--- title: "The Empire, Read Backward" description: "7 days from the Forbidden City back to where the Terracotta Warriors began it" type: "tour" route_id: "beijing-xian-7-days" total_days: 7 price: 2220 highlights: ["Beijing", "Xi'an"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/beijing-xian-7-days" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/beijing-xian-7-days" locale: "en-US" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","zh-TW":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-TW/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/beijing-xian-7-days","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/beijing-xian-7-days"} --- # The Empire, Read Backward 7 days from the Forbidden City back to where the Terracotta Warriors began it Two capitals, three nights each. The Great Wall, hutong lanes, a city wall you cycle and a dumpling banquet, with English-speaking guides in both cities. - Moderate — up to about 12,000 steps a day, with some stairs — City walking, wall steps, and optional cycling; Mutianyu climbing is by cable car or chairlift, and walks can shorten on request. ## Overview Seven days, two capitals, and the story told in reverse. You begin in Beijing, where China's last two dynasties ruled from the Forbidden City, and finish in Xi'an, capital of the first emperor who unified the country. One afternoon on a business-class high-speed train joins them, with no airport in between. Three nights in each city means you unpack twice and each capital gets the time to be more than its postcard. You come home with China's imperial story in working order: an ending you stood inside, and a beginning you met face to face. LyrikTrip travel designers Your route is planned and noted before you land; a professional English-speaking guide is with you on every touring day in both capitals. ## Summary - Route ID: beijing-xian-7-days - Duration: 7 days / 6 nights - Starting price: $2,220 - Status: active - Highlights: Beijing, Xi'an - Cover image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/k6oPFy1J.webp ## Hero tags - private - cultural - heritage - first-time China ## Highlight notes - Two capitals, three nights each. The Great Wall, hutong lanes, a city wall you cycle and a dumpling banquet, with English-speaking guides in both cities. ## Selling points - Stand where the empire ended before the week shows you where it began, two capitals closed in one loop. - Walk Mutianyu tower to tower and read the ridge the way its builders did, mountains as half the defense. - Read the first emperor's army as an order of battle, rank and formation still holding underground. - Eat Xi'an twice in a day, a dumpling banquet at night and Sajinqiao's stalls by morning. ## City highlights - Beijing (3 days): 北京 - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/tzoc3ty1.webp - Xi'an (4 days): 西安 - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2IrwPATt.webp ## Experiences Three nights in each capital and one high-speed train join Beijing of the Ming and Qing dynasties to Xi'an of the Qin, Han and Tang. - Hutong Walk (Beijing): the narrow lanes of old Beijing, laid out around courtyard homes. You walk them at street level with your guide: courtyard residences, small local businesses, and the pattern of a neighborhood that grew up around family homes, temples and markets. An easy stroll, scheduled for the afternoon after the palace; the route bends to whatever catches your eye. The palace was built for ceremony; these lanes were built for neighbors, and they still work that way. - Subtitle: the narrow lanes of old Beijing, laid out around courtyard homes - Tags: City - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens — Imperial capital and Great Wall - Access: The palace was built for ceremony; these lanes were built for neighbors, and they still work that way. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c24addfaebbd.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0b34f0c25fee.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3b11e432aa93.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/fe9f94178424.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0fdfcee1fde7.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/04a1b8761320.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/813e0ad5e32f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/e5b7bf4fa781.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d2b1cb970f30.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7d46557f3072.jpg - Mutianyu Great Wall (Beijing): A well-restored Great Wall section with open views and easier walking conditions for first-time visitors. - Subtitle: A classic Great Wall section near Beijing - Tags: Great Wall - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens — Imperial capital and Great Wall - Access: A polished Great Wall experience with flexible cable car or walking options. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f6c07b2f8772.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3a661e194c2f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1b0f83ddd1e5.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7207d6532c2f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/e88879531691.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/926d916b9408.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/91465599744f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a720fb1678e6.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/608cdc21a04d.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9b968ec44131.jpg - Business Class on the Rails (Beijing): the Beijing to Xi'an leg of the week, taken in business class aboard China's high-speed railway, with private transfers to and from the stations. You board after the museum and step off in another capital: the train links the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties with the city that served the Qin, Han and Tang. One-way ticket included. - Subtitle: the Beijing to Xi'an leg of the week, taken in business class - Tags: Rail - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens — Imperial capital and Great Wall - Access: One-way ticket included. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/562edfba7ca9.