Beijing & Xi'an: China's Imperial Heartland
China's two greatest ancient cities — Forbidden City to Terracotta Army
From
£2,895pp
About this tour
Nine days is exactly long enough to fall in love with China's imperial past. This small-group tour — led by Hannah Forsythe, capped at 12 guests — focuses on the two cities that define Chinese civilisation for most Western visitors: Beijing, capital of the Ming and Qing dynasties, home of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall; and Xi'an, the even older capital at the eastern end of the Silk Road, where 8,000 terracotta warriors guard the tomb of the emperor who first unified China. Hannah has been leading this tour since 2017. A former art teacher from Leeds, she moved to Shanghai after a visit in 2015 that she describes as "the most intellectually exciting two weeks of my life." Her approach to China in a small group is characteristically practical: she manages the overwhelming complexity — the crowds, the language barrier, the sheer scale of the sights — so that guests can concentrate on being moved by what they're seeing, rather than stressed by it.
“Led by Hannah Forsythe, our China small-group specialist with 8 years of experience.”
Why this works for travellers over 50
- Hannah Forsythe: 8 years leading China small groups, rated "exceptional" by 96% of guests
- Max 12 guests — China's sights require proper crowd management, Hannah delivers it
- Beijing Capital Hotel: a heritage property in the heart of the city, walking distance to sights
- Sofitel Legend People's Grand Xi'an: inside the ancient city walls
- Great Wall at Mutianyu — the best section, at the best time of day
- Terracotta Warriors with the full story: not just a photograph
- High-speed train Beijing–Xi'an included (first class)
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Price per person — based on two travelling together.
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Your journey
Day-by-day itinerary
1Welcome to Beijing
Beijing
Arrival dayBeijing Capital Hotel
Welcome to Beijing
Beijing
Group transfer from Beijing Capital Airport. Welcome dinner at a Peking Duck restaurant in the Dongcheng district. Hannah introduces the group and the nine days ahead.
2Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Beijing
ModerateBeijing Capital Hotel
Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Beijing
Morning: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City — 980 buildings, the symbol of Chinese imperial power. Afternoon: Temple of Heaven and the park surrounding it, where Beijingers do tai chi, practise calligraphy and play traditional instruments.
3Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
Beijing / Mutianyu
ActiveBeijing Capital Hotel
Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
Beijing / Mutianyu
Early departure to the Mutianyu Great Wall section before the crowds. Cable car up, walk the central section with Hannah's historical commentary, optional toboggan descent. Return to Beijing for afternoon.
4Hutong Neighbourhood & Summer Palace
Beijing
ModerateBeijing Capital Hotel
Hutong Neighbourhood & Summer Palace
Beijing
Morning: rickshaw tour through the Shichahai hutong neighbourhood — Beijing's most intact historic residential area. Lunch in a hutong courtyard home (siheyuan). Afternoon: Summer Palace — the Qing imperial garden, with Kunming Lake and the Marble Boat.
5Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train
Beijing → Xi'an
Travel daySofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an
Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train
Beijing → Xi'an
First-class high-speed train Beijing–Xi'an (approximately 5 hours, included). Arrive Xi'an in the afternoon. Check in to the Sofitel Legend inside the city walls. Evening: Drum Tower and Bell Tower neighbourhood.
6Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
ModerateSofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
Early morning visit (08:30 first entry) to the Terracotta Army. Hannah's full story of Emperor Qin Shi Huang — the man who unified China, built the Great Wall, standardised weights and measures, and sought immortality — contextualises 8,000 individual warriors in the most historically compelling hour of the tour.
7Muslim Quarter & City Walls
Xi'an
Active morning, optional afternoon cyclingSofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an
Muslim Quarter & City Walls
Xi'an
Morning: Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque of Xi'an (742 AD). Street food tour with Hannah — biangbiang noodles, lamb skewers, roujiamo (Chinese burger). Afternoon: bicycle or electric cart along the top of the city walls (13.7km, optional). Free evening.
