Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
The Best of China

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Visit Beijing
- Visit intriguing Tang Art Museum
- Explore Shanghai
Short Description
.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA
Your magical journey with our Best of China tour package begins this afternoon as you depart on your wide-body jet flight bound for Beijing.
Day 2: Arrive Beijing
Accommodation: Beijing Capital Hotel
After crossing the International Date Line you arrive late this afternoon in Beijing, China’s lively capital and recent host to the Summer Olympics. You’ll be greeted at the airport and travel to your upscale hotel centrally located in downtown Beijing, within easy access to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a welcome briefing.
Day 3: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, visit the Forbidden City, the former seat of the emperors throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a true architectural masterpiece and is home to the National Palace museum. After lunch, proceed to the Summer Palace, a former royal retreat and now a lovely park. Here you might consider a scenic boat ride on peaceful Kunming Lake. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.
Day 4: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
On today’s exhilarating excursion, venture outside the city to the legendary Great Wall, which extends nearly 4,000 miles. Time to view and mount the well-preserved ramparts of this ancient wonder before proceeding to the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. On the way back to the city, make a photo stop at the iconic Beijing 2008 Olympic Park, including the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube which now hosts many spectacular opening ceremonies and events. Marvel at the stunning exterior of these buildings before returning to Beijing. This evening, delight in an optional banquet featuring the famous “Peking Duck” and attend the famous “Legend of Kung Fu” Show.
Day 5: Beijing/Xian
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Golden Flower Hotel
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. You may join an optional excursion to Beijing’s ancient back alleys (Hutong) by rickshaw and witness the way the Chinese have lived for centuries, and then proceed to the Temple of Heaven. Later today, fly to Xian, ancient capital of China for eleven dynasties and historic gateway to the old silk trading route.
Day 6: Xian
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
On a guided morning excursion visit one of the world’s most amazing archaeological discoveries: a life-size Terra Cotta Army of soldiers and horses guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi. It was unearthed in 1974 after being buried with the first Qin emperor for 22 centuries! Afterwards, visit the intriguing Tang Art Museum and view excellent exhibits and demonstrations of Chinese culture including folk art, ancient painting works, and calligraphy. On this evening’s optional outing, savor a delicious dumpling dinner, a local specialty, and delight in a Tang Dynasty spectacular folklore show.
Day 7: Xian/Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tibet Hotel Chengdu
Today you’ll travel to the train station where you’ll take a high-speed train from Xian to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province and once the capital of the Shu Kingdom. Upon arrival in Chengdu, you’ll travel to your hotel.
Day 8: Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Start the day with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for a truly memorable experience. The research base has created a perfect ecological environment for the breeding of pandas and other precious and rare wild animals. Giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base live in large naturalistic habitats which help visitors understand how these animals live in the wild. This Research Base is one of the important centers in China for the captive conservation of giant pandas and the current goal is to increase the captive population of giant pandas with an ultimate goal of reintroducing giant pandas to the wild.
After lunch enjoy a stroll down the narrow Jinli Street where you’ll find yourself surrounded by old-world stores selling Shu Embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, curios, or calligraphy. Featuring traditional architecture, snacks, and folk customs, Jinli Street is synonymous with leisure. You’ll also find many cafes here, blending modern elements into the old town harmoniously.You may choose to relax and sit on a wooden bench with a cup of delicious coffee.
Day 9: Chengdu/Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan Hotel
Today, fly to Shanghai, often described as “Paris of the East”. An intriguing, dynamic city, today’s Shanghai weaves the seaport legacy of its past with impressive new 21st century architecture.
Day 10
Meals: Breakfast
Embark on a guided orientation drive and stroll down the Bund, the bustling and exciting waterfront along the Huangpu River. Next, enjoy a guided walk amidst the scenic ponds, colorful pavilions and walkways of the 16th century Yu Yuan Garden, a delightful reminder of old Shanghai. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore at your own pace. You may join an optional excursion to see the Shanghai Tower followed by a visit to the famous Jade Buddha Temple which houses exceptional Buddha statues carved of a single piece of white jade. This evening you may join an optional dinner followed by a mesmerizing acrobatic show.
Day 11: Optional Suzhou Excursion
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
A full day at your leisure to explore Shanghai as you wish. We recommend an exciting optional excursion to the charming, canal laced Suzhou, often called “Paradise on Earth”. Here you embark on a boat ride on the ancient “Grand Canal” and visit one of Suzhou’s most famous gardens as well as other city highlights. Return to Shanghai later this afternoon. This evening join your fellow travelers for an included festive farewell dinner at a famous local restaurant.
Day 12: Shanghai/USA
Meals: Breakfast
Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Your memorable journey of your China Tours come to an end as you arrive back in the U.S. later today.
Availability
- Single Supplement: $ 499
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with SmarTours.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click
"Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for
the final trip price.
1,106 SmarTours Travel Reviews & Ratings
The Best of China
Nice Trip
Wonderful tour
Great Tour
Company Reviews
As this was our first organized/group tour I didn’t know what to expect
It was excellent
tour was outstanding
Details
Optional Activities
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
- Beijing - Evening Peking duck dinner banquet and kung fu performance: From approx. $50 per person
- Beijing - Full-Day Hutong (Old Beijing) & Temple Of Heaven Tour With Lunch: From approx. $65 per person
- Xian - Dumpling dinner and tang dynasty show: From approx. $45 per person
- Shanghai - Afternoon Shanghai Tower And Jade Buddha Temple Tour With Lunch: From Approx. $38 per person
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Intimate Group - 12 max
Cancellation policy
Cancellation charges per person are:
- Up to 75 days before departure: $300
- 74-45 days before departure: $600
- 44-30 days before departure: $1000
- 29-10 days before departure: $1500
- 9 days or fewer before departure: No refund.
- All cancellations must be received in writing.
Trip ID#:
SmaBesChi
Meals Included
10 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 2 Dinners
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By clicking «Send my questions» you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. An account will be created for you to track your submission and a temporary password will be emailed to you.
×You can access members-only savings of up to $700 on over 6,000 Travelstride Select trips.
Sign in to see trip eligibility
With your FREE membership you get to:
- Save up to $700 per person!*
- Access private deals and offers
- See personalized trip recommendations
- Save favorite trips
We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
You could save $ 300 per person on this trip!
