Golden Triangle Plus Pingyao — 11 Days

Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and rest after the journey.

Begin at the Forbidden City, the Ming and Qing imperial palace that housed twenty-four emperors between 1420 and 1911, then climb Jingshan Park for the classic view across the palace roofs. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace, the Qing dynasty lakeside retreat built around Kunming Lake.

Drive north to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a well-preserved Ming-dynasty stretch first built in the 6th century and rebuilt under the Qi family in the 1560s. On the way back, pass the Bird's Nest (exterior), the steel lattice stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Spend the morning at the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors offered annual prayers for a good harvest within the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Later wander Shichahai's lakeside hutong, walk Qianmen Street and take in the old courtyard lanes that still shape daily Beijing life.

Take the high-speed train to Pingyao, a remarkably intact Ming-dynasty walled town. Walk the streets within the City Wall, where the grid of shops, residences and the old rishengchang draft-bank recalls a 19th-century banking centre.

Devote the day to the Wang Family Courtyard, a vast Qing-dynasty clan residence in Lingshi built over more than a century from the 17th century. Its courtyards, carved stone gateways and defensive layout show the wealth and taste of a Shanxi merchant family.

Travel by high-speed train to Xi'an and visit Daci'en Temple, founded in 648 to house the scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. Climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 to store those texts, then stroll Tang Paradise Never Night City, a quarter evoking Tang-dynasty Chang'an.

See the Terracotta Army, the life-size figures buried to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, who unified the country in 221 BCE. Back in the city, walk the Ming-dynasty City Wall and explore the Muslim Quarter for a look at Xi'an's Chinese Muslim community.

Fly to Shanghai and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, a chance to rest or explore the city on your own after the flight.

Tour Yu Garden, a private 16th-century Ming garden enclosed by the lively old bazaar, then walk Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and the former French Concession's tree-lined avenues. Visit Tianzifang's lane boutiques before ending at the Bund for a Huangpu River night cruise.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of the tour.