport for the flight we’ve booked for you to Guilin. Upon arrival, the serene pace of the city offers a refreshing change from Shanghai’s bustle. For your transfer, a direct taxi ride to the hotel takes about 50 minutes and costs approximately CNY 100 (USD 14). A more economical option is to take the Route 1 airport shuttle bus to the CAAC Building and then a car to the hotel; this takes about 1 hour and costs CNY 25-30 (USD 3-4).

After checking in, you can rest at the hotel or take a 10-minute walk by yourself to Binjiang Road, Guilin’s most beautiful tree-lined avenue, where the dense canopies of camphor trees interlace overhead, forming a natural green arch. A gentle river breeze and the soft melodies of street performers will help ease any travel weariness. Do remember to bring mosquito repellent, especially in summer from June to August, as insects tend to gather near the river. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center (3 stars)

★ Li River Cruise Unveiling Lively Canvas of Karst Landscape

Your guide and the driver will offer you an early morning pickup from the hotel with a comfortable private car. We'll first proceed to the pier to board a vessel down the Li River to Yangshuo. Stand on the deck, feeling the refreshing river breeze. Beneath you is the green, jade-like water, and surrounding you are dramatically rising karst peaks. Along the way, you’ll go through the river’s most picturesque section, highlighted by the famous Nine-Horse Fresco Cliff, a massive limestone wall where natural mineral stains create an impression of galloping horses. It’s high time to prove your IQ! Local tradition holds that the more horses one can identify, the smarter they are. 

Upon reaching Yangshuo, you'll switch to bicycles to explore the countryside. Pedaling between rice paddies, you may hear the crackling of the rotating waterwheels and spot farmers working with buffalo. As you cross small bridges, you'll see bamboo rafts floating peacefully on the waterways. In the afternoon, we'll convoy you back to Guilin and visit Elephant Trunk Hill. When the setting sun casts down, you'll witness golden light streaming through the hill's natural arch, between the trunk and the body of the “elephant”, creating a moon-like reflection on the water. Finally, we’ll escort you back to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Simple lunch box on cruise
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center (3 stars)

The last morning in Guilin is free for your independent exploration. You may visit the Reed Flute Cave, located just a 15-minute taxi ride from your hotel. This spectacular karst cave features stunning limestone formations illuminated by colorful lighting, creating enchanting scenes like the blue “Crystal Palace,” the white “Pines in the Snow,” and orange “Lion Prides.” Wandering through these naturally sculpted galleries feels like stepping into a magical underground world. Please note that it may be slippery inside, so sturdy, non-slip footwear is recommended. Also, avoid touching the formations, or they may be destroyed and stop growing.

Afterward, please take a taxi to the railway station for your 7.5-hour high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. We will book your train tickets in advance and include in your itinerary. Upon arrival, you can reach the hotel independently by taking either Bus No. 16 or 7. The journey typically takes 35-40 minutes and costs less than 1 US dollar. Alternatively, a taxi ride takes approximately half that time at an estimated cost of CNY 30 (USD 4). 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Century Platinum Hotel (4 stars)

Hop on the air-conditioned vehicle, and our guide and the driver will escort you to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, known for its dramatic karst landscape spanning 130 square kilometers (about 32,100 acres). Upon arrival, we’ll accompany you to take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift soaring 100 stories, to the mountain summit in just two minutes. For the best view of the canyon during the ascent, try to stand near the front glass panels. Upon exiting, you'll enter Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, famous for its towering stone pillars and deep ravines. Beyond the celebrated South Pillar of Heaven, said to have inspired the “Hallelujah Mountains” in the film “Avatar”, the Rocky Natural Bridge will leave you in awe. The 2-meter-wide (6-foot) walkway suspends above the precipitous cliff, hence dubbed the “First Bridge under Heaven”.

Then, we'll board an eco-friendly shuttle of the park to Yangjiajie Scenic Area, where sky-piercing quartz sandstone walls formed 380 million years ago. The most iconic formation is the Natural Great Wall, resembling ancient fortress ruins emerging from the mist. Under shifting sunlight, its layered rocks and grooves create a captivating interplay of light and shadow. 

Next, we'll reach Tianzi Mountain, the highest viewpoint in the park. Among its striking rock formations, a peak shaped like a young woman holding a basket of flowers stands out. Local legend tells that she was the wife of an ancient tribal chief who fell in battle; she wandered these mountains scattering blossoms while searching for his husband, until she herself turned to stone. Finally, we'll descend via cable car. The 10-minute ride will offer you sweeping aerial views of the karst landscape you've just explored. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel at the end of the day.

