Amelia Rodriguez
April 21, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Dive into thousands of years of Chinese imperial history on this 12-day ancient capitals discovery tour, which guides you through six of China’s most historically significant former capital cities: Beijing, Xi’an, Luoyang, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Carefully curated to showcase the top cultural and historical highlights of every stop, this well-planned trip delivers exceptional value at a competitive price point, backed by trusted, secure payment processing for total peace of mind throughout your booking experience.
This 12-day journey traces the footsteps of emperors, dynasties, and modern changemakers across northern, central, and eastern China, taking you through six former imperial seats all brimming with centuries of cultural legacy. Starting in the modern capital Beijing, you'll travel west to ancient Silk Road capital Xi'an, stop at the early imperial capital of Luoyang, then head east to the historic Yangtze delta capital Nanjing, before moving on to scenic tea-growing Hangzhou, and ending your trip in bustling modern Shanghai. The route blends must-see world-famous landmarks with authentic local cultural experiences, giving you a complete, immersive deep dive into China's layered 5,000-year history.
Today is your arrival day in Beijing, China's vibrant capital! After meeting your tour group and checking into your hotel 🏨, the rest of the day is free for you to adjust to the new time zone, grab a taste of local street food, and settle in before your adventure begins.
Kick off your exploration with a full day at one of China's most breathtaking landmarks: the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. We'll travel via comfortable private bus round-trip from your hotel, heading straight to this well-preserved, crowd-friendly stretch of the wall. Spend the day wandering the ancient ramparts, soaking in panoramic views of the wall winding through misty green mountains, and capturing once-in-a-lifetime photos. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Spend your final full day in Beijing visiting the city's most iconic imperial landmarks. We start with a stop at expansive Tiananmen Square, the geographic heart of the city, before stepping into the 600-year-old Forbidden City — once the exclusive private domain of Chinese emperors, now open to explore its gilded palaces and hidden courtyards. We'll take a leisurely walking tour of central Beijing, using the city's convenient public transit to get between stops, before preparing for our onward journey. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Dive into Buddhist and martial arts heritage in Luoyang before moving on to Xi'an. First, we visit legendary Shaolin Monastery, the birthplace of Chinese Kungfu, where we'll watch a thrilling live performance by skilled Shaolin warriors. After exploring the serene Pagoda Forest — a unique ancient cemetery of hundreds of stone Buddhist pagodas — we head to the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes, where thousands of ancient Buddhist carvings line the banks of the Yi River. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, and a special innovative vegetarian feast at Yongtai Temple After our day of exploration, we travel onward to Xi'an for overnight stay 🏨.
Get to know ancient imperial capital Xi'an on a leisurely walking tour that blends history and local culture. We'll wander the 14-kilometer well-preserved Xi'an City Wall, climbing the ramparts to explore the historic gates that once protected the city. Next, we head to the lively Muslim Quarter, Xi'an's most famous food and cultural neighborhood, where you can soak up the bustling, vibrant local atmosphere. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, group dinner of local specialties in the Muslim Quarter
Today brings a visit to Xi'an's most famous UNESCO wonder: the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army. We'll take a comfortable private bus from the city center out to the archaeological site, where an expert guide will walk you through the site and share the story of this clay army built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. You'll get to explore all three main excavation pits, home to thousands of uniquely detailed life-sized warriors, before we travel onward to Nanjing. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Explore Nanjing's rich mix of ancient and modern history on a full city tour. We stop first at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the stately memorial to the founder of modern China, set in a scenic forested park. Next, we visit Nanjing Museum, one of China's oldest and largest museums, home to priceless artifacts spanning thousands of years of regional history. We end the day at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, a moving memorial that preserves the history of this tragic 20th-century event. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
We leave Nanjing behind and travel via comfortable high-speed train east to scenic Hangzhou, world-famous for its natural landscapes and centuries-old tea culture. After arriving, we head straight to iconic West Lake, a UNESCO-listed scenic spot dotted with ancient pavilions and willow-lined shores. We'll take a relaxing boat tour across the lake to take in the postcard-perfect views from the water, then sit down to a delicious meal of classic Hangzhou cuisine right in the heart of the West Lake area. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, lunch
Dive into Hangzhou's most famous cultural tradition today: a visit to Longjing Tea Village. We travel up into the misty hills that have grown China's most prized green tea for centuries, where you'll get a hands-on lesson in picking tender young tea leaves straight from the farm. After your picking experience, you'll get to taste a freshly brewed cup of authentic premium Longjing tea and learn what makes this tea famous around the world. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
After days of scenic relaxation in Hangzhou, we board a fast bullet train east to Shanghai, China's most dynamic modern cosmopolitan city. After checking into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free to get your first taste of the city — stop for a plate of soup dumplings or peek at the famous skyline on your own. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Explore the best of old and new Shanghai on a full-day city tour. We start with a walking tour of Shanghai's historic colonial district, then head to the iconic Bund, the famous waterfront lined with art deco buildings that offers unbeatable views of Pudong's glittering modern skyline across the river. We'll use Shanghai's extensive modern subway system to get between stops, giving you a feel for how locals navigate the city. Later, we visit classic Yuyuan Gardens, a 400-year-old traditional Chinese garden filled with pavilions, ponds, and winding paths. We end the tour with a celebratory dinner of classic Shanghai specialties. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, dinner of Shanghai specialties
Today is your departure day from Shanghai, the end of your ancient capitals adventure. After enjoying your included breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your onward journey, with plenty of unforgettable memories of China in tow. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
No core scheduled activities included in the tour price are excluded. Standard items not covered:
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 21, 2026
Going into this tour, I only really knew about Beijing and Xi'an from my college history classes, but I left with a whole new understanding of how China's imperial history evolved across millennia. Hangzhou's West Lake, a former Southern Song capital, felt like stepping into a traditional Chinese painting, and the context our guide gave made it even more meaningful. All intercity transfers and accommodation were arranged seamlessly, so I never had to stress about logistics. If you want to go beyond the typical surface-level China trip, this tour is perfect for you.
February 18, 2026
This tour is an absolute must-book for anyone who loves ancient history and well-planned travel.
September 10, 2025
I was surprised by how much I loved the less famous stops on this itinerary, like Luoyang and Nanjing. The Longmen Grottoes and ancient city walls were unforgettable highlights that I never would have prioritized on a solo trip. The pace of the 12 days was just right, never too rushed or too slow.
July 19, 2025
From the Terracotta Army to the Forbidden City, every moment of this tour felt magical and informative.
June 18, 2025
My consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust my dietary restrictions before the tour started, and everything was perfectly arranged when I arrived. Each local guide across the six cities was incredibly knowledgeable, turning old historical facts into vivid, engaging stories. I loved that we got to visit both iconic landmarks and quiet local spots that don't make it onto most tourist itineraries. This is easily the best organized historical tour I've ever joined, and I'll recommend it to all my friends.
May 2, 2025
The itinerary, guides and historical content on this tour were absolutely fantastic. We traveled during peak May holiday season, however, and every major site was far more wonderful than I expected, which made it hard to fully enjoy some stops.
March 12, 2025
This 12-day tour was the perfect deep dive into thousands of years of Chinese imperial history.
December 28, 2024
I've been obsessed with Chinese history for years, and this tour checked every single box on my wishlist. Every stop brought new, fascinating insights that I never would have found exploring on my own.
