Highlights
- Walk the ancient halls of the Forbidden City, Beijing's former imperial palace
- Meet cricket trainers and learn about the age-old sport of cricket fighting
- See the awe-inspiring Terracotta Soldiers archaeological site in Xi'an
- Cruise down the peaceful Yulong River via traditional bamboo raft
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Dining Experience | Beijing |
| Day 2 | Visit Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven | Beijing |
| Day 3 | Discover the Wonders of the Great Wall | Beijing |
| Day 4 | Walking Tour of Hutong, Peking Opera, Cricket Trainers & Confucius Temple | Beijing |
| Day 5 | Fly to Xi'an, Visit the Muslim Quarter & Watch a Shadow Puppet Show | Xi'an |
| Day 6 | Xi'an's Terracotta Army, Cultural Calligraphy Class | Xi'an |
| Day 7 | Fly to Guilin, Explore Reed Flute Cave | Guilin |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Yangshuo via the Li River, Souvenir Shopping Fun at West Street | Yangshuo |
| Day 9 | Bike Tour Around Yangshuo, Bamboo Rafting Adventure, Fly to Shanghai | Shanghai |
| Day 10 | Shanghai City Tour, Acrobatic Show | Shanghai |
| Day 11 | Depart Shanghai |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Dining Experience
Welcome to China! Your flight arrives in Beijing, China's capital and one of the world's leading centers for culture, commerce, finance, and education. Meet your driver and head to your hotel, where, after you and the kids have had a chance to regroup, you'll all participate in a welcome dinner.
Visit a local restaurant and indulge in Peking duck, a staple in Beijing cuisine for centuries. The secret to its popularity lies in the preparation—the duck is first marinated with a blend of spices, then roasted until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. The result is a mouthwatering combination of tender meat and crunchy skin that melts in your mouth. Your family will have the chance to try this delicious dish alongside other regional fare and learn more about China's cuisine and the role it plays in their culture and traditions. Rest up at your hotel tonight in preparation for tomorrow's excursions!
Day 2: Visit Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven
Today's kid-friendly tour takes you to some of Beijing's most notable sites. Meet your guide and start at Tiananmen Square, modern China's political center. Here, you'll find the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Once the site of the infamous student-led protests that took place here in the 1980s, the square today remains a prominent public space, often the locale for ceremonies and other events.
Continue to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace and winter residence of emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Constructed in the 1400s, this palatial complex was the center of political power for more than 500 years. Walk the courtyards with your family and see the incredible Chinese architecture as your guide shares the associated history and the complexities between ancient and modern China.
The tour ends at the Temple of Heaven, a large religious complex located in southeastern Beijing. Once annually visited by Emperors from both Ming and Qing dynasties for ceremonies seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest, the temple was made a World Heritage site in 1998. Delve into ancient China as your guide escorts you around the grounds, and you and the kids take in what has been described as a "masterpiece of architecture and landscape design." Additionally, you're likely to see local residents walking, exercising, or playing chess, as the temple also serves as a pleasant outdoor venue.
Day 3: Discover the Wonders of the Great Wall
No trip to China would be complete without a visit to one of the world's most impressive wonders, the Great Wall. After breakfast, meet your guide and set out to explore this monumental series of fortifications built to protect the northern borders of ancient Chinese states against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe.
You'll start at the Mutianyu section, which once served as a defense barrier for the capital and imperial tombs. Hike around the area, visiting the watchtowers and seeing panoramic views of the lush countryside and surrounding mountains. Depending on the route you choose and the ages/abilities of your little ones, plan on spending anywhere from two to six hours walking the wall.
Later, visit the Changling Tomb, located near Tianshou Mountain and the final resting place of the ancient Emperor Zhu Di (Yongle) and his Empress Xu Shi. Among the 13 mausoleums in the area, it stands out as the largest Ming tomb. You can also see the Ling'en Hall, or the Hall of Eminent Favor, which is made from rare Phoebe nanmu hardwood and is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional preservation. Return to Beijing in time for dinner at your hotel or a local restaurant.
