Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 15 Day Highlights of China. Immerse yourself in China's vast and beautiful diversity on this 15-day tour of its cultural and natural highlights. Climb the Great Wall and stare down the Terracotta Warriors, then head south into landscapes brimming with history. Rest your gaze on the giant Buddha of Leshan and explore ancient mountainside monasteries at Emei Shan before stepping out to experience the vibrant rural life and stunning scenery of Yangshuo. From Beijing to Shanghai and everything in between, discover all the highlights and still read more have time to explore on your own and with your CEO.
Trip Length
15 Days
Trip Starts
Beijing
Trip Ends
Shanghai
Departures
May 2026 to Jun 2026
Countries Visited:
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
6-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ACPY
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Beijing near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel Beijing
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Orientation Walk: Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.
Visit the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to explore the Hutongs (historic narrow streets and alleys) or The Temple of Heaven, the Drum and Bell Tower, Lama Temple, or Summer Palace. Explore bustling Beijing including the famous Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City.
Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel Beijing
Included Experiences
- Metro: Get around underground via public transit.
- Free Time: Spend a free afternoon in Beijing. Opt to visit Hutong Area, the Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. Opt to have a Peking Duck meal in the evening.
- Forbidden City Visit: Check out the iconic Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing. For 500 years the palace was only accessible to the emperors’ attendants and officials by invitation only. Visit sights and wander through the Three Great Halls or stand in the shade of the cypress trees in the Imperial Garden.
- Tiananmen Square: Explore one of the world's largest public squares and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation.
Optional Experiences
- Hutong Walk: Take a walking tour through some of Beijing's traditional alleyways and backstreets (known as hutongs) and get a taste of this magnificent metropolis.
- Temple of Heaven: Explore the stunning Temple of Heaven, which was built during the rule of the Ming dynasty. Learn more about the history and significance of this place, often referred to as the symbol of Beijing.
- Lama Temple Visit: Tour Lama Temple, or Yonghe Temple as its formally known, to learn more about the history of Buddhism in Beijing. The temple is ornately decorated with impressive frescoes, arches, and intricately carved architecture. Admire some of the statues in the different pavilions and halls, then head to the Wànfú Pavilion to see the Maitreya Buddha.
- Drum and Bell Tower Visit: Visit the striking Drum Tower for some incredible photo ops. Back in the Han Dynasty the towers were used to echo the time to the city with bells in the morning and drums in the evening. Today the 63-ton bell still stands in one tower and drum performances happen daily in the morning and afternoon.
- Summer Palace: This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of palaces, lakes, and gardens in Beijing and is absolutely stunning. Its main components are Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, which is 60m (200 feet) high and has many buildings on it. Kunming Lake is actually man made, and measures 2.2sq km (1.4 sq mi).
Travel north to the Great Wall, one of the most iconic sights in all of China. Spend the better part of the day exploring and taking photos, soaking in the atmosphere. Head out to discover the wonders of the Great Wall of China.
Accommodation: Dong Fang Hotel Beijing
Included Experiences
- Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Enjoy scenic views as the wall winds along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall from any of the 22 towers. The Great wall is an incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located about 80km away from the Beijing City Center. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.
Optional Experiences
- Toboggan at Great Wall: After your hike on the Great Wall, opt to take a Toboggan ride back down instead of the cable car! (100-140 CNY per person)
- Cable Car at Great Wall: The cable car ride is about 5 minutes ride up to tower 14, from where you may walk to the highest point of Mutianyu Great Wall at Tower 20. The walk from ticket check to tower 10 is about 30 minutes. The cable car ride is a good option if you are hoping to save energy to challenge the Tower 20. Return ticket is recommended as you may spend more time on the wall. (100-140 CNY per person)
In the morning catch a bullet train from Beijing to vibrant Xi'an. After settling in at your hotel go on an orientation walk with your CEO and visit points of interest around the city like the bustling Muslim Quarter. Known as one of Xi'an's most fascinating areas, you will pass the lovely and unusual Great Mosque and wander by food stalls with some of the best street eats in China.
