100% customisable travel idea
First steps in China Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and the Dragon’s Teeth
China - Beijing - Xi'an - Yangshuo - Longsheng - Shanghai
100% customisable travel idea
China - Beijing - Xi'an - Yangshuo - Longsheng - Shanghai
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
After your private transfer, you’ll check in for four nights in the southwest of Chaoyangmen, in the centuries-old Yanle hutong. So here we are in what remains of old Beijing. The buildings are arranged in the classic way around a square courtyard. The tones are the traditional grey. The whole place has been beautifully restored. The rooms are well-kept, comfortable and charming. They combine Chinese motifs (structural elements, furniture) and imported styles, yet the atmosphere remains unmistakably Beijing. At the right times, it’s truly pleasant to spend time in the courtyard or on the rooftop. On site, a restaurant: family-style Chinese cuisine. There is also a bar. To tour around the neighbourhood, the establishment rents out bicycles.
Scheduled - Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. This very large esplanade can feel a little disorienting. There is the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao’s Mausoleum and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, but it is helpful for the private guide to remind visitors of the major events that took place here: the May Fourth Movement in 1919, the proclamation of the People’s Republic on 1 October 1949, the launch of the Cultural Revolution on 18 August 1966. And others - no less important. The crowds, whether mobilised or self-mobilising, gather in Tian’anmen Square. The Forbidden City is no longer off limits. The former imperial palace is now a museum, whose purpose is to recall the greatness of Chinese civilisation. Through the scale, nobility and coherence of its design, and the splendour of its collections, it achieves this with ease. The nerve centre of the Ming and Qing empires, yet also a world unto itself, it is an achievement whose full significance is difficult to grasp. It retains much of its mystery, offering visitors the chance to imagine what lies beyond.
Today, you can start by visiting the Temple of Heaven, a remarkable witness to imperial worship from the 15th to 18th centuries. The Confucius Temple, founded at the beginning of the 14th century during the Yuan dynasty, has welcomed both elite and humble scholars who came to pay tribute to the great sage. After turning his personal residence into a lamasery, Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing dynasty brought great prosperity to Yonghe Temple in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can still see it today. The Phoenix Center - Shao Weiping, 2014 - shows that Chinese architecture has ambition, resources and vision. You can also explore the performing arts and attend a Peking opera performance - an acrobatic theatre with singing that brought the hutongs to life in their heyday. And, among the many culinary options, you can opt for Peking duck. In Beijing, it’s something else!Optional - Introduction to calligraphy.
Scheduled - the Great Wall at Mutianyu. With a driver, you’ll spend a day at the Great Wall. 70 km (43 miles) northwest of Beijing, the Mutianyu section is one of the best built and best preserved, with easy access by cable car. In its current form, it dates from the 16th century. Ming dynasty. Once you have climbed up to the ramparts, stroll along; from the watchtowers, you can take in the rolling landscape and the dense forest cover, which no doubt made it easy for barbarian incursions. There’s no invasion to fear today, so you can head back on a wheeled cart down a long slide. Incidentally, you will notice that the engineers who designed it equipped the wall with battlements facing outwards, but also inwards. It’s striking to think that the people in the security barriers watched those they protected just as much as those they protected against!
You’ll take a private transfer to the station, then a train to Xi'an. After another private transfer, you’ll settle in for two nights in the old town, Xincheng. It’s a large modern establishment, typical of travel in today’s China. The gardens overflow with greenery and offer plenty of quiet spots. The sparkling grand hall takes your breath away. The rooms have a beautiful, classic and comfortable look, with Chinese patterns enhancing the overall elegance. At the main restaurant, Shaanxi cuisine meets French technique. They have a lot to say to each other. Carnivores will find a churrascaria on site. The lounge has a cocktail section and another for a winebar. For relaxation of both body and mind, guests have access to a large indoor pool, massage rooms and a gym area. The highest international standards are met in every respect. A few minutes’ walk will take you to the iconic Bell and Drum Towers. 14th century, Ming dynasty.
