16-day tour through China: discover Beijing, Shanghai and so much more

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

You arrive in Beijing, a metropolis where more than nineteen million people share their daily lives. The city hums with energy, yet between the traffic and the high-rises, traces of old Peking still remain: wooden gates, narrow alleys, and courtyards where families gather for meals and tea. After your transfer to the hotel, the rest of the day is free. Stroll through the Dashilan district with its restored façades and traditional shops, or visit Liulichang Antique Street, where calligraphy, porcelain and old books recall the city’s imperial past.

Day 2: In the Footsteps of the Emperors

Today you explore the heart of imperial China. On the vast Tiananmen Square, the weight of centuries of history surrounds you. Beyond the Gate of Heavenly Peace lies the Forbidden City, a city within a city, with red-lacquered walls, marble stairways and golden roofs gleaming in the sun. Inside, you wander through courtyards, ornate pavilions and grand halls where the imperial court once lived. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of blue-glazed tiles and perfect proportions. Here, emperors once prayed for prosperous harvests, a ritual still felt in the tranquil park that surrounds it.

Day 3: The Great Wall and the Summer Palace

Today brings one of the world’s most iconic sights: the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Stretching endlessly across green hills and wooded ridges, the wall seems to merge with the landscape itself. From the watchtowers, it disappears into the distance like a stone ribbon winding through the mountains. Walk at your own pace, feel the history beneath your feet and take in the vast views around you. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, a graceful retreat of pavilions, lakes and long covered corridors where the imperial family once spent their summers. The elegant bridges and painted ceilings still reflect the refined grandeur of ancient China.

Day 4: Everyday Life in Beijing

The day begins peacefully with a tai chi session in a city park, where locals move in slow, flowing motions as the city gently awakens. Afterwards, visit the colourful Lama Temple, one of Beijing’s most beautiful Buddhist monasteries. The scent of sandalwood fills the air, and the golden Buddha shines beneath the temple’s high ceilings. Around midday, you’re welcomed by a family in the hutongs, Beijing’s traditional neighbourhoods. Among the low houses and inner courtyards, you’ll experience the warmth of local life. Together, you’ll learn how to fold Chinese dumplings and of course, taste them too.

Day 5: To Xi’an, Gateway to the Silk Road

After breakfast, board the high-speed train to Xi’an, once the beating heart of the Chinese empire. For centuries, caravans laden with silk, spices and porcelain departed from here toward the West. The city breathes history but lives in the present: rickshaws weave between modern boulevards, while vendors call out their wares in the narrow alleys of the Muslim Quarter. In the evening, wander beneath the illuminated gates, breathe in the scents of spice and smoke, and savour a bowl of steaming noodles, the perfect end to your first day in Xi’an.

Day 6: The Terracotta Warriors

Today you’ll encounter one of China’s greatest treasures: the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. In vast halls, thousands of soldiers and horses stand in formation, each with a unique expression and posture. Here, you feel how alive the country’s history still is. After lunch, return to the city to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of wisdom and serenity. Nearby lies the Tang district, filled with tea houses and craft shops. End the day with a walk atop the ancient city walls, gazing over the old and new faces of Xi’an stretching into the horizon.

Day 7: To Zhangjiajie, Where the Mountains Touch the Sky

After an early transfer, fly to Zhangjiajie. As you travel south, the scenery shifts: cities give way to green valleys, forested hills and sandstone peaks rising above the treetops. On arrival, the atmosphere feels different: fresher, wilder, more vivid in colour. After checking in, take a leisurely stroll, listen to the streams running through the forest and perhaps sample a local snack from one of the small stalls nearby. Tonight, you rest before three days surrounded by nature’s purest beauty.

Day 8: Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain

Today you venture into the national park. The glass Bailong Elevator lifts you hundreds of meters in just a few moments, opening up a landscape like no other: slender rock pillars rise from deep ravines, their tops covered with pine trees clinging to the stone. From each viewpoint, a new panorama unfolds: a vast, sculpted world of rock and mist. After lunch, drive to Tianzi Mountain, known for its sea of peaks and sweeping vistas. When the sun breaks through the clouds, the stone glows with a golden hue. In the late afternoon, descend by cable car as the mountains slowly fade into the dusk.