► Note:
1. As one of China's most popular destinations, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park draws visitors year-round. Expect long queues for the Bailong Elevator and shuttle buses, especially during peak season from May to October.
2. Dining options are limited inside the park. We recommend you having a big breakfast and bringing your own snacks to maintain energy throughout the day.  

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Century Platinum Hotel (4 stars)

In the morning, your guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel and accompany you to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to experience the world-renowned Yuntiandu Glass Bridge. As you step onto the fully transparent deck, the deep gorge and winding stream below become vividly visible. You might notice fellow visitors gripping the handrails, while some even crouch down to crawl forward. Sometimes you may hear exhilarated shouts of bungee jumpers at the bridge's center, whose voices echo through the canyon, enhancing the thrill of the adventure.

Next, let’s proceed to Tianmen Mountain, the soul of Zhangjiajie. Here you'll enjoy a round-trip cable car to and from the middle station on the mountainside, the eco-bus of the scenic area shuttling between the station and the Tianmen Square, and the 12-level transmountain escalator travelling back and forth between the square and the summit. Upon reaching Tianmen Square, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking perspective of the natural Tianmen Cave, which resembles a giant keyhole piercing through the mountain. Approaching the monumental cave and praying for blessings just as the locals do, as the folk tradition also holds that it serves as a gateway between heaven and earth, making it a powerful place for making wishes to the divine. Also, let’s head for another pulse-quickening experience, the Glass Skywalk. This transparent path, built along vertical cliffs at over 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, creates the sensation of walking in the air while enjoying unobstructed views of the plunging valley beneath your feet.

We'll then descend by cable car, and the 30-minute journey will allow you gaze back at the monumental Tianmen Cave and enjoy sweeping views of the serpentine 99-bend mountain road and endless green peaks unfolding below. Finally, we'll escort you to your hotel.

► Note: Tonight, we’ll change your hotel to the one near Tianmen Mountain, which is closer to the high-speed train station for your convenience when departing tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Century Platinum Hotel (4 stars)

After checking out in the morning, please head to the railway station independently to catch the 5-hour high-speed train to Chengdu, with tickets provided by us in advance and included in your itinerary. Besides Bus No.16 and 7, Bus No. 6 and 4 are also optional for your hotel-to-station transfer. Upon arrival at Chengdu East Station, hail a car by yourself to reach the hotel we booked for you in 30 minutes at a cost of around CNY 40 (USD 6).

► Free Time Suggestion:
After settling down, you can head to the Wuhou Temple on your own, located just a 15-minute taxi ride from your hotel. This memorial complex, dating back to 221 AD, was built to honor Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD), one of ancient China’s most revered military strategists who remains deeply admired centuries later. Before his statue, you’ll see heartfelt letters and batches of flowers presented by visitors. The site is particularly photogenic for its striking red walls and bamboo groves flanking the serene pathways. 

As dusk settles, step through the adjacent Jinli Street. Glowing red lanterns cast warm illumination over the cobblestones and traditional wooden buildings, while the aromas of malt sugar from sugar painting stalls fill the air. Don’t miss the chance to sample local specialties like chilled jelly dessert with fruits and nuts or Cold Pot Skewers. While the street remains accessible 24 hours, most shops close around 10:00 PM. You may return to your hotel by taxi after the evening exploration.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)

Today, you can explore Chengdu at your own pace. A fan of the film “Kung Fu Panda”? Dream of meeting with the “Dragon Warrior Po”? Take a 50-minute taxi ride (CNY 45 / USD 6.5) from the hotel to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a real Panda Village home to over 200 adult and cub pandas. Once you see these celebrated stars, it’s hard to believe that these clumsy butterballs, which sometimes may even tumble comically from trees, can defeat the nimble and muscular snow leopard, Tai Lung. And unlike noodle-loving Po, real pandas prefer fresh bamboo, munching up to 40 kilograms each day. You can watch them lean contentedly against trees, clutching bamboo stalks, feasting themselves.
► Tip: Entrance fee: CNY 55 (USD 8). Tickets need to be booked one week in advance. Arriving around 8:00 AM allows a quieter visit with fewer crowds and the best chance to see the pandas during their most active morning feeding time. The base is closed on Mondays.

