11-Day China Cultural Tour: Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an & Shanghai

Beijing, Dengfeng, Luoyang, Xian, Shanghai

Traveler Reviews

11 Days Travel to China Ancient Cities tour map

Terracotta Army in Xian travel experience

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: SKY-Cultural-01

Tour Highlights:

Trace Chinese history through Beijing, Luoyang, Dengfeng, Xi'an and Shanghai.
Visit imperial landmarks, Buddhist grottoes and several of China's best-known ancient-city sites.
Include Shaolin Temple and the Kung Fu heritage of Mount Song on the established private route.

Best Travel Time:
The itinerary operates year-round, with April through November recommended for the most comfortable overall conditions.

From $ 1613

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Tour Itinerary

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Itinerary

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Day 1Arrival Beijing

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No Meals
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, meet your YUNSKY guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free after check-in.

Beijing City View

Day 2Beijing

Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin exploring historic Beijing.

[09:30-12:30] Cross Tian'anmen Square and enter the Forbidden City, then continue to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the palace roofs.

[12:30-14:00] Have lunch at Shi Yuan Restaurant, whose listed dishes include braised eggplant, vegetable balls and diced chicken with walnuts in soy sauce.

[14:00-16:30] Visit the Temple of Heaven, the ceremonial complex where emperors prayed for good harvests, then browse Panjiayuan Antique Market and Pearl Market.

[16:30-17:30] Return to the hotel. Ask your guide for suggestions if you would like an evening show or a Peking duck dinner dinner.

Forbidden City

Day 3Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park, The exterior Bird Nest and Water Cube

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

[08:00-08:30] Meet your guide at the hotel and depart for the Great Wall.

[08:30-12:30] Drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall. On arrival, choose to hike from the base or take the cable car before walking along the restored wall.

[12:30-13:30] Have lunch at Xiaolongpu Restaurant, where the listed dishes include fried vegetables, dry-fried beans and sweet corn cake.

[13:30-16:30] Return toward Beijing and stop outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, then take part in the scheduled Chinese tea experience.

[16:30-17:30] Head back to the hotel. Optional evening ideas include a foot massage, Houhai bars or Sanlitun Bar Street.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Day 4Beijing – Luoyang

Beijing Hutong, Summer Palace, High speed train to Luoyang

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Yaxiang Jinling Hotel ★★★★

[09:30-10:00] Pack, check out and meet your guide for the final half-day in Beijing.

[10:00-11:30] Travel to the Drum Tower area for a Hutong Tour by rickshaw and a closer look at neighborhood life.

[11:30-14:30] Continue to the Summer Palace, for its imperial gardens and included boat ride on Kunming Lake, followed by lunch at Xiangyangtun Restaurant.

After lunch, transfer to the railway station for the four-hour high-speed train to Luoyang. Meet your local guide on arrival and continue to the hotel.

Hutong Tour by Rickshaw

Day 5Luoyang – Dengfeng

Mt. Songshan, Shaolin Temple & Pagoda Forest

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Chanwu Hotel

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide, check out in Luoyang and prepare for the journey to Dengfeng. Take only what is needed for the one-night stay and leave the remaining luggage at the hotel.

[09:30-11:30] Drive from Luoyang to Dengfeng in about two hours.

[12:00-13:00] Have lunch at a local restaurant.

[13:30-15:30] Visit Shaolin Temple and the Pagoda Forest, known for both Chan Buddhism and Chinese martial arts.

[15:30-17:00] Continue to the hotel and check in. The Shaolin Zen Music Ritual is listed as an optional evening activity.

Shaolin Temple

Day 6Dengfeng – Luoyang

Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang Museum of Folk Customs

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Yaxiang Jinling Hotel

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide, check out and begin the return journey to Luoyang.

[09:30-11:30] Drive from Dengfeng to Luoyang in about two hours.

[12:00-13:00] Have lunch at a local restaurant.

[13:00-17:00] Explore the Buddhist cave art of the Longmen Grottoes, then visit Luoyang Museum of Folk Customs and walk through the Ming and Qing Old Town.

