Tour Itinerary
DAY
1
Beijing
Transfer via: Flight - your arrangement
Activities for today: Airport to hotel transfer
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport, your private guide and driver will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own pace.
DAY
2
Beijing
Activities for today: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven.
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
In the morning, meet your guide and begin your city tour at Tian’anmen Square—the largest public square in the world. From there, continue to the Forbidden City, China’s most magnificent imperial palace complex and home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a history spanning over 600 years. Afterwards, take a short climb up Jingshan Hill for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City from above.
In the afternoon, head to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architectural design and landscape art. This serene complex is where emperors of old once prayed for good harvests and divine blessing for the nation. The evening is yours to relax or explore Beijing at your own pace.
DAY
3
Beijing
Activities for today: Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutongs
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet your guide and set off for the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall—one of the world’s greatest wonders and an enduring symbol of China. Take the cable car up to the wall and enjoy a leisurely hike along its ancient stone path. In the afternoon, drive back into the city and hop into a three-wheeled rickshaw for a ride through the Hutongs. You’ll visit a local family in their courtyard home and get a feel for daily life in these historic lanes. Crisscrossing narrow alleys lined with traditional siheyuan houses, the Hutongs offer a fascinating window into Beijing’s folk culture and community spirit.
DAY
4
Beijing/Xi'an
Transfer via: high-speed train our arrangement
Activities for today: Summer Palace, train station transfer
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
In the morning, you’ll visit the Summer Palace—China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, with a history spanning over 800 years. Afterwards, head to the train station for your afternoon high-speed rail journey to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
DAY
5
Xi'an
Activities for today: Terracotta Art Factory, Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter
Your full-day experience begins at the Xi’an Daqin Terracotta Art Factory, where you can witness the intricate process of crafting replica Terracotta Warriors and horses by hand. From there, continue to the Museum of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses—one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Here, an army of life-sized warriors and bronze chariots has stood guard over Emperor Qin’s tomb for over 2,200 years.
In the afternoon, return to the city center to visit the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda (exterior visit). Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, this pagoda is a symbol of Xi’an and once housed Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the revered monk Xuanzang. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Muslim Quarter, where you can explore the lively old streets at your own pace, soaking in the aromas, sounds, and sights of one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.
DAY
6
Xi'an/Chengdu/Jiuzhaigou
Transfer via: high speed train - our arrangement
Activities for today: train station transfer
Driver Service:
Your journey continues as our Xi'an driver escorts you to Xi'an North Railway Station this morning, where you'll board the high-speed train to Chengdu.
Upon arriving at Chengdu East Railway Station, you will transfer to another high-speed train bound for Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station. Our local driver will be ready to greet you upon arrival and take you on the scenic two-hour drive to your hotel in Jiuzhaigou.
DAY
7
Jiuzhaigou
Activities for today: Jiuzhaigou National Park
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
08:00 am: Meet your expert local guide in your hotel lobby and set out for a full-day immersion in the breathtaking beauty of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Renowned as a “water wonderland,” Jiuzhaigou reveals its magical soul through crystal-clear lakes, cascading falls, and vibrant pools. Today, you’ll explore its most enchanting sights—from the serene Long Lake and dazzling Five Flower Lake to the playful Panda Lake and reflective Mirror Lake. Discover the lush Reed Lake, admire the multi-hued Color Pool, and feel the mist of majestic waterfalls like Nuorilang, Shuzheng, and the sparkling Pearl Shoal. Every turn brings a new masterpiece of nature, inviting you to witness why this valley is truly a paradise on earth.
DAY
8
Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong/Chengdu
Transfer via: high speed train - our arrangement
Activities for today: Huanglong National Park (one way cable car - up), train station transfer
Jiuzhaigou Tour Guide & Driver Service:
After breakfast, embark on a scenic two-hour drive from Jiuzhaigou to the breathtaking Huanglong National Park—home to one of the world’s three most spectacular travertine terraces. Stretching 3.6 kilometers beneath the majestic Xuebao Peak (Snow Treasure Mountain, 5,588m), its golden-hued formations cascade like a giant yellow dragon, giving the valley its legendary name. Over millennia, geological shifts, glacial activity, and natural mineral reactions have sculpted this dazzling landscape into a true wonder of nature.
