14 Days Ancient Civilisations & Living Traditions

Welcome to Beijing, a city where dynastic history and modern ambition collide. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted by your local English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. If rooms are not yet available, your journey begins immediately with an introduction to one of Beijing’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods – the hutongs.

Wander through narrow alleyways woven with daily life, where generations live within traditional courtyard homes. Step inside a historic residence once associated with the last Empress of the Qing Dynasty, and follow the calls of street vendors toward bustling food stalls filled with local flavours. This is Beijing as locals know it… intimate, textured, and alive.

In the evening, gather for your first authentic Chinese dinner at a favourite local restaurant. Watch Beijingers order with confidence as your guide introduces classic dishes that set the tone for the culinary discoveries ahead.

Today, you will rise early to join local residents as they practice morning Tai Chi, a peaceful glimpse into daily life. Today explores the political and spiritual heart of imperial China.

Stand in the vast expanse of Tian’anmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares, steeped in modern and historical significance. Continue into the Forbidden City, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled behind crimson walls for over 500 years. With more than 800 buildings and nearly 9,000 rooms, this remarkably preserved palace complex offers a powerful insight into imperial life, hierarchy, and ritual.

After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests remains one of China’s most iconic architectural symbols.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the most scenic and best-preserved stretches. No matter the season, the landscape is breathtaking, from spring blossoms, lush greenery in summer with the sound of flowing water, in autumn expect to see the mountains adorned with red leaves and in winter, white snow. Walk along this monumental structure and absorb the sheer scale of one of humanity’s greatest engineering achievements; if you wish, you can take the cable car, where tickets are paid locally.

Later, visit a local family in a nearby village to gain insight into rural life in northern China, offering a meaningful contrast to Beijing’s urban pace.

This evening, celebrate with a traditional Peking Duck dinner, a culinary highlight and a fitting farewell to the capital.

Following breakfast, you will transfer to the train station, where you will leave by high-speed train to Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s best-preserved walled towns. Pingyao feels like a step back in time, its streets and courtyards immortalised in Zhang Yimou’s acclaimed film Raise the Red Lantern.

After lunch, explore the impressive Wang Family Compound, an enormous Qing Dynasty residence with over 200 courtyards and more than 1,000 rooms, revealing the wealth and influence of merchant families during Pingyao’s financial peak.

Tonight you will be staying in a historic-style hotel and enjoy the atmosphere of this remarkable town.

Following breakfast, you will first begin your day by following your guide and exploring Pingyao’s old town. Walk atop the city wall for sweeping views, visit Rishengchang Bank, China’s first draft bank, and discover how early financial systems shaped the nation. If time allows, you may be lucky enough to catch a live demonstration of a Qing Dynasty court trial at the historic government office.

After lunch in a local restaurant, continue by high-speed train to Xi’an, one of China’s most historic capitals and the eastern gateway of the Silk Road.

Enjoy your breakfast early in the morning, for today you will be beating the crowds with an early visit to the legendary Terracotta Warriors. Stand face-to-face with thousands of life-sized soldiers created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history. If health permits, you may be lucky enough to meet Mr. Yang, one of the farmers who uncovered this world wonder.

Today lunch features local specialities including famous Biang Biang noodles – thick, broad, hand-pulled noodles that come with chilli, garlic, and Sichuan Pepper…bold flavours and a story all their own.

In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India, symbolising Xi’an’s importance as a centre of cultural exchange.

This morning, you will gaze into the heart of historical Xi’an as you walk or cycle Xi’an’s ancient city wall. This is one of the most complete ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before taking your afternoon flight to Guiyang, where you will then be transferred by road to Kaili, nestled in Guizhou’s lush mountains. This flight is approximately 2 hours. Kaili is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, the region is covered with terraced rice fields, mist-covered peaks and picturesque villages. What really sets Kaili apart to other areas is its rich cultural heritage, home to the Miao, Dong, and other indigenous groups. The area is alive with colourful festivals, traditional crafts, and folk performances.

