A Taste of China

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 En route
• 3 Arrive Beijing, China
• 4 Beijing
• 5 Beijing & the Great Wall
• 6 Beijing & Xi'an
• 7 Xi'an & the Terracotta Warriors
• 8 Xi'an & Chengdu
• 9 Chengdu & Giant Panda Breeding Center
• Optional Excursion: Sichuan Opera Performance & Dinner, $180
• 10 Chengdu & Shanghai
• 11 Suzhou & Shanghai
• 12 Shanghai
• Optional Excursion: Calligraphy Workshop, $105
• 13 Depart Shanghai/Arrive USA

Hong Kong Post-tour Extension

• 13 Depart Shanghai/Arrive Hong Kong
• 14 Hong Kong
• 15 Hong Kong
• Optional Excursion: Lantau Island, $215
• 16 Depart Hong Kong/Arrive USA

Dates & Prices

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

• Your journey begins as you check in for your flight to Beijing

Day 2 En route

• Cross the International Dateline and lose a day (which you will recover on the return leg of your trip)

Day 3 Arrive Beijing, China

• Arrive in Beijing, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel
• Enjoy a welcome dinner alongside your fellow travelers

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing or similar Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Upon landing, meet our representative, who will escort you to your hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travelers during a special welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 4 Beijing

• Embark on a walking tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
• Relax with a traditional foot reflexology experience

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

Lace up your shoes and begin the day with a guided walking tour of Tiananmen Square and the nearby Forbidden City. As the world's largest public square and the symbolic heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square offers a fascinating introduction to the city's history and culture. Continue to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, now preserved as one of the world's greatest open-air museums.

After lunch, enjoy a traditional foot reflexology experience. Before the treatment begins, learn about the techniques and materials used in this relaxing wellness practice, which focuses on applying pressure to key points on the feet, calves, and lower legs. The experience begins with a warm foot soak to help you unwind, followed by a soothing massage that includes the shoulders and back.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Day 5 Beijing & the Great Wall

• Discover the world-famous Great Wall of China
• Explore Beijing's hutong alleyways on a rickshaw ride

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, travel to the Great Wall of China and ascend by cable car to one of the world's most remarkable engineering achievements. Stretching across rugged mountain ridges, the wall offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and a unique perspective on China's past. Take time to explore the ancient stone pathways, pass historic watchtowers, and admire the way the wall traces the contours of the landscape. With opportunities to walk at your own pace and take in the scenery, this visit is a memorable highlight of your journey.

After your visit to the Great Wall, enjoy a Chinese lunch at a nearby restaurant before returning to Beijing to explore the historic hutong alleyways via rickshaw. These narrow lanes are lined with traditional siheyuan courtyard residences that have shaped the city’s historic center for centuries. Dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, the hutongs create a maze-like network of streets that offer insight into Beijing’s local life, culture, and traditional architecture. Walk through well-known areas such as Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, and the area surrounding the Drum Tower of Beijing and Bell Tower of Beijing.

Spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Day 6 Beijing & Xi'an

• Travel in first class by high-speed rail to Xi'an
• Visit the Xi’an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Gran Meliá Xi'an or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After an early breakfast, transfer to the railway station and travel to Xi'an in a first-class cabin aboard the high-speed rail.

Visit the Xi’an Museum, an excellent introduction to the city’s history and culture. Set within a landscaped complex, the museum offers a look at Xi’an’s past through its exhibits and artifacts. On the same grounds, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, an elegant Tang Dynasty landmark that has stood for over a thousand years, surrounded by tranquil gardens.

Return to your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 Xi'an & the Terracotta Warriors

• Explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient Xi'an City Wall
• Discover the historic Terracotta Warriors and Horses
• Witness a traditional dumpling-making demonstration
• Experience a Tang Dynasty Dancing Show paired with dinner

Gran Meliá Xi'an or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the historic Xi'an City Wall. Walk along a scenic section of the ancient wall for sweeping views of the city as your guide tells the fascinating story of Xi’an’s important role in Chinese history.

Then, enjoy a guided visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of China's most important archaeological discoveries. Dating back more than 2,000 years, these life-sized figures, each with distinct facial features and details, were created to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor. Discovered by local farmers in 1974, the site reveals rows of soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged in battle formation. Explore the excavation pits and gain insight into the military structure, craftsmanship, and burial traditions of ancient China.

This evening, witness a traditional dumpling-making demonstration followed by a special dinner showcasing the much-loved dumplings, one of Xi’an’s most famous local specialties. Then, experience a Tang Dynasty performance featuring elaborate costumes, dramatic stage effects, and stories inspired by the lives of ancient emperors and queens.

Day 8 Xi'an & Chengdu

• Travel in first class by high-speed rail to Chengdu
• Explore People's Park
• Savor a traditional hot pot lunch

Shangri-La Chengdu or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, transfer to the railway station and travel to Chengdu in a first-class cabin aboard the high-speed rail. Upon arrival, enjoy an included traditional hot pot lunch.

