12 Days in China: Uncover Its Hidden Charms
Trip overview
This 12-day tour leads you to explore China off the beaten path. It blends classic attractions with authentic local experiences, featuring stunning natural scenery and a great variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, cycling and rafting. Boasting a long history and profound culture, Beijing offers countless wonderful sights. Our carefully designed itinerary lets you discover its most iconic highlights. One major highlight is a hike along the wild sections of the Great Wall.
Xi'an is renowned for its well-preserved ancient city walls and striking Bell Tower. It is also home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, where over 6,000 uniquely crafted figurines showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and intricate details. For wildlife enthusiasts, Chengdu is a must-visit destination. We will take you to Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base to see adorable giant pandas up close. The final stop is Yunnan. Nestled in southwestern China, this enchanting region is blessed with breathtaking landscapes, grand mountains and rivers, abundant natural resources and rich ethnic diversity.
Services
Included:
- Entrance fees to scenic spots listed in itinerary
- Meals specified in itinerary
- Assistance on arrival/departure & airport/hotel/station/ferry transfers as specified in itinerary
- Flights/trains specified in itinerary, with flight, airport tax and fuel fees included
- Sightseeing & activities as listed in itinerary
- Accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots in each city or area in private, air-conditioned vehicle as listed in itinerary
- One bottle of drinking water per person per day
- Service charges
Excluded:
- Flights/sightseeing/meals/other items not listed in itinerary
- Visa application & visa fee
- Gratuities or tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g. room service, internet charges, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, optional activities)
- Excess baggage charge
- Optional activities
Optional:
- On request
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Beijing — Welcome to China!
- Day 2: Beijing — The Summer Palace and Forbidden City
- Day 3: Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall - Beijing — Discover the Great Wall
- Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an — Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Day 5: Xi'an - Chengdu — Terra Cotta Warriors and Exciting Xi'an City Tour
- Day 6: Chengdu — A Panda Sanctuary and the World's Largest Stone Buddha
- Day 7: Chengdu - Dali — Three Pagodas Temple and a Tie-Dye Workshop
- Day 8: Dali - Shaxi - Lijiang — Uncover the Remarkable "Stone Treasure Mountain"
- Day 9: Lijiang - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Lijiang — The Ganhaizi Meadow and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Day 10: Lijiang — Cycling and Horseback Riding in Lijiang
- Day 11: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang — Excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Day 12: Lijiang — Explore Charming Lijiang
Destinations on this trip
Day 1: Welcome to China!
You will be greeted by our driver at Beijing International Airport and transferred to your hotel in downtown Beijing. Take this time to relax and refresh after your long flight. Feel free to wander around the surrounding area and explore local sights if you wish. Our guide will also be glad to recommend nice local restaurants for dinner.
Day 2: The Summer Palace and Forbidden City
It's your first full day in China! This morning, explore the Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial garden featuring timeless Chinese architecture and fine traditional art. Take in its exquisite design and rich historical legacy. In the afternoon, visit Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square. Continue to Jingshan Park, where you can climb Coal Hill and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Forbidden City from the summit. Later in the afternoon, embark on a traditional rickshaw tour through old hutongs. Immerse yourself in genuine local culture and witness well-preserved traditional lifestyles. In the evening, watch a fantastic Peking Opera performance. Boasting a history of roughly 200 years, this classic art form blends stylized acting, melodious singing, thrilling acrobatics and vibrant costumes, making it a world-renowned cultural treasure.
Day 3: Discover the Great Wall
After a simple breakfast, your private driver will transfer you from Beijing to Jiankou, around a two-hour drive. The route boasts stunning scenery, perfect for taking photos of the gorgeous landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, hike eastward toward the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. This peaceful, scenic stretch sees far fewer crowds than other sections. Accompanied by your professional guide, explore the ramparts and learn about the profound history of this world-famous landmark. At the end of the day, drive back to Beijing. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and a relaxing evening in the city.
Day 4: Visit the Temple of Heaven
After breakfast in the early morning, watch local residents take part in traditional morning activities. Next, explore the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing's most iconic historic sites. This grand complex once served as a sacred altar where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held grand ceremonies to worship heaven and pray for bumper harvests. It was completed in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. When your tour of the temple concludes, board the high-speed train heading for Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to rest and settle in.
Day 5: Terracotta Army & Vibrant Xi'an City Tour
After breakfast, head to explore the spectacular Terracotta Army and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. As one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries, this site features countless life-sized clay warriors standing ready for battle. Built around 2,500 years ago, the imperial mausoleum is guarded by more than 8,000 terracotta figures, 130 chariots and 520 horses. It also contains miniature palaces, pavilions, exquisite ritual vessels, gemstones and other precious relics. UNESCO inscribed the complex as a World Heritage Site back in 1987. In the afternoon, return to downtown Xi'an. Tour the historic Great Mosque and stroll around the lively Muslim Quarter. In the evening, treat yourself to a traditional Chinese dumpling feast, accompanied by a splendid Tang Dynasty dance performance.
