Uncover the best of China, from Beijing to Shanghai and Xi'an to Suzhou. This nine-day adventure takes you through China's illustrious living history, along its traditional streets, and into the heart of its ultra-modern mega cities.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to China!
Saturday. You've arrived in Beijing and your adventure has begun! There's an included arrival transfer to your hotel. Once you've checked in, the rest of the day is yours. Why not head out for your first glimpse of China's captivating capital?
Overnight: Beijing
A Beijing beginning
We're kicking off our adventure with a day of Beijing sightseeing! We'll visit the iconic Tiananmen Square and the majestic Forbidden City. And we'll take a traditional rickshaw ride through the winding hutongs (backstreets).
This evening, we'll head to an acrobat show in the heart of the city. Expect stunning costumes, captivating colours, and gravity-defying tricks, then tuck into a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck.
Overnight: Beijing | Breakfast, Dinner
The Great Wall
Beijing - Great Wall. Today, we're ticking the big one from the bucket list. After a free morning, we'll bid farewell to Beijing and head north to Badaling. And the most preserved stretch of the Great Wall. We'll walk the cobbles, we'll cross the watchtowers, and we'll follow the way of the rugged mountains. We spend the night at our quaint hotel near Juyongguan Pass, which offers views of the Great Wall.
Overnight: Great Wall | Breakfast
Granite and limestone, jade and pearl
Great Wall - Beijing - Xi'an. We'll be up bright and early for a final view of the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass - arriving as it opens to beat the crowds. From here, we'll visit a jade carving workshop. And we'll learn about its importance in Chinese culture.
After lunch, we'll head back to Beijing to catch the sleeper train to Xi'an. You'll have a couple of hours to spare before boarding - ideal for a spot of shopping at the Pearl Market!
Overnight: Overnight sleeper train to Xi'an | Breakfast, Lunch
Ancient warriors and archaeological treasures
Today we discover the Terracotta Army: 7,000 unique soldiers carved in exquisite detail, with no two faces alike. The warriors have stood strong for over 2,000 years, originally created to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife. The iconic sculptures have inspired the work of clay workshops across China - including the one we'll visit!
Tonight, we welcome you to join the optional Tang Dynasty Show, which includes dinner, a traditional performance and transfers (bookable locally).
Overnight: Xi'an | Breakfast, Lunch
Step back into old Xi'an
Xi’an - Shanghai. Xi'an was once the centre of Chinese culture and politics. It was once home to emperors, warriors, merchants, and monks. And relics of the past are hidden at every turn.
Today, we'll explore Xi'an's towering Big Wild Goose Pagoda. We'll cycle along the ancient city walls. And we'll wander through the vibrant Muslim Quarter. After our morning of sightseeing, we board the high-speed train to Shanghai. Arrival Shanghai and check into our hotel.
Overnight: Shanghai | Breakfast, Lunch
Set your sights on Shanghai
Where centuries of tradition and culture meet the modern age - and get a glimpse of the future. Today, we'll tour Shanghai. From the bustling Bund to the charming Old City. From the striking Plaza Tower to the serene Yu Garden. We'll also cruise the Huangpu River. And you'll get the best view of the famous Pudong skyline.
Overnight: Shanghai | Breakfast
Canal streets in Suzhou
Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai. Today we'll swap Shanghai for Suzhou. With serene canals, tranquil waterways, and traditional gardens, Suzhou is the Venice of the Orient. We'll enjoy a cruise along its Grand Canal. And we'll explore its ancient Lingering Garden - a peaceful spot of classic pavilions, hidden pagodas, wooden walkways, and calm ponds.
We'll finish our day with a silk workshop visit, before heading back to Shanghai.
Overnight: Shanghai | Breakfast, Lunch
So long, Shanghai
Sunday. Our tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, we'll transfer you to the airport in time for your flight. You'll land back home with a lifetime's worth of memories, and a love of adventure.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates marked with a 'G' are operating. All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 4 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to solo travellers or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven, Beijing
The Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven is an elegant and comfortable hotel with well-furnished and spacious rooms. Practical in design, the guestrooms feature internet access and the hotel also boasts a range of restaurants and bars, as well as an indoor swimming pool. Located just a 10 minute walk from the Temple of Heaven, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore this fascinating city.
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan, Beijing
Located just a stones throw from the Beitucheng Subway station, with access to Line 10 & Line 8, the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan is a perfect base to explore the many amazing highlights of Beijing. Within walking distance of the hotel you'll find the famous Birds Nest Olympic Stadium. The hotel boasts a stylish restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel, Xi'an
Located a stone’s throw away from the Ancient City Wall and Islamic Mosque, is the Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel. The hotel offers modern comforts in the heart of the city. Each air-conditioned guestroom features WiFi, a minibar and satellite TV. There is an onsite restaurant which serves a daily buffet or a la carte breakfast as well as a variety of Asian and Western dishes. During free time, guests can enjoy a relaxing massage or work out in the fitness centre.
Ramada Encore Shanghai Hotel , Shanghai
Ideally located close to several plazas and shopping centres, this modern hotel offers you a comfortable stay in one of China’s fastest growing cities. Guestrooms are equipped with all the essential amenities, with free WiFi and access to the breakfast buffet included. The onsite Dakang Restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and you can expect a tasty menu featuring both Western and Chinese cuisine. Other amenities include a fitness centre, coffee shop and small convenience store.
Matthew was brilliant excellently organizor. ”
Great tour and friendly people & country. ”
Matthew was unfailingly kind and helpful. We could not have hoped for a better guide.”
The tour was fantastic and we would highly recommend it. Lucky for us there were only four of us on the tour and we got on great. Jason our guide in Beijing was absolutely wonderful and we cannot recommend him highly enough. You have a wonderful, helpful, personable employee there who most definitely goes the extra mile. Our driver in Beijing was terrific too Mr. Sun.
I really cannot say more than that everything was wonderful and we would not hesitate to travel with you again. ”
Jason was absolutely wonderful and did an amazing job. Our driver was also excellent. Both very highly recommended. ”
Both driver and guide were very accommodating and would recommend to others. ”
Absolutely fantastic trip.
Lisa made the trip uniquely brilliant and should be considered for annual tour guide award.
We will be looking for our next holiday via On the Go. ”
Fantastic tour. Leo was a great guide and we were so lucky that the other 16 people in the group were all lovely - we hope to keep in touch with all of them. The tour was packed with a great variety of sightseeing and activities and the accommodation was very good. We have been very impressed with On The Go Tours at all stages and we'll definitely book again. Thank you!”
Excellent tour, exceptional guide.
The only thing I would change is that I would like to do the bullet train to Shanghai and then stay in a hotel rather than a second night in a sleeper train. It’s an experience that you only need once! ”
Absolutely amazing experience. Matthew was with us until the end of the tour but we also had Andrew and Faye with us along the way. They are all very professional and well spoken guys. Nothing was too much for all of them, they made the whole experience even more enjoyable
I would not hesitate to recommend On the Go Tours to anyone.”
At a Glance
Extra Tour Info
Matthew was brilliant excellently organizor. ”