Today is about connection. You will start your morning with a transfer to Mutang Gejia village, with a population of just over 20,000, it is home to a small and distinct ethnic group known for their warrior-inspired dress and ancient batik craftsmanship. You will learn the ancient art of batik dyeing, a skill which has been passed down through generations.

After lunch, you will continue by heading to Fanpai Miao Village, a small mountain village surrounded by rice terraces and a river. Inhabited by around 200 families living in stilt houses, you will get a rare insight into the daily lives of the Miao people. Wander its winding paths, observe traditional attire adorned with silver jewellery, and gain insight into daily village life shaped by centuries-old customs.

Today you will journey to Datang Miao Village, known for its distinctive Miao clothing and unique wooden water granaries built without nails. Continue to the breathtaking Baiyan Rice Terraces, where agriculture and landscape merge into a living work of art. The local Miao people still work these fields the same way they have for centuries… giving you a true glimpse into rural life.

Following lunch, journey onward to Dali Dong Village, famed for its drum tower and strong communal traditions. The village is a maze of wooden stilt houses! The locals here are warm and welcoming and you will always find them busy with traditional crafts like embroidery and weaving. For the nature lovers, this village will be a haven! Surrounded by green luscious landscapes, rice terraces and dramatic mountains, it is a fabulous experience.

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to Zenlei Shui Ethnic Village, a rare and culturally rich settlement tucked deep within the mountains. With limited access and strong clan-based traditions, this village offers valuable insight into the lives of the Shui people, many of whom share the surname Wei. Walk through the village to observe the distinctive wooden Ganlan-style houses, architectural forms that closely resemble pottery dwellings from the Han Dynasty over 2,200 years ago. This visit provides a fascinating look at ethnic heritage that has changed little over the centuries.

After lunch, transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Guilin, a smooth and scenic journey of approximately 1.5 hours.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel and take in your first impressions of Guilin. Towering karst limestone peaks rise dramatically from the plains, and rivers await you here. Just beyond lies Yangshuo, often said to surpass even Guilin’s beauty, with tranquil countryside and timeless rural scenes.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore the nearby surroundings.

After breakfast, transfer to Zhujiang Wharf to begin a Li River Cruise, one of China’s most celebrated natural experiences. Flowing through a dreamlike landscape of emerald karst peaks and bamboo-lined banks, the Li River has been ranked among the world’s top rivers by National Geographic.

During the nearly four-hour cruise, watch life unfold along the riverbanks — fishermen guiding bamboo rafts with cormorants perched on board, water buffalo grazing near the shore, and ancient villages framed by misty hills. Every bend reveals a new postcard-perfect view.

Arrive in Yangshuo, where you’ll explore the local market to see the produce and meats unique to this region, offering insight into southern Chinese food culture. Continue with a stroll along West Street, Yangshuo’s oldest street, now a lively mix of traditional architecture, cafés, shops, and souvenir stalls.

You will return to Guilin later in the day.

After breakfast, visit Daxu Ancient Village, one of the best-preserved river towns in the Guilin area. Stroll along timeworn stone streets lined with traditional houses, old bridges, and quiet courtyards. Meet local residents going about their daily routines and experience the unhurried lifestyle that has endured for generations along the Li River.

Later, transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Hong Kong, a journey of approximately three hours that carries you from rural tranquillity into one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, set out on a half-day Hong Kong Island tour, discovering how geography and seafaring shaped the city’s rise as a global hub. Travel up to Victoria Peak for sweeping views over the harbour and skyline, then continue to Repulse Bay, known for its scenic coastline and relaxed atmosphere.

Visit Aberdeen Fishing Village, where traditional sampan boats contrast sharply with the surrounding skyscrapers, offering a glimpse into Hong Kong’s maritime past and the communities that once depended on the sea for survival.

The afternoon is free to explore independently, whether shopping for last-minute souvenirs, dining, or simply soaking in the city’s vibrant energy.

After breakfast, check out and enjoy your day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward journey home.

Your journey through Ancient Civilisations & Living Traditions comes to an end, having travelled from imperial capitals and ancient trade hubs to remote minority villages, poetic river landscapes, and one of the world’s great modern cities – a richly layered experience that captures China in all its depth and diversity.