The 8-day China Icons Tour brings together three of China's most distinctive destinations: historic Beijing, the dramatic landscapes of Zhangjiajie, and the restless energy of modern Shanghai. Among China tours that combine the country's classic highlights with extraordinary natural scenery, this itinerary offers a particularly varied introduction.
Beijing sets a high bar from the start – the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall at Mutianyu all feature before the tour moves south to Zhangjiajie. There, towering sandstone pillars, Tianmen Mountain, and the famous Glass Bridge showcase a side of China that feels like nowhere else on earth.
Shanghai closes the journey on its own terms. Classical gardens and historic waterfront architecture sit in easy contrast with the gleaming skyline of Pudong. The Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and an evening cruise on the Huangpu River round out a city that never quite lets you go.
Three destinations, three completely different moods – the 8-day China Icons Tour is built for travellers who want imperial heritage, raw natural scenery, and contemporary city life without having to choose between them.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Beijing, where you will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00 and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, meet your guide and begin exploring China's capital. Visit the impressive Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and the setting for many important events in modern Chinese history.
From the square, you can walk to the splendid Forbidden City. Upon arrival at the largest imperial palace, travelers are always impressed by the high red walls and the large number of buildings with golden roofs. Explore its courtyards, ceremonial halls and traditional architecture while learning about life at the imperial court.
Afterwards, visit Jingshan Park, a former imperial garden offering panoramic views over the Forbidden City and central Beijing. In the afternoon, continue to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed ceremonies and prayed for good harvests.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays.
From the square, you can walk to the splendid Forbidden City. Upon arrival at the largest imperial palace, travelers are always impressed by the high red walls and the large number of buildings with golden roofs. Explore its courtyards, ceremonial halls and traditional architecture while learning about life at the imperial court.
Afterwards, visit Jingshan Park, a former imperial garden offering panoramic views over the Forbidden City and central Beijing. In the afternoon, continue to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed ceremonies and prayed for good harvests.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays.
After breakfast, drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (75 km, 1.5-2 h), one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Great Wall near Beijing. Take the cable car up and enjoy time walking along the wall, with views of the surrounding mountains and restored watchtowers.
Return towards Beijing and visit the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat renowned for its landscaped gardens, elegant pavilions and views across Kunming Lake.
On the way back to the city, make a photo stop at Olympic Park, home to the distinctive Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center).
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Return towards Beijing and visit the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat renowned for its landscaped gardens, elegant pavilions and views across Kunming Lake.
On the way back to the city, make a photo stop at Olympic Park, home to the distinctive Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center).
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Early in the morning, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie (2 h 30 min).
Upon arrival, meet your guide and start your sightseeing tour. Transfer to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (30 km, 40 min), part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area and renowned for its extraordinary sandstone pillars and mountain landscapes. Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor glass elevator, to reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Explore its viewpoints and see the striking sandstone formation known as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, which inspired the floating landscapes in James Cameron's Avatar.
Continue to Tianzi Mountain (23 km, 45 min), known for its panoramic views across the distinctive sandstone peaks of Wulingyuan. Descend by cable car and transfer to your hotel in Wulingyuan (80 km, 1 h 30 min).
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Note: As departure from the hotel is very early, please ask the reception the day before to prepare a breakfast box for you to take away.
Upon arrival, meet your guide and start your sightseeing tour. Transfer to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (30 km, 40 min), part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area and renowned for its extraordinary sandstone pillars and mountain landscapes. Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor glass elevator, to reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Explore its viewpoints and see the striking sandstone formation known as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, which inspired the floating landscapes in James Cameron's Avatar.
Continue to Tianzi Mountain (23 km, 45 min), known for its panoramic views across the distinctive sandstone peaks of Wulingyuan. Descend by cable car and transfer to your hotel in Wulingyuan (80 km, 1 h 30 min).
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Note: As departure from the hotel is very early, please ask the reception the day before to prepare a breakfast box for you to take away.
Start your day with the visit of Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (55 km, 1 h 15 min), one of Zhangjiajie's most distinctive natural attractions.
Take the spectacular cable car from the city to the mountain, enjoying extensive views as you ascend. At the summit, follow the scenic pathways and experience sections of the famous Glass Skywalk, built along the steep cliffs.
Continue to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a huge natural arch that has become one of the most recognisable landmarks of Zhangjiajie. Explore the surrounding viewpoints before descending the mountain.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Take the spectacular cable car from the city to the mountain, enjoying extensive views as you ascend. At the summit, follow the scenic pathways and experience sections of the famous Glass Skywalk, built along the steep cliffs.
Continue to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a huge natural arch that has become one of the most recognisable landmarks of Zhangjiajie. Explore the surrounding viewpoints before descending the mountain.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Today visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, known for its steep cliffs, forested landscapes and dramatic scenery.
Walk across the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, suspended high above the canyon and offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape through its glass-bottomed sections.
After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai (2 hours). Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Walk across the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, suspended high above the canyon and offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape through its glass-bottomed sections.
After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai (2 hours). Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour at Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden known for its elegant pavilions, rockeries, ponds and traditional landscaping. Afterwards, explore the nearby Yu Garden Bazaar, with its traditional-style buildings, shops and local products.
Continue to a local silk factory to learn about traditional silk production before visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower. Ascend to the observation level for panoramic views across Shanghai and the Huangpu River.
In the afternoon, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, an active Buddhist temple housing two renowned jade Buddha statues brought to Shanghai from Myanmar in the late 19th century.
Continue with a walk along Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai's best-known shopping streets, and The Bund, the city's historic waterfront promenade overlooking the modern skyline of Pudong.
In the evening, enjoy a Huangpu River cruise and see Shanghai's illuminated waterfront and skyline from the water.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Continue to a local silk factory to learn about traditional silk production before visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower. Ascend to the observation level for panoramic views across Shanghai and the Huangpu River.
In the afternoon, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, an active Buddhist temple housing two renowned jade Buddha statues brought to Shanghai from Myanmar in the late 19th century.
Continue with a walk along Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai's best-known shopping streets, and The Bund, the city's historic waterfront promenade overlooking the modern skyline of Pudong.
In the evening, enjoy a Huangpu River cruise and see Shanghai's illuminated waterfront and skyline from the water.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- English-speaking local guide;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for the flights Beijing-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai.
Price doesn't include:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- English-speaking local guide;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for the flights Beijing-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2026 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Standard: Ibis Beijing Chaoyang Joy City Hotel
Comfort: Mecure Hotel Downtown
Premium: Sofitel Hotel Beijing Downtown
Comfort: Mecure Hotel Downtown
Premium: Sofitel Hotel Beijing Downtown
Standard: Zhuanjiacun Hotel
Comfort: Maosao Inn
Premium: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Renjoy Hotel 5* building
Comfort: Maosao Inn
Premium: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Renjoy Hotel 5* building
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