China 9-Day Classic Highlights Tour
- Durée 8 nights / 9 days
- Langue English
- Thème Culture
- Rythme Moderate
- Taille du groupe Prix 3 pax
Résumé du voyage
Experience China’s essential highlights in 9 days: explore Beijing’s imperial landmarks and the Great Wall, uncover Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter, and soak up Shanghai’s old town, modern skyline and free time for Suzhou or water towns. Travel comfortably by high-speed train and stay in well-located 3-star hotels with German-speaking local guides.
Prestations prévues
Programme complet
Arrival in Beijing and Summer Palace
Points of Interest : Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, your German-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport. From there you drive to the western part of the city to visit the Summer Palace, the Qing emperors’ residence during the hot summer months. Most of the complex is taken up by Kunming Lake, surrounded by halls, covered walkways, the Longevity Hill and the famous marble boat.
After the visit you are driven to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the surroundings at your own pace.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours, 60 km
- Meals included : None
- Accommodation : Dong Fang Hotel 3* (Beijing)
Walk on Tiananmen Square and Imperial Beijing
Points of Interest : Beijing
After breakfast you set off for a walk across the famous Tiananmen Square, framed by several important government and cultural buildings. From here you continue on foot to the southern entrance of the Forbidden City and explore the vast former imperial palace complex in detail.
In the afternoon you head to the southern part of the city to visit the Temple of Heaven. Its three-tiered Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks.
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours, 40 km
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Dong Fang Hotel 3* (Beijing)
Great Wall at Mutianyu and Olympic Park
Points of Interest : Beijing
In the morning you drive to Beijing’s Olympic Park for a brief photo stop at the Olympic Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, and the National Aquatics Center. The journey then continues north of the city to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Here you can see and climb one of the most picturesque and less touristy stretches of the Wall near Beijing.
For a small additional fee you can make use of a cable car to reach the Wall and a summer toboggan run for the descent. Later you return to the city and your hotel.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours, 160 km
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Dong Fang Hotel 3* (Beijing)
Beijing Hutongs and High-Speed Train to Xi'an
Points of Interest : Beijing, Xi’an
In the morning you first visit the Drum Tower area, where some of Beijing’s traditional hutongs and courtyard houses are best preserved. With your guide you stroll through the narrow lanes, wander along the picturesque shores of Houhai Lake and gain insight into the daily life of local residents.
After a lunch break you are transferred to the railway station and board a high-speed train to Xi’an. On arrival in Xi’an you are met and driven to your hotel for check-in.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours, 100 km
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Minsheng International Hotel 3* (Xi’an)
Terracotta Army and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an
Points of Interest : Xi’an
Today you visit Xi’an’s most famous attraction with your guide: the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, located about 40 km outside the city. Thousands of life-sized warriors, horses and chariots stand in vast excavation halls guarding the emperor’s tomb.
In the afternoon you continue to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, one of Xi’an’s symbols and among the oldest surviving structures in China.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours, 100 km
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Minsheng International Hotel 3* (Xi’an)
Xi'an City Wall, Muslim Quarter and Train to Shanghai
Points of Interest : Xi’an, Shanghai
In the morning you explore Xi’an’s remarkably well-preserved ancient city wall and enjoy panoramic views over the former imperial capital from above. You then visit the Great Mosque and stroll through the old Muslim Quarter and its busy market streets, one of China’s most vibrant Muslim communities. This is an excellent place to observe daily life and sample Xi’an’s famous street food.
In the afternoon you are transferred to the station and board a high-speed train to Shanghai (around 6 hours). Upon arrival in Shanghai your German-speaking guide welcomes you and takes you to your hotel for check-in.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours, 90 km
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Holiday Inn Express 3* (Shanghai)
Sightseeing in Shanghai: Old Town, Temples and the Bund
Points of Interest : Shanghai
After breakfast you head to Shanghai’s Old Town to visit the beautiful Yu Garden, one of the finest examples of southern Chinese garden design in former private imperial gardens. There is also time to wander through the surrounding old streets.
In the afternoon you visit the Jade Buddha Temple, which is very popular with Shanghai’s residents. Afterwards you stroll along the Bund, the historic riverside promenade, where you can admire the striking skyline of modern skyscrapers facing grand colonial-era buildings.
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Holiday Inn Express 3* (Shanghai)
Free Day in Shanghai
Points of Interest : Shanghai
Today is completely free for you to explore Shanghai on your own. Your guide will be happy to suggest optional excursions, for example to a nearby water town or to the garden city of Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East”. Suzhou, with its canals and classical gardens, lies about an hour’s drive from Shanghai.
- Meals included : Breakfast
- Accommodation : Holiday Inn Express 3* (Shanghai)
Farewell and Departure from Shanghai
Points of Interest : Shanghai
Depending on your flight time, you are transferred to the airport for your return journey or onward travel arrangements.
- Meals included : None
- Last day : Transfer to the airport for your return or onward flight
China 9-Day Classic Highlights Tour
Participants
Date
Overall rating
Reisen mit Kindern5.02026-05-18Excellent planning of domestic flights and trains, and very good guides in Beijing and Xi'an. Perfect for families; we traveled with our three kids. Thanks to Neos Travel for making this experience seamless and enjoyable.
