Explore Authentic China and Chase Your Avatar Dreams

🌟 Highlights

• Chase the iconic floating mountain inspiration from Avatar among Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly karst peaks, a once-in-a-lifetime nature bucket-list stop
• Explore 5,000 years of Chinese heritage, from the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City to the world-famous Terracotta Army, with guided access to top historic sites
• Perfectly blend ancient tradition and modern energy, wandering imperial palaces before soaking up Shanghai’s glittering futuristic skyline
• Enjoy seamless pre-arranged travel and accommodation, for a totally stress-free authentic Chinese adventure

🗺️ Itinerary Overview

This 11-day curated journey kicks off in Beijing, China’s centuries-old imperial capital, where you’ll explore iconic royal landmarks and walk the legendary Great Wall before traveling south via high-speed rail to dynamic Shanghai, where modern skyscrapers meet traditional gardens and tea culture. From Shanghai, you’ll head inland to ancient Buddhist heartland Luoyang to explore thousand-year-old cave temples, then on to Xi’an to encounter the legendary Terracotta Army. The trip wraps with a visit to breathtaking Zhangjiajie, the real-life home of Avatar’s famous floating peaks, where you’ll explore dramatic natural landscapes before your departure. This route balances ancient history, vibrant culture, and showstopping natural scenery to showcase the very best of China.

📖 Day-by-Day Itinerary

🌟 Day 1: Beijing

After you arrive in Beijing, you’ll be smoothly transferred to your downtown hotel to drop off bags and settle in after your travels. As evening falls, you’ll head out to explore bustling Wangfujing Street, Beijing’s most famous shopping and dining district, where you’ll enjoy a group dinner surrounded by local energy. 🍽️ Included: Dinner | 🏨 Accommodation: Mercure Beijing Downtown, Grand Concordia, or Grand Mercure Beijing

🌟 Day 2: Beijing

Today is dedicated to exploring Beijing’s most iconic imperial landmarks. Your expert guide will lead you through the sprawling Forbidden City, once the exclusive home of Chinese emperors for over 500 years. After exploring the palace complex, you’ll climb Coal Hill in Jingshan Park for a showstopping panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City, then take a leisurely walking tour of historic Tiananmen Square. You’ll wrap up the day with a visit to the lush, lake-filled Summer Palace, the Qing Dynasty emperors’ favorite summer retreat. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Same central Beijing hotel options

🌟 Day 3: Beijing → Shanghai

Rise early for an unforgettable day trip to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, one of the most well-preserved and scenic stretches of this world wonder. You’ll ride a cable car up to the wall to explore at your pace, taking in sweeping views of the wall snaking over green mountain ridges. After your walk, you’ll sit down to a delicious lunch featuring iconic crispy-skinned Peking duck. Following lunch, you’ll board a high-speed train south to dynamic Shanghai, where you’ll check into your hotel for the night. 🍽️ Included: Peking duck lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis

🌟 Day 4: Shanghai

Experience Shanghai’s perfect mix of modern and traditional today. First, you’ll visit the glittering Pudong Financial District, home to Shanghai’s most famous skyscrapers and iconic skyline. Next, you’ll take a scenic ferry ride across the Shanghai River, giving you a unique perspective of both modern Pudong and historic downtown. After disembarking, you’ll wander through the classic Yuyuan Garden, a stunning 16th-century traditional Chinese garden, then join a peaceful traditional tea ceremony right in the Yuyuan area to learn about Chinese tea culture. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis

🌟 Day 5: Shanghai → Luoyang

Today you’ll board a high-speed train west to Luoyang, one of China’s oldest imperial capitals and a historic cradle of Chinese Buddhism. Once you arrive, you’ll head straight to the UNESCO-listed Longmen Buddhist Caves, a massive complex of thousands of carved Buddhist statues dating back over 1,500 years. You’ll take a scenic boat ride along the river running alongside the caves, getting a one-of-a-kind view of the cliffside carvings before transferring to your central Luoyang hotel. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Mercure Luoyang or Ramada By Wyndham Downtown Luoyang

