Explore China’s most breathtaking natural and iconic cultural highlights on this luxurious 9-day small-group all-inclusive tour, which takes you across three unforgettable destinations: the imperial capital Beijing, the ancient historic city of Xi’an, and Guilin’s world-famous karst river landscapes. Curated for ultimate comfort and hassle-free travel, this top-rated trip includes stays at premium 5-star hotels, delivers excellent value at a competitive price point, and offers secure, trusted payments to give you total peace of mind when booking.
This 9-day journey starts in Beijing, China’s centuries-old imperial capital, where you’ll check off bucket-list historic sights before traveling west to Xi’an, the ancient walled city home to the world-famous Terracotta Army. After diving into thousands of years of Chinese history, you’ll head south to Guilin, where dreamlike karst mountain peaks and the winding Li River create some of the most iconic scenic landscapes in the world. This route is carefully designed to blend must-see highlights with intimate cultural experiences, perfect for discerning travelers who want to experience the best of China without the stress of independent planning.
Today you’ll arrive in bustling Beijing and check into your 5-star base at Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong. No scheduled activities mean you can take it easy after travel, explore the nearby neighborhood at your own pace, and rest up for your full days of sightseeing ahead. 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong
Kick off your first full day of exploration with a filling Western buffet breakfast, then head to the iconic Tiananmen Square before stepping into the Forbidden City, the former enclosed home of Chinese emperors for hundreds of years. Wander through ornate palaces and tranquil courtyards as you learn about imperial Chinese history, then travel to the Temple of Heaven, a stunning UNESCO-listed site where ancient emperors once held worship ceremonies. In the evening, catch a thrilling acrobatic performance at Beijing’s famous Red Theater, then sit down for a special welcome a la carte dinner with your group. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch, welcome a la carte dinner 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong
Today is your long-awaited visit to the Great Wall of China! After a hearty breakfast, you’ll head to the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section, with round-trip cable car access to carry you easily up to the wall. Walk along the ancient fortification as you take in sweeping views of the wall winding through forested mountains, then join your group for a celebratory red wine toast right on the wall. On your return to the city, you’ll stop for a photo at the iconic Olympic National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest), then end your day with a leisurely rickshaw ride through traditional Beijing hutong alleyways, getting a glimpse of old-school local life. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, buffet lunch 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong
After breakfast, you’ll visit the Summer Palace, Beijing’s beautiful imperial summer retreat dotted with traditional pavilions, lush gardens, and the scenic Kunming Lake. Explore this UNESCO-listed green space with your guide, then enjoy a group lunch before traveling from Beijing to Xi’an. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your 5-star accommodation for the next few nights. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Crowne Plaza Xi'an
Today you’ll discover Xi’an’s most famous treasure: the Terracotta Army, a 2,000-year-old army of clay warriors built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. After exploring the massive archaeological pits, you’ll get a unique insider experience: a visit to the home of the local farmer who first discovered the warriors. Then, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on workshop where you’ll sculpt your own mini clay warrior to take home as a souvenir. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the 7th-century Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist landmark, then end your day with a traditional dumpling dinner followed by the enchanting Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, lunch, traditional dumpling dinner 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Crowne Plaza Xi'an
Start your day with a gentle, rejuvenating Tai Chi practice led by a local master in the scenic City Wall Park, the perfect way to wake up after a busy day of exploration. Next, you’ll walk along Xi’an’s incredibly well-preserved ancient City Wall, taking in panoramic views of the city stretching out below you. After that, wander through the bustling historic Muslim Quarter, the heart of Xi’an’s local Hui culture, where you’ll sample a range of delicious authentic local street foods. Wrap up your day with a visit to the Great Mosque, a 1,000-year-old place of worship that beautifully blends Chinese and Islamic architectural styles. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, local flavor lunch 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Crowne Plaza Xi'an