The crown jewel of Huanglong awaits at the valley’s peak (3,556m): the Five-Color Ponds. Here, 693 vibrant pools glow in varying shades and shapes, glistening like scattered emeralds under the sky. Beyond the travertine terraces, the park also boasts majestic snow-capped peaks, ancient glaciers, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls—along with being a protected habitat for Giant Pandas and Snub-nosed Monkeys. This unparalleled beauty earned Huanglong its UNESCO World Natural Heritage status in 1992.
While a full hike to the Five-Color Ponds and back typically takes 6 hours, you’ll enjoy a relaxed and efficient visit: glide up by cable car to the upper viewing area, then wander leisurely downhill, taking in unforgettable vistas at every turn.
Following roughly three hours of exploring Huanglong’s wonders, you’ll depart with your guide and driver for Huanglong Airport, where you’ll board your scheduled flight to Chengdu.
Chengdu Driver Service:
Upon arrival at Chengdu East Railway Station, a warm welcome awaits—your private Chengdu driver will greet you and transfer you smoothly to your hotel for check-in and a well-deserved rest.
DAY
9
Chengdu/Leshan/Mt. Emei
Activities for today: Leshan Giant Buddha
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Today, you’ll set out on an unforgettable journey to the Leshan Giant Buddha—a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world. Carved into a cliff face at the confluence of three rivers, this magnificent 71-meter-tall statue has watched over the waters for over 1,300 years. You’ll have the chance to take in its sheer scale and intricate detail, whether from the viewing platform at its feet or from a boat on the river below.
In the late afternoon, you’ll drive through lush countryside to the base of Mount Emei, one of China’s most sacred Buddhist mountains. You’ll settle in for the night at the foot of the misty peaks, surrounded by tranquil forests and the promise of further discovery the next day.
DAY
10
Mt. Emei/Chengdu
Activities for today: Mount Emei
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Today, you’ll set off on a full-day exploration of Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage site steeped in natural beauty and spiritual tranquility. After boarding a scenic sightseeing bus that winds through lush forests and misty valleys, you’ll arrive at the cable car station and glide smoothly up to Wannian Temple—an ancient Buddhist sanctuary where incense has curled toward heaven for over a thousand years.
From there, a peaceful walking path leads you through Qingyin Pavilion, a place where the sound of flowing water harmonizes with birdsong. This area is also home to Mount Emei’s largest wild monkey habitat, so be prepared for some curious and lively local residents along the way! Continue your stroll at a relaxed pace until you reach Wuxiangang parking lot, where your tourist bus will bring you gently down the mountain.
In the afternoon, settle in for the scenic drive back to Chengdu, carrying with you the serenity of ancient temples, the whisper of bamboo forests, and perhaps a few snapshots of your mischievous monkey encounters.
DAY
11
Zhangjiajie
Activities for today: Train station transfer, Tianmen Mountain (including cable car, escalator, glass walkway)
Chengdu Driver Service:
This morning, our Chengdu driver will escort you to Chengdu East Railway Station for the high speed train to Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Upon your arrival at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, your friendly local guide and driver will greet you and whisk you away to the magnificent Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Your adventure begins with a ride on the world's longest cable car, soaring above lush forests and deep valleys as you ascend toward the clouds. The panoramic views unfolding beneath you are nothing short of breathtaking.
At the summit, step onto the thrilling Cliffside Plank Road for an unforgettable two-hour hike along the mountainside. For those seeking an extra rush, you can opt for the glass plank walk—daringly built over a sheer vertical drop—offering a heart-pounding perspective (available at an additional cost).
After your walk among the peaks, find a moment of tranquility at the Tianmen Temple, a peaceful retreat nestled amid the grandeur of the mountain. Then, descend gently via the Forest Sightseeing Cable Car, gliding through vibrant greenery back to the main cable station.
Your journey continues with a scenic gondola ride to the mid-station, followed by a shuttle bus trip along the famously winding Tongtian Avenue—also known as the "Avenue to Heaven." This exhilarating road leads you to the awe-inspiring Tianmen Cave, a natural archway carved through the mountain that feels like a gateway to another world.