Visit the People’s Park in Chengdu, a bustling gathering place where locals come to practice tai chi, play chess, sing in choral groups, or simply stretch and chat under the trees. Be sure to check out the Matchmaking Corner, where families of unmarried adult children look for potential spouses.

Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 9 Chengdu & Giant Panda Breeding Center

• Observe giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
• Learn how to play Mahjong
• Spend an evening at leisure or join an optional Sichuan Opera excursion

Shangri-La Chengdu or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

Start your morning with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a world-renowned conservation and research center dedicated to the protection and breeding of giant pandas. Set within a park-like environment that closely resembles their natural habitat, the center is home to pandas of all ages, from playful cubs to fully grown adults. Guests can observe them as they eat bamboo, rest, and interact, offering a rare close-up look at one of the world’s most beloved and endangered species, while learning about ongoing conservation and breeding efforts.

After lunch, learn how to play Mahjong, a traditional Chinese tile game that combines strategy, memory, and luck. Long a popular social pastime across China, it’s played in homes, parks, and teahouses, bringing people together for lively, fast-paced games. With local guidance, you’ll learn the basics of matching tiles and forming winning sets.

Spend the evening at leisure, or join an optional Sichuan Opera Performance with dinner.

Optional Excursion: Sichuan Opera Performance & Dinner, $180

Tonight, join an optional excursion to a Sichuan Opera performance featuring a mix of entertainment, including comedy, acrobatics, shadow puppetry, and the iconic face-changing artistry for which Sichuan Opera is best known. Before the show, guests may choose from several pre-show experiences, such as a shoulder massage or dressing in traditional Chinese attire for photos.

Day 10 Chengdu & Shanghai

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai
• Visit the Bund along the Huangpu River
• Enjoy an evening Huangpu River cruise

Hengshan Garden Hotel or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to a neighborhood restaurant for lunch.

Visit the Bund, a historic waterfront promenade stretching along the Huangpu River. This iconic area offers striking views as Shanghai’s modern skyline rises across the river, set against a collection of preserved colonial-era buildings dating back to the 19th century. Originally developed after 1842, these landmark structures reflect Shanghai’s international trading history and give the waterfront its distinctive character.

This evening, experience a scenic night cruise along the Huangpu River. From the water, take in panoramic views of Shanghai beautifully illuminated after dark, including the Bund on one side and the glowing skyscrapers of Pudong on the other. Enjoy the views from the indoor cabin or step out onto the deck for an open-air perspective of the city lights.

Day 11 Suzhou & Shanghai

• Cruise through the Grand Canal in an electric boat
• Visit two of China's most famous classical gardens: Lingering Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden
• Embark on a rickshaw ride through traditional alleys

Hengshan Garden Hotel or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, depart Shanghai by coach for Suzhou. Known as the “Venice of the East,” Suzhou is celebrated for its classical gardens, canals, and traditional water town charm. Begin with an electric boat ride on the Grand Canal, cruising through historic waterways lined with traditional architecture and everyday local scenes.

Then, visit one of China’s most famous gardens: the Lingering Garden, which dates back to 1593. Divided into themed sections connected by covered walkways, it features elegant pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and bonsai landscapes. The garden is also historically associated with traditional arts such as Pingtan storytelling and Guqin music, both recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Suzhou, then continue to the Master of the Nets Garden, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece that showcases the refined art of traditional Chinese garden design. Despite its modest size, the garden is admired for its expert use of space, perspective, and “borrowed scenery,” blending architecture, nature, and artistic detail into a harmonious whole.

In the afternoon, ride by rickshaw through the narrow lanes of a traditional water town area, offering a glimpse into local life along the canals.

Later, transfer back to Shanghai and spend the evening at leisure.

Day 12 Shanghai

• Take an optional early morning tai chi class
• Admire panoramic city views from the Shanghai Tower's observation deck
• Explore Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City area
• Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers

Hengshan Garden Hotel or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Before breakfast, take a tai chi class at the hotel, offering a gentle introduction to this traditional Chinese practice focused on balance, breathing, and mindful movement.

After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Take a high-speed elevator to the observation deck at 546 meters for panoramic views over the city, including a striking aerial perspective of the Bund and the Huangpu River area explored earlier in your visit.

Continue to Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City area. This historic classical garden offers peaceful pavilions, rockeries, and ponds, while the nearby City God Temple district is a commercial area filled with traditional snack stalls, teahouses, and local shops.

Enjoy lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional calligraphy workshop.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

Optional Excursion: Calligraphy Workshop, $105

Join a calligraphy workshop led by a master, offering an introduction to the art of traditional Chinese brush writing. Gain hands-on experience with one of China’s most respected cultural art forms as you learn basic brush techniques, stroke order, and character formation.

Day 13 Depart Shanghai/Arrive USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
• Or, take advantage of your included airfare and join an optional extension to Hong Kong

Breakfast

Hong Kong Post-tour Extension

Day 13 Depart Shanghai/Arrive Hong Kong

• Transfer to the airport
• Arrive in Hong Kong, meet our representative, and transfer to the hotel
• Spend the evening at leisure

The Royal Garden or similar Breakfast

Day 14 Hong Kong

• Tour Hong Kong Island, including a tram ride up Victoria Peak
• Visit the exquisite Man Mo Temple
• Admire the graffiti on Hollywood Road
• Explore Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station of Hong Kong
• Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure

The Royal Garden or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

 After breakfast, embark on a thrilling ascent 1,811 feet above sea level via the iconic Peak Tram. From the top of Victoria Peak, soak in the mesmerizing views of Victoria Harbour, one of the world's busiest waterways, bustling with ferries, cargo ships, and traditional junks.

