10 Days Beijing Shanxi Xi'an Historic Culture Tour

Arrival in Beijing

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After arriving in Beijing, you will be transferred to your hotel to settle in and rest. Later, take some time to explore the nearby surroundings at your own pace. You might want to visit the famous Lao She Teahouse, where you can enjoy traditional Chinese tea culture alongside folk performances. Alternatively, stroll through Wangfujing Street to experience the bustling night market and sample local delicacies.

Recommended Activities:
Laoshe Teahouse, Golden Mask Dynasty Show, Chaoyang Acrobatics Show, Calligraphy Experience, Hanfu Dress-up, and other intangible cultural heritage activities. You can also consult Intoexplore’s travel advisors for more recommendations.

Tiananmen--Forbidden City--Hutong--Summer Palace

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Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, join Intoexplore to visit Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing. It is one of the largest city squares in the world and a major political, historical, and cultural landmark of China. Every morning, there is a flag-raising ceremony performed by the PLA honor guard marching from the Tiananmen Gate Tower, across the Golden Water Bridge, along the central axis.

Tips:

1. If you wish to watch the flag-raising ceremony, please wake up early. Approximate times: Summer: around 4:45–5:15 AM; Winter: around 7:30–7:50 AM.

2. Note: During the ceremony, hats must be removed, and everyone should stand respectfully. Loud noises, horseplay, or camera flashes are prohibited.

Next, visit the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Located along Beijing’s central axis and adjacent to Tiananmen Square, it is the world’s largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Suggested Routes:

1. Classic Central Axis Route: Meridian Gate (entrance) → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Prowess (exit)

2. In-depth Tour: Same as above, but with more time spent at each site.

If you prefer not to walk, you can take the shuttle service inside the Forbidden City (extra fee). This option is ideal for seniors or children. Feel free to consult Intoexplore for details.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant of your choice, then head to the Hutongs, the traditional alleys of old Beijing. Ride a rickshaw through the grey brick lanes for a taste of authentic local life.

In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Known as the “Museum of Imperial Gardens,” it combines the elegance of southern Chinese gardens with the grandeur of northern scenery. The palace is a year-round attraction: flower viewing in spring, boating in summer, leaf-peeping in autumn, and snow appreciation in winter.

Mutianyu Great Wall--Bird's Nest (Exterior)--Water Cube (Exterior)

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Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, head to the world-famous Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and most picturesque sections of the Ming Dynasty wall. Less crowded and surrounded by stunning views, it has been praised by CNN as “China’s most beautiful Great Wall” and is a favorite among international travelers. You can ascend the wall by cable car or chairlift and take in the engineering marvel. For more excitement, ride a toboggan down or even take a helicopter ride to enjoy a bird’s-eye view.

In the afternoon, visit two iconic structures from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Bird’s Nest (National Stadium): Known for its unique steel structure, it is now a city landmark and major tourist attraction.

Water Cube (National Aquatics Center): Famous for its blue bubble design, it hosted swimming and diving events in 2008. During the 2022 Winter Olympics, it transformed into the “Ice Cube” for curling events, becoming the world’s first dual-use Olympic venue for both summer and winter games.

High-Speed Train to Taiyuan

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, take the high-speed train to Taiyuan (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore the city. Recommended visits include Liuxiang Pedestrian Street, Zhonglou Street, and the Food Street, known for local snacks and traditional Shanxi architecture with grey bricks and tiles.

Recommended Spots:
Liuxiang, Bell Tower Street, and Food Street. You can also consult Intoexplore’s travel advisors for more suggestions. The grey-brick architecture makes for perfect vintage-style photo backdrops.

Ancient Taiyuan County Town--Pingyao Ancient City

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Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, visit the Ancient Taiyuan County Town, with over 2,500 years of history. Built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, it’s nicknamed the “Phoenix City” for its shape. The town features grey-brick architecture ideal for traditional-style photos, a temple for Confucian worship reflecting Confucian ideals, and a temple honoring Guan Yu symbolizing the Jin Merchant culture. You’ll also see traditional Shanxi crafts like paper-cutting, dough figurines, and shadow puppets.

In the afternoon, head to Pingyao Ancient City, founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty (827 BC) and boasting over 2,800 years of history. It is one of China’s best-preserved Ming and Qing ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The city is famed for its intact city walls, historic streets, and rich merchant culture, known as a “treasury of Chinese ancient architecture.”

Main Attractions:

• Rishengchang Draft Bank: The first bank in China.

• Pingyao City Wall: UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Wenmiao (Confucian Temple): One of the oldest Confucian temples.

• Ancient County Government Office: Best-preserved ancient county hall.

