16-Day China's Autumn Highlights Tour

Temple of Heaven Park, formerly known as "Temple of Heaven and Earth", is located at No. 7 Dongli, Temple of Heaven, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and renamed "Temple of Heaven" in the 9th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530). It was the site for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to "worship heaven" and "pray for valleys", with a total area of 273 hectares. It is the largest existing ancient sacrificial building complex in China and the largest and most well preserved ancient sacrificial building complex in the world. On January 1, 1918, it was designated as Temple of Heaven Park and opened to the public

Visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares. Home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes and Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, it represents modern China’s heart and history. Capture the spirit of Beijing at this iconic landmark surrounded by monumental architecture.

Discover the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with nearly 1,000 buildings, grand halls, and defensive walls. Built in the 15th century, it showcases imperial architecture, traditional Chinese craftsmanship, and fascinating history—a must-visit Beijing landmark and heritage site.

The Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, 73 kilometers away from the city center. It is known as the "Great Wall of Ten Thousand Miles, Mutianyu is the only one". The Mutianyu Great Wall, with a total length of 5400 meters, is the longest Great Wall in China and one of the sixteen scenic spots in Beijing. In the first year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368), the Mutianyu Great Wall was built under the supervision of General Xu Da, a subordinate of Zhu Yuanzhang, on the site of the Northern Qi Great Wall.
Mutianyu Great Wall is the essence of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. This section of the Great Wall connects the Gubeikou in the east and Juyongguan in the west. Since ancient times, it has been a military important place to defend the capital, with Zhengguan Platform, Dajiaolou, eagle flying upside down and other landscapes. The wall of the Great Wall remains intact, which better reflects the ancient charm of the Great Wall, and has profound historical value and high cultural value.

On the way back to the city in the late afternoon, you'll pass by the Olympic Bird Nest and Water Cube.

Shenlu, also known as the Thirteen Tombs Shendao, is the leading architectural complex of the Ming Changling Mausoleum, located in Changping District, Beijing. Originally established for Changling, it later became the shared main Shinto of the mausoleum area due to the separation of other mausoleum Shinto from this path. Founded in the early years of the Ming Dynasty's Zhengtong reign and completed in the 19th year of the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing reign (1540), it is now a national level cultural relic protection unit. The total length of the building complex is 7.3 kilometers, including the stone memorial archway, the three hole bridge, the grand palace gate, the Shengong Shengde Stele Pavilion, the stone statue living, the Longfeng Gate (also known as the flame memorial archway), the south five hole bridge, the seven hole bridge, the north five hole bridge and other tomb facilities and bridge and culvert buildings. The shape of the stone memorial archway is five doors, six columns, and eleven floors. The stone statue living is composed of twelve pairs of stone animals and six pairs of stone men, which are finely carved and vividly shaped. The Ming Thirteen Tombs already have Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling, Kangling, Yongling, Siling, Jingling and Changling Shenlu open to the public, among which Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling and Shenlu are regular open scenic spots

Explore Beijing’s historic hutongs, narrow lanes that reflect ancient Chinese Feng Shui and community life. Stroll past traditional Siheyuan courtyards, watch locals playing mah-jong, and soak in the old-world charm. Perfect for cultural exploration and photography in Beijing’s living history districts.

Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, Qin Shi Huang’s army entombed to protect him in the afterlife. Each life-sized warrior has unique facial features and uniforms. Visit the nearby art ceramics and lacquer factory for souvenirs—a world-renowned archaeological treasure.

Visit Xi’an Great Mosque, the largest and most significant Islamic site in China. Explore its ancient architecture, beautiful gardens, and peaceful courtyards—a rare blend of Chinese and Islamic cultural heritage.

The Muslim Quarter, also known as Fangshang, is a food and culture district located in Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It consists of streets such as Beiyuanmen, Beiguangji Street, Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan, Huajuexiang, and Sajinqiao. This area formed a Hui ethnic settlement from the late Northern Song Dynasty to the early Southern Song Dynasty, and developed into a traditional commercial activity area during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, named after the long-term settlement of Hui residents. In 1992, it was renovated into a bluestone pavement and a block imitating Ming and Qing architecture. In 1993, an antique cultural tourism street was built.
There are currently 10 mosques in the block, including the Huajue Lane Mosque. The architecture blends traditional Chinese and Islamic styles, reflecting the integration of multi-ethnic cultures and traces of ancient commercial exchanges. As a Muslim food gathering place in northwest China, it gathers featured snacks such as beef and mutton steamed buns, cured beef and mutton, and Jinggao, among which beef and mutton steamed buns are featured by manual breaking and old soup cooking.

