(+86)10-5870 6869
contact@dynasty-tours.cn
(+86)10-5870 6869
contact@dynasty-tours.cn
Instead of rushing every day and going through a tiring trip, I offer this program at a more relaxed pace. To achieve this, we’ve chosen the half-board option (lunch included and dinner free). All the hotels are very well located and centrally situated, so you’ll easily find something to eat nearby. Even without speaking Chinese, you’ll manage just fine, as menus are usually illustrated with photos. This way, you’ll enjoy great freedom in the evenings.
| Day | City | Visit | ||
| 1 | Pekin | Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven | ||
| 2 | Pekin | Great Wall of China (Mutianyu) – Summer Palace | ||
| 3 | Pekin | Olympic Sites – Taiji Initiation – Lunch with a Local Family – Lama Temple | ||
| 4 | Pekin | High-speed train to Pingyao – Ancient Town | ||
| 5 | Pekin---Pingyao | Liangcun Village – Shuanglin Monastery – High-speed train to Xi’an | ||
| 6 | Pingyao - Xi’an | Liangcun Village – Shuanglin Monastery – High-speed train to Xi’an | ||
| 7 | Xi’an | Wild Goose Pagoda Square – Calligraphy – Terracotta Warriors Excavation Site - Old Town – Mosque | ||
| 8 | Xi’an ---Yangshuo | Morning flight to Guilin – Bamboo raft cruise on the Li River – Stroll in the ancient village of Xingping | ||
| 9 | Xi’an ---Yangshuo | Free morning in Yangshuo – City tour in Guilin | ||
| 10 | Guilin- Suzhou | Early flight to Shanghai – Luzhi Village – Canal cruise | ||
| 11 | Suzhou - Shanghai | Suzhou Garden – Silk Factory – Bund – Modern Shanghai | ||
| 12 | Shanghai | Yu Garden – Former French Concession | ||
| 13 | Shanghai | Free Day | ||
| 14 | Shanghai | Departure |
1. Tour Highlights:
- Best value for money
- Ideal for a first trip
- Guaranteed departure
- Natural landscapes and culture
2. Our strengths:
- Human-sized group: maximum 18 people per group
- Superior or charming accommodation throughout the stay
- Liangcun, a “virgin” village in Northern style, never visited by tourists
- Taiji initiation with a master
- Stroll through Old Beijing
- Raft cruise on the most beautiful part of the Li River
- Luzhi, a typical village of the Lower Yangtze, the true Eastern Venice
3. Practical Information:
- For summer departures, a jacket will be useful as air conditioning is everywhere in China.
- People eat early in China, especially for dinner (6-7 p.m.)
- Currencies EUR / USD / CHF / CAD are all easy to exchange in China.
- Tap water is not drinkable in China
- You will have a French-speaking local guide in each city
LIST OF HOTELS (indicative):
- Beijing: Jianguo Qianmen Hotel
- Pingyao: Xinglongyi Inn
- Xi’an: Grand Noble Hotel
- Yangshuo: New West Street Hotel
- Guilin: Park Hotel
- Suzhou: Soul Hotel
- Shanghai: Golden Riverview Hotel
Additional Information:
- Guides in Pingyao are generally less professional than those in other regions/cities, and this is unlikely to change in the short term. We sincerely ask for your understanding and good spirits.
- Departures are guaranteed from 2 participants.
- A maximum of 18 people per departure.
- Registration closes 1 month before departure.
- Hotel check-in on the first day is no earlier than 2:00 p.m. If clients arrive very early in the morning, they may leave their luggage at the hotel storage.
- Clients will be welcomed at the airport or train station with a sign.
- Meals correspond to the tourist standard of Chinese style.
- Please send us a photocopy of the clients’ passports no later than 30 days before departure.
- Tips: if the group has more than 10 people: around 4 USD per day per person for the guide and half for the driver; if the group has 6-9 people: around 30 USD per group per day for the guide and half for the driver; if the group has only 2-5 people: 25 USD/group/day for the guide and half for the driver.
AIRLINE:
- All international flights are not included in our price.