[17:00-18:00] Continue to the hotel, check in and keep the evening free.

Longmen Grottoes

Day 7Luoyang – Xian

White Horse Temple, Emperor Carriage Museum, High speed train to Xian

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Bell Tower Grand New Century Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide and check out in the morning.

[09:30-12:30] Visit White Horse Temple, founded in AD 68 and regarded as China's first Buddhist temple after the religion's introduction. Continue to Emperor Carriage Museum, built over remains dating from 770 BC.

[12:30-13:30] Have lunch at a local restaurant.

After a short break, transfer to the station for the approximately two-hour high-speed train to Xian. Meet your Xi'an guide at the station and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

White Horse Temple

Day 8Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Bell Tower, Gao's Courtyard, Muslim Quarter

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Bell Tower Grand New Century Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin exploring Xi'an.

[09:30-12:30] Drive to the Terracotta Warriors, where excavated soldiers, horses and chariots stand in battle formation. The sightseeing shuttle is included.

[12:30-14:00] Have lunch at Lanchi Restaurant, whose listed selection includes buffet dishes, dim sum, noodles and Chinese hamburgers.

[14:00-17:00] Visit the Bell tower, then explore traditional residential architecture and paper-cutting and shadow-puppet culture at Gao's Courtyard. Finish with time in the Muslim Quarter.

[17:00-17:30] Return to the hotel. The optional Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner can be discussed with your guide.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 9Xian – Shanghai

Ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda and north square, Hanyang Tomb, fly to Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★

[09:30-10:00] Check out and meet your guide for the final sightseeing in Xi'an before the flight to Shanghai.

[10:00-12:30] Visit the Ancient City Wall, where optional bicycle rental is excluded from the price, then continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and north-square fountain show.

[12:30-16:30] Have the included dumpling-banquet lunch, then drive toward the airport and visit the Hanyang Mausoleum on the way.

Fly to Shanghai. Meet your local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Ancient City Wall

Day 10Shanghai

Jade Buddha Temple, the exterior of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, The Bund

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunrise on the Bund Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide at the hotel and begin a full day in Shanghai.

[09:30-12:30] Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, then continue to the exterior of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and walk along the Riverside Promenade.

[12:30-13:30] Stop for a local lunch of dim sum and steamed buns.

[13:30-16:30] Explore Yuyuan Garden, browse Shanghai Old Street and Nanjing Road, then finish with a walk along the Bund and its historic waterfront architecture.

16:30-17:30] Return to the hotel. Ask your guide about the optional Acrobatic Show, including the ERA production.

The Bund

Day 11Departure Shanghai

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Keep the remaining time free until your airport transfer. A Maglev ride to Pudong Airport can be arranged on request; otherwise, travel directly by road.

Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

Hotel Class	Group Size	Dec. ~ Feb.	Mar. ~ Nov.
Economy Hotel ★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2439	$ 2523
Economy Hotel ★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 1613	$ 1696
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2543	$ 2649
Comfortable Hotel ★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 1728	$ 1835
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	2 ~ 5 pax	$ 2769	$ 2917
Deluxe Hotel ★★★★★	6 ~ 9 pax	$ 1955	$ 2103

Price includes:

♦ Domestic flight or high-speed train as specified
♦ Private transfer between the airport or railway station, attractions, and hotels
♦ Private licensed English-speaking guide and driver service
♦ Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast on sharing basis
♦ All attraction entrance fees as specified
♦ Meals mentioned in the itinerary, Chinese local food

Price excludes:

* International Air tickets or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
* Tips to your tour guide and driver on your own discretion
* China Entry Visa Fees
* Personal expenses
* Optional tours, meals, activities and services
* China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance

Remarks:

※ Prices are valid from Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2027, except Chinese public holidays, local fairs or events.
※ YUNSKY reserves the right to adjust the price caused by exchange rate
※ No guide on the flight and Yangtze River cruise.
※ Recommended hotels are subject to change in actual booking
※ Special requirements should be advised to YUNSKY in advance.
※ YUNSKY reserves the right of final explanation for any change due to the reasons beyond our control.