8Xi'an Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Shaanxi Museum
Xi'an
GentleSofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an
Xi'an Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Shaanxi Museum
Xi'an
Morning: Small Wild Goose Pagoda (built 707 AD) in its parkland setting, less crowded than the Great Goose Pagoda and architecturally more beautiful. Shaanxi History Museum — Tang dynasty gold and Han jade. Group farewell dinner at a Xi'an restaurant.
9Xi'an Departure
Xi'an
Departure day
Xi'an Departure
Xi'an
Final morning free. Group transfers to Xi'an Xianyang Airport for onward flights.
Like what you see?
Our specialists can tailor every day to your preferences.
Fitness & mobility
Pacing & accessibility
The two greatest ancient sites in China at a considered pace. No rushed temple-hopping. Max 6km walking on the most active days.
Walking
Forbidden City and Great Wall are the most active days (6–7km). Temple of Heaven and hutong days are more gentle. Xi'an Museum day is very easy.
Transport
Air-conditioned coach. First-class high-speed train Beijing–Xi'an (5 hours, comfortable). No domestic flights on this itinerary.
Altitude
Beijing and Xi'an are at low altitude. No altitude concerns.
Heat / Climate
Spring and autumn ideal. Summer very hot in both cities (avoid July–August). Winter cold in Beijing (wrap up warmly).
Accommodation
Your hotels
Beijing Capital Hotel
★★★★★Dongcheng District, Beijing · 4 nights
A heritage five-star in Beijing's historic Dongcheng district, steps from Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing shopping street and the Forbidden City. Contemporary rooms with excellent accessibility throughout.
- Steps from Tiananmen Square
- Walking distance to Forbidden City
- Dongcheng heritage location
- Contemporary rooms
- Excellent accessibility
Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an
★★★★★Inside the City Walls, Xi'an · 4 nights
Grand colonial-era hotel inside Xi'an's ancient city walls, walking distance to the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter.
- Inside the city walls
- Bell Tower views
- Muslim Quarter access
- Grand colonial architecture
- Chinese and Western restaurants
Enhance your trip
Chengdu Panda Extension
+£1,095
Add 4 nights in Chengdu with the Giant Panda Research Base, Temple House hotel and Leshan Giant Buddha. Flight Xi'an–Chengdu included.
per person supplement
Pricing
Holiday pricing
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. We arrange departures throughout the year to suit your preferred dates.
Starting from
£2,895
per person · 2 sharing
Solo traveller supplement: +£695 pp
Travelling solo?
Single supplement: +£695 pp · Single supplement waived November 2025 for solo travellers willing to share a twin
Full details
What’s included & not included
Included in your price
- 8 nights in 5-star hotels (Beijing 4n, Xi'an 4n)
- Expert small-group guide Hannah Forsythe throughout
- Beijing–Xi'an high-speed train first class (included)
- Great Wall Mutianyu cable car and entrance
- Hutong rickshaw tour with courtyard lunch
- All entrance fees throughout
- Daily breakfast; welcome dinner, hutong lunch, farewell dinner, and meals as noted
- All group road transfers
- ATOL financial protection
Not included
- Travel insurance (required)
- China visa (required)
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Your specialist
Who will plan your holiday
Hannah Forsythe
Hannah grew up in Leeds and taught secondary school art for eight years before a holiday to China in 2015 convinced her to make a change. She moved to Shanghai in 2017, learnt conversational Mandarin and has been leading small-group tours for Holidays to Asia since 2018. Her teaching background means she is naturally good at making complicated things clear — and Shanghai is a very complicated city. Her groups are consistently among our most warmly reviewed.
Tailor-made
Like this tour but want it adapted?
Extra nights, alternative hotels, private transfers — our specialists will build your perfect itinerary from scratch.
What our guests say
Guest reviews
Hannah made China feel manageable and wonderful
“We'd been nervous about China — the language, the crowds, the complexity. Hannah managed every logistical challenge before we noticed it was a challenge. The Great Wall at 08:00 with almost nobody else there was extraordinary. The Terracotta Warriors with Hannah's storytelling were genuinely moving. We'd go back for the pandas.”
