China's Ultimate Art & Culture Tour: Beijing to Hangzhou - 12 Days

Highlights

• Take a hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall 
• Marvel at the distinct faces of Xi'an's Terracotta Army
• Practice the ancient art of calligraphy with a local expert
• Discover why Tongli is called the "Venice of the East" 
• Shop for souvenirs at Shanghai's bustling Yuyuan Bazaar

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Dining Experience

Welcome to China's bustling capital, Beijing! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel, where you can relax until dinner. In the evening, follow your guide to a local restaurant to indulge in a delicious Peking duck, characterized by its crispy skin and succulent meat. Watch as the chef carves the duck at the table and then presents an array of condiments and thin pancakes to accompany the slices. Fill your wrap with hoisin sauce, scallions, cucumber, and duck, then enjoy your first meal in China before returning to the hotel for the night.

Day 2: Visit the Forbidden City, Hutong Pedicab Tour, Lianpu Workshop

Join your guide on a full-day tour of Beijing, starting at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. Follow your guide across the massive space, looking out at the Monument to the People's Heroes, the National Museum of China, and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum until you reach the northern end of the square, where you can enter the Forbidden City. This UNESCO-listed complex served as the imperial residence for nearly five centuries, housing 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Explore the expansive courtyards and discover the array of meticulously designed halls, pavilions, and gardens. Don't miss the intricate details of the palace's architecture, like the iconic yellow roofs and ornate dragon carvings. In the afternoon, ride a pedicab through some of Beijing's hutongs (narrow streets or alleys lined with traditional homes) to learn about the locals' way of life. As you weave through the charming neighborhoods, watch as residents shop at local markets, visit small temples, and meander through the streets.

After the 30-minute ride, step into a siheyuan (traditional Chinese courtyard house) to meet a local family. Learn about their day-to-day lives as you tour the house before ending the day with a workshop to learn about the traditional face painting of Peking opera performers. Guided by a skilled artist, you'll be introduced to the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolic meanings behind each character's design as you learn the precise brushstrokes to bring the faces to life. When you're ready, you can paint your own mask to take home as a souvenir. 

Day 3: Explore the Temple of Heaven, Hike Along the Great Wall of China

Start your day at the UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven, built in the 15th century so emperors could pray for good harvests and divine favor. The complex spans 657 acres (267 ha) and comprises several structures, including the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, home to a triple-tiered circular structure that stands as the complex's centerpiece. Back outside, take a walk across the expansive grounds adorned with impressive gates, pavilions, and cypress trees.

Day 4: Visit the Summer Palace or 798 Art Zone, Train to Xi'an

Spend your last few hours in Beijing exploring the Summer Palace, situated on the shores of Kunming Lake. Discover the intricately designed halls, pavilions, temples, and highlights like the Longevity Hall for panoramic views of the glittering lake and the Long Corridor, adorned with over 14,000 paintings depicting scenes from Chinese mythology, history, and landscapes. After exploring the palace on foot, switch to a boat to sail across the lake and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding hills, historic bridges, and iconic pavilions, such as the Marble Boat.

Alternatively, you could head to the 798 Art Zone, one of the most trendy districts in Beijing, brimming with avant-garde galleries and art studios, stylish restaurants, bars, and shops. Admire contemporary artworks at the 798 Photo Gallery and the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, pick up quirky souvenirs at boutique shops, or grab a bite at Ace Café 751, tucked in an old train station. In the afternoon, you'll board a 5.5-hour high-speed train to Xi'an, the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of several of China's most significant dynasties.

Day 5: Visit Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Calligraphy Class

No visit to Xi'an is complete without discovering its famous Terracotta Army, housed in Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Step inside to discover the vast collection of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots that were buried to guard the emperor in the afterlife. Wander through the excavation pits to understand the sheer scale and intricate craftsmanship of the terracotta figures, each with distinct facial features, expressions, posture, and attire. Don't miss the on-site museum that showcases the emperor's life and the construction of his mausoleum.