This price includes:
- Airport/hotel/airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- 13 nights of accommodation in hotels with breakfast
- Half board (lunch from day 2 to day 12)
- Services of French-speaking local guides
- 2 high-speed trains Beijing/Pingyao and Pingyao/Xi’an in 2nd class
- Early morning flights Xi’an/Guilin and Guilin/Shanghai, all taxes included
- Entry fees for visits mentioned in the program
- Public or private air-conditioned tourist vehicle with driver
- Solidarity tax
This price does not include:
- All meals and drinks not mentioned in the program
- Tips for drivers and guides
- Personal expenses
- Optional insurance
- International flight
D1
Day 1: BEIJING – First Contact with the Chinese
Welcome
Arrival in Beijing. More than 19 million people live here, and in the heart of the city you’ll still find the imagined images of “Imperial China.” Welcome and transfer to the city. Check-in at the Jianguo Qianmen Hotel or similar (check-in no earlier than 2:00 PM).
Free time to rest and meals on your own.
During your free time, you may visit the following sites at your own pace:
- The Antique Market (Liulichang), known not only for its antiques but also for its traditional architecture.
- The Dashilan shopping district with its charming early 20th-century Beijing atmosphere.
D2
Day 2: BEIJING – Life of the Emperor
Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the geographic center of Beijing, past and present. In the middle of the square stands Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, facing the Gate of Heavenly Peace.
Then discover the famous Forbidden City. With over 900 halls, it includes 6 major buildings: the Hall of Supreme Harmony where official ceremonies took place, the Hall of Complete Harmony used for banquets, the Palace of Heavenly Purity (the throne room), the Empresses’ residences, the concubines’ quarters (now museums), and the imperial gardens.
Lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a majestic rotunda with a triple blue-tiled roof. The emperor used to come here twice a year, during solstices, to pray for good harvests.
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Optional: Circus show
D3
Day 3: BEIJING – A Child’s Dream
Great Wall – Summer Palace
Breakfast.
Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
En route, enjoy a 30-minute introductory Chinese language lesson offered by your guide—enough to learn a few words of this complex language.
The Great Wall is known worldwide, surrounded by many myths. While it’s not actually visible from the Moon, this 6,000 km structure remains truly impressive. Its purpose is debated among historians—some view it as a transportation route between frontier garrisons, others as a defense against invasions from the steppes.
You’ll have 3 hours to explore this iconic site at your own pace. The section you will visit dates from the Ming Dynasty and offers magnificent views of the crenelated wall winding over the hills.
Ascent and descent on foot. (Optional: cable car or slideway)
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit the Summer Palace, located on the outskirts of Beijing, featuring poetic pavilions like “Orderly Clouds” and “Jade Waves.”
Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
D4
Day 4: BEIJING – Chinese Daily Life
Olympic Sites – Taiji – Lunch with locals – Lama Temple
Breakfast.
Morning walk through the Olympic Park with outside views of the Water Cube and Bird’s Nest.
Taiji (Taoist exercise) initiation.
Lunch at a local home in the traditional hutong districts. A hands-on Chinese dumpling cooking class will be offered.
Then enjoy a walking tour of the area with your guide.
Visit the Lama Temple, known for its 26-meter tall Buddha statue carved from a single 8-meter diameter sandalwood tree.
Tea tasting in a traditional tea house.
Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
D5
Day 5: BEIJING / PINGYAO – Ming Dynasty
High-speed train to Pingyao – Ancient Town
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the train station.
High-speed train to Pingyao.
Arrival and lunch.
A UNESCO World Heritage site from the Ming Dynasty, Pingyao is a remarkably preserved ancient city, encircled by its original walls. The entire city is considered the “old town.”
City tour:
The City Walls, Rishengchang Bank (considered China’s first bank), the Yamen (Town Hall), the Confucius Temple, Ming and Qing Streets… A true and authentic vision of classical China, perfectly preserved.
Shanxi province is the birthplace of Chinese noodles. You’ll get an introduction to various handmade noodles such as “Daoxiaomian” (knife-cut), “Cuoyu,” and “Mao’erduo.”
Dinner on your own and overnight at Xinglongyi Inn (charming) or similar.
D6
Day 6: PINGYAO / XI’AN – Rural Life
Liangcun Village – Shuanglin Monastery – High-speed train to Xi’an
Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for Liangcun Village, 20 minutes from Pingyao.
This untouched village retains its charm and has not been affected by tourism. Visit typical homes and local farmlands for a glimpse into Chinese peasant life.
Visit the Shuanglin Monastery.
Before heading to the station, stroll through a local market.
Enjoy a local lunch, return to Pingyao.
