An Invitation to Explore China
Mark, Bec & Stan's
China Adventure
Two incredible routes through ancient lands.
Visiting Prajna & Tin Ead in China.
One unforgettable journey. Your choice.
Choose Your Chinese Adventure
Mark, Bec, and Stan - both journeys begin and end in Beijing, spanning 8 extraordinary days with Prajna & Tin Ead. Each offers a completely different window into China's history, landscapes, and cultures. Choose the route that speaks to you most!
Option 1 β Xi'An Northern Route
"Drive Along the Yellow River β Route to the Middle Kingdom: Nomads, Settlements and Civilizations"
Beijing β Hohhot
Inner Mongolia
Arrive in Beijing and travel to Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia. Pick up the car and prepare for the adventure ahead β driving downstream along China's mother river.
Laoniuwan Grand Canyon & Shimao Neolithic City
Yellow River Β· Yulin City
Begin at the Laoniuwan Grand Canyon β the dramatic point where the Yellow River meets the Great Wall. Drive downstream along the river.
Visit Shimao Neolithic City (~2300 BC), a remarkable walled city with cultural and technological influences from the Eurasian Steppe, featuring early rituals and hierarchies of central China. One of the most important archaeological discoveries in recent decades.
Continue to Mahuangliang Loess Geopark with its stunning layered earth formations, then on to the old city of Yulin.
Tongwancheng β City to Govern Myriads
Yan'An City
Explore Tongwancheng (413 AD β 1226 AD), also known as the White City. Founded as the capital of the Tiefu Tribe of the Southern Hun, who rose to prominence from mixtures with Chinese and Xianbei Dynasties.
The city endured climate changes and occupations by different dynasties until its destruction by the Mongols. A haunting testament to the rise and fall of steppe empires.
Continue to Yan'An City, a place of deep historical significance.
Wave Valley, Hukou Waterfall & Hancheng
Shaanxi Β· Yellow River
Walk through the breathtaking Wave Valley (ζ³’ζ΅ͺθ°·) β Shaanxi's own "The Wave", with stunning red sandstone formations carved by millennia of erosion.
Drive via Yan'An to witness the powerful AnSai Waist Drum Dance, an ancient folk performance full of energy and rhythm.
Arrive at the magnificent Hukou Waterfall β the largest yellow waterfall in the world, where the Yellow River narrows dramatically through a gorge. Pass through the legendary Yellow River Dragon Gate.
End the day in the beautifully preserved Hancheng Ancient Town.
Hancheng Ancient Town & Mount Huashan
Shaanxi
Explore Hancheng Ancient Town in the morning β one of China's best-preserved historical towns with traditional architecture spanning centuries.
Travel to Mount Huashan (εε±±), one of China's Five Great Mountains, renowned for its sheer granite cliffs and breathtaking mountain trails. One of the most spectacular mountain experiences in all of China.
The First Emperor & Xi'An
Xi'An
"The First Emperor was not the first, but he continued to unify China in lots of ways."
Visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (210 BC) β a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the legendary Terracotta Army. Thousands of life-sized warriors guarding the emperor's eternal kingdom.
Experience a spectacular night performance in Xi'An, bringing ancient history to life through music and dance.
Xi'An City Tour
Xi'An
A full day immersed in one of China's greatest ancient capitals. Explore tombs, museums, archaeologies, steles, the vibrant Muslim Quarter, ancient city walls, love stories of dynasties past, Silk Road heritage, traditional costumes, and live performances.
Xi'An was the starting point of the Silk Road and served as the capital for 13 dynasties β layers upon layers of history await around every corner.
Baoji β City of the Sacred Bird
Baoji
Travel to Baoji, known as the City of the Sacred Bird, steeped in the legendary promises of the First Emperor.
Visit the magnificent FaMen Temple, one of China's most important Buddhist sites, housing relics of the Buddha himself.
Explore the Tomb No. 1 of Duke Qin (537 BC) β the tomb of the First Emperor's 16th predecessor, the Duke Jin of Qin. Notably, 166 human sacrifices were found here, a practice that was declining and would end roughly 150 years later.
Return to Beijing
Beijing
Journey back to Beijing, carrying with you the echoes of nomadic empires, the roar of the Yellow River, and the silent army of the First Emperor.
Option 2 β Xi'An β Chengdu Southern Route
"From Dynasties to Spicy Foods"
Beijing β Xi'An
Xi'An
Arrive in Beijing and travel to Xi'An, the ancient capital. Pick up the car and settle in for the night. The adventure begins tomorrow.
