9-Day Ancient Capitals Tour: Beijing, Datong, Pingyao & Xi’an

Hike on the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall, which is less crowded and best fully restored Great Wall, offering spectacular landscape like a traditional Chinese painting scroll.

Walk and explore in the largest imperial capital city still existing in China – Forbidden City which was the imperial palace of China for about 600 years and was home to 24 emperors in history – 14 of the Ming Dynasty and 10 of the Qing Dynasty.

Explore Datong, known as the ‘Beijing’s Back Garden’ of Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing Dynasty, and visited by Marco Polo in 1277. The city planning of Datong embodies the design concept of ‘Twin Cities on One Axis’ proposed by Liang Sicheng, the father of modern Chinese architecture.

Get close to Yungang Grottoes Temple (World Heritage), one of the Four Great Grottoes of China. Unveil “Five Caves of Tan Yao” and appreciate Grand Buddha Caves, Buddha Hall Caves & Stupa Temple Caves from Gandhara art to localized styles.

Marvel at the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple, a unique site that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Admire the best-preserved wooden cliffside structure in China, celebrated for its “Perilousness,” “Compactness,” “Hanging design,” and “Ingenuity.”

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda holds the Guinness World Record as the “world’s tallest wooden pagoda.” As one of the “Three Great Wonders of the World’s Towers, it was constructed entirely without nails, relying instead on tens of thousands of interlocking wooden components (like a giant wooden “Lego”).

Enjoy a city walk in Pingyao Ancient City, a world cultural heritage site & one of the “Four Best Preserved Ancient Cities in China”. Climb the City Wall of Pingyao, visit China’s largest surviving county office, the first draft bank in China, and the largest underground treasury in China, and stroll on the Qing Dynasty’s “Wall Street of China”.

Walk or cycle atop the well-preserved Ancient City Wall of Xi’an, enjoy the spectacular city view, feel the collision of ancient and modern, and learn about the history of ancient Chinese urban defense.

Transport yourself to ancient times by donning the elegant and exquisite Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. Near the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, immerse yourself in the cultural experience of wearing Hanfu, capturing memorable moments, and feeling a deep connection to the rich heritage of Xi’an.