Transfer to the station and take a 3-hour high-speed train to Xi’an.
Arrival in Xi’an, one of China’s oldest capitals, dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221 BC).
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at the centrally located Grand Noble Hotel or similar.
D7
Day 7: XI’AN – Back to 221 BC (breakfast – lunch)
Wild Goose Pagoda Square – Calligraphy – Excavation Site – Old Town – Mosque Breakfast.
Walk around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square, then visit Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, where you’ll take a short calligraphy class.
Visit a jade workshop.
Lunch.
Excursion to the excavation site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, home to the famous Terracotta Army—6,000 life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots.
Return to the city and explore the old districts.
Visit the Great Mosque, built in traditional Chinese style.
Dinner on your own.
Optional: Dumpling dinner with “Tang Dynasty” show.
Overnight at the hotel.
D8
Day 8: XI’AN / GUILIN / XINGPING / YANGSHUO – Song of Sister Liusanjie
Morning flight to Guilin – Bamboo Raft Cruise from Yangdi to Xingping – Overnight in Yangshuo
Breakfast at the hotel or packed.
Transfer to the airport, flight to Guilin.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to Yangdi.
After lunch, enjoy a bamboo raft cruise (4 people per raft) from Yangdi to Jiumahuashan to see the most beautiful part of the Li River. (Children under 5 and adults over 70 may not be permitted for safety reasons)
If rafting is unavailable due to weather, it will be replaced with a regular cruise from Yangshuo to Fuli.
Arrival in Xingping by electric cart or on foot, then stroll through this ancient village.
Drive to Yangshuo.
Free time at the famous West Street filled with shops, bars, and restaurants for tourists.
Don’t miss the real local life at the traditional market where you’ll find what locals really eat: fresh vegetables, seafood, all kinds of meat—including dog and cat…
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at New West Street Hotel or similar.
Optional: “Impression of Liusanjie” night show.
D9
Day 9: YANGSHUO – GUILIN (breakfast – lunch)
Free morning – Drive to Guilin – City tour
Breakfast.
Free morning. You may rent a bicycle (to be paid on site) to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Lunch.
Drive to Guilin (approx. 1h50).
Visit a specialty shop for pearls from the South China Sea.
Walking tour: Sun and Moon Pagodas, Banyan Lake, pedestrian street.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Park Hotel **** or similar.
D10
Day 10: SHANGHAI to SUZHOU – Absolute Contrast
Early flight to Shanghai – Luzhi Village and boat ride – Suzhou
Early wake-up.
Packed breakfast and transfer to the airport. Flight to Shanghai.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide.
Lunch.
Head to Luzhi Village, a preserved ancient village contrasting with modern Shanghai.
You’re invited into centuries-old homes to experience local life.
Mini boat cruise on the village canals—a glimpse of China’s Venice.
Drive to Suzhou.
Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens and has successfully preserved its silk factories and private residences for imperial officials and scholars.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Soul Hotel or similar.
D11
Day 11: SUZHOU / SHANGHAI – Venice of the East
Suzhou Garden – Silk – Bund – Modern Shanghai
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden and stroll through Shantang Street, a UNESCO site.
Visit a silk workshop with a wide range of silk products.
Lunch during visits.
Early afternoon, drive back to Shanghai.
Discover this immense metropolis. Stroll along the famous Bund, lined with remnants of former foreign concessions. The Victorian atmosphere sharply contrasts with Shanghai’s modern side.
Take a public ferry across the Huangpu River to Pudong, the futuristic business district.
Explore Century Avenue, representing China’s economic future.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at the hotel or similar.
D12
Day 12: SHANGHAI – Memories of “Tintin and the Blue Lotus”
Yu Garden – Former French Concession
Breakfast at the hotel.
Explore Old Shanghai, a maze of bustling alleys and the famous 16th-century Yu Garden located in the city’s heart. A walk through the pedestrian lanes with traditional shops is a souvenir hunter’s delight.
Lunch at a local restaurant followed by a walk in the former French Concession: Tianzifang (a typical Shanghai neighborhood) and Fuxing Park, perfectly capturing the essence of a French-style garden.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Golden Riverview Hotel or similar.
D13
Day 13: SHANGHAI – Modern China
Free Day
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy Shanghai at your own pace.
Meals on your own.
D14
Day 14: SHANGHAI
Farewell
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport. Return flight.