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/657532699f1f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7781d5ce0818.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a97eca2cd5ca.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bd925cf52a58.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/cbeed60da22c.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/99618f5e576a.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/30eb975291eb.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/da94b91bbe6a.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/817cfe205e26.jpg - Chinese Medicine, Introduced (Xi'an): A working introduction at a traditional medicine center: someone reads your pulse, opens the herb drawers, and explains how the system thinks about seasons, food and balance. It is a session for understanding, not a sales floor; any physical treatment is optional, chosen by you, and priced separately. - Subtitle: A practical introduction to traditional medicine - Tags: Wellness - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens — Warriors and ancient capital - Access: For understanding, not a sales floor; treatment is optional and priced separately. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/92c530b15a6f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/65719262cf8e.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3dcbac1d8e7e.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/00320021a00c.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a0b835db0432.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f3ee5aec0c65.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/cbd57f6f99de.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ae7334b77be5.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/046b78513985.jpg - Xi'an Dumpling Banquet (Xi'an): an evening meal that is dumplings from the first plate to the last: different fillings, shapes and cooking styles arriving in rounds. Included on day five, and built as a relaxed first lesson in Xi'an's food culture: you eat your way through the varieties instead of reading about them. - Subtitle: an evening meal that is dumplings from the first plate to the - Tags: Food - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens — Warriors and ancient capital - Access: Included on day five, and built as a relaxed first lesson in Xi'an's food culture: you eat your way through the varieties instead of reading about them. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/eb300152c9c6.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/89ed18c73c2e.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d13588ac2106.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f81cfc081986.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/26c4b38c94b9.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f017eba2d6d7.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/27758f32cbe6.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/051546239228.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a997ea3a41cd.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f385041d35ff.jpg - Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling (Xi'an): You go up and ride — gray brick under the wheels, the old grid inside the wall on one hand, the modern city outside it on the other. The full circuit is about 14 km; ride the whole loop, a stretch, or walk part of it. You set your own pace — the gates have ramps, the surface is brick, and there is no traffic on top. The hire time counted in and any charge past it are stated in writing in your quote. This is the longest unsheltered section on the route, and it converts to a walked section when weather or stamina calls for it; November and December departures have the cold-weather arrangement written into the quote. It is also the clearest lesson in Chinese city planning you will get on this trip — old lanes inside the wall, towers without. - Subtitle: one of the most complete surviving ancient city walls in China, wide enough on top to cycle two abreast, still ringed around the old center. Admission and bike hire are in the base price. - Tags: Cycling - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens — Warriors and ancient capital - Access: Active heritage experience on one of China's best-preserved city walls. - Images: https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353012000p9q9h7p45A9_C_1080_540_Q80.jpg_.webp?_fr=wc, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/daf832e303d0.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/8f7c7a922b33.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f864b69ac4b1.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9c4dc5e6e575.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b69829f31585.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1170df991f6f.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ad143f00bca6.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/dabb4f7b21b8.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/6c4bc5467067.jpg - Sajinqiao Food Walk (Xi'an): The Muslim culinary street locals actually eat on, one street from the tourist crowds. Your guide walks you stall to stall and orders with you: roujiamo, crisp-baked bread packed with slow-braised pork; noodles pulled long on the counter; lamb skewers straight off the charcoal; what you eat is on your account, and nothing costs much. - Subtitle: Xi'an street food with a local - Tags: Food - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens — Warriors and ancient capital - Access: Your guide steers and orders with you; food is paid on your account. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1b231bf5e564.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/d8bf7925468a.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b73ade1e52ce.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/f4475eca0112.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9d81d74adbfd.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/e8e2b2514956.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ef7998707992.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/04e1aa74c86a.