Shanghai – Beijing – Xi’an – Guilin – Hong Kong
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AWESOME is how I would describe my 14 day Essential China Tour. Tour content, accommodations, meals, & domestic travel all met high standards. Heather, you run a first class organization. Your representatives – Jacob, Elaine, Paul, David, Alex – were very professional, well informed, congenial & engaged, providing extraordinary service & engagement throughout the trip. Also, internal support staff – Yuki, Adrianne – were very helpful. Despite this being my first experience with Laurus, I can comfortably recommend you to friends & colleagues & would confidently consider Laurus first in my future travels. A sincere thank you, Paul D |
Shanghai – Beijing – Xi’an – Guilin – Hong Kong
Embark on a journey of opulence and discovery with this luxury China tour, meticulously crafted to redefine your travel experience. On this tour you’ll immerse yourself in the grandeur of China’s rich cultural tapestry while indulging in the epitome of luxury and comfort.
This fast-paced luxury China tour is a perfect choice for the time-pressed looking for a well-rounded introduction to both the traditional and modern China. Trip highlights include the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Terracotta Army, and a day cruise on the picturesque Li River in Guilin.
Important Features
- Outstanding guides handpicked by company owners.
- Small group size – average 15, maximum 20.
- Inter-city travel by high-speed train except for one city pair.
- Luxury hotel accommodations.
- Quality meals at non-tourist restaurants.
- Unlimited supply of bottled water during group activities.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in all hotels.
- Great Wall visit at Mutianyu with cable car rides.
- No annoying forced shopping of any kind.
Options Available:
2-day pre-tour Yellow Mountain extension | Peking Opera show with dinner in Beijing | Tang Dynasty cultural show with dinner in Xi’an | Half-day immersive tea farm visit in Guilin
TOUR ITINERARY
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Mon: Departure for Shanghai
Begin your journey from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day after crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Tue: Arrival in Shanghai
Upon arrival in Shanghai, meet your driver for the private transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
Day 3/Wed: Exploring Shanghai (B/L/D)
With a population close to 25 million, Shanghai is China’s largest city and a dynamic hub of global trade and cultural exchange. The city delights visitors from around the world with its futuristic skyline and historical landmarks.
We begin our day with a visit to Jade Buddha Temple located in an old neighbourhood. We then walk the famous Bund – a waterfront promenade with a riveting history.
After lunch, we stroll the historical People’s Park and adjacent People’s Square in the heart of the city. Originally part of the Shanghai Race Club first established in 1850, the park and the square are surrounded by world-class museums and shops, which attract millions of visitors each year.
We wrap up the day’s sightseeing with a tour of the exquisite Yu Garden in the old town centre.
Day 4/Thu: Free Day in Shanghai (B)
Free day to explore on your own.
If you are interested in art and history, Shanghai Museum would be a great place to spend half a day. This museum houses a huge collection of precious national treasures. Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum and Nanwaitan Fabric Market (high-end tailor shops) are also recommended.
Optional Suzhou Day Tour
After breakfast we ride the high-speed train (30-40 minutes) to Suzhou, an ancient city most famous for its gardens, ancient canals and silk industry. In the late 13th century a Venetian named Marco Polo visited Suzhou and was very impressed by what he saw. He vividly described the prosperous silk industry and dubbed Suzhou “Venice of the East” due to the small waterways crisscrossing the city.
Our full-day schedule takes in the historic Tiger Hill, Humble Administrator’s Garden, North Pagoda, a short canal cruise. We return to Shanghai by train in the afternoon.
The all-inclusive price with lunch starts from US$250 per person and requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate.
Day 5/Fri: High-Speed Train to Beijing (B)
After breakfast, we travel to Beijing by high-speed train (G10, 10:00/14:26). Travelling at 350 km/h, this is the fastest passenger rail service in the world. Lunch is not included but hot food and all kinds of beverages are available for purchase on the train.
Beijing is China’s capital, a major cultural and educational hub with a population of 22 million. Known for its opulent palaces, temples, and historic walls, it is the country’s most visited city.
Spend the afternoon exploring Beijing on your own. Ask your guide for recommendations.
Day 6/Sat: Sightseeing in Beijing (B/L/D)
We begin our sightseeing today at the Forbidden City. Officially known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties lived and carried out their administration. Construction of the Forbidden City took 14 years (1406-1420) to complete. The complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 hectares or 180 acres. It exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere.
Tian’anmen Square comes next. Located in the heart of Beijing, the square measures 880 metres from north to south and 500 meters from east to west. Said to be the largest public plaza in the world, Tian’anmen Square has the capacity to hold one million people. The imposing Tian’anmen Tower sits at the north end of the square while the Monument to the People’s Heroes dominates the centre. The square is flanked by The Great Hall of the People (west) and the National Museum (east). Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and Qianmen (Front Gate) are located in the south of the square.