Walk along Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall, built in 1370 with 12-meter-high walls and 98 watchtowers. Take in sweeping city views, explore well-preserved ramparts, and appreciate the defensive ingenuity of this historic fortification—a must-do cultural experience in Xi’an.

Enjoy a peaceful calligraphy class near Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Explore Longji Rice Terraces, carved 500 years ago into hillsides near Guilin. Trek from Ping An village, passing scenic steps and panoramic viewpoints, and meet Yao women with their iconic long hair. A must-visit for Great Wall-style scenic walks, photography, and authentic cultural encounters.

Embark on a scenic Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Glide past towering karst peaks, rice paddies, and tranquil villages, capturing iconic landscapes seen in Chinese ink paintings. This immersive cruise is one of the most scenic Guilin attractions and offers a peaceful way to admire the region’s natural beauty.

take a leisurely stroll through lively West Street. The street is pedestrian-only, flat and lined with cafés, shops and restaurants. Take your time to wander, browse for souvenirs, or relax in a quiet café with a cup of tea. Yangshuo's laid-back atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make it a perfect place to unwind before being transferred to your senior-friendly hotel for check-in and rest.

After arriving in Yangshuo, bid farewell to the great river and immerse yourself in the peaceful countryside, experiencing a slow life.
Cycling Ten Mile Gallery: Rent a bicycle or electric bike and shuttle between rice fields, bamboo forests, and karst peaks, passing through attractions such as the banyan tree and Moon Mountain on Ctrip.
Yulong River Bamboo Raft Drifting: On the "Little Li River" Yulong River, ride on artificial bamboo rafts and drift across ancient bridges and fields, experiencing a more tranquil landscape poetry than the Li River on Ctrip.

Enjoy a romantic cruise on Hangzhou’s West Lake. Pass scenic temples, pagodas, and gardens, then stroll Qinghefang Street and visit historic Manor Houses. Experience Hangzhou’s classic charm, beautiful landscapes, and cultural heritage.

Explore museums of knives, scissors, fans, umbrellas and local crafts

Paper umbrella painting refers to the creation of paintings on the surface of oil paper umbrellas, and is an important component of traditional Chinese arts and crafts. The oil paper umbrella itself has a history of thousands of years. Its production uses bamboo as the bone, paper as the clothing, and tung oil as the color, embodying the wisdom of traditional craftsmen
Umbrella painting endows oil paper umbrellas with unique artistic value and cultural connotations.

Xidi Village, an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Xidi Town, Yixian County, Anhui Province, is a traditional Chinese village. It is located at the southern foot of Mount Huangshan and the southern side of Yixian Basin, with a village area of 10.7 square kilometers. Xidi Village was founded during the Huangyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty, developed in the middle of the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty, and reached its peak in the early Qing Dynasty.
Xidi Village is shaped like a boat, surrounded by mountains on all sides, and two streams pass through the village. The village is mainly composed of a vertical street and two roads along the creek, forming an east-west oriented and north-south extending village street and alley system. All streets and alleys are paved with Yixian bluestone, and ancient buildings are mostly maintained with wooden structures and brick walls. Wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings are rich and colorful, and the design layout of the alleys and buildings is coordinated. The village's spatial changes are flexible, and the architectural colors are simple and elegant, making it a typical representative of Chinese Huizhou architectural art. Xidi Village has a profound cultural heritage, with two national intangible cultural heritages: Huizhou Three Carvings and Huizhou Traditional Residential Construction Techniques.

The online Tunxi Old Street is located in the north of Xin'an River, Tunxi District, Mount Huangshan City, Anhui Province, with a total length of 1272 meters, the essence part of 853 meters, and a width of 5-8 meters. The streets and alleys are composed of more than 300 Huizhou style buildings built in different eras, distributed in a fish skeleton shape. Tunxi Old Street is the most well preserved ancient street market in China, with the architectural styles of the Southern Song and Ming and Qing dynasties.
Tunxi Old Street was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, tea flourished, and Huizhou merchants began to expand their shops and gather goods. As a result, Tunxi Street Market began to take shape. In the late Qing Dynasty, Tunxi tea merchants rose to prominence, and Tunxi Old Street became increasingly prosperous. Tunxi Old Street consists of one straight street, three horizontal streets, and 18 small alleys. There are 18 alleys on both sides of the old street, including Wuxingqu Lane, Zhutang Lane, Qihong Lane, Yuchi Lane, Haidi Lane, Lihong Lane, Laodong Lane, Xinhe Lane, Lixin Lane, Yulin Lane, Huanchun Lane, Yongxin Lane, Fenglin Lane, Wugang Lane, Deren Lane, Tudi Lane, Fengshu Lane, and Qingchun Lane. Within the protected area of Tunxi Old Street, there are a total of 12 cultural relics protection units at all levels, 11 immovable cultural relics, 88 historical buildings, and more than 261 traditional style buildings. The old street architecture maintains the traditional Huizhou ancient architectural style, with a total of 280 shops along the street, most of which are two-story, typical of lower shops and upper houses. The front shop and back square shaped buildings have a volume of over 100000 square meters.

