Oriental Elites Appreciation

Today, you’ll take a classic Beijing mini group day tour. Your guide will contact you a day earlier to confirm the pick-up time and will meet you in the hotel lobby. Please note that if you visit between June and August, the pick-up time may occasionally be advanced to 7:00-8:00.

Your sightseeing kicks off at the Temple of Heaven, China’s largest sacrificial complex, where ancient emperors prayed to Heaven for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. The Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, located in its northern section, are circular and connected to the southern square enclosure by a bridge, reflecting the traditional Chinese cosmological belief that heaven is round and earth is square. Today, this sacred area has transformed into a vast park, so you’ll encounter locals making full use of fitness facilities, practicing ballroom dancing and swordplay, and even showcasing calligraphy on the pavement with large brushes dipped in water. 
 Note: Due to Monday closures of key historical sites, this visit will be replaced with a trip to Beihai Park.Despite constant modernization, Beijing’s essence remains in its Hutong Alleys. Next, we’ve arranged a rickshaw ride to give you an authentic glimpse of old Beijing – through peaceful quadrangle courtyards, corners with napping cats, and locals chatting leisurely. You’ll definitely be impressed by Hutongs’ compact layouts, which make navigating the area feel like a driving test! Remember to hold on tight when the carter makes turns. Following that, we’ll visit the Lama Temple (Yonghe Lamasery), an imperial Tibetan Buddhist temple housing the world’s largest sandalwood Buddha statue, where you’ll be wrapped by monks’ chants, visitors’ whispers, and the aromatic scent of incense filling the air.

Today’s final stop is the Summer Palace, consisting of the Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, a former royal retreat with numerous temples, halls, palaces, and pavilions. Wandering along the Kunming Lake, you’ll marvel at over 14,000 vibrant paintings in the Long Corridor, depicting folk tales and historical figures. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel.

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

After breakfast, the guide will pick you up from your hotel to join our mini group tour for another day of wonderful Beijing exploration! Your sightseeing starts at Tiananmen Square, the geographical and spiritual center of Beijing. It has witnessed the country’s evolution, from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911 AD) when emperors issued decrees, to modern times as a venue for many national ceremonies and parades. The guide will show you around some iconic landmarks on the square.

Next, head north to the day’s highlight, the Forbidden City, one of the world’s largest and best-preserved wooden complexes with nearly 10,000 rooms. Imagine spending at least 25 years to stay one night in each! The experienced guide will lead you along the best route to visit key palaces, including the largest Hall of Supreme Harmony, where emperors held weddings, enthroned empresses, and received tributes during festivals like the New Year and Winter Solstice. Two majestic stone lion statues guard the entrance, embodying supreme imperial authority; in the harem, lion statues are smaller, gilded with closed eyes and drooping ears, keeping the emperors’ private lives as secrets.Then, you’ll embark on a 1.5-hour transfer to the Mutianyu Great Wall, enjoying local refreshments and bottled water along the way. Once there, lace up your hiking shoes to climb the wonder of human engineering! Dating back to the 6th century AD and restored during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the Mutianyu Great Wall was built to defend against invading nomads with more than 20 beacon towers to signal enemy movements. With over 90% of the area blanketed in lush forest, it is enchanting, resembling a stone dragon atop green hills. From the No.14 and No.20 beacon towers, you can observe the Wall’s precise symmetry and the rugged beauty. If the full 11.5-kilometer (7.1-mile) hike makes you feel daunted, don’t worry – the cable car, ropeway, and slideway can help you save energy. Fees for them range from USD 14 to 28, and you’re welcome to make a decision on the spot. The guide is willing to assist you with ticket purchase.

After the hike, return to the downtown in about 1.5 hours. Your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel, or if you want a self-guided exploration at night, you can choose to get off the car at our special stop at the Hutong alleys area, and finally take a taxi back to the hotel on your own. The traditional Hutong area features the Tobacco Pipe Lane (Yandaixie Street), once a commercial hub for aristocrats and officials but now teeming with restaurants and souvenir shops, where you can watch artisans craft paper-cuttings and sugar figurines. Or you can enjoy the relaxing vibe at the Houhai Lake Bar Street, where traditional tea houses blend with modern bars.

