China: From Ancient to Modern
The modern capital of Beijing—with its sprawling Summer Palace and the amazing Great Wall—is a worthy successor to the former capital, Xi’an, home to the Terracotta Warriors. In the south, Yangshuo’s dramatic mountain peaks and cliffs are highlighted by the enchanting Moon Hill, while in Shanghai, modern melds seamlessly with tradition.

-
Day 1: Fly overnight to China
-
Day 2: Beijing
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 3: Beijing
Tour Beijing with an expert local guide
Visit Tiananmen SquareVisit the Forbidden CityVisit the Summer PalaceEnjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)
Participate in a tai chi lesson
Peking Duck Dinner
-
Day 4: Bejing • Mutianyu
Tour the Great Wall of China
Participate in a tea ceremony
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
-
Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on the ancient city wall
Add this in-depth excursion:Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
-
Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit the Muslim Street food market
-
Day 7: Xi'an • Guilin • Yangshuo
Fly to Guilin
Travel to YangshuoTake a walking tour of Xi Jie -
Day 8: Yangshuo
Tour Yangshuo with an expert local guide
Climb Moon HillTake a bamboo raft cruise on the Li River
Add this in-depth excursion:Yangshuo Cooking Class
Upon arrival you'll be divided into two groups. After a brief demonstration by a professional chef groups will prepare several traditional Chinese dishes all on their own. Sink in and enjoy your own personally cooked meal.
-
Day 9: Yangshuo • Guilin • Shanghai
Travel to GuilinFly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial CenterEnjoy free time on the Bund
-
Day 10: Shanghai
Tour Shanghai with an expert local guide
Visit the Jade Buddha TempleVisit Yu Yuan GardenSee Nanjing Rd
-
Day 11: Shanghai • Suzhou
Tour Suzhou
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden
Explore Suzhou on your own
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
-
Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
-
Day 13: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Visit the Aberdeen Fishing Village
Visit Repulse Bay
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
-
Day 14: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to China
-
Day 2: Beijing
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 3: Beijing
Tour Beijing with an expert local guide
Visit Tiananmen SquareVisit the Forbidden CityVisit the Summer PalaceEnjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)
Participate in a tai chi lesson
Peking Duck Dinner
-
Day 4: Bejing • Mutianyu
Tour the Great Wall of China
Participate in a tea ceremony
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
-
Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on the ancient city wall
Add this in-depth excursion:Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
-
Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit the Muslim Street food market
-
Day 7: Xi'an • Guilin • Yangshuo
Fly to Guilin
Travel to YangshuoTake a walking tour of Xi Jie -
Day 8: Yangshuo
Tour Yangshuo with an expert local guide
Climb Moon HillTake a bamboo raft cruise on the Li River
Add this in-depth excursion:Yangshuo Cooking Class
Upon arrival you'll be divided into two groups. After a brief demonstration by a professional chef groups will prepare several traditional Chinese dishes all on their own. Sink in and enjoy your own personally cooked meal.
-
Day 9: Yangshuo • Guilin • Shanghai
Travel to GuilinFly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial CenterEnjoy free time on the Bund
-
Day 10: Shanghai
Tour Shanghai with an expert local guide
Visit the Jade Buddha TempleVisit Yu Yuan GardenSee Nanjing Rd
-
Day 11: Shanghai • Suzhou
Tour Suzhou
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden
Explore Suzhou on your own
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
-
Day 12: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
-
Day 13: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Visit the Aberdeen Fishing Village
Visit Repulse Bay
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
-
Day 14: Depart for home
See what an EF tour is really like
We had a wonderful trip. Before going to China, I was somewhat anxious and didn’t know what to expect -- but our lodging and food were very good, and the sites that we saw were great. Our tour director ...Would do it again
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we'll thank you with a $1,500 scholarship. Learn more
Everything you get
-
Airfare & transportation
Your flights—covered. Buses, trains, cruise ships, ferries and subways—covered. We take care of getting you around so you can enjoy the ride.
-
Hotels
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
-
Meals
Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
-
Entrances
Summer Palace; Taiji Lesson; Forbidden City; Tiananmen Square; Beijing Zoo; Great Wall of China; Tea ceremony; Bike ride on Xi’an City Wall; Terracotta Warriors/film; Li River Bamboo Raft; Moon Hill Climb; Shanghai World Financial Center; Jade Buddha Temple; Yu Yuan Garden; Master of the Nets Garden; With extension: Star Ferry Ride; Peak Tram
-
Full-time Tour Director
Your dedicated Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
-
Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides add cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
-
Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travellers to planning and managing your tour.
-
24-hour Emergency Service
Travellers and their families can count on EF’s dedicated emergency service team.
-
Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we’re there too.
-
Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances.
Pricing that makes travel possible
Payment options
We believe every student should have the opportunity to travel, which is why we let our travellers choose how they want to manage their payments. Enrol in our Automatic Payment Plan with just $199 to start, make fixed and low monthly payments through Uplift, receive invoices and make your payments in less frequent instalments, or pay up front in full.
Benefit from added flexibility of the risk-free enrolment period
If you're currently enrolled, or enrol by 150 days prior to tour departure date, on a tour with a scheduled departure date between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023, you'll have the option to cancel your tour for any reason by 150 days prior to your tour departure date for a full refund of 100% of the money paid to EF, including the $199 non-refundable deposit and the cost of the Global Travel Protection Plan.
Program price valid for today. Program price includes all airline/travel provider surcharges, departure taxes and airport fees. Please call 1-800-387-1460 for more information.