Grand Panorama on a Budget

Beijing unfolds like a grand chessboard, with streets and structures arranged symmetrically along a central axis. After breakfast, your guide and the driver will greet you at the hotel lobby and whisk you away to Tiananmen Square, the heart of this layout, which has witnessed China’s founding and hosts major monumental events. Strolling north through Meridian Gate, you’ll step into the Forbidden City, a royal complex during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911 AD), where palaces are organized hierarchically, demonstrating how the central axis reflects social order. The largest palace, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, exudes imperial majesty with its double-eave roof, gleaming with golden glazed tiles. Looking closely, you’ll find 10 mythical beast statues on the roof ridges, meant to ward off evil and summon rain, while other lower-ranked palaces allow a maximum of nine.In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to Mutianyu Great Wall, a military fortification built to defend against nomadic tribal raids. Since hiking the entire section is demanding, consider focusing on the most rewarding section between No.14 and 20 beacon towers. These densely packed watchtowers serve for command, garrison, and supplies, featuring arrow windows that are narrow outside and wide inside for firing and throwing projectiles. You can use these vantage points to capture blends of the winding Great Wall, lush mountains, and the sky. 

Today’s sightseeing will conclude with an escort back to your hotel. Along the way, we’ll pass by the Hutong Alleys area, perfect for self-guided nightlife exploration, especially around Tobacco Pipe Lane (Yandaixie Street) and Houhai Lake Bar Street. You can choose to get off there and finally take a 50-minute taxi ride back to the hotel by yourself.

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

After the morning hotel pick-up, your guide and the driver will escort you to the Temple of Heaven, a royal sacrificial complex. The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven governed all aspects of life and the emperor was its earthly incarnation. Thus, regardless of his supreme status, the emperor should be responsible for seeking blessings from Heaven by kneeling at the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar during a grand ceremony on the winter solstice. It is said that once an emperor fell ill before the ceremony and sent an official to perform sacrifices on his behalf, and Beijing experienced neither rain nor snow after that, which indicated a severe drought for the following year. The emperor took this as a punishment for disrespecting Heaven and then fasted for several days to pray for forgiveness.

Then, let’s unveil authentic Beijing life in the Hutong Alleys with a rickshaw ride. As the wheels creak over the uneven bluestone pavement, your eyes will be filled with traditional quadrangle courtyards featuring grey tiles, indigo bricks, and crimson gates. Several families, sometimes up to ten, live in one courtyard, forming a natural community network. While many Hutong Alleys have been modified for modern living, some residents choose to stay for the nostalgic charm and the convenient location.After visiting Lama Temple, the country’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple, your guide will show you around Summer Palace, a royal retreat dotted with elegant pavilions and some sites for political activities. It resembles a living Chinese landscape painting, with Kunming Lake serving as the backdrop, which offers a breathtaking vista of surroundings; Longevity Hill is the commanding height and visual focal point of the garden, housing the main architectural complex. They are cleverly connected by a long corridor, adorned with over 14,000 colorful murals depicting folk stories. Finally, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel.

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

After breakfast, please head independently to Beijing West Railway Station to board a high-speed train to Xi’an with a pre-booked ticket provided by us and included in your itinerary. A taxi from your hotel to the station takes about 30 minutes and costs around CNY 50 (USD 7). However, due to Beijing’s frequent traffic congestion, especially during rush hours, we recommend taking the metro. The 40-minute subway ride costs only CNY 4 (USD 0.6): from your hotel, walk 15 minutes northeast to Tianqiao Station, take Line 8 to Zhushikou, transfer to Line 7, and ride to Beijing West Railway Station.

Once arrive at Xi’an North Railway Station in 4.5 hours, you can take Metro Line 2 to Beidajie station and walk 5 minutes south from Exit C to your hotel (CNY 4 / USD 0.6). A taxi is not significantly faster but offers door-to-door convenience for around CNY 40-50 (USD 5-7). 

► Free Time Suggestion in Xi’an (at your own expense):
The Bell Tower, located just a 15-minute walk south of your hotel, is the vibrant center of local life. An intricate underpass provides several entrances to reach it, with Exit 4 and 5 leading to Kaiyuan Mall being the best viewing platform. Each evening around 19:30, the Bell Tower’s green-tiled roof and red rafters will be illuminated, contrasting dramatically against the flow of traffic, an ideal scene for time-lapse photography. There might be some young ladies dressed in traditional attire crashing into your frame! 