Terracotta Army & Xi'An by Night
Xi'An
Visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (210 BC) β a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army.
Spend the afternoon and evening on a city walk and enjoy spectacular night performances that bring Xi'An's ancient heritage to life.
Xi'An City Walk & Fast Train to Chengdu
Xi'An β Chengdu
More of Xi'An's treasures β tombs, museums, archaeologies, steles, the Muslim Quarter, ancient city walls, love stories, dynasties, Silk Road heritage, costumes, and performances.
Board the fast train to Chengdu β a stunning journey through changing landscapes. Pick up a car in Chengdu.
Ancient Shu Kingdom & Dujiangyan
Sichuan
Discover the Three Star Mound (δΈζε ) of the Ancient Shu Kingdom β a mysterious bronze-age civilization whose legendary founder was a silkworm keeper with protruding eyes, who helped establish the Zhou Dynasty.
Visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (3rd century BC) β a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The First Emperor's project of taming the floods by diverting water flow, still functioning after over 2,000 years.
Drive to the beautiful Bipeng Valley for the evening.
Wenchuan & Bipeng Valley Hike
Wenchuan Β· Bipeng Valley
Enter the region of the Qiang People β depicted in Oracle Bone Script (the earliest Chinese characters) as "the people with sheep head decoration." Wenchuan is the hometown of the legend of Yu the Great, regarded as the ancestor of the Chinese people who controlled the Great Floods.
Enjoy a hike through Bipeng Valley β pristine alpine scenery with turquoise lakes, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks.
Danba Gyalrong Villages Optional Detour
Danba
A scenic detour to the stunning Danba Gyalrong Villages β ancient stone watchtowers and traditional Tibetan-influenced settlements perched on dramatic hillsides.
The Gyalrong dialect retains features of ancient languages β they are not Tibetan, although they share deep connections. If visiting in spring, the valleys are blanketed in pear blossoms.
Mount Skubla Optional
Mount Skubla
An optional adventure to Mount Skubla β the mountain of the tutelary deity. Choose between a 2-day comfort tour or a 3-day hiking expedition.
If choosing the Mount Skubla option, the Danba detour would be skipped.
Giant Pandas at Wolong
Wolong Β· Chengdu
Visit the Wolong National Nature Reserve β one of the most important giant panda conservation centres in the world. Get up close with these beloved creatures in their natural mountain habitat.
Continue to Chengdu for the evening.
Chengdu City Walk & Spicy Foods
Chengdu
A full day exploring vibrant Chengdu β teahouses, temples, traditional streets, and the incredible food scene. Sichuan cuisine is legendary for its bold flavours, numbing peppercorns, and fiery chilli.
From hotpot to mapo tofu, dan dan noodles to kung pao chicken β this is a feast for the senses.
Return to Beijing
Beijing
Take the sleeper train or fly back to Beijing, carrying memories of ancient kingdoms, mountain valleys, giant pandas, and the fire of Sichuan cuisine.
At a Glance
| Option 1 β Northern Route | Option 2 β Southern Route | |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Yellow River, nomadic empires, ancient civilizations | Ancient kingdoms, mountains, pandas, spicy food |
| Landscape | River canyons, loess plateaus, waterfalls, sacred mountains | Alpine valleys, snow peaks, panda reserves, fertile plains |
| UNESCO Sites | Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor | Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor, Dujiangyan Irrigation System |
| Cities | Hohhot, Yulin, Yan'An, Hancheng, Xi'An, Baoji | Xi'An, Chengdu, Wenchuan, Danba |
| Unique Highlights | Great Wall + Yellow River meeting point, Shimao (2300 BC), Hukou Waterfall, Mount Huashan | Sanxingdui bronze masks, Bipeng Valley hike, Giant Pandas, Sichuan cuisine |
| Pace | Road-trip along the river, daily driving | Mix of train, driving, and optional hiking |
| Optional Add-ons | β | Danba villages, Mount Skubla (2β3 day trek) |
Mark, Bec, Stan - which adventure calls to you?
Let Prajna & Tin Ead know which route you'd prefer β or if you have any questions about either option. Both promise an unforgettable journey through China's incredible history and landscapes with great hosts to show you around!
Go Deeper
Prajna has prepared a detailed day-by-day itinerary and a companion study guide with the incredible stories behind every place you'll visit.