Accommodation: HNA Hotel
Included Experiences
- Orientation Walk: Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk close to the Xi'an hotel to help you get the lay of the land. Learn where you can find local services (like ATMs and laundromats) and, perhaps, see some city highlights. Every CEO does something slightly different for their orientation walk to show visitors what they like best about the city.
- Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
- Muslim Quarter Visit: Explore the lively Muslim Quarter and its serene Great Mosque, making time to indulge in the offerings of exotic local street food stalls. At night, head out for some of the best street food in China – the spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favorite.
Optional Experiences
- The Great Mosque: Discover this hidden oasis behind the markets of the Muslim Quarter. Learn about the Great Mosque's centuries-old history, and explore the temples and gardens to see how Chinese and Islamic architecture came together in this place of worship.
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. This evening, opt for a dumpling banquet with your CEO and group.
Accommodation: HNA Hotel
Included Meals: Lunch
Included Experiences
- Local Family Lunch Xi'an: Sit down for an included lunch at a restaurant run by a local family at their own home near the Terra-Cotta Museum. Dishes will include foods like home-cooked noodles, stir fried dishes, and seasonal fruits from the garden.
- Free Time: Explore all the city has to offer.
- Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour: Take a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors where more than 8,000 clay soldiers and hundreds of replica horses and chariots stand in three pits. Learn why the Emperor Qin Shihuang commissioned the statues to serve as his army in the afterlife and how they were discovered. Spend a half-day exploring this archaeological wonder.
Optional Experiences
- Big Goose Pagoda Visit: Head to the outskirts of the city to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful, brick Buddhist temple.
- Cycling Xi'an City Walls: Rent a bike and cycle the Xi’an city walls. The walls – built for protection in the Tang Dynasty and expanded in the Ming dynasty –are a great way to absorb local history. Hop off where you like and admire the views as you pedal along the 12m (39 ft) wide wall, which takes about 2 hrs to cycle along. (45 CNY per person)
- The Tang Dynasty Cultural Show with Dumpling Banquet: Witness the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show preserving the cultural heritage with a blend of ancient music, inspiring dances to various Chinese instruments, and interesting historical stories to captivate audiences. Before the show there will be a traditional banquet with the main source being the Chinese Dumplings, which are also named Jiaozi. They typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together or by crimping.
- Xi'an City Wall South Gate: Xian City Wall is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Along the moat is a beautiful park. You could either walk on the wall or rent a bike and cycle around, traffic free! The wall was first built in 1370. In rectangular shape the whole length is 13.7 Km.
Spend a free morning in Xi'An then board a bullet train in the afternoon to Chengdu. After getting settled at the hotel, join an orientation walk around the city. In the evening sit down for a Hotpot dinner with the group. Hotpot is a very local way to have a meal. We sit around a table with a pot built in the middle – the pot is divided into 2 halves (spicy vs. non-spicy usually). The restaurants flavoured soup is added and brought to a boil, then we can start adding our food in the pot to cook ( including vegetable, meat or fish). The table also offers various sorts of herbs, spices, oil etc so you can make your own soup to taste.
Accommodation: Celebrity Ruicheng Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner
Included Experiences
- Bullet Train: Catch a high speed train to our next stop.
Enjoy a morning visit to see pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing species. Afterwards, take time for lunch on your own before your CEO will take the group to People's Park by metro for an orientation walk. End the walk in Tianfu Square, located in the city centre of Chengdu. Take the metro back to the hotel before an optional group dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Celebrity Ruicheng Hotel
Included Experiences
- Giant Panda Breeding Center: Visit the popular pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, created to provide an ideal breeding environment for these endangered creatures. Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures. See a number of other rare species, including the little-known red panda. Arrive in the fall for a chance to see tiny newborn pandas.
- People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit: Built in 1911, the People's Park was the first public park in Chengdu. It's the largest green area in downtown. The park features an artificial lake, gardens, teahouses, and is a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors. Walk to Tianfu Square in the centre of the city, surrounded by museums.
Travel from Chengdu to Leshan this morning in a private vehicle. Upon arrival the group will have time to grab lunch on their own before the included visit to the Giant Buddha. The building of the monument began in the year 713 and finished in the year 803 taking more than 90 years to carve. Thousands of workers expended their efforts on the project. Then, drive to the foot of Mt. E'mei, located southwest of Sichuan Basin. Continue to the monastery.
