12-Day Best of China: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Shanghai

Day 1 Arrive Beijing

Destination: Beijing
Meals Included: Dinner at a halal restaurant
Accommodations: 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown or similar

Upon arrival at the airport, your friendly Muslim expert guide will greet you and whisk you away in a private vehicle to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 2 Explore Beijing

Destination: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Niujie Mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown or similar

Begin your exploration of Beijing at Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. This vast space has seen many pivotal events, including the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. A leisurely stroll leads you to the Forbidden City, the imperial heart of China for over five centuries. This magnificent palace complex served as the residence of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties, witnessing the rise and fall of imperial power. After salat prayer at Niujie Mosque, visit the Temple of Heaven. Built between 1406 and 1420 by the emperor who also commissioned the Forbidden City, this sacred site was where the Ming and Qing emperors would honor the god of heaven and pray for a good harvest.

Day 3 Explore Beijing

Destination: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown or similar

Your morning unfolds with an exploration of the iconic Great Wall of China and a visit to a jade carving factory. This colossal fortification, a continuous undertaking from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD, snakes across China’s northern frontier for an astounding 3,750 miles, from the shores of the Bohai Sea to the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. In the afternoon, explore the Dingling Tomb, the only excavated Ming Tomb. Constructed for the 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Tombs follow traditional Chinese geomancy and fengshui principles. They are adorned with intricate stone statues, carvings, and dragon motif tiles, showcasing the evolution of Ming Dynasty funerary architecture.

Day 4 Explore Beijing, High Speed Train to Xian

Destination: Beijing & Xi’an
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Accommodations: 5-star Sheraton Xi’an Hotel or similar

Start your day with a visit to the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved royal garden. Centered around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, the Summer Palace intricately blends political, residential, spiritual, and recreational elements. It harmonizes the natural beauty of hills and water with man-made structures like pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges, embodying the Chinese philosophy of balancing human creation with nature. This fusion creates a landscape of exceptional aesthetic value. Our itinerary includes a visit to a freshwater pearl store, offering an opportunity to browse and purchase these lustrous gems cultivated in local waters. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train (approx. 5 hours) to Xi’an. This renowned ancient capital of China marks the eastern end of the historic Silk Road, a crucial trade route linking East and West.

Day 5 Explore Xi’an

Destination: Xian
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at Halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Xi’an Great Mosque
Accommodations: 5-star Sheraton Xi’an or similar

Start your day with a wonder of the world – the Terracotta Army! Discovered by accident in 1974, this 2,000-year-old army of over 8,000 life-sized warriors stands guard over the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China’s first emperor. See some replicas being made nearby and learn the secrets of these ancient figures. After lunch, perform salat at the Great Mosque of Xi’an, one of China’s oldest and most renowned mosques. Next, lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of the Muslim Quarter filled with street food, restaurants, and the vibrant energy of Xi’an’s 60,000-strong Muslim community. Conclude your day by immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a captivating recreation of ancient Xi’an, featuring bustling markets, captivating performances, and stunning Tang-style architecture.

Day 6 Explore Xi’an, Fly to Guilin

Destination: Xi’an, Guilin
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at Halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar

Journey back in time to the Tang Dynasty at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 1,300-year-old marvel showcasing China’s traditional brick pagodas. Next, immerse yourself in Xi’an’s history at the Xi’an Museum, which narrates the ancient tales of Xi’an as the capital of 13 dynasties spanning over 1,100 years. Next, stroll along the ancient City Wall of Xi’an, the oldest and best-preserved city wall in China. Walk atop the wall to enjoy panoramic views of the Xi’an skyline. Fly to Guilin late in the afternoon or at night. Known worldwide for its tranquil landscapes and enigmatic limestone formations, Guilin is one of the most frequently photographed cities in China.

