On arrival in Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital Airport, you will be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. Early check-in is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on day 1. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner.

Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City; sightseeing at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot. Later, enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. Tonight, eat a traditional Peking duck dinner. Please note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, your touring in Beijing will be switched round so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day.

Rise early this morning to avoid the crowds and drive approximately 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass to take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. Your visit involves walking from the bus to the first section; once your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Later, visit a Jade Factory, and this afternoon stroll through the Summer Palace.

Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Later, browse your way through Panjiayuan, Beijing’s most extensive arts, crafts and antiques market.

Travel by bullet train to Datong, a journey of 6 and a half hours watching the rural splendour of China pass by your window. Known for its abundant historical relics and natural beauty, upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Caves where you will see the well-preserved rock carvings from the surrounding sandstone cliffs. Today, it is one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist cultural sites of China. Touring the caves involves walking 1km, and you will spend approximately 2 hours here.

This morning visit the 1,400 year old, gravity defying Hanging Temple, which seemingly floats up the face of Jinxia Gorge, where you will spend about 1 hour. Continue driving 4 hours to Wutaishan to check in to your hotel.

Spend the day exploring Wutaishan’s alpine valleys and important monasteries, including the Bodhisattva Temple and Xiantong Temple. This afternoon, drive 4 and a half hours to Taiyuan, home to the Twin Pagoda Temple. If time permits, there will be easy sightseeing at the Ming Dynasty Twin Pagoda Temple.

This morning we will spend around 1-2 hours at the Jin Ci Temple in Taiyuan. Afterwards, drive 2 hours to the small ancient town of Pingyao where you will transfer to an electric cart to take you to your hotel. Take part in a traditional Chinese paper cutting experience, dating back to the 6th Century.

Take a walk around the cobbled streets for spectacular views of the city walls of Pingyao, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty. Next, visit the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. There will also be some time to visit the Yamen, a former government building from the Qing Dynasty. Sightseeing will involve around 4 hours on foot, including a stop for lunch. Later take a 3-hour bullet train to Xian, the former ancient capital. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the trains.

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the lifesized Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance there is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own expense. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different‘pits', which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. This evening, enjoy a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

Admire the thousands of fascinating relics at the Xian Museum, followed by a visit to the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Sightseeing will be approximately 2 and a half hours on foot. There will also be time to explore the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter. This evening, there is an optional Tang Everbright City Night Tour (time permitting, payable locally).

This morning transfer to the railway station for your 2-hour bullet train to Luoyang. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the trains. On arrival, check in to your hotel and then visit the Longmen Grottoes which date back to the 5th century. Sightseeing here involves around 2 hours on foot.

Travel 2 hours to the famous Shaolin Temple, best known for its association with martial arts and watch a Kung Fu demonstration by the famous Shaolin Monks. Walk through the Pagoda Forest, a collection of 228 pagodas from the Tang and Qing dynasties. You will spend approximately 3 hours here before continuing with a 3-hour drive to Zhengzhou for your overnight stay.

Board the bullet train to the exuberant city of Shanghai. In the evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a scenic cruise.

Today’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden, the atmospheric alleys of the old town and a stroll along the Bund to admire the magnificent colonial architecture by the Huangpu River. Sightseeing today involves a full day of touring around the centre of the city with 3-4 hours on foot. In the evening, take your seats to see the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.

Wander for a couple of hours through the Xintiandi area to admire the 1920s architectural styling. Visit the ancient treasures of the Shanghai Museum and the People’s Square before visiting the Silk Factory. Taste the delicious, traditional Shanghai cuisine for dinner.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged.