Day 1 - Athens → Shanghai
Meeting at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and departure on your flight to Shanghai via Beijing, the most modern and, at the same time, most enigmatic metropolis of the East.
Day 2 - Shanghai
Arrival in fascinating Shanghai, a city perfectly balancing its ancient traditions with a futuristic skyline.
Transfer and check-in at your hotel (rooms available after 14:00).
After some rest, enjoy an evening acrobatics performance, one of China’s oldest and most celebrated art forms. A mesmerizing show where dance, balance, opera, and martial arts intertwine, reflecting the grace and inner strength of Chinese culture.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Shanghai.
Day 3 - Shanghai, City Tour
Breakfast and departure for a full-day exploration of Shanghai.
We begin at the celebrated Jade Buddha Temple, renowned for its two statues of Buddha carved from pure white jade, timeless symbols of serenity and spiritual clarity.
Next, explore the Old Town and visit the Chenghuang Miao Temple, dedicated to the three guardian deities of Shanghai.
Just a short walk away, the classical Yu Garden, dating back to the Ming dynasty, invites you to experience the perfect harmony of Chinese architecture and nature.
The day concludes with a breathtaking view from the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower, a panorama of the city and harbor that captures the true scale of modern Shanghai.
Free time in the afternoon for shopping or strolling along the bustling Nanjing pedestrian street, a showcase of lights, sounds, and urban energy.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Shanghai.
Day 4 - Shanghai → Suzhou → Shanghai
Morning departure for Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East.”
Nestled on the shores of Lake Taihu and at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Suzhou embodies calm, beauty, and timeless elegance.
Our tour includes visits to its exquisite classical gardens, masterpieces of Chinese landscaping and design, and to Tiger Hill, home to ancient monuments dating back over 2,500 years.
Later, enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Grand Canal, followed by a visit to a silk factory to discover the artistry behind Suzhou’s world-famous silk production.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Shanghai.
Day 5 - Shanghai → Xitang → Hangzhou
Morning departure by coach to Xitang, one of China’s most picturesque ancient “water towns.”
Crisscrossed by nine rivers and dotted with graceful stone bridges, Xitang exudes a tranquility that feels untouched by time. Wander along its narrow-cobbled streets, admire the wooden facades of traditional houses, and watch as boats glide silently through the canals.
Continue to Hangzhou, the city that inspired Marco Polo to declare, “A voyage to this lake offers such joy and refreshment as no other experience on earth.”
The day concludes with a serene cruise on West Lake, where temples, pagodas, and blossoming gardens are mirrored in still waters, creating a scene of poetic beauty and timeless peace.
Dinner and overnight stay in Hangzhou.
Day 6 - Hangzhou → Flight to Xi’an, City Tour
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi’an, one of China’s most ancient and storied cities, once the imperial capital and the eastern gateway of the Silk Road.
Our exploration begins with a visit to the Old City Walls, the best preserved in the country, standing as a reminder of the city’s glorious past.
We then visit a local terracotta workshop to learn about the meticulous craftsmanship that revives the artistry of imperial China.
Next, we continue to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, one of China’s most revered Buddhist monuments, dating back more than 1,300 years, a striking symbol of faith, culture, and architectural harmony.
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Xi’an.
Day 7 - Xi’an → The Terracotta Army
Today is devoted to one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries, the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Over 8,000 life-sized soldiers and horses were crafted to accompany China’s first emperor into the afterlife.
Standing face to face with these silent guardians, each uniquely sculpted in detail and expression, is a profoundly moving experience that connects you directly with the spirit and ambition of ancient China.
Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Xi’an.
Day 8 - Xi’an → Beijing (by High-Speed Train)
This morning, experience one of China’s modern marvels, the high-speed bullet train, as it takes you from Xi’an to Beijing in just a few hours.
Upon arrival in the capital, feel the pulse of a city where imperial majesty meets cutting-edge modernity.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in, followed by dinner and overnight stay in Beijing.
Day 9 – Beijing, City Tour & Rickshaw Ride through the Hutongs
Breakfast and departure for your first full day in China’s capital, a city of over 22 million residents where imperial grandeur meets the pulse of a modern metropolis.
Our tour begins in Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world and a defining symbol of China’s modern history, a place where triumph and tragedy have both left their mark.
Just to the north rises the Forbidden City, the magnificent palace complex that for centuries served as the heart of imperial power. With over 800 buildings, vast courtyards, and intricate corridors spread across more than 70 hectares, the Forbidden City stands today as one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking through its crimson walls and golden rooftops, one feels history whispering through the stones, stories of emperors, scholars, and concubines in a living monument of power, art, and mystery.
We continue to the Temple of Heaven, an architectural masterpiece of symmetry and symbolism where emperors once prayed for good harvests and divine favor. Representing the harmony between heaven and earth, the site still radiates a quiet sacredness that transcends centuries.
The day ends with a traditional rickshaw ride through the Hutongs, the narrow alleyways that form the living heart of old Beijing. Amid low courtyard houses, laughter, and the scent of home-cooked food, you’ll discover the city’s most authentic side, where the rhythm of daily life flows just as it did generations ago.
Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Beijing.
Day 10 - Beijing → The Great Wall & the Ming Tombs
Breakfast and departure for Badaling, the most popular and best-preserved section of the Great Wall, just 70 km from Beijing.
This monumental structure, first begun in the 7th century BCE to defend the empire from northern invasions, stretches for over 21,000 kilometers across 15 provinces, an awe-inspiring testament to human perseverance and vision.
Climbing its ancient stone steps, you’ll sense the weight of history, and the power of collective will that built one of humanity’s most enduring achievements.
Later, visit a jade workshop, where you’ll learn about the significance of this stone, revered in Chinese culture as more precious than gold, a symbol of purity, wisdom, and virtue.
In the afternoon, explore the Ming Tombs, the final resting place of 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty. We’ll visit one of the best-preserved sites, either Changling or Dingling, and stroll along the Sacred Way, lined with marble statues and grand ceremonial arches that once marked the path to immortality.
This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant featuring the world-famous Peking duck, a culinary emblem of the capital.
Overnight stay in Beijing.
Day 11 - Beijing → Summer Palace → Flight to Athens
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel.
Your final day in China is dedicated to the Summer Palace, a magnificent ensemble of palaces, pavilions, bridges, and gardens that once served as the imperial family’s retreat from the heat and bustle of Beijing.
Stroll through covered walkways adorned with intricate paintings, cross graceful arched bridges, and gaze across the serene Kunming Lake, where the reflections of temples and willow trees create an atmosphere of timeless elegance and peace.
Return to the city for a farewell dinner, your last taste of Chinese hospitality, a fitting close to a journey filled with discovery, culture, and unforgettable moments.
After dinner, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to Athens.
Day 12 - Arrival in Athens
Arrive at Athens International Airport, carrying with your vivid images, lasting memories, and a deeper connection to the eternal spirit of China.