Exploring Chinese Architecture: From Dynastic Design to Modern Marvels
Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu – Dujiangyan – Guilin&Yangshuo – Hangzhou – Shanghai（12-Day Private Tour）
Exploring Chinese Architecture: From Dynastic Design to Modern Marvels is a 12-day cultural journey through China’s rich architectural heritage. From imperial palaces and ancient temples to rural villages and modern landmarks, this tour reveals how Chinese architecture reflects 5,000 years of history, philosophy, and design evolution.
Guided by experts, you’ll visit iconic sites and hidden gems—experiencing China’s past, present, and future through its most inspiring spaces.
📅 Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights
🎯 Ideal For: Architecture enthusiasts, design students, cultural travelers, photographers
🚄 Transportation: Includes airport pick-up, 2 domestic flights, high-speed trains, and private transfers
🍽 Meals: 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
💼 Tour Features: Guided educational tour exploring China’s architectural evolution—from ancient dynasties to avant-garde urban designs. Includes curated visits, bilingual experts, academic lectures, and cultural immersions.
Highlights
Itinerary Overview
Our standard itineraries are for reference only — just let us know your preferences in the form, and our travel experts will customize a trip just for you!
Private airport pick-up and transfer to hotel in a traditional courtyard house (Siheyuan).
Free time to stroll nearby hutong alleys or rest after arrival.
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Boutique courtyard hotel in Beijing
- 🍽 Meals: None
Imperial Architecture – Forbidden City & Central Axis
- Visit the Forbidden City with a guided architectural walk focused on layout, symbolism, and construction techniques.
- Continue to Jingshan Park for panoramic views of Beijing’s ancient planning axis.
- Afternoon hutong tour focusing on vernacular urban housing.
- Evening welcome lecture: Foundations of Chinese Traditional Architecture
- 🥢 Dinner: Peking Duck (Welcome Dinner)
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Beijing
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ming Temples to Modern Icons
- Morning visit to the Temple of Heaven—perfect example of Ming religious architecture and harmony.
- Afternoon visit to the CCTV Headquarters and National Centre for the Performing Arts (optional).
- Evening lecture/discussion at an architecture institution (Tsinghua or CAFA).
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Beijing
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Self-arranged
High-Speed Train to Xi’an – City Walls & Pagodas
- Morning high-speed train to Xi’an (~5 hrs).
- Explore the Ancient City Wall and learn about military urban design.
- View the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda—Tang Buddhist design.
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Boutique hotel near Xi’an city wall
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Self-arranged
Tang Elegance & Vernacular Life
- Morning: Visit Tang Paradise and Daming Palace ruins (reconstructed Tang-style complexes).
- Afternoon: Guided tour of Muslim Quarter for architectural blending of Islamic and Han styles.
- Optional: Visit Shaanxi History Museum for architectural models.
- Evening lecture: Tang Dynasty Influence in East Asia
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Xi’an
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Optional/Self-arranged
Flight to Chengdu – Street Culture & Folk Design
- Morning flight to Chengdu.
- Afternoon visit to Jinli Street & Wuhou Shrine for Sichuanese courtyard architecture.
- Relax at People’s Park tea houses – local social space design.
- 🛏️ Accommodation: 4★ Hotel in Chengdu
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast | Lunch & Dinner: Self-arranged
Dujiangyan Day Trip – Ancient Infrastructure
Full-day excursion to Dujiangyan Irrigation System—UNESCO World Heritage site.
Learn about ancient hydrological engineering and wood-arch bridge design.
Return to Chengdu for rest.
- 🥢 Dinner: Local Sichuan hotpot (optional)
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Chengdu
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Optional/Self-arranged
Flight to Guilin – Transfer to Yangshuo
Morning flight to Guilin; private transfer to Yangshuo countryside retreat.
Evening lecture: Southern Chinese Vernacular Homes & Landscape Integration
🛏️ Accommodation: Restored traditional stone lodge in Jiuxian Village
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Lunch: En route
Rural Village Architecture & Eco-Design
Explore Jiuxian Village’s Qing-era dwellings and local temples.
Visit contemporary eco-lodges designed by international architects.
Optional bamboo construction workshop or local design studio tour.
- 🥢 Dinner: Farm-to-table group meal
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Yangshuo
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
High-Speed Train to Hangzhou – West Lake by Night
Relaxed morning in Yangshuo.