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

After breakfast, you’ll take the high-speed train we’ve booked for you in advance from Beijing to Xi’an on your own. Walk 15 minutes northeast from your hotel to Tianqiao station to Metro Line 8, ride to Zhushikou station to transfer to Line 7, and get off at the Beijing West station. It’s a 40-minute trip and costs CNY 4 (USD 0.6). The ride-hailing takes about 50 minutes and costs CNY 50 (USD 7). After a 4.5-hour train ride to Xi’an North Railway Station, please head to the hotel by yourself: a 1-hour taxi ride for about CNY 50 (USD 7), or you can go by subway - take Line 2 to Beidajie station, and then walk 5 minutes south from Exit C.

► Free Time Suggestion in Xi’an (at your own expense): 
Consider walking 15 minutes south from your hotel to the Bell Tower, where you can wander along the walkway that encircles the square to admire the tower’s intricate eaves and encounter young ladies dressed in traditional attire with beautifully styled hair, transporting you back to the most prosperous Xi’an during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). A 10-minute walk to the west lies the Muslim Quarter. Why not stop at a popular barbecue restaurant to savor the signature grilled salt-seasoned meat with a refreshing beer? After that, stroll back to your hotel. 

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

After breakfast, you’ll meet your mini-group guide at the hotel lobby and enjoy a spot-to-spot escort to today’s first stop, the Terracotta Army Museum, housing over 8,000 terracotta soldiers buried within the outer wall of the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to guard him. Follow your guide to explore three main burial pits and marvel at the site’s sheer scale and diverse military formations. Moreover, in a special exhibition included in the price, you’ll watch a general adorned with a colorful floral waist belt. It’s amazing to see pigments from 2,200 years ago have miraculously survived! 

In the afternoon, we’ll return to downtown Xi’an to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built in honor of the revered monk Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). He undertook an arduous four-year trek along the Silk Road to India, collecting over 600 Buddhist texts, which were later preserved in the pagoda. Afterwards, the guide will accompany you to climb up Xi’an City Wall, China’s best-preserved city fortification. From its battlements, you can observe the contrast between the old inner city with narrow streets that retain the geometric urban planning and the lively modern exterior with skyscrapers. Cycling is a relaxed way to explore its 14-kilometer (9-mile) loop, and the guide can assist you with rentals at your own expense if you’re interested.

Finally, we’ll have a special stop at Muslim Quarter. You can choose to have the guide and driver escort you back to your hotel, or you can get off here and explore on your own. The Muslim Quarter is famous for its diverse multiethnic street foods like Beef Potstickers and mung bean pastries. You can explore the side streets with better prices and flavors, costing around CNY 50 (USD 7) per person. Finally, walk just 10 minutes or take a taxi back to your hotel.

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

Today, before taking the afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie, you’ll have some free time to explore Xi’an on your own.

► Recommended Activities in Xi’an (at your own expense): 
You can head to Shuyuanmen Ancient Cultural Street, a 20-minute taxi ride from your hotel, to explore arts and crafts like calligraphy, jade carvings, and paintings. Watch in awe as local artisans skillfully paint fans or delicately craft paper cuttings. Some stalls even support customizing seals. Want a more relaxing activity? You can hang out along the moat in the City Wall Park, a 10-minute taxi ride from your hotel, and meet locals doing morning exercises or playing traditional instruments. 

► Flight from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie
Around noon, please head to the airport on your own to take the flight to Zhangjiajie, with the pre-arranged tickets booked by us and included in our price. From your hotel, a taxi to Xi’an Airport takes 1 hour and costs about CNY 120 (USD 17). If time permits, you can also take subway to get there in 1.5 hours: Walk to Beidajie station to take Metro Line 2, ride to Xi’an North Station to transfer to Line 14, and arrive at Airport West Station and get out from Exit C. After a 1.5-hour flight to Zhangjiajie Airport, please proceed to our well-selected hotel in Wulingyuan District by yourself. It is advised to take a ride-hailing for about CNY 120 (USD 17) in 1 hour rather than a 3-hour bus.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santo Damingo International Hotel (3 stars)

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at the designated time confirmed with you the day before and set off to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which has gone viral after inspiring the movie ‘Avatar’. After entering the East Gate, let’s board the eco-bus of the park for a 20-minute ride. Please note that during peak seasons, especially Chinese holidays, you may need to stand on the eco-bus due to limited seats. The bus runs to the lower station of the Bailong Elevator, the world’s fastest outdoor sightseeing elevator, which ascends 335 meters (1,099 feet) in just 88 seconds, lifting you high above the verdant forest.

