12 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Suzhou and Hangzhou Tour

Arrive in Beijing by an international flight arranged by yourselves, our guide and driver will meet you at  the airport and transfer  to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day and get customized to the jet leg. The hotels we choose for you  are located in downtown Beijing, near Wangfujing Street. It is very convenient for you to walk around, go shopping and have meals.

After having breakfast in the hotel, we will first visit Tian'anmen Square, where the most important national ceremonies of China are held. Tian'anmen Square is the largest Square in the world with many historical buildings surrounded by. From the square, you can walk to the south gate of  the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace of China. The Forbidden City was built during the Ming Dynasty and was used as both working and residential palace by the emperors of Ming Dynasty and the successive Qing Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. Touring in this imperial palace, we can see its magestic halls with golden roofs, the beautiful pavilions in the royal garden, and  the high red walls. After leaving the Forbidden City, we will visit Jingshan Park which is a relaxing place for locals taking exercise, singing or dancing. Ascending to the top of Jingshan Hill, we will have a bird's-eye view of the whole Forbidden City and Beijing city center.

Lunch  will be served in a nice local restaurant before we move to the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors held ceremonies to worship the heaven for good harvests. Now, Temple of Heaven has become one of the symbols of historic Beijing. In the evening, we will enjoy Chinese Acrobatic show, Kongfu show or Peking Opera by which you will learn more of Chinese culture. After the show, we will drive back to your hotel.

Today, we will visit the most famous attraction of China-the Great Wall at Badaling, which is also one of the  highlights of your China tour. Make sure you wear a pair of hiking shoes for today's hiking on the Great Wall. Driving aobut 1 hour to Badaling Great Wall, then we will start the tour either by hiking or by cable car to reach the top of the great wall (cable car cost not included). As a chinese saying goes "He is not a real man until he climes up to the top of the Great Wall", you will see the magnificent view on the great wall, and as one of the seven wonders in the world, the view of the Great Wall will surely impress you.

Getting down the Great Wall and having lunch, afterwards, we will visit Dingling(Ding Tomb) of the  13 Ming Tombs and Sacred Road. Ming tombs are the imperial mausoleums of the emperors of Ming Dynasty among which the Dingling Tomb is the only one that has been excavated among the 13 Ming Tombs. Along the sacred road there are many stone statues of figures and animals on both sides, the statues are the loyal guarders of the royal graveyard. Drive back to the hotel after the visit.

In the morning, we will visit the beautiful Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor, the Summer Palace is a real masterpiece of ancient Chinese garden art.

After visiting the Summer Palace, we will drive to visit  a Hutong which is a lane for local residents. Around the noon, our lunch will be served at a local family,the food will be home cooked Chinese dumpling or typical Chinese dishes. Afterwards,  we will drive to Beijing Capital International Airport and catch the flight to our next destination- Xi'an.  Arriving in Xi'an on the same day, and you will be welcomed by the  local tour guide and driver in Xi'an, then transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in Xi'an.

Today, we will first visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, which is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the twentieth centuries. The warriors are just like real persons with different actions and expressions. There are three excavated pits exhibiting amazing Qin Dynasty warriors and horses figures. It seems that each of the warriors are created with a prototype in real life. Then go to the Bell Tower, the emblem of Xi'an city and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda afterwards. The pagoda is widely renowned that Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his classics brought from India. Enjoy the Tang Dynasty show in the evening. The show presents the palace dances and sings in the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an was the capital.

Visit Shaanxi History Museum in the morning, where you can learn more history about Xian through the cultural relics: bronze wares, jade, potteries, and murals from the Prehistory Period to the Qing Dynasty. 

Afterwards, go to see the Ancient City Wall. It was built in Tang Dynasty and survived through the long history of China, which is the most complete existing urban fortification in China. You can walk or cycle on the ancient wall (bike rental fee is not included). Finally, take flight to the next destination-Shanghai. Our local tour guide will meet you at the airport in Shanghai and transfer you to your hotel.

Visit Jade Buddha Temple, a very famous Buddha Temple with a history of over one hundred years. Then head for Yu Garden, famous garden in the south China. The symbol of Yuyuan Garden is the Nine Zigzag Bridge, which was built of granite and grass-white jade and the quaint, elegant mid-lake pavilion. Then, have a tour to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where you will go up to have a bird's-eye view of the city. It will take your breath away standing on the glass sightseeing platform of 259 meters' high. To get close to the city, we will walk around Nanjing Road, the Bund, and the old streets in Shanghai.

Visit the Zhujiajiao Water Town, Xintiandi, Shanghai Museum, check both the historical and modern side of city.

Drive from Shanghai to Water-Town Zhouzhuang (2hrs driving), Visit Zhouzhuang Village: walk Double Bridge, Mi Pavilion, Shen's house etc. This ancient town is surrounded by water with many branching streams, stone bridges and old residence with black tiles and white wells. Then drive to Suzhou (1hr driving). Upon arrival, visit the Tiger Hill and the Chilly Hill Temple.

Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden quyuanfenghe.and the No.1 Silk Factory. Upon arrival, Boating on the West Lake.

This night, we stay in in Hangzhou.

Visit the Lingyin Temple & Peak from Afar Scenic Area, the Six Harmony Pagoda, the Tiger Spring and the Mei Jia Wu Tea Village. Drive back to Shanghai.

Free at leisure before your departure. We will arrange the drop-off service according to your departure time. See off at the airport and depart by your own flight.