Christine & Howard Palmer
Devon · 2025-04-07
The most impressive thing I've ever seen
“I've seen the Pyramids, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat. The Terracotta Warriors at dawn — when Hannah has us there at 08:30 and the light is coming through the roof of Pit 1 onto 2,000 warriors in battle formation — was the most impressive thing I've seen in 70 years of travel. The Muslim Quarter noodles were extraordinary too.”
George Stephenson
Newcastle · 2024-11-18
Small group dynamics were perfect
“Nine days with 10 strangers who became friends. Hannah has a remarkable talent for creating a group that functions — she pairs people instinctively and creates moments of connection. I travelled alone; I left with four phone numbers and plans for a reunion dinner in London.”
Diana Muir
Surrey · 2025-03-16
Before you go
Practical information
Visa requirements
Tourist L visa required. Apply through CVASC. Approx £155. 4 business days. Full guidance provided.
Currency
Chinese Yuan (RMB). £1 ≈ 9 RMB. Mobile payment essential — Hannah helps set up WeChat Pay before tour starts.
Tipping
Hannah: £15–20/day. Hutong rickshaw driver: 20–30 RMB. Hotel staff: 20–30 RMB per service.
Electricity
220V. Type A and I sockets. Universal adaptor recommended.
Health & vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus recommended. Air quality can be poor in winter — those with respiratory conditions should check. Tap water not safe.
Flights
Fly London to Beijing (PEK) with Air China, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic (direct, approx 10.5 hours). Return from Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) via Beijing or a Gulf hub.
Local transport
Air-conditioned coach throughout. First-class high-speed train Beijing–Xi'an included. No domestic flights.
Travel with like-minded people
Join a Small Group Departure
Prefer to travel with a small group of fellow over-50s rather than as a couple or solo? Our fixed-departure group tours put you alongside eight to twelve like-minded travellers with a dedicated tour manager for the entire journey.
- Maximum 12 travellers — intimate by design
- Dedicated tour manager throughout
- Social dinners and shared discoveries
- Single supplement waived on selected departures
- Like-minded over-50s travellers
- No single friends needed — just arrive and enjoy
Register Your Interest
Tell us your preferred dates and travel companions — we’ll match you with the right departure and send full details.
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my phone and social media in China?
Western social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Google) is blocked in mainland China. Install a VPN app (ExpressVPN or NordVPN recommended) before departure — you cannot download VPN apps once in China. Hannah briefs all guests on the digital preparation needed before travel. WeChat is essential and works without a VPN — download it before you go.
How do I get cash in China?
China uses mobile payments (WeChat Pay, AliPay) for almost everything. Hannah helps guests link a bank card to WeChat Pay before the tour begins. ATMs in hotels dispense RMB. International credit cards are accepted at all hotels. Carry 200–300 RMB in cash for situations where mobile payment is unavailable.
What is the toboggan run at Mutianyu?
A single-seat wheeled sled on a stainless-steel track descending the mountain from the Wall. You control the speed yourself with a simple brake lever. It is perfectly safe and remarkably good fun. Hannah and 98% of guests use it. Those who prefer can return by cable car.
How different is Xi'an from Beijing?
Significantly — Beijing is a northern imperial capital (cold winters, Peking Opera, hutong lanes, Peking Duck). Xi'an is an ancient Silk Road city in northwest China with strong Islamic cultural influences, a spicier food culture (biangbiang noodles, lamb, cumin), and an older archaeological legacy. The contrast makes visiting both cities on the same tour much more rewarding than spending nine days in one.
Are the sites very crowded?
The Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors are among the most visited sites on earth. Hannah manages this entirely through timing — arriving at 08:30 when both sites open, before the main crowds arrive at 10:00–11:00. The difference between 08:30 and 10:30 at both sites is between peaceful and overwhelming.
What is the Muslim Quarter food like?
The Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) in Xi'an is one of China's greatest street food destinations. Biangbiang noodles (flat, wide, hand-pulled, served with chilli oil), roujiamo (spiced lamb in flatbread), yang rou pao mo (lamb soup with bread crumbs), and luwei (spiced cold meats). Hannah leads a structured food walk covering 6–8 dishes across different stalls. Spice levels can be adjusted on request.
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