Accommodation: Chanlin Inn
Included Experiences
- Free Time: The evening is yours to explore the area around Mt. E'Mei and learn more about the region.
- Leshan Giant Buddha Visit: See centuries-old Dafo, the largest Buddha in the world, at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Building started in 713 and this seated Maitreya was completed by 803 AD being 71 metres tall (233 ft). Opt to board a boat and head out into the Mingjiang River to get an overall view of the statue from afar. Explore carvings and temples before climbing down the path that travels from the statue’s head to its enormous toes.
Take the shuttle bus to Wannian Monastery Parking lot for the start of today's hike. Walk to Qingyin Ge, Guangfo Monastery, Fu hu Monastery, Shengshui Ge, Chun Yang Dian, Lei Yin Monastery. Finish at the WuXianGang Parking lot where the group can take the shuttle back to Baoguo Monastery, or choose to keep hiking to Fuhu Nunnery, then walking back to Baoguo Monastery. There will be free time before an optional group dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Chanlin Inn
Included Experiences
- Hike around Emei Shan: Learn more about the significance of the area. Spend a full day exploring the monasteries, stunning vistas and sites of Mt Emei. Emei Shan Hike takes 6h-10h. Lace up your hiking boots for treks around Emei Shan.
Travel by private vehicle to Leshan train station and hop on a bullet train to Yangshuo. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, get settled, and then go on a CEO-led orientation walk before an optional group dinner.
Accommodation: Zhangtai Heju Hotel Ubud Town
Included Experiences
- Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
- Yangshuo Orientation Walk: Enjoy a brief walk through Yangshuo. Get some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs.
Drive to Xingping pier and navigate the stunning Li River on a bamboo raft. Afterwards, take the local ferry across the river to get to the Dabeicun Village. Set off on a short walking tour led by your CEO. End the walk at the Jia Community Restaurant where the group will have lunch.
Accommodation: Zhangtai Heju Hotel Ubud Town
Included Meals: Lunch
Included Experiences
- Xing Ping Li River Bamboo Raft: Get on a local boat (called a bamboo raft) and enjoy the gentle ride along the Xingping section, known as the most beautiful portion of the Li River.
- Free Time: Spend a free time this afternoon to explore Yangshuo on your own. Opt for available activities in the area like a Tea Farm Visit, try Tai Chi, take part in a cooking class, or go to a light show.
- Jia Community Restaurant: Enjoy a traditional Chinese meal served by rural women working to create new opportunities for their families. Since the migration of men to urban centres is common in rural regions, women and children now have a safe place to gather and learn together at Community Corners, created by the Rural Women's Development Foundation. In Liandaowan Village, you'll enjoy a meal and support women developing new work skills to become self-reliant. This initiative helps to create meaningful employment alternatives to agriculture as a source of income.
Optional Experiences
- Central Chinese Cooking Class - Yangshuo: Calling all foodies! Get an inside look at real Chinese food with a tour of the Yangshuo market to learn about the ingredients used in the Yangshuo area. Afterward, learn to cook Chinese food in a traditional Chinese farmhouse in the beautiful countryside just outside Yangshuo. After the cooking class you can sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared.
- Impression Liu Sanjie Culture Show: When the sun goes down, the Li River lights up for the 'Impression of Liu Sanjie' light show. The show consists of 7 episodes: the Prelude, Red Impression, Green Impression, Golden Impression, Blue Impression, Silvery Impression and the Epilogue. Each scene in the show is more spectacular and breathtaking than the last and is made up of 600 actors and actresses, colourful stage lights, and special-effect smoke systems. Watch the moonlight dance along the Li River combined with colourful lights and dancers as the show plays on!
- Tai Chi Class: Start the day early with a private Tai Chi class led by a local expert. This weaving together of calming yoga and meditation is practiced by millions daily throughout China and around the world. Learn the basic principles and moves of this ancient practice and start to discover firsthand why Tai Chi is revered for such health benefits as stress relief, improved balance and circulation, and overall well-being.
