History and imperial China to bookend your trek — the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, an overnight train, then the Terracotta Army and old city of Xi'an, timed to connect straight on to any of our West China treks.
What's Included Along the Way
The Forbidden City
China's imperial palace for five centuries, walked at a pace no tour bus allows — courtyards, halls and the Meridian Gate at the heart of Beijing.
Temple of Heaven & a Traditional Tea Show
The Ming-dynasty complex where emperors once prayed for good harvests, followed by a tea ceremony performance in the evening — a quieter, cultural counterpoint to a day of walking.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
A 3–4 hour walk along one of the best-preserved and least crowded sections of the Great Wall, watchtower to watchtower along the ridgeline.
The Terracotta Army
Thousands of life-size warriors, discovered by farmers in 1974 and still being excavated — one of the great archaeological sites anywhere in the world.
Xi'an's Ming City Wall, by Bike
One of China's best-preserved city walls, complete enough to cycle the full loop — a relaxed way to see the old city from above its rooftops.
The Muslim Quarter
Xi'an's historic Hui Muslim neighbourhood, centuries old, its narrow lanes thick with the smell of street food and the sound of the Great Mosque nearby.
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and settle in — the rest of the day is yours to recover from the flight. In the evening, we get together for a welcome dinner and a first briefing on the days ahead.
Forbidden City · Temple of Heaven · Tea Show
A full day in imperial Beijing: the Forbidden City in the morning, then the Temple of Heaven, the Ming-dynasty complex where emperors once prayed for good harvests. In the evening, a traditional tea ceremony performance rounds out the day.
Great Wall at Mutianyu · Night Train to Xi'an
We head out of the city to Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved and least crowded sections of the Great Wall, for a 3–4 hour walk along the ridge, watchtower to watchtower. In the evening, we board an overnight train bound for Xi'an — a comfortable, very Chinese way to cover the distance while you sleep.
Terracotta Army · City Wall by Bike · Muslim Quarter
Arriving into Xi'an in the morning, we visit the Terracotta Army, discovered by farmers in 1974 and still being excavated today. In the afternoon, we cycle a stretch of Xi'an's Ming-dynasty city wall, one of the most complete in China, before finishing in the Muslim Quarter, the city's historic Hui neighbourhood, for a last evening of street food and old lanes — either flying onward to begin your trek, or staying overnight in Xi'an.
How This Fits With a Trek
This extension is designed to connect directly onward: from Xi'an, there are flight connections to Lijiang and Chengdu, and a train connection to Zhangye — the starting points for all six of our signature treks. Run it before your trek to ease into the trip, or after, as a lower-altitude way to unwind once the trekking is done. If done before the trek, it works best to see Beijing first, then Xi'an, before heading onward; if done after the trek, it's more logical the other way round — Xi'an first (already in the west), then Beijing on your way back home. Combined with one trek, this typically makes an 11–12 day trip; with two treks, closer to 2–3 weeks.
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