China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Beijing | Lijiang | Guilin | Shanghai | Suzhou
Price details
Price includes all accommodation, experiences, guiding and transfers. Based on travelling off-peak and may increase if travelling over peak season. Price excludes international flights and meals that are not listed in the itinerary.
Tour Highlights
China is more than Beijing and Shanghai. Its true beauty often lies beyond the cities - in the countryside, villages, and landscapes where traditions have been preserved for generations.
In this journey, you'll travel across different regions to explore the rural beauty of China, from thousand-year-old ancient towns, to rice terraces, to courtyards beneath snow-capped mountains and to water towns along quiet canals. Along the way, meet local communities through home visits and discover their crafts, culture, and way of life.
Meet diverse local communities and discover how cultures interact and shape Chinese heritage
Visit craft studios and enjoy home visits with hands-on traditional art experiences
Experience rural life from Lijiang to Guilin, hopping aboard a classic sidecar motorcycle with a professional driver, gliding past towering peaks and winding country lanes in Guilin
Ride a private wooden boat through a water town and enjoy local cultural performances
Enjoy a well-balanced journey that also includes iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Shanghai's skyline
Itinerary
DAY
1
DAY
1
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Beijing
MORNING
Beijing Airport Pickup
AFTERNOON
Beijing Hutong Tour: A Walk Through Time
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Afternoon
Beijing Hutong Tour: A Walk Through Time
In this tour you will walk through different Hutongs to discover different sides of Beijing life. You will see neighborhoods where time seems to stand still - quiet alleys where locals still enjoy their daily routines, and living at a slower pace. As we continue, the Hutongs begin to change. We'll pass through lively streets filled with century-old shops and traditional eateries. Later you'll also see newly renovated alleys transformed into boutique cafés and stylish spaces.
During the tour, you will visit a local opera house where you can create your own Peking opera mask, try on traditional costumes, and capture some of the most unique and memorable travel photos in China.
Duration: 4 Hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
EVENING
Antique Market Treasure Hunt
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Evening
Antique Market Treasure Hunt
Explore one of the largest and liveliest antique markets in Beijing, where you’ll find a wide range of traditional Chinese handicrafts, antiques, and vintage-style items. Many pieces may not be truly ancient, but that is part of the fun — browsing, discovering, and bargaining for something you love at a good price.
During the tour, you will also visit a stand run by a lovely local auntie, where you can create your own personalized stamp with your name or even a Chinese name if you wish. It makes for a memorable keepsake from Beijing.
Duration: 2 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Themes: Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Hotel Jen Beijing
Located in Beijing's Central Business District, JEN Beijing by Shangri-La is part of the Shangri-La Group. The newly-built JEN Beijing by Shangri-La is part of the fully integrated China World Complex, which includes premier malls, offices and restaurants. Centrally located in buzzing Guomao, the complex provides direct access to major subway lines for convenient trips to some of Beijing's top attractions. JEN Beijing by Shangri-La offers young-at-heart travellers fuss-free service with a refreshing sense of adventure and puts the city right at their doorstep. Enjoy upcoming events, a lively gastropub Beersmith, a modern and vibrant all-day dining restaurant San Wu Tang, smart meeting space Prototype and a fitness centre Trainyard that will help keep the great feelings going! Check into more than a physical space; check into a new state of mind. Because whether you're in Beijing for business or a bit of shopping, we blur the line between work and play in an informal, fun and inspiring setting
DAY
2
DAY
2
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Beijing
MORNING
Decoding the Forbidden City
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning
Decoding the Forbidden City
During this tour, you'll discover why the Forbidden City is a masterpiece in all aspects - a perfect blend of oriental culture, Chinese history, and architectural gems. This is a tour that can be tailor-made for everyone, whether you're a history lover, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to take the best IG photos.
We won't bombard you with dates, dynasties, or long-dead emperor names. Instead, we'll help you understand the Forbidden City in a way that is easy to digest, engaging, and relatable. It's an architecture tour. It's a history tour. It's a culture tour. But most of all, it's a fun tour.
AFTERNOON
Speedboat to the Summer Palace
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Afternoon
Speedboat to the Summer Palace
Take a speedboat along the historic imperial waterway, cruising just as the royal family once did on their way to the Summer Palace. Along the journey, enjoy a unique perspective of Beijing's cityscape before arriving at the vast Summer Palace.
Once there, stroll through the magnificent Summer Palace, the most beautiful royal garden in China. This garden is a miniature version of China's most famous landscapes. You'll learn how to appreciate the beauty of this place, and see how this place reflects the elegance and aesthetics of China. Along the way, we will also stop at a charming café hidden inside a quiet garden for a relaxing coffee break.
