ITINERARY

Here is a day-by-day description of the tour:

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
After arrival in Beijing, meet your tour leader at the hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore at your own pace. You may choose to take a first walk through the city’s wide avenues, where sober architecture meets glass skyscrapers, offering an initial glimpse of the capital’s striking contrasts between tradition and modern urban life.

Day 2: Beijing
The morning begins at Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of modern China. We pass under Mao’s portrait to enter the Forbidden City, a vast maze of golden-roofed halls where ordinary people were not allowed for five centuries. After lunch, we visit the Yonghe Temple, one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist sites outside Tibet, home to the impressive statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood trunk. The day ends at the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of sacred geometry where circular pavilions once hosted imperial rituals.

Day 3: Beijing
We leave the city center behind and head to the Great Wall of China. A cable car takes us up to the ridge, where the wall winds across forested mountains. After descending, we continue with a stop at the Olympic complex, including the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium. In the evening, we explore the traditional Hutong alleys by rickshaw, discovering old neighborhoods where local life still follows centuries-old rhythms.

Day 4: Beijing – Xi’an
The Imperial Summer Palace welcomes us with marble bridges and the painted Long Corridor along Kunming Lake. Later, we board a high-speed train to Xi’an, crossing vast rural landscapes before reaching the ancient starting point of the Silk Road, where medieval walls still surround the historic center.

Day 5: Xi’an
We visit the Terracotta Army, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. In the massive excavation pits, thousands of life-sized warriors stand in battle formation, each with unique facial features. A pottery workshop offers insight into their creation. In the evening, we pass by the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and explore the lively Great Tang Mall, a pedestrian area recreating the atmosphere of the Tang dynasty through lights and performances.

Day 6: Xi’an – Zhangjiajie
We walk along Xi’an City Walls, one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the world, before heading to the Muslim Quarter, where the Great Mosque blends Chinese architecture with Islamic heritage and the bazaar fills the streets with aromas and local food. In the evening, we fly to Zhangjiajie.

Day 7: Zhangjiajie
The landscapes of Avatar become reality in Zhangjiajie National Park. We ascend to Yuanjiajie to see the “Hallelujah Mountain,” a towering sandstone pillar rising alone into the sky. We continue to Tianzi Mountain, where vertical stone peaks emerge through mist, forming one of China’s most iconic natural scenes.

Day 8: Zhangjiajie
We explore the Grand Canyon, crossing the Glass Bridge, one of the longest and highest in the world. We descend into the canyon, where lush vegetation and dramatic rock formations shape the landscape, followed by a boat ride on Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep cliffs and traditional local singing from the shores.

Day 9: Zhangjiajie – Shenzhen
We fly to Shenzhen, China’s city of the future. We visit Lianhua Mountain for panoramic views of this rapidly built metropolis, followed by visits to major technology hubs where drones and smart systems are part of daily life. At Huawei, we explore smart city ecosystems, while in Dafen Village we discover an entire community of artists producing replicas of famous works. The evening is spent in the vibrant COCO Park and Dongmen area.

Day 10: Shenzhen – Shanghai
We travel to Shanghai and begin at The Bund, where colonial-era buildings face the futuristic skyline of Pudong. In the evening, a cruise on the Huangpu River reveals a spectacular contrast of lights between historic architecture and modern skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower.

Day 11: Shanghai
We visit the Shanghai Museum, home to exceptional collections of ancient bronzes and ceramics. We continue to Yuyuan Garden, a classic Ming dynasty landscape garden with koi ponds and elegant pavilions. After lunch, we visit Zhujiajiao, a 1,000-year-old water town with stone bridges, canals, and traditional houses.

Day 12: Departure
The journey ends today. Departure from Shanghai at your convenience, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey through China.

Terra Incognita - From Dream to Reality