Local Food to Try: Pingyao beef, oat noodles, kaolaolao (steamed buckwheat noodles), wantuo (soft glutinous cakes), knife-cut noodles, and more.

 High-Speed Train to Datong--Yungang Grottoes

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, you will take a high-speed train from Pingyao to Datong, a city rich in Buddhist heritage and known as one of China’s ancient capitals (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival in Datong, enjoy lunch featuring local delicacies such as Datong beef noodles or yellow cake (a local millet-based snack).

In the afternoon, explore the magnificent Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These 5th-century Buddhist caves consist of 252 grottoes and over 51,000 statues, ranging from miniature carvings to massive stone Buddhas over 15 meters tall. The artistry here reflects a blend of Indian, Central Asian, and traditional Chinese influences, making it one of the finest examples of early Buddhist cave art in China.

Evening Option:
In the evening, you may stroll through Datong’s restored Ancient City Wall area, beautifully lit at night. Consider trying a local specialty hotpot or attending a shadow puppet show at a cultural theater.

High speed Train to Xi'an

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, drive out to the incredible Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si), located about 60 km from Datong at the foot of Mt. Hengshan. Built into the cliffside more than 1,500 years ago, the temple appears to defy gravity, supported by wooden stilts inserted into the rock. This architectural marvel is notable not only for its precarious placement but also for housing elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism all under one roof — a rare spiritual synthesis in Chinese history.

On your return journey to Datong, stop by the Huayan Temple, one of the most complete and well-preserved temple complexes of the Liao and Jin dynasties. The temple includes a museum and serene courtyards where you can appreciate the wooden architecture and ancient Buddhist scriptures.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the train station for your high-speed train to Xi'an (approx. 5 hours). Upon arrival in Xi’an, check into your hotel and relax after the long journey.

Recommended Activities:
If time permits after check-in, take a short evening walk around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower area. The buildings are beautifully illuminated at night and surrounded by lively street scenes with cafes, snack vendors, and music performances.

Terracotta Warriors--Daci’en Temple--Big Wild Goose Pagoda--Tang Paradise Night Show

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Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, visit the Terracotta Warriors, the burial army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” thousands of life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots reveal the military power and craftsmanship of the Qin Empire over 2,200 years ago. If interested, you can try making your own clay figurine here (extra fee).

In the afternoon, return to Xi’an and visit Daci’en Temple, built in 648 AD during the Tang Dynasty. It was constructed by Prince Li Zhi (later Emperor Gaozong) to honor his mother. The temple houses the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built by the monk Xuanzang to store Buddhist scriptures. It is one of Xi’an’s landmarks and a significant site along the UNESCO-listed Silk Road.

At night, explore Tang Paradise (Datang Everbright City) — a 2.1-km immersive pedestrian street themed around the Tang Dynasty. The area recreates the bustling vibe of ancient Chang’an, with lights, music, performances, and daily shows from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Xi'an Museum--Small Wild Goose Pagoda--City Wall--Muslim Quarter

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Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, visit the Xi’an Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties and offers an excellent overview of the city's 3,100-year history and 1,100 years as China’s capital.

Next, see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a more elegant and compact counterpart to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Known for its graceful form and tiered eaves, it’s a representative brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty.

In the afternoon, explore Xi’an City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Originally built in 582 AD during the Sui and Tang Dynasties and reconstructed in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, the 13.74-km-long wall is a monumental defense system and a backbone of ancient Xi’an.

Finally, head to the Muslim Quarter, a bustling food street located north of the Drum Tower Square. With over a thousand years of history, the quarter is a melting pot of Han and Hui culture. Traditional residences, fragrant beef and lamb dishes, and a lively atmosphere make it a paradise for food lovers.

Departure from Xi'an

Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning in Xi’an. Depending on your flight or train schedule, you may have some free time to take one last stroll through the city. You might wish to revisit the Bell Tower Square for a final souvenir, take a few last photos of Xi’an’s ancient city walls, or enjoy a relaxing tea session in one of the city’s traditional tea houses.

Your guide will assist you with your transfer to the airport or train station. Along the way, you can reflect on the unforgettable memories from this 10-day journey—from Beijing’s majestic Forbidden City and Great Wall, to Shanxi’s ancient towns and grottos, and finally to Xi’an’s rich tapestry of Tang Dynasty culture and Silk Road heritage.

We hope this journey has given you deeper insight into China’s profound history, vibrant traditions, and timeless landscapes. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you again on your next adventure with IntoExplore!

Recommended Activities:
If your departure is scheduled for later in the day, you can consider a short optional visit to the Xi’an City Wall Park for a peaceful morning walk, or enjoy a final tasting of Shaanxi cuisine—such as Roujiamo (Chinese burger) or Biangbiang noodles—before leaving.