Chinese Treasures - Discovering Ancient and Modern Riches

Start with an exploration of the imperial capitals of Beijing and Xi'an, home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Visit traditional Beijing courtyard homes and explore a largely unrestored section of the Great Wall before getting an up-close view of the lifelike warriors guarding the first emperor's tomb.

We then venture to a remote region in China's southwest to explore the villages and old towns of Yunnan province, a border frontier land full of ethnic minority communities that are at a critical moment in history, balancing their beloved traditional cultures and modern conveniences. Take this opportunity to learn about these cultures before heading to China's bustling financial center, Shanghai.

Discover ancient civilizations through exclusive access to the Imperial Chonghua Palace and an up-close tour of the Terracotta Soldiers that guard the tomb of the first emperor to unify China.

Hike a remote section of the Great Wall, following a route pioneered by WildChina. Enjoy a picnic lunch nearby at tranquil farmer's house, then stay overnight at a former Manchurian hunting lodge near the foot of the Great Wall.

Learn about community-based initiatives in the traditional Kham Tibetan adobe style Community Center and Ecolodge in Trinyi Village, followed by an authentic Tibetan dinner of savory yak-butter tea, stewed yak meat and yak cheese.

Enjoy tea with a top lama in his chambers at Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan, nestled  in the beautiful mountain landscape of Zhongdian that many believe inspired James Hilton's mythical "Shangri-La" in his famed novel, Lost Horizon.

From a boutique courtyard hotel off a traditional Beijing hutong, to villas at a former Manchurian hunting lodge near the foot of the Great Wall, to a Naxi boutique nestled on Lion Hill overlooking Lijiang, and a beautifully restored mansion in Shanghai, get a taste of the flavor and character of all the places we visit during our exploration of China.

Featured Trip Plan:

Day 1 - Arrive in Beijing:   
Transfer to the hotel; welcome dinner at a local restaurant; overnight in Beijing.

Day 2 - Beijing:   
Visit Tian’anmen Square; explore the Forbidden City; go on an exclusive tour of the Forbidden City’s Chonghua Palace and explore the Hall of Clocks; enjoy lunch overlooking picturesque Houhai Lake; take a pedi-cab ride through Beijing’s hutongs; visit local traditional courtyard homes (siheyuan) where we learn yo-yo from a master, or try other traditional Chinese activities; enjoy Peking Duck at a renovated siheyuan; overnight in Beijing.

Day 3 - Beijing and the Great Wall:  
Learn taichi from a taichi master at the Temple of Heaven; sit down to a picnic lunch at a tranquil farmhouse; hike along the remote Longquanyu section of the Great Wall, visiting Xiangtun Village en route; energy permitting, leisurely hike along the Red Capital Ranch’s exclusive-access section of the Great Wall; dinner at the Red Capital Ranch; overnight at the Great Wall.

Day 4 - Xi'an:   
Fly into Xi’an; get closer to the Terracotta Warriors than regular visitors;  enjoy dumplings at a popular local dumpling restaurant; stroll around the Muslim Quarter; overnight in Xi’an.

Day 5 - Xi'an:   
Take a morning bicycle ride on Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall; have a private calligraphy lesson; tour the Forest of Steles; enjoy local hand-pulled noodles; visit the Shaanxi History Museum; overnight in Xi’an.

Day 6 - Lijiang:
Fly from Xi'an to Lijiang via Kunming; enjoy dinner in and explore Lijiang Old Town; overnight in Lijiang.

Day 7 - Lijiang:   
Visit the Puji Temple for a private prayer ceremony; take in the tranquil setting with a refreshing meditation; explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; visit The Nature Conservancy Exhibition Center; dinner overlooking Lijiang Old Town; overnight in Lijiang.

Day 8 - Lijiang:
Meet a Yi ethnic minority Shaman; hike in Wenhai Village; dinner party with traditional Naxi music in a local Naxi courtyard home; overnight in Lijiang; overnight in Lijiang.

Day 9 - Tiger Leaping Gorge and Zhongdian:   
Drive to Zhongdian (“Shangri-La”); en route, stop at the First Bend of the Yangzte River; explore Tiger Leaping Gorge; enjoy a Tibetan dinner; overnight in Zhongdian.

Day 10 - Zhongdian:   
Visit Ringha Temple; walk the pilgrimage path around Ringha Hill; hike up to Songzanlin Monastery; gain privileged access to an area usually off-limits; enjoy tea and private audience with a top lama; visit Trinyi Village Community Center and Ecolodge; enjoy an authentic traditional Tibetan dinner in Trinyi with singing and dancing; overnight in Zhongdian.

Day 11 - Shanghai:   
Fly to Shanghai via Kunming; take the Maglev from the airport to downtown; Huangpu River Cruise; dine in a restaurant near the Bund; overnight in Shanghai.

Day 12 - Shanghai:   
Visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center; visit the Shanghai Museum; lunch in Xintiandi; walk through the French Concession; stroll through the Yu Garden; Shanghainese farewell dinner; watch the ERA acrobatics show; overnight in Shanghai.

Day 13 - Depart Shanghai:  
Drive to Pudong International Airport; journey ends.