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

In the early morning, your guide and the driver will escort you from the hotel to today’s first stop, the Terracotta Army Museum. It’s a part of the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (221 - 207 BC), the first emperor of China, and was unexpectedly unveiled by a farmer who was digging a well in 1974. Apart from marveling at the massive scale and various military units of this underground army, you can observe some warriors up close through the 50th-anniversary exhibition included in our price, especially the kneeling archer found in Pit No.2 without any repair. Each part of his armor was designed for free movement when bending, turning, and raising arms, while tight and sparse stitches on the soles respectively aimed at adding traction and comfort, reflecting the realistic craftsmanship of ancient artisans.

Following that, we’ll visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda after driving back to the downtown, named after a tale that a wild goose saved a monk who commissioned its construction. Next, your guide will accompany you on a hike along the City Wall, which provides a unique perspective on local life centered around four city gates. If you prefer a more leisurely and meticulous exploration on its 14-kilometer (8-mile) loop, feel free to ask your guide for assistance with bicycle rentals.

Then, an escort back to the hotel will conclude your sightseeing, stopping by the Muslim Quarter, consisting of several food streets. If you wish to join the many food enthusiasts to hunt for local specialties like Fried Beef Pie, Green Bean Cake, and Grilled Skewers, you can choose to get off here, and the guide will provide transportation suggestions back to your hotel. 

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

After breakfast, please head to Xi’an North Railway Station by yourself to board a 3.5-hour high-speed train to Chengdu with tickets provided by us and included in your itinerary. Once in Chengdu East Station, arrange your own transport to the hotel we’ve pre-booked: take a 40-minute metro by travelling on Line 7 to Taipingyuan station, transfer to Line 3 to Hongpailou station, and walk 5 minutes northwest from Exit C. Alternatively, a taxi takes the same time and costs roughly CNY 40-50 (USD 5-7).

► Free Time Suggestion in Chengdu (at your own expense):
Once settled, consider taking a 10-minute taxi to Wuhou Memorial Temple, dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a military strategist known for his unparalleled wisdom. The temple’s red walls with mottled bamboo shadows are very photogenic, and numerous statues and stone inscriptions offer insights into their related 4th-century history. To the east lies Jinli Ancient Street, where you can savor representative snacks like Wonton in Chili Oil and Baked Egg Pancake for about CNY 15 - 30 (USD 2 - 4) per serving. Later, watching wonderful folk artisan performances surrounded by red lanterns promises a cozy and meaningful night.

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

Enjoy this free day to explore Chengdu as you like, and the following itinerary is for your reference:

Chengdu is known as the city of giant pandas, so why not first rush into the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to encounter those charmingly naïve creatures? The journey from the west gate allows for a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds. 08:30-10:30 is prime time, when the giant pandas are most active, with highlights including giant pandas cozily munching on bamboo, climbing trees for physical training, and playful cubs learning to walk, all in a simulated natural environment.
 Tips:
Remember to book the tickets online at least 7 days in advance. To get there, you can take Metro Line 3 at Hongpailou station, ride to Chengdu Junqu General Hospital Station (Exit A), and transfer to Bus No.409 to the Panda Base, which is a 1-hour journey for CNY 7 (USD 1), while a taxi costs around CNY 60 (USD 8.5).

In the afternoon, return to the downtown and you can visit the Wide and Narrow Alley, characterized by three ancient parallel alleys with Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD) architecture. Snap photos with artistic graffiti and panda elements everywhere, or try local street foods such as Dan Dan Noodles and Fried Sugar Rice Balls. Afterward, walk 15 minutes southeast to People’s Park to experience the slow rhythm of local life. Sip tea while watching locals play mahjong or chess, and then stroll to Match-making Corner to observe how Chinese parents screening an eligible partner for their children through “resumes”. Finally, take a 30-minute taxi back to your hotel.

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

This morning, please take a 40-minute metro or 35-minute taxi by yourself to Chengdu East Railway Station, where you’ll board a train to Chongqing with our pre-booked tickets included in your itinerary. As there are many trains between these two places, our travel consultant will contact you about the exact train number at least one day before. Whichever of Chongqing’s three main stations you arrive at, a taxi to your hotel takes about 40 minutes and costs approximately CNY 50 (USD 7). The subway is a cheaper alternative (under USD 1) but requires multiple transfers and takes 40-60 minutes. 