Day 4: Walking Tour of Hutong, Peking Opera, Cricket Trainers & Confucius Temple
Today you'll discover the delights of Beijings hutongs, narrow streets and alleys that create a dizzying maze of food, shopping, and community. Meet your guide and set out for a leisurely family walk, traversing winding pathways and uncovering the best local markets, unusual souvenirs, and more. See the traditional courtyard residences or siheyuan that form the alleys, and perhaps even get a chance to visit with residents as your guide shares the legends and history that accompany these charming neighborhoods.
Next, visit the Peking Opera and learn to make your own opera mask. Alongside an experienced instructor, you and the kids will practice drawing the intricate designs of the masks as you learn about the significance of each design, said to reveal a character's age, profession, and personality. Explore the symbolism behind the colors, and create your own work of art to take home. Then, stop by a cricket training school, where you'll meet cricket trainers and learn about the ancient Chinese pastime of cricket fighting. Watch a match between crickets, and the kids can even hold a cricket if they like!
Wrap up the day at Confucius Temple and Guozijian ( Imperial College). The temple, built in 1302, served as a space for intellectuals of various dynasties to pay their respects to Confucius. Now a museum, your family can see artifacts such as engraved stones, drums, and jade utensils. Not far from the temple is Guozijian, which was once considered the highest institute of studying in China's educational system. While no longer a school, it remains an important landmark and a testament to China's rich intellectual legacy.
Day 5: Fly to Xi'an, Visit the Muslim Quarter & Watch a Shadow Puppet Show
Your next destination is Xi'an, the capital of the Shaanxi province. This ancient city marks the eastern end of the ancient Silk Road and is best known for being the home of the Terracotta Army archaeological site. In the morning, check out of your hotel and take a private transfer to the airport for your 2.5-hour flight. Upon arrival, a guide will meet you and your family for transport to your hotel.
Drop your luggage and take a moment to regroup, then head out with your guide for a tour of Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, a lively neighborhood that serves as a hub for the city's Muslim community. This area is famed for its delicious halal food, and you and the kids will have the chance to try dishes such as yangrou paomo (lamb stew), biangbiang noodles, and jinggao, a pastry made from glutinous rice. Stroll amid the dizzying array of vendors, trying different treats and seeking out one-of-a-kind souvenirs from local craftspeople.
End with a shadow puppet show at Gao's Courtyard. The former residence of Gao Yuesong, an official from the Ming Dynasty, this brick-and-wood complex has a history spanning 400 years, with halls, pavilions, and a theater stage. Roam the complex and see the Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural styles and lavish decor, and watch their shadow puppet show, an art form in which puppeteers manipulate small leather or paper figure which are projected onto a translucent, illuminated screen. Beloved by Chinese children for thousands of years, this is sure to be a hit with your own little ones!
Day 6: Xi'an's Terracotta Army, Cultural Calligraphy Class
The morning starts with an excursion to one of Xi'an's most important historic sites, the Terracotta Army. Originally discovered in the 1970s, local workers had set out to dig a well and instead uncovered what is considered one of the world's most significant archaeological finds. The burial site for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty and China's first emperor, you'll find a sprawling underground citadel, complete with stables, gardens, jewelry, silver, and more than 8,000 life-size clay soldiers.
Your family will have time to walk the grounds as your guide shares insight into the fascinating history of this ancient tomb, explaining more about the production of the figures and the themes that showcase the emperor's life and enduring influence. The soldiers are especially intriguing, as each one includes a detailed range of different ages, ranks, even hairstyles and expressions—you'll find some looking calm and peaceful while others appear angry or aggressive!
This cultural experience culminates with a family calligraphy class. Chinese calligraphy is considered a true art form, dating back more than 2,000 years and combining visual and literary creativity. With help from an experienced instructor, use the four items of calligraphy—brush pen, paper, ink, and ink stone—and practice the different styles, which include Kaishu, Xingshu, and Caoshu. Come away with an appreciation of this intricate writing style and personal calligraphy souvenirs to take home.
Day 7: Fly to Guilin, Explore Reed Flute Cave
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight to Guilin, a city in southern China surrounded by dramatic limestone hills, picturesque lakes, and incredible natural wonders. Arrive and check in at your hotel, then meet your guide to visit one of those wonders, Reed Flute Cave.
