DAY 01
Arrive in Beijing
Meet your guide and settle in. If your arrival time and energy allow, take a gentle walk through the Shichahai hutongs before dinner.
Shichahai hutongs
Overnight · Beijing← All journeys
SAMPLE JOURNEY / 12 DAYS
Classic China & Zhangjiajie · 12 Days.
A first journey across China: Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai, with time for both cultural landmarks and mountain scenery.
AT A GLANCE
Beijing · Xi’an · Zhangjiajie · Shanghai
A first journey across China: Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai, with time for both cultural landmarks and mountain scenery.
Ask about this routeTHE ITINERARY
Day by day.
DAY 02
The Forbidden City
Explore the former imperial palace with prearranged entry. Keep the afternoon unhurried for more of Beijing’s historic centre and a local meal.
Forbidden City
Overnight · Beijing
DAY 03
Mutianyu Great Wall
Travel to Mutianyu and choose a section of the restored wall suited to your walking pace. Return to Beijing with time to rest after the excursion.
Mutianyu Great Wall
Overnight · Beijing
DAY 04
Temple of Heaven and onward to Xi’an
Visit the Temple of Heaven if your departure schedule allows, then take a booked train or flight to Xi’an. Leave ample time for station or airport transfers.
Temple of Heaven
Overnight · Xi’an
DAY 05
The Terracotta Army
Spend the day with the Terracotta Army and its excavation halls. Return to Xi’an for a relaxed evening rather than adding another distant site.
Terracotta Army
Overnight · Xi’an
DAY 06
Xi’an City Wall and onward to Zhangjiajie
Walk a section of the City Wall, then continue to Zhangjiajie on the transport that best fits your dates. Treat the afternoon as a travel window and settle near Wulingyuan.
Xi’an City Wall
Overnight · Wulingyuan
DAY 07
Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain
Spend a full day among Wulingyuan’s sandstone pillars. Explore Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain using the park’s available transport, with time for queues and short walks between viewpoints.
Yuanjiajie Tianzi Mountain
Overnight · Wulingyuan
DAY 08
Golden Whip Stream
See the landscape from below on an easy section of Golden Whip Stream. Keep the rest of the day flexible for another park viewpoint or a slower afternoon.
Golden Whip Stream
Overnight · Zhangjiajie
DAY 09
Tianmen Mountain
Explore Tianmen Mountain on the entry route booked for your trip. Mountain transport and walkways depend on weather, so leave the full day for the visit.
Tianmen Mountain
Overnight · Zhangjiajie
DAY 10
Travel to Shanghai
Fly or take the most suitable confirmed connection to Shanghai. After check-in, enjoy a first view of the Bund if arrival time allows.
The Bund skyline
Overnight · Shanghai
DAY 11
Old gardens and a modern skyline
Explore Yu Garden and its surrounding lanes, then spend the afternoon at a pace that suits you. Return to the Bund for its evening cityscape.
Yu Garden The Bund skyline
Overnight · Shanghai
DAY 12
Zhujiajiao or a relaxed departure
If your departure is late enough, visit the waterways and lanes of Zhujiajiao. Otherwise enjoy a slower Shanghai morning before the airport transfer; the water town can be added with an extra night.
Zhujiajiao
Onward travel
Twelve days from arrival in Beijing to departure from Shanghai. Intercity connections, attraction reservations and the optional final-day visit are confirmed around your travel dates.
IMAGES FROM THE ROUTE