China—Shanghai to Shangri La

Itinerary at a glance

We meet in Beijing (2 nights). Our premier walk includes Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City…and a pedicab ride through ancient lanes (hutongs) to lunch in a family home. Dedicating a whole day to the Great Wall, we take a guided walk of its ramparts (and ruins) from Jinshanling to Simatai.

We fly to Xian (1 night) for a close-up look at its army of terra cotta warriors. Through pomegranate and persimmon orchards, country paths lead us to Huajicun, a rural village renowned for its painters. Another hop takes us to Guilin (1 night). On the Li River, we’ll cruise in an otherworldly landscape of “dragon’s teeth” mountains to quaint Yangshuo (2 nights). Along the way, we’ll have the chance to practice Tai Chi with a local master…lunch with a local family…and bike or walk into the lush, level farmlands.

The tour’s literal highlight is Shangri La, the heavenly Tibetan plateau that inspired the James Hilton novel. From our spa resort in Zhongdian (3 nights), we’ll walk through meadows in breezes swept down from the Himalayas. We’ll meet the ethnic Tibetan and Naxi peoples…try a sip of yak butter tea…and make a pilgrimage to Songzanlin monastery. Finally, we fly to Shanghai (2 nights) where we’ll stroll the Bund, visit the quiet “water town” of Zhujiajiao, and go shopping on Nanjing Road before a farewell feast.