10 days Beijing, Luoyang & Xi’an Tour with Shaolin Temple

Welcome to Beijing! Your private driver will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or begin exploring at your own pace.

Overnight in Beijing.

Note: Pickup is included from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or any Beijing train station. Pickup from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is available at an additional cost.

Begin at Tiananmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk through its grand halls and courtyards while learning about life inside China’s imperial court.

Continue to Jingshan Park for panoramic views over the Forbidden City, then visit the Summer Palace, known for its imperial gardens, pavilions and Kunming Lake.

In the evening, you may enjoy a Beijing Roast Duck dinner or watch a Peking Opera or Kung Fu performance (optional, at additional cost).

Overnight in Beijing.

Start at the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors once prayed for good harvests. The surrounding park is also a lively place to see Beijing residents exercising and socializing.

Drive about 1.5–2 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best-preserved sections near Beijing. Walk between its watchtowers and enjoy views across the surrounding mountains. Cable car and chairlift options are available.

On the return journey, stop for exterior views of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube at Beijing Olympic Green.

In the evening, you may explore Wangfujing for shopping and dining.

Overnight in Beijing.

Begin at Beihai Park, a former imperial garden centered around a large lake. Walk through the park to see the White Dagoba while getting a glimpse of local life, with Beijing residents exercising, singing and relaxing around the gardens.

Continue to the Shichahai hutongs, exploring Beijing’s traditional lanes by rickshaw and on foot around Yandai Xiejie and the Drum and Bell Towers.

After sightseeing, take the 3–4-hour high-speed train to Luoyang, one of China’s great ancient capitals. Upon arrival, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Luoyang.

Drive about 1.5–2 hours to Shaolin Temple at Mount Song, famous for both Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. Explore the temple halls and courtyards, then visit the Pagoda Forest, where generations of prominent Shaolin monks were buried.

Watch a Shaolin Kung Fu Show featuring traditional martial arts techniques before returning toward Luoyang.

Return to Luoyang in the afternoon and explore Luoyang Old City, with its historic streets, local food and lively atmosphere.

Overnight in Luoyang.

Begin at the Longmen Grottoes, one of China’s great Buddhist cave complexes. Walk along the Yi River past caves and niches filled with Buddhist carvings created over several centuries. The highlight is Fengxian Temple, home to the monumental Vairocana Buddha and surrounding figures carved into the cliff. Cross to the opposite side of the river for panoramic views of the grottoes.

Afternoon visit White Horse Temple, traditionally regarded as China’s first Buddhist temple and an important site in the early spread of Buddhism in China.

Afterward take the late afternoon high-speed train to Xi’an, around 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, your local  driver will meet you at the station to hotel. The rest of the day is for you freely explore Xi'an.

Overnight in Xi'an.

Visit the Terracotta Army, created more than 2,000 years ago for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Explore the main excavation pits with thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots.

After lunch, enjoy a hands-on clay warrior experience and make your own miniature warrior.

Return to downtown of Xi’an and visit the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city walls in China. Walk along the top or rent a bicycle to enjoy views over both the old city and modern Xi’an. Afterwards, stroll through nearby Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, lined with shops selling calligraphy, paintings and traditional Chinese art.

Finally head to explore the lively Muslim Quarter, known for its narrow streets, food stalls and local specialties such as roujiamo, liangpi and yangrou paomo.

In the evening, you may choose to have a dumpling buffet and watch the Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show (optional, at additional cost).

Begin at the Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum), home to an important collection of ancient stone steles, calligraphy and historical inscriptions. Explore the museum with your guide and learn how Chinese writing, calligraphy and historical records developed across different dynasties.

In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi’an’s best-known Tang dynasty landmarks. The pagoda is closely associated with the monk Xuanzang and the Buddhist scriptures he brought back to China from India.

Later, explore Grand Tang Mall (Datang Everbright City), a pedestrian district inspired by Tang dynasty culture. Walk among Tang-style architecture, sculptures and illuminated streets, with evening performances adding to the atmosphere.

Overnight in Xi’an.

Enjoy a free day to explore Xi’an at your own pace, shop or simply enjoy a slower final day.

For more sightseeing, an optional day trip to Mount Huashan, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, can be arranged (additional cost). Take a cable car into the mountains and explore its steep granite peaks and scenic trails, with the walking route adjusted to your preferred level.

Overnight in Xi’an.

Enjoy your final morning in Xi’an before your driver transfers you to the airport or railway station for your onward journey, bringing your Beijing, Luoyang and Xi’an tour to an end.

If you’d like to continue exploring China, we’ll be happy to help arrange the next part of your journey.