Language & Cultural Tour of China
BEIJING
- Participate in a tai chi class
- Embark on an introduction to Beijing private guided city tour
- Explore the Great Wall of China
- Puruse the Dōnghuámén Night Market
- Visit the Temple of Heaven Park
- Participate in a Mandarin class
XI’AN
- Tour the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
- Evening of live entertainment with the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance
- Visit the Great Mosque
SHANGHAI
- Enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of Shanghai
- Explore the cobblestone streets of the Tianzifang and Xintiandi
- Participate in a hands on Chinese cuisine cooking class
Marvel at the incredibly historic architecture and breath-taking landscapes that make China the jewel of Asia. Dive into the culture by witnessing dramatic performances and museums. And the unreal, authentic Chinese cuisine is worth the visit in itself
From cultural interaction, to historical focus, to modern day economics, Evolve China offers it all
All Evolve Tours itineraries to China are completely customizable for your group, desires, and needs.
Day 1 - Travel to China
Travel to Beijing, China via a connecting overnight flight.
Day 2 - Welcome to Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport. Your Evolve tour leader will meet you at Beijing airport, excited to spend the upcoming week together. Transfer to our centrally located hotel via private transport. Depending on arrival time, we will have a chance to explore a bit of Beijing this evening. We will have an Evolve led trip briefing this evening, then get a good night’s sleep for the big days ahead.
Day 3 - Beijing - Tai Chi, City Tour
Start today with a tasty breakfast, followed by a tai chi class. Spend the morning mastering the ancient Chinese art. Today we will have our first informal Mandarin lesson on an introduction to Beijing private guided city tour. Tour includes: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, The Bird’s Nest and Water Cube and more! Enjoy dinner and exploration in Beijing this evening
Day 4 - Beijing - Mandarin Class, Great Wall, Night Market
This morning we will visit one the most anticipated and famous sites, the Great Wall of China! An ancient Chinese proverb states: ‘He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man’. Our hike will take us to unique watchtowers and incredible views. After lunch have enjoy an immersive Mandarin class. Enjoy our first hands on, immersive Mandarin class of the trip. In the evening, visit the Dōnghuámén Night Market to sample an incredible variety of Chinese food delicacies. Try anything from traditional noodles or skewers, or for the more adventurous taste buds – deep fried crickets or scorpions on a stick!
Day 5 - Mandarin Lesson, Temple of Heaven Park, Train to Xi'an
Pack our bags, check out of the hotel, and depart. Enjoy a morning Mandarin lesson. In the afternoon, we will visit Temple of Heaven Park. Chinese emperors were forbidden from building dwellings for themselves that were greater than the homes built for the gods here on earth. Hence, the 2,700,000 square meter temple park dating back to the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) Dynasties! We will spend the afternoon exploring the Temple of Heaven, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar & Echo Wall, and more! After dinner, arrive at the train station and board the overnight train towards Xi’an.
Day 6 - Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Cycling Tour, Live Entertainment
Arrive in Xi’an. Spend our morning at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. One of the significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, the mausoleum dates back to the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC)! After lunch, we will enjoy a unique guided cycling tour, along the city walls of Xi’an! These ancient fortifications are one of the oldest, longest and most well-preserved city walls in all of China. Enjoy a delicious dinner of various dumplings, as well as an evening of live entertainment with the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance show, or similar.
Day 7 - Mandarin Lesson, Great Mosque, Fly to Shanghai
Enjoy our morning Mandarin lesson today. In the afternoon we will visit the Great Mosque, the oldest and one of the most renowned mosques in the country, dating back to 742. The Mosque is nearly completely Chinese in its construction and design, and we will discuss the differences between those of the Middle East and elsewhere. Enjoy a stroll on the nearby bustling Muslim Food Street. Fly to Shanghai this evening. Check into our hotel and enjoy dinner in Shanghai.
Day 8 - Shanghai - Mandarin Lesson, Tour Shanghai
Enjoy our morning Mandarin lesson this morning. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Shanghai, including: The Jade Buddha Temple, French Concession district and the Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Enjoy dinner and exploration in Shanghai this evening.
Day 9 - Shanghai - Mandarin Lesson, Tianzifang and Xintiandi, Cooking Class
Enjoy our final immersive, educational, and experiential Mandarin language class of the trip this morning. In the afternoon, navigate the cobblestone streets of the Tianzifang and Xintiandi areas, charming neighborhoods reminiscent of many European old towns. Explore the alleys full of unique vendors, cafes and restaurants. For our final evening, we will be preparing our own meal with a Chinese cooking class! Our local chef will teach us the art of Chinese cooking, and we will get to try our hands at making dumplings, authentic stir fry, and/or other authentic local dishes! Enjoy the fruits of our labor for our very own dinner tonight.
Day 10 - Bund Pedestrian Waterfront, Homeward Bound
Depending on departure time…Enjoy a stroll along the Bund pedestrian waterfront promenade. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and begin our journey home, after an amazing trip to China together.
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AirfareRoundtrip group airfare to China
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CoachPrivate coach bus as needed for duration of tour
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TrainInter-city train
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HotelCentrally located, student friendly, 3 * minimum, acclaimed hotels
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Overnight TrainSpend a night on an overnight sleeper train while traveling from Beijing to Xi'an
Three meals a day included in tour. Meals at locally owned and run restaurants and accommodations serving authentic cuisine sufficient for teenage appetites
All pandas in the world are on loan from China
Places You’ll Visit
Beijing
Discover this massive city and the capital of China.
Great Wall of China
Walk the wall made of made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials
Xian
Tour to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial Museum
Shanghai
Visit this vibrant city
