Laurus Travel has been offering premium small-group China tours since 1998. With a stellar reputation that is the envy of our competitors, Laurus Travel is an ideal choice for your unforgettable China experience!
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I did a lot of research before choosing Laurus Travel for my first trip to China in 2024, the 19-day China Odyssey. They exceeded expectations in every way. They answered questions before we left promptly and thoroughly, and helped with Visa, insurance, and flight arrangements. Hotels lived up to their 5-star ratings and were located in great spots for exploring on your own. Meals were delicious and often our group of 8 had a private dining room. The itinerary was top notch and the local guides were knowledgeable and personable. At the end of each day, I thought to myself, how can the rest of the tour compete with that?! And yet, every day was filled with more incredible sights and experiences. I would recommend Laurus to anyone considering a trip to China. Michelle P I have been on many guided tours, and Amanda was without a doubt the best tour guide I have ever experienced. She is extremely competent and has excellent people skills. She is very fun, knowledgeable, and really went out of her way to be helpful to us… I can’t praise her enough. I have been raving about my tour to everyone who will listen. I hope to travel with Laurus again. I literally found you by googling, and it was my best Google search ever. I have already recommended you to others and will continue to do so. Carla J. Please check out the most recent testimonials on our China or simply google “Laurus Travel reviews” to see what our customers are saying about their Laurus Travel China travel experiences. |
Best China Tours from USA – Recommended Itinerary
China Odyssey (19 days)
Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Yangtze Cruise – Yichang – Wuhan – Guilin – Shanghai
Explore ancient sites in Beijing and Xi’an, admire nature’s beauty in Guilin, sail through the majestic Three Gorges of the Yangtze, savour authentic Chinese cuisines of different regions – this China tour package gives you all that and much more! Trip highlights include the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu in Beijing, Terracotta Army in Xi’an, a 3-day cruise down the mighty Yangtze, hiking through terraced rice paddies and a day cruise on picturesque Li River in Guilin.
Important Features
- Small group size – average 15, maximum 20.
- Outstanding guides handpicked by company owners.
- Inter-city travel by high-speed train except for one city pair.
- No annoying forced shopping of any kind.
- Quality meals at non-tourist restaurants.
- Unlimited supply of bottled water during group activities.
- Deluxe cabin with private balcony on luxury Yangtze cruise.
- Free Wi-Fi in all hotels.
- Great Wall visit at Mutianyu with cable car rides.
- Day hike at Longji terraced rice fields.
- and so much more…
Options Available
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- Peking Opera show in Beijing.
- Tang Dynasty cultural show in Xi’an.
- Traditional face mask changing performance in Chengdu.
- Half-day immersive tea farm visit in Guilin.
TOUR ITINERARY
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Thu: Departing for Beijing
The trip starts with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Beijing
Meet the driver on arrival for transfer to the hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure. The guide will get in touch with you tonight.
Day 3/Sat: Beijing (B/L/D)
The capital of China, Beijing is a major cultural and educational hub with a population of approximately 22 million. Known for its opulent palaces, temples, and historic walls, it is the country’s most visited city.
Today’s itinerary begins with a visit to the Forbidden City, home to emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, completed in 1420, consists of 980 buildings spread across 72 hectares.
Next, we visit Tian’anmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares and a focal point of modern Chinese history.
In the afternoon, we explore another UNESCO site: the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once conducted grand sacrifices.
If you’re interested in shopping, the word-famous Hongqiao Pearl Market near the Temple of Heaven is recommended.
We end the day with a traditional dinner featuring Beijing’s famous roast duck.
Day 4/Sun: Beijing (B/L)
After an early breakfast we embark on a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 75 km northeast of the city.
Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. As history shows, the Wall failed the Chinese rulers miserably, especially in the case of Kublai Khan whose men swept across China from the Mongolian steppe, thus the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).
Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the 7th century BCE. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort.
Day 5/Mon: Beijing – Xi’an (B/L/D)
Begin your day with a visit to one of Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods characterized by traditional courtyard houses. Next, explore the Summer Palace, a UNESCO site built as an imperial retreat. In the afternoon, board a high-speed train to Xi’an.
Day 6/Tue: Xi’an (B/L)
With a history going back over 3,000 years, Xi’an served as China’s capital of several ruling dynasties including the Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) and the Tang (618 – 907). It is home to the famous Terracotta Army and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road – a network of trade routes connecting China proper with regions as far as the Mediterranean beginning in the Second Century BCE.
We spend the morning visiting the Terracotta Army. Built on the excavation site, the museum is located 30 km east of the city. Designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) into eternity, the Terracotta Army represents one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century.
After lunch we return to the city for a stroll on the ancient city wall. Declared a national treasure by the State Council in 1961, the wall (first built in 1370) encircles an area of 14 square kilometres. It runs 13.7 kilometres long and measures 12 metres in height with a thickness at the base between 15 to 18 metres.