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bfdc415e6889.jpg, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/52c56934b3f4.jpg ### Capture banner - Label: Save this itinerary - Title: Send the full route to your inbox - Subtitle: We will include the latest hotels, hosts and pacing notes. - Placeholder: Email address - CTA: Send route - Sent label: Sent ## Itinerary ### The last imperial capital - 3 days Beijing #### Beijing (3 days) - Subtitle: 北京 - Recommendation: Beijing gives you the final chapters and the vocabulary to read what comes next. - Transport: High-speed rail - Transport mode: train Three nights cover the palace, Mutianyu, the Temple of Heaven, the museum and hutong life. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/tzoc3ty1.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/14h8ZnOb.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/17bdSgjF.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1bDq9gT4.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1cZHxWkg.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1vwu9mIQ.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1X29GyUB.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1xVI7jTc.webp ##### Day 1: Beijing: arrival - (transport) — At Beijing Capital or Daxing airport, your local representative meets you at arrivals and a private vehicle takes you to the hotel. - (note) — Check in, rest and reset your clock; a first neighborhood walk is optional. ##### Day 2: Beijing: the last palace - (sight) — Begin at the ceremonial heart of the capital, where your guide sets the historical scene before the palace gates. - (sight) — Walk from the Meridian Gate through ceremonial halls, residential quarters and the imperial garden while your guide decodes the rooflines. - (sight) — Climb to the hilltop pavilion and see the whole palace and old central axis below you. - (sight) — Return to street level among narrow lanes, courtyard homes and small neighborhood businesses. ##### Day 3: Beijing: the wall in the mountains - (transport) — A morning drive through Beijing's northern countryside brings you to Mutianyu. - (sight) Mutianyu Great Wall — Take the cable car or chairlift, then walk tower to tower while your guide explains how watchtowers, passes and terrain formed one defense system. - (sight) — Stop for exterior views of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube after returning to the city. ### Back to the beginning - 4 days Xi'an #### Xi'an (4 days) - Subtitle: 西安 - Recommendation: Xi'an turns the week's timeline back to the first unified empire. - Transport: High-speed rail - Transport mode: train Three nights balance the Terracotta Warriors with the city wall, food and free time. - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2IrwPATt.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2SYFFac8.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3DF4Fowd.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/56RpQD9k.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/2z6MDkku.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/34qxDxFA.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3G0oTlIq.webp ##### Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an: the pages turn back - (sight) — Walk the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar while your guide explains harvest rites and geometry. - (sight) — Use bronzes, ceramics, sculpture, calligraphy and archaeology to fill the chapters between China's last dynasties and its first. - (transport) — Travel west in business class with private station transfers, moving forward while the imperial story runs back. - (transport) — Your local representative meets you at the station and a private vehicle takes you to the hotel. ##### Day 5: Xi'an: the first emperor's army - (sight) Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses — Read Qin Shi Huang's buried army as an order of battle, using uniforms, hairstyles, formation, production methods and traces of original paint. - (dining) — An included regional lunch near the site, with noodles or other local dishes. - (sight) — See pulse observation, the herb cabinet and how the system links body, season and diet; any treatment is optional and separately priced. - (dining) — An included dinner of dumplings in changing fillings, shapes and cooking styles. ##### Day 6: Xi'an: the wall and the food street - (sight) — Enter at the South Gate and cycle as far as feels right, or walk instead, with the historic inner city and modern districts both in view. - (dining) — Your guide leads and translates while you choose roujiamo, hand-pulled noodles, cold noodles or lamb dishes; food is on your account. - (note) — Keep the afternoon for rest, shopping or your own corner of Xi'an. ##### Day 7: Departure - (note) — Breakfast, a last walk or slow packing follows your departure time. - (transport) — A private transfer takes you to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport or the railway station with time to spare. ## Hotels ### Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square) - City: Beijing - Description: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/dHqyz391.webp ### Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an - City: xi'an - Description: A comfortable serviced-apartment option in Xi'an, suited to travellers who like extra space and a more residential feel. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1ObUAtFi.webp ### Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station - City: Beijing - Description: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/gLxP4Hxa.webp ### Sofitel Beijing Central - City: Beijing - Description: Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/itT5uc1l.webp ### Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast - City: Beijing - Description: International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bWOFYezP.jpg ### DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road - City: Beijing - Description: International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/kkFJOiOe.webp ## Included / Excluded ### What's Included - Private vehicles: Air-conditioned private vehicles for listed sightseeing and transfers in both cities, with airport and station pick-ups and drop-offs - Rail: One-way business-class high-speed train ticket, Beijing to Xi'an - Hotels: 6 nights in selected four-star or five-star hotels, breakfast daily - Guides: Professional English-speaking guide service on all scheduled touring days - Tickets and experiences: All listed attractions, Mutianyu cable car or chairlift, Xi'an City Wall bike rental and the Chinese medicine introductory session - Meals: Shaanxi lunch and the dumpling banquet on day 5 - Also: Bottled water on touring days and travel accident insurance for the journey ### Not Included - Flights: International and domestic flights to Beijing and onward from Xi'an - Meals: Beyond breakfast and the two included day-five meals, lunches and dinners remain flexible and on your account - Personal: Visas, gratuities, single supplement, personal spending and optional treatments during the medicine session - Beyond control: Additional costs from severe weather, traffic restrictions, attraction closures or train delays beyond reasonable control ### Special Notes A few things on this route flex by design. Here they are, told straight. - Mutianyu ascent: Cable car or open chairlift, chosen on the day; the walking route shortens or extends to match the group. - City wall cycling: Distance and duration adjust freely; a walking option follows the same rampart. - Chinese medicine session: The introduction is included; any physical treatment is optional and separately priced. - Hotels: Named in your written confirmation; or similar means the same class and comparable location. ## Is Seven Days Your Length? Tell us your dates and who is coming: we will shape the week around you. ### Have exactly a week? This is the deep version: two capitals fully lived in, one train, no backtracking. ### Fewer days? Tell us what matters most; the two capitals compress in the same order. ### More days? We add a region after Xi'an rather than padding these two. ## Good to Know - Group: Private; from 1 guest: no minimum - Arrival: Day 1 is the arrival day; airport meeting and private transfer are included, and touring begins on day 2 - Language: English-speaking guide on all touring days - Shopping Policy: No shopping stops or commission detours on the route; your time is dedicated solely to the places listed here. - Tailoring: Fully flexible. Days, stops, and pace can be added, removed, or swapped. We'll reshape the plan together before you confirm and pay. - Payment: A 10% deposit, minimum $399, locks your dates and resources; the balance is due 14 days before departure - Flexibility: Walking, cycling and museum time adjust to your group every day - Season: Spring and autumn suit walking; summer asks for earlier starts and winter for warm layers on the wall - Ports: Beijing In · Xi'an Out - Gateway markets: Lead country marker: GB. Gateway markets from inventory: UK, WEU. Xi'an outbound access may need a connection. ## Your Private Concierge - Name: Jason Hu - Title: Private China Route Concierge - Tagline: A bilingual planning desk for tailor-made China journeys. - Bio: Our China team tunes pacing, hotels and local hosts around each route style. - Avatar image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c0TBypRh.png ### Stats - 20+ Years - 300+ Trips designed - 24/7 On-trip care ### The Conversation Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and who's coming — and if this length isn't right for you, we'll say so and shape a shorter arc. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day. - CTA: Start the conversation ### Step 01: Tell us what excites you Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there. - 24h: First concept delivered ### Step 02: We design it around you Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else. - 100%: Bespoke, never off-the-shelf ### Step 03: Lock it in with 10% When the plan feels right, a 10% deposit holds your entire trip. Balance due 30 days before departure. - 10%: Deposit to secure everything ### Step 04: Travel. We handle the rest. Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for. - 24/7: Support throughout your journey - Free cancellation up to 30 days - English-speaking concierge - Secure payment via Stripe - CTA: Talk to Us ## Guest Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 - Count label: from 523 verified reviews 4.9 / 5 ### Platforms - google: 4.9 (312 reviews) - tripadvisor: 5.0 (211 reviews) - Filter tabs: All, Google, TripAdvisor - Emily Carter (🇺🇸 Seattle, USA · 5★ · May 2026 · google): Perfect for couples - My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all. - Claire Brooks (🇬🇧 London, UK · 5★ · Apr 2026 · tripadvisor): Great for families - Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip. - Laura Bennett (🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada · 5★ · Mar 2026 · google): Alisa made the whole experience easy - Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights. - Mark Henderson (🇺🇸 Denver, USA · 4★ · Feb 2026 · tripadvisor): Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly - Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless. - Rebecca Miller (🇺🇸 Boston, USA · 5★ · Jan 2026 · google): Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## China Ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - Badge: Do this before you fly - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - Badge: Your concierge sets this up on Day 1 - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Badge: We handle the paperwork - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Badge: Our responsibility, always - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler. ## Before You Book Everything worth knowing before you book. ### Two cities in seven days: will we run out of things to do? No. Three nights in each city make room for the palace, wall, Temple of Heaven, museum and hutongs in Beijing, then the warriors, rampart and food traditions in Xi'an without rushing. ### Why start in Beijing instead of Xi'an? The order is the design. Beijing gives you the vocabulary and middle chapters before you face the first emperor's army, while one westbound train keeps the logistics clean. ### How much walking and cycling is there? Moderate and adjustable. Mutianyu uses a cable car or chairlift, and the city-wall cycling always has a walking option. ### Which meals are included? Breakfast daily, plus the Shaanxi lunch and dumpling banquet on day five. Other meals remain flexible and on your account.