# Classic China 12 Days > Beijing · Xi'an · Guilin · Shanghai **URL:** https://passagechina.com/china-tours/classic-china-12-days - **Duration:** 12 days - **From:** $1999 USD - **Destinations:** Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai ## Highlights - One Journey Across Four Landmark Cities - World-Class Historical and Cultural Sights - Experience Classic Landscape-Painting Scenery - Ancient and Modern Twin-City Vistas - Authentic Local Cuisine Experience - Comfortable, Well-Planned Itinerary ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival in Beijing Arrive in Beijing; airport/station pickup, hotel check-in, and time to adjust to the time difference. Free time in the evening to stroll and enjoy Beijing’s night views. ### Day 2: Beijing Central Axis Tour Admire Tiananmen Rostrum and the Monument to the People's Heroes. Advance real-name reservation with a passport is required. Step into the Forbidden City, with its 600-year history, and stroll along the central axis of the imperial palaces, experiencing the grandeur of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ascend to Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park for panoramic views of the Forbidden City and the magnificent Beijing Central Axis. Stroll through ancient hutongs and savor the authentic charm of everyday Beijing ### Day 3: Great Wall Day Tour “Among the Great Wall’s ten thousand li, Mutianyu stands unrivaled,” the best-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, with fewer visitors than Badaling and a better experience for sightseeing and photography ### Day 4: Beijing → Xi'an Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning to admire the imperial sacrificial architecture and experience the ritual culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties。 Visit the Summer Palace in the afternoon, take a boat across Kunming Lake, and admire the elegant lakeside pavilions and scenery。 ### Day 5: The Great Qin Civilization In the morning, visit the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum to admire the underground army of the Qin Dynasty. In the afternoon, take the complimentary shuttle bus to visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang and appreciate this magnificent imperial tomb. ### Day 6: Xi'an's Ancient Capital Heritage Cycle around the Ming City Wall and take in the ancient city’s blend of past and present from above Take a stroll beneath the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and experience the enduring grandeur of the High Tang era When night falls, be sure to visit Datang Everbright City and dream of Chang’an’s splendor amid the dazzling lights ### Day 7: Xi'an → Guilin Take a night cruise along Guilin’s Two Rivers and Four Lakes, where shimmering lights reflect off the Twin Pagodas; journey through the waterways of the ancient city and admire Guilin’s enchanting mountain-and-water scenery at night. ### Day 8: Yangshuo’s Li River Scenery The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is an absolute must for a once-in-a-lifetime landscape experience! The 4.5-hour journey unfolds like a living painting. The highlight is stopping in Xingping Ancient Town to visit the very scenery featured on the RMB 20 banknote! ### Day 9: Yangshuo Countryside Scenery Drift along the Yulong River on a bamboo raft, gliding quietly through emerald peaks and verdant fields. Patchwork farmland lines both banks as the jade-green waters meander by, offering an immersive experience of Yangshuo’s uniquely gentle and exquisite landscapes, and the blissful pleasure of a leisurely escape into nature。。 Immerse yourself in Yangshuo’s pastoral beauty, where striking karst peaks rise dramatically from the earth and fields and villages create a picturesque harmony. Admire the natural tableau of verdant hills and countryside along the way, and experience the leisurely charm of rural landscapes. ### Day 10: Guilin → Shanghai The final stop in Guilin has to be Reed Flute Cave! This “State Guest Cave,” which has welcomed more than 300 Chinese and foreign heads of state, truly resembles an underground palace. Its stalactites are breathtakingly beautiful under the lights, and every photo looks like a cinematic masterpiece! After exploring this natural palace of art, it’s time to fly to Shanghai with wonderful memories～ From scenic Guilin to modern Shanghai, this journey couldn’t have been more perfect! ### Day 11: Panoramic Shanghai Experience Shanghai’s iconic urban landmarks in one seamless journey, linking the charm of the Old City with the modern skyline. Stroll through Yuyuan Garden to appreciate the timeless elegance of Jiangnan, then explore Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and soak up its vibrant local atmosphere. Pause at the Bund to admire its century-old collection of international architectural styles, cross the river to Lujiazui, and ascend either the Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower for 360° panoramic views of both banks of the Huangpu River—discovering Shanghai’s unique blend of heritage and modernity. ### Day 12: Shanghai Departure Airport Transfer Free time in the morning to shop for souvenirs; transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule, concluding the tour.