City Highlights & Natural Wonders in South & East China - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Dining Experience

Welcome to Beijing, China's bustling capital! 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 dining experience. Characterized by its crispy skin and succulent meat, the duck will be presented alongside an array of condiments, including hoisin sauce, scallions, cucumber, and thin pancakes to accompany the slices. It's a ceremony in itself as your server carves the duck to the table before leaving you to enjoy your first meal in China.  

Day 2: Explore the Forbidden City, Take a Pedicab Through the City's Hutongs

This morning, you'll join your guide for a full-day tour of Beijing, starting in Tiananmen Square, where you'll see sights, including the Monument to the People's Heroes, the National Museum of China, and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum. Learn about the vast square's storied past from your guide, and stroll toward the northern end, 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, take a pedicab or stroll through some of Beijing's hutongs (narrow streets or alleys lined with traditional homes) to learn about local life. As you weave through the bustling neighborhoods, watch as residents shop at local markets, visit small temples, and meander through the streets.

Day 3: Visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall & Changling Tomb 

Day 4: Guided Tour of the Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace

Discover two of Beijing's most famous landmarks today, starting 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 Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, home to a triple-tiered circular structure that stands as the complex's centerpiece. Take a walk across the expansive grounds adorned with majestic gates, pavilions, and cypress trees. Then, head to the Summer Palace, nestled on the shores of Kunming Lake.

Spend time wandering the intricately designed halls, pavilions, and temples to understand the opulence enjoyed by emperors during the Qing dynasty. Then, head to the Longevity Hall for panoramic views of the glittering lake and the surrounding gardens. Stroll over traditional bridges, including the beautiful Seventeen-Arch Bridge, to see the colorful pagodas dotting the landscape. After exploring the palace on foot, you'll hop on a boat for a relaxed sail across the lake, where you can soak up the panoramic views of the surrounding hills, historic bridges, and iconic pavilions, such as the Marble Boat.

Day 5: Fly to Xi'an, Discover the City Walls, Drum Tower & Muslim Quarter

Say goodbye to Beijing this morning as you head to the airport to catch a 2.5-hour flight to Xi'an, the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of several of China's most significant dynasties. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. When you're ready, set off on a half-day city tour, starting with a walk along the ancient city walls, originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century. Enjoy panoramic views of the modern cityscape outside and historic quarters within the walls before continuing to Drum Tower, also built in the 14th century.

Climb the steps to the top of the tower, where you'll find a fascinating collection of drums, including replicas you can try playing. After taking in the view, head to the Muslim Quarter, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an attracted numerous Muslim merchants from the Middle East and Central Asia. Stroll through the bustling quarter lined with traditional shops and historic mosques. End your day browsing the vibrant market stalls, where you'll find plenty of mouth-watering street food options, such as lamb kebab on freshly baked flatbread.

Day 6: Visit Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

A visit to Xi'an isn't complete without a stop to see its famous Terracotta Army at Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Step inside to see 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 terracotta figures' sheer scale and intricate craftsmanship, 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 7: Fly to Zhangjiajie, Afternoon at Leisure

Trade Xi'an's ancient walls and landmarks for the natural beauty of Zhangjiajie in Hunan as you transfer to the airport to catch your 1.5-hour flight. When you arrive, transfer to the hotel to check in and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. A great place to start is Xibu Street, nestled in the scenic and historical district of Wulingyuan. Here, you'll find bustling food stalls selling delicious grilled meat skewers, steamed buns, stuffed pancakes, and local shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional Chinese clothing. 

If you're keen to explore the local countryside and scenery, Baofeng Lake, just outside Wulingyuan, is a great option. Enjoy views of the serene crystal-clear lake surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, then opt for a boat tour across the gentle waters. Watch waterfalls cascade down the cliffs into the mirror-like pools below as you enjoy an up-close look at the lake. After the boat ride, get one more vantage point of the water as you hike one of the scenic trails before returning to the city for dinner.

