Totally China & Zhangjiajie - 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 08:30 AM, we will meet our guide in the hotel lobby for a 30-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, we will experience the wonder of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, one of its best-preserved and most scenic sections. A round-trip cable car ride is included, allowing ample time to explore the Wall comfortably while enjoying breathtaking views as it winds across the rugged landscape. To commemorate the visit, we will celebrate with a group toast of red wine after our walk along the Wall.

On our return journey to Beijing this afternoon, we will pass by the Bird’s Nest, the iconic National Stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games, where we will stop for a photo opportunity to admire its striking and award-winning architecture up close.

Later, we will take a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic Hutongs, a maze of narrow lanes lined with traditional courtyard residences known as Siheyuan. This 40-minute ride offers a glimpse into old Beijing life and concludes with a visit to a local family’s Siheyuan, providing an authentic experience of this distinctive way of living. Afterward, we will return to our hotel, where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Beijing - Xi'an. After breakfast, we will set out for the Panda Hall at Beijing Zoo, offering a special chance to see China’s treasured giant pandas. We will arrive early to catch them at their liveliest, as they busily graze and eat bamboo. An adult panda consumes an astonishing 23 to 40 kilograms each day to meet its nutritional needs.

We will then continue to the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, where elegant landscapes and grand historical structures await. If visiting in early July, the lotus flowers in bloom will add an extra charm to the scenery.

Following lunch with local specialities, we will say farewell to Beijing. Your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. On arrival, a Xi’an guide will meet you and transfer you to your central hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure after checking in.

This morning, we will visit the extraordinary Terracotta Army, created as funerary guardians for Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 to 210 BC), founder of the Qin Empire. We will view the vast ranks of life-sized warriors in their original pits and explore a new exhibition hall showcasing 230 carefully preserved artefacts, including intricately sculpted animals and vividly painted pottery and bronze. Our guide will help us uncover the grandeur and enduring mystery of this ancient empire.

After visiting the Terracotta Army, we will visit the home of Yang Zhifa, the farmer who discovered the first warrior in 1974, where you can hear his story, see the original hoe and cart he used, and view a full-size replica. If Mr Yang is present, you may also have a chance to meet him and take photos. We will then continue to a terracotta warrior workshop, where an artisan will demonstrate the traditional crafting process before guiding you as you make your own miniature warrior to keep as a souvenir.

After, we will make our way to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD) to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India. The surrounding Da Ci’en Temple offers not only a strong Buddhist atmosphere but also fascinating imperial history, as it was built by Emperor Li Zhi in gratitude to his father and in memory of his late mother. In the evening, we will enjoy a dumpling dinner followed by the renowned Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. After the performance, we will return to our hotel.

Please note: As the theatre is usually closed in January, February, March and December, the show and dumpling dinner will not be included for tours during these months.

Xián - Zhangjiajie. Today, we will make our way to the City Wall Park, where we can observe locals enjoying their morning activities such as singing, dancing, playing music, and chess, and you’re welcome to join in if you wish. You can also take part in a traditional Tai Chi class, a graceful practice that combines slow flowing movements to promote both physical and mental well-being.

After that, you will visit the City Wall, the best-preserved urban fortification in China, dating back to the 1300s. You can walk or cycle along the top of this ancient structure, an experience many find unforgettable.

We will then have lunch at a popular restaurant in the bustling Muslim Quarter, a lively bazaar known for its street food and atmosphere. Alongside a variety of traditional dishes, you can savour local treats such as sweet, steamed rice, green bean cake, persimmon cake, and rice cake

After, our guide will transfer us to the airport for our onward flight to Zhangjiajie. Once we have arrived, we will be met by our guide who will transfer us to our hotel.

Zhangjiajie - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Zhangjiajie. After breakfast we will depart for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, entering through the East Gate. We take an eco-friendly shuttle to the Bailong Elevator, which carries us to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area in under two minutes. Here we admire spectacular sandstone pillars that inspired the film Avatar, including Hallelujah Mountain and the Enchanting Platform, which offers excellent panoramic views.

We then head to a local restaurant in a mountain village for lunch, where we sample traditional regional dishes. After lunch, we continue to the Yangjiajie Scenic Area, where peaks stretch and fold like a natural stone wall – the impressive 380-million-year-old Natural Great Wall, a unique feature of this region.

Our day concludes at Tianzi Mountain, known as the “Monarch of the Peak Forest”, where we explore scenic spots linked to the legendary Tujia hero Xiang Dakun. After taking in the dramatic views, we descend by cable car and return to the hotel.

Today, we begin at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where cool air, rich greenery and clear lakes surround us. Our visit includes walking across the Yuntiandu Glass Bridge, the world's highest and longest, stretching above a 300-metre-deep gorge. The name means "pathway in the clouds", and stepping onto its transparent floor offers a thrilling sensation of floating in midair. Its design ensures complete safety, so this is a perfect chance to capture panoramic views and memorable photos before returning for lunch.

In the afternoon, we explore Golden Whip Stream inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We take a relaxed guided walk through this scenic valley, where steep cliffs, flowing water and dense forest create a peaceful atmosphere. Along the way, we may encounter monkeys that often appear in search of food, so keep belongings secure. After the walk, we leave the park and return to the hotel for the evening.

Zhangjiajie - Shanghai. After breakfast, we head to the downtown cableway station where our guide accompanies us on the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, the longest in the world. This half-hour ride takes us from city views to breathtaking peaks and valleys. At the summit, we walk along the thrilling Glass Skywalk, clinging to the cliffside, offering a unique chance to admire Zhangjiajie’s dramatic karst scenery from above.

Next, we descend by a series of escalators to reach Tianmen Cave, the iconic natural arch that gives the mountain its name. Gazing up at this immense opening carved into the rock, it is easy to see why it is often called a gateway to heaven. We continue down to Tianmen Square, a perfect spot for panoramic photos of the cave, before descending further by express cable car to the exit.

Afterwards, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai. On arrival, our local guide will meet us at the airport and escort us to our hotel for check-in and an evening at leisure.

This morning, we will visit the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s finest museums, known for its exceptional collection of ancient art. We will then explore the elegant Yu Garden, with its charming Nine Zigzag Bridge and mid-lake pavilion. You will also have the chance to browse the nearby bazaar for souvenirs if you wish. Around noon, we will enjoy an à la carte farewell lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will stroll along the lively Bund where you will have free time to explore before taking a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River, offering views of Shanghai’s contrasting skyline, from historic riverside buildings to modern landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower. After the cruise, you will have some free time to explore the Bund. After, we will return to your hotel, you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time to further explore Shanghai, do some last-minute shopping, or relax before making your way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!