Afternoon high-speed train (~5 hrs) to Hangzhou.
Evening walk by West Lake – inspiration for Song Dynasty aesthetics.
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Boutique hotel by West Lake
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast | Lunch & Dinner: Self-arranged
Temples, Gardens & Pritzker-winning Architecture
- Morning: Visit Lingyin Temple & Feilai Peak – Buddhist design integration with landscape.
- Afternoon: Tour China Academy of Art campus by Wang Shu, plus Xixi Wetland Museum.
- Closing lecture: Contemporary Chinese Architecture in Global Dialogue
- 🥢 Dinner: Farewell banquet (Hangzhou cuisine)
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Hangzhou
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Private transfer to Hangzhou airport or high-speed train to Shanghai Pudong for departure.
- (Extension options include the Bund, Shanghai Tower, 1933 Slaughterhouse, Longhua Temple)
- 🍽 Meals: Breakfast
Value-added Services
Where You’ll Stay
Standard Accommodation
You’ll stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels offering a comfortable blend of modern convenience and warm hospitality — perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Upgrade Options
While the standard is twin-sharing rooms in 4-star hotels, you can easily upgrade to single rooms or opt for 5-star hotels or preferred properties to suit your tastes and preferences.
Unique Traditional Stays
In select destinations, enjoy a night or two in charming boutique guesthouses featuring traditional Chinese architecture and local character, for a truly immersive experience.
Tour Testimonials
“This architecture-focused trip gave me a profound understanding of China’s built heritage—from the grandeur of Beijing’s Forbidden City to the innovative designs in Hangzhou. The expert guides made complex history accessible and fascinating. Perfect for anyone passionate about design and culture!”
— Anna, April 2024
“The perfect balance of ancient wonders and modern creativity! Visiting Xi’an’s city walls and Chengdu’s traditional courtyards offered deep insights, while Yangshuo and Hangzhou showed how nature and architecture harmonize. The lectures and workshops added real academic value.”
— Michael, May 2023
“A truly immersive architectural journey. I loved exploring historic temples, imperial palaces, and contemporary art campuses. The private transfers and bilingual guides made everything smooth and educational. Highly recommended for architecture students and cultural travelers!”
— Emily, March 2025
Photo Highlights
Useful Information
At Travel China, we believe your journey should be as unique as you are. Our itineraries are here to inspire—but every trip can be fully customized to match your interests, pace, and preferences. Simply share your ideas with us through the form, and our travel experts will craft a tailor-made adventure just for you, along with a personalized quote.
All our tours can be adjusted to suit your needs—whether it’s adding destinations, changing pace, or tailoring experiences. Just tell us what you have in mind!
A small deposit of just 10% per person confirms your booking and secures your hotels, tickets, and private transport. The remaining balance is paid upon your arrival in China.
A visa is required for travel to mainland China. We recommend applying at least two months in advance.
Ages 14–70 must apply in person at a Visa Application Center.
Ages 13 and under / 71 and over can apply online.
We’ll provide you with the necessary documents and guidance to make the process smooth and easy.
Comfortable private cars are arranged within cities. For intercity travel, we use China’s efficient high-speed trains or domestic flights. Please note: lighters and aerosols are not allowed on trains or planes.
The local currency is the Renminbi (RMB / CNY / Yuan). We suggest exchanging money before departure. US dollars are also commonly accepted. Credit cards work in most hotels and malls, but small shops may only accept cash. ATMs are widely available.
Hotels may require a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in.
You’ll be warmly greeted by your local guide upon arrival. Throughout your trip, a knowledgeable local guide will accompany you in each city to offer expert insight and support.
We handpick hotels for comfort, location, and character—typically at a 4-star standard. Ratings may differ from international norms, but we inspect all our partner properties regularly to ensure quality. All rooms come with private bathrooms.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Unlike the western world, Chinese people do not normally pre-heat their plates and food can be presented at a variety of temperatures, which is a typical Chinese way of doing things.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels.
If your visit falls during a major Chinese holiday, such as Chinese New Year (Jan–Feb) or Golden Week (May 1–3 & Oct 1–7), note that transportation may be busier and attractions more crowded. Shops may close temporarily, but scenic sites remain open.
