6 Days Private Beijing and Zhangjiajie Tour

Welcome to this fascinating and magical land of China! Once your flight lands at any airport in Beijing, you are assured of a warm welcome from our guide at the exit, and then enjoy a private transfer to the handpicked hotel downtown. For the rest of the day, recharge your batteries at the hotel for tomorrow’s trip, or explore the neighborhood on your own to discover what Beijing is like.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
From the hotel, walk east for about 15 minutes and you will reach a Beijing cuisine restaurant, Xiaodiao Pear Soup (Guiyou branch), which is one of the top-reviewed restaurants for old Beijingers. The restaurant is decorated in a traditional Beijing style, with stone lions and plaques outside the door, wooden tables and chairs, as well as calligraphy and painting and Peking Opera masks can be seen everywhere inside. And from its name, you will be sure to know what the signature here is. It is said that during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Qianlong Emperor accidentally got a bowl of homemade pear soup at a roadside tea stall. After tasting it, he liked it very much and then it naturally became a palace drink. With the change of times, it also caught on in the folk. “Xiaodiao” is a ware used to weigh pear soup, hence the name. In addition to the gelatinous and sweet soup, Jasmine Roast Duck, another Beijing’s specialty, should not be missed as well. The average cost here is CNY 100 / USD 14 per person.

Accommodation: Mercure Beijing Downtown Hotel (4 stars) / Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong (5 stars)

After breakfast, make our way to Tiananmen Square, the “heart” of the capital Beijing. As the world's largest city square, it can accommodate one million people at a time and is the venue for China’s major celebrations, grand gatherings and military parades. It is not only a symbol of China, but also a perfect combination of history and architecture. The first thing that catches your eye is the red Tiananmen Gate Tower, with a portrait of Chairman Mao hanging above the central doorway and large slogans on either side, shining brightly in the sunlight. The Jinshui Bridge straddles the front of the tower, with two pairs of ornamental columns standing on both sides, as if they are loyal guards watching over the land. Further ahead, Chang’an Avenue is wide and straight, with continuous traffic, showcasing the prosperity and vitality of the city. The Monument to the People's Heroes towers lofty in the center of the square, engraved with the eight vigorous and powerful characters written by Mao, full of high respect for the heroes.

Then follow our guide’s footsteps to explore China’s or even the world’s most complete and largest ancient palace complex, the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Inside, there are many magnificent halls arranged along the central axis, each of which has its unique architectural style and historical background. Located on a three-layer white marble base, the largest Hall of Supreme Harmony was where emperors’ enthronement and weddings were held. Take a look at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, which was both the emperor's living quarters and the place to handle daily affairs, and its gorgeous interior decoration reflects the luxury and taste of the royal family. Then comes the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the empress's bedroom, whose existence not only highlights the royal etiquette and system, but also shows the reverence accorded to women in ancient society. Also leisurely stroll in the tree-lined and flower-filled Imperial Garden like emperors.After that, move to Jingshan Park, a royal garden nearly 1,000 years old. Here, climbing up to the middle peak located at the center and the highest point of the central axis of the city, you will reach the Wanchun Pavilion, from which you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Then continue to visit the Temple of Heaven, a bright pearl of ancient Chinese heaven worship culture. Let’s tread the beat of the history and immerse in a rare tranquility and solemnity here. Walking into the Circular Mound Altar and standing on the Heaven Heart Stone, it seems that you could hear the reverent whispers of the ancient emperors praying for fair weather for the crops. The evergreen trees flanked by the Red Stairway Bridge have witnessed the changes of countless dynasties, but still stand upright. Prepare to be shocked by the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests too, a resplendent building with distinctive three layers of blue glazed circular roofs that invites countless visitors to stop and pose for pictures. Finally, get back to the hotel and have a good rest.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Beijing Downtown Hotel (4 stars) / Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong (5 stars)

This morning, take a private car ride to Mutianyu Great Wall in the suburb of Beijing. Nestled in the arms of the mountains, the Mutianyu section is by far the longest and one of the most precipitous of its kind in China. As the essence of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), it bears witness to the brilliance and wisdom of ancient Chinese military defense. Looking to its northwestern part, you will find the well-known “cow horns edge” named after the shape, which extends straight from the gentle mountainside to the top of the kilometer-high steep cliff built with an enemy building, turns down to another mountainside, and then continues to climb the opposite mountain ridge and descends to the west. Hike on it and discover the construction stories behind those towers, ramparts and crenels from our guide.

Afterwards, drive back to the downtown area to take a relaxing Hutong rickshaw tour. Hutong alleys are not only the place where ordinary Beijingers live, but also an important stage for the historical and cultural development of Beijing. Riding in a rickshaw shuttling through the alleys, listening to our guide’s explanation accompanied by the puller’s native dialect, you will get a glimpse of old Beijingers’ eating, peddling and neighborhood culture through the ages. What’s more, you will be led to pay a family visit in a traditional courtyard. Not only will you receive warm hospitality, but you can also admire the architectural aesthetics of a common residence. After that, the guide will escort you back to the hotel. Perhaps lie in the comfortable bed early to savor the beautiful photos you took today.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Beijing Downtown Hotel (4 stars) / Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong (5 stars)

Can’t wait to meet with China’s national treasure, the giant pandas? Early in the morning, set out to the Beijing Zoo. As soon as we get there, go straight to the Panda House composed of the Asian Games Hall and the Beijing Olympic Games Hall, where 11 panda stars are kept. Now will be the most active time for these black and white fur balls. Some of them sit on the ground and concentrate on gnawing one bamboo shoot after another, some hang on the high climbing racks, some hug while some run and roll to fight with each other. Either way, they are trying to grab your attention and then make you fall madly in love with them.