Day 9: Baofeng Lake and Tianmen Mountain

The morning begins with a boat ride on the emerald waters of Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep cliffs and bamboo-covered slopes. The calm surface mirrors every shape and shadow. After lunch, head to Tianmen Mountain. The road to the top has 99 bends, each turn revealing new views of valleys and ridges. Walk along the glass platforms and mountain paths, then stand before the natural arch known as the “Heaven’s Gate”, a monumental rock formation that seems carved for the sky itself.

Day 10: By Train to Guilin & the Reed Flute Cave

After breakfast, take the train south to Guilin. The journey reveals another side of China: rice terraces, rivers winding through the countryside, and villages where time seems to move more slowly. In the afternoon, visit the Reed Flute Cave, an underground wonder of stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated by soft light that paints the rock in delicate shades. In the evening, unwind along the riverfront as city lights shimmer on the water.

Day 11: The Li River and the Charm of Yangshuo

One of China’s most beautiful landscapes awaits today. Glide along the Li River on a bamboo raft, drifting between misty karst peaks and peaceful villages. The water sparkles in the sunlight, reflecting mountains that rise like ancient sentinels on the horizon. Along the banks, fishermen work with their cormorants and buffalo wade lazily through the shallows. In Xingping, stroll through narrow lanes lined with wooden houses and weathered stone gates. Later, continue to Yangshuo, a relaxed town surrounded by rice fields and rolling hills. As evening falls, the streets glow with lanterns and the scent of street food fills the air.

Day 12: Morning in Yangshuo & Flight to Shanghai

This morning is free to explore the countryside around Yangshuo at your own pace. Rent a bike and follow winding paths between rice paddies, where farmers work and buffalo graze, or stroll along the Yulong River and watch the rhythm of daily life unfold. After lunch, drive back to Guilin for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival, the contrast is striking: wide avenues, shimmering skyscrapers and a skyline that dazzles long after sunset.

Day 13: Water Towns and the Gardens of Suzhou

Leave the bustle of Shanghai behind and travel to Luzhi, a picturesque water town where life still flows along quiet canals and stone bridges. A short boat ride takes you past whitewashed houses with wooden balconies and laundry fluttering in the breeze. Continue to Suzhou, long celebrated for its refined gardens and silk heritage. In the Master of the Nets Garden, with its ponds, winding paths and carefully placed rocks, you experience the understated elegance of classical China, a place where nature and artistry exist in perfect balance.

Day 14: Shanghai, The Pulse of Modern China

After days of imperial splendour and natural beauty, today reveals the energy and sophistication of modern China. Along the Bund, colonial façades stand proudly as a reminder of another era, while across the river, the towers of Pudong glisten in the sunlight. Walk along the waterfront and visit the Shanghai Museum, where ancient artworks are displayed within a striking modern setting. In the afternoon, take time to wander at your own pace, enjoy a drink on a terrace, or simply absorb the lively atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

Day 15: The Soul of Old Shanghai

Today you’ll explore the more intimate side of Shanghai. In the Yu Garden, a Ming-dynasty masterpiece, koi swim beneath curved bridges and ornate pavilions rise among lush greenery. Later, stroll through Tianzifang in the old French Concession, a maze of narrow lanes filled with boutiques, art galleries and cafés. It’s a place where past and present meet effortlessly, and the city reveals its creative, human side before you say goodbye.

Day 16: Departure

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to China. The journey leaves you with unforgettable images: the endless stretch of the Great Wall, the tranquil waters of the Li River, the stone pillars of Zhangjiajie and the vibrant skyline of Shanghai. A land that continues to surprise, inspire and captivate, long after your return home.

What to expect in terms of budget

To make the most of this journey, plan for a price starting from €5,650 per person, including international flights. This price serves as a guideline and may vary depending on your personal preferences, travel period and any additional experiences you choose to include.