Useful Information

Why Choose Us

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos
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5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though

Kiwimac53

5.0

We were looking for a tour in SW China while in the area for work and found this one. While we wouldn't normally get a private tour but surprisingly it was actually cheaper than most of the group tours in the area and was great value. While I would usually rather keep one guide for the whole tour, as you get to know each other and they get to know what you are interested in, we changed guides 5 times during this trip (fortunately we had the same guide in Kunming at the start and end of the tour which was a real bonus as Murphy, our Kunming based guide, was excellent.) In this case changing guides had the advantage of local knowledge at each site so compensated for the change. Of the 4 guides we had 3 excellent and 1 very good with each of them working hard to look after us and make sure we enjoyed our trip. Vicky, our Dali based guide was also extremely good making our time there a highlight. The tour gives you 2 days at each base ie travel in the morning, have the afternoon and the next day touring the area then drive to the next base. We chose the driving tour as we feel it gives you a better experience of the area and you get to see the locals in action. All the drivers we had were great – they went out of their way to look after us and were very safe, which is saying something for driving in China. While all of the guides were very fluent in English none of the drivers could speak English which was a slight disadvantage as you didn't have the guides with you when traveling between bases but the friendliness and helpfulness of the drivers more than made up for this.
The tour was very well organised and we knew what we were doing from the time we met our guide on arrival at the Kunming railway station to when we walked through security at the airport on our way out. The tour comes with 4,5 and 6 star accommodation choices and we went for the cheapest 4 star option. While the English at the hotels was limited the guides made sure we were checked in and out and took care of any issues (which were minimal). The 4 star option is largely “Chinese style” hotels ie designed for Chinese visitors with breakfast consisting of what many westeners would consider dinner style food but there was always eggs and toast for the less adventurous. The hotels were all clean and comfortable and generally very well located. The Hotel in Kunming (Jin Jang Inn) was a bonus as it seemed higher than 4 star and we stayed there both on our way in and out. As well as breakfast, lunch came with the tour which was enjoyable as the guides choose the restaurants so we got a variety. I got the feeling that most of the restaurants were owned by friends or family or there was some arrangement with the guide, but as you get to formally review each guide and the meals at the end of each stop they work hard to make sure you enjoy the meal and there was always an abundance of food. We tried a range of local cuisine and there was only one meal we didn't think was up to par. You get your own dinner which also suited us as there is invariably a range of restaurants or for the more adventurous there is the street vendors and you can choose what you want. The vehicles we were driven in were all very good- plenty of space and very comfortable.
Being a private tour, while there was a set itinerary, which was diverse and very interesting with something for most people, the guides could tweak it to suit individual interests eg more time at one site and less at another. It is easy to get a bit templed out but overall the itinerary was a good mic of nature and culture. I would thoroughly recommend the tour and the company and we will be looking to the company if/when we go back – Guilin is next on the list as the guides were very happy to discus what they thought we would and wouldn't enjoy based on working with us on this tour,

N2265ZIinfo

5.0

Excellent guides, flexible and knowledgeable travel agent. They speak good English. Our trip was very well organized. We are 100% happy and I can recommend Yun Sky Travel to everybody.

Wesley O

5.0

I contacted Yun Sky Travel for a 13 day China vacation (Beijing/Xian/Yangtze River cruise/Shanghai) and right from the start Bonnie provided me with great choices and package options. Throughout the entire planning and even during the trip Bonnie was there for us following up and making sure everything was perfect. Thank you Bonnie for making our China vacation unforgettable.

Johnf8958

5.0

From the minute I contacted Vicky at Yun Sky Travel to book our holiday, to the time we were taken to Pudong airport for our flight home, the experience was perfect.
My wife and I visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and all of our tour guides were fluent in English, very knowledgeable and very friendly.
Thank you Vicky and all at YUNSKY and I will definitely be in contact when I return to China.

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