Day 8: Spend the Day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Set off on a full-day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, starting in Yuanjiajie, where you'll find towering sandstone pillars, lush vegetation, and dramatic vistas that inspired the floating mountains in the movie "Avatar." Take a ride on the Bailong Elevator, the tallest of its kind. Although the elevator is 1,099 feet (335 m) tall, it only takes two minutes to ascend one of the park's sandstone pillars. At the top, take in the sweeping views, then discover landmarks like the First Bridge Under Heaven, a natural stone bridge connecting two peaks. 

Afterward, you'll take a shuttle bus to explore other highlights in the park, including He Long Park, which stretches atop the sacred Tianzi Mountain. Go for a stroll amid the well-maintained gardens, tranquil ponds, and scenic pathways and learn more about the park's namesake, Marshal He Long, a revered Chinese military leader and one of the founding fathers of the People's Liberation Army. End the day with one last shuttle ride to Golden Whip Stream, where you can embark on a 4-mile (7 km) trek along the serene waterway, passing intricate pagodas and various lookout points.

Day 9: Discover the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Tianmen Mountain

Discover more of Zhangjiajie's natural wonders today as you head to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, carved by the Li River over millions of years. If you're feeling adventurous, step onto the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest hanging bridge at 1,410 feet (430 m) long and 853 feet (260 m) above ground. Enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and deep valleys below, then continue to Tianmen Mountain for a ride on one of the world's longest cable cars, passing rugged cliffs and lush forests as you go.

At the summit, you'll head to the famous Tianmen Cave, also known as "Heaven's Gate." Climb 999 steps to the natural archway, which towers at an impressive height of 431 feet (131 m). Step through the cave for dramatic views over the mountains and end the tour with one last adrenaline rush: a walk along the Coiling Dragon Cliff Skywalk, an impressive glass walkway clinging to the side of the mountain. At the end of the tour, you'll be dropped back at your hotel.

Day 11: Visit Longji Rice Terraces, Zhuang & Yao Community Cultural Visit

Leave the city behind for the day as you transfer two hours with your guide to the Longji Rice Terraces, known as "Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces," because of their resemblance to a dragon's back when viewed from a distance. The area is also home to 10 ethnic tribes, and today, you have the chance to visit the villages of the Yao and Zhuang people.

Spend time exploring the hillside villages and meeting the residents, who will share their culture with you. With the help of your guide, you'll learn about the communities' daily lives and everything from farming practices to folk music, local cuisine, and traditional crafts such as weaving and embroidery. At the end of the afternoon, thank the Yao and Zhuang people for their time and warm welcome, then transfer back to your hotel.

Day 12: Transfer to Yangshuo via Scenic Riverboat Cruise, Stroll Along West Street

A highlight of any trip to Gulin is a cruise down the tranquil Li River, which is exactly what you'll do this morning when you travel by boat to Yangshuo, a small town surrounded by karst mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for landmarks like Mural Hill, named for its resemblance to a series of ancient Chinese ink paintings cascading down its limestone cliffs, as you admire the scenic views of limestone peaks, lush bamboo groves, and tiny villages.

Farther downstream, you'll see the Yellow Cloth Shoal, a renowned section of the river surrounded by seven peaks resembling fairies. You'll recognize the same view if you have a 20 yuan note. Arrive in Yangshuo, and you'll head straight to Xi Jie, better known as "West Street," for its Western-style bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops amid the traditional Chinese landscape. Spend a few hours browsing the boutiques and stopping for a bite to eat, where local specialties include Yangshuo beer fish or stuffed Li River snails paired with a local beer. 

Day 14: Full-Day Highlights Tour of Shanghai

Spend your last full day in China exploring Shanghai's landmarks, 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 shares stories about the city's evolution 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.

Cross over the delicate bridges to admire the lotus ponds beneath before continuing to Yuyuan Bazaar just outside the garden. Browse the stalls full of local snacks, handicrafts, and antiques to find the perfect souvenir to take home. Finally, your guide will take you to see some of the city's shikumen, traditional Shanghainese stone gatehouses that combine Western and Chinese elements. After the tour, you'll return to your hotel, where the evening is yours to dine at one of the city's many excellent restaurants and toast your trip. 

Day 15: Depart Shanghai 

Now that you've spent 15 days exploring some of China's best natural landscapes, 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!