🌟 Day 6: Luoyang → Xi’an

Start your day exploring Luoyang’s most iconic Buddhist sites: you’ll visit White Horse Monastery, China’s oldest surviving Buddhist temple, followed by a stop at Baolun Temple to see ancient Buddhist art and architecture. Next, you’ll explore the Guo Museum, home to a stunning collection of ancient artifacts from Luoyang’s long imperial history. As you travel overland from Luoyang to Xi’an, you’ll catch a scenic view of rugged Mount Hua along the way before checking into your Xi’an hotel. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Xi'an SCPG or Delta By Marriott Xi'an

🌟 Day 7: Xi'an

Today is dedicated to exploring Xi’an’s world-famous historic treasures. First up is a visit to the Terracotta Army Museum, where you’ll come face to face with thousands of life-sized clay warriors built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb over 2,000 years ago. After that, you’ll visit the graceful Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient Buddhist pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. You’ll then take a leisurely walking tour of Xi’an’s historic walled city center, before ending the day wandering the bustling Muslim Quarter, famous for its street food and local culture. 🏨 Accommodation: Same Xi'an hotel options as Day 6

🌟 Day 8: Xi'an → Zhangjiajie

Today you’ll fly from historic Xi’an straight to Zhangjiajie, the lush mountain region in Hunan famous for its dramatic jagged karst peaks. After landing, you’ll be transferred directly to your hotel in the Wulingyuan scenic area, right at the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Park, so you’re perfectly positioned to explore the next day. 🏨 Accommodation: Renjoy Hotel Zhangjiajie

🌟 Day 9: Zhangjiajie

Get ready for a full day of exploring Zhangjiajie’s jaw-dropping natural scenery. You’ll start with a visit to stunning Baofeng Lake, a crystal-clear alpine lake tucked between steep forested karst peaks, then take a relaxing scenic boat ride across the lake to soak up the otherworldly views. Next, you’ll ride the famous Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, up over 1,000 feet to the Yuanjiajie scenic area, where you’ll explore the iconic peak formations that inspired Avatar’s floating mountains. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Renjoy Hotel Zhangjiajie

🌟 Day 10: Zhangjiajie

Today’s adventure takes you to iconic Tianmen Mountain. You’ll ride Asia’s longest cable car up the mountain, with 30 minutes of sweeping views of valleys and jagged peaks unfolding below you as you climb. Once at the top, you’ll get your adrenaline fix walking along the famous Glass Sky Walk, a cliff-side path with a transparent glass floor that gives you unobstructed views of the valley thousands of feet below. You’ll also explore the massive natural Tianmen karst cave before heading back down the mountain for the night. 🍽️ Included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Renjoy Hotel Zhangjiajie

🌟 Day 11: Zhangjiajie (Departure)

Your 11-day Chinese adventure wraps up today after a hearty complimentary breakfast buffet at your hotel, giving you plenty of energy to head to the airport for your onward journey. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast buffet

✅ What's Included

• Arrival hotel transfer on Day 1, plus all inter-city transport between destinations
• All entrance fees and guided access for listed activities, including Hutong tricycle rides and a visit to a traditional Siheyuan courtyard house
• All listed meals, including the Day 1 Wangfujing dinner, 7 daily lunches (with signature Peking duck on Day 3), and the Day 11 departure breakfast buffet
• 10 nights of pre-booked 3-4 star accommodation at centrally located hotels across all 5 destinations
• All core tour activities across the full 11-day itinerary

❌ What's Not Included

• International arrival/departure flights to Beijing and from Zhangjiajie
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra snacks and drinks, optional activities)
• Travel insurance

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration: 11 days
• Destinations: Beijing, Luoyang, Shanghai, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie
• Free 2025 China Travel Guide: https://hellochinatrip.com/china-travel-guide-2025/