Enjoy free time for more activities and to explore this beautiful area. Opt to join a cycling tour through the countryside which includes lunch with a local family.
Accommodation: Zhangtai Heju Hotel Ubud Town
Included Experiences
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do in Yangshuo. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like taking a tai chi lesson, indulging in a traditional massage, and checking out the Li River Light Show. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Experiences
- Moon Hill Entrance and Hike: Enjoy a hike up to Moon Hill, one of Yangshuo's most popular attractions. This karst hill has a huge hole through the middle that's shaped like the moon, hence its name. The views of the surrounding countryside from the hill are spectacular -- it's worth the climb!
- Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour: Follow the guide and cycle over the flat(ish) landscape past rice paddies, local farmers, and water buffalo. Marvel at the limestone karsts and hear the legends of how they came to be. Stop for lunch at the house of a local family for a tasty meal made from freshly grown produce.
Catch a flight to Shanghai today and arrive in the late afternoon. Take an orientation walk down one of the city’s most famous streets, Nanjing Road and The Bund, a famous waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River with a great view of the city's skyline. During winter months, take an evening flight to Shanghai and enjoy a free morning in Yangshuo.
Accommodation: Zhen Yue Hotel
Included Experiences
- Plane: Catch a flight from Yangshuo to Shanghai.
- Orientation Walk: Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.
- The Bund Visit: Take a stroll along the Bund, a waterfront area in the central part of Shanghai, and enjoy its spectacular array of Art Deco style buildings. Shanghai has one of the best collections of Art Deco architecture in the world, so enjoy this magnificent sight.
Temples, markets, gardens and colonial enclaves are around every corner. Spend some time immersed in Shanghai today. Start with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in the country. Then, take the metro to Yuyuan Gardens for an optional visit and walk around the grounds. The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional activities in the area. There will be an optional group dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Zhen Yue Hotel
Included Experiences
- Shanghai Museum: Visit Shanghai Museum, home to a world-class collection of ancient Chinese art. Tour individual galleries devoted to such items as sculpture, bronze, ceramics, jade, coins, Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, paintings, and calligraphy. Stop at the gift shop on your way out.
- Free Time: Enjoy free time in this bustling city.
Optional Experiences
- Yuyuan Garden: Explore this tranquil, 400-year-old, five-acre garden. Climb to the top of the Rockery to see the greenery from above. Check out the Jade Rock and watch the swarms of fish swim around in the ponds. With multiple pavilions and halls there is plenty to see. Depending on when you visit there may be flower shows or tea ceremonies in the area. Opt to visit the bustling bazaar located outside the gardens and hone your bargaining skills.
- Shanghai Acrobatic Performance: Enjoy a Chinese acrobatic show with tumbling, balancing and plate-spinning and amazing contortionists— truly not to be missed!
- Shanghai Tower: Shanghai Tower is a 128-story, 632-meter-tall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. Visit the tower and see impressive views of the city skyline.
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Explore bustling markets in Beijing.
- Walk the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City.
- Stand face-to-face with Terracotta Warriors.
- Visit a panda sanctuary.
- Ride a bamboo raft through Yangshuo's karst landscape.
- Hiking in the Mt. Emei area.
- Your G for Good Moment: Jia Community Restaurant, Yangshuo
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Local Family Lunch Xi'an, Xi'an
- Great Wall excursion
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour
- Shanghai Museum entrance
- Xi'an orientation walk
- Terracotta Warriors tour
- Emei Shan entrance
- Leshan Giant Buddha visit
- Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Li River bamboo raft ride
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Train, private vehicle, walking, plane
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Hotels (14 Nights)
- 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Saturday
11 Apr 2026
11 Apr 26
Beijing
Saturday
25 Apr 2026
25 Apr 26
Shanghai
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$3,179
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Monday
13 Apr 2026
13 Apr 26
Beijing
Monday
27 Apr 2026
27 Apr 26
Shanghai
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$3,179
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Friday
17 Apr 2026
17 Apr 26
Beijing
Friday
01 May 2026
01 May 26
Shanghai
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$3,179
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Saturday
18 Apr 2026
18 Apr 26
Beijing
Saturday
02 May 2026
02 May 26
Shanghai
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$3,179
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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