Afternoon sightseeing takes place at the Temple of Heaven. Situated in southeastern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is China’s largest extant sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperors conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to “the Supreme Ruler of the Universe”. Construction of the temple started in 1406, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle, and took 14 years to complete. The temple was expanded under the Qing emperors Qianlong (1736-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820). Occupying 2.73 square kilometres (roughly 1,700 by 1,600 metres), the area of the Temple of Heaven is more than twice that of the Forbidden City.
The famous Hongqiao Pearl Market, the largest pearl market in the world, is right across the street from the Temple of Heaven. Recommended by numerous guidebooks for freshwater pearls, Hongqiao teems with domestic and international shoppers. If you are interested, please ask the guide to drop you off there. However, you’ll need to get back to the hotel by taxi, which costs less than 10 US dollars.
Today we enjoy a delicious dinner at a popular Peking Roast Duck restaurant. Peking Roast Duck is a famous Beijing dish prized for the thin and crispy skin with authentic versions serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners. The meat is wrapped in a thin layer of pancake (Chinese tortilla) together with shredded scallion, cucumber, and a sweet and salty sauce made of wheat flour. Condiments may also include pickled garlic and white sugar.
Day 7/Sun: Great Wall Adventure (B/L)
After an early breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, about 75 km northeast of Beijing. Stretching over 6,000 km, the Wall was built to defend against northern invaders, although it failed against Mongol forces during Kublai Khan’s reign. The sections of the Wall near Beijing are largely the result of reconstruction efforts from the Ming Dynasty.
Day 8/Mon: Beijing to Xi’an (B/L/D)
Begin your day with a visit to one of Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods characterized by traditional courtyard houses. Hutong refers to an ancient alleyway with siheyuan or ”4-sided courtyard house” on both sides. The name hutong dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368 CE). According to some experts, the word originated from the Mongolian language, in which it is pronounced as “hottog” and means “well”. In ancient times, people tended to gather and live around wells. Therefore, the original meaning of hutong should be “a place where people live around.”
Next, we explore the Summer Palace, a UNESCO site built as an imperial retreat. The palace was first named Garden of Clear Ripples, which was burnt down by the allied forces of Great Britain and France in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War (often referred to as the Arrow War by the British). Reconstruction started 25 years later and was completed in 1895 when the name was changed to Yi He Yuan (Garden of Good Health and Harmony). The design gives prominence to Longevity Hill, as well as Kunming Lake south of the hill. The sprawling complex covers an area of 290 hectares and the buildings inside consist of over 3,000 bays.
In the afternoon, we travel to Xi’an by high-speed train (#G87, 14:00/18:23). The 4-hour-23-minute rail journey through fertile farmland dotted with villages provides the visitor with an excellent way to enjoy the beautiful countryside. The track we travel on between Beijing and Zhengzhou is part of the new 2,298 km high-speed railway linking Beijing and subtropical Guangzhou and is also the longest high-speed rail line in the world. In the past 20 years China has been on a building spree expanding the country’s rail network and upgrading existing railways. Its high-speed rail service rivals France’s TGV and Japan’s “shinkansen” in terms of safety, speed, comfort and punctuality.
Day 9/Tue: Terracotta Army in Xi’an (B/L)
With a history dating back over 3,000 years, Xi’an served as China’s capital during 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.
Your morning will be spent visiting the Terracotta Army, built to accompany China’s first emperor into the afterlife and representing one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Afterward, enjoy a stroll along Xi’an’s ancient city wall, one of the best-preserved in China.
Day 10/Wed: Xi’an to Guilin (B/L)
Morning sightseeing begins at Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xi’an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city.
We then visit the grand mosque in the old town centre and the adjacent Muslim bazaar. The mosque was established in the 8th century but the majority of the complex was constructed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was further expanded in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, this mosque is completely Chinese in architectural style. It has neither domes nor traditional minarets.
Our evening flight to Guilin takes 2 hours.
Day 11/Thu: Li River Cruise (B/L)
Guilin is a medium-sized southern city famous for its stunningly beautiful karst landscapes.
The five-hour cruise down the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is a key highlight of the trip. As the boat drifts along the crystal-clear waters, you are treated to misty peaks, lush greenery, traditional villages and cormorant fishermen on bamboo rafts. The serene beauty of the river, famously depicted on the 20 RMB banknote, makes it a paradise for photographers and nature lovers.
