Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Best of China" (ACBNG), but here are some similar trips.
Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th, 2019/2020/2021. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
Best of China
12 days, Beijing to Shanghai
Itinerary Notes
There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.
Itinerary
Day 1Beijing
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy a first taste of Chinese cuisine with a Peking Duck welcome dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
As group members will arrive at different times there are no arranged activities on Day 1 until our group meeting at 6 pm. You can find meeting details on the notice board in the hotel foyer. An included group dinner will follow the meeting, featuring the local specialty Peking Duck.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Beijing
Take a walk along the 500-year-old Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. Spend time exploring the towers, views, and the magnificent structure of this unique wonder.
One of the greatest structures ever built, the Great Wall was constructed in stages over 2,000 years. This massive structure stretches 6,000km (3,728 mi) westwards from the sea to western China. The section we visit is called Mutianyu and is one of the best preserved Ming Dynasty sections reachable from Beijing.
Mutianyu Great Wall Visit
Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Enjoy scenic views as the wall winds along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall from any of the 22 towers. The Great wall is an incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located about 80km away from the Beijing City Center. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Beijing
Explore historic Beijing including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. After, take a walk through the hutongs — local backstreet neighbourhoods.
Today we delve into the history of Beijing, visiting the dramatic Forbidden City and the immense Tiananmen Square. Hear tales of emperors and their concubines, a long crafted culture and rich tradition. Witness how ancient Chinese customs are still valued today, while also blended with modern technology and western influences. Visit the Temple of Heaven and its surrounding grounds, full of locals whiling the hours away practicing water calligraphy and Tai Chi, playing cards, and walking pet crickets, all with the colourful Temple of Heaven in the background. Take a walking tour featuring some of Beijing's traditional alleyways and backstreets known as hutongs.
Please note that the timing of included activities can change and will be spread out over the course of days 2-4.
Tiananmen Square
Explore one of the world's largest public squares and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation.
Forbidden City Tour
Our CEO will steer around crowds and help make the most of a visit to the Forbidden City.
Temple of Heaven
Explore the stunning Temple of Heaven, which was built during the rule of the Ming dynasty. Learn more about the history and significance of this place, often referred to as the symbol of Beijing.
Hutong Walk
Take a walking tour through some of Beijing's traditional alleyways and backstreets (known as hutongs) and get a taste of this magnificent metropolis.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Beijing Kung Fu Show
Follow the tale of a young boy on his journey to becoming a kung fu master through six gripping scenes told through traditional Chinese art and live modern dance. (Don’t worry; there are subtitles above the stage). Developed by some of China’s top stage directors and designers, the performance showcases the skills of its talented cast, most of whom are just 17 years old.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Beijing/Xi'an
Continue to explore Beijing with our local CEO and enjoy some free time on your own. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Xi'an.
Accommodation this evening will be in Soft Sleeper train cars which have 8-9 compartments per cabin. Each compartment includes 4 beds (two upper and two lower beds) and a sliding door which can be locked.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Xi'an
Explore Xi'an like the locals with a bike ride along the ancient city walls. In the evening, visit the Muslim Quarter and local markets.
Arrive in the ancient Chinese capital and traditional silk road terminus, Xi'an, in the morning. We will be met and transferred to our hotel. After settling in, we will gather for an inner city bike ride along the 14km (9 mi) of ancient city walls.
In the evening, explore the multicultural feel of the Muslim Quarter with shopping lanes and street-side food stalls selling naan, kebabs, and a fine array of sweets. Opt to try some of the best street food in China – the spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favourite.
Cycling Xi'an City Walls
Rent a bike and cycle the Xi’an city walls. The walls – built for protection in the Tang Dynasty and expanded in the Ming dynasty –are a great way to absorb local history. Hop off where you like and admire the views as you pedal along the 12m (39 ft) wide wall, which takes about 2 hrs to cycle along.
Muslim Quarter Orientation Walk
Enjoy a walk around Xi'an’s Muslim Quarter with our CEO, and be introduced to favourite streets, artists, chefs or food stalls in the quarter. Each CEO offers a unique perspective. Get a better feel for the district and have plenty of time to roam around on your own, shopping and eating along the way.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Xi'an
Visit the famed Terracotta Warriors — the archaeological wonder built over 2,000 years ago to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Afterwards, head to a local village and enjoy lunch. Opt for a Defachang Dumpling Banquet in the evening.
Terracotta Warriors Visit
Visit the site of the Terracotta Warriors, an archaeological treasure where approximately 8,000 soldiers and hundreds of horses stand on guard in three excavated pits in an on-site museum. Learn how the underground warriors were discovered (by accident) in 1974, and why Emperor Qin Shihuang commissioned the statues to serve as his army in the afterlife.
