Asia · China
Sixteen days from Shanghai to Beijing: the Zhangjiajie mountains, the pandas of Chengdu, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and the Great Wall, by plane and high-speed train.
Quick facts
Indicative price from
€4,099
per person
This itinerary is a starting point: we'll adapt it with you in your tailor-made proposal.
Request informationA grand journey across China, from skyscraper Shanghai to imperial Beijing. In between lie some of the country's most spectacular places: the quartz sandstone towers of Zhangjiajie, which inspired the floating mountains of Avatar, the Sichuan of pandas and fiery food, and Xi'an with its Terracotta Army.
Every stop has something to do, not just to see: a day as a volunteer at the Dujiangyan panda base, a tea ceremony on a mountain plantation, a workshop to model a small terracotta warrior, a tai chi lesson at the Temple of Heaven. In the evenings, a cruise on the Huangpu River and a Sichuan Opera show with its face-changing masks.
You travel between cities by domestic flight and high-speed train. In each city an Italian-speaking guide and a private driver are waiting for you. The itinerary can be shortened or extended, for example with a Yangtze cruise or a few days in Guilin.
16 days in the programme
Airport welcome and a first walk along the Bund. Arrival in Shanghai, airport welcome and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free: at sunset the Bund, with its 1920s buildings facing the Pudong skyline, gives you a first glimpse of the city.
Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden and an evening Huangpu cruise. The day starts high up, at the Shanghai Tower observatory, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Then the old city: Yu Garden, with Ming-dynasty pavilions and ponds, and the Yuyuan bazaar. A walk along Nanjing Road to the Bund and, in the evening, a cruise on the Huangpu River among the skyscraper lights.
Canals, stone bridges and the French Concession. Excursion to Zhujiajiao, an old water town of canals and stone bridges. Visit to the Kezhi Garden, a boat ride and a taste of zongzi, sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. Back in the city, a walk along the leafy streets of the French Concession and the shikumen houses of Xintiandi.
From Shanghai to the mountains of Hunan. Transfer to the airport and flight to Zhangjiajie, in Hunan province. On arrival, check in at a hotel close to the mountain area, your base for the next days' excursions.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A day in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bailong elevator, built into the cliff face, takes you up to the Yuanjiajie plateau, home of the pillar that inspired Avatar's floating mountains. Then on to Mount Tianzi, with the widest view over the forest of sandstone towers.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and a tea ceremony. In the morning you cross the glass bridge suspended over the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, one of the most famous in the world. In the afternoon, a visit to a mountain tea plantation to see how the leaves are processed and take part in a tea ceremony with a local master.
Heaven's Gate and the fast train to Sichuan. Ascent of Mount Tianmen on one of the longest cable cars in the world. At the top, the glass skywalk clinging to the cliff and Tianmen Cave, a huge natural arch in the rock. In the afternoon, high-speed train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan.
Volunteering at the Dujiangyan base. A day as a volunteer at the Dujiangyan panda base: you prepare bamboo and food, clean the enclosures and watch the animals up close with the keepers. Back in Chengdu, a stop at People's Park, among teahouses, mahjong games and dancing locals.
Sanxingdui, Wenshu Monastery and face-changing. Morning at the Sanxingdui Museum, with the mysterious bronze masks of the Shu civilisation, and a visit to Wenshu Monastery. A stroll along Jinli Street, among workshops and street food. In the evening, a Sichuan Opera show with bian lian, the art of changing masks in a split second.
To the old capital of the Silk Road. Transfer to the station and high-speed train to Xi'an, for centuries the imperial capital and the starting point of the Silk Road. Check in at your hotel and free time.
The first emperor's warriors and the Muslim Quarter. Visit to the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-size soldiers buried more than two thousand years ago to guard the first emperor's tomb. A workshop to model a small copy of a warrior. In the afternoon, the Muslim Quarter, with its market and Xi'an street food.
The ancient walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the illuminated city. A walk on the Xi'an city walls, among the best preserved in China, and a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the afternoon you dress in traditional hanfu for a photo session. In the evening, the Great Tang All Day Mall promenade, with lights and street performances.
The last stop, the capital. High-speed train to Beijing. On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and hutongs. The day begins with a tai chi lesson at the Temple of Heaven, alongside locals exercising in the morning. Then Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, home of the Ming and Qing emperors. In the afternoon, the hutongs, the lanes of old Beijing, with calligraphy and paper-cutting demonstrations.
Mutianyu, by cable car and toboggan. Excursion to Mutianyu, one of the most beautiful and least crowded sections of the Great Wall, reached by cable car. You can ride down by toboggan. On the way back, a photo stop at the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, symbols of the 2008 Olympics.
Transfer to the airport. Transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.
