12-day China tour off the beaten track

Beijing

Day 1: Welcome to China!

Welcome to millenary China!

You will be met at Beijing International Airport by our driver and transferred to a hotel in central Beijing.

Enjoy the rest of the day to unwind and recover from the long flight.

Beijing

Day 2: Visit the Magical Summer Palace and the Glorious Forbidden City

Explore glorious Beijing today! 

First, head to the Summer Palace, an immense park containing Chinese traditional architecture and arts. It was built during the Qing Dynasty and it served as a royal garden. Admire the quintessence of the Chinese classical landscape gardening here. 

In the afternoon, continue to Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and then follow the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs further south at the magnificent and colorful Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City, also called Imperial Palace Museum, is located in the very heart of Beijing.

It remained the residence of the emperors for nearly five hundred years, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and was the actual and symbolic seat of imperial power.

Beijing

Day 3: Hike the Majestic Great Wall

After a simple breakfast, your private diver will take you to the Great Wall sector at Jiankou.

Hike eastwards to Mutianyu Great Wall, which is quiet and beautiful!

Beijing - Xi'an

Day 4: Visit the Magical Temple of Heaven

Early in the morning after breakfast go to see the local people doing their morning exercises.

Then, visit the Temple of Heaven, which was the venue for the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and pray for harvest. This temple was built in the 18th year during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420.

Afterwards, transfer to the Beijing West Railway Station and take the high speed train to Xi’an.

Upon your arrival, transfer to the hotel and have a rest. 

Xi'an - Chengdu

Day 5: Admire the Qin Terracotta Army in Xi'an

After breakfast, drive to the magnificent Qin Terracotta Army, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.

Back in Xi'an, visit the Ancient City Wall, which represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. We can arrange a bicycle or sightseeing car for you to explore the wall.

Continue your visit at the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter.

In late afternoon, transfer to Xi’an North Railway station and take a high speed train to Chengdu.

Chengdu

Day 6: Get Close with Pandas at the Chengdu Research Center of Panda Breeding

In the morning, go to the Chengdu Research Center of Panda Breeding for a real chance to get intimate with lovely pandas. It was created in order to imitate their natural habitat so they live in the best possible environment for rearing and breeding.

Spend the whole morning visiting different panda rooms and learn about the daily life of the cute pandas when they eat bamboo during their active time.

In the afternoon, make your way to the stunning Leshan Giant Buddha, built in AD 713 by a Chinese monk named Haitong to calm the river waters, was crafted from a cliff face. It seems that so much stone from the carving process fell into the river below that it did indeed calm the area’s waters.

After dinner, attend the Sichuan Opera—a dazzling show performed with local instruments, hand shadows, candle storytelling, fire spitting, and face changing.

Chengdu - Dali

Day 7: Discover Quaint Dali

Take an early morning flight to Dali.

Upon arrival, our guide will lead you to visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple northwest of Dali. Occupying a scenic location at the foot of Mt. Cang Shan facing Erhai Lake, these pagodas were built during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of Ming Dynasty, and they have a history of over 1,800 years. This architectural treasure has survived several eras of severe earthquakes.

Afterwards, go on a boat tour on Erhai Lake.

Extend your tour to the native's hand-made clothing process and take part in a tie-dye cloth workshop.

Gain a better understanding of the history of these ingenious people and an appreciation for a culture that has been very important in Chinese history.

Dali - Shaxi - Lijiang

Day 8: Gaze at the Surreal Shibao Shan and Visit Shaxi Village

Begin your day by driving to Shibao Shan, a stone treasure mountain famous for its red rock formations called danxia landscape and its Buddhist grottoes.

Walk down from the mountain to Shaxi village, a historical village at the foot of Shibao Shan. 

This area was once a bustling trade station on the Southern Silk Road (Tea and Horse Caravan Road) that linked China and Tibet with Southeast Asia, so the ancient remains, frescoes, art and graffiti on the mountains show a mixture of cultural influences from other parts of the world.

Lijiang

Day 9: Discover the Stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

You'll be picked up from your hotel to travel to Ganhaizi Meadow.

Take the sightseeing bus for a short visiting through the Baishuihe River, and take the chairlift up to visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Hike in the original forest in Spruce Meadow. Then, visit the Blue Moon Valley.

After lunch you will enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show directed in Ganhaizi Meadow. This cultural show showcases the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai peoples in the area.

Next, drive to the Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Culture Museum.

Return to your hotel.

Lijiang

Day 10: Cycle to Beautiful Lashihai Lake and Go Horseback Riding

Today, start your cycling tour from Lijiang Old Town.

Cycle to Baisha Old Town and then stop to visit the Baisha Murals.

Then, cycle to Lashihai Lake. Go horseback riding around Lashihai Lake.

With an area of 5,330 hectares, the Lashihai Lake is the largest lake in Lijiang County.

Drive back to Lijiang in the late afternoon.

Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang

Day 11: Hike the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge

After breakfast, Take private bus to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, a canyon on the Yangtze River. This gorge is formed by two mountains—the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Snow Mountain, with the river flowing in between called the Golden Sand River.

After lunch, visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge.

In the afternoon, drive to Shigu town, where you will go rafting.

Our car will drive you back to Lijiang Old Town.

Lijiang

Day 12: Relax in Lijiang Before saying Goodbye!

Relax in Lijiang Old Town in the morning.

Lijiang is a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, and the central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. 

Later, you'll be picked up by our guide and driver at the appointed time and transferred to the airport to take your flight back home.

Safe travels and visit again soon!