China Culture & Watertown Tour

Embarking on this journey feels like traveling through time. From the profound history of Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, to the imperial grandeur of Beijing, the nation's capital, then to the gentle charm of Suzhou, the water town of Jiangnan, and finally arriving at the dazzling modernity of Shanghai—this ten-day itinerary offers a glimpse into the vast depth of Chinese civilization and the unique allure of its cities.

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  • Tour Code: CT-XBSS-10
  • Time: 10 Days
  • Cities: Xi'an,Beijing,Suzhou,Shanghai
  • Accommodation: 9 Nights (4 Star+ Hotel)

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Xi'an Arrival

  • Arrive in Xi'an and transfer to the hotel

  • 4+ star hotels

  • None

 

Arriving in Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, we will arrange for you to stay in a hotel near the ancient city attractions, so that you can explore freely. Stroll under the ancient city wall and feel the weight of history; shuttle through the Muslim Street, taste authentic food, and experience the rich Muslim customs.

Day 1: Xi'an Arrival Day 1: Xi'an Arrival Day 1: Xi'an Arrival

Day 2: Xi'an

  • Terracotta Warriors-Ancient City Wall- Muslim Street
  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

  •  

In the morning, we will visit the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most famous historical sites in Xi'an, showing the history and culture of the powerful Qin Dynasty. Recommended visiting 3 hours.

We we will visit the Ancient City Wall, one of the most complete ancient city walls in China and an iconic attraction in Xi'an. 

Then, you will come to Muslim Street, a food paradise in Xi'an, where you can taste authentic Shaanxi snacks such as mutton soup steamed buns, roujiamo, etc.We can have dinner nearby to have some taste. In the evening, we will also arrange a shadow play performance for you to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Day 2: Xi'an Day 2: Xi'an Day 2: Xi'an

Day 3: Xi'an

  • Xi'an Museunm--Small Will Groose Pagoda--Tang Dynasty City that Never Sleeps

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

In the morning, walk into the Xi'an Museum, step into this treasure house carrying a thousand years of history, and feel the cultural heritage of the ancient capital of Xi'an. Each exhibit is a witness to history, leading tourists to deeply understand Xi'an's unique status as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and connecting Eastern and Western cultures.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Climb to the top of the tower and overlook the entire city of Xi'an. The historical precipitation and modern prosperity complement each other, making people sigh at the flow of time and the accumulation of culture.

In the evening, come to the Chang'an Twelve Hours Photography Performance Site to enjoy a visual feast of light and shadow. Through the unique art of photography, the performance presents the glory and prosperity of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, leading the audience to travel back to that heyday in an instant, as if they had witnessed the grand scene of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

At night, stroll in the Tang Dynasty City that Never Sleeps, where the streets are brightly lit and the ancient charm and modern are intertwined. Taste the food and listen to the ancient music, as if you are in the prosperous streets of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, immersed in the unique charm and atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty.

 

Day 3: Xi'an Day 3: Xi'an Day 3: Xi'an

Day 4: Xi'an--Beijing

  • High Speed Train to Beijing

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast & Lunch

 

Bid farewell to Xi'an and take the high-speed rail to Beijing to start a new journey, appreciate 5 hours. Arrive in Beijing in the afternoon. After checking into the hotel, you can move freely and feel the prosperity and vitality of the capital.

Day 4: Xi'an--Beijing Day 4: Xi'an--Beijing Day 4: Xi'an--Beijing

Day 5: Beijing

  • Tian'anmen Square--Forbidden City--Summer Palace

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast&lunch

 

In the morning, walk into Tian'anmen Square and feel the solemn atmosphere. On the square, the solemn national flag flutters in the wind, symbolizing China's greatness and glory. Then, step into the Forbidden City, the world's largest and most intact ancient wooden structure complex, as if traveling back to the era of ancient emperors. Walking among the intricate palaces and courtyards, feel the royal style and dignity, and appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architecture. Every brick and tile carries a profound cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, go to the Summer Palace, stroll in this royal garden, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains. Here, the mountains and rivers complement each other, and the ancient palaces and elegant gardens complement each other, as if walking into a vivid Chinese landscape painting. On the lake, boats are leisurely and ancient trees are towering. Being in it, you can feel the precipitation of history and the tranquility of nature, and your mind will be relaxed and purified.

Day 5: Beijing Day 5: Beijing Day 5: Beijing

Day 6: Beijing

  • Mutianyu Great Wall

  • 4+ Star Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

Great Wall: Visit the majestic Great Wall at Mutianyu, with entrance and cable car tickets included, allowing you to experience this wonder of the world up close.

You will take an easy cable car up to the Great Wall. Next you will climb up to the city tower overlooking the majestic Great Wall, which will surely make your stay unforgettable. After the Great Wall tour, we will take the cable car down the mountain.

(Note: If you are physically fit, you can also choose to hike up and down the mountain to feel the sense of accomplishment of climbing to the top).

Day 6: Beijing Day 6: Beijing Day 6: Beijing

Day 7: Beijing--Suzhou

  • Train to Suzhou--the Humble Administrator's Garden--Shantang Street

  • 4+ Star Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

Take the high-speed rail from Beijing to Suzhou, the whole journey takes about 4.5 hours.

After arriving in Suzhou, first visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the four major gardens in China. This garden is famous for its exquisite layout and elegant scenery. Walking into the garden, the lakes, rockery, pavilions and towers are scattered in an orderly manner, as if entering a poetic world, and feeling the strong atmosphere of Jiangnan culture.