Susann5.02026-05-07Beijing offered the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum, Coal Hill Park (Jingshan Park), the Temple of Heaven, and a private Tai Chi session. Xi’an featured the City Wall, Jade House, and the Terracotta Army. Lhasa welcomed the Potala Palace. The Yangtze River cruise showcased the Three Gorges and the dam. In Shanghai we visited the Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, and Tongli, and in Hong Kong we rode up to Victoria Peak. With Neos Travel, these highlights were well arranged.
C. E5.02026-05-03The trip exceeded my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone interested in China. Neos Travel handled the arrangements smoothly, and the support from the local guides was flawless. I’d travel with Neos Travel again. A few notes for improvement: the pre-trip information could be clearer—visiting sights and especially the nature parks involve long walks, roughly 16–19 km for us. Breaks come mainly during transfers by train, plane, or taxi, so it’s wise to add a few extra days. The riverfront hotel we stayed at was perfect for a multi-day stay. The local guides impressed us with excellent language skills and great courtesy. We would have loved to chat more with them over meals, but that wasn’t possible; our invitations were politely declined each time. It’s also worth packing a small provisions kit for the nature hikes, as some on-site food stalls can be less suitable for European travellers. It’s good to know that communication isn’t a problem thanks to affordable eSIM cards; we could even WhatsApp. Getting started with Alipay and WeChat payments is a bit fiddly, but the guides were happy to help. The most adventurous moment is ordering taxis via the Alipay didi feature, since entering pickup and destination points can be clunky. All of this together made for a unique travel experience. Thank you.
Fantastische Reise, die zu unserem Top 5 Reisen insgesamt gehört5.02026-05-03We love booking our trips with Neos Travel and have never been disappointed. This trip to China surpassed all our expectations and was a fantastic experience from start to finish. It was very well organized. At every stop we were welcomed by an excellent German-speaking guide who accompanied us throughout our days there. The drivers were very friendly and the vehicles were incredibly clean and well maintained. Special praise goes to our Xi’an guide Wen; we had a wonderful time and Wen took such good care of us. Wen even arranged for us a night excursion to a lantern-lit spectacle that is unmatched anywhere in the world. Otherwise, all the guides were top-notch; no question went unanswered, and every guide offered restaurant tips and local specialties. The hotels were in great locations and generally clean and comfortable. Our last hotel in Beijing was a bit dated, but the staff went above and beyond to compensate with outstanding service. China is simply a fantastic travel destination. Even weeks after returning, we’re still amazed by the blend of a futuristic world and tradition. Each place we visited—Hong Kong, Guilin, Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing—could be worth a trip on its own. There are so many incredible buildings to marvel at, the people are incredibly friendly and engaged, and the atmosphere is truly unique. We were especially impressed by the parks, beautifully lit in the evenings and nights and used by locals for relaxation. This is a mega trip we’d highly recommend adding to your top five.
Ophtho5.02026-04-21Every stop felt unique, each with its own charm, and it was great that a local guide was always there to introduce the city. The varied perspectives from these guides truly brought each place to life. We would gladly travel with Neos Travel again.
KURT5.02026-04-18The trip was perfectly organized; all transfers went smoothly, and the guides were competent and reliable. Our Neos Travel contact, Markus Bo, was always available for questions and could answer everything.
Le Suisse5.02026-04-12Very well organized, with excellent guides—our Xi'an guide Sofia was outstanding. A big thank you to Neos Travel for putting this trip together.
Wassermann5.02026-04-07Our travel group consisted of three friendly couples. Our destinations were Beijing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Guilin, and Yangshuo / Longsheng. Highlights included the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, the tallest tower in China in Shanghai, a Li River cruise in Guilin, and the rice terraces of Longsheng. Hangzhou and Suzhou, with their parks and gardens, impressed us as well. Everything was organized superbly by Neos Travel.
Claudia M.5.02026-03-27This was our second trip booked through Neos Travel, and we were thrilled. Everything went smoothly; Markus's team was always reachable and planned a dream trip according to our wishes. The hotel accommodations were varied—some authentically local, some upscale—the mix worked perfectly. The guides and drivers were very nice; we had a lot of fun and learned plenty about the country and its people. It was a dream vacation, and my husband is still sifting through the countless photos. Thank you again to Markus and your team; it was also wonderful when, on my birthday, we were surprised with a cake in the rice terraces. An unforgettable day and vacation.
Tetyana5.02026-03-04Neos Travel designed a trip that could be personalized to my schedule. The guides were very competent, and it was possible to start later and stay longer to fit my daily rhythm. Markus provided excellent planning advice and was always reachable, offering several alternatives. I couldn't fault a thing—perfect—and I will plan my next Japan trip again with Neos Travel.
- Reisen mit Kindern5.02026-05-18
Excellent planning of domestic flights and trains, and very good guides in Beijing and Xi'an. Perfect for families; we traveled with our three kids. Thanks to Neos Travel for making this experience seamless and enjoyable.