Day 6: Panda Sanctuary & the World's Largest Stone Buddha
In the morning, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Here you can get up close and interact with adorable giant pandas, and watch them go about their daily routines — munching on fresh bamboo and climbing trees during their active hours. In the afternoon, travel to see the Leshan Giant Buddha. This magnificent stone carving is the largest Buddha statue of its kind across the globe, standing 71 meters tall. It is truly a breathtaking landmark not to be missed. After dinner, enjoy a fantastic Sichuan Opera show. The performance features traditional local music as well as classic folk acts: shadow puppetry, candle performances, fire-spitting and the world-famous face-changing stunt. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll through Jinli Ancient Street. Sample a variety of local delicacies and experience the laid-back lifestyle of local residents.
Day 7: Chongsheng Three Pagodas & Tie-Dye Workshop
Catch an early morning flight to Dali. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to explore the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, situated in northwestern Dali. Nestled at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and facing Erhai Lake, this picturesque temple complex boasts a history of over 1,800 years, with major restorations undertaken during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Next, embark on a leisurely boat cruise across Erhai Lake. Glide over the calm waters and unwind on this peaceful journey. Afterwards, travel to a nearby village to visit a traditional tie-dye workshop. Watch local artisans demonstrate this time-honored handcraft. During your visit, you will learn about the long history of local ethnic communities and develop a deeper appreciation for their unique culture, which forms an important part of China's rich cultural heritage.
Day 8: Explore the Extraordinary Stone Treasure Mountain (Shibaoshan)
In the morning, drive to Shibaoshan, also known as Stone Treasure Mountain. This scenic site is famous for its striking red rock formations, a classic Danxia landform, as well as ancient Buddhist grottoes. Next, hike downhill for around two hours to arrive at Shaxi Ancient Village, a historic settlement nestled in a valley at the foot of Shibaoshan. Listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 Most Endangered Heritage Sites worldwide, Shaxi once served as a thriving trading hub along the Southern Silk Road, also called the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. This vital route connected China, Tibet and Southeast Asia. Today, ancient ruins, exquisite frescoes, rock carvings and stone inscriptions scattered across the mountain bear witness to the rich blend of diverse cultures from across the region.
Day 9: Ganhaizi Meadow & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Today, travel to Ganhaizi Meadow first. Board the sightseeing bus for a scenic ride along Baishuihe River, then take the chairlift up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Next, hike through the primeval forest on Spruce Meadow, before heading to the breathtaking Blue Moon Valley. After lunch, enjoy the grand outdoor performance Impression Lijiang staged at Ganhaizi Meadow. This wonderful cultural show showcases the unique traditions and daily life of the local Naxi, Yi and Bai ethnic groups. Afterwards, drive to visit Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Culture Museum.
Day 10: Cycling & Horseback Riding in Lijiang
Kick off your day with a cycling tour starting from Lijiang Old Town. First, cycle to Baisha Old Town and visit the renowned Baisha Murals. Your guide will give you a detailed introduction to these unique art pieces. Continue your ride to Lashihai Lake, a protected nature reserve celebrated for its rich biodiversity. As the largest lake in Lijiang, it features vast open waters surrounded by rolling mountains. The Meiquan and Keluokang Rivers flow into the lake and nourish this beautiful wetland. Later, embark on a leisurely horseback ride around Lashihai Lake. After the activity, we will head back to your hotel.
Day 11: Excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge
After breakfast, take our private coach to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a magnificent canyon on the Yangtze River. Nestled between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, the gorge is cut through by the Jinsha River. A local legend tells that a tiger once leaped across the river to escape a pursuing hunter. The huge boulder where the tiger landed now stands as the core scenic spot of the gorge. Following lunch, explore the upper section of Tiger Leaping Gorge. In the late afternoon, travel to Shigu Town. Experience an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip first, then wander around the ancient town. Finally, we will drive back to Lijiang Old Town.
Day 12: Explore Charming Lijiang
Spend your final morning leisurely wandering around Lijiang Old Town. A well-preserved ancient settlement rich in ethnic culture, this historic town is the heart of Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County in Yunnan Province. Surrounded by lush Lion Mountain to the west, Elephant Mountain and Golden Row Mountain to the north, the old town is framed by fertile farmlands in the southeast, with crystal-clear streams winding through its lanes. Shaped like a giant jade ink slab, it is affectionately nicknamed the Town of the Giant Ink Slab. After your pleasant stay here, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight. We sincerely hope you have enjoyed your wonderful journey across China.
Good to know
- International flights are not included unless stated in your quote.
- Visa requirements depend on your nationality; we can advise.
- Moderate walking; some steps at heritage sites.
- Itinerary may adjust slightly for weather or local holidays.
