The 11-Day (Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Guangzhou) Private China Adventure: From Imperial Grandeur to Tropical Thrills

• Tian'anmen Square – Forbidden City – Summer Palace
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Start your morning at the symbolic heart of China: Tian’anmen Square. Feel the vastness of one of the world’s largest public squares, surrounded by historic monuments.

Then step into the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Your guide will lead you through golden halls, ancient courtyards, and secret gardens – imagine the lives of emperors and concubines hidden behind these red walls.

After a local lunch (try Beijing’s famous zhajiangmian or Peking duck nearby), you’ll head to the Summer Palace. Wander along the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake (seasonal). This is where the Empress Dowager Cixi once escaped the summer heat.

End the day with a casual dinner in a traditional hutong alley – maybe some dumplings and a cold Tsingtao.

• Mutianyu Great Wall – Afternoon High-Speed Train to Xi'an
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Early morning drive to Mutianyu Great Wall – a less crowded, beautifully restored section surrounded by forests. Take the cable car up and walk along the ancient battlements. Feel the awe of this wonder as you climb watchtowers and snap photos of the wall snaking over mountain ridges. For a fun twist, ride the toboggan slide down (optional).

After a hearty lunch of country-style Chinese food, your driver will take you to Beijing West Railway Station. Board a high-speed train to Xi’an (approx. 4.5 hours). Sit back, enjoy the changing landscapes, and arrive in the ancient capital. Your Xi’an guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel. Evening free – perhaps explore the night market near the city wall for some local snacks like yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread).

• Terracotta Warriors – Great Ci'en Temple – Giant Wild Goose Pagoda – Stay in Tang Paradise Area (Free Evening)
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll meet the silent army of China’s first emperor. At the Terracotta Warriors site, stand before thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots – each with unique facial expressions. Your guide will share the legendary discovery story and the mystery of Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.

After a local lunch (try biangbiang noodles), return to the city to visit Great Ci’en Temple, a sacred Buddhist site. Climb the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda for a panoramic view of Xi’an. Later, check into your hotel located in the vibrant Tang Paradise area – a modern recreation of the Tang Dynasty’s royal gardens.

Tonight is yours: wander the lantern-lit streets, watch a fountain show, or enjoy a Tang Dynasty music and dance performance (optional). Grab some street food like roujiamo (Chinese burger) or a cold pomegranate juice.

• Xi'an Museum – Small Wild Goose Pagoda – Afternoon Flight to Guilin
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast 

Start the day at the Xi'an Museum, housed in a beautiful Tang-style building. See exquisite murals, calligraphy, and a giant replica of the ancient city model. Right next door is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda – quieter and more intimate than its big brother. You can even climb inside for a different perspective.

After a quick lunch (maybe some liangpi cold noodles), transfer to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport for a direct flight to Guilin (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, the lush karst landscape will greet you. Your driver takes you to your hotel in Guilin city.

Evening free – stroll along the Shanhu Lake (Cormorant Lake) with its twin pagodas lit up, and try Guilin's famous rice noodles for dinner.

• Li River Cruise (3-Star Boat) – Yangshuo West Street – Overnight in Yangshuo
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Today is the quintessential Guilin experience. Board a 3-star Li River cruise (comfortable with open deck) from Guilin’s Zhujiang Pier. Float past the world-famous karst peaks – some shaped like a camel, a turtle, or a fairy. You’ll see fishermen on bamboo rafts and water buffalo cooling off. The 4‑hour journey ends in Yangshuo, a charming town surrounded by limestone towers. Disembark and walk to West Street, a lively pedestrian lane with cafes, souvenir shops, and international restaurants. Check into your Yangshuo hotel.

The rest of the day is free: rent a bike, join a cooking class, or just watch sunset over the hills. For dinner, West Street offers everything from pizza to authentic beer fish – Yangshuo’s signature dish.

