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Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
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Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!
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Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
10-Day Classic China Tour: From Water Towns to the Great Wall
Embark on a 10-day China adventure spanning Shanghai’s skyline, Suzhou’s water towns and Guilin’s karst peaks. Marvel at Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and Beijing’s Great Wall with private guides and flexible itineraries. Don’t miss this chance to dive into China’s ancient heritage and natural wonders—book now!
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Itinerary Quick Look
Day 1: Shanghai | East-Meets-West Urban Charm
Meet your guide at your self-booked hotel lobby. Take a private car to start your customized tour. Discuss your favorite attractions with the guide to tailor the day’s plan.
Shanghai Museum
Kick off with Shanghai Museum. It has 11 galleries, 3 exhibition halls and 120,000 cultural relics across 21 categories. Its star collections are bronze ware, ceramics and calligraphy.
Jade Buddha Temple
Next, visit Jade Buddha Temple. It houses two 19th-century white jade Buddhas from Burma. Wander the halls with your guide. Learn temple history and Chinese Buddhism. Watch locals burn incense and worship.
Yu Garden (Yuyuan)
Enjoy a local lunch first. Then explore Yu Garden, Shanghai’s largest ancient garden with Ming and Qing-style architecture. Follow your guide to discover its nature-art design. Visit the nearby Old City God Temple area. Browse local snack shops and bustling streets.
The Bund
Walk along the Bund. Snap photos of the iconic skyline. See landmarks like Oriental Pearl TV Tower and colonial buildings along the Huangpu River.
Former French Concession
Explore the Former French Concession, a perfect leisure spot. Wander narrow alleys. Visit art galleries or photo studios. Relax at a cozy café or restaurant (own cost).
Xintiandi
Wrap up the day at Xintiandi, a lively nightlife hub. It has transformed Shikumen buildings into dining and entertainment centers. If you’ve visited some spots, swap them for Oriental Pearl TV Tower or Jinmao Tower. After the tour, return to your self-booked hotel.
Day 2: Shanghai → Suzhou | Gardens & Water Town Serenity
Meet your guide at your self-booked Suzhou hotel. Take a private car to start your Suzhou adventure.
Humble Administrator’s Garden / Lingering Garden
Visit a UNESCO-listed Suzhou classical garden. Usually, it’s the Humble Administrator’s Garden—the city’s largest and most prestigious garden. Admire halls, pavilions, lotus ponds and bamboo groves. Listen to your guide’s stories. If crowded, visit Lingering Garden instead. It’s one of China’s four famous gardens with 400-year history.
Pingjiang Road
Wander Pingjiang Road. It’s a 2-kilometer flagstone street dating back to Song Dynasty. It has well-preserved traditional architecture, teahouses and local homes.
Tongli / Zhouzhuang Water Town
After lunch, head to a famous water town—Tongli or Zhouzhuang.
- Tongli: A 1,000-year-old “Oriental Venice” with 7 islands, 12 canals and 49 bridges. Take a sculling boat ride (own cost) to see ancient buildings.
- Zhouzhuang: China’s popular water town with stone bridges, traditional homes and quaint canals. It shows ancient Jiangnan life.
After the tour, return to your self-booked Suzhou hotel.
Day 3: Suzhou → Hangzhou | West Lake & Tea Culture
Meet your guide at your self-booked Hangzhou hotel. Take a private car to start your tour. Adjust the itinerary flexibly as you wish.
West Lake
Start with West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a 30-minute boat ride on the tranquil lake. Pass historic pagodas and bridges. Soak in the natural beauty celebrated in poems and paintings.
Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak
Visit Lingyin Temple, China’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple. Explore its palaces and halls with your guide. Learn its profound history. Walk to Amanfayun Village, a tranquil hamlet surrounded by tea fields.
Hefang Street / Meijiawu Tea Village (Optional)
After lunch, choose your afternoon activity:
- Hefang Street: Wander this bustling Song Dynasty street. Browse snack stalls, handicraft shops and souvenir stores.
- Meijiawu Tea Village: Go to this rural village. Learn about Xihu Longjing tea production. Sip fragrant green tea amid scenic surroundings.
After the tour, return to your self-booked Hangzhou hotel.
Day 4: Hangzhou → Guilin | Longji Rice Terraces & Ethnic Culture
Meet your guide at your self-booked Guilin hotel. Take a 2-hour private car ride to Longji Rice Terraces. Enjoy countryside scenery along the way.
Longji Rice Terraces
Admire the world-famous Longji Rice Terraces. Their construction spanned from Yuan Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty. There are two main viewing areas—Ping’an Zhuang Village and Jinkeng Terraced Fields. They’re home to Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups for centuries.
Huangluo Long Hair Village
First stop at Huangluo Long Hair Village. It’s a Yao village in Guinness World Records for “longest hair”. Watch a long hair show. Learn that long hair is a symbol of auspiciousness. Enjoy lunch at a local village restaurant.
Dazhai / Ping’an Village (Optional)
After lunch, pick your exploration route:
- Dazhai Rice Terrace: Drive 40 minutes there. Take a 20-minute cable car to Golden Buddha Peak for sweeping views. Walk around to take photos. Descend by cable car. End your tour in Longsheng or return to Guilin.
- Ping’an Village Rice Terrace: Drive 30 minutes there. Hike to two famous viewpoints. Admire the “dragon’s spine” scenery. Return to your self-booked Guilin hotel after the tour.
