Fly to Shanghai 上海
Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is the country’s biggest city and a global financial hub. Its heart is the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings.
Fly in to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Explore Shanghai
Walk along the western bank of the Huangpu river in Shanghai’s waterfront district called The Bund. Admire the colonial-era architecture that lines the main road in the financial district. Visit with the Bund Financial Bull created by the same artist as the famous Wall Street’s Charging Bull.
Cross the river to get up close with Pudong’s distinct landmark the Oriental Pearl.
Reaching 1,553 feet tall, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower was officially opened to the public in 1995 and features the world’s first steel antenna.
Around the corner from the Pearl is the 88-story skyscraper Jin Mao Tower. An observation deck offering panoramic views of Shanghai occupies the highest floor. The observation deck also looks over thirty floors down to the hotel atrium below.
Stroll through Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar. The gardens were first built in 1559 to be a peace and comfort for the minister of the time, Pan En, in his old age.
Yuyuan Bazaar is located right next to Yuyuan Garden, with beautiful Chinese architecture and design coupled with hundreds of shops selling pieces of jewelry, silk, antiques, arts, crafts, souvenirs, and local snacks.
Get a taste of Din Tai Fung’s famous Soup Dumplings. Stop by for lunch and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Meander through Fuxing Park. Located in the French Concession, Fuxing Park was laid out by the French in 1909 and designed in the French style.
Finish the day with some shopping in Tianzifang. Tianzifang is a labyrinth of alleyways off of Taikang road known for small craft stores, coffee shops, and trendy art studios.
Stop in Taikang Road Vegetable Market and browse all the colorful local produce.
Take the overnight train to Xi’an
Xi’an 西安
Xi’an is a large city and capital of Shaanxi Province in central China. Once known as Chang’an (Eternal Peace), it marks the Silk Road’s eastern end and was home to the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties’ ruling houses.
March along side the Terracotta army.
The Terracotta army was discovered in 1974 by local farmers and dates back roughly to the 200s BCE. Built to guard the tomb of the first Qin Emperor, it is believed the army is just a part of a much bigger necropolis.
Fly to the top of Big Goose Pagoda. Big Goose Pagoda is a seven story Buddhist Temple originally built during the Tang Dynasty to house scriptures and relics.
The pagoda stands at a height of 210 feet tall and offers views over the city of Xi’an.
Wander through the intricate network of alleyways and streets in the Muslim Quarter.
Xi’an
Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve
Yuyuan Bridge
Temple of 8 Immortals
Xi’an City Wall
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Huashan
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Shaolin Temple
Pagoda Forest
Take the overnight train to Beijing
Beijing 北京
The Bird’s Egg
Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Hutong
Yonghe Gong
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The Great Wall
798 Art Zone
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Temple of Heaven
Pearl Market
Summer Palace
Hong Kong 香港
Fly in to Hong Kong.
For 156 years Hong Kong was a British Colony and is frequently described as a place where “east meets west”. The culture is truly a unique mix of the city’s Chinese roots and British colonial influence.
Explore Victoria Peak
Ride the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak to get breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Kowloon
Museum of Art
Science Museum
Victoria Harbour
Avenue of Stars
Lantau Island
Take the Ngong Ping cable car on Lantau Island to go see the Tian Tan Buddha. The giant bronze buddha is 112 feet tall and weighs over 250 metric tons. Tian Tan is one of the five large Buddha statues in China, but be warned, visitors have to climb up 268 steps to reach the base!
Head to the Airport
Say Zaijian to China! It’s time to fly home.