Classic Xi'an to Beijing Adventure
8 days from Xi'an to Beijing
From $ 1099
Duration8 days

To truly understand China, you’ve got to get out and meet it on its own terms, which is exactly what this eight-day trip through the country’s northern reaches delivers. Up here, you’ll get to the big stuff (the Great Wall, Xi’an, Beijing) and lesser-known treasures that only the hardiest of travellers ever get to experience: Datong’s Hanging Monastery, the amazing Yungang Buddha Caves, the nearly 3,000-year-old city of Pingyao, even a calligraphy class, to name just a few.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Xi'an
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Beijing
    Ages: 12+
Classic Xi'an to Beijing Adventure - Tour Map

Itinerary

Expand all
Day 1: Xi'an

Start place: Xi'an

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time. Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th, 2019/2020/2021. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.

End place: Xi'an

Day 2: Xi'an/Pingyao

Start place: Xi'an

Board a morning fast train to the ancient city of Pingyao. On arrival, get hands-on with a paper cutting class.

End place: Pingyao

Day 3: Pingyao/Datong

Start place: Pingyao

Datong is famous for its temples, pagodas, and other Buddhist structures in the area. The Huayan Monastery and Nine-Dragon Screen are excellent examples of the treasures found in the middle of the city.
Hop on a train to Datong after a free morning in Pingyao.

End place: Datong

Meals: B
Day 4: Datong/Datong

Start place: Datong

The Hanging Monastery (or Hanging Temple) is a wooden structure built into a cliff at the foot of a mountain more than 1,500 years ago. It includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements.

Further afield are the Yungang Grottoes; there are currently 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues of the Buddha remaining. Enjoy a guided visit to the grottoes to marvel at them in person. Beyond that is Mt Hengshan, one of the five sacred mountains of China.

Opt to check out Datong's six remaining pagodas, which gave the city the nickname "City of Pagodas".
Set eyes on the gorgeous Hanging Monastery and visit the Yungang Grottoes to see the thousands of Buddha statues.

End place: Datong

Meals: B
Day 5: Datong/Beijing

Start place: Datong

Take a final morning to explore Datong. Later, board a local train to Beijing and arrive in the evening.

End place: Beijing

Meals: B
Day 6: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Enjoy a visit to the famed Forbidden City then take the rest of the day to explore on your own.

End place: Beijing

Meals: B
Day 7: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and enjoy time to wander around, take photos, and pick up souvenirs.

Opt to pre-book the Beijing Kung Fu Show and/or the Beijing Acrobatics Performance on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.

End place: Beijing

Day 8: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Depart at any time.

End place: Beijing

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-Cut Class, Pingyao
  • Forbidden City visit
  • Great Wall Mutianyu excursion
  • Hanging Monastery visit
  • Yungang Grottoes visit
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Train, Private vehicle
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (6 nts), Sleep train (1 nt)

Save up to 50% on tours! Get exclusive access to members-only deals by email.

Subscribe to our newsletter