Village visit and lunch
Visit a village close to where, in 1974, a local farmer digging a well unearthed one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century: the Terracotta Warriors. Explore a bit and enjoy a delicious local lunch.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Tang Dynasty Dinner
88-158CNY per personOpt to enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner this evening, sampling a banquet of local cuisine in the true style of an emperor and empress. Dinner will never be the same again.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Yangshuo Area
Fly to Guilin and continue on to China's lush southwest to experience the rural culture and unique limestone karst scenery of the Yangshuo area. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Li River.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Li River Boat Tour
Enjoy a float on the Li River a centrepiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Take in breathtaking scenery and a taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis. See gorgeous karst mountains peeking out each river bend, water buffalo patrolling fields, and locals reaping rice paddies. Greet school kids and fishermen as they float by on bamboo rafts.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8Yangshuo
Trek through the beautiful countryside, passing through villages and rice and fruit fields. Later, try preparing local cuisine at a cooking school and enjoy the results for dinner.
Countryside Walk
Embark on a day of walking, venturing out into the countryside by the Dragon River area to take in the montage of rural scenes, including small villages surrounded by karst mountains, winding rivers, and stunning scenery.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Central Chinese Cooking Class - Yangshuo
Calling all foodies! Get an inside look at real Chinese food with a tour of the Yangshuo market to learn about the ingredients used in the Yangshuo area. Afterward, learn to cook Chinese food in a traditional Chinese farmhouse in the beautiful countryside just outside Yangshuo. After the cooking class you can sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Yangshuo
Rise early for a private Tai Chi class with a local expert. Take a rural cycling trip, passing rice paddy fields and limestone karst mountains. Later, you'll have an opportunity to wander the shop and cafe-lined streets or relax with a drink.
Embark on a day of easy cycling and rural discovery, venturing from Yangshuo out into the Dragon River area to take in the montage of rural scenes.
Return to Yangshuo for a free evening, which you can choose to spend relaxing or experiencing some of Yangshuo's vibrant nightlife.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tai Chi Class
Start the day early with a private Tai Chi class led by a local expert. This weaving together of calming yoga and meditation is practiced by millions daily throughout China and around the world. Learn the basic principles and moves of this ancient practice and start to discover firsthand why Tai Chi is revered for such health benefits as stress relief, improved balance and circulation, and overall well-being.
Cycling
Embark on a day of cycling, venturing out from Yangshuo into the countryside by the Dragon River area to take in the montage of rural scenes, including small villages surrounded by karst mountains, winding rivers, and stunning scenery.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Yangshuo/Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai and take an orientation walk along the Bund area.
In a great day of contrasts, you'll awake overlooking the rural countryside and finish the day in the heart of China's bustling metropolis, Shanghai.
Cosmopolitan Shanghai is a mesmerizing array of old and new, from the 19th century Asian-infused Victorian and early 20th century Art Deco architecture to the bold 21st century futuristic skyline additions.
Plane
Private van transfer to airport and private bus from airport to hotel.
Orientation Walk
Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Shanghai
Enjoy free time to explore on your own. Opt to visit Yuyuan Gardens or the Shanghai Museum. This evening, get a behind-the-scenes peek at famed Shanghai acrobats, visiting their training room, interacting with the artists and learning about this ancient tradition, which will be followed by an awe-inspiring performance.
Free Time
There are so many options in the vibrant city of Shanghai - enjoy the day exploring on your own.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Behind-the-Scenes with the Shanghai Acrobats & Performance
Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the famed Shanghai acrobats, visiting their training room, interacting with the artists and learning about this ancient tradition. After, enjoy the awe-inspiring performance of tumbling, balancing, and plate-spinning. There are amazing contortionists and high-wire walkers. The show blends Chinese acrobatics with state-of-the-art multimedia technology unlike anything you have ever seen.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Yuyuan Garden
40CNY per personExplore this tranquil, 400-year-old, five-acre garden. Climb to the top of the Rockery to see the greenery from above. Check out the Jade Rock and watch the swarms of goldfish swim around in the ponds. With multiple pavilions and halls there’s plenty to see. Depending on when you visit there may be flower shows or tea ceremonies in the area. Opt to visit the bustling market located outside the gardens and hone your bargaining skills.
Shanghai Museum
FreeVisit Shanghai Museum, home to a world-class collection of ancient Chinese art. Tour individual galleries devoted to such items as sculpture, bronze, ceramics, jade, coins, Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, paintings, and calligraphy. Stop at the gift shop on your way out.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Shanghai
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.