After lunch on board, we disembark in Yangshuo and drive back to Guilin. We wrap up the day with a visit to Fubo Hill for panoramic views of Guilin.
Day 12/Fri: High-Speed Train to Hong Kong (B)
Free morning to explore to explore on your own.
The afternoon rail journey by high-speed train takes just a little over 3 hours.
Hong Kong, a vibrant city known for its skyscrapers and natural harbors, was a British colony until 1997. Today, it operates under the “one country, two systems” model, retaining much of its autonomy.
Day 13/Sat: Exploring Hong Kong (B/L)
Morning sightseeing in Hong Kong begins with a ferry ride across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central. The heart of Hong Kong’s business district, Central is home to the regional headquarters of many multinational financial services corporations. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is the government of Hong Kong.
We then proceed to the top of Victoria Peak. Also known as Mount Austin or The Peak among locals, Victoria Peak is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island with an altitude of 552 meters (1,811 feet). The peak offers sweeping views over Central, Victoria Harbour and the surrounding islands.
We stop briefly at Repulse Bay before retreating to a nice restaurant for our farewell luncheon.
The afternoon is set aside for you to explore on your own. Your local guide will be glad to give you some advice on what to do.
Day 14/Sun: Departure from Hong Kong (B)
Your tour concludes today. You can take a taxi or the Airport Express Train to the airport for your return flight. Couples are better off going by taxi, which costs around HK$300 equivalent to US$40 or less.
You may also like the 14-day Best of China
| City | Nights | Hotel | Category |
| Shanghai | 3 | Amara Signature Shanghai | Luxury / 5 stars |
| Beijing | 3 | New Otani Chang Fu Gong | Luxury / 5 stars |
| Xi’an | 2 | Sheraton Xian North City | Luxury / 5 stars |
| Guilin | 2 | Sheraton Guilin | Luxury / 5 stars |
| Hong Kong | 2 | Harbour Grand Kowloon | Luxury / 5 stars |
Price are per person based on double occupancy. See Terms & Conditions for cancellation penalty.
| Depart (Mon) |
Return (Sun) |
Land Only* CA$/US$ |
Single Supplement CA$/US$ |
| 2025 | |||
| 07-Jul | 20-Jul | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 04-Aug | 17-Aug | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 11-Aug | 24-Aug | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 18-Aug | 31-Aug | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 25-Aug | 07-Sep | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 01-Sep | 14-Sep | $5390/$3850 | $1610/$1150 |
| 08-Sep | 21-Sep | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 15-Sep | 28-Sep | $5530/$3950 | $1499/$1150 |
| 06-Oct | 19-Oct | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 13-Oct | 26-Oct | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 20-Oct | 02-Nov | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 27-Oct | 09-Nov | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 03-Nov | 16-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1540/$1100 |
| 10-Nov | 23-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1540/$1100 |
| 17-Nov | 30-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1540/$1100 |
| 2026 | |||
| 23-Feb | 08-Mar | $5250/$3750 | $1260/$900 |
| 16-Mar | 29-Mar | $5250/$3750 | $1380/$985 |
| 06-Apr | 19-Apr | $5250/$3750 | $1610/$1150 |
| 13-Apr | 26-Apr | $5460/$3900 | $1610/$1150 |
| 04-May | 17-May | $5460/$3900 | $1610/$1150 |
| 11-May | 24-May | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 18-May | 31-May | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 25-May | 07-Jun | $5390/$3850 | $1610/$1150 |
| 01-Jun | 14-Jun | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 08-Jun | 21-Jun | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 15-Jun | 28-Jun | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 22-Jun | 05-Jul | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 06-Jul | 19-Jul | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 03-Aug | 16-Aug | $5250/$3750 | $1540/$1100 |
| 10-Aug | 23-Aug | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 17-Aug | 30-Aug | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 24-Aug | 06-Sep | $5320/$3800 | $1540/$1100 |
| 31-Aug | 13-Sep | $5390/$3850 | $1610/$1150 |
| 07-Sep | 20-Sep | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 14-Sep | 27-Sep | $5530/$3950 | $1499/$1150 |
| 05-Oct | 18-Oct | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 12-Oct | 25-Oct | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 19-Oct | 01-Nov | $5530/$3950 | $1610/$1150 |
| 26-Oct | 08-Nov | $5530/$3950 | $1540/$1100 |
| 02-Nov | 15-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1540/$1100 |
| 09-Nov | 22-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1400/$1000 |
| 16-Nov | 29-Nov | $5390/$3850 | $1400/$1000 |
* Land Only price excludes international airfare. Please contact us for a fare quote.
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What the tour price includes:
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What the tour price excludes:
See Terms & Conditions for more information. |