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6 Days Ancient Capitals Tour (Beijing & Xian)

Beijing / Xian

Price from $763

1. This price is based on a group (2 to 5 travelers) accommodated in 3-star hotel in lower seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according your group members and traveling time. Usually more travelers, lower the price; higher price in high seasons, lower in low seasons.

3. This price is valid until February 28th, 2025.

Places Visited

Beijing (3 nights), Xian (2 nights)

Highlights of the Trip

  • Wander along the spectacular Great Wall
  • Immerse in the splendid history and culture of ancient China’s relic sites
  • Face to face with the eighth wonder of the world - Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Trip Summary

Day 1-3: Fly to Beijing & Beijing

Begin your Yangtze Cruise Tour with Beijing by wandering along the incredible Great Wall, visiting historic Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, leisure tour of Summer Palace. The whole way can be personalized for any of your needs.

Day 4: Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian

Pay a visit to Temple of Heaven and Beijing Hutongs before transfer to the ancient heart - Xian.

Day 5-6: Xian & Xian Departure

The ancient city ramparts of Xian welcomes you with its mighty Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, and Muslim Quarter, etc, accompanying with local guide and personalized service. Visit Shaanxi History Museum and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda before departure.

Full Itinerary Day by day

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China as well as a city combining both modern and traditional architecture. You’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Beijing airport / train station and escorted to your hotel in Beijing downtown by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ever-changing megacity.

Tips: If you want to explore near your hotel, please feel free to ask practical suggestions from our experienced tour guide.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll deeply explore the rich history and culture of imperial Beijing. Enjoy a brief visit to the most important landmark - Tian’anmen Square where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The square is surrounded by grand buildings including the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Martyrs and the Forbidden City.

Walking through the Tian’anmen, you’ll visit one of the world’s five most important palaces - the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty (1420 to 1912) with 24 emperors lived. The complex is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world which consists of 980 buildings with 9,999 rooms. You’ll follow the central axis to visit Meridian Gate, Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme, Hall of Middle Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony and other gates, halls and gardens.

After lunch, you’ll drive to the western outskirts of Beijing to Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Listed as World Heritage Site, Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, pavilions, halls, temples, gardens and bridges. Spend some enjoyable time strolling around Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and Long Corridor and feast your eyes with beautiful landscape.

Optional activities: 1) In the evening, you can watch a fascinating Kung Fu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater during 19:30~21:00.

Forbidden City with Yellow-glazed Tile Roofs

Enjoy Panoramic View of Summer Palace

Tian'anmen Square, the Landmark of Beijing

Day 3 Beijing (B, L)

In this morning, drive about 70 kilometers to the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu section, the longest but less crowded great wall in China. Mutianyu Great Wall is regarded as the “Essence of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty” for its imposing and very solid characters. You can take a cable car or an enjoyable 40-minute walk to set your feet on the historic great wall. Climbing up its rising towers, you’ll be impressed by the breathtaking scenery with abundant vegetation and know the profound culture of great wall and wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

After the exciting tour, continue your trip to Ding Tomb, one of the tombs at the Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty. Being the only Ming tomb to have been excavated, Ding Tomb is for Wanli Emperor and his two empresses. Walk through the Sacred Way and pass the doorways to visit the two exhibition rooms and Underground Palace.

Then, drive back to Beijing City and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional activity: In this evening, treat yourself a hearty dinner at Quan Ju De to taste the famous Peking Roast Duck.

Autumn Scenery of Mutianyu Great Wall

Panoramic View of Ding Tomb

Day 4 Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex visited by the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Know the symbolism of “Heaven” and “Earth” and explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. Enjoy the vivid life by visiting the surrounding park to see locals playing Taichi, flying kite, dancing, writing water calligraphy, and others.

Next, get back to the traditional part of Beijing to hop on a rickshaw to explore Beijing Hutongs and the culture of quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing lifestyle, pass various antique shops and different boutiques and truly feel the historical change of Beijing.

After the tour, you’ll be escorted to Beijing West Railway Station for a high speed train to Xian (about 5hrs). The local guide will pick you up at Xian North Railway Station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this ancient capital of China for 13 dynasties.

Old Alley of Beijing Hutong

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests of Temple of Heaven

Day 5 Xian (B, L)

In this morning, drive about 40km to the Eighth Wonder of the World - Terracotta Warriors and Horses which was founded in 1974 by local farmers and later listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Get into the living historical classroom to witness one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. Visit the three pits containing more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses and know the history of Qin Dynasty (221-207BC), the emperors and the funerary art.

Next, drive back to Xian downtown for some leisure time on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved existing ancient city wall in China. This rectangular city wall is 13.75km in length, 12m in height and 15-18m in width which takes about 4 hours’ walking for the circuit. Standing on the ancient wall, you can enjoy panoramic view of Xian City. Then, you’ll be followed a trip to Muslim Quarter where you can taste different local food and snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Optional activities: 1) Take a relaxing cycling trip on the Ancient City Wall (about 2 hours); 2) Enjoy a brilliant Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 20:00 to 21:00) after a hearty dumpling dinner.

Walk along Muslim Quarter to Taste Some Snacks

Relaxing Stroll on Xian Ancient City Wall

Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the Eighth Wonder of the World

Day 6 Xian & Xian Departure (B)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you’ll head to Da Cien Temple with a history of 1350 years. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda with seven-story at a height of 64.5 meters is the famous building in the temple. This pagoda was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuan Zang (the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”) to preserve precious Buddhist relics, scriptures and figures of Buddha he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. (Please note: It charges extra 30 Yuan to visit or climb up the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.)

