Totally China & Guilin - 11 Days

Upon arriving at Beijing Airport, you will be greeted outside customs by your guide. From there, our driver will take you to our hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and unwind.

This morning, at 08:00 AM, we will meet our guide in the hotel lobby for a 15-minute tour briefing before beginning a 2-3 hour guided tour at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban square and a significant site for national ceremonies, surrounded by historic landmarks. From there, we will stroll to the Forbidden City, once the political and imperial center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911). With our expert guide, we will efficiently explore key areas and visit the specially included Treasury Gallery, which houses priceless imperial treasures such as the remarkable 1.29m-tall Pearl-Inlaid Gold Tower, crafted from 85 kilograms of gold and decorated with hundreds of pearls and gemstones. Our guide will also share fascinating stories from the palace’s history, including accounts of abandoned wells after court intrigue led to maids and eunuchs being thrown into them, forcing the imperial household to fetch water from a mountain over 20 kilometers away.

Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, offering an opportunity to sample authentic Chinese cuisine, including the world-renowned Peking Roast Duck. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, an iconic ceremonial site where Ming and Qing emperors once worshipped Heaven in prayers for a good harvest. To conclude the day, we will attend a spectacular acrobatic performance at the Red Theater, showcasing incredible feats of skill and artistry.

Today’s highlight is our visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. A return cable car ride is included, allowing us to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. We have ample time to walk along the Wall and take part in a group toast with red wine, a memorable way to mark this iconic experience.

After a buffet lunch, we return to the city and stop for photos at the Olympic National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, where we admire the striking architecture from close range. Later, we take a traditional rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic hutong alleys, with the opportunity to visit a local family courtyard house and gain insight into traditional neighbourhood life.

Beijing - Xi'an. This morning, we visit the imperial Summer Palace, a former retreat of China’s emperors and a masterpiece of classical garden design. After lunch, we transfer to the railway station and travel by high-speed train to Xi’an. On arrival, our local guide and driver meet us and transfer us to the hotel.

We begin the day with a visit to the Terracotta Army Museum, one of China’s most significant archaeological discoveries, featuring thousands of life-sized warriors created to guard the tomb of the first emperor. Lunch is enjoyed at a nearby local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the family home of the first farmer who discovered the Terracotta Army, followed by a hands-on experience creating a mini clay warrior with guidance from a local artisan. Returning to Xi’an, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important centre of Buddhist learning since the Tang Dynasty.

This evening, we enjoy a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while dining on a traditional Dumpling Dinner, a much-loved local speciality made with a variety of savoury fillings.

The day begins with a relaxed visit to City Wall Park, where we observe locals going about their daily routines and have the opportunity to practise Tai Chi under the guidance of a master. We then continue to the ancient City Wall itself, one of the best-preserved city walls in China.

Around midday, we explore the lively Muslim Quarter and enjoy an a la carte lunch featuring local flavours. In the afternoon, we visit the Great Mosque, a unique blend of Islamic faith and Chinese architectural style, followed by the Shaanxi History Museum, which offers an excellent overview of the region’s long and influential past.

Xian - Guilin. This morning, we take a flight to Guilin. On arrival, our local guide and driver meet us and transfer us to the hotel. We then visit the Reed Flute Cave, known for its illuminated limestone formations, followed by Elephant Trunk Hill, a natural landmark symbolising the city.

Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin. Today, we enjoy a scenic cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing through some of China’s most celebrated karst landscapes. After disembarking in Yangshuo approximately 4.5 hours later, we stroll along the famous West Street.

We then drive into the Yangshuo countryside to take in the rural scenery and visit a local villager’s home, offering a glimpse of traditional life in this picturesque region. In the late afternoon, we return to Guilin.

Please Note: Lunch on the cruise is a simple Chinese box meal. As this may not suit all tastes, we recommend enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

We fly to Shanghai this morning. On arrival, our guide and driver meet us and transfer us to the hotel. The hotel is well located near the North Bund, and the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the area.

This morning, we visit the Shanghai Museum, home to an outstanding collection of ancient Chinese art, followed by a walk through Yu Garden and its surrounding traditional bazaar. Lunch is at your own choice and expense.

In the afternoon, we stroll along the historic Bund, famous for its waterfront skyline, before enjoying a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River. On returning to the hotel, our guide sees us into the lobby and wishes us bon voyage.

Today, you travel independently to the airport for your onward flight. As departure times vary, the hotel-to-airport transfer is not included, although assistance can be provided if required. Taxis are convenient and good value in China. We wish you a pleasant journey home and memories to last a lifetime.