Day 7 Explore Guilin

Destination: Guilin
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at Halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar

Begin the day with a visit to the enchanting Xianggong Hill, famed for its sweeping panoramic views of the Li River and the surrounding karst formations. Ascend its heights to be rewarded with spectacular vistas that embody the timeless beauty of Guilin. Next, unwind with a serene one-hour cruise along the most picturesque stretch of the Li River, from Yangdi to Chaobanshan. Glide through tranquil waters surrounded by striking karst mountains, whose jagged peaks rise magnificently from the riverbanks. Upon arriving in Yangshuo, take a leisurely stroll along the bustling West Street, soaking in its unique charm. End the day with a visit to the Two Rivers & Four Lakes Scenic Area. These lakes and rivers are linked up and formed Guilin’s central round-the-city water system, making Guilin just like a grand beautiful park.

Day 8 Explore Guilin, Fly to Hangzhou

Destination: Guilin, Hangzhou
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Mercure Hangzhou West Lake or similar

Kick off your morning with a visit to the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill. This natural wonder, formed from limestone deposited on the seabed 360 million years ago, bears an uncanny resemblance to a giant elephant drinking from the Li River. Next, visit the impressive Jingjiang Prince’s Mansion, a scaled-down replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City. Once the opulent home of the Ming Dynasty’s Prince Jingjiang, the mansion is enclosed by imposing walls and grand gates. Then, venture into the subterranean world of the Reed Flute Cave. Named for the reeds that grow outside and are used to make flutes, this natural wonder showcases an enchanting array of stalactite and stalagmite formations illuminated by colorful lights Fly to Hangzhou late in the afternoon or at night.

Day 9 Explore Hangzhou, Bullet Train to Suzhou

Destination: Hangzhou, Suzhou
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 4-star Mercure Suzhou Downtown or similar

Begin your day with a leisurely cruise on West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you glide across the calm waters, admire the stunning scenery of pagodas, gardens, and temples that dot the lake’s shores. Next, Delve into China’s tea culture at China National Tea Museum. This impressive institution houses an extensive collection of tea artifacts, including historical tea sets, brewing tools, and ancient tea leaves. Head to Meijiawu Tea Culture Village. This picturesque village is nestled amidst lush tea plantations and offers a glimpse into the daily lives of tea farmers. Take a leisurely stroll along Qinghefang Street, a charming pedestrian street lined with traditional shops, tea houses, and restaurants. Visit the landmark of the Qinghefang Street, Huqing Yutang, a over 100-year-old Chinese herbal dispensary and Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum. Take a bullet train to Suzhou (approx. 1 hour).

Day 10 Explore Suzhou, Transfer to Shanghai

Destination: Suzhou & Shanghai
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at Halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Local mosque
Accommodations: 5-star Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai or similar

Praised by Marco Polo as the Venice of the Orient, Suzhou has always been the silk capital of China as well as the whole world for centuries. Visit the UNSCO World Heritage Site of Humble Administrator’s Garden in the morning. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest garden in Suzhou and considered to be the finest garden in all of southern China. Next, visit a silk factory to see a display of the life-cycle of the silk worm and demonstrations of how the silk is harvested from the cocoons and eventually woven into fabric. After salat at Taipingfang Mosque, visit the Panmen Gate which is the original entrance to the city of Suzhou and is said to boast a history spanning 2,400 years. Then walk along the 1200 year old Shantang Street with old residences and shops selling snacks and handcrafts, like wood engravings and embroideries. Transfer to Shanghai late in the afternoon.

Day 1 Explore Shanghai

Destination: Shanghai
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at halal restaurants
Salat Prayer: Xiaotaoyuan Mosque
Accommodations: 5-star Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai or similar

Begin your Shanghai adventure at Yuyuan Garden, a labyrinth of Ming Dynasty pavilions, intricate rockeries, arched bridges, and goldfish ponds, all enveloped by a serpentine dragon wall. Follow this with a shopping spree at the bustling Chenghuangmiao market just outside the garden. Next, ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Shanghai’s skyline. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s famous 1.6 km waterfront on the west shore of the Huangpu River, and explore the vibrant Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Conclude your day with a walk through the charming French Concession, where tree-lined avenues and elegant old houses evoke the spirit of the “Paris of the East.” Afterwards, savor a delightful tea break and explore the vibrant Tianzifang, a captivating blend of local culture and contemporary art.

Day 12 Depart Shanghai

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel

A private transfer to the airport will be provided for your departure. If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know and we would be delighted to assist you in customizing your itinerary. Have a wonderful trip!