China - Land of the Dragon 2026-27 "Young"
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The trip in detail
Beijing - For those seeking the perfect mix of history and adventure, Beijing is an unmissable destination. The Forbidden City, with its imposing palaces and courtyards, transports visitors into the beating heart of the Chinese empire. Here, among majestic walls and enchanting courtyards, you can feel the grandeur of ancient times, while guided visits offer an in-depth look at the lives of the emperors and the intricate dynamics of the imperial court.
A few kilometres from the city, the Great Wall at Juyongguan stands as an eternal testament to Chinese strength and determination. Walking along this stretch of the wall, with its watchtowers and spectacular views, is a breathtaking experience. And for an authentic immersion in local culture, travellers can discover the Wangfujing market, where the stalls offer a vast array of street food and traditional masked theatre performances.
Xi’an - The ancient imperial capital is an unmissable stop for anyone seeking a unique fusion of history, culture and adventure. This city, one of China’s ancient capitals, is the starting point of the historic Silk Road and home to some of the country’s most extraordinary treasures.
The main attraction is without doubt the Terracotta Army, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world. Travellers will be captivated by the majesty of more than 8,000 statues of soldiers, horses and chariots, all painstakingly sculpted to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Walking among these imposing statues is an experience that evokes a profound sense of wonder and discovery.
But Xi’an has much more to offer. Travellers can explore the ancient city walls, perfectly preserved and ideal for a walk or a bike ride, with splendid views over the modern city and its surroundings. A visit to Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter is a plunge into vibrant local culture, with its labyrinth of streets full of markets and stalls serving delicious Chinese dumplings and unique snacks.
Shanghai - The city that embodies China’s future is an experience that fascinates and surprises. With its breathtaking skyline and the glittering skyscrapers of Pudong, Shanghai offers an extraordinary view that is best enjoyed from one of the city’s many panoramic rooftops. Here, travellers can sip a cocktail while contemplating the lights of the metropolis, an unmissable experience for lovers of architecture and urban design.
In the heart of the city, the Bund represents an elegant contrast between past and present, with its historic colonial buildings facing the modern skyline. A stroll along the Bund is a chance to discover Shanghai’s charm in a unique atmosphere. For a touch of tranquillity, Yu Garden offers an oasis of peace with its traditional pavilions and ornamental ponds, while Nanjing Road is a paradise for shopping and urban entertainment.
Day-by-day itinerary
ITALY – BEIJING
Departure on Emirates/Turkish scheduled flights to Beijing - meals on board – overnight flight.
BEIJING
Arrival in Beijing – transfer to the hotel – dinner at the hotel - evening at leisure – tour leader on hand – overnight stay.
BEIJING “the capital of the Celestial Empire”
Breakfast at the hotel – full day devoted to visiting the surroundings of Beijing with a guide (Great Wall at Juyongguan, UNESCO World Heritage Site, pearl factory, the 798 Art Zone) – lunch in a restaurant – dinner in a typical restaurant specialising in Peking duck – after dinner, Beijing by night: a stroll with the tour leader through the lively, characterful Wangfujing area, full of colourful stalls, local street food and, from time to time, traditional theatre performances in masks and costume - – overnight stay.
BEIJING “the Forbidden City, UNESCO World Heritage Site”
Breakfast at the hotel – full day devoted to visiting Beijing with a guide (Tiananmen Square with the Great Hall of the People -exterior-, Mao’s Mausoleum -exterior-, Monument to the People’s Heroes, interior visit of the Forbidden City, UNESCO World Heritage Site: 600 years of history, 720,000 sq m of buildings with over 9,000 rooms, the treasures of the Imperial Palace, tea house) – lunch in a restaurant – dinner at the hotel - after dinner, Beijing by night: a stroll with the tour leader through one of the most celebrated Hutongs, the historic quarters of old Beijing, full of charm and hemmed in by the buildings and skyscrapers of the modern city – overnight stay.
BEIJING – XI’AN “the city where Marco Polo lived for many years”
Breakfast at the hotel - morning visit of Beijing with a guide (Summer Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Site) - transfer to the station - departure for Xi’an by high-speed train (approximate times 14.00/18.10) - lunch at leisure – evening check-in at the hotel - dinner in a restaurant - after dinner, Xi’an by night: a stroll with the tour leader around the illuminated city walls to watch the evocative light and sound show, a highly immersive and unmissable experience– overnight stay.
XI’AN “the Terracotta Army, UNESCO World Heritage Site”
Breakfast at the hotel – full day devoted to visiting Xi’an with a guide (Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, the breathtaking Terracotta Army, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ming-era city walls, Muslim Quarter) – lunch in a restaurant – dinner in a typical restaurant specialising in Chinese dumplings – evening at leisure – tour leader on hand – overnight stay.
XI’AN – SHANGHAI
Breakfast at the hotel - transfer to the airport - departure on a scheduled flight to Shanghai (approximate times 10.00/12.15) – transfer to the hotel – lunch at leisure – afternoon at leisure - tour leader on hand - dinner at the hotel - after dinner, Shanghai by night: a stroll with the tour leader and a cocktail on a panoramic rooftop, to enjoy a fantastic view of the lights and dazzling skyline of the metropolis– overnight stay.
SHANGHAI “the future”
Breakfast at the hotel – full day devoted to visiting Shanghai with a guide (People’s Square, the heart of the Old City with its thousands of small shops, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, stop along the Bund, the famous waterfront lined with colonial buildings, the Nanjing Road shopping street) – lunch in a restaurant – dinner at the hotel – after dinner, Shanghai by night: a stroll along the Bund with the tour leader, travelling by metro, with the option of a cruise aboard a sightseeing boat to see the city lit up – overnight stay.
SHANGHAI “the most populous city in the world”
Breakfast at the hotel – morning visit of Shanghai with a guide (Zhangyuan and Fengshengli) – lunch in a restaurant – transfer to the airport - departure on Emirates/Turkish scheduled flights for the journey home – meals on board – overnight flight.
SHANGHAI - ITALY
Arrival in Italy.
- Return journey Italy/Beijing-Shanghai/Italy on Emirates/Turkish scheduled flights
- Beijing/Xi’an by high-speed train
- Xi’an/Shanghai on a domestic scheduled flight
- airport/hotel transfers and vice versa
- China tour by minibus/luxury coach
- accommodation in 4/5-star hotels on a half-board basis
- 5 lunches in restaurants
- buffet breakfasts
- all evening outings with the tour leader
- guided visits as indicated
- taxes, VAT
- tour leader from Italy on departures from Rome
- tour leader Dubai/Dubai for those departing from other airports
- admission to all sites and museums listed in the programme
tips (on arrival the tour leader collects a single sum of approximately €40.00 from which tips are given to guides and drivers during the tour), drinks with meals and anything not expressly mentioned.
Useful information
- INDIVIDUAL PASSPORT with at least 6 months' remaining validity + Digital Arrival Card
- Trip duration: 10 days
