Ancient China & the Yellow River: Cradle of Chinese Civilisation

Tour Highlights

• Three heartlands of Chinese civilisation — Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan — across five millennia
• The Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City of Pingyao, Mount Wutai, Yungang Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple
• The mighty Yellow River: Sima Qian's hometown, the thundering Hukou Waterfall and the Temple of Yao
• Buddhist and Zen traditions: Mount Wutai, White Horse Temple, Shaolin and a Baduanjin wellness session
• The merchant dynasties of Shanxi: the Wang and Qiao family compounds and Rishengchang, China's first draft bank
• The Zen Shaolin Music Grand Ceremony beneath Mount Song, and a Tang Dynasty music and dance show in Xi'an

Itinerary at a Glance

1. Day 1: Australia – Xi'an — Depart Australia on your international flight to Xi'an, one of China's great ancient capitals. Transfer to the hotel and rest after your journey.
2. Day 2: Xi'an | Terracotta Warriors & Grand Tang Mall — The Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang, discovered in 1974, including Pit No. 1 and the Bronze Chariots, then a reproduction workshop. After lunch, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and an evening stroll
3. Day 3: Xi'an | Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter & Shaanxi Museum — Walk or cycle on the Ancient City Wall, then explore the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque. In the afternoon, visit the Shaanxi History Museum, one of China's finest provincial museums.
4. Day 4: Xi'an – Hancheng — Drive to Hancheng, the hometown of Sima Qian, China's greatest historian. Visit the Sima Qian Temple and the Dangjia Village, a remarkably preserved Ming-Qing dynasty settlement.
5. Day 5: Hancheng – Hukou Waterfall – Linfen — Visit the thundering Hukou Waterfall, the largest on the Yellow River, where the river narrows dramatically through a gorge. Continue across the provincial border into Shanxi to Linfen.
6. Day 6: Linfen – Pingyao — Continue to Pingyao, China's best-preserved ancient walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the Ming-Qing streets, visit Rishengchang (China's first draft bank) and the old city walls.
7. Day 7: Pingyao | Wang Family Compound & Shuanglin Temple — Visit the Wang Family Compound, an enormous courtyard complex built by Shanxi merchant dynasties, and the Shuanglin Temple, famous for its painted sculptures. Return to Pingyao.
8. Day 8: Pingyao – Taiyuan – Mount Wutai — Drive to Taiyuan and visit the Jinci Temple, one of China's oldest temple complexes. Continue to Mount Wutai, the sacred Buddhist mountain and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Day 9: Mount Wutai — A full day exploring Mount Wutai, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains. Visit the major temples including Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple and the Pusa Ding, and walk the pilgrim paths.
10. Day 10: Mount Wutai – Datong — Drive north to Datong, an ancient frontier city and former capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Visit the Huayan Temple and the Nine-Dragon Screen.
11. Day 11: Datong | Yungang Grottoes & Hanging Temple — Visit the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 50,000 Buddhist statues carved into sandstone cliffs — one of China's three great grotto complexes. If time allows, visit the Hanging
12. Day 12: Datong – Zhengzhou (high-speed rail) — Board a high-speed train to Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province and a key railway hub. The afternoon is free to explore the city or rest.
13. Day 13: Zhengzhou | Kaifeng – Millennium City Park & Dragon Pavilion — A day excursion to Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. Visit the Millennium City Park, a recreation of the famous Qingming Scroll painting, and the Dragon Pavilion, built on the site of
14. Day 14: Zhengzhou – Shaolin Temple — Drive to the Shaolin Temple at Mount Song, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts. Watch a kung fu performance by the resident monks, then take part in a Baduanjin wellness session.
15. Day 15: Shaolin – Longmen Grottoes – Luoyang — Visit the Longmen Grottoes, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 100,000 Buddhist statues carved into the limestone cliffs along the Yi River. Continue to Luoyang, one of China's oldest capit
16. Day 16: Luoyang | White Horse Temple & Ancient Culture — Visit the White Horse Temple, China's first Buddhist temple, founded in 68 CE. Explore the Luoyang Old Town and the Lijing Gate area. In the evening, attend a Tang Dynasty music and dance show.
17. Day 17: Luoyang – Zhengzhou — Return to Zhengzhou, visiting the Henan Museum en route. A farewell dinner closes the journey.
18. Day 18: Zhengzhou – Australia — Transfer to Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport for your return flight to Australia, concluding eighteen days through the cradle of Chinese civilisation.

What's Included

• Return economy-class international flights Sydney/Melbourne–Xi'an and Zhengzhou–Sydney/Melbourne
• Adelaide and Brisbane departures add $400 per person
• Sixteen nights in the listed 4–5 star hotels, twin share with breakfast
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners specifically marked in the itinerary
• Air-conditioned touring coach
• Second-class high-speed rail Datong–Zhengzhou
• All scenic shuttles as listed