Exploring China's Rich History: A 13-Day Railway Journey from Shanghai to Beijing

Shanghai(3N)-Luoyang(2N)-Xian(2N)-Pingyao(1N)-Datong(1N)-Beijing(3N)

This cultural china railway journey focuses on history, religion, and architecture, featuring three of China's eight ancient capital cities: Beijing, Xian, and Luoyang. You will experience a Kung Fu show at its origin, the Shaolin Temple, and visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Longmen Grottoes and the Yungang Grottoes, which were carved during different historical periods. Try to discern the varying styles in the faces of the Buddhas.

china bullet train

shanghai

zhujiajiao water town

shanghai Yuyuan Garden

Longmen Grottoes

shaolin kungfu

terracotta warriors

Pingyao Ancient City

Hanging Temple

Yungang Grottoes

Temple of Heaven

Great Wall

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai

Upon arrival of Shanghai, you will meet with our private guide and be transferred to hotel for check-in. After that, you can choose to explore the fascinating metropolitan by your own, or enjoy a good rest at hotel after a long-time flight journey.

Day 2: Shanghai

Before it’s crowded with tourists, we first take a stroll to the Bund in the morning, then take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to Pudong, where we visit Shanghai Municipal History Museum on the ground floor of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, then go up to its main observation deck for a panoramic view of Shanghai’s skyline. Continue to Lane 1192 Old Shanghai Style Street, an "immersive" retro food street perfectly reproduces the old Shanghai style in the thirties of the last century, where you can see rickshaws, docks, old-fashioned trams, shop signs and other scenes. The next stop will be Fun Collection, an underground market with all kinds of products, like clothes, suitcases, toys, digital products, handicrafts and so on. Before transfer back to hotel, you will have a walking tour on Nanjing Pedestrian Road.

Day 3: Water Town of Shanghai

This morning will take you to Zhujiajiao Water Town, which is often referred to the "Venice of Shanghai" due to its network of canals, arched stone bridges, and traditional architecture. You can ride a hand-cranked boat to the town center and then take a walking tour among the streets. Back to Shanghai, visit Tian Zi Fang, a creative district known for its abundance of art studios and galleries, and Xin Tian Di, a comprehensive business district for shopping, dining, entertainment and culture.

Day 4: High-speed Train to Luoyang

Our last day in Shanghai will start with the visit of Yu Garden, a famous classical Chinese garden located in the city center, then the nearby market, where you will find various local snacks, traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, pearls and other specialty goods. Transfer to railway station and take high-speed train to Luoyang, the "City of Peonies".

Day 5: Shaolin Temple & Luoyang

In the morning, we will drive to visit Shaolin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which offers a captivating blend of ancient Buddhist culture and martial arts heritage. You can explore historic pagodas, watch mesmerizing Kung Fu performances, and immerse in the serene mountain scenery of Song Mountain. Back to Luoyang, we take walking tour of Luoyi Ancient City, a beautifully restored cultural landmark in Luoyang, showcases traditional architecture, Hanfu culture, and immersive historical experiences, blending ancient charm with vibrant night markets and lantern-lit streets.

Day 6: Longmen Grottoes and High-speed Train to Xian

The Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features over 2,300 ancient Buddhist caves and 110,000 intricately carved statues dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties (5th–10th centuries). Highlights include the majestic 17-meter-tall Vairocana Buddha, symbolizing the peak of Chinese stone-carving artistry. If you will visit Luoyang in April, you will have the chance to visit local gardens to appreciate the charm of “City of Peonies”. Transfer to railway station and take high-speed train to Xian.