Stepping off the elevator, the guide will accompany you to visit the ethereal Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Marvel at the towering karst sandstone columns, often veiled in mysterious mist, bringing scenes from ‘Avatar’ to life. Here, you’ll discover iconic sights like Hallelujah Mountain (Qiankun Pillar), Back Garden, and Enchanting Platform. Lunch will be on your own. There are small eateries nestled in mountains, but be prepared as the dishes can be greasy and spicy. It is more advised to enjoy a hearty breakfast and bring some snacks for a simple lunch.In the afternoon, follow the guide to visit Yangjiajie Scenic Area. Unlike the solitary stone pillars in Yuanjiajie, this area showcases a dramatic array of undulating stone walls that form a natural barrier known as the Natural Great Wall. Next, a 30-minute eco-bus ride will bring you to Tianzi Mountain, the park’s highest peak, boasting panoramic views of towering pillars, steep peak walls, and enigmatical caves sculptured by water erosion. Midway up the mountain, you’ll see Imperial Brush Peaks, where dozens of diamond-shaped stone pillars intersect, with pines perched atop, resembling traditional Chinese paintbrushes and depicting the park’s splendid scenery. If time and weather allow, you can also admire other stunning sights such as Flower Fairy Peaks and Dianjiang Terrace. Finally, the guide will accompany you down the mountain by cable car and back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santo Damingo International Hotel (3 stars)

Today, you’ll join another mini group to discover Zhangjiajie further, and the guide will contact you the evening before to confirm your pickup time. Once everyone is gathered, we’ll proceed to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which boasts more diverse landscapes, including waterfalls, streams, and caves, than the Forest Park. As we pass through the entrance, let’s head straight to the well-known Glass Bridge, the world’s highest and longest of its kind, suspended nearly 100 stories above the ground with no central supports. Prepare for an adrenaline-popping skywalk, whether gazing at the astonishing drop below or taking in the 360° views of lush canyons and grand sandstone pinnacles. If your legs feel a bit unsteady, walk along the opaque edges for extra reassurance. Afterwards, we’ll leave the canyon. 

In the afternoon, let’s set off to Tianmen Mountain, famous for its Tianmen Cave, aka Heaven’s Gate, a wind-eroded limestone arch between two peaks. After climbing the 999 steps to the cave, you’ll take a 7-level escalator up to the mountaintop, where another Glass Skywalk awaits your challenge (shoe covers included). It will be a milder experience since the walkway hugs the mountainside and features green glass. Also, we won’t let you miss riding the world’s longest cable car, a 7.2-kilometer (4.5-mile) journey lasting about 28 minutes, during which you’ll be rewarded with mountain roads with 99 curves below, tranquil rice paddies, and vibrant cityscapes in the distance. At the end, the guide and the driver will escort you to the hotel in downtown area.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Hotel, Zhangjiajie (3 stars)

Today, you’ll take the high-speed train we’ve booked in advance from Zhangjiajie to Guilin independently. From your hotel to the Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, the ride-hailing takes 40 minutes and costs about CNY 100 (USD 14). Since food options on the train are limited, you can prepare some snacks for your 7-hour journey. Upon arrival at Guilin, please proceed to the hotel by yourself, a 15-minute taxi ride for CNY 15 (USD 2).

► Free Time Suggestion (at your own expense):
Don’t miss visiting the Elephant Trunk Hill that embodies Guilin’s stunning scenery, a 15-minute taxi ride from your hotel. You can admire its whimsical shape and see over 70 poetic inscriptions on the wall of Water Moon Cave. As night falls, consider walking 10 minutes southeast from your hotel to Binjiang Road. Wander along the Li River to capture the Sun and Moon Pagodas, one illuminated with a golden glow and the other clear as pearls. For a more vibrant scene, walk 10 minutes southeast from your hotel to Zhengyang Road Pedestrian Street, lined with quaint restaurants and handicraft shops. You can sample the signature Rice Noodles for CNY 10 (USD 1.4) per serving, topped with pickled long beans, peanuts, bamboo shoots, and scallions. A dry version without hot soup is recommended. 

