11 Days China Scenic & Cultural Group Tour to Shanghai Zhangjiajie Xian Beijing

On this day, you will have some free time till be met in the hotel lobby and escorted to the airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie (about 2.5 hours).

Welcome to Zhangjiajie, an incredible place where you can see Avatar Hallelujah Mountain in reality! Upon your arrival in Zhangjiajie, the local driver will greet you at the exit of the airport, and then escort you to your hotel in Wulingyuan Area. Enjoy some free time on your own after the hotel check-in

After breakfast, you will have a whole day to explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, famous for its 3,000 peculiar quartz sandstone pillars, deep gorges, streams, waterfalls and cave wonders, and was inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List in 1992. First, catch a sightseeing bus to Bailong Elevator -- the world’s highest and fastest outdoor elevator-- which will take you from the valley bottom up to the pillar peak in 1.5min and offers spectacular view as ascending. Next, you will find yourself already in the mysterious Pandora World - Yuanjiajie. Stand in awe before 150-meter-high South Sky Pillar and many other “floating” peaks which are the “Hallelujah Mountains” in real world. enjoy the hike around to the striking World’s No.1 Bridge, the Enchanting Platform for with hundreds of various peaks rising from the earth like bamboo stalks., and Natural Bonsai at Backyard Garden with lush greenery.

Next, take the sightseeing bus to the second tourist site - Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. With over 3,000 bizarre peaks and rock formations shrouded in mist, the scenery transforms into breathtaking beauty no matter what season or time of day you visit. This enchanting landscape made Tianzi Mountain one of the filming locations for the magical TV series Journey to the West (the story of the Monkey King). Hike around iconic sights like Helong Park, Fairy Scattering Flowers, Dianjiang Terrace (with view of the West Sea Stone Forest), and Tianzi Pavilion, and simply immerse yourself in a fairyland. The last stop today is the Ten-mile Galley. You will take a small green train to explore the beautiful scenery where you will feel like get through a Chinese ink painting. After the tour, get back to your hotel for a good rest.

Meal: B, L

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon for the breathtaking Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge experience. The Grand Canyon Glass Bridge wants to say “hello” to you and makes you yell “my god” to give a deeper impression of Zhangjiajie. Suspended between two peaks, the glass bridge is 430 meters long and 300 meters high, which is the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. Standing on the transparent glass is like floating in the air and you can have superb panoramic view of the entire Grand Canyon.

Following your "tremble" on the glass bridge, take a picturesque cruise on Baofeng Lake to let you relax and unwind. Baofeng Lake, like a jade inlaid in the mountains, features stunning reflections of verdant trees and a variety of shaped stone peaks. Enjoy the Tujia folk tunes sung by the local minority while traveling at a leisurely pace on a boat.

Meal: B, L

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby. Today, you will make a breathtaking visit to Tianmen Mountain, one of the world’s most beautiful mountains. You won’t miss the chance to experience the world’s longest cable car, walk on the glass skywalk, and pay a visit Heaven’s Door and view Avenue toward Heaven with 99 turns.

First, ride the 7,455-meter cable car, which takes you from Zhangjiajie city to the summit of Tianmen Mountain with 30 minutes. The cable car offers a breathtaking perspective of the meandering Avenue toward Heaven as well as a spectacular vista of Heaven's Door. Next, we come to Tianmen Temple where you can enjoy the typical Qing Dynasty styled Buddhist structure with verdant forest surrounding by.

The moment for the challenge is now approaching. Hold your breath to enjoy the spooky stroll down the mountainside cliff route. Experience the exhilarating sensation of walking in the sky by traversing the Glass Skywalk, which is made of translucent glass and is located 1430 meters above the endless valley. Also, try the 1.6-kilometer-long Cliff-Hanging Walkway, built along the edges of the mountain’s summits. Amazing, isn’t it? After that, go down by escalator from the peak to Tianmen Cave which is also known as “Heaven’s Door”. Rising 131.5 meters above the earth and closes to the sky in a lofty and towering stance, Tianmen Cave is a natural arch between two peaks, and the world's tallest cave of its kind. (Note: Tianmen Mountain is the famous spot for Wingsuit Flying, you might have a chance to witness this unbelievable sport there.) After the memorable time, take the cable car down the mountain. And then, you will be transferred to Wulingyuan area and have accommodation here.

After the tour, it is time to say goodbye to Zhangjiajie. You will be escorted to the airport for your night flight to Xian (about 2 hours). Upon your arrival in Xian, the local driver will meet you at the exit of the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Meal: B, L

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Drive about 40km (about 1 hour) to uncover one of the greatest archaeological discoveries and one of the “Eight Wonders” in the world - the Terracotta Army Museum, built by the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang, to protect him in the afterlife. The currently excavated pits one, two and three contain over 8,000 life-sized pottery figures and chariots, each with its own unique facial expression, clothing and hairstyle, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship over 2000 years ago. First, visit the largest and most imposing pit, believed to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures of soldiers and horses. You will be amazed by this subterranean life-size army of thousands standing silently to guard the emperor. Marvel also at the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. Next, move to another pit where you can see around 1,300 warriors and horses. Examine the ancient army formation, including the kneeling and standing archers, the chariot war array, and numerous troopers holding weapons.