► Free Time Suggestions in Chongqing: (at your own expense)
If you’ve heard about Chongqing from YouTube or TikTok, you may want to check its multilayered cityscape by yourself. Walk 15 minutes southeast from your hotel to Kuixing Building, which stands on both the first and 22nd floors, and witness the huge depth difference at the central footbridge. Then, you can stroll to the adjacent Linjiangmen station and take Metro Line 2 to Liziba station for a crazy view of trains passing through buildings – be sure to board at the first carriage for a more immersive experience! After that, get off at Exit 1 and walk to the viewing platform for Instagram hot shoots like “swallowing” the train. At dusk, take Line 2 back to Linjiangmen station and walk 10 minutes northeast to Hongya Cave, a lit-up stilt complex that showcases the best night views of Chongqing. Browse handicrafts and local delicacies on each floor, and finally walk 10 minutes southwest back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Chongqing Downtown (4 stars)

This morning is also for your free exploration of Chongqing, and here is a suggested itinerary: 

It’s a 10-minute walk southwest from your hotel to the Jiefangbei Monument, whose surroundings are bustling with a food street and many malls. You can absorb the aroma of local dishes like Spicy Noodles and capture the chopstick-like Guotai Art Center. Next, walk 10 minutes northeast to ride the Yangtze River Cableway at the North Station, during which Chongqing will leave you lasting impressions with stacked buildings, winding mountain roads, and the grand Yangtze River Bridge. The tickets can be purchased on site.

Around noon, please take a 40-minute taxi to railway station on your own for a 2.5-hour high-speed train ride to Zhangjiajie, with the train tickets provided by us and included in your itinerary.

Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, please make your own way to our well-chosen hotel. You can take either Bus No. 16 or No. 7, which will take you to a stop 5-minute walk to the hotel in about 35-40 minutes, costing less than 1 US dollar. A taxi is a more convenient option, with a travel time of around 15-20 minutes and a fare of approximately CNY 30 (USD 4). Have a good rest for the upcoming 2-day natural wonderland journey!

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

Spend the day exploring the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with your guide and other group members. Since the weather is changeable, it is advisable to dress in layers and bring a raincoat. After a comfortable transfer to the east gate, you’ll take a 20-minute eco-bus of the park to ride the Bailong Elevator. Please note that during peak seasons, especially around Chinese holidays, the bus can be quite crowded, and standing might be necessary. Once arrived, get your camera ready for the thrilling 335-meter (1,099-feet) ascent in just 88 seconds, which includes climbing within the mountain and reaching eye level with towering stone pillars! 

Next, visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the park’s most popular and famous site. At Enchanting Platform, you can gaze upon jagged peaks and interwoven ridges, and marvel at the well-known Hallelujah Mountain, which inspired the floating mountains seen in the film ‘Avatar’. Its top tapers to the ground and is covered with lush vegetation, resembling a sculpture carved by divine hands. When cloaked in mist, it’s almost impossible to tell whether you’re in Pandora or on Earth.

In the afternoon, the Yangjiajie Scenic Area awaits your exploration, marked by the Natural Great Wall - a series of undulating stone walls that transition from rocky mountains to stone pillars. Afterward, board the eco-bus again to the park’s highest peak, Tianzi Mountain, and feast your eyes on a panoramic spectacle of hundreds of stone peaks clustered in the deep valley, like an army at attention. Finally, your guide will accompany you on a cable car ride down and escort you back to your hotel.

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

Today’s Zhangjiajie adventure will begin with a hotel pickup and a spot-to-spot transfer to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, offering a more laid-back surrounding with melodic streams and cascading waterfalls. Once there, challenge yourself at the exhilarating Glass Bridge, which stretches between two mountains and soars 100 stories high. Some adults may timidly shuffle like koalas, while kids dash joyfully. As you look around the 360-degree panorama on it, the initial trepidation will gradually fade into shock, with sandstone peaks unfolding like a massive bonsai, and birds gliding through them. Afterward, we’ll leave the canyon.

Around noon, we’ll proceed to Tianmen Mountain. Tianmen Cave is considered its postcard, a giant natural stone arch that appears like a gateway to the sky. If it is a rainy day, the ethereal mist around the arch will enhance its mystique. After admiring it up close, take a 7-level transmountain escalator to the summit, where you’ll experience the thrilling cliffside Glass Skywalk. During this Tianmen Mountain tour, we have also included the round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the mountain, the 5-level escalator, and the eco-bus ride of the scenic area,  to save you more time and energy for sightseeing. Finally, your guide and the driver will whisk you back to the hotel.

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

After breakfast, please set off to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station by yourself, and board the high-speed train to Guilin with the tickets provided by us and included in your itinerary. Upon arrival at Guilin after 7 hours, a 30-minute taxi ride can lead you to the hotel, costing approximately CNY 30 (USD 4), while public Bus No. 22 offers a more economical alternative at just CNY 2 (USD 0.3), though the journey takes about twice as long.

