16-Day China Adventure: History, Nature, Modernity & Indian Cuisine

Day 1: Beijing Ancient & Modern

Beijing, China on June 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Element Fresh

Start your day with a healthy breakfast featuring fresh juices and international choices at Element Fresh, near Dongzhimen subway station.
CNY80, 1h0m

9:30am

Forbidden City Tour

Explore the vast imperial palace, a World Heritage site showcasing Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Book tickets online to avoid queues.
CNY60, book at https://en.dpm.org.cn/ticket/index, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant

Experience authentic Beijing cuisine in a garden setting, near Lama Temple.
CNY120, 1h30m

3:00pm

Temple of Heaven Park

Visit the iconic Temple of Heaven complex and enjoy the park's peaceful atmosphere and architecture.
CNY34, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Tandoor Indian Restaurant, Sanlitun

Savor high-quality Indian fare at Tandoor, located at Sanlitun SOHO, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
CNY150, 1h30m

8:30pm

Check in at Novotel Beijing Peace Hotel

Stay at a 4-star hotel near Wangfujing and accessible to subway line 1 and 2.
CNY700 per night, Overnight

Day 2: Great Wall & Hutongs

Beijing, China on June 2, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at Novotel before your day excursion.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall

Take a taxi to Mutianyu (approx. 70 km, 1.5-2h). Taxi cost about CNY200. Alternatively, use a pre-booked group shuttle (~CNY150).
CNY200 Taxi or CNY150 Shuttle, 2h0m

10:00am

Mutianyu Great Wall Visit

Hike the restored section with fewer tourists and beautiful scenery. Tickets can be booked online.
Entrance CNY45, chairlift up CNY100 (roundtrip), https://www.mutianyugreatwall.net/tickets.htm, 3h30m

2:00pm

Lunch at The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu

Enjoy Western-style lunch nearby with great views of the Great Wall.
CNY150, 1h0m

4:00pm

Return to Beijing and visit Hutong tour in Houhai

Explore traditional alleyways by rickshaw or on foot near the lakes; accessible by subway Line 8 to Shichahai Station.
Rickshaw tour approx CNY80, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Olive Indian Restaurant, Sanlitun

Authentic Indian dining located in Sanlitun Area, convenient from your hotel.
CNY130, 1h30m

Day 3: Beijing Museums & Parks

Beijing, China on June 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Buffet breakfast with international options.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Visit Summer Palace

Explore imperial gardens and lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Book tickets online to avoid lines.
CNY60, book at https://en.parkbeijing.com/summer-palace, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Indian Taj Restaurant

Enjoy popular North Indian and South Indian dishes near Zhongguancun, accessible by subway Line 4.
CNY120, 1h30m

2:00pm

Visit National Museum of China

Discover Chinese history and art; free entry with online reservation via official website.
Free with online booking https://en.chnmuseum.cn, 3h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Kwality Indian Restaurant

Famous for Indian cuisine, located close to the Temple of Heaven subway station.
CNY130, 1h30m

Day 4: Morning Market & Night Train

Beijing, China on June 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Relaxed buffet breakfast before morning sightseeing.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Visit Panjiayuan Flea Market

Shop antiques, crafts and souvenirs at Beijing's largest market, open 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Free, 2h0m

11:00am

Return to hotel and prepare for departure

Pack and check out, then head to Beijing West Railway Station.
Taxi CNY40, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch near Beijing West Railway Station

Try Xidi Indian Restaurant, offering flavorful North Indian dishes at 7-1 arcade, close to the station.
CNY100, 1h0m

1:30pm

High-speed train to Xi'an

Board G-series train from Beijing West to Xi’an North (approx. 5h journey). Tickets booked at China Railway official site.
CNY553 second class, https://www.12306.cn, 5h0m

6:30pm

Check-in at Grand Park Xi'an Hotel

4-star hotel close to Xi'an North Railway Station and city center.
CNY500 per night, Overnight

7:30pm

Dinner at Taj Indian Restaurant, Xi'an

Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine at 53 Xingqing Road, near city wall.
CNY120, 1h30m

Day 5: Xi'an History & Culture

Xi'an, China on June 5, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Buffet breakfast with Chinese and Western options.
Included, 1h0m

8:30am

Terracotta Warriors Museum

Visit the immense Terracotta Army site, approximately 1 hour from Xi’an city by bus or taxi. Tickets must be booked online to secure entry.
CNY150, book at https://www.bmy.com.cn, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Indian Tandoori Flame

Located near the city center, offering a delicious North Indian menu.
CNY120, 1h30m

3:00pm

Xi'an City Wall Bike Ride

Rent bikes and circle the ancient city wall for scenic views and history. Open 8am-10pm; bikes cost approx CNY54 for 2 hours.
CNY54 rental, CNY54 entrance fee, 2h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Himalaya Indian Restaurant

Indian cuisine with excellent reviews, located at No.10 Adventure Street.
CNY130, 1h30m

Day 6: Cultural Exploration & Departure

Xi'an, China on June 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Start the day with a hearty breakfast.
Included, 1h0m

9:30am

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Visit this iconic Buddhist pagoda and nearby gardens, open 8:00am to 6:30pm. Entrance fee approx CNY50.
CNY50, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Indian Curry Delight

Tasty Indian dishes close to the pagoda area.
CNY110, 1h0m

2:00pm

Train to Chengdu

Board high-speed train from Xi’an North to Chengdu East, approx 3.5h journey. Book at https://www.12306.cn.
CNY320 second class, 3h30m

5:30pm

Check-in at Fraser Suites Chengdu

4-star serviced apartment hotel close to public transport and city center.
CNY650 per night, Overnight

7:00pm

Dinner at Maharaja Indian Restaurant

Experience fine Indian dining with multiple vegetarian options.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 7: Chengdu Pandas & Culture

Chengdu, China on June 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast with variety of options before day excursion.
Included, 1h0m

8:30am

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Must-see natural wonder, open 7:30am to 6:00pm. See pandas in natural habitat settings. Tickets can be booked online.
CNY58, book at https://www.panda.org.cn, 3h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Indian Tadka Restaurant

Authentic Indian cuisine in downtown Chengdu, located at No. 5 Renmin South Road.
CNY130, 1h30m

2:00pm

Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street

Cultural heritage site honoring Zhuge Liang, followed by lively shopping and street food streetscape. Shrine open 8:00am-6:00pm. Entry CNY60.
CNY60, 3h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Indian Kitchen Chengdu

Delicious Indian dinner close to hotel offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 8: Emei Mountain Adventure

Chengdu, China on June 8, 2025

6:00am

Early breakfast at hotel

Early buffet to fuel a long day trip.
Included, 1h0m

7:00am

Bus to Mount Emei Scenic Area

Take a direct bus or pre-arranged tour from Chengdu to Mount Emei (approx. 3h, CNY80).
CNY80 bus, 3h0m

10:00am

Mount Emei Hiking & Cable Car

Explore ancient Buddhist temples and natural beauty. Cable car roundtrip approx CNY100. Entrance fee CNY160. Book via official website.
CNY260 total, book at http://www.emsfj.com, 6h0m

4:00pm

Bus back to Chengdu

Return by bus to Chengdu city center.
Included in bus ticket above, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Spice Village Indian Restaurant

Relish traditional Indian dishes at 150 Section 1, Renmin South Road.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 9: Guilin & River Landscapes

Guilin, China on June 9, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Buffet breakfast prior to departure.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Flight to Guilin

Take flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Guilin Liangjiang Airport, approx 1hr 45min. Cost approx CNY400 booked early.
CNY400, 2h0m including airport transit

11:00am

Check in at Guilin Bravo Hotel

4-star hotel near central train station and major attractions.
CNY450 per night, Overnight

12:00pm

Lunch at Tandoor Indian Restaurant

Authentic Indian cuisine located at 12 Zhongshan Middle Road, Guilin.
CNY120, 1h30m

2:00pm

Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

Take a classic 4-5 hour boat cruise highlighting stunning karst mountain scenery. Book tickets online to get discounts.
CNY218, book at https://www.li-river.com, 5h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Indian Delight Yangshuo

Dine at a highly rated Indian restaurant near West Street in Yangshuo.
CNY130, 1h30m

Day 10: Yangshuo Outdoor Adventures

Yangshuo, China on June 10, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel or local café

Simple western and Chinese breakfast options near hotel.
CNY50, 1h0m

8:30am

Biking & Hiking Around Yangshuo

Rent a bike (CNY50/day) and explore the scenic countryside and Moon Hill area. Popular routes include rice paddies and riversides.
CNY50 bike rental, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Spice Garden Indian Restaurant

Quality Indian food near the town center, offering vegetarian specialties.
CNY120, 1h0m