After breakfast, you’ll travel from Xi’an south to Guilin, the scenic riverside city famous for its otherworldly karst landscapes. Once you arrive, you’ll head out to explore Guilin’s most iconic natural sights: the magical Reed Flute Cave, a massive limestone cave filled with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and glowing rock formations, followed by a visit to Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin’s signature landmark that looks just like a giant elephant sipping water from the Li River. After sightseeing, you’ll check into your 5-star hotel for the remainder of your trip. 🍽️ Included meal: Western buffet breakfast 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Sheraton Guilin
Today you’ll experience the iconic Li River, widely considered the most scenic river in China. After breakfast, you’ll board your cruise for a leisurely sail from Guilin to Yangshuo, drifting past hundreds of dramatic karst peaks that rise straight out of the river’s calm waters. You’ll enjoy a box lunch right on board as you soak up the postcard-perfect views. Once you dock in Yangshuo, you’ll wander through charming West Street, Yangshuo’s famous pedestrian hub full of local shops and cafes, then head into the surrounding countryside for a visit to a local peasant’s home to get a glimpse of rural Chinese life. In the evening, you’ll return to Guilin and your hotel. 🍽️ Included meals: Western buffet breakfast, on-board box lunch 🏨 Hotel: 5-star Sheraton Guilin
After enjoying a final Western buffet breakfast at your hotel, your 9-day China adventure comes to an end. You’ll check out and depart for your next destination or head to the airport for your onward journey. 🍽️ Included meal: Western buffet breakfast
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 30, 2026
This 9-day itinerary was perfectly paced, with just the right amount of sightseeing and downtime each day. I loved that we got to experience both big cultural sites and stunning natural scenery across three different parts of China. The all-inclusive pricing meant I never had to stress about unexpected extra costs during the trip.
February 14, 2026
As someone who loves both nature and history, this tour checked every single box for me. Beijing's imperial sites were stunning, Xi'an's Terracotta Army felt even more awe-inspiring than I'd seen in photos, and Guilin's karst mountain landscapes took my breath away. The small group meant we could move quickly through sites and ask our guide as many questions as we wanted, and all the 5-star hotels had incredible amenities. I'll definitely be booking another trip through this company again.
November 19, 2025
I was nervous about booking a group tour to China for my first visit, but this experience completely changed my mind. The small group size kept everything intimate, and our guide was incredibly passionate about sharing local culture and history with us. Every 5-star hotel was clean, comfortable, and well-located, and all the included meals featured authentic local dishes that were far better than any restaurant I would have picked on my own. This is easily the best organized international trip I've ever taken.
October 3, 2025
All-inclusive luxury made this trip completely stress-free from start to finish.
June 17, 2025
I booked this trip for my 30th wedding anniversary with my wife, and it couldn't have been more perfect. We got to see all the iconic highlights from the Forbidden City to the Li River cruise, and never had to worry about planning any of the logistics ourselves. The included meals were delicious, with plenty of options for different dietary preferences too.
April 22, 2025
Our consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip helped us tweak our itinerary and answered every random question we had before we even left the US, which made the whole experience totally seamless. The 5-star hotels were all in perfect locations, close to major attractions but quiet enough for a good night's sleep after a day of exploring. Cruising the Li River in Guilin and seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi'an were moments I'll never forget, and the small group size meant we got plenty of personal attention from our guide. I can't imagine a better introduction to China than this tour.
February 10, 2025
We had an absolutely wonderful time exploring all three incredible cities, though the Great Wall was a lot more wonderful than we expected during our visit over the Lunar New Year holiday. Everything else from the 5-star hotels to the included meals exceeded our expectations, so we still highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a stress-free luxury China experience.
January 18, 2025
Every detail of this luxury tour was perfectly planned.
December 29, 2024
Small group size meant we never felt rushed or crowded. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about every historical and natural site we visited in Beijing, Guilin, and Xi'an.
December 5, 2024
Worth every penny for a luxury, no-hassle China tour.
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