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.
Classic China

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 1 Regional Dinner (RD)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
- Beijing: Visit and have lunch with a local family in their home in one of Beijing's hutongs and gain a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lifestyle.
- Beijing: Indulge in a foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Centre.
- Xi'an: Discover the traditions and techniques of dumpling making, indulging in an opportunity to sample them.
- Xi'an: In Xi'an, you'll get to know the students and teachers at a local primary school, where Trafalgar donates much-needed supplies. Find out how your visit helps support their education in the local community.
- : Explore Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai
- : Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China, the Sacred Way in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and the 'Bund' waterfront and Jinmao Tower in Shanghai
- : See local people practicing T'ai Chi in the morning and the Shanghai Acrobats
- : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- : Optional Experiences and free time
- : Flights from Beijing to Xi'an and Xi'an to Shanghai.
Short Description
Follow in the footsteps of the ancients – up the ornate steps of the Forbidden City and to the ramparts of the Great Wall, snaking its way across the rolling countryside, and through the winding ancient alleys of Beijing’s hutongs to learn about Chinese traditions over a home-cooked lunch.
Itinerary
Day 1: Say Ni hao to China
Launch your discovery of China in its cultural heart. Transfer to your Beijing hotel where you’ll meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception drink and local appetizers this evening.
Novotel Peace
Welcome Reception
Day 2: Discover the Icons of Beijing
Delve into Beijing’s rich imperial heritage, beginning your encounter with the remnants of centuries-old dynasties in the world’s largest public space, Tiananmen Square. Tread in the footsteps of emperors, passing through the south gate to the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, the imperial palace for emperors and their households for over five centuries. Immerse yourself in the ancient rituals, traditions and history of this palace complex before lunch. Continue to the tranquil Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO Heritage Site, once visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for good harvests and divine guidance. This evening, the salty, sweet flavors of succulent Peking Duck take center stage during a Regional Dinner.
Novotel Peace
Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Dinner
Day 3: Journey to the Great Wall
We leave the city behind, bound for the iconic Great Wall of China at Juyongguan. Standing on its ramparts, we look down on the Chinese countryside which its walls successfully defended against marauding nomadic invaders. Watch it snake thousands of miles into the distance as you imagine how these man-made fortifications were built and rebuilt from the 5th century B.C. to the 16th century. Then, walk the Sacred Way past the imposing stone statues that guard the Ming Tombs and remains of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Novotel Peace
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Explore Beijing Connect with Locals Dive Into Culture
A leisurely start to our morning sees us embark on a rickshaw tour around the ancient narrow alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences. We Connect With Locals, joining a family for a delicious meal of traditional Chinese cuisine at a Be My Guest lunch, followed by a visit to a tea house, where a Local Specialist prepares and serves tea, explaining the historic tea-making ritual. This afternoon, we’ll indulge in a relaxing foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Center.
Novotel Peace
Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 5: Travel to Xi'an
We fly to Xi’an, which reveals its role as the ancient departure point of the Silk Road. Visit the Great Mosque, one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved mosques in China. According to historical records it was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty and is a combination of Islamic art and traditional Chinese architecture.
Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Breakfast
Day 6: Uncover Xi'an's Treasures Make Travel Matter
Descend into Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s subterranean tomb to see his terracotta army for the afterlife, another UNESCO-listed site. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal of Chinese noodles, then continue with a visit to a Jade factory, the favored stone of emperors and more precious to the Chinese people than gold.
Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Onwards to Shanghai Dive Into Culture
This morning, your choice of activities gives you an opportunity to mimic the graceful movements of a skilled T’ai Chi Local Specialist, or consider joining a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. We Dive Into Culture at a local restaurant, watching a demonstration in the art of making dumplings, with an opportunity to sample these for lunch. Savor the juicy flavors of these boiled, steamed and fried treats, transporting you back to ancient China, before transferring to the airport for our flight to Shanghai. Ascend to the 88-storey Jinmao Tower for panoramic views of the skyscrapers that loom over the most populous city on earth.
The Kunlun Jing'An
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Experience Shanghai Dive Into Culture
Stroll down Shanghai’s famous ‘Bund’ with a Local Specialist, admiring the neoclassical colonial buildings that have lined this city’s renowned waterfront since the early 1900s. Learn how this marshland was transformed into one of the world’s most important trading hubs. Then, continue to the winding streets and vibrant markets of Old Shanghai to discover the how the customs and traditional lifestyle of this area have remained relatively unaltered. Enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping in the Old Town before we Dive Into Culture during a visit to a silk museum. This evening, indulge in a performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
The Kunlun Jing'An
Breakfast
Day 9: Shanghai Your Way
Spend a day exploring the Paris of the East on your terms – shop for delicate Chinese ceramics, or consider joining an Optional Experience to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town founded more than 1,700 years ago. In its heyday, Zhujiajiao was a bustling market town. Today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and even a Qing Dynasty post office can still be found as you stroll down its ancient streets and wander across the many stone bridges that crisscross its canals. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time at leisure before joining your travel companions for a Farewell Dinner.
The Kunlun Jing'An
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 10: Farewell Shanghai
Our mystical encounter with China at its end, take a transfer to Shanghai Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar.
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.
19,555 Trafalgar Travel Reviews & Ratings
Classic China
Company Reviews
The excursions were wonderful
Fabulous
A wonderful experience!
Anonymous
Organized trip with some improvements
Some room for improvements::
Improve customer service with your Asian office. I had a hard time reaching out to Nancy. I booked online so all my questions will be handled by the Singapore office. When I emailed Nancy with all my concerns i need to follow up via whatsapp so she can read my email.
Most of the people I talked to during the trip wanted to have more time and days on areas/ location that is more popular. Example: we could have stayed in Ankara one more day to see the area. Most of the time we will arrive at the hotel 4pm to 5pm. Dinner would be around 6:30pm, dinner will end approximately 8:30pm to 9pm. Then, an early morning departure will cut the night. It would be good to extend another day on certain locations that are popular so guests can have a time for themselves.
Anonymous
Details
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Maximum Number of People in Group: 40
Accommodations
- Novotel Peace
- Wyndham Grand Xi'an South
- The Kunlun Jing'An
Trip ID#:
trafalgar-CLCZN19
Meals Included
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 1 Regional Dinner (RD)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
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.
×Now, Unlock Member Savings
Our Travelstride Select trips allow you and your travel companions to save up to $700. You wouldn’t want to miss that, right?
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 $ 600 per person on this trip!