In the evening, stroll along the historic Shantang Street. Here, there are small bridges and flowing water, winding stone roads, and quaint buildings on both sides and melodious water sounds, which make people feel like traveling back to ancient times. You can taste authentic Suzhou snacks here, such as delicious soup dumplings and crispy cakes, and feel the unique gentleness and tenderness of the Jiangnan water town.

Day 7: Beijing--Suzhou Day 7: Beijing--Suzhou Day 7: Beijing--Suzhou

Day 8: Suzhou--Shanghai

  • Tongli--Shanghai

  • 4+ Star Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

In the morning, you will visit Tongli, a water town in the south of the Yangtze River, and experience the picturesque tranquility and beauty. Strolling in the alleys paved with bluestone slabs, there are ancient buildings with white walls and black tiles on both sides. The traces of time and the stories of history are deposited in every brick and tile.

In the afternoon, return to Shanghai, you can move freely in the Magic City and feel the prosperity and fashion of this modern metropolis.

Day 8: Suzhou--Shanghai Day 8: Suzhou--Shanghai Day 8: Suzhou--Shanghai

Day 9: Shanghai

  • Yu Garden--the Jade Buddha Temple--Shanghai Center--the Bund/Nanjing Road

  • 4+ Star Hotel

  • Breakfast

 

First, you will visit Yu Garden, a typical Jiangnan classical garden. The pavilions, rockery ponds, and small bridges are all cleverly laid out, showing the exquisiteness and elegance of Jiangnan gardens.

Next, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple to experience the solemnity and tranquility of Buddhist culture. There are two exquisite jade Buddhas enshrined in the temple. The atmosphere is quiet and the incense is strong, inheriting the profound Buddhist culture.

Then, you will climb the Shanghai Tower to overlook the prosperous scene of the entire city. The high-rise buildings and flashing lights on both sides of the Huangpu River complement each other, showing the prosperity and vitality of Shanghai as a modern metropolis.

In the evening, you can stroll along the Bund and enjoy the night view of Shanghai. You can move freely or shop on Nanjing Road. Nanjing Road is brightly lit at night, full of vitality and enthusiasm, and is a great place to experience the urban style of Shanghai.

Day 9: Shanghai Day 9: Shanghai Day 9: Shanghai

Day 10: Shanghai Departure

  • Shanghai Departure

  • None

  • Breakfast

 

We will provide you with a transfer to the airport or train station for your departure, taking with you cherished memories of your classic journey through China. 

Day 10: Shanghai Departure Day 10: Shanghai Departure Day 10: Shanghai Departure

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China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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Aurora
July 04,2026
IntoExplore made my Dali-Lijiang trip unforgettable! As a senior traveler, I appreciated the slow pace, comfortable transport, and guides who patiently explained everything. Perfect balance of culture and relaxation. Highly recommend for stress-free travel in China!"
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Eilee
June 05,2026
Honestly, I had a mix of nerves and excitement before this trip. My friends back in Mumbai thought I was crazy – "China? Really?" But I'd been staring at photos of those floating Avatar mountains for years, and I just had to see them for myself. So I booked the Zhangjiajie + Furong Ancient Town package through IntoExplore, and wow, I'm so glad I did.
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Tripadvisor
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Quest197833
May 2026• Couples
5 of 5 bubbles
Very helpful “Into Explore”
I first came across Into Explore while browsing travel reels about China on social media, and their content really stood out. I reached out with a few questions and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Norman got back to me. To be honest, I was a bit cautious in the beginning—booking something like this online always comes with some uncertainty—but after several conversations and reviewing the proposed itinerary, I felt comfortable proceeding and placed an initial deposit. We traveled as a family, and from start to finish, the experience was incredibly smooth. Norman was flexible, patient, and always accommodating whenever we needed adjustments. Communication was consistent and reliable, which made a big difference. Once we landed in China, everything was handled flawlessly. The planning, coordination, and daily flow of activities were all executed with great attention to detail. We always knew what to expect the next day, which made the entire trip feel effortless and well-managed. Overall, it turned out to be a fantastic experience. I would confidently recommend Into Explore—and Norman in particular—to anyone considering a trip to China.
Anastassia P
5 of 5 bubbles
Very helpful “Into Explore”
I rarely write reviews, but this time I’d like to share my overwhelmingly positive thoughts about this trip. From the day I contacted this company, they have been very attentive and friendly. They did a great job planning my family holiday and supported us every step of the way. They put together a 14-day private tour for us, taking into account all our requests and requirements.In every city we visited, there was a reliable driver, a very nice car, and a guide to assist us throughout the day. I was initially anxious about traveling in a country where people don’t speak much English, but the guides made everything effortlessly convenient, including helping us choose food in local restaurants without English menus.I could go on describing all the wonderful things we saw in China, but to keep it short, I would simply encourage prospective customers to set aside any doubts and trust this company with their holiday planning. Thank you, guys!
Sanja M
April 2026
5 of 5 bubbles
Next level travel agency!
The entire trip organization, travel logistics, itinerary, guides - everything was planned and executed perfectly. Norman was extremely helpful and available for any and all questions or requests we had. Into Explore made our two week China trip easy, hassle free and worth every penny. We would recommend the agency, as well as visiting China to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
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Excellent
Javier Miranda
Jun 22, 2026
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Exelente service..
Just recently returned 11 days from China. Arranged by Roy at Intoexplore. It could not have been more perfect. Everything - hotels, transportation, tour guides. We saw things we never would have seen on our own. excellent agency with wonderful service. Highly recommended. Thanks Intoexplore!!
Sangeeta Kaur
Jan 2, 2026
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Fast respond, helpful
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .
Joel Nunez
Jun 24, 2025
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This agency has a good communication
The agent are patience when providing details and answering all questions. Every helpful and trustable agent. Highly recommended.

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