2:30pm

Rafting on Yulong River

Enjoy a peaceful bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River with tranquil scenery. Operating hours 9am-6pm. Cost approx CNY150.
CNY150, 2h0m

5:00pm

Return to Guilin by bus

Bus ride takes approx 1.5 hours, cost CNY30.
CNY30, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Indian Masala Guilin

Relax with northern Indian dishes near the city center.
CNY130, 1h30m

Day 11: Travel to Shanghai

Shanghai, China on June 11, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start your day with a hearty breakfast.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Train from Guilin to Shanghai

Board G-series high-speed train from Guilin North to Shanghai Hongqiao (approx 7h). Book tickets at 12306.cn.
CNY600 second class, 7h0m

4:00pm

Check-in at Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World

4-star hotel located near People’s Square and subway lines 1, 2, and 8.
CNY800 per night, Overnight

6:00pm

Dinner at Indian Aroma Restaurant

High-quality Indian food located at 318 Huaihai Middle Road.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 12: Shanghai City Tour

Shanghai, China on June 12, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Buffet breakfast including Western and Asian options.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Visit The Bund

Stroll along Shanghai’s iconic waterfront to see colonial architecture contrasting modern skyline. Free access, open all day.
Free, 1h30m

10:30am

Visit Shanghai Tower Observation Deck

Experience the world’s second tallest building’s observation deck. Open 9am-9pm. Ticket price CNY180; book online for skip lines.
CNY180, book at https://www.shanghaitower.com, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Indian Tadka

Popular Indian restaurant near Lujiazui area offering a variety of dishes.
CNY130, 1h30m

3:00pm

Yu Garden & Old City

Explore Qing-era gardens, shops and teahouses. Opens 8:30am to 5:30pm, entry fee CNY40.
CNY40, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Ganges Indian Restaurant

Delicious Indian cuisine in Old City area, located at 199 Dandong Road.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 13: Modern Shanghai & Leisure

Shanghai, China on June 13, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Buffet with a wide range of choices to start your day.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Shanghai Museum

A world-class museum showcasing Chinese art and artifacts. Opens 9am-5pm; free entry but online reservations required.
Free with reservation https://www.shanghaimuseum.net, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Bombay Indian Restaurant

Serving Mumbai style dishes in central Shanghai, located on Nanjing Road.
CNY120, 1h30m

2:00pm

Jade Buddha Temple

Visit the famous temple with two jade Buddha statues, open 8:00am-5:00pm. Entry CNY15.
CNY15, 1h30m

4:00pm

Xintiandi Shopping and Cafes

Finish the day at this trendy pedestrian street famed for boutiques and cafes. Free entry.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Indian Tanishq Restaurant

Highly recommended authentic Indian dishes at 288 Maoming South Road.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 14: Excursion to Zhujiajiao Water Town

Shanghai, China on June 14, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Start early with breakfast at hotel.
Included, 1h0m

8:30am

Travel to Zhujiajiao

Take metro line 17 to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Total travel approx 1h (CNY7).
CNY7, 1h0m

9:30am

Explore Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town

Walk canals, ancient bridges, shops and temples. Free entry, shops and boat rides optional extra.
Free; boat ride approx CNY80, 4h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Saffron Indian Restaurant in Zhujiajiao

Indian dining offering flavorful dishes amidst the town ambiance.
CNY120, 1h0m

3:00pm

Return to Shanghai

Metro back to city center.
CNY7, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Indian Curry House

End the day with Indian cuisine at 388 Huaihai Road.
CNY140, 1h30m

Day 15: Day at Leisure & Shopping

Shanghai, China on June 15, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
Included, 1h0m

10:00am

Shopping at Nanjing Road

Explore China’s premier shopping street featuring malls, boutiques and cafes. Free to roam.
Free, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Indian Spice Route

Famous for vibrant spices and authentic dishes in Shanghai’s French Concession.
CNY130, 1h30m

3:00pm

Relax at Fuxing Park

Enjoy a peaceful stroll in this French Concession green space. Free entry.
Free, 2h0m

6:30pm

Farewell Dinner at Bollywood Indian Restaurant

Savor a delicious final Indian meal at 50 Jianguo Road East.
CNY150, 2h0m

Day 16: Departure Day

Shanghai, China on June 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy your final breakfast in China at the hotel.
Included, 1h0m

8:30am

Check-out and transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Take taxi or metro line 2 to Pudong airport. Taxi cost approx CNY150; Metro approx CNY10.
Taxi CNY150 or Metro CNY10, 1h0m