China’s Grandeur: A 20-Day Odyssey

From Imperial Splendor to Pastoral Paradises

🌟 Trip Overview

Check off China’s most iconic natural and cultural highlights with this comprehensive 20-day journey. From the majestic Great Wall and the silent Terracotta Army to the mesmerizing Yuanyang Rice Terraces and the ethereal Li River, this in-depth tour offers a perfect fusion of ancient history, diverse ethnic cultures, and breathtaking landscapes.

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🗓️ Itinerary Summary

Phase	Days	City	Main Highlights
I: Imperial North	1–4	Beijing	Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven
II: Ancient Echoes	5–6	Xi’an	Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter, Hanyang Tomb
III: Yunnan Wonders	7–10	South Yunnan	Stone Forest, Jianshui Ancient Town, Yuanyang Terraces
	11–12	Dali	Erhai Lake Cycling, Xizhou Town, Dali Old Town
	13–15	Lijiang	Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shaxi
IV: Scenic South	16–18	Guilin	Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside, West Street
V: Modern East	19–20	Shanghai	The Bund, Yu Garden, SWFC Observatory

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🏛️ Detailed Itinerary

Phase I: The Imperial Heart (Beijing & Xi’an)

Day 1: Welcome to Beijing

• Arrive in Beijing, the political and cultural heart of China.
• Private transfer to your hotel. Use the evening to rest or explore the local neighborhood.
• Overnight: Beijing

Day 2: The Forbidden City & Jingshan Views

• Tiananmen Square: Walk through the world’s largest city square.
• Forbidden City: Explore the massive imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Jingshan Park: Climb the hill for a stunning 360-degree view of the Forbidden City’s golden rooftops.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Beijing

Day 3: Great Wall Splendor & Ming Tombs

• Mutianyu Great Wall: Take a cable car to this well-preserved section of the wall for panoramic mountain views.
• Sacred Road & Chang Tomb: Walk the path of stone statues leading to the imperial Ming burial grounds.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Beijing

Day 4: Temple of Heaven – Fly to Xi’an

• Temple of Heaven: Visit the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
• Travel: Afternoon flight to Xi’an, the ancient gateway to the Silk Road.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Xi’an

Day 5: The Silent Legion & Muslim Quarter

• Terracotta Warriors: Discover the life-sized army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
• Muslim Quarter: A sensory feast of street food, vibrant markets, and Islamic culture.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Xi’an

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Phase II: Yunnan’s Ethnic Tapestry (South to North)

Day 6: Hanyang Tomb – Fly to Kunming

• Hanyang Tomb: Explore the underground museum of the Han Dynasty.
• Travel: Fly to Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring.”
• Meals: B | Overnight: Kunming

Day 7: The Stone Forest – Drive to Jianshui

• Stone Forest: Marvel at the towering limestone karst formations.
• Transfer: A 3.5-hour scenic drive to the historic town of Jianshui.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Jianshui

Day 8: Jianshui Heritage – Drive to Yuanyang

• Cultural Sites: Visit Chaoyang Gate, the Temple of Confucius, and Zhu’s Family Garden.
• Twin Dragons Bridge: Capture photos of the 17-arch stone bridge.
• Transfer: Drive 3 hours to the spectacular rice terraces of Yuanyang.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Yuanyang

Day 9: The Art of Earth – Yuanyang Rice Terraces

• Bada & Shengcun: Hike through emerald and gold cascading terraces.
• Duoyishu & Laohuzhui: Experience the sunrise (optional) and sunset over the water-filled paddies.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Yuanyang

Day 10: Return to Kunming

• Drive back to Kunming for a relaxing evening at your leisure.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Kunming

Day 11: Dali: Erhai Lake & Bai Culture

• Train to Dali: Morning high-speed rail.
• Xizhou Town: Admire traditional Bai ethnic architecture.
• Erhai Lake: Enjoy a wooden boat ride as the sun sets behind the Cangshan Mountains.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Dali

Day 12: Dali: Lakeside Cycling

• Cycling Tour: Pedal along the shores of Erhai Lake, passing through pagodas and timeless villages.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Dali

Day 13: Shaxi Ancient Town & Lijiang

• Shaxi Town: Visit this vital relay station on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road.
• Lijiang Old Town: Explore the UNESCO-listed town and the Naxi Dongba Culture Museum.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Lijiang

Day 14: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

• Glacier Park: Visit the snow-capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Baisha Village & Black Dragon Pool: Experience Naxi village life and iconic mountain reflections.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Lijiang

Day 15: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Stone Drum Town

• Stone Drum Town: See the Iron Chain Bridge and the First Bend of the Yangtze River.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge: Witness the raw power of the Jinsha River crashing through one of the world’s deepest canyons.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Lijiang

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Phase III: Southern Landscapes & Modern Skyline

Day 16: Lijiang – Fly to Guilin

• Free morning in Lijiang. Fly to Guilin in the afternoon.
• Optional: Visit the illuminated Reed Flute Cave.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Guilin

Day 17: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

• Li River Cruise: Drift past the karst peaks that inspired the 20-yuan banknote.
• West Street: Spend the evening in Yangshuo’s vibrant center.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Yangshuo

Day 18: Yangshuo Countryside – Fly to Shanghai

• Country Exploration: Bike or walk through rice paddies and karst hills.
• Transfer: Drive to Guilin for your flight to the metropolis of Shanghai.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Shanghai

Day 19: Shanghai: Old & New

• Shanghai Museum & Yu Garden: Traditional art and classical garden architecture.
• The Bund: Walk the colonial-era waterfront.
• SWFC: Ascend the “Bottle Opener” skyscraper for a bird’s-eye view of Pudong.
• Meals: B, L | Overnight: Shanghai

Day 20: Departure

• Leisure time until your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
• Meals: B