The 14-day China Heritage Tour: Stone & Water offers an immersive journey into the history and culture of the Middle Kingdom. The itinerary seamlessly blends China’s most iconic stone monuments with the poetic aesthetic of its traditional water towns, delivering an unforgettable two-week cultural experience.
Beijing sets the tone from the start – the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall form the historical core, while the traditional hutong districts offer a more intimate side of the capital. Xi'an, one of China's ancient capitals, comes next. The Terracotta Army alone justifies the stop, though the city's broader cultural legacy rewards those who look beyond it.
Zhangjiajie marks a dramatic shift in scenery – sandstone pillars rising through mist, panoramic mountain views, and walking trails that put you directly inside one of China's most spectacular landscapes. From there, the historic towns of Furong and Fenghuang provide a quieter interlude: traditional architecture lining picturesque riverside settings, largely unchanged for generations.
Shanghai closes the tour on a contrasting note – classical gardens and historic districts alongside one of the world's most recognisable modern skylines. A day trip to Suzhou and the water town of Zhouzhuang rounds things out with a closer look at traditional garden design and canal-town life.
The 14-day China Heritage Tour: Stone & Water suits travellers who want a well-balanced, unhurried way to experience China's highlights – cultural and natural, ancient and contemporary – without sacrificing comfort along the way.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Beijing - arrival

Arrive in Beijing. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check-in to the hotel. As the capital of China, Beijing is one of the country’s most important historical and cultural centres, with a rich heritage spanning several imperial dynasties.
In the evening, take a walk along Qianmen Street, a popular pedestrian area known for its traditional architecture and lively atmosphere.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 1-2 hours

Day 2: Beijing

After breakfast, meet your guide and begin your sightseeing tour in Beijing. Start at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and a site of major national events. From here, walk to the Forbidden City*, the largest imperial palace complex in China. Surrounded by towering red walls and filled with grand halls topped with golden roofs, it offers a fascinating insight into the country’s imperial history. Continue to Jingshan Park (Coal Hill), a former imperial garden, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the Forbidden City and central Beijing.
In the afternoon, drive to the Shichahai Hutong area and explore the traditional courtyard residences by rickshaw, a historic mode of transport. Then take a walk around the nearby Houhai Lake, known for its lively atmosphere and scenic surroundings.
Overnight at the hotel.
*Forbidden City closed on Monday
Duration of the sightseeing: 8-9 hours

Day 3: Beijing

In the morning drive to the Badaling section of the Great Wall (75 km, 1 h 30 min), one of the best-preserved and most accessible parts of this iconic landmark. Take a cable car up and walk down along the wall, enjoying wide views of the surrounding mountains. Originally built to protect the Chinese empire from northern invaders, the Great Wall remains one of the country’s most remarkable historical sites.
After lunch, transfer to the Summer Palace (65 km, 1 h), the former imperial retreat used by the royal family during the hot summer months. Explore its landscaped gardens, pavilions and lakes, and enjoy a boat ride on Kunming Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 8-9 hours

Day 4: Beijing - Xi’an

Check-out from the hotel. Start your day with the visit of the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed rituals to honor the heavens and pray for good harvests. Then you will drive to the Silk Market, known for its wide range of goods, including clothing, accessories and souvenirs.
After the tour transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 3-4 hours

Day 5: Xi’an

In the morning meet your guide and drive to the outskirts of Xi’an to visit the Terracotta Army (45 km, 1 h), one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in the world. Thousands of life-sized clay warriors, created to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, offer a powerful insight into China’s imperial past. Return to the city and visit the Ancient City Wall (South Gate), the most complete city wall preserved in China and one of the largest ancient military defence systems in the world.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner, followed by the Tang Dynasty Show at the Shaanxi Theatre. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 7-8 hours

Day 6: Xi’an – Zhangjiajie

Check-out from the hotel. Visit the Xi’an Museum, where you can learn more about the city’s history and cultural heritage.
Continue to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist site set in a peaceful park. Then return to the city centre and explore the Muslim Quarter, known for its lively atmosphere, traditional markets and numerous mosques, including the well-known Great Mosque.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 4-5 hours