Scheduled - The buried army of Qin Shi Huangdi. The thousands of terracotta soldiers that form the post mortem guard of the great emperor are world-famous. Together, they form a monument of exceptional scale, a milestone in how death is symbolised in China and a remarkable stop in the history of sculpture. We have seen them in detail in many different circumstances, but when brought together, they have incomparable evocative power. And when gathered together, that power is in Xi’an. Well also visit the Muslim quarter, Hui, with a private guide. First, the grand mosque. Founded in 742 during the Tang dynasty, it was rebuilt in the 14th century. The adaptation of Chinese architecture to the requirements of Islam has produced a result of great beauty. Finally, you’ll be invited to a shadow theatre performance in the Gao family residence, a gem from the Ming and Qing periods. This form of performance has been inscribed by UNESCO on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Optional - street food in Xi’an.
Private transfer to the airport. Flight to Guilin. You’ll drive to Yangshuo with a private guide. You’ll then stay for two nights on the Yulong River (tributary of the Li) in a simple, welcoming hotel. The rooms overlook the water and the countryside; the furniture was made from bamboo by local artisans. The establishment is committed to the values of participation and sustainability. The chef shops at the market with local farmers and creates tasty seasonal local dishes. A pizza oven adds a universal counterpoint. Yangshuo, on the banks of the Li River, now attracts many travellers (but there are crowds everywhere in China). The site remains remarkable: its geology sets the stage for the spectacle you will experience tomorrow in the surroundings of Xingping. And your accommodation, set a reasonable distance from the commercial district, ensures a peaceful stay.
Scheduled - Rafting on the Li. After a road transfer, you’ll board at the village of Xingping (security equipment provided by the organisation), away from the swarms of tourists. The landscape of karst peaks, so characteristic of the valley, is breathtaking: dragon’s teeth jut out everywhere, and the mythical creature seems to have chewed on spinach, the vegetation is so dense. On the calm waters, cormorant fishing is still practised. Geological contemplation is complemented by observing life along the riverbanks. If this landscape reminds you of some of the great themes of shanshui painting, there’s a good reason. With the guide, you’ll also visit the village. Its main street, with its traditional one-storey brick houses, still evokes the China of days gone by.
Scheduled - the Longji terraced rice fields. You’ll drive to Longsheng. It is an extraordinary cultural landscape. The rice terraces, running along the slopes, seem to trace contour lines, while the water adds a shimmering effect. The high hills, ranging from 600 to 800 metres, have been sculpted with a meticulousness whose regularity over such distances is hard to explain. It is nothing short of miraculous. A persevering prodigy, representing an incredible amount of work. The first pickaxe blows were struck in the 13th-14th centuries. Such a system still requires truly considerable maintenance work today. Land art that didn’t realise it could be called that. The visit will be accompanied by a private guide. Then you’ll stay overnight in the heart of the scenic area. The hotel brings together all types of regional wood. The result - a kind of large Chinese-style chalet - offers travellers a pleasant experience with various wooden charms. The countless ways of working with wood for construction and décor add to the pleasure of living here. In addition to all the usual amenities, your room also has a balcony overlooking the valley.
Drive to Guilin Airport. Flight to Shanghai. Private transfer and check-in for two nights in the Huangpu district, on the edge of the old Chinese city. A contemporary building that sits in Shanghai’s skyline like a sugarloaf in Yangshuo’s - what could be more natural. Inside, the international style is flawless. The rooms are thoughtfully designed and very comfortable. Advances in glass treatment now make it possible to fit bathrooms with large picture windows and place a bathtub in front: splash, privacy and a view of the city. The restaurant serves international cuisine. And the spa service is most welcome at this stage of the journey.As a neighbour, or almost, you can take a stroll in Yu Garden, a 16th-century landscape masterpiece, before being swept up by the vibrant contemporary energy that is now part of Shanghai’s culture.
Scheduled - Shanghai, following in Tintin’s footsteps. The Shanghai of the 1930s is back. Long overshadowed as the epicentre of concessions, opium and all sorts of shady dealings, the city of Big-Eared Du is once again reclaiming its place. For roughly the same reasons that led to its exile. It must be said that for better or worse, its power to fascinate has never faded. Finally, Tintin came here (“The Blue Lotus”) to stand up for justice. Hergé was helped in this by Zhang Chongren. This brought a new sense of authenticity to the album. Accompanied by a private guide, you’ll stroll through the highlights of Shanghai from that era. They are often the subject of thoughtful renovations. French Concession, International Concession, the Bund - the narcotic and jazzy Far East of the young reporter and Zhou Xuan is now set against the achievements of the People’s Republic. Optional - EPSON teamLab Borderless Shanghai.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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