DAY
12
Zhangjiajie
Activities for today: Golden Whip Stream, Baofeng Lake
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Today, you’ll step into a realm of breathtaking natural beauty as you explore the Golden Whip Stream—a tranquil, emerald-green valley often compared to the otherworldly landscapes of Pandora from the movie Avatar. Set off on a leisurely 2.5-hour hike along the stream, where crystal-clear waters meander through towering quartzite peaks, lush forests, and hidden rocky grottoes. Every bend in the path reveals a scene more stunning than the last, as if you’re walking through a living painting.
After your morning of peaceful discovery, continue to the serene Baofeng Lake. Here, you’ll board a short cruise across its mirror-like surface, surrounded by sheer cliffs draped in verdant greenery. Glide gently through the calm waters, breathing in the fresh mountain air and soaking in the quiet elegance of this hidden gem—a perfect, tranquil finale to your day in Zhangjiajie.
DAY
13
Zhangjiajie
Activities for today: Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
Embark on a full-day adventure deep into the heart of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—a landscape that feels more like myth than reality. Your journey begins with a ride on the legendary Bailong Elevator, a stunning glass lift clinging to the side of a towering cliff. As you ascend, the forest unfolds beneath you, revealing the otherworldly sandstone pillars that have made this place world-famous.
Once atop Yuanjiajie Mountain, set off on a leisurely 2.5-hour hike through a dreamscape of jagged peaks and misty valleys. Here, you’ll come face to face with the Pillar of the Southern Sky—a solitary stone giant said to have inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar. Continue along the trail to Mihuntai, or the "Lost Soul Terrace," where the view opens up to a sea of weathered quartzite towers stretching endlessly into the distance. Then, carefully cross the Bridge Under Heaven, a natural rock arch suspended between two peaks that feels as thrilling as it sounds.
After soaking in the wonders of Yuanjiajie, your journey continues to Tianzi Mountain, known as the "Monarch of the Peaks." Here, the panorama shifts—wider, grander, and impossibly serene. When you're ready, board the cable car for a gentle descent through clouds and cliffs, watching the sun cast golden light over the mountains as you drift back toward civilization. Your driver will then take you comfortably back to your hotel, leaving you with the quiet hum of a day spent in one of the world’s most magical places.
DAY
14
Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang
Activities for today: Fenghuang Ancient City
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic 3–4-hour drive through rolling hills and countryside to reach the enchanting Fenghuang Ancient City—a place where time seems to stand still. Nestled along the banks of the emerald Tuojiang River, your hotel offers a front-row seat to the town’s timeless beauty, with stilted wooden houses and stone bridges reflected in the water like a traditional Chinese painting.
Once you’ve settled in, step out for a peaceful 15-minute rafting excursion along the Tuo River. Drift gently beneath ancient arched bridges and past centuries-old diaojiaolou (stilted houses), where locals still go about their daily lives as they have for generations. The soft lapping of water and the distant echoes of Miao songs create a moment of pure serenity.
The evening is yours to wander freely. Stroll along the cobblestone lanes lit by red lanterns, sample local street snacks, or simply sit by the river and watch the night unfold—an enchanting end to your first day in this dreamlike corner of Hunan.
DAY
15
Fenghuang/Zhangjiajie/Departure
Transfer via: plane - your arrangement
Activities for today: Fenghuang Ancient City, Airport transfer (Zhangjaijie)
Tour Guide & Driver Service:
This morning is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace—perhaps one last wander through the cobblestone lanes of Fenghuang Ancient City, where centuries-old stilted houses still gaze upon the misty Tuojiang River. Soak in the timeless charm of this riverside treasure before bidding farewell to its tranquil beauty.
Later, you’ll be driven approximately four hours through Hunan’s scenic countryside to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, where you’ll catch your flight to your next destination. This marks the end of your unforgettable journey with us.
Alternative Departure Options:
For greater flexibility, you may also choose to depart directly from Fenghuang Ancient City via high-speed train to:
○ Hong Kong – 5 hr 41 min
○ Changsha – 2–2.5 hr
○ Guangzhou – 5 hr
○ Zhengzhou – 6 hr
○ Wuhan – 4 hr
○ Beijing – 9.5 hr
…and more. Please consult your travel advisor for booking assistance and further details.