Day 5: Guilin → Yangshuo | Li River Cruise & Karst Scenery
Your guide picks you up at 8:00 am from your self-booked Guilin hotel. Transfer to Zhujiang Pier to start your Li River cruise.
Li River Cruise
Sail down Li River for 3.5–4 hours (depending on water conditions). Enjoy breathtaking karst scenery, pastoral countryside and named peaks. Listen to your guide’s legendary stories. Have a simple lunch on board.
Xingping Fishing Village
Pass Xingping Fishing Village. Its scenery is on the back of 20 RMB notes. Every angle offers stunning photo opportunities.
West Street
Arrive in Yangshuo at 1:30 pm. Stroll West Street with your guide. Explore shops selling crafts, paintings and backpacks. Let your guide help you negotiate souvenir prices.
Ten-Mile Gallery (Shili Hualang)
In the afternoon, explore Ten-Mile Gallery. It’s a picturesque road with rolling hills and clear rivers. Stop at Butterfly Spring Park to see peculiar peaks and waterfalls. End with a photo stop at Moon Hill. Choose to end your tour in Yangshuo or return to Guilin.
Day 6: Yangshuo → Guilin → Xi’an | Terracotta Warriors & City Wall
Your guide greets you at your self-booked Xi’an hotel, station or airport. Discuss a customized 2-day itinerary. You get 6–8 hours of daily exploration time. Choose 4–6 attractions at your own pace.
Terracotta Warriors Museum
Start with the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum. It’s hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. Four farmers discovered it while drilling a well in 1974. Explore three exhibition pits with your guide. Learn rich historical details about the clay soldiers.
Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang)
After lunch, visit the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall. It’s China’s best-preserved and longest city wall (14 kilometers). Climb to the top for panoramic city views.
Muslim Quarter
Wander the Muslim Quarter, a vibrant hub of Xi’an’s Muslim community. Follow your guide through food and souvenir markets. Return to your self-booked Xi’an hotel after the tour.
Day 7: Xi’an | Imperial Heritage & Cultural Highlights
Meet your guide at your self-booked Xi’an hotel. Follow your prearranged itinerary. Choose 2–3 attractions based on your flight schedule.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)
Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built to store Buddhist sutras. Monk Xuanzang brought them back from India during his 17-year Silk Road journey.
Xi’an Great Mosque
Explore Xi’an Great Mosque. It’s China’s oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosque. It blends Islamic and Chinese architecture harmoniously.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi’an Museum
Step into Small Wild Goose Pagoda and adjacent Xi’an Museum. Learn how Buddhism was introduced to China and integrated with Han culture.
Shaanxi History Museum
Delve into Shaanxi History Museum. It has 370,000 relics from prehistoric tools to Qing Dynasty wares.
Optional Attractions
Choose from other top spots:
- Huaqing Palace: A Tang Dynasty imperial residence with hot springs loved by Emperor Xuanzong and concubine Yang Yuhuan.
- Bell Tower & Drum Tower: Stroll the squares around these ancient timekeeping buildings.
- Hanyangling Mausoleum: Explore the Western Han Dynasty tomb with 5,000 excavated figures and modern exhibits.
After the tour, transfer to your hotel, station or airport.
Day 8: Xi’an → Beijing | Forbidden City & Hutong Life
Meet your guide at your self-booked downtown Beijing hotel. Enjoy fast-track entry to start your imperial Beijing adventure.
Tian’anmen Square
Stroll through Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Admire landmarks like Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People. Learn their histories from your guide.
The Forbidden City
Enter the Forbidden City via Meridian Gate. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as China’s political center for 500 years. It housed 24 Ming and Qing emperors since 1420. Spend 1.5 hours exploring with your guide’s commentary.
Peking Duck Lunch
Enjoy a delicious Peking duck lunch at a local restaurant after exiting the Forbidden City.
Temple of Heaven
Visit the Temple of Heaven. Ming and Qing emperors worshipped Heaven and prayed for harvests here. Stroll through its impressive temples and learn ancient rituals.
Drum & Bell Towers & Hutong Exploration
Explore Drum and Bell Towers to learn their history. Walk through old hutong alleyways. Wander Nanluoguxiang Alley to browse unique shops. Return to your self-booked Beijing hotel.
Day 9: Beijing | Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace
Meet your guide at your self-booked Beijing hotel for a day trip to the Great Wall and Summer Palace.
Mutianyu Great Wall Adventure
Drive to Mutianyu Great Wall—a well-preserved, less crowded section. Take a cable car or ski lift to the wall. Listen to your guide’s history stories. Explore watchtowers at your own pace. Return via toboggan slide, ski lift or cable car (optional rides at own cost).
Summer Palace
After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, one of China’s most beautiful royal gardens. Wander its lush gardens and serene lakes. Learn the historical background of this imperial retreat. Return to your self-booked Beijing hotel after the tour.
Day 10: Beijing Departure
Take a direct transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Your guide accompanies you to the security check. Bid farewell and wrap up your 10-day China adventure.
There are discounts in the off-season, please call us!
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before your travel date and get a full refund
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IncludedBottled waterBreakfast, Lunch (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L)Professional guidePrivate tourTransport by private vehicleEntrance fee
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Not IncludedGratuities
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