01Imperial China, up close
Pair the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall and Temple of Heaven with courtyard dumplings and opera-mask painting.
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CHINA / HANJOY TOURS · 13 days · reference itinerary
China, from emperors to everyday life
13 days from Beijing’s palaces and Xi’an’s Terracotta Army to Chengdu’s teahouses and Shanghai’s riverfront. Discover the icons, then look a little closer.
01 / At a glance
The story of your journey
Four cities offer four ways into China. Beijing opens the story through palaces, gardens and hutongs. Xi’an brings ancient armies, city walls and Tang-inspired streets into view. Chengdu slows the tempo with teahouses and wooded mountains, before Shanghai pairs waterside heritage with a soaring skyline.
Hands-on moments give the journey its texture: fold a dumpling, paint an opera mask, explore embroidery or sit down for tea. This is an introduction to China through both its celebrated places and the small rituals of everyday life.
- Who it suits
- First-time visitors who enjoy cultural depth, hands-on activities and contrasting cities.
- Travel rhythm
- Multi-city touring, with steps and walking at the Great Wall and Mount Qingcheng.
- Getting between places
- Proposed flights: Beijing–Xi’an and Chengdu–Shanghai; high-speed rail: Xi’an–Chengdu.
02 / Travel · Culture · Learning
Moments to remember
01
02The softer rhythm of Chengdu
Observe giant pandas, explore Taoist culture on Mount Qingcheng and return to a traditional covered-bowl tea.
03Water-town lanes & a modern skyline
Zhujiajiao’s bridges, Tianzifang’s lanes and the Bund at night reveal different layers of Shanghai.
03 / 13 days · reference itinerary
A new discovery, every day
A customisable reference programme. Timings, activities, accommodation and transport are agreed in your confirmed itinerary and quotation.
- Day 01
Beijing
Arrive in the imperial capital
Transfer to your hotel and take time to rest after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, explore the Tian’anmen and Qianmen area, where monumental gateways meet historic shopping streets. Ease into Beijing over dinner before returning to the hotel.
- Day 02
Beijing
Palace stories & a taste of hutong life
Spend around three to four hours exploring the Forbidden City and the courtyards of the Ming and Qing imperial palace. In the afternoon, discover the hutongs, Houhai and a courtyard home, then try making dumplings and Chinese dishes. Discuss a hutong rickshaw ride when tailoring the programme.
Beijing - Day 03
Beijing
Imperial gardens & an evening at the opera
Walk through the Summer Palace’s lakeside landscapes, painted Long Corridor and Seventeen-Arch Bridge, allowing around three to four hours. Continue to the Temple of Heaven to explore imperial ritual architecture. An evening of Peking opera introduces its voices, gestures and costumes; performance schedules are confirmed for your dates.
- Day 04
Beijing
Great Wall views & colours of Chinese opera
Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for roughly two to three hours of walking, adapting the distance to your energy. Back in Beijing, paint an opera mask and explore the meanings of its colours, with a Lord Rabbit figurine or folding-fan activity to be confirmed. Round off the day with Peking duck.
Beijing - Day 05
Beijing → Xi’an
Fly to Xi’an & discover the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
The reference route uses a flight from Beijing to Xi’an, followed by a hotel transfer. Explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda area and its Buddhist and Tang-era connections. Sample local flavours such as lamb soup with crumbled bread; any square fountain display depends on the local schedule.
- Day 06
Xi’an
Face to face with the Terracotta Army
Allow around three to four hours for the Terracotta Army, looking closely at the figures and the world of the Qin dynasty. The afternoon proposes two to three hours at Shaanxi History Museum. Reservations and the feasibility of combining both visits are checked before confirmation. Roujiamo and liangpi offer a relaxed introduction to local food.
Xi’an - Day 07
Xi’an
City walls, Tang-inspired streets & tea
Explore Xi’an’s city walls on foot or choose an optional bicycle ride. At Tang Paradise, the proposed programme pairs Tang-inspired landscapes with traditional Xi’an music and a tasting of fu tea. Walk through Tang-style streets after dinner; costume photography is optional and performances require confirmation.
- Day 08
Xi’an → Chengdu
By high-speed train to the flavours of Chengdu
Travel to Chengdu by high-speed train, then transfer to your hotel. Explore Jinli’s lanes, Sichuan-style buildings and snack stalls. Proposed experiences include making a Sichuan embroidery sachet and watching a face-changing performance, subject to booking. Try egg pancakes or tangyou guozi, sweet fried rice-flour bites.
Xi’an → Chengdu - Day 09
Chengdu · Mount Qingcheng
Green paths & Taoist traditions on Mount Qingcheng
Travel to Mount Qingcheng for forest paths and an introduction to Taoist culture. A short taijiquan session is proposed, depending on the venue and instructor. Enjoy local food before returning to Chengdu in the afternoon. Discuss walking ability in advance: the day includes mountain paths and steps.
Chengdu · Mount Qingcheng - Day 10
Chengdu
Pandas, poetry & a cup of Chengdu tea
Spend around three to four hours observing giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base. Continue to Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage, then settle into a covered-bowl tea at Heming Teahouse in People’s Park. Tea demonstrations, storytelling and traditional ear-cleaning are proposed cultural options, with participation and costs to discuss. Hotpot is a possible dinner choice.
Chengdu - Day 11
Chengdu → Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, from skyline to waterfront
Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai on the reference route and transfer to your hotel. Head to the Jin Mao Tower observation deck for a perspective on the city’s architecture, then stroll the Bund as evening lights meet the Huangpu River. Dinner introduces Shanghai-style cooking.
- Day 12
Shanghai · Zhujiajiao
Water-town bridges & Shanghai’s creative lanes
Visit Zhujiajiao by road and spend around three to four hours among its old bridges, canals and lanes. Return to Shanghai for Tianzifang’s lilong alleyways, independent shops and creative studios. Leave time for your own discoveries before preparing for departure.
Shanghai · Zhujiajiao - Day 13
Depart Shanghai
A final morning in Shanghai
Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport according to your flight time, concluding the 13-day reference itinerary. International flights, connections and any extra hotel nights are reviewed as part of your quotation.
Travel · Culture · Learning
Taste the places you visit
Peking duck, Xi’an lamb soup, roujiamo, Sichuan hotpot and Shanghai dishes. Restaurants, meal budgets and spice levels are agreed individually.
04 / HANJOY TOURS
The details that make it your trip
Plan with us
Museum reservations and performance schedules are checked before confirmation. Wall cycling, costume photos and some teahouse activities are optional. Pandas are observed within the visitor areas; handling or holding pandas is not included.
Is this a fixed group departure?
These are customisable reference journeys, without advertised fixed departure dates or remaining places. We can discuss changes for your group, interests, language and walking ability. Travel arrangements and services are agreed in the confirmation documents.
What is included in the price?
Request a written quotation specifying accommodation, room type, transport, meals, admissions, guiding language, workshops and performances. International flights, visas, insurance, tips and optional activities must also be clearly addressed. A listed activity does not mean its cost is included.
Can I request English or French services?
You can enquire in Chinese, English or French. Let us know your preferred guiding language; availability, personnel and any related costs in each destination must be confirmed before booking.
HANJOY TOURS
Every journey starts with a conversation.
Tell us where you would like to go and what interests you: culture, language, art, nature or study.
You can also email us directly.
bobwu1987@gmail.comChina
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