• Silver Cave – Yulong River Bamboo Rafting – Ten-Mile Gallery – Elephant Trunk Hill
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Morning drive to Silver Cave (Yinziyan), a massive karst cavern filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools – the guide will call it “the most beautiful cave in China.” Next, experience the gentle Yulong River bamboo rafting (motor-less rafts for a peaceful float). You’ll drift past water buffalos, ancient bridges, and farmers tending rice paddies.

After a simple farmhouse lunch, cycle or drive through the Ten-Mile Gallery – a scenic road lined with limestone peaks, including the famous “Butterfly Spring” and “Moon Hill.”

Later, return to Guilin city to see the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill, a natural rock formation that looks like an elephant drinking from the Li River. Climb to the top for a classic photo.

Check into your Guilin hotel and enjoy a free evening – maybe a stroll along the Ronghu Lake (Banyan Lake) with its stunning night lights.

• High-Speed Train to Guangzhou – Beijing Road Pedestrian Street – Grand Buddha Temple – Yongqing Fang
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Morning transfer to Guilin North Railway Station for a high-speed train to Guangzhou (approx. 2.5 hours). Welcome to the tropical south! Upon arrival, your guide will take you to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, a bustling shopping strip where you can walk on ancient road ruins preserved under glass – layers from the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties.

Grab a quick lunch of Cantonese dim sum. Next, visit the Grand Buddha Temple (Dafo Si), a serene Buddhist temple hidden behind the commercial buzz. Then head to Yongqing Fang, a revitalized historic district with winding alleys, traditional Xiguan houses, and trendy shops.

In the evening, the area lights up beautifully – perfect for a leisurely walk and some local street snacks like cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) or roasted chestnuts.

• Shenzhen-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway Experience – Shamian Island – Yongqing Fang (Repeat) – Haixinsha – Canton Tower (Optional: Tower Climb)
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with a unique transport adventure: a short round-trip ride on the Shenzhen-Guangzhou high-speed railway (approx. 1 hour each way) to experience the incredible speed and comfort of China’s rail network – a thrill for train lovers. Return to Guangzhou and visit Shamian Island, a leafy, colonial-era enclave with European-style architecture, old churches, and quiet promenades. Great for photos and a relaxing morning coffee.

After lunch, revisit Yongqing Fang (you may notice new details or enjoy a different vibe during the day). Later, walk to Haixinsha (Pearl River’s Heart Island), the open plaza where the 2010 Asian Games ceremonies took place.

End the day at Canton Tower, the iconic twisted tower. You can choose to ascend to the observation deck for a breathtaking 360° view of Guangzhou’s skyline, or simply enjoy the light show from the riverbank.

Dinner nearby: try wonton noodles or roast goose.

• Qingyuan Gulong Gorge Adventure – Skywalk (Yuntian Bawang) – Cliff Roller Coaster
• Hotel: 4+ star hotels
• Meals: Breakfast

Today is all about adrenaline. Drive about 1.5 hours north to Qingyuan Gulong Gorge, a natural playground in the mountains.

First, brave the Yuntian Bawang (Skywalk) – a glass-bottomed platform and bridge suspended over a roaring waterfall and deep canyon. Test your nerves as you look straight down! Then hop on the Cliff Roller Coaster (Feiche), a thrilling rail ride that zips along the mountain edge – you control your own speed.

After all the excitement, enjoy a local farmhouse lunch (fresh river fish and bamboo shoots). You can also hike along the gorge’s boardwalks, crossing suspension bridges and seeing multiple waterfalls. Return to Guangzhou in the late afternoon.

Your last evening is free – maybe revisit your favorite spot or try a Cantonese hot pot.

• Departure – Private Transfer to Airport or High-Speed Rail Station
• Hotel: None
• Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight or train schedule, your private driver will take you to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) or Guangzhou South Railway Station (for high-speed trains). Say goodbye to China with incredible memories and perhaps a bag full of tea, silk, or spices. Safe travels!