To truly experience Chengdu’s laid-back rhythm, wander through the Wide and Narrow Alleys, where staff in traditional opera costumes greet visitors cheerfully and the rhythms of Sichuan opera drift from teahouses. Then head to People’s Park, the heart of local life, where you can sip tea at a traditional teahouse and spend a relaxed afternoon. Here, you’ll also encounter the bustling matchmaking corner, offering insight into China's unique blind date culture. Finally, take a 30-minute taxi ride back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)

Today, you need to head to Chengdu East Railway Station and board the 4-hour high-speed train to Xi’an independently, with train tickets provided by us in advance and included in your itinerary.  The most efficient way to the station is by subway. Take Line 3 from Hongpailou Station, transfer to Line 2 at Chunxi Road, and alight at Chengdu East Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs less than 1 US dollar. A taxi costs CNY 40-50 (USD 5-7) but is not significantly faster (35 minutes or so).

Upon arrival at Xi’an North Railway Station, please hail a car on your own to the hotel, which takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around CNY 40-50 (USD 5-7). The metro is equally convenient: take Line 2 to Beidajie Station (Exit C), then walk 10 minutes to the hotel, which takes the same time as a taxi but costs less than 1 US dollar.

Our hotel is located about a 15-minute walk from the Bell Tower, one of Xi’an’s iconic landmarks. You are welcome to visit it on your own after settling down in the hotel. Along the way, you’ll notice that many modern buildings feature traditional-style roofs with flying eaves, which is truly an interesting blend of ancient and contemporary elements. Continuing south, you’ll arrive at the tower, whose red pillars and green-glazed tiles stand out prominently against the gray-toned urban backdrop. Every night after 7:30 PM, the tower is illuminated and transformed into a golden spectacle. After the sightseeing, retrace your steps back to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn City Centre Xi’an (3 stars)

Our guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, and escort you to the Terracotta Army Museum, which is honored as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Across its three excavation pits, you'll encounter over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers buried to safeguard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC), and to serve him in the afterlife. It’s surprising to find that each figure reveals distinct facial features, hairstyles, and armor details. According to legend, artisans created these astonishingly realistic sculptures by applying clay over living people before firing them in kilns. But modern scholars attribute their individuality to artisans’ sophisticated sculpting techniques. While most figures now appear in muted grey tones, you’ll have a chance to see terracotta warriors with traces of original pigments like vermilion and violet preserved through advanced conservation methods at the museum’s latest exhibition.

Later, we'll return to the city center and visit the 7th-century Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Ancient Xi'an was considered so geomantically auspicious that everyone from emperors to commoners chose it as their resting place. Hence, locals always joke that “there are more phantoms beneath Xi'an than living people above its ground.” In such a context, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, as one of the city's most significant Buddhist structures, is believed to help suppress those restless souls.Then, let’s ascend the Xi'an City Wall. Stretching approximately 14 kilometers (8 miles) in circumference, it is one of the most complete ancient fortification systems in China. The bricks that were used to compile the wall were made from mixed steamed glutinous rice, earth, and lime, creating its strength and weather resistance. Standing on the wall, you'll see the Bell Tower standing majestically on the city's central axis, and the remarkable contrast between the lower residential buildings encircled by the wall and the vibrant modern cityscape outside.

In the evening, we'll convoy you back to the hotel. On the way, we’ll pass the Muslim Quarter, a paradise for food lovers. If you're interested in exploring Xi'an's vibrant night market, we can drop you off here and finally you need to return to the hotel on your own. As soon as you step into the area, the aroma of cumin-spiced kebabs and freshly baked pastries will immediately make your mouth water. Be sure to try local specialties such as Chinese hamburger and steamed glutinous rice cake with jujubes. It is advisable to leave the quarter from its north end, where you can walk back to your hotel in about 15 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Days Inn City Centre Xi'an (3 stars)

After checking out, please make your way independently to Xi'an North Railway Station to board the 4.5-hour high-speed train to Beijing, with train tickets provided by us and included in your itinerary. Upon arrival at Beijing West Station, proceed to the hotel by yourself. After dropping off your luggage, the remainder of the day is free for you. You may either rest at the hotel or take a taxi to Dashilar Pedestrian Street to admire traditional Beijing architecture and sample the city's most famous dish, Peking Roast Duck.

