8D BEIJING & XIAN – CUSTOMIZED YOUR WAY

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and you will be transferred to your hotel.

Wangfujing Street

Enjoy a walking tour of Wangfujing Street, the most well-known and prosperous shopping street in Beijing.

Tour of Beijing Central Axis

Today’s journey brings you to Tian’ An Men Square, which has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in China history.

Enjoy a guided tour of the relatively less-crowded, Eastern part of Forbidden City (closed on Mon except Jul & Aug). Step inside some of the palaces, browse the priceless treasures and gain insights into the daily lives of the imperial family. If you are feeling energetic, you can walk in the Jing Shan Park at the back of the Forbidden City into the hilltop pavilion for a panoramic view of the whole Forbidden City Complex.

Beijing is a fascinating city with plenty to offers. We have prepared the below options for you to choose from, and if you have more time, you may want to stay longer to experience Beijing’s many treasures and hidden gems.

Option 1: Beijing Historical Stories

Step into the peaceful Temple of Heaven. Listed in UNESCO, it is considered the holiest of Beijing’s imperial temples, as well as “a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design”. You will also visit the National Museum of China to uncover China’s finest traditional, revolutionary and advanced socialist culture.

Option 2: Beijing Local Lifestyle

Enjoy a walking tour of the Hutongs and learn about the life of local Beijingers. Walk along Guozijian Street, home to a Confucius temple and the Imperial Academy since the Qing Dynasty. Visit the 798 Art District, which showcases Beijing’s vibrant. Since 2002, artists and cultural organizations have re-developed this area into a haven of galleries, art centers, artists’ studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars.

Option 3: Family Day

Enjoy a walking tour of the Hutongs and learn about the life of local Beijingers. Learn how to play Kongzhu (空竹) with the locals and visit a local family to learn about their life and household antiques from decades ago. Learn how to make dumplings at a local’s house.

You will also visit the beautiful Summer Palace (UNESCO). Initially built by Emperor Qianlong in 1750 to celebrate his mother’s birthday, Summer Palace is the most well-preserved royal garden in Beijing. Walk in the beautiful garden and take a 1-hour private boat ride (late Mar to Nov only) on the Kunming.

No visit to Beijing is complete without visiting the Great Wall. We offer the below options to experience Great Wall in different ways.

Option 1: Classic Great Wall Route

Embark on an exhilarating day trip to Mutianyu Great Wall, a masterpiece of ancient engineering nestled amidst breathtaking natural landscapes. A cable car ascend will offer you panoramic views of the undulating hills and lush greenery. After taking in the Great Wall’s majestic beauty and its storied past, a unique Toboggan ride will let you glide along the winding track down for a touch of adventure while relishing the surrounding scenery.

Thereafter, you will be transferred back to Beijing.

Option 2: Great Wall Hiking Tour

After checking out, you will be driven about 2 hours to Jinshanling Great Wall, for an adventurous hike (7-8 hours, 30km) to the Simatai Great Wall. The hike takes you through sections of majestic Watchtower, atmospheric crumbles and outstanding scenery away from the crowd.

You will overnight in Gubei Watertown, a lovingly restored historical village.

Train Transfer: Beijing to Xi’an

You will be transferred to the train station for your onwards journey to Xi’an.

High Speed Train          Beijing / Xian    G657       1141 – 1659

Alternatively, we can arrange a flight to Xi’an (additional cost applies)

CA1225          Beijing (Capital Airport) / Xian                   1445 – 1710

Upon arrival in Xi’an, be met your guide at and transfer to the hotel for a good rest.

Xi’an Historical Highlights

Visit one of China’s greatest sights: the Terra Cotta Warriors, with thousands of life-sized soldiers. This site also serves as the burial for the first emperor of China. Marvel at the Huaqing Palace. Here, you will appreciate the Tang Dynasty hotspring pool and the ring garden where the infamous Xi’an Incident took place in 1936 in China.

Tonight, let us treat you to a Tang dynasty show: the Song of Everlasting Sorrow. Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous and colourful of all of China’s ancient dynasties. It is famous for its culture, arts, poems, dress, music and dancing.

During the day, you may avail to one of the following options. Or extend your stay in Xi’an for a more holistic experience of this ancient capital.

Option 1: Xi’an Historical Stories

Visit the excellent Provincial History Museum (closed on Mon), one of the largest museums in Xi’an. Ascend by elevator to the top of the city wall of Imperial Wall Site Museum, where you can ride a bicycle or walk along the wall. It takes about 10-20 minutes to walk from the Hanguang gate to the south gate. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty.

Option 2: Family Day in Xi’an

Visit the Xi ‘an Museum to uncover the history and development of this ancient capital, the Little Wild Goose Pagodato watch one of the eight views of Guangzhong, as well as Qujiang Art Museum to appreciate the archaeological murals, gold and jade wares from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. If you would like, it is also possible to gain first-hand mural restoration experience here.

Option 3: Huxian Farmer Painting Day Trip

Drive 1.5 hours to visit the farmer homes of Huxian to uncover their stories and appreciate their paintings. You may avail to visit the studio of the legendary Mr. Zhang Qiyi to appreciate his works or enjoy farmhouse meals. Visit the traditional rural dwellings in Guanzhong to enjoy the traditional gong and drum performances of the farmers celebrating the harvest.

Evening at Datang Everbright City

If time permits, you may enjoy an evening walk on Datang Everbright city, with option to wear traditional Tang Dynasty costumes to fully immerse in the atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty.

Huajue Lane

Depending on your flight time, you may visit Huajue Lane, the Tang Dynasty Muslim Mosque. It is the only mosque in China that perfectly combines traditional Chinese architecture with the religion of Islam.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You will be transferred to the airport for your onwards journey.