Nestled in the western part of the city, this otherworldly geological formation sits at nearly 800 feet (240 m) deep and 1,600 feet (500 m) long. Estimated to have been formed 180 million years ago, the cave, often referred to as the "Palace of Natural Art," features sparkling stalactites, stone pillars, and rock formations that have naturally evolved into shapes that resemble mythological creatures and famous landmarks—there's even a formation that looks like the Statue of Liberty.
Together with your guide, explore hidden chambers, columns, and waterfalls, all created by nature over millions of years. Learn more about the history and legends surrounding the cave, and admire the unusual rock formations and deep caverns. Just outside the cave, you'll see the wild reeds that grow around it, used by local people to make flutes, and the origin of the cave's name. Return to your hotel in time for dinner and a chance to unwind.
Day 8: Transfer to Yangshuo via the Li River, Souvenir Shopping Fun at West Street
You're off to Yangshuo today, a resort town located in southern China's Guangxi region. Don't expect just another boring drive, however, as your transfer will be via the gorgeous Li River! After hotel checkout, you and your family will head to the pier and board your boat, traveling along scenic valleys and farmlands. See views of the region's Guilin karst landscape, formed by bedrock to create unusual pinnacle-shaped hills, and pass sites such as the magnificent Nine-Horse Fresco and Yellow Cloth Shoal, an image replicated on the reverse side of China's 20 Yuan RMB note.
Arrive in Yangshou in the late afternoon and disembark, then make a visit to West Street, a buzzy shopping district where you can purchase handwoven textiles, exquisite pottery, and more. Stroll through the bustling crowds as vendors hawk their wares, let the kids sample local food, and immerse yourselves in the culture and heritage of this enchanting town. Have dinner here, or head back to your hotel for the evening.
Day 9: Bike Tour Around Yangshuo, Bamboo Rafting Adventure, Fly to Shanghai
See more of scenic Yangshuo this morning with a family cycling tour. Meet your guide, and after a safety and equipment briefing, head out to explore the region's beautiful countryside. See local life in action as you bike along country roads, passing farmers as they tend their crops, and water buffalo grazing in the fields. You may even catch glimpses of locals fishing or washing clothes in the nearby streams.
Next up is the Yulong River, where you'll board bamboo rafts for a river cruise. Drift downstream on rafts operated by local fishermen and farmers, marveling at the lush greenery and towering karst mountains. The kids can keep their eyes peeled for local wildlife, fish, and birds, and you'll all enjoy the soothing lull of the gentle currents. After your tour, you'll check out of your accommodations and transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a 2.5-hour flight to Shanghai, China's biggest city and a global financial hub. Arrive and take a private transfer to your hotel, where the rest of your evening is free.
Day 10: Shanghai City Tour, Acrobatic Show
Your last full day in China takes you to some of Shanghai's top highlights, starting with a visit to the Bund, one of its most well-known and iconic landmarks. This renowned promenade offers panoramic views of colonial and contemporary architecture, showcasing the fusion of old and new that defines this city. Next, visit Yu Garden and the adjacent Yuyuan Market.
Yu Garden, otherwise known as the Garden of Happiness, is a beautiful classical garden from the Ming Dynasty. Stroll by traditional Chinese architecture and let the kids race down winding paths that take you to its rockeries, ponds, and pavilions. Next door, Yuyuan Market is home to vendors selling everything from souvenirs and trinkets to local delicacies like xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) and tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). Stop by the Shikumen (Stone Gate Houses) and walk through narrow alleyways flanked by buildings that blend European-style architecture with traditional local elements.
Head back to your hotel for a bit, then this evening, treat your family to an enthralling Chinese acrobatics performance. As one of the oldest performing arts with a history tracing back thousands of years, acrobatics has absorbed elements from opera, dance, and Chinese kung fu to form a unique artistry. The show, "ERA: Intersection of Time," will appeal to all ages, as you and the kids are wowed by performances that include calvaria, silk suspending, and hoop diving.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 11: Depart Shanghai
Your family adventure in China ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your journey home or to your next destination. Safe travels!
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