Duration: 3 Hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Themes: History & Culture, Active & Outdoors
EVENING
Beijing Food Tour: Beijing Dusk
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Evening
Beijing Food Tour: Beijing Dusk
Join us for an exciting food hunt in one of Beijing's most historic neighborhoods. You'll explore lively local streets, visit a traditional wet market, venture into narrow hutongs, walk beneath the iconic Drum Tower, and stroll along a beautiful lake — all while discovering some of the city's most iconic flavors.
Along the way, you'll make 5+ food stops. Breakfast tours may include egg pancakes, potstickers, soy milk, fried dough, Chinese-style yogurt, tea eggs, and more. Dinner tours may include Beijing hotpot, Chinese burgers, dumplings, fried sauce noodles, and more.
Duration: 3 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Food & Drinks
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Hotel Jen Beijing
Located in Beijing's Central Business District, JEN Beijing by Shangri-La is part of the Shangri-La Group. The newly-built JEN Beijing by Shangri-La is part of the fully integrated China World Complex, which includes premier malls, offices and restaurants. Centrally located in buzzing Guomao, the complex provides direct access to major subway lines for convenient trips to some of Beijing's top attractions. JEN Beijing by Shangri-La offers young-at-heart travellers fuss-free service with a refreshing sense of adventure and puts the city right at their doorstep. Enjoy upcoming events, a lively gastropub Beersmith, a modern and vibrant all-day dining restaurant San Wu Tang, smart meeting space Prototype and a fitness centre Trainyard that will help keep the great feelings going! Check into more than a physical space; check into a new state of mind. Because whether you're in Beijing for business or a bit of shopping, we blur the line between work and play in an informal, fun and inspiring setting
DAY
3
DAY
3
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Beijing/Lijiang
MORNING+AFTERNOON
Your Great Wall, Your Way
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
Your Great Wall, Your Way
In this flexible Great Wall program, you may choose the section that suits you best — the classic Mutianyu Great Wall with iconic views, or the quieter Huanghuacheng Great Wall for a more peaceful experience with fewer crowds.
This tour goes beyond the Wall itself. You will also visit a traditional Chinese village nearby, slow down after your hike, and enjoy a beautiful café with scenic views where the Great Wall can still be seen in the distance.
Duration: 4 hours (excluding transit)
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Active & Outdoors, Off-the-Beaten Path
EVENING
Beijing Airport Dropoff + Lijiang Airport Pickup
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection By HYATT，situated on Xiangjiang Road, Gucheng District Lijiang, Yunnan Province, is connected to the upscale J.LIFE boutique shopping district and luxury villa community, while being just a stone's throw away from the historic Shuhe Ancient Town. The hotel skillfully blends contemporary design with local cultural elements, offering guests an immersive experience of Lijiang's breathtaking scenery and profound cultural heritage. Each room features a private balcony where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Hotel also provides several amazing half-day tour routes which can experience the awe-inspiring nature, explore the culture and feel the inclusiveness of multiple ethnic group.
DAY
4
DAY
4
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Lijiang
MORNING+AFTERNOON
Slow Life in Lijiang
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
Slow Life in Lijiang
Begin your day at the lively Zhongyi Market, a bustling hub where locals gather to buy fresh produce and daily necessities. Here, you will see and interact with different ethnic minority groups, experiencing the rhythms of everyday life in Lijiang.
Continue to Black Dragon Pool Park, a tranquil garden where, on clear days, the reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain shimmers across the water — one of Lijiang's most iconic views.
End your journey in Shuhe Village, a peaceful town at the foot of the mountain. Once an important stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, it now offers a slower, more reflective atmosphere where history and nature blend seamlessly.
Duration: 6 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection By HYATT，situated on Xiangjiang Road, Gucheng District Lijiang, Yunnan Province, is connected to the upscale J.LIFE boutique shopping district and luxury villa community, while being just a stone's throw away from the historic Shuhe Ancient Town. The hotel skillfully blends contemporary design with local cultural elements, offering guests an immersive experience of Lijiang's breathtaking scenery and profound cultural heritage. Each room features a private balcony where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Hotel also provides several amazing half-day tour routes which can experience the awe-inspiring nature, explore the culture and feel the inclusiveness of multiple ethnic group.
DAY
5
DAY
5
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Lijiang
MORNING+AFTERNOON
Traditional Arts & Crafts of Local Naxi People
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
Traditional Arts & Crafts of Local Naxi People
Travel to Yuhu Village, located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and step into a traditional Naxi home. Here, you will be introduced to the rich cultural heritage of the Naxi people, whose traditions have been passed down for over a thousand years.