Day 6: Xi'an City Tour, Shadow Puppet Show, Transfer to Suzhou via Shanghai

Set off on a tour of Xi'an, starting at the 14th-century Drum Tower, where you'll find a fascinating collection of drums, including replicas you can try playing. You may also get to witness a performance featuring a collection of ancient chime bells called bianzhong and percussion instruments. Head to the Muslim Quarter next, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an and the Silk Road attracted plenty of Muslim merchants. Stroll through the bustling quarter lined with traditional shops, vibrant market stalls, and historic mosques, stopping to try authentic dishes, like a Xi'an-style lamb burger.

Day 7: Explore Suzhou's Classical Gardens, Visit Tongli Water Town

Say goodbye to Xi'an this morning as you head to the airport to catch a two-hour flight to Shanghai. From there, you'll transfer one hour west to the charming city of Suzhou, known for its canals, bridges, and classical gardens. When you arrive, hit the ground running with a tour of the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of nine sites that make up the UNESCO-listed Classical Gardens of Suzhou. Go for a stroll around the classical garden, originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, to see the array of winding pathways, tranquil ponds, and elegantly designed pavilions.

Then, transfer 30 minutes to another ancient water town called Tongli, often referred to as the "Venice of the East" because of its labyrinthine waterways and arched stone bridges. Walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and browse the charming boutiques, artisan workshops, or quaint tea houses. Then, jump in a boat to navigate the canals, gliding past ancient residences and under intricate bridges. After three hours in the town, return to Suzhou to visit one last garden, the Master of the Nets Garden.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the garden before sunset to admire the serene ponds, delicately curved bridges, and meticulously arranged rockeries. As darkness falls, the garden transforms into a stage. Sit back and enjoy traditional music, dance, opera, and dramatic storytelling set against the backdrop of the garden illuminated by lanterns. From Kunqu opera and pingtan (Suzhou-style ballad singing) to folk dance and traditional music, you're sure to be entertained.

Day 8: Transfer to Shanghai, Discover the M50 Art District

After a restful night in Suzhou, transfer back to Shanghai to explore China's biggest city and financial hub. Head to 50 Moganshan Road, better known as the M50 Art District, one of the country's leading art zones with over 160 galleries, studios, and cultural organizations. Wander through the district, housed in former factories, to discover the array of artwork, from modern abstract pieces to experimental multimedia art. If you happen to be visiting in November, you can experience the annual M50 Shanghai Contemporary Art Week, featuring open studio tours, artist talks, and interactive workshops. 

Day 9: Full-Day Cultural Tour of Shanghai

After breakfast, meet your guide for a cultural tour of the city, starting at The Bund, a historic waterfront promenade. Enjoy panoramic views of the futuristic Pudong district across the Huangpu River, and listen as your guide teaches you about how the city evolved from a small fishing village to one of the world's largest financial centers. Then, head to Yuyuan Garden, a serene oasis amid the urban landscape. Wander through the landscaped courtyards, meandering paths, and scenic pavilions adorned with intricate details.

Day 10: Transfer to Hangzhou, Guided City Tour

Bid farewell to Shanghai this morning as you transfer 2.5 hours to the picturesque city of Hangzhou, where you can visit one of Longjing's main plantations, home of China's famous green tea. Stroll through the meticulously maintained tea fields and pick your own tea leaves while you learn about the history of Longjing tea. You'll also learn about the traditional techniques used in cultivating and harvesting tea leaves, from hand-picking to the delicate art of pan-frying to stop the oxidation process. End the plantation tour with a freshly brewed cup of tea.

Day 11: Discover Three of Hangzhou's Art Museums, Transfer to Shanghai

Spend your penultimate day in China exploring three of Hangzhou's museums, starting at the China Umbrella Museum, which is dedicated to the history and craft of umbrella-making. Wander through the museum to see the traditional Chinese umbrellas adorned with intricate designs, delicate silk fabrics, and hand-painted patterns. Continue to the China Knives, Scissors, and Swords Museum, home to thousands of blades used in everything from everyday tasks to ceremonial rituals and martial arts. Each exhibit teaches you about the cultural significance and advancements behind these items.

Day 12: Depart Shanghai 

Now that you've discovered some of China's most beautiful art, it's time to head home. If you have a later flight, you could head to Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Browse the array of luxury boutiques, department stores, and local shops to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Visit one of the street food stalls to try some more Shanghainese dishes before you go, like shengjian bao, pan-fried soup dumplings filled with meat. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags and meet your driver to transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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