- Susann5.02026-05-07
Beijing offered the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum, Coal Hill Park (Jingshan Park), the Temple of Heaven, and a private Tai Chi session. Xi’an featured the City Wall, Jade House, and the Terracotta Army. Lhasa welcomed the Potala Palace. The Yangtze River cruise showcased the Three Gorges and the dam. In Shanghai we visited the Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, and Tongli, and in Hong Kong we rode up to Victoria Peak. With Neos Travel, these highlights were well arranged.
- C. E5.02026-05-03
The trip exceeded my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone interested in China. Neos Travel handled the arrangements smoothly, and the support from the local guides was flawless. I’d travel with Neos Travel again. A few notes for improvement: the pre-trip information could be clearer—visiting sights and especially the nature parks involve long walks, roughly 16–19 km for us. Breaks come mainly during transfers by train, plane, or taxi, so it’s wise to add a few extra days. The riverfront hotel we stayed at was perfect for a multi-day stay. The local guides impressed us with excellent language skills and great courtesy. We would have loved to chat more with them over meals, but that wasn’t possible; our invitations were politely declined each time. It’s also worth packing a small provisions kit for the nature hikes, as some on-site food stalls can be less suitable for European travellers. It’s good to know that communication isn’t a problem thanks to affordable eSIM cards; we could even WhatsApp. Getting started with Alipay and WeChat payments is a bit fiddly, but the guides were happy to help. The most adventurous moment is ordering taxis via the Alipay didi feature, since entering pickup and destination points can be clunky. All of this together made for a unique travel experience. Thank you.
- Fantastische Reise, die zu unserem Top 5 Reisen insgesamt gehört5.02026-05-03
We love booking our trips with Neos Travel and have never been disappointed. This trip to China surpassed all our expectations and was a fantastic experience from start to finish. It was very well organized. At every stop we were welcomed by an excellent German-speaking guide who accompanied us throughout our days there. The drivers were very friendly and the vehicles were incredibly clean and well maintained. Special praise goes to our Xi’an guide Wen; we had a wonderful time and Wen took such good care of us. Wen even arranged for us a night excursion to a lantern-lit spectacle that is unmatched anywhere in the world. Otherwise, all the guides were top-notch; no question went unanswered, and every guide offered restaurant tips and local specialties. The hotels were in great locations and generally clean and comfortable. Our last hotel in Beijing was a bit dated, but the staff went above and beyond to compensate with outstanding service. China is simply a fantastic travel destination. Even weeks after returning, we’re still amazed by the blend of a futuristic world and tradition. Each place we visited—Hong Kong, Guilin, Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing—could be worth a trip on its own. There are so many incredible buildings to marvel at, the people are incredibly friendly and engaged, and the atmosphere is truly unique. We were especially impressed by the parks, beautifully lit in the evenings and nights and used by locals for relaxation. This is a mega trip we’d highly recommend adding to your top five.
- Ophtho5.02026-04-21
Every stop felt unique, each with its own charm, and it was great that a local guide was always there to introduce the city. The varied perspectives from these guides truly brought each place to life. We would gladly travel with Neos Travel again.
- KURT5.02026-04-18
The trip was perfectly organized; all transfers went smoothly, and the guides were competent and reliable. Our Neos Travel contact, Markus Bo, was always available for questions and could answer everything.
- Le Suisse5.02026-04-12
Very well organized, with excellent guides—our Xi'an guide Sofia was outstanding. A big thank you to Neos Travel for putting this trip together.
- Wassermann5.02026-04-07
Our travel group consisted of three friendly couples. Our destinations were Beijing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Guilin, and Yangshuo / Longsheng. Highlights included the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, the tallest tower in China in Shanghai, a Li River cruise in Guilin, and the rice terraces of Longsheng. Hangzhou and Suzhou, with their parks and gardens, impressed us as well. Everything was organized superbly by Neos Travel.
- Claudia M.5.02026-03-27
This was our second trip booked through Neos Travel, and we were thrilled. Everything went smoothly; Markus's team was always reachable and planned a dream trip according to our wishes. The hotel accommodations were varied—some authentically local, some upscale—the mix worked perfectly. The guides and drivers were very nice; we had a lot of fun and learned plenty about the country and its people. It was a dream vacation, and my husband is still sifting through the countless photos. Thank you again to Markus and your team; it was also wonderful when, on my birthday, we were surprised with a cake in the rice terraces. An unforgettable day and vacation.
- Tetyana5.02026-03-04
Neos Travel designed a trip that could be personalized to my schedule. The guides were very competent, and it was possible to start later and stay longer to fit my daily rhythm. Markus provided excellent planning advice and was always reachable, offering several alternatives. I couldn't fault a thing—perfect—and I will plan my next Japan trip again with Neos Travel.
What is included in the price
- 8 nights in the specified hotels in double rooms with private bathroom or shower
- High-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an in soft seat, 2nd class
- High-speed train from Xi’an to Shanghai in soft seat, 2nd class
- All transfers and sightseeing listed in the program including entrance fees
- German-speaking local guides (changing by region)
- Meals listed in the program (8 breakfasts)
- Visa fees
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Any services not mentioned in the program
- International flights to and from China