Under the guidance of local artisans, you will create your own Naxi-style embroidery tote bag, known for its bold patterns and vivid colors inspired by nature and traditional symbols.
After the cultural experience, enjoy a gentle walk around the pristine lake nearby, surrounded by fresh mountain air and quiet natural beauty.
Duration: 6 hours (excluding transit)
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection By HYATT，situated on Xiangjiang Road, Gucheng District Lijiang, Yunnan Province, is connected to the upscale J.LIFE boutique shopping district and luxury villa community, while being just a stone's throw away from the historic Shuhe Ancient Town. The hotel skillfully blends contemporary design with local cultural elements, offering guests an immersive experience of Lijiang's breathtaking scenery and profound cultural heritage. Each room features a private balcony where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Hotel also provides several amazing half-day tour routes which can experience the awe-inspiring nature, explore the culture and feel the inclusiveness of multiple ethnic group.
DAY
6
DAY
6
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Lijiang/Guilin
MORNING
Leisure Time
AFTERNOON
Lijiang Airport Dropoff + Guilin Airport Pickup
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Jinmao Purelax Lijiang, The Unbound Collection By HYATT，situated on Xiangjiang Road, Gucheng District Lijiang, Yunnan Province, is connected to the upscale J.LIFE boutique shopping district and luxury villa community, while being just a stone's throw away from the historic Shuhe Ancient Town. The hotel skillfully blends contemporary design with local cultural elements, offering guests an immersive experience of Lijiang's breathtaking scenery and profound cultural heritage. Each room features a private balcony where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Hotel also provides several amazing half-day tour routes which can experience the awe-inspiring nature, explore the culture and feel the inclusiveness of multiple ethnic group.
DAY
7
DAY
7
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Guilin
MORNING+AFTERNOON
One Day of Nature & Culture Along the Li River
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
One Day of Nature & Culture Along the Li River
Explore the iconic landmarks of Guilin city and immerse yourself in local culture. Begin at Elephant Trunk Hill, the natural symbol where the Li River meets the Peach Blossom River. Continue to Reed Flute Cave, a spectacular karst underground wonderland filled with winding caverns and illuminated rock formations.
In the afternoon, visit Daxu Ancient Town, a charming riverside village with centuries-old architecture. Engage with local villagers through home visits, interactive cultural experiences, and sample traditional Chinese medicine therapies such as cupping and herbal treatments. Along the way, taste local dishes and snacks that capture the essence of Guilin's heritage.
Duration: 8 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Shangri-La Guilin
Guilin Shangri-La is located on Huancheng North 2nd Road, on the banks of the Li River. It is convenient to reach Diecai Mountain Scenic Area and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street by car.
The hotel takes Chinese classical design as its theme and covers an area of 48,000 square meters. From the spacious guest rooms, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Li River and the lush gardens.
The hotel has indoor/outdoor swimming pools and a large garden suitable for children to play. The children's playground is equipped with slides, and the bathing and changing rooms are also very user-friendly.
DAY
8
DAY
8
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Guilin
MORNING+AFTERNOON
A Perfect Day Outdoors in Yangshuo
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
A Perfect Day Outdoors in Yangshuo
Enjoy a full-day journey through Yangshuo, where misty karst peaks rise above winding rivers and timeless villages. Begin with a serene bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River, gliding past lush greenery and idyllic countryside.
Then head to Ruyi Peak for sweeping panoramic views of iconic karst peaks and verdant landscapes that resemble a traditional Chinese painting. Afterwards, hop aboard a classic sidecar motorcycle with a professional driver, passing towering peaks, emerald rice fields, bamboo forests, and winding country lanes.
Duration: 8 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Active & Outdoors, Off-the-Beaten Path
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Shangri-La Guilin
Guilin Shangri-La is located on Huancheng North 2nd Road, on the banks of the Li River. It is convenient to reach Diecai Mountain Scenic Area and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street by car.
The hotel takes Chinese classical design as its theme and covers an area of 48,000 square meters. From the spacious guest rooms, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Li River and the lush gardens.
The hotel has indoor/outdoor swimming pools and a large garden suitable for children to play. The children's playground is equipped with slides, and the bathing and changing rooms are also very user-friendly.
