10 Days Beijing Xian Dunhuang Shanghai Tour with Silk Road Treasure

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Upon your arrival at Beijing airport/train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Tour
   Explore the Royal History of Beijing

   You will start today’s China tour with the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square, the heart and symbol of Beijing and the largest city square in the world, with a very important role in China's history. The spacious square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years.

   Then follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, which was once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China's long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   

   After lunch, continue your visit to the Temple of Heaven, famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture, and magnificent decoration. This grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests. It was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1998.

   Last, come to enjoy the amazing royal garden in Summer Palace, the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. If interested, you can take a boat ride on Kunming Lake (optional, at your own expense).

   

   Optional Night Activity: Kungfu Show

   Chinese Kung Fu has a very wide influence in the world, and most foreigners know Kung Fu from Jackie Chen and Bruce Lee's films. Today you can enjoy a superb Kung Fu show at a nice theater. The entire cast is very professional and talented which combines fantastic martial arts, challenging acrobatics, and a wonderful story.

   Meal: Breakfast + lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

3. Day 3: China Great Wall Tour from Beijing
   Enjoy a Scenic Hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall

   Today will be the highlight of your Beijing tour as you will be hiking on the famous world heritage Mutianyu Great Wall. It is one of the best-preserved sections of China's Great Wall. Take a cable car up to the wall and enjoy a scenic ride. Spend time exploring the Mutianyu Great Wall at your own pace. You can hike along its ancient pathways, take pictures of beautiful views, and even climb up or down if you have the energy.

   

   After a Chinese-style lunch, continue your exploration to Ming Tombs - Dingling Mausoleum, a shared tomb by Emperor Wanli and his two empresses, which is the only excavated tomb among the thirteen tombs of the Ming Dynasty. The emperor was only 28 years old when its construction was complete. Your tour guide will lead you to the underground palace which housed the emperor's and empresses’ coffins.

   Finish the amazing sightseeing, you'll have an exterior visit to the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube on the way back to Beijing. Both of them were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by High-speed Train
   Experience Hutong Culture by Taking a Rickshaw

   Today's first stop will be the charming Beihai Park, which is absolutely a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! It is one of the oldest, most complete, most comprehensive, and representative royal gardens in China. You will have lots of opportunities to take great photos of the lovely lake and historic buildings.

   Beijing Hutongs are full of history which attracts many worldwide tourists! Today your tour guide will take you to feel the charm of the hutongs in the Shichahai Scenic Area. Taking a rickshaw to ride along the ancient alleys, you will learn more about the background information of the Hutongs, experience authentic old Beijing life, and witness the blending of tradition and modernity.

   

   After the Hutong exploration, go to visit a local family who live in the Hutong and enjoy a homemade lunch with the friendly family. It will be a great chance for you to see a real courtyard house - Siheyuan and and have a glimpse of the local people's lifestyle.

   In the afternoon, take an afternoon high-speed train to Xian. After 5-6 hours of train riding, you will arrive at Xian North Train Station. The local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

5. Day 5: Xian Highlights Tour
   Marvel at the Thousand of Life-sized Clay Soldiers

   After breakfast, your Xian tour guide will meet you at your hotel and then transport you back in time when visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", it is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring life-sized warriors, and many horses and chariots. Your guide will lead you to visit the Pits 1, 2, and 3 of the Terracotta Army and explain the stories behind them to you.

   

   After lunch, drive back to the downtown area to explore the grand Ancient City Wall. It is a well-preserved defensive structure encircling the Xian city center. You can choose to take a leisurely bike ride along the wall to enjoy scenic views of Xian (optional, at additional cost).

   Next, move to Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square which is a strategically important building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital of Xian. Having a relaxing walk here would be very worthwhile to experience local people’s lives.

   Last, go to the Muslim Quarter. This is a centuries-old Hui people gathering area filled with a strong Muslim atmosphere. You can enjoy various Islamic food and Xian snacks here.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian to Yuanjiacun Tour
   Visit the Xian Landmark and Get Impressive Village Experience

   Meet your guide and start today’s exploration in Xian City. The first stop will be Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Also known as Da Ci’en Pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 to keep the Buddhist scriptures that were taken back from India by Master Xuanzang. Till today the pagoda has been standing here for over 1,350 years.

   

   After lunch, drive around 1 hour to Yuanjiacun Village - one of the ten most beautiful villages in Shannxi Province.  It is the best place to feel the history of the Guanzhong area and the idyllic life of local people that is akin to the 1950s and 1960s. Here, you would have a chance to watch the Qin Opera Show, taste authentic local food, and try milling flour, waving cloth, making vinegar, and grinding soybean to make Tofu (Bean Curd). That surely will be an interesting and much more impressive experience.

   At the end of today's tour, transfer you back to your hotel in Xian City.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

   

7. Day 7: Xian to Dunhuang Tour by Flight
   Enjoy an Optional Activity at Echoing-Sand Mountain

   In the morning, the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Dunhuang. When you arrive at Dunhuang airport, the local English-speaking guide will meet you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Your Silk Road tour in Dunhuang begins at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area, located 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, covering an area of 76.82 square kilometers.

   

   Mingsha Mountain starts from Mogao Grottoes in the east and ends at the mouth of the Danghe River in the west, stretching for 40 kilometers. The main sand peak, 1715 meters above sea level, is composed of fine sand of red, yellow, green, black, and white. Crescent Spring is located in the embrace of Mingsha Mountain and is named after its shape resembling a crescent moon. There are many entertainment activities to try (at an additional cost), such as sand sliding, desert motorcycle, and camel riding.

   Later, move on to Shazhou Night Market for further food exploration. Opened after sunset, it attracts numerous tourists with local specialties and a variety of handicrafts. You can enjoy street snacks to your heart's content, from delicious grilled meat skewers to traditional desserts. You can also choose a few craft ornaments as souvenirs.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

8. Day 8: Dunhuang to Shanghai Tour by Flight
   Gain an Insight into the Buddhist Grotto Art

   In the morning, your Dunhuang tour continues to the stunning Mogao Caves, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will see a large amount of Buddhist cave art - statues dating back over a thousand years and exquisite murals. During the exploration of the cave, your guide will provide you with in-depth explanations of the ancient Silk Road culture and how Buddhism influenced the art of the region.

   In the afternoon, you will head to the airport to catch an evening flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, the local driver will pick you up and transfer you to a local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

   

9. Day 9: Shanghai Tour
   Discover the Integration of Shanghai's History and Modernity

   Your exploration in Shanghai begins with the famous Yuyuan Garden, which is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market, where you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chops with rice cakes. Don't forget to haggle for a better price.

   After that, move on to Shanghai Museum (closed every Monday ). The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings, and calligraphy works.  After the exploration of history, take a stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals.

   

   Next, your guide will take you to visit the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. From 1849 to 1943, this area was ruled by France for almost a century. You can see many old beautiful European-style buildings which look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

   Afterward, walk on the earliest shopping street in Shanghai - Nanjing Road. Your tour guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street.

   Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into a British settlement and Shanghai's financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of the amazing Shanghai skyline.

   

   Huangpu River Cruise would be a not-to-miss activity for travelers to Shanghai! The river separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city's skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

10. Day 10: Shanghai Departure

    At the confirmed time, your private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your departure. Your 10-day China tour with Silk Road treasure ends here.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A