Days 1 | Beijing

Upon arrival, we will travel directly from the airport to the heart of the massive city of Beijing to explore the renovated ancient neighborhoods known as the "Hutongs." Riding on local bikes, guided by experienced riders, we will discover the charming corners of the residential neighborhoods that once served government officials, military generals, and world leaders, and now serve as leisure sites with numerous designed shops, galleries, and cafes. We will continue exploring, and after dinner, return to the city center to visit Wangfujing's unique food market, where extraordinary food delicacies from all over China are brought to the streets.

Day 2 | Beijing – The Forbidden City – Silk Market

In the morning, we will venture into the heart of the capital, the Forbidden City. At the beginning of our visit, we will admire Tiananmen Square, named after the "Gate of Heavenly Purity," leading to the Forbidden City, sprawling over an enormous area of 440 square meters. We will observe the impressive mausoleum dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the revolution, including the embalmed body of Mao Zedong. We will acquaint ourselves with the People's Hall, the Chinese Parliament building, along with the National Museum, and enter through the gate where the statue of Mao Zedong stands majestically to this day. We will visit different halls, which now serve as an open museum accessible to the public, but in the past, entrance was only allowed to the emperor, eunuchs, and concubines when the place served as their palace. We will then proceed to the Silk Market, where we will be introduced to the Chinese culture of bargaining and haggling. After completing the initial shopping, there will be free time for dinner. Overnight stay in Beijing.

Day 3 | Beijing – Olympic Boulevard, the Great Wall, Wind Way, Food Market

This morning, we will head to the suburbs surrounding Beijing, to one of the sections of the Great Wall of China, considered one of the wonders of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, stretching for more than 6,300 kilometers. Upon arrival, we will climb the section called Juyongguan, located near the Chinese capital. After the Great Wall visit, we will tour the "Wind Way," the entrance road to the tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Here, we will encounter the mythical and more realistic statues that still guard the ancient imperial tombs. In the evening, we will enjoy a Kung Fu show depicting the fascinating art of Chinese martial arts based on classic Chinese principles. After the show, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4 | Beijing – Temple of Heaven – Summer Palace – Houhai Lake

At dawn, we will join the city's camel riders and head south to visit the Temple of Heaven. This area, which in the past served the Ming and Qing emperors for annual religious ceremonies, now serves as a leisure site for the city's camel population. People gather in the expansive garden surrounding the Temple of Heaven, engaging in Tai Chi exercises, ball games, dances, singing in choirs, and other diverse activities. From here, we will continue to the Summer Palace, the summer residence of the emperors during their reign in China. We will be amazed by the rich cultural heritage hidden in the area and return to the city center in Beijing to wander around Houhai Lake among the cafes and scattered shops. Overnight stay in Beijing.

Day 5 | Xi'an – Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque, Tang Dynasty Show

This morning we'll wake up early and head to the local airport for our flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China. Upon arrival, we'll visit the city center, pass by the Drum Tower and Bell Tower that dominate the city center, and explore the Great Mosque of Xi'an. This mosque, resembling a Chinese temple, has served as a place of worship for hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the city since the Tang Dynasty. After the visit, we'll enjoy a local lunch and attend a folklore show depicting the cultural performances that the emperors of the Tang Dynasty were exposed to during their reign. The day will end with dinner.

Day 6 | Xi'an – Terracotta Army Site

In the morning, we'll leave the ancient city walls of Xi'an and travel to one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world, the Terracotta Army. More than six thousand life-sized soldiers and horses, made of terracotta, are arranged in battle formations. These sculptures were created to protect the tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who successfully unified the country in the third century BCE. We'll explore different pits at the site and visit a museum explaining the life of the emperor. In the evening, we'll return to the city for further exploration.

Day 7 | Guilin and Surroundings

This morning, we'll take a flight to Guilin, a beautiful city surrounded by karst hills and adorned with mysterious landscapes. Guilin is situated in one of the most picturesque areas globally, with forests, rice fields, and winding rivers. Upon arrival, we'll embark on an introductory tour of the city, starting with Reed Flute Cave. We'll then proceed to Elephant Trunk Hill and stroll along the fascinating Zhongyang Street in the city. Overnight stay in Guilin.

Day 8 | Guilin – Longsheng - Yangshuo

Today, we'll journey towards the Yao minority village, known for a unique tradition where young girls cut their hair and add it to their existing hair to create a long, impressive mane. After a brief visit to the village, we'll head to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the vast rice fields near the town of Longsheng. We'll continue our exploration of the region and then travel to Yangshuo, where we'll take an evening tour of the city.

Day 9 | Yangshuo

This morning, we'll explore the surroundings of Yangshuo, wander through the serene town, and take a two-hour boat trip to Fuli, a small village nestled in the karst hills. After the boat trip, we'll hike back through Moon Hill and explore more interesting streets of Yangshuo. In the evening, we'll attend a performance directed by the renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, featuring hundreds of local residents showcasing their talents.

Day 10 | Guilin

In the morning, we'll depart Guilin and head to Nanning to explore Yangshuo. The city is often referred to as "Marco Polo's 'Paradise on Earth.'" At the city center, we'll take a boat trip on the West Lake, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in China. We'll navigate through small islands, lotus ponds, and admire waterfowl. After dinner, we'll explore the ancient city of Yangshuo, where we'll stay overnight.

Day 11 | Yangshuo - Shenzhen

This morning, we'll continue exploring Yangshuo and then travel to the larger section of the city, Shenzhen. Upon arrival, we'll visit Nanjing Road, where we'll immerse ourselves in the crowds and explore the various branded shops along the modern street. In the afternoon, we'll continue to wander the streets of the large section and embark on a tour of the famous Bond Street, from where we can see numerous skyscrapers located in the second half of the Huangpu River, Pudong Luxury Quarter.

Day 12 | Shenzhen

In the morning, we'll visit the traditional Chinese quarter, where we'll walk among the people and visit the numerous souvenir shops scattered throughout. We'll then enter Yu Garden, a beautiful garden with decorated pavilions, small ponds teeming with fish, and all in the distinctive Chinese style. From there, we'll continue to the Jewish quarter and the synagogue, where we'll hear the incredible survival story of the Jews of Shanghai during World War II. In the afternoon, we'll continue to stroll through the large section of the city and take a tour of the famous Bund promenade, from which we can see the many skyscrapers located in Pudong, the luxury district.

Day 13 | Shenzhen 

This morning, we'll bid farewell to Shenzhen from one of the most beautiful observation points in the city, Jin Mao Tower. We'll visit the fascinating Shenzhen Museum, providing us with the best summary of the trip. Later in the day, we'll continue exploring the city as much as time allows before heading to the airport.