Visit the exquisitely decorated Man Mo Temple. This historic temple, built in the mid-19th century, is dedicated to two revered deities: Man Cheong, the god of literature, and Mo Tai, the god of war. Ornate wooden carvings, intricate ceramic figurines, and vibrant roof tiles adorn the temple's interior, offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

Finally, follow the graffiti on Hollywood Road to Tai Kwun, Hong Kong's former Central Police Station. Explore this iconic site, which seamlessly blends colonial architecture with contemporary design and houses an array of art galleries, exhibition spaces, and cultural attractions.

Return to your hotel in the early afternoon to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 15 Hong Kong

• Explore the wonders of Hong Kong independently
• Or, join an optional tour to Lantau Island, including the enchanting Ngong Ping Village

The Royal Garden or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Today, experience Hong Kong's dynamic energy and vibrant diversity independently. Shop for local treasures and indulge in cultural excursions, or relax and soak in the captivating atmosphere of this cosmopolitan metropolis. You can also join an optional excursion to Lantau Island and Ngong Ping Village.

Optional Excursion: Lantau Island, $215

Travel like a local as you transfer via MTR from Kowloon and embark on an exciting journey out of the bustling city to Lantau Island. As you ascend via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, marvel at the stunning vistas of the South China Sea, lush green mountains, and the iconic Hong Kong International Airport below. Catch glimpses of the awe-inspiring Tian Tan Buddha statue, also known as the Big Buddha, perched majestically atop a hill amidst the tranquil surroundings.

Upon reaching the summit, step into Ngong Ping Village, where traditional charm meets modern allure. Delve into the spiritual realm as you visit the esteemed Po Lin Monastery, a revered sanctuary steeped in history and tranquility, founded in 1906. Ascend the staircase to behold the majestic Giant Buddha up close, a monumental symbol of serenity and enlightenment. Benches are available for contemplation and admiration for those seeking a more relaxed experience.

Return to Kowloon via MTR and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Note: This private tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate.

Day 16 Depart Hong Kong/Arrive USA

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

Breakfast

Hotels

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing

First Class

Stay in the heart of Beijing at Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing, where vibrant neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and lively shopping streets are all within easy reach. Step out to explore nearby highlights like Tiananmen Square and browse the bustling shops along Wangfujing Street before returning to unwind with a drink, a workout, or a meal at one of the hotel’s inviting restaurants. Thoughtful in-room comforts and modern amenities make it easy to recharge and plan your next day of discovery.

More information

Gran Meliá Xi'an

Deluxe

Set in Xi’an’s vibrant Qu Jiang district, the Gran Meliá Xi'an blends Spanish elegance with Chinese heritage, placing you close to the city’s rich cultural landmarks and storied past. Relax in refined rooms overlooking tranquil gardens and the lake, savor a mix of international and local cuisine, or unwind with a swim, spa treatment, or workout with views of Tang Paradise. Thoughtful service and polished surroundings create a stay that feels both indulgent and effortlessly connected to the spirit of the city.

More information

Shangri-La Chengdu

Deluxe

Set along the scenic Jinjiang River in the heart of Chengdu, the Shangri-La Chengdu blends contemporary style with sweeping city views and elegant local design touches. Spacious guest rooms provide a relaxing retreat after a day of exploring Chengdu’s vibrant neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and lively dining scene. Unwind with a rejuvenating spa treatment, take a dip in the sunlit indoor pool, or recharge at the state-of-the-art fitness center designed for wellness and relaxation.

More information

Hengshan Garden Hotel

Deluxe

Set along the leafy elegance of Hengshan Road in Shanghai, Hengshan Garden Hotel places you in one of the city’s most vibrant and refined neighborhoods, surrounded by cafés, boutiques, and historic villas. Relax in spacious, well-appointed rooms, dine across multiple on-site restaurants and bars, and take advantage of a full-service fitness club designed for both comfort and convenience. With its polished atmosphere and central setting, this hotel offers an effortless way to experience the energy and style of the city.

More information

The Royal Garden

Deluxe

With its luxurious accommodations and stunning 17-story atrium, the Royal Garden Hotel is renowned for its unique architectural design, comfortable accommodations, personalized service, and above all, location, location, location. Centrally located in the heart of Kowloon, the Royal Garden Hotel provides easy access to the business and shopping area of Tsim Sha Tsui East and is close to public transportation. A variety of attractions, such as the Star Ferry, the Clock Tower, and the Museum of Art, are within walking distance of the hotel. Numerous shopping and dining venues are also nearby. The refined and elegant interior combines the best of both Eastern and Western detailing with contemporary setting in the public area.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about China? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Hong Kong? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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