Day 7: Xian

This morning, we drive to visit one of the most iconic attractions in China, Terracotta Army. The life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses, discovered near the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, are a testament to the ancient craftsmanship and military power of the Qin dynasty. It's an awe-inspiring sight that transports visitors back to ancient times. Back to the city, we continue to visit the Ancient City Wall, which has a history of over 600 years. You can walk or cycle along the wall to get a panoramic view of the city and appreciate the ancient defensive architecture. Go to take a walking tour of Muslim Street, a collective term for a Muslim community area renowned for its bustling atmosphere, rich history, and a wide variety of delicious food. Here we will visit a quiet grand mosque hidden in the alley and enter a traditional courtyard to enjoy the ancient traditional art form of China – Shadow Play. In the evening, we will visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City, a dazzling cultural and commercial district that recreates the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty with illuminated streets, historical performances, and immersive traditional experiences.

Day 8: High-speed Train to Pingyao

We take a morning high-speed train to Pingyao. Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shanxi Province, is one of China’s best-preserved walled towns, famed for its intact Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, ancient banking legacy (home to Rishengchang, the nation’s first draft bank), and labyrinthine cobblestone streets lined with traditional courtyards, temples, and vibrant night markets lit by crimson lanterns.

Day 9: High-speed Train to Datong

In the morning, we will take high-speed train to Datong. Meeting with local guide and driver, we first drive to visit Hanging Temple, is a remarkable architectural marvel built into a cliff of Mount Heng during the Northern Wei Dynasty (around 491 AD). Combining Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements, it showcases ancient Chinese engineering ingenuity with its wooden structures seemingly suspended mid-air. Back to the city of Datong, we will explore Datong's Ancient City Wall by strolling or cycling along its well-preserved Ming-era ramparts, admire panoramic views from towering gates and watchtowers, and soak in sunset vistas.

Day 10: Yungang Grottoes and High-speed Train to Beijing

Discover the awe-inspiring Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring over 51,000 ancient Buddhist carvings from the 5th-6th century, then marvel at the vibrant Nine-Dragon Wall, a Ming Dynasty glazed-tile masterpiece symbolizing imperial power with its nine coiling dragons and vivid colors. Transfer to railway station and take a high-speed train to Beijing.

Day 11: Beijing

The second day in Beijing will take you to experience the charm of this ancient capital city. We start with Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, by walking from the south to the north side to closely feel the symbolic heart of Beijing. Crossing the road by underground passage, we stroll into Forbidden City, a grand and ancient architectural complex that once served as the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. Walking through its vast halls and courtyards, you can marvel at the intricate details of the buildings, the rich history that permeates every brick and beam, and the sense of awe that comes from standing in a place where centuries of Chinese history unfolded. Going out from the north gate of Forbidden City, we continue to Coal Hill, on top of which you will have a stunning panoramic view of the palace complex. Walking through Yan Dai Xie Jie, a bustling street with various shops, we go to Houhai, originally served as a royal lake and now a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a blend of culture and relaxation. After a short stay at Bell and Drum Tower Square, we will take a rickshaw to shuttle between the old Hutongs, including a visit of local family living there.

Day 12: Beijing

In the morning, we will drive to visit Great Wall at the Mutianyu Section, less crowded yet equally majestic part of this iconic landmark. You will ride a cable car up to the highest watchtower, then take a hike along the flagstones of hundreds of years old to admire the natural scenery and experience the historical significance. The next must-see spot is Summer Palace. With its beautiful lakes, gardens, and pavilions, it is a perfect example of Chinese landscape gardening. The last stop of today goes to 798 Art Zone, a renowned cultural and artistic hub, where you will find various art forms like painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art, and all kinds of nice shops.

Day 13: Departure From Beijing  

Our last day in Beijing will go to visit The Temple of Heaven, which was served as the sacred place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the heavens and prayed for good harvests, now it has become a popular park for locals and tourists to do more exercises or have a relax, like practicing Taichi, singing, dancing, playing poker, strolling with a bird and so on. Before leaving from Beijing, we will take a visit of Panjiayuan Market, a sprawling marketplace in Beijing renowned for its vast collection of antiques, cultural artifacts, and second-hand goods.

Transfer to airport for departure flight back to home, ending the whole tour of China.