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

After breakfast, your private guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and escort you to the pier for a 4-hour Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Guilin has long been regarded by Chinese poets and painters as a benchmark of natural beauty, largely contributed to the 83-kilometer (52-mile) Li River winding through fantastic karst peaks, sleepy villages, and dense bamboo groves. The best view will unveil when you’re near Yellow Cloth Shoal, where triangle peaks are reflected in turquoise waters, so amazing that it appears on the CNY 20 bill. Despite the prevalence of e-payments, local visitors often pose with the banknote for photos. Along the way, you may also see fishermen navigating bamboo rafts, accompanied by trained cormorants catching fish. Around noon, the cruise ship will serve a simple lunch.We’ll disembark around 14:00, followed by a visit to the countryside of Yangshuo. To experience the picturesque scenery at a relaxed pace, we’ve arranged a bicycle tour, during which you’ll be greeted by green rice paddies and grazing buffalo. Pausing to admire bamboo rafts drifting past cascading waterfalls will also be interesting. The cycling will last about two hours; if you feel tired, you can choose to hop on our comfortable private car and stop at any stunning spots along the way. As the day ends, the guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel in Guilin in 1.5 hours.

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

Today, you’ll take the high-speed train by yourself from Guilin to Hong Kong with a pre-booked ticket by us. It’s a 30-minute taxi ride from your hotel to Guilin West Railway Station, costing about CNY 30 (USD 4). After a 3-hour train ride to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station, please head to the hotel by yourself. The ride-hailing service takes 10 minutes and costs HKD 70 (USD 9). Alternatively, you can take a 30-minute MTR railway for HKD 5 (USD 0.6) as follows: Exit West Kowloon station → walk 10 minutes via the pedestrian bridge on Level 1 to Austin station → take the MTR Tuen Ma Line to Hon Man Tin station → transfer to the Kwun Tong Line to Mong Kok station → walk 10 minutes northwest from Exit A2 to your hotel.

► Tips:
1. Payment Methods: Major credit cards like VISA and MasterCard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. For small vendors and local bazaars, you can withdraw some HK dollars from ATMs.
2. Transportation: After arriving at West Kowloon Railway Station, consider purchasing a Travel Octopus Card (HKD 39≈USD 5) from a vending machine, which can be used for the MTR, buses, and trams.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Iclub Mong Kok Hotel Hong Kong (3 stars)

Today is your free day to explore Hong Kong. Discover striking architecture, historical landmarks and mouthwatering cuisine that capture the city’s cosmopolitan spirit. Here’s a suggested itinerary: 

In the morning, make your way to Victoria Peak, one of the city’s most iconic viewpoints. Take the Peak Tram to Sky Terrace 428, which offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula. To reach there, walk 10 minutes southeast from your hotel to Mong Kok station to take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line, get off at the Admiralty station, and walk 15 minutes southwest from Exit B to the Peak Tram Terminal. 

After descending, consider taking a historic tram along main streets for a taste of old Hong Kong. The Purple Line, from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, loops across Hong Kong Island, passing popular districts like Causeway Bay and North Point. It takes about two hours and costs HKD 3 (USD 0.4), allowing flexible hop-on and hop-off. The nearest Arsenal Street station can be reached via the second-floor footbridge at Exit C of Admiralty MTR station.

Reserve your evening for the enchanting ambiance of Victoria Harbor, near MTR Central Station, where you can browse local markets and try snacks like Silk Stocking Milk Tea, Fish Balls, and Egg Waffles. Then, conclude your day with a ride on the Star Ferry while admiring the illuminated skyline. To return to your hotel, walk 10 minutes northwest from the harbor to Whampoa station to catch the MTR Kwung Tong Line, ride to Mong Kok station and get off at Exit A2, followed by a 10-minute walk northwest, totally taking 30 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Iclub Mong Kok Hotel Hong Kong (3 stars)

Your 13 days budget China tour from Beijing will end today. After breakfast, please head to Hong Kong International Airport for your departure flight on your own. To reach the airport, you can take a 25-minute taxi ride for about HKD 300 (USD 39). Taking a 50-minute metro is more economical for HKD 80 (USD 11), and the route is: Walk 10 minutes southwest from your hotel to Olympic station to take MTR Tung Chung Line, ride to Tsing Yi station to transfer to Airport Express, and get off at the Airport station. Enjoy your journey home! 

Meals: Breakfast