International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging
An English-Speaking Tour Guide
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Breakfasts
Our tour to China starts in the capital city of Beijing, known for its unparalleled combination of ancient imperial history and rapid modern development. Beijing is an exceptionally popular, top-tier global tourist destination and the number 1 destination in China, frequently ranked for its 3,000+ years of history, UNESCO sites and fast-paced atmosphere.
We are making a daytrip today. Specifically, we are taken by car to a famous, well-preserved and scenic section of the Great Wall of China called Mutianyu. There we take the cable car up to the Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall was originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD) and rebuilt and strengthened in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to protect the capital and imperial tombs.
After visiting the Great Wall, we are taken back to Beijing, specifically to Qianmen Street. There we experience Beijing’s blend of heritage and contemporary life. This street offers a glimpse into old Beijing with traditional architecture, unique shops (like famous Peking Duck restaurants) and street food, all connected to Tiananmen Square by a pedestrian path featuring historic trams and side alleys.
Today we are exploring Beijing further. Firstly, we are taken by car to the Temple of Heaven Park. This ancient sacrificial complex features stunning imperial architecture and vibrant daily life where locals practice a ‘meditation in motion’ called Tai Chi as well as sing and dance. The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast park showcasing intricate Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, all set within beautiful gardens. After the Temple of Heaven Park, we are taken to the Forbidden City. This is a stunning and vast complex of preserved ancient wooden architecture, the world’s largest of its kind. This UNESCO World Heritage site gives you a taste of Ming and Qing dynasty emperors’ opulent lives.
After visiting the Forbidden City, we are taken to a park called Jingshan. From the mountaintop, we can enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Next, we are taken to an area called Nanluoguxiang. It features narrow alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences. Nanluoguxiang offers a unique blend of ancient neighborhood charm and modern trendy shops, cafes and bars. After Nanluoguxiang, we are taken back to our hotel.
We are relocating by train to the city of Datong. After settling in, we are taken by foot to the Datong Prince’s Palace (a.k.a. Residence of Prince Dai). It’s a prime example of a grand, well-preserved mansion with intricate courtyards, showcasing imperial-era living and design. After visiting the palace, we are provided with a walking tour of the ancient city of Datong, checking out the pretty streets and shops. After the tour, we can be walked back to our hotel or left in town for dinner.
We are making a daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken by car to the Yungang Grottoes. It is considered one of the world’s greatest ancient stone carving treasures, showcasing the fusion of Indian and Chinese artistic styles. These grottoes feature over 51,000 well-preserved statues in 252 caves carved 1,500 years ago. Next, we are taken to the Hengshan Hanging Temple. It is known for its unique engineering, clinging to a cliff face by stilts and beams. This is the only temple in China that integrates Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, with statues of all three faiths present. After Hengshan Hanging Temple, we are taken back to our hotel.
Firstly, we are relocating by train to the city of Pingyao. Upon arrival, we are taken to the ancient town, which we explore on foot. This is essentially a living museum. Specifically, we visit Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop, Ming-Qing Street, City God Temple, Ma Family Compound and the city wall. There are several pretty streets to walk along and we will try to see as many of those as possible. After Pingyao, we relocate by train to the city of Linfen. Upon arrival, we are taken to our hotel.
We are making a daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken by car to visit the yellow-brownish Hukou Waterfall from the Linfen side. We will not cross over the Yellow River, to the Shaanxi province side, to see Hukou Waterfall. The Linfen side is far more attractive. Next, we are taken to the Xiaoxitian Temple, located in the city of Linfen. At first glance, Xiaoxitian Temple is nothing special. Wait until we check out the inside. It is a pleasant surprise and quite unique in its design. After visiting the temple, we are taken back to our hotel.
We are relocating by train to the city of Xi’an. After settling in, we start a guided cycling tour along the city walls. There we enjoy the panoramic views of the ancient city. After our tour, we are taken by car to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Close to this pagoda starts the walk along a beautiful pedestrian street called ‘Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City’ (a.k.a. Tang Dynasty Never Sleeps). Along this street we find tall historic buildings, fountains, artistic objects, statues and nice lighting.
We are making a daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken by car to the Lishan Garden. It showcases significant archaeological finds, most notably exquisite bronze chariots and horses. Next, we are taken to an underground archeological site called the Terracotta Army. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its breathtaking scale, intricate craftsmanship and immense historical significance. It offers a unique glimpse into the power and beliefs of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It features thousands of life-sized, unique soldiers and horses built to serve him in the afterlife, revealing details of ancient military organization, weaponry and artistry.
After visiting the Terracotta Army, we are taken back to town, specifically to the Muslim Quarter’s Huimin Street. This is home to arguably the city’s greatest food. We recommend you purchase dinner upon arrival. After our meal, we are guided along this street. Among the many attractions, we also pass by a historic mansion called Gao Family Mansion. Afterwards, we are taken back to our hotel.
We are making another daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken by train to the city of Luoyang. Upon arrival, we are taken by car to the Yingtian Gate (a.k.a. Yingtianmen). The interior serves as a museum and houses objects and artifacts. Across from Yingtian Gate, we see two historic buildings, Mingtang (a.k.a. Hall of Enlightenment) and Tiantang (a.k.a. Heavenly Hall). Mingtang was the main ceremonial hall for political and ritualistic functions while Tiantang was a towering Buddhist hall built by Empress Wu Zetian. The interiors of both structures are impressive.
After visiting the Yingtian Gate and its surroundings, we are taken to the entrance of the Longmen Grottoes. Upon arrival, we take the shuttle to the Dongshan Grottoes. We are provided with a guided tour there. Next, we are taken by foot to Xiangshan Temple. Across the river from these grottoes and temple we can see the Longmen Grottoes. These are some of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art and house tens of thousands of statues of Buddha and his disciples. Once the sun sets, we walk across the river again, so we can see the Longmen Grottoes illuminated at night. We then take the train back to Xi’an.