Next, take an educational trip to Shaanxi History Museum with more than 370,000 pieces of cultural relics. Ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate the relics such as bronzes, porcelains, terracotta armies, paintings, murals, currencies dating back from the Zhou to the Tang Dynasty period (1100BC to 907AD).

After tour, your guide and driver will escort you to Xian Xianyang Airport / railway station for your flight or high speed train to next destination.

Shaanxi History Museum

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Recommended Add-on Options

+ 2 more days to visit the largest metropolis in China - Shanghai

Experience the past, present and future of China all at once!

The Huangpu River splits Shanghai into two districts: Pudong and Puxi. The Pudong skyline with stunning tall buildings like Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Oriental Pearl TV Tower gives you a flourishing scene of modern Shanghai. On the Puxi side, walk along the Bund to get a taste of old Shanghai. What a huge contrast!

Tall Buildings in Pudong New District

+ 4~5 more days to cruise on the magnificent Yangtze River

Taking a relaxing cruise sailing on the Yangtze River is a popular way to get a short break during your China tour. You’ll not only enjoy many colorful cultural activities and entertainment programs onboard, but also enjoy three to four shore excursions to deeply know the authentic life along Three Gorges and witness the world-famous Three Gorges Dam.

You can take: 1) 4 Days & 3 Night Downstream Cruise from Chongqing to Yichang; 2) 5 Days & 4 Nights Upstream Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing.

Magnificent Qutang Gorge

Quotation Includes:

  • Entrance fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary.(Exceptions: If the western breakfast is not available in some of the hotels, breakfast would be either Chinese breakfast or Chinese and western breakfast.)
  • Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds or a king size bed; All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast; Please note double bed room is on request basis which is subject to Hotel's availability and re-confirmation upon check-in.
    Service, room facilities and breakfast might be not up to standard in some remote areas.
  • Transportation: Flights or train as listed in the itinerary.
  • Sightseeing As listed in the Itinerary will be escorted with English-speaking guide;
  • Service of local guide and van is for a maximum of 8 hours during the full day individual tour packages.

    * Please note that our English-speaking guide and driver provided for you in each city or area will not fly with you from one city to another.

  • Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide as listed in the itinerary.
  • Service Charge (the planning, handling, operational and communication charges) & Government Taxes.
  • Luggage Transfers between airports, trains and hotels.

Price excludes:

  • Flights (Economy class) not as listed in the itinerary.
  • Accommodation not as listed in the itinerary.
  • Visa Fees: Please make sure that you have got your valid passport and visa before your entry to China. We can send you a free official invitation letter to assist you in obtaining your visa after the reservation deposit is received.
  • Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary.
  • Personal expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
  • Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
  • Excess Baggage Charges.
  • Life Tourist insurance. Please kindly note that the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin should be purchased in advance on your own.
  • Optional activities.

Essential China Travel Information & Service

To help you have a further understanding of your tour, we provide some essential travel information like your tour guides, drivers, private cars/vans, accommodations and meals that you could know more about how is your China Yangtze cruise tour going. All the experience will be vivid and memorable in any time in any destination.

Your Private Tour Guide

China Tour Guide

The tour guides in all destinations are qualified, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and responsible!

All of our guides in every destination are locals. They will be greeted you punctually upon arrival at airport, train stations or cruise ports. And escort you to your hotel and tourist attractions and make you have full understanding about the local life, scenic spots as well as show you the fun places for more featured activities and things to do according to your time and interests.

“All our guides, especially those who we had a chance to spend more time with (Guilin, Chengdu, Lijiang, Zhangjiajie) were great. Always very accommodating, punctual and attentive.” - Review from Zane, Canada

Your Private Driver & Car

China Tour Driver & Car

Taking our private transportation will make you comfortable, relaxed and worry free!

All our drivers are licensed with many years’ driving experience. They are always polite, friendly and helpful, glad to offer more service you may need during the transfer. Our vehicles are air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and expertly maintained. We use different types of cars/vans to guarantee your comfort. Besides, there is need to worry about your luggage for we use vehicles with extra space for your luggage.

"With respect to the drivers, we can state that they are excellent drivers and very friendly. They are pleasant with smiling face and helpful too." - Review from Pedro Corro‚ USA

Comfortable & Homelike Hotel

China Tour Accommodation

In each destination, we guarantee you a comfortable stay!

The hotels we choose are based with star rating, great location, well-pointed facilities and high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot and you could decide where to stay on your own. When taking a Yangtze River cruise, you are guaranteed a comfortable cabin or suite with private balconies to enjoy breathtaking scenery.

“All the hotels were comfortable and in good locations. The food was generally good with a wide choice of both western and Chinese choices for breakfast. The room sizes even with the extra bed for Jessica were also fine.” - Review from McHale, USA

Dining, Meal & Local Food

China Tour Dining & Food

On Yangtze River cruise, you are offered three meals (usually buffet with western and Chinese dishes) each day. In other cities of China, breakfast and lunch usually are included in your tour packages. You’ll dine in local restaurants, follow local customs and enjoy local dishes. The food quality and dining environment will suit for your taste. If you have any suggestions or special requirements (vegetarian or food allergies), just let your travel consultants and guides know. They will arrange the suitable food and restaurants for you. Recommended evening dining options are: Peking Roast Duck in Beijing, Dumpling Dinner in Xian, and Hot Pot in Chengdu etc.

“We had very good breakfasts in all the hotels and were given a substantial lunch every day.” - Review from John, United Kingdom

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Hi Tracy, My husband and I had a great time in Yunnan. We enjoyed every place we visited and the food we tried. Thank...
Reviewed on March 4, 2024
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