Beijing & Xi'an: shaped around you

Beijing historical stories

This morning, step into the peaceful Temple of Heaven. The temple is considered the most holy of Beijing's imperial temples. It has been described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design" and listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum of China, which collects, researches, displays and interprets China's fine traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture. It is the top palace of history and art and a cultural parlour for China.

Beijing local lifestyle

This morning, walk in the hutongs and learn about local Beijingers' life. Walk along Guozijian Street, also home to the Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy since the Qing Dynasty. If the opportunity arises, chat with a friendly Beijinger along the street and learn about the development of Beijing from the locals' eyes.

After lunch we go to the 798 Art District, which shows the vibrant side of Beijing. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organisations began to divide, rent out and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into galleries, art centers, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants and bars.

Family day

This morning, walk in the hutongs and learn about local Beijingers' life. There are lots of fun things to be found in the hutong: you can follow the local people to learn how to play the kongzhu (Chinese diabolo), visit a hutong family, and listen to locals introduce life and household items in Beijing decades ago. At lunchtime you can learn how to make dumplings in a local's house.

In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Summer Palace. Initially built by Emperor Qianlong in 1750 to celebrate his mother's birthday, the Summer Palace is the most well-preserved royal garden in Beijing and a UNESCO heritage site. Walk in the beautiful garden and take a one-hour private boat ride on Kunming Lake (the boat is available from late March to November).

Classic Great Wall route

No visit to Beijing is complete without the Great Wall. Embark on an exhilarating day trip to Mutianyu Great Wall, a masterpiece of ancient engineering nestled amid breathtaking natural landscapes. A cable car ascent offers panoramic views of the undulating hills and lush greenery.

After taking in the Great Wall's majestic beauty and its storied past, descend from the heights in a thrilling fashion: a toboggan ride lets you glide along the winding track for a touch of adventure while relishing the surrounding scenery. Tonight you can also choose to stay near the Great Wall.

Great Wall hiking tour

After breakfast we check out and drive about two hours to Jinshanling Great Wall, then hike from here to Simatai Great Wall. It's a challenging hike, about 20 km, taking around 7 to 8 hours. The hike takes you along the meandering Great Wall, experiencing sections of majestic watchtower and atmospheric crumbling stretches. Scenery is outstanding and you are away from the crowds.

Coming down from the Great Wall, we spend the night in Gubei Water Town, a lovely restored historical village.

Xi'an historical stories

This morning, visit the excellent Provincial History Museum, one of the largest museums in Xi'an, with a collection founded in Xi'an and the surrounding area (closed on Monday).

In the late afternoon, go to the Imperial Wall Site Museum, where you can choose a first-grade reception including a laser video showing the historical sites. Take the elevator to the top of the 600-year-old city wall, ride a bicycle above the wall, or visit the wall on foot; it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to walk from the Hanguang Gate to the south gate. Followed by a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty.

Wait for the lights to come on to walk on Datang Everbright City, experiencing the prosperous Tang Dynasty (you can choose to wear traditional Tang costumes).

Family day in Xi'an

After breakfast, we visit Xi'an Museum. Through the themed display "Ancient Capital Xi'an", you can understand the history of the capital and its development. Visit the World Heritage Little Wild Goose Pagoda and watch one of the eight views of Guanzhong, the Wild Goose Pagoda morning bell; under the witness of the pagoda, ring the bell and pray together with your family, sending your best wishes.

This afternoon, visit the Qujiang Art Museum to see Ming and Qing dynasty gold and jade wares and the archaeological mural restoration room, and watch the unearthed Ming and Qing murals. After a mural restoration simulation experience, use our customized mural simulation restoration package to try the restoration yourself.

Wait for the lights to come on to walk on Datang Everbright City, experiencing the prosperous Tang Dynasty (you can choose to wear traditional Tang costumes).

Huxian farmer painting day trip

After breakfast we drive 1.5 hours to Huxian, a country town, to enjoy the farm scenery, see the farmers' homes, enjoy the farmers' paintings and listen to their stories. Mr Zhang Qingyi, a Chinese peasant painter, is now a first-class painter, a creative researcher of the Chinese Farmers' Calligraphy and Painting Research Association, and the executive director of the Shaanxi Farmers' Painting Association and vice chairman of the Huxian Farmers' Painting Association.

Guests can visit traditional rural dwellings in Guanzhong, enjoy traditional gongs and drum performances celebrating the harvest, visit Zhang Qingyi's studio, listen to his legendary stories and enjoy his paintings on the spot (you may choose to eat his family's usual farmhouse meals).