Great Wall Warriors Exploration

Welcome to China. Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in at your own pace. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and drive to Tiananmen Square, a site of immense historical and cultural importance. Here, you can view Mao’s portrait and visit his mausoleum at the far end of the square. From there, we walk to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace where emperors ruled for five centuries. Explore its vast courtyards, ornate chambers, and tranquil gardens, gaining insight into the lives of the imperial family and their court. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit one of Beijing’s remaining hutongs – traditional narrow lanes that offer a glimpse into old Beijing’s lifestyle and architecture dating back to the Yuan dynasty. We also visit the Buddhist Miaoying Temple, known for its iconic White Stupa completed in 1279 under Kublai Khan. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Beijing.

After breakfast, we drive to the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, known as the Yellow Flower Wall. This area offers one of the most scenic and accessible stretches of the Wall, ideal for a gentle hike. Flanked by two lakes created by dams in the 1970s and ’90s, the Wall here descends dramatically into the water, providing stunning, unobstructed views. Following the walk, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we explore Beijing’s vibrant 798 Art District, a former East German industrial complex transformed in the 1990s into a hub of contemporary art and culture. Here, you can browse avant-garde galleries and enjoy a variety of modern dining options. We return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Beijing.

After breakfast, we visit the Temple of Heaven complex in southeast Beijing. Built in the early 15th century, this site was where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the heavens and prayed for a good harvest. The architecture symbolises the connection between earth and heaven – the square-shaped Palace of Abstinence represents the earth, while the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar represent heaven. The surrounding park is a lively space where locals practise morning exercises such as dancing, fencing, flag-waving, and Taichi. After the visit, lunch is at your own arrangement. We then transfer to Beijing West Railway Station for a second-class high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will welcome you before we drive to the Muslim Quarter. Here, you can explore the bustling food stalls and sample local delicacies such as Halal skewers, roast mutton, and persimmon cakes (at your own cost). Xi’an’s Muslim community dates back around 1,300 years, established by Persian and Arab traders along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Overnight in Xi’an.

After breakfast, we drive to the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city walls in China and among the largest ancient military defence systems worldwide. Originally constructed from rammed earth and later rebuilt with bricks during Emperor Longqing’s reign, the wall still bears some original bricks marked with historical stamps. We take a leisurely walk along the top of the wall, where you may choose to rent a bicycle or electric bike (at your own expense) to explore either the entire circuit or a section of it. Next, we set off early to visit the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors, beating the crowds to discover this extraordinary archaeological site. With a professional guide, you will see thousands of life-sized soldiers, chariots and horses, each uniquely crafted to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Xi’an Museum (closed on Tuesdays), which offers valuable insights into the origins of Chinese civilisation and the Huaxia culture. We return to the hotel in Xi’an for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, we take the second-class high-speed train back to Beijing. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for the evening. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time at your leisure to explore Beijing independently or relax before your transfer to the airport. This allows you to make the most of your final hours in the city at your own pace.