Mount Huangshan, called Yishan in ancient times, is located in Mount Huangshan City, Anhui Province, in the south of Mount Huangshan City, across Shexian County, Xiuning County, Yixian County, Mount Huangshan District and Huizhou District. It starts from Huangshi Mountain in the east, ends at the foot of Xiaoling Mountain in the west, starts from Erlong Bridge in the north, and reaches Tangkou Town in the south. It spans 118 ° 01 ′ to 118 ° 17 ′ east longitude, 30 ° 01 ′ to 30 ° 18 ′ north latitude. The mountain boundary is about 40 kilometers long from north to south, 30 kilometers wide from east to west, and covers an area of about 1200 square kilometers, belonging to the subtropical monsoon climate; Known for the "Five Wonders" of strange pines, rocks, clouds, hot springs, and winter snow, as well as historical relics, calligraphy and painting, literature, legends, and famous people's "Five Victories", it is known as the "Number One Strange Mountain in the World", "Heavenly Opening Painting", and "Pine Sea Cloud River"

Mount Huangshan sunrise is one of the four wonders of Mount Huangshan. The best viewing time is usually around 5:30 in the morning. The main viewing spots include Guangming Peak, Shizi Peak and Shixin Peak. It is recommended to check the official weather forecast in advance to confirm the visibility probability. ‌‌‌

Take a cable car down the mountain and enjoy the scenery of the mountains and forests in the air

The Lingering Garden (Liú Yuán)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Suzhou, the Lingering Garden is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design. It is celebrated for its seamless blend of natural and man-made beauty.

The garden unfolds through a series of distinct yet connected sections: a serene central pond area, an eastern section famed for its elegant halls and spectacular Taihu rock formations, a peaceful western woodland, and a charming northern bamboo grove.

Its genius lies in how it uses winding corridors, moon gates, and latticed windows to frame picturesque views, making the space feel both vast and intimate. It is a perfect example of the "steps in a garden, changing views with every move" philosophy.

Visit Tongli, an authentic water town preserving traditional charm. Explore canals linked by 49 stone bridges across seven islands, historic houses, and peaceful waterways. Dine at a local restaurant and immerse in the slow pace and history of this classic Chinese water town—a must-see near Shanghai.

Explore the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square, home to a vast collection of ancient Chinese art across five floors. Designed to resemble a traditional Ding vessel, it’s an essential cultural stop for visitors seeking history, art, and Shanghai heritage.

Stroll along the Bund to admire Shanghai’s colonial architecture, from 1850s trade houses to glamorous 1920s Art Deco buildings. This waterfront promenade showcases the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, contrasting with the futuristic Pudong skyline—an iconic Shanghai attraction for photography and history lovers.

The Shanghai French Concession was a French concession established in Shanghai from 1849 to 1943, and was the largest of the four French concessions in China in terms of area. Its initial area covered 986 acres, and after multiple expansions, it reached 15000 acres by 1914. The concession is famous for French wutong street trees, Parisian style building planning and independent municipal management system. Jinling East Road, as the first major road in the French concession, has become a commercial center. The building's exterior walls are mostly marked with municipal facilities marked with the words "CMF".
After the establishment of the French Concession in 1849, the Shanghai Anglo American French Land Charter was signed in 1854 to break away from the joint concession system. In 1869, the autonomy was established through the Organizational Charter of the Public Council. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, it was not occupied by the Japanese army due to the deterrence of the French navy. In 1943, it was transferred from the Vichy French regime to the Wang puppet government and ended. There are police agencies such as the Marand Police Station located within the concession. The authorities of the French Concession had protected the publication of revolutionary publications and participated in mediating cases related to prominent residences of the Kuomintang. The Provisional Government of South Korea was established in the Shanghai French Concession in 1919 and set up offices in multiple locations within the concession. Among them, No. 4, Lane 306, Madang Road was its longest used and most well preserved office.

Visit Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building and the world’s second tallest. Ride high-speed elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck for panoramic views of Shanghai’s skyline. With 127 floors and five podium levels, this landmark is a modern engineering marvel and a prime attraction for sightseeing enthusiasts.