China Silk Road Discovery - Private - 11 Days

Welcome to China, where your journey begins in the vibrant city of Beijing. Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting at the airport with a sign displaying your name, ready to escort you to your centrally located accommodation.

This dynamic city, the capital of China, seamlessly merges its ancient history with modern advancements. Explore Beijing's iconic landmarks and lively markets at your leisure, or unwind at the hotel after your flight.

Your guide will meet us in the hotel lobby. Our first destination is Tian’anmen Square, followed by the majestic Forbidden City. After exploring its rich history, we will hike up to Jingshan Park, where a panoramic view of the Forbidden City awaits us atop Coal Hill.

Following a traditional Chinese lunch, we'll drive to the Back Lakes (Houhai) area and stroll through Nanluoguxiang Alley, known for its blend of historic hutongs, modern boutiques, and eclectic shops.

We'll then make a stop at a tea house before returning to the hotel. In the evening, you might consider a cultural night show or sampling Peking duck.

Today, we visit the Great Wall of China. We drive to the Mutianyu section, where you can either hike along the Wall or take a cable car to explore the area. We'll enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch at a local restaurant.

On our way back to the city centre, we'll stop at a jade carving factory to witness the intricate craftsmanship involved in creating these stunning pieces. Before returning to the hotel, we'll pause for photos outside the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, iconic venues from the 2008 Olympics.

We begin our day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, an extraordinary example of ancient Chinese architecture and the largest sacrificial structure in China. Here, we'll explore the grounds where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

Next, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through a nearby Hutong, offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese neighbourhood life.

After a traditional lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, we'll board a high-speed train to Xi'an, ensuring a swift and comfortable journey. Upon arrival, we'll be greeted by our local guide and transferred to your hotel in Xi'an.

In the morning, we will collect you and drive to the renowned Qin Terracotta Warriors, an essential stop on any itinerary. Here, you will also have the opportunity to learn the craft of pottery figurine making at a nearby workshop. We will organise a traditional Chinese lunch in the vicinity.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Bell Tower, notable for being the largest and most well-preserved in China. Next, we will explore Gao's Courtyard, where you can admire traditional architecture and delve into local culture through paper-cutting and shadow puppetry demonstrations.

You will then have time to wander through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, ideal for a spot of shopping and sampling various local snacks. Following this, we will return you to your hotel. For the evening, we highly recommend attending the Tang Dynasty Show to enhance your cultural experience.

We will begin our day by checking out of the hotel and embarking on a leisurely tour of the Ancient City Wall. This impressive structure offers a glimpse into Chinese history and provides panoramic views of the city.

Next, we visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and its northern square, a key cultural site dating back to the Tang Dynasty, providing insight into the spread of Buddhism in China.

After enjoying a local lunch, we head towards Xi'an Airport. En route, we stop at the Hanyang Mausoleum, China's largest museum in terms of floor space, featuring an extraordinary collection of artefacts from the Han Dynasty.

We will then catch our flight to Guilin, where a local guide will meet us for a seamless transfer to our hotel. The evening is yours to explore or unwind.

We start our day with a two-hour drive to the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area, known as the Dragon Backbone. After a short trek, we will witness the breathtaking Longji Terraces, ingeniously crafted over 700 years ago by the resourceful locals on the hillsides encircling their villages.

Lunch is arranged at a local restaurant in a minority village, offering a taste of regional cuisine. Afterwards, we return to the hotel in Guilin. In the evening, we recommend you experience the enchanting Night Cruise on Guilin's four lakes.

Join us for a deluxe Li River Cruise, complete with a buffet lunch on board. We will sail in comfort, featuring excellent facilities and service, as we journey down the winding river towards Yangshuo.

Take in the enchanting landscapes from the sundeck or relax by the window to admire the views. Upon arrival, explore the lively West Street, or take a sightseeing car to the parking area before driving back to Guilin.

Meet our local guide and check out as we begin our day exploring the iconic sights of Guilin. Our first stop is Elephant Trunk Hill, a symbol of the city, resembling a giant elephant drinking from the Li River.

Stroll along the scenic paths of the Li River and Shanhu Lake, where you'll encounter the striking Golden and Silver Twin Pagodas by the lake's edge. Next, we drive to Reed Flute Cave, renowned for its stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites that create a mesmerising fairyland of shapes and colours.

After our exploration, enjoy a delicious à la carte lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we depart Guilin and fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Begin our day by exploring the Shikumen, a distinctive architectural feature of Old Shanghai. We'll then take an orientation walk along the Bund, the historic centre of foreign trade from the late 19th century. Next, we'll visit Yuyuan Garden, a classic example of Chinese garden design, located in downtown Shanghai.

We'll pause for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, followed by a trip to a silk museum, before heading to the modern district of Lujiazui CBD. You will have free time to unwind on the Riverside Promenade.

We'll then visit the Shanghai Tower, the city's tallest building, where we'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Shanghai skyline. Return to the hotel for the evening. For those interested, we highly recommend the ERA Acrobatic Show, a popular evening entertainment option in Shanghai.

Enjoy a free day at your leisure before we transfer you to the airport for your return flight. Should you wish, we can arrange a ride on the Maglev train to Pudong Airport, offering an impressive high-speed journey. Alternatively, we can provide direct chauffeured transport to the airport.