► Free Time Suggestions (at your own expense):
Once checked into your hotel and settled, consider visiting the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill for free with your passport. It is aptly named because it resembles an elephant drinking from the Li River. The observation deck near Gate 2 offers the most Instagram-worthy glimpse of the ‘elephant trunk’! Or, you can head to the rooftop café of the adjacent hotel for panoramic views of the Hill. Later, walk 10 minutes north to Sun and Moon Pagodas. It’s best to arrive at about 18:30, when the copper Sun pagoda and glazed-tile Moon pagoda will be lit, reflecting elegantly in the lake. What a dreamy blue moment!

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

After meeting your guide and the driver at your hotel lobby, you’ll be escorted by private car to the pier to embark on a 4-hour Li River Cruise for a painting-like journey from Guilin to Yangshuo. Lush bamboo groves line the banks, dotted with hidden cottages, with karst peaks seamlessly matching with their reflections. The highlight of this visual symphony is Yellow Cloth Shoal, where seven indented mountains serve as the backdrop of the CNY 20 bill, attracting many tourists to hold the bill for photos. As the cruise approaches Yangshuo, you may also spot fishermen wearing a coir raincoat and straw hat, showcasing traditional fishing with cormorants. Lunch will be served on the boat. 

Arriving at the pier in Yangshuo around 14:00, you’ll enjoy a cycling tour through the tranquil countryside, passing rolling rice paddies, croaking frogs, and busy farmers. Stop wherever photography inspiration strikes! For those who seek a more relaxed pace, our cozy air-conditioned vehicle is at your disposal. At the day’s end, your guide and the driver will convoy you back to the hotel in Guilin.

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

After breakfast, please check out and head back to Guilin West Railway Station on your own, where you’ll take a 3-hour high-speed train to Hong Kong that we’ve booked for you beforehand and included in your itinerary. Upon arriving at Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station, please go to the hotel on your own, with the efficient MTR railway: 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, and walk 10 minutes northwest (Exit A2) to your hotel. Also, you can take a 10-minute taxi for HKD 70 (USD 9).

►Tips:
1. Payment: Although credit cards and e-payments are mostly accepted, it’s recommended to prepare some Hong Kong dollars for street food. Withdrawing cash from ATMs is very convenient at West Kowloon Station, and HKD 800-1,000 (USD 103 - 129) can generally cover your trip.
2. Transportation: The base fare for a taxi is HKD 29 (USD 4), but busy traffic may increase the bill; you can add an Octopus card to your Apple Wallet to utilize public transportation, which supports taking the MTR railway, buses, trams, and ferry.
3. Power Converter: A Type G plug is used in Hong Kong, so remember to bring a power converter.

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

Today depends on you to discover Hong Kong, and here is a suggested itinerary:

Consider taking the centuries-old peak tram to admire the grand building complex of Victoria Harbor and the southern island cityscape from Victoria Peak, with the Lugard Road viewing platform offering the best free scenery. Take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line at Mong Kok station, a 10-minute walk southeast from your hotel, alight at Admiralty Station (Exit B), and walk 15 minutes southwest to the Peak Tram Terminal. 

After that, you can glimpse an old Hong Kong at Aberdeen Harbor with the floating fishing village and wholesale fish market, and savor authentic boat noodles, featuring noodles topped with poached chicken and fish balls. Walk 5 minutes north to Queen’s Terrace station to catch the No.7 bus and get off at St. Peter’s Church station, which takes 40 minutes and costs HKD 8 (USD 1). From here, the No.973 bus can lead you to Repulse Bay, ideal for a refreshing swim with amenities and visiting historic Tianhou Temple.

Maybe end your day at Stanley Market, taking the 10-minute No.52 bus from Repulse Bay to Stanley Village station for HKD 6 (USD 0.8). It operates until 19:00 and sells everything from necessities to high-tech items, with colonial buildings and a lively atmosphere. Finally, take the No.6X bus to the Central station, transfer to the MTR Tung Chung Line at Hong Kong station to the Olympic station, and walk 10 minutes northeast (Exit C1) to your hotel. The entire trip lasts about 1.5 hours and costs HKD 27.5 (USD 3.5).

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

It’s time to say goodbye to your China tour from Manila Philippines. After checking out, please go to Hong Kong International Airport by yourself. Deal with your large luggage with a 25-minute taxi ride for about HKD 300 (USD 39), or take the MTR Tung Chung Line at the Olympic station to Tsing Yi station and transfer to the Airport Express to get there, only HKD 80 (USD 11) for a 50-minute journey. For your return from Hong Kong to Manila, there are over ten direct flights of 2 hours available. Hope you enjoy a wonderful journey!

Meals: Breakfast