Itinerary - China 360°: Beijing, Shanghai and the Great Wall

Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!

Check in at the hotel in Beijing and meet the rest of your group! We are in the capital of China, a city rich in ancient history while also being incredibly modern. For dinner, how about we try some Chinese delicacies? We could have spaghetti with soy sauce, Peking chicken, fried tofu, and the delicious jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) – a cuisine that satisfies all palates! Let's toast to the beginning of our adventure with some baijiu, a famous liquor loved by the people of Beijing. Tomorrow, the real journey begins, and we are so excited!

The Great Wall awaits us! We will reach one of the access points and walk along a stone snake that winds for kilometers, with the wind in our hair and our gaze lost on the horizon. It is said that the Wall was built to protect China from invaders, but today it stands as a symbol of unity and national pride.

Let’s put on our comfortable shoes and get ready to uncover its secrets: watchtowers, hidden passages, and breathtaking views. We will feel the rush of adrenaline and the satisfaction of reaching such an ambitious goal!

We are going to enjoy this day in Beijing: we need to discover all its secrets and hidden corners! This morning, we’ll immerse ourselves in history and imperial culture as we set off to explore the Temple of Heaven, an architectural masterpiece where the emperors prayed for a good harvest, and the Summer Palace, a peaceful haven with breathtaking gardens and elegant pavilions—we will feel like the protagonists of a period film!

In the afternoon, an even bigger adventure awaits us: the Forbidden City. We will explore sumptuous palaces, secret gardens, and vast courtyards where emperors once roamed. Did you know that the Forbidden City has over 9,000 rooms? And that it takes days to see it all? We will definitely try to see the best parts! Afterward, we will climb the hill of Jingshan Park for a breathtaking view: from here, the Forbidden City appears as a jewel set in the city. To end the day on a high note, we will relax in Beihai Park, an oasis of peace in the heart of Beijing. Here, we can rent a pedal boat and take a ride on the lake, admiring the White Pagoda and the Nine-Dragon Wall.

This morning, we still have some time to take a walk around Beijing: let’s make the most of these hours to visit what we missed yesterday or pick up some souvenirs—although, it must be said, it might be a bit early to fill our backpacks! After lunch, we will board a train that will take us from modern Beijing to the more traditional Pingyao, a town that still retains the charm of ancient China.

Pingyao, a hidden gem in Shanxi Province, will reveal the most authentic side of China. We will stroll through its streets, admire its temples, and savor the relaxed atmosphere: after yesterday spent in the chaos of Beijing, we will feel like we are in a completely new country. Pingyao is nicknamed "the city of red lanterns"—we will experience this tonight as we walk through the streets illuminated by thousands of lanterns while we decide on the perfect place for dinner: our goal is, of course, to taste a good local dish and enjoy the evening in great company.

We have the entire day to dedicate to discovering Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is famous for having remained unchanged for over a thousand years: we can still see the medieval walls intact, along with many shops and wooden houses that still feature the typical design of the Ming era. We cannot miss a stroll along Ming-Qing Street: here, we will truly feel like we have arrived in real China. We will find the shop with the strangest artisan products and then locate a small restaurant for lunch—the atmosphere will certainly be just right!

We will let ourselves be enveloped by the sound of temple bells and the voices of street vendors. The air will be filled with intense scents: incense, tea, and delicious local delicacies. As we walk through the streets, we can listen to the stories of the locals and taste typical Chinese dishes. We will have time until mid-afternoon to explore this little gem before catching the train that will take us to Xi'an: tomorrow, new adventures await us!

We arrived in Xi'an yesterday evening, probably feeling tired—but today we are energized to discover this new face of China. We will let ourselves be enchanted by the magical atmosphere of this city, rich in history and mystery, which is home to one of the most fascinating works of the human race: the Terracotta Army—a sight that will undoubtedly leave us speechless. Thousands of terracotta warriors, each with a unique expression, seem to have stepped right out of a movie. They were discovered by chance by farmers digging a well—it sounds like the start of a joke, but it’s a true story!

After being amazed all morning, we’ll have the afternoon to relax and stroll around Xi'an. We can find some peace at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an oasis of serenity in the heart of the city, before catching a late afternoon train to Chengdu!

Chengdu is the Chinese city renowned worldwide for its delicious cuisine and, above all, for being the home of giant pandas. After breakfast, we will venture out of the city center to meet these adorable little bears: we can watch them as they play, sleep, or maybe even embark on some funny adventures. Don’t forget your camera: pandas are famous for their unexpected acrobatics!

But Chengdu is not just about pandas: this city has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s food capitals. Let’s get ready for an explosion of flavors: spicy dishes, intense aromas, and surprising combinations await us. We will arm ourselves with chopsticks, prepare our palates (yes, they love spicy food here), and get ready to explore this culinary side of China. In the evening, we’ll move again… guess what?! We have a train to catch, headed for Chongqing!

Today, we wake up in Chongqing, a city that will truly amaze us. Here, we will find ultramodern skyscrapers rising alongside ancient temples and historical districts. We won’t miss Ciqikou, an ancient district filled with traditional houses, craft shops, and restaurants. Unfortunately, we can’t stay long in Chongqing because a new train awaits us—but I promise, it’s the last one we will take during this trip! We are heading toward one of the highlights of our journey: Furong and the Avatar Mountains!

Good morning, adventurers! Today, we immerse ourselves in the magic of Furong, a hidden gem in the Chinese mountains. After yesterday's long journey, it’s time to take it a little easier; today will have a much more relaxed pace—we definitely deserve it! Furong is an ancient city built along a river and surrounded by mountains. First impressions? Traditional wooden houses, stone bridges crossing the river, and an atmosphere that takes us back in time.

We will begin our exploration by walking through the narrow streets of the old town. We can admire the facades of the houses adorned with intricate carvings, visit the local temples, and get lost among the small craft shops. Furong is famous for its production of handmade paper—perhaps we will have the chance to discover the art behind this ancient craft tradition.

After lunch, we’ll embark on a light trek through the surrounding mountains. The trail will lead us to a spectacular waterfall, where we can cool off—weather permitting! At sunset, we will return to Furong for a typical dinner at a local restaurant to sample the specialties of the region, accompanied by a good Chinese beer.

After a hearty breakfast and a final look at the picturesque old town of Furong, we set off toward our next destination: the legendary Avatar Mountains. On the way, we will admire the ever-changing landscapes, from green rice fields to imposing mountains. Upon arriving in Zhangjiajie, we will immediately immerse ourselves in the magical atmosphere of the place: the Avatar Mountains, with their towering spires and lush forests, will welcome us, making us feel like we are in the movie.

After spending a few hours in the park, a transfer awaits us to take us to the airport: we have a flight to catch, heading to Shanghai!

Finally, Shanghai! This morning, we head straight to the Old City, a labyrinth of narrow streets and traditional houses. We will visit the Yu Yuan Garden, a jewel of Chinese landscape architecture, featuring its beautiful pavilions, ponds, and bridges. Afterward, we can get lost among the little shops of the Old City, searching for unique souvenirs.

To end the day on a high note, we can hop aboard a cruise on the Huangpu River and admire the illuminated skyline of the city from a different perspective, sipping a cocktail and enjoying some appetizers—a fitting conclusion to this incredible trip that we shared and will likely remember for the rest of our lives.

Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!