China: From Ancient to Modern
The modern capital Beijing—with its sprawling Summer Palace and the majestic Great Wall—is a worthy successor to the former capital Xi’an.
That ancient city is home to the Terracotta Warriors and other monuments to ancient Chinese customs. In the south, Yangshuo’s natural formations are equally as eye opening—where dramatic mountain peaks and cliffs are highlighted by the enchanting Moon Hill.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to China
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Day 2: Beijing
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Beijing
Take a guided tour of Beijing
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Tiananmen Square [tyahn-ahn-men]
- Forbidden City
- Summer Palace
Enjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)
Participate in a tai chi lesson
Enjoy a Peking duck dinner
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Day 4: Beijing • Mutianyu
Take a day trip to Mutianyu
Visit one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall of China that’s less traveled by tourists
Participate in a tea ceremony
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
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Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on Xi’an’s ancient city wall
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food, and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
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Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit a street food market in the city’s Muslim Quarter
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Day 7: Xi'an • Guilin • Yangshuo
Fly to Guilin
Travel to YangshuoTake a walking tour of West Street
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Day 8: Yangshuo
Tour Yangshuo with an expert local guide
Climb Moon HillTake a bamboo raft cruise on the Li River
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Yangshuo cooking class
Upon arrival, you’ll be divided into two groups. After a brief demonstration by a professional chef, groups will prepare several traditional Chinese dishes on their own. Afterwards, relax and enjoy your own personally cooked meal.
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Day 9: Yangshuo • Guilin • Shanghai
Travel to Guilin
Fly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
Walk along the Bund, a colonial-era center for international banking and trade
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Day 10: Shanghai
Take a guided tour of Shanghai
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Jade Buddha Temple
- Yu Garden, whose name literally means “happiness”
Take a walking tour of Nanjing Road
With your Tour Director you will:
- Explore one of the world’s busiest shopping streets
- Interact with locals as you navigate the bustling crowds
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Day 11: Shanghai • Suzhou
Take a full day excursion to Suzhou
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden
Explore Suzhou on your own
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Enjoy dinner in Kowloon
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
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Day 13: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
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Day 14: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to China
-
Day 2: Beijing
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Beijing
Take a guided tour of Beijing
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Tiananmen Square [tyahn-ahn-men]
- Forbidden City
- Summer Palace
Enjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)
Participate in a tai chi lesson
Enjoy a Peking duck dinner
-
Day 4: Beijing • Mutianyu
Take a day trip to Mutianyu
Visit one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall of China that’s less traveled by tourists
Participate in a tea ceremony
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
-
Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on Xi’an’s ancient city wall
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food, and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
-
Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit a street food market in the city’s Muslim Quarter
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Day 7: Xi'an • Guilin • Yangshuo
Fly to Guilin
Travel to YangshuoTake a walking tour of West Street
-
Day 8: Yangshuo
Tour Yangshuo with an expert local guide
Climb Moon HillTake a bamboo raft cruise on the Li River
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Yangshuo cooking class
Upon arrival, you’ll be divided into two groups. After a brief demonstration by a professional chef, groups will prepare several traditional Chinese dishes on their own. Afterwards, relax and enjoy your own personally cooked meal.
-
Day 9: Yangshuo • Guilin • Shanghai
Travel to Guilin
Fly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
Walk along the Bund, a colonial-era center for international banking and trade
-
Day 10: Shanghai
Take a guided tour of Shanghai
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Jade Buddha Temple
- Yu Garden, whose name literally means “happiness”
Take a walking tour of Nanjing Road
With your Tour Director you will:
- Explore one of the world’s busiest shopping streets
- Interact with locals as you navigate the bustling crowds
-
Day 11: Shanghai • Suzhou
Take a full day excursion to Suzhou
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden
Explore Suzhou on your own
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Enjoy dinner in Kowloon
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
-
Day 13: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
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Day 14: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Internal flights
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Hotels
10 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (12 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily (1 dinner with extension)
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Guided sightseeing
4 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides (5 with extension); 3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director; 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Summer Palace; Forbidden City; Tiananmen Square; Great Wall of China; Temple of Heaven Park; Terracotta Warriors; Calligraphy class; World Financial Center; Jade Buddha Temple; Yu Yuan Garden; Master of the Nets Garden (with extension: Star Ferry ride; Peak Tram)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