► Transport from Beijing West Station to Hotel (for your reference):
1. Ride-hailing: A 30-minute station-hotel taxi ride costs approximately CNY 30 - 50 (USD 4 - 7).
2. Metro: Line 7 to Zhushikou Station → Line 8 to Tianqiao Station (Exit D) → 15-minute walk to the hotel, with a total fare of CYN 4 (USD 0.6).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

In the morning, your guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you to Tiananmen Square. Skim iconic buildings standing along the square’s central axis and we will enter the Forbidden City passing through the Tiananmen Tower. This magnificent wooden palace complex spans over 720,000 square meters, an area 1.5 times larger than Vatican City. Among its 9,000+ rooms, the Hall of Supreme Harmony stands as the most significant, symbolizing imperial supremacy. It was here that emperors held their coronations and the inaugurations of empresses. Looking up, you’ll see twelve glazed mythical creatures lining the roof ridges. These figures were thought to protect the wooden palace from disasters, especially fire, while also serving a structural role: the ceramic beasts cover the nail heads that secure the tiles, preventing rust and adding decorative elegance to the roofline.Later, we'll drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a stronghold constructed in 1368 AD to protect the capital. Walking along the wall winding across mountain ridges, you'll observe watchtowers strategically spaced along the rampart. As the backbone of the defense system, these multi-story structures were used as shelter for soldiers and storage for supplies. Inside a watchtower, you can feel mountain winds rushing through and peer through arrow slits, seeing the same views soldiers did more than 600 years ago. For those who seek an energy-saving route, climb up along the north path, which will lead you to the No. 8 beacon tower, nearly to the iconic Zhengguan Tower, and offers a vista of Beijing’s cityscape 50 kilometers (31 miles) away on clear days. 

As evening approaches, we'll convoy you back to your hotel. On the way, we’ll pass the hutong area. If you'd like to experience Beijing's nightlife, we can drop you off to explore independently. You might enjoy live music at a bar street or hunt for local snacks like candied fruit skewers and glutinous rice rolls along Tobacco Pipe Lane, and finally return to your hotel at your own convenience.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

Hop on our air-conditioned vehicle, and the guide and the driver will accompany you to the Temple of Heaven, the world's largest surviving sacrificial complex. Its two main altars are connected by the 360-meter-long (1,181-foot) Vermilion Steps Bridge. To the north stands the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its brilliant cobalt-blue roof and crimson pillars; to the south lies the open-air Circular Mound Altar, encircled by white marble balustrades. At the center of the marble platform lies the unique Echo Stone, which can amplify the voice remarkably while speaking standing on it. Legend tells that this area was a barren wilderness haunted by spirits before the temple was built. On the day the altar was completed, a deity bestowed this magical stone on people as a means of connecting with heaven and asking for help.

Next, we'll delve into Beijing's traditional Hutong alleys. These capillary-like narrow lanes preserve the city's historic character amid modern skyscrapers. A rickshaw ride will convoy you through the labyrinth-like lanes, where you can see children playing and the elderly gathering for chess games and conversation.We'll then visit the Lama Temple, Beijing's largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple, founded in 1694 AD. As you approach, you'll notice more fortune-teller stalls and the scent of incense growing stronger. Inside the yellow-tiled, red-walled compound, you can see visitors and devotees praying amid swirling smoke and murmured chants. If you have wishes of your own, this is considered an auspicious place to voice them. While most Chinese are atheistic, many still seek guidance from the divine. It may be a shared human instinct to turn to spiritual assistance when facing difficulties and hesitation. 

Finally, let’s head to the Summer Palace, China's most extensive and well-preserved imperial resort, dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. The tributary of the lake flows to the back of the hill, where Suzhou Street unfolds along the banks. It is said that Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799 AD) was a die-hard fan of cosplay, who asked his servants to role-play as shopkeepers here while he pretended to be an ordinary customer making purchases to experience commoners' everyday lives. At the end of the day, we’ll escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

Your China tours from Chile will end today. Please check out and head to the airport or the high-speed train station on your own to connect to your next destination. For a homebound flight to Chile, you can take the UA772 (11:40/07:55) to Los Angeles and transfer to LA603 (14:30/06:00). The total travel time is 29h20m, including a 6h35m transit.

► Transportation to Beijing Airports for Your Reference:
1. Capital Airport (PEK): A car-hailing takes 1.5 hours, costing CNY 150-200 (USD 21-28). Metro is also an alternative: take Line 8 to Qianmen Station → Line 2 to Dongzhimen Station → Capital Airport Express to the airport, with a total fare of CNY 29 (USD 4).
2. Daxing Airport (PKX): It takes the same time and cost as it does to PEK by taxi. Subway is cheaper but needs multiple transfers: take Line 8 to Dahongmen Station → Line 10 Inner Ring to Caoqiao Station → Daxing Airport Express alight after 2 stops, costing CNY 39 (USD 5.5) for 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Want a further exploration of China to the mysterious Tibet or Xinjiang? Or curious about other Asian countries, such as Japan and Thailand? Just contact us for more information.
  
Meals: Breakfast