We are relocating by flight to the city of Kashgar. It offers a unique blend of Central Asian and Uyghur (a Turkic minority) culture, 2,000-year-old history and vibrant, traditional Islamic architecture. After settling in, we visit the ‘East Gate’ side of the city. This is a lively area known for its food scene and popular photo spots and otherwise features a vibrant night market. We can purchase dinner at a restaurant that offers live music and entertainment. After our meal, we are taken back to our hotel.
Today we are exploring Kashgar further. Specifically, we are visiting the ‘West Gate’ side of the city, starting with the square in front of Id Kah Mosque. Whereas the square itself is lively, the mosque’s interior is quite plain. Thus, we see this mosque from the outside only. We are avoiding attractions that are a bit plain, whether the interior of Id Kah Mosque or Xiangfei Garden (a.k.a. Xiang Fei Park) or the Tomb of Xiangfei. We want to make good use of time, as there is so much to appreciate in the old town: streets, music, traditional attire, food and people.
We are not relocating by flight to the city of Lanzhou just yet. Beforehand, we are taken to Kashgar’s Gaotai Ancient Residential Area. There we are provided with a guided tour of this historic village. Next, we are taken by foot to the Kunlun Tower. There we ascend to the top and enjoy the nice panoramic views.
We are making a daytrip today. Firstly, we are taken by car to the Bingling Temple. There we are provided with a guided tour, both by foot and by boat. Bingling Temple is a series of grottoes filled with Buddhist sculptures carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. The boat tour is especially enjoyable. After Bingling Temple, we are taken back to the city, specifically to Zhengning Road. This is Lanzhou’s largest and most popular night market. We recommend purchasing street food as we are provided with a guided tour in this area.
We are relocating by train to the city of Yinchuan. After checking into our hotel, we are taken by car to a unique and large sculpture called the Alashan Hero Club. Next, we are taken to an entrance of the Tengger Desert. There we go on a guided tour in a 4×4. We experience activities like dune bashing and sand sledding. We also check out two red-colored lakes, including Ulan Lake. We also walk into one of the two lakes and are provided with drone footage. After our tour, we are taken back to our hotel.
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Yinchuan.
If you are seeking an adventurous yet luxury tour in which you see and do it all stress-free, in which all the planning is done for you by experts, in which 5-star hotels, ground transportation, tour guides and entry fees are all included in the package, then you have come to the right place. Welcome to CharlieTheTraveler, an international tour operation company providing tailormade or packaged tours. Read some of our over 800 5-star reviews found across the Internet.
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We are open to customizing this tour to your liking, even though the itinerary we recommend is rock solid. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
All participants are required to book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Northwest China in 16 Days” tour is available for $5,374 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except airfare. It also includes an English-speaking tour guide, all activities mentioned in the standard itinerary and all entry fees. If you would like lodging and breakfast included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guide, food, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $6,428 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that there is a $30 USD fee if paying by bank transfer or a 4.6 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. We do not accept checks. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1.Do you prefer getting domestic airfare through us or directly with the airlines? You have both options. Either way, we tell you the exact flights you would need for this tour. Note there is a $100 USD ‘booking fee’ which guarantees not only booking airfare but also that a CharlieTheTraveler representative would be on the phone and/or using live chat with the airlines should there need to be a possible change to your flight(s).
2.Do you have a preference between a male or a female tour guide throughout the trip?
3.Some customers of ours who have the time combine our Northwest China tour with one or more of our other China tour packages. Does this interest you? How much time maximum do you have for visiting China?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
Day 11: Xianyang to Kashgar
Day 13: Kashgar to Lanzhou
Day 16: Yinchuan to Shanghai
After booking our tour package, we would send you screenshots of what you need to purchase (airlines, flight number and date) and you would then book directly with the carrier. You should almost never book airfare through a third party. The exception is when booking specifically international business class airfare from the United States. Sometimes this specific scenario provides a significant saving for the customer. Does CharlieTheTraveler book airfare on customers' behalf? Yes, both international and domestic. Ask us for details.
Note that CharlieTheTraveler cannot guarantee the airfare type it quotes you will be fully refundable. This is one of the reasons why we require customers to have travel insurance. Some airlines offer fully refundable airfare with a relatively low upcharge while others offer strictly non-refundable. Equally unsurprising, some airlines offer fully refundable airfare but with significant upcharges. If you are seeking airfare which guarantees cancellation without penalty, then please state this in writing when asking CharlieTheTraveler to book on your behalf.
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Nights 1 -3: Beijing, Preferred Accommodation: Sunworld Hotel or Nostalgia S Hotel Beijing CCTV or Hilton Beijing Daxing
Night 4-5: Datong, Preferred Accommodation: Pingyun Bieyuan
Nights 6-7: Linfen, Preferred Accommodation: JI Hotel Linfen West Station
Nights 8-10: Xi’an, Preferred Accommodation: Atour Hotel
Nights 11-12: Kashgar, Preferred Accommodation: Ji Hotel Kashi
Nights 13-14: Lanzhou, Preferred Accommodation: Atour Hotel Lanzhou Center Dunhuang Road
Night 15: Yinchuan, Preferred Accommodation: Ibis Style Hotel
Night 16: Shanghai, Preferred Accommodation: JI Hotel (Shanghai People's Square Nanjing Road)
This entire tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation.
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email gives details mostly about the hotels.
Other than possibly needing adapters for your electronic devices, no
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Please visit CharlieTheTraveler.com/Tours-Terms-and-Conditions
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