South Korea & China: heritage & nature

Seoul

Day 1: Welcome to South Korea

Upon your arrival at Inchon Airport, your driver-guide will greet you and take you to your hotel in Seoul. Check in and enjoy some free time while recovering from your flight.

Seoul

Day 2: Explore the highlights of Seoul

Kick off your day at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Slip into a Hanbok, traditional Korean formal attire, if you're feeling the vibe and catch the changing of the guard ceremony.

Wander the palace grounds, then lose yourself in the storybook lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village where traditional homes now house cozy cafes, galleries, and tea houses (perfect for that postcard shot).

Next, soak up the serenity of Jogyesa Temple, aglow with colorful lanterns and 500-year-old trees. Ride the cable car up to N Seoul Tower in Namsan Park for jaw-dropping city and river views.

Finally, dive into the buzz of Namdaemun Market, Seoul's around-the-clock hub for street food, shopping, and everything in between.

Seoul

Day 3: Where the two Koreas meet

Just 45 km north of Seoul lies one of the most fascinating places on Earth: the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Today's full-day adventure takes you straight into living history.

Start at Imjingak Park, then venture underground into the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, secretly dug by North Korea back in the 1970s. Dive deeper into the story at the DMZ Exhibition before reaching Odusan Observatory where you'll gaze across the border into North Korea.

Finally, cross the Suspension Bridge, once a fierce Korean War battleground, now a peaceful perch above Korea's stunning scenery.

Seoul - Shanghai

Day 4: Shanghai bound

Your China adventure kicks off in dazzling Shanghai, a city where ancient charm rubs shoulders with gleaming skyscrapers.

After some free time in Seoul to explore at your own pace, you'll hop on a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Touch down and your friendly local guide will be there to greet you with a warm welcome, whisking you off on a private ride to your downtown hotel.

From there, the rest of the day is all yours. Kick back, soak in those first views of the city, and settle in. Your unforgettable journey through modern China starts right here.

Shanghai

Day 5: Old meets new

Kick things off by strolling the leafy avenues of the Former French Concession and the historic Bund where Shanghai's old-world charm comes alive.

Wander into Yu Garden, a serene 400-year-old classic Chinese garden, then dive into the buzz of the neighboring Yuyuan Market. Peek inside a silk workshop to see traditional Chinese silk-making in action, then cap the day soaring up Shanghai Tower for jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Huangpu River.

Shanghai - Zhangjiajie

Day 6: A glimpse of watertown life

Say goodbye to the big city and travel about 1.5 hours to Xitang, one of China's dreamiest water towns. Picture arched stone bridges, whisper-narrow alleys, and glassy canals that have flowed the same way for centuries. Hop aboard a gentle boat ride and let the world slow down as you drift past ancient wooden storefronts and lantern-lined waterways.

Wander the timeworn streets at your own pace, soaking up all that old-world charm. When you're ready, we'll whisk you back to Shanghai's airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie, the land of towering sandstone peaks. Your friendly local guide will be waiting to greet you and get you settled at your hotel. Rest up for your next adventure!

Zhangjiajie

Day 7: Where the mountains touch the sky

Step into the otherworldly Wulingyuan Scenic Area where thousands of sandstone pillars soar toward the clouds. Ride the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie, the surreal landscape said to have inspired the floating peaks of Avatar.

Hop a shuttle to Tianzi Mountain for jaw-dropping formations like Imperial Brush Peak and Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers. Then glide back down by cable car and cap off the day with a serene stroll through the Ten-Mile Gallery. Get ready to feel like you've wandered straight into a dream.

Zhangiajie - Xi'an

Day 8: Serenity & mountain heights

Start your morning gliding across the emerald waters of Baofeng Lake where towering, jungle-draped cliffs rise on every side in pure fairytale scenery.

Come afternoon, hop aboard the world-famous cable car and soar to the summit of Tianmen Mountain. Up top, wander cliff-hugging walkways and stand in awe beneath Heaven's Gate, a dramatic natural rock arch punched straight through the mountain.

Once you've soaked it all in, it's off to the airport for your flight to Xi'an where your local guide will be waiting to greet you and settle you into your hotel.

Xi'an

Day 9: Guardians of an ancient emperor

Get ready to meet an army like no other! Today you'll come face-to-face with the legendary Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized warriors, each with their own unique expression. These statues were sculpted more than 2,200 years ago to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang for eternity. It's a jaw-dropping sight that never fails to give you goosebumps.

Then it's back to the city where the buzzing Muslim Quarter awaits. Wander its lively lanes, soak up centuries of culture, and let your taste buds lead the way as you dig into some of Xi'an's most iconic street foods. From sizzling skewers to hand-pulled noodles, this is where flavor and history collide one delicious bite at a time.

Xi'an - Beijing

Day 10: A Zen morning & a high-speed train to Beijing

Ease into the day with a hands-on Tai Chi session led by a local instructor. This is the perfect way to find your flow before the adventure ramps up.

Next, hop on a bike or set off on foot along the ancient City Wall, the most complete structure of its kind in all of China. There's nothing quite like tracing centuries of history beneath your wheels (or your sneakers).

Come afternoon, settle into your seat aboard a sleek high-speed train bound for Beijing. Sit back and watch the countryside blur by over the next 4.5 to 6 hours. When you pull into the capital, your Beijing guide will be waiting to greet you and take you straight to your hotel.

Beijing

Day 11: Beijing's imperial treasures

Start your morning at Tiananmen Square, the vast symbolic heart of modern China, ringed by grand monuments and government halls.

From there, step through the gates of the Forbidden City and lose yourself in the sprawling imperial palace where Ming and Qing emperors once ruled.

Come afternoon, trade the crowds for calm at the Summer Palace, the royal retreat where ornate pavilions frame shimmering water and rolling hills. Hop aboard a leisurely boat ride across the lake and soak in the views that once dazzled emperors. It's history, grandeur, and serenity all in one unforgettable day.

Beijing

Day 12: Sacred symbols & the Great Wall

Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven where China's emperors once prayed for good harvests beneath soaring ceremonial halls. This is a serene, awe-inspiring slice of imperial history.

Then hit the road for a scenic two-hour drive to one of the country's most jaw-dropping sights: the Great Wall at Mutianyu. This beautifully preserved stretch is dotted with ancient watchtowers and framed by rolling mountain views that seem to go on forever.

Hop on the cable car for an easy ride up, stretch your legs on a gentle hike along the ramparts, and soak in the sheer majesty of this timeless wonder. It's the kind of day that stays with you long after you've headed home.

Beijing

Day 13: Farewell, China

Take it slow this morning. No rush, no alarms, just one last chance to soak in the moments that made this trip unforgettable. When you're ready, your guide and driver will take you to the airport for your onward flight.

As you take off, you'll carry home a suitcase full of memories: the food, the landscapes, the faces, the little surprises along the way. Safe travels, and here's to the next adventure!