Day 7: Zhangjiajie

After breakfast, begin your full-day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (35 km, 40 min). Visit the famous Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, known for its towering sandstone pillars and dramatic landscapes.
Take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s highest outdoor glass elevator built into a cliff, rising 335 metres and offering impressive views while saving time on the ascent.
Explore the scenic walking trails and viewing platforms, including the iconic Hallelujah Mountain, which inspired the floating mountains in the film Avatar.
Continue to Tianzi Mountain, renowned for its panoramic viewpoints and distinctive rock formations. After the visit, descend by cable car and return to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 7-8 hours

Day 8: Zhangjiajie

Breakfast. Drive to Tianmen Mountain, known for its spectacular scenery and the natural arch known as “Heaven’s Gate”.
Take a cable car from the city centre to the mountain summit, one of the longest cable car rides in the world, offering impressive views along the way. Walk along the scenic paths, including sections of the famous glass walkway built along the cliffs.
In the evening, enjoy a visit to the 72 Wonders Pavilion, where you can experience traditional architecture and a folklore performance. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 6-7 hours

Day 9: Zhangjiajie – Furong – Fenghuang

After breakfast, drive to Furong Ancient Town (100 km, 1 h 30 min), known for its traditional architecture and scenic hotels above a waterfall. Walk through the old streets and explore its historic atmosphere. Continue to Fenghuang Ancient Town (120 km, 2 h), one of the best-preserved ancient towns in China. Upon arrival, take a walk through the town and enjoy its evening views, when the riverside houses and bridges are illuminated. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 6-7 hours

Day 10: Fenghuang – Shanghai

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Enjoy your morning in Fenghuang Ancient Town, including a boat cruise on the Tuo River, offering views of the town’s traditional wooden houses and riverside scenery.
Later, transfer to the railway station (10 km, 15 min) and take a high-speed train to Shanghai (G221 or similar). The train covers a distance of around 1,300 km across China, taking approximately 6.5 hours. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 2-3 hours

Day 11: Shanghai

After breakfast, visit the Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden known for its elegant layout of pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters. Explore the nearby bazaar area, where traditional shops and local products create a lively atmosphere.
Continue with a walking tour along Nanjing Road, one of the city’s main shopping streets, and The Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront promenade, offering views of both historic architecture and the modern skyline.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 5-6 hours

Day 12: Shanghai – Suzhou

Breakfast. Then drive to Suzhou (90 km, 1h 30 min), one of the most famous historical and cultural cities in southern China, renowned for its classical gardens. Begin with a visit to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest and most famous garden in Suzhou, representing the finest traditions of classical Chinese garden design. Continue to a silk factory, where you can learn about traditional silk production and see finely crafted silk products. Later, enjoy some free time along Pingjiang Road, a historic street lined with canals, traditional houses and local shops. In the evening, visit the Master of the Nets Garden, where you can enjoy a performance of traditional Chinese music in an intimate garden setting. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 7-8 hours

Day 13: Suzhou - Zhouzhuang - Shanghai

Breakfast. Meet your guide and drive to Zhouzhuang (55 km, 1 h), one of the most famous water towns in China, known for its canals, stone bridges and well-preserved traditional architecture. Enjoy a boat cruise through the town, offering a closer view of its historic surroundings. After the visit, drive back to Shanghai (90 km, 1h 30 min) and explore the Tianzifang area, a lively district of narrow lanes filled with galleries, cafés and boutique shops. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of the sightseeing: 6-7 hours

Day 14: Shanghai - departure

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time until transfer to the airport. Departure. End of China Heritage Tour: Stone & Water.

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;
High-speed train Beijing-Xian, Fenghuang-Shanghai (second class);
Economy class domestic flight Xian-Zhangjiajie;
1 bottle of water per person per day;
Government taxes and fees.