DAY
9
DAY
9
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Guilin/Shanghai
MORNING+AFTERNOON
Village Life in Rice Terraces
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
Village Life in Rice Terraces
Discover the breathtaking Longji Rice Terraces, where layers of green and golden fields cascade along the mountains. Hike scenic trails with panoramic views and visit Ping'an and Dazhai Villages to experience the cultures of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities.
Interact with local villagers and join a fun cooking class, either making bamboo rice or preparing oil tea, while tasting authentic regional flavors. This journey blends stunning landscapes, immersive cultural encounters, and hands-on experiences, making it ideal for travelers seeking both beauty and meaning.
Duration: 8 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Themes: History & Culture, Active & Outdoors
EVENING
Guilin Airport Dropoff + Shanghai Airport Pickup
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre
Conveniently situated in the heart of the tourist destination, guests staying at Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre can easily access a number of city landmarks as well as entertainment and shopping attractions including, The Bund, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and the People's Square. The refreshed features can be seen in the hotel's guestrooms, food and beverage outlets, lobby lounge and the 2,000 square meters flexible event space.
DAY
10
DAY
10
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Shanghai
MORNING
Chinese-art-themed Tour in the Former French Quarter
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning
Chinese-art-themed Tour in the Former French Quarter
Experience the Former French Concession's rich history, from traditional alley lanes once home to locals, to peaceful French-style parks and elegant mansions once inhabited by elites. This walking journey combines architectural charm, neighborhood atmosphere, and creative discovery.
Highlights include exploring Tianzifang, enjoying drinks at boutique cafés, wandering through local lanes, and finishing with two different hands-on Chinese art crafts to take home in an artsy studio in Tianzifang.
Duration: 4 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative, Off-the-Beaten Path
AFTERNOON
Explore Shanghai's Creative Side with Chinese Tea Experience
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Afternoon
Explore Shanghai's Creative Side with Chinese Tea Experience
Step into Shanghai's contemporary art world with a curated half-day journey through the iconic M50 Creative Park - a former textile factory turned vibrant hub for galleries, graffiti walls, and artists' studios that reveal the city's industrial past and creative present.
Your experience also includes with an intimate tea ceremony in a tranquil tearoom, where you'll not only taste fine teas but also join in hands-on activities such as floating tea art, Chinese caligraphy, or crafting an aromatic sachet.
Duration: 2 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: Art & Creative
EVENING
Eat Like a Local - Foodie Tour (Dinner)
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Evening
Eat Like a Local - Foodie Tour (Dinner)
Savor 10 dishes at 5 of Shanghai's most authentic and time-honored eateries while hearing the stories behind the food. Guests will also have the chance to make soup dumplings themselves. Along the way, explore classic Shanghai icons such as Nanjing Road and People's Square, uncovering the untold stories behind these landmarks.
The menu varies by departure. Breakfast options may include crab roe soup dumplings, crispy buns, pancakes, scallion pancake, mango dessert and more. Dinner experiences may include crab roe soup dumplings, crispy buns, braised pork belly, Shanghai steamed rice, Chinese liquor and more.
Duration: 3 hours
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Food & Drinks
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre
Conveniently situated in the heart of the tourist destination, guests staying at Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre can easily access a number of city landmarks as well as entertainment and shopping attractions including, The Bund, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and the People's Square. The refreshed features can be seen in the hotel's guestrooms, food and beverage outlets, lobby lounge and the 2,000 square meters flexible event space.
DAY
11
DAY
11
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Suzhou
MORNING+AFTERNOON
Tongli Watertown: Watertown and Suzhou Garden Two-in-One
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Morning+afternoon
Tongli Watertown: Watertown and Suzhou Garden Two-in-One
This Tongli Watertown experience lets you enjoy the best of a watertown and a Suzhou-style garden in one seamless day. You will visit a UNESCO-listed garden and learn how to appreciate its design, elegance, and symbolism.
You will also stroll through Tongli's narrow alleys and hidden corners, hearing its history and cultural stories along the way. A classic private wooden rowing boat ride completes the watertown experience. To end the day, enjoy tea and snacks in one of China's oldest operating teahouses while watching live performances by local artists.
Duration: 4 hours (excluding transit)
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Themes: History & Culture, Art & Creative
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage • Accommodation
Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre
Conveniently situated in the heart of the tourist destination, guests staying at Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre can easily access a number of city landmarks as well as entertainment and shopping attractions including, The Bund, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and the People's Square. The refreshed features can be seen in the hotel's guestrooms, food and beverage outlets, lobby lounge and the 2,000 square meters flexible event space.
DAY
12
DAY
12
China Villages: Arts and Cultural Heritage
Shanghai
MORNING
Shanghai Airport Dropoff
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Enquiry Form
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