Explore the very best of China’s iconic ancient history and dynamic modern vibrancy on this 10-day China Golden Triangle Tour, which takes you across six unmissable destinations spanning imperial capitals and scenic coastal gems: Beijing, Xi’an, Luoyang, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Curated to highlight China’s most celebrated landmarks and authentic cultural experiences, this handpicked itinerary delivers unbeatable value alongside secure, trusted payment options for a seamless, worry-free cross-China adventure.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
This 10-day cross-country adventure starts in the imperial capital Beijing, then travels south via high-speed rail to historic Nanjing (one of China’s six ancient capitals), before winding through the picturesque water towns of Jiangnan (Suzhou and Tongli) and stopping in bustling, modern Shanghai. From Shanghai, we head west to the ancient Buddhist cultural hub of Luoyang, ending our journey in Xi’an — the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders. This route weaves together imperial palaces, awe-inspiring ancient art, quiet water town charm, and dynamic modern city energy, giving you a complete, layered look at China’s past and present.
After your arrival in China’s capital, we handle all transfer logistics to get you to your accommodation steps from iconic Wangfujing Street, Beijing’s famous historic shopping and dining district. We kick off your adventure with a warm welcome dinner to help you settle in after a long journey. 🍽️ Included: Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Central 4-star Beijing hotel (Mercure Beijing Downtown, Grand Concordia, or Grand Mercure Beijing Downtown)
Today brings the highlight many travelers wait for: a trip to the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall! You’ll ride a cable car both up and down the winding mountain ridge, giving you plenty of time to walk the ancient battlements and snap postcard-perfect views without overexerting yourself. After descending, we visit the trendy 798 Art District — a former factory complex turned creative hub filled with street murals, galleries, and cool cafes — before stopping at the historic Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests. Unwind after your full day of exploring with a relaxing foot massage, then dig into a mouthwatering traditional lacquered duck dinner before heading back to your hotel. 🍽️ Included: Dinner (signature Beijing lacquered duck) | 🏨 Overnight: Central Beijing hotel
We dive deep into imperial history today, starting with a visit to the Forbidden City, the walled palace complex that housed China’s emperors for more than 500 years (note: entrance is subject to official availability). After exploring the Forbidden City’s hundreds of courtyards and palaces, we climb Coal Hill in Jingshan Park, where you’ll get a stunning panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City spread out below. We also stop by iconic Tiananmen Square and the sprawling, lush Summer Palace, the emperors’ scenic summer retreat famous for its marble boat and winding lakes. A tasty local lunch is included after your full day of sightseeing. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Overnight: Central Beijing hotel
Today we say goodbye to Beijing and board a comfortable high-speed train south to Nanjing, one of China’s most historically significant ancient capitals. Once we arrive, we head straight to Purple Mountain to visit the iconic Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, perched on a forested hillside with sweeping views of the city below. After exploring the mausoleum, we visit the quiet, ancient Linggu Temple, a beautiful Buddhist site tucked away in the mountain’s pine forests. A hot breakfast is included before we depart Beijing, and you’ll stay at a comfortable central Nanjing hotel for the night. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight: Central Nanjing property (Novotel Nanjing Central, Hilton Nanjing Riverside, or New Jin)
Today we travel through the scenic water town region of Jiangnan, starting in Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East” for its classical gardens and canal networks. We explore the Garden of the Humble Administrator, one of China’s most famous and beautiful traditional gardens, filled with delicate pavilions, winding paths, and reflective koi ponds. Next, we head to the ancient water town of Tongli, where you’ll glide through narrow, willow-lined canals on a scenic boat ride, soaking up the quiet charm of centuries-old water town life. After our day of exploration, we travel on to Shanghai, where we check you into your downtown hotel. A delicious local lunch is included along the way. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Overnight: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis
We explore the best of Shanghai today, starting with a scenic ferry ride across the Huangpu River, where you’ll get iconic views of the colonial-era skyline of the Bund on one side and the glittering skyscrapers of Pudong on the other. After the ferry ride, we visit charming Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old classical garden in the heart of old Shanghai, filled with exotic rock formations and quiet pavilions. You’ll get to take part in a peaceful traditional Chinese tea ceremony right in the Yuyuan area, learning about the art of Chinese tea culture while sipping fine local teas. A tasty lunch is included to round out your day. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Overnight: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis
Today we board a high-speed train heading west to Luoyang, one of China’s oldest ancient capitals and a key early center of Buddhist culture in China. Once we arrive, we head straight to the world-famous Longmen Buddhist Caves, a UNESCO-listed site where thousands of intricately carved Buddhist statues line the cliff faces above the Yi River. After exploring the caves on foot, we take a scenic boat ride along the river to get a one-of-a-kind view of the carved cliffs from the water. A local lunch is included after your day of sightseeing, and you’ll stay at a comfortable central Luoyang hotel for the night. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Overnight: Central Luoyang property (Mercure Luoyang or Ramada By Wyndham Downtown Luoyang)
Today we continue our journey west through Henan province, ending our day in Xi’an. We start in Luoyang with a visit to the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, the oldest Buddhist temple in China, founded more than 1,900 years ago when Buddhism first arrived in China from India. Next, we stop at Baolun Temple in Sanmenxia and the Guo Museum, home to a stunning collection of ancient bronze artifacts from the Western Zhou Dynasty. A tasty lunch is included along our route, and we’ll check you into your comfortable Xi’an hotel once we arrive. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Overnight: Central Xi'an property (Novotel Xi'an SCPG or Delta By Marriott Xi'an)
Today brings another unmissable highlight: a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army, the 2,000-year-old archaeological site where thousands of life-size clay warriors and horses stand guard over the tomb of the first emperor of China. After exploring this incredible UNESCO site, we head back to central Xi’an to visit the graceful ancient Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7th-century Buddhist pagoda surrounded by quiet, leafy temple grounds. Next, we explore the Great Mosque in Xi’an’s lively Muslim Quarter, a unique blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture that has been a center of local Muslim life for more than a thousand years. Entrance to the iconic Drum Tower, the historic landmark in the heart of old Xi’an, is also included. 🏨 Overnight: Central Xi'an property (Novotel Xi'an SCPG or Delta By Marriott Xi'an)
Your 10-day journey across China comes to an end today after a complimentary breakfast at your hotel. You’ll be free to arrange your onward travel at your leisure, with a pocket full of memories and a new love for China’s rich culture and history. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
April 18, 2026
I was worried that visiting six cities in 10 days would feel too hectic, but the transportation and scheduling were perfectly planned. The mix of ancient imperial capitals, picturesque water towns, and modern megacities gave me a complete picture of what makes China such an incredible destination. The Terracotta Army alone was worth the price of the tour, and every other stop exceeded my expectations.
February 10, 2026
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As someone who loves both history and modern city exploration, this tour checked every single box on my list. I got to walk through the Forbidden City in Beijing, marvel at the ancient Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, wander the quiet classic gardens of Suzhou, and end the trip with a night view of Shanghai’s iconic Bund that took my breath away. Nanjing’s meaningful historical sites added such important context to China’s story that I really appreciated being able to include. The 10-day length felt just right, not too short to skip anything important and not too long to feel overwhelming. This is easily the best organized international tour I’ve ever been on.
This was the trip of a lifetime, and I left already planning my next visit back to China.
I came on this tour to see China’s famous ancient sites, and I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the modern stops in Shanghai and the hidden gems in Luoyang. The itinerary flows so well from the east coast all the way to Xi’an, letting you see how China’s history connects across different regions. I loved getting to try local food in each city too, from Beijing roast duck to Shanghai soup dumplings and Xi’an’s famous chewy biang biang noodles. If you’re looking for a comprehensive introduction to China that doesn’t cut corners on the best sites, this is the tour for you.
I visited during the May national holiday, so popular sites like the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army were much more wonderful than I expected. Everything else on the itinerary was perfectly organized, from the comfortable transport between cities to the well-timed stops at Nanjing’s historical sites and Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes. All the stops felt well-paced, not rushed, and we had plenty of time to explore and take photos. I’m still giving a high rating because the experience was incredible, just wished I’d gone outside of peak holiday season.
Our consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip helped adjust our itinerary slightly to add an extra afternoon in Suzhou, which made the trip even better. Every stop felt curated to show off the very best of China’s imperial past and modern present, and we never felt rushed between destinations.
This tour perfectly balanced ancient history and modern China, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the country.
Every city on this tour brought something new and unforgettable, from Shanghai’s glittering skyline to Xi’an’s ancient warriors.
Standing on the Great Wall outside Beijing and seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi'an were lifelong dreams come true. Our route through Suzhou’s canals and Shanghai’s Bund gave such a great mix of old and new. I’d recommend this trip to any first-time visitor to China.
I’ve wanted to visit China for decades, and this tour exceeded every expectation I had. Every city brought a new surprise, from Nanjing’s beautiful tree-lined boulevards to the awe-inspiring section of the Great Wall we visited outside Beijing.