After lunch, head to visit the Xian Ancient City Wall, a vital component of ancient urban defense systems, safeguarding Xi'an for around a millennium. Standing as China's largest and best-preserved ancient city wall, it stretches approximately 13.7 kilometers with a height of about 12 meters. Ascend the ancient city gates to gaze upon Xi'an's historic cityscape and modern skyscrapers from the corner towers and watchtowers.

There, you will also visit the awe-inspiring Bell Tower, located at the intersection of the four main streets to the east, south, west, and north of Xi'an's ancient city, it is known as the “Heart of the Ancient City.” This quintessential Ming Dynasty wooden pavilion stands approximately 36 meters tall, showcasing Xi'an's history and its bell and drum culture. As night falls, ascend the Bell Tower to admire Xi'an's uniquely beautiful nightscape. 

In the evening, you may also have the chance to witness the enchanting musical fountain and lively square dancing near Bell & Drum Tower Square (Zhongulou Square), allowing you to immerse yourself in Xian's vibrant nightlife like a local.

Meal: B, L

This morning, you will go to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, located within the Great Ci'en Temple in Yanta District, Xi'an, a significant cultural heritage site along the Silk Road and one of Xi'an's most iconic historical landmarks. This renowned Buddhist structure from the Tang Dynasty was constructed under the supervision of the monk Xuanzang (652 AD) to house the Buddhist scriptures and statues he brought back from India. The Great Wild Goose Pagoda is a brick-built, timber-imitation, multi-story pagoda. This legendary pagoda was riginally five stories high, and now stands at seven stories with multiple repairs and expansions, approximately 64 meters high.

Later, you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant and bustling Muslim Quarter (Muslim Street). This historic quarter, situated just behind the Drum Tower about 430 meters west of the Bell Tower in downtown Xian, has been around for over 1,000 years.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to next destination - Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, your driver will meet you at the train station and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can explore by yourself around your hotel.

Meal: B

You will spend the entire day touring Beijing's historic citadel today, taking in the country's big-name sites, imperial splendor, and royal gardens.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and head to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square and symbol of China. It has witnessed many major events in China's history over the past decades, and from here you can take great photos of Tiananmen Gate, seen daily on CCTV News.

Walking across the square, you will visit the mighty and splendid Forbidden City, construction began in 1406 and completed in 1420. Twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties resided and governed here. This colossal ancient complex comprises 8,707 rooms, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Imperial Garden. Its architectural layout profoundly embodies ancient Chinese philosophy, ritual systems, and cosmology. Having endured six centuries of history, the Forbidden City stands not only as a symbol of Beijing but also as an unparalleled architectural masterpiece and historical testament to Chinese civilization. It houses an extensive collection of ancient Chinese treasures, including gold, silver, jade, pearls, gemstones, and artistic masterpieces.

Later, take a 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park, where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over modern Beijing and the Forbidden City's russet roofs.

In the afternoon, drive to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, thus known as the "Museum of Royal Gardens". First built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it was once a summer retreat for Qing royal families. Located along the central axis of Mount Wanshou, the Hall of Incense is the garden's iconic structure. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge spans Kunming Lake, ranking among China's most beautiful ancient bridges. The Summer Palace also boasts the world's longest gallery (728 meters), adorned with thousands of colorful ancient murals.

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Travel Note: 

On Mondays, Beijing's Forbidden City is closed. The schedule will be changed to guarantee that you visit the Forbidden City if your 2rd day China tour falls on Monday.

In this morning, you will head northwest of Beijing (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive, 73km) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section. The Great Wall boasts a history over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient masterpieces on the planet. One of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Great Wall, Mutianyu was first constructed during the Northern Qi Dynasty and later rebuilt and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty, boasting over a thousand years of history. Connected with the Jiankou Great Wall to the west and the Gubeikou Great Wall to the east, it winds through the mountains, approximately 5,400 meters long, with an average height of 7–8 meters. At its widest, the wall can accommodate five horses or ten people walking side by side. 

Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and then enjoy the memorable hiking time on the wall while visiting its western route. With the green pines and cypresses covering the surrounding area, and the winding wall standing majestically on the vast land, you will capture the most stunning natural scenery in this section. Challenge yourselves while climbing up to the 20th watchtower where you could fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish the chance and take photos as many as you like!

After the once-in-lifetime experience, head back to downtown Beijing and have the chance to take photos with the exterior of the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) and Water Cube (Beijing National Aquatics Center). They were both designed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and used for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

After that, transfer back to your hotel and have a good rest tonight.

Meal: B, L

Trip Extension Ideas: 

We will be happy to help you with an extra vacation if you would prefer to see other places in China rather than go back home immediately. Please share your thoughts with us!