13 Days China-Vietnam Grand Discovery: Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Yangshuo-Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City
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This extraordinary 13-day China-Vietnam Grand Discovery Tour offers a fascinating cross-cultural journey through China's most iconic destinations combined with Vietnam's rich historical heritage, blending imperial Chinese history, archaeological wonders, breathtaking natural landscapes, modern metropolitan marvels, and authentic Vietnamese experiences that showcase the interconnected histories of these two neighboring nations.
Begin in Beijing, staying at the centrally located Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing (8.5 rating) in the historic Dongcheng District. Experience authentic Beijing through a unique cultural food tour, starting with traditional breakfast delicacies at Huguo Temple Snacks featuring nine varieties including pea cake, cream fried cake, tea soup, refined donkey rolling, soybean juice, Aiwowo, crispy rings, sugar ears, and almond tofu, plus street snacks like vegetable buns, tofu pudding, and egg-filled pancakes. Explore Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City (closed Mondays), take a rickshaw tour through traditional hutongs, enjoy famous Quanjude Peking Duck lunch, and relax at a rooftop coffee bar.
Discover Beijing's imperial grandeur with visits to the Temple of Heaven where you'll join locals practicing Tai Chi, then venture to the spectacular Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China with cable car access for easier exploration. Experience the serene Summer Palace with its famous Long Corridor and Kunming Lake, climb the Fragrance Buddha Pavilion, and visit the Yonghe Lama Temple to learn about Tibetan Buddhism history and admire the Harmony Hall sculptures and murals.
Travel by high-speed train to Xi'an, staying at the Bell Tower Hotel (4.5 rating) near the historic Drum Tower. Explore one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries at the Terracotta Warriors Museum with electric cart and audio guide, then wander through the atmospheric Bell and Drum Tower Square, experience the vibrant Muslim Quarter's street food culture, and visit the beautiful Great Mosque showcasing Chinese Islamic architecture.
Continue to the Xi'an Museum and climb the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda that housed precious scriptures brought from India. Fly to Guilin, staying at the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (8.4 rating) near the iconic Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas in the city center.
Experience one of China's most scenic journeys with a Li River cruise from Bamboo River Pier to Yangshuo aboard a 4-star vessel, witnessing the famous karst limestone peaks reflected in the crystal-clear waters that have inspired Chinese painters for centuries. Stay overnight in charming Yangshuo at the Percent Hotel by Li River (10 rating) and explore the international West Street with its mix of traditional architecture and modern cafes.
Fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai, staying at the SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund (4.8 rating) in the historic Huangpu District near People's Square, Xintiandi, and Nanjing Road. Discover Shanghai's blend of tradition and modernity through visits to the classical Yu Garden with its exquisite landscaping, the bustling City God Temple, traditional longtang (lane house) neighborhoods, the iconic Bund waterfront with its colonial architecture, the famous Nanjing Road pedestrian street, the trendy Xintiandi entertainment district, and the impressive Shanghai Museum East Branch.
Fly to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), staying at the Eden Star Saigon Hotel & Spa (8.5 rating) in the city center, featuring a sky restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. This modern hotel provides the perfect base for exploring Vietnam's largest city and economic hub.
Embark on a profound historical journey exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network used during the Vietnam War that demonstrates the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people. Visit the sobering War Remnants Museum, which provides important historical context about the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective. Continue to the historic Reunification Palace (formerly Independence Palace), the site where South Vietnam surrendered in 1975, ending the Vietnam War. Explore the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, built by French colonists in the late 19th century, and the adjacent Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, showcasing French colonial architecture.
Experience the natural beauty and rural life of the Mekong Delta with a day trip to My Tho, located about 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Navigate the intricate waterways of the Mekong River, visit local villages to observe traditional crafts and agriculture, enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family, and witness the daily life along Vietnam's most important river system, often called the "Rice Bowl of Vietnam.