A Taste of China
Historical Beijing & the Great Wall; Xi'an & the Terracotta Army; Chengdu, home of the giant pandas; futuristic Shanghai & Suzhou, the “Venice of the East.” Optional Hong Kong extension
Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | April – November 2027 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
| Themes | Active, History & Culture, Bucket List | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking. This tour also includes long high-speed train rides. Good physical fitness is required to fully enjoy the trip. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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From imperial landmarks and ancient archaeological wonders to high-speed rail networks and futuristic skylines, China offers a striking contrast between past and present. This journey highlights some of the country’s most iconic destinations, beginning in Beijing, where historic sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall reflect centuries of dynastic history. In Xi’an, discover one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds: the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Army, with thousands of life-size soldiers, horses, and chariots created to guard the tomb of China’s first Qin emperor.
Continue to Chengdu, best known as the home of China’s beloved giant pandas and a gateway to Sichuan culture and cuisine, before traveling to Shanghai, a global financial hub where soaring skyscrapers stand alongside historic waterfront architecture and traditional neighborhoods. Nearby Suzhou, often referred to as the “Venice of the East,” offers a different perspective with its classical gardens, canals, and centuries-old silk heritage. An optional extension to Hong Kong provides the opportunity to experience yet another side of China, where East and West meet in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
Package includes
- Flights
- Train
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles (LAX) including taxes & fees
- All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
- 10 nights in deluxe and first class accommodations
- 22 Meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 3 dinners, including a welcome and farewell dinner
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking National Guide/Tour Manager and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other gateways are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional Sichuan Opera Performance
- Optional Calligraphy Workshop
- Optional Hong Kong post-tour Extension
- Want to extend your stay before the tour starts or after the tour ends? Request details when making your reservation.
Why you'll love it
- Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing.
- Relax with a traditional foot reflexology experience.
- Ascend via cable car to the famous Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
- Travel by rickshaw through Beijing's hutong alleyways.
- Ride in first-class on two high-speed rail journeys, admiring the views of rural terrains along the way.
- See the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors and Horses at Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum.
- Walk along a scenic section of the ancient Xi'an City Wall and learn about Xi’an’s important role in Chinese history.
- Experience an exciting Tang Dynasty performance.
- Savor traditional Chinese cuisine, including a classic hot pot lunch.
- Learn how to play Mahjong, a traditional Chinese tile game.
- Observe the giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a highlight of your visit to China.
- Embark on a scenic night cruise along the Huangpu River in Shanghai.
- Visit two of China's most famous classical gardens: the Master of the Nets Garden and the Lingering Garden.
- Experience a rickshaw ride and an electric boat ride in Suzhou.
- Admire panoramic city views from the Shanghai Tower's observation deck.
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
To see full details, click the button to the right.
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 similarDinner
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast & lunch
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 similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
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
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare and extend your adventure in Hong Kong! Passengers taking the post-tour extension will return to the USA 3 days after the return dates listed.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
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 similarBreakfast
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 similarBreakfast
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 similarBreakfast
Day 16 Depart Hong Kong/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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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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