The next destination will be the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, an imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty. Come to the famous Long Corridor and appreciate the Chinese classical architectural aesthetics from the perfect combination of green pillars, red railings and colorful paintings. More than 700 meters (2,296 feet) long, this corridor features each beam painted with flowers, birds, mountains and rivers, and no two are the same, which will make you marvel at the superb skills of ancient artisans. Climb halfway up to the Longevity Hill and stand in front of the octagonal Pavilion of Buddhist Incense, and you can overlook the lush woods, the red-glazed tile roof, as well as the jasper-like Kunming Lake with the Seventeen-arch Bridge, which complement each other.

After the visit, our guide will take you to the airport for a flight to Zhangjiajie. It may take 2.5 hours or so and upon your arrival, another local guide will pick you up and drive you to the hotel for check-in. Considering your convenience of tomorrow’s trip, we have carefully selected the best local hotel for you near the east gate of Zhangjiajie Forest Park.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Expert Village Courtyard Hotel (4 stars) / Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel (5 stars)

Accompanied by our guide, you will surely harvest pleasant moments in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park today. After entering the East Gate, ride an eco-friendly shuttle bus and make straight for the Bailong Elevator. Equivalent to the height of a 100-story building, the lift set three Guinness World Records for “the highest fully-exposed outdoor elevator”, “the tallest double-deck sightseeing elevator”, and “the fastest passenger elevator with largest capacity”. In just 88 seconds, you can reach the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area at the summit, with thousands of amazing peaks flashing before your eyes as it climbs. Look down the imposing Hallelujah Mountain and imagine yourself as one of the characters in the movie ‘Avatar’, and will you be enthralled by this mysterious Pandora land either? In Back Garden, the peaks strike a variety of poses, atop which there are dense green old trees, and when the clouds linger, it resembles a fascinating imperial garden in the ancient palace. Go on with the travel to Tianzi Mountain, also known as the “magnifying bonsai, shrinking fairyland”. We won’t let you miss beholding the typical sight of Imperial Brush Peaks, which is said to have been formed from the brushes discarded by Xiang Da Kun, a locally famed Tujia leader, after his defeat.

Descending the mountain by cable car, let’s relax with a hike along the Golden Whip Stream. Wu Guanzhong, a prestigious contemporary Chinese painter who was the propagandist of Zhangjiajie, praised it as “a fairytale world“. On one side of it is the level path laid in the verdant vegetation and colorful flowers, and on the other side are grotesque peaks rising to the clouds. The scenery here is not only static, but also dynamic! From time to time, stop to enjoy fish swimming merrily in the clear stream and the monkeys dancing among trees. Next, top your day off with a sightseeing train ride along the Ten-mile Gallery to admire those naturally-formed stone masterpieces like Longevity God Welcoming Guests and Three Sisters Peak. Then return to the hotel.► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
To be familiarized with a new place as quickly as possible, you should try its specialty food. Perhaps with the help of the hotel receptionist or our guide, walk for about 15 minutes to Zao Zao Xiao Bo Cai to treat yourself to authentic Hunan cuisine. It is a brand that has emerged in Zhangjiajie in recent years, but it has already enjoyed a sound reputation among both locals and foreign visitors and has opened 5 branches all over the city in such a short period. Interestingly, each dish here is served in a stewed bowl and heated over an alcohol burner during your eating. This cooking style can be traced back to more than 2,500 years ago when Chinese northerners moved south and invented this to cope with cold and wet climate there. The waiters here will be attentive to introduce you to their signatures, and if you can't eat too spicy, remember to inform them. A meal costs about CNY 50 / USD 7 per person.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Expert Village Courtyard Hotel (4 stars) / Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel (5 stars)

Today’s sightseeing will be in Tianmen Mountain. After a hearty breakfast, our guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby to the downtown lower station of the Tianmen Cableway. Riding on this world’s longest aerial tramway, you will pass through urban areas, fields, valleys and forests, and finally up to the mountaintop with a sea of clouds. Every moment of this 30 minutes will bring you a different visual feast. On the top of the mountain, set foot on the transparent Glass Skywalk clinging to the cliff, which is both a test of your courage and a transcendence of self, to experience the excitement of walking in the air and admire the magnificence of natural beauties. Into Tianmen Temple, a historic temple full of incense and Buddhist sounds, to meditate, pray, and feel peace away from hustle and bustle. Then take the 7-level escalator down to the Tianmen Cave. Whenever the clouds and mist curl up, this natural wonder looms, as if it is a door to wonderland opened by nature for humans. It is also a paradise for extreme sports enthusiasts, and aircraft traversing, skydiving and wingsuit flying have all taken place here. To take the express cable car down the mountain, you can either take the escalator or walk on the 999-step Heavenly Stairway to Tianmen Square first, which offers you a different view of the Tianmen Cave.

At this point, your 6 days private Zhangjiajie tour from Beijing is ending. Our guide will send you to the airport or train station according to your departure schedule. Safe journey! Want to appreciate more charms of Zhangjiajie, like Grand Canyon or Fenghuang Ancient Town? Contact us to customize exclusive tours for you at any time.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch