About
CHINA OF A THOUSAND FACES
This itinerary blends China’s must-see landmarks—such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and Shanghai’s iconic Bund—with meaningful, immersive experiences rooted in art, craftsmanship, and everyday life.
Faces of China invites you to discover the country from within: sharing a meal with a local family in Beijing, taking part in a cooking workshop in Pingyao, or wandering through the historic lilongs of Shanghai. Designed for travelers seeking more than the surface, this journey reveals the unseen, celebrates authenticity, and focuses on what truly matters. At every stage, a multifaceted, welcoming, and profoundly human China comes to life before you.
From the Great Wall to the Lights of the Fragrant Harbour, Hong Kong
CHINA OF A THOUSAND FACES WITH HONGKONG
“Faces of China” invites you to experience China from within — from the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors to Shanghai’s Bund and the charming water town of Zhujiajiao, before continuing on to Hong Kong. A true crossroads of cultures, Hong Kong brings together colonial heritage, contemporary creativity, and enduring Cantonese traditions.
This journey is designed for travelers who seek what lies beyond the surface — to sense authenticity, hear real stories, and experience the essence of a place. At every stop, a diverse, welcoming, and profoundly human China reveals itself.
Day 1 - Paris – Beijing (non-stop)
Departure from Paris on a direct Air China flight to Beijing. Meals and overnight on board.
Departure from Paris on a direct Air China flight to Beijing. Meals and overnight on board.
Day 2 - Beijing
Arrival in Beijing and welcome by your French-speaking guide. Transfer into the city. Early-morning visit to the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where Qing dynasty emperors prayed for abundant harvests during the summer solstice. Enjoy a Tai Chi session in the park beneath centuries-old pine trees, followed by a unique moment joining a local choir with Beijing residents. Walk across Tiananmen Square and explore the Forbidden City (UNESCO), the former imperial residence, renowned for its red walls, grand courtyards, and ornate rooftops.
Arrival in Beijing and welcome by your French-speaking guide. Transfer into the city. Early-morning visit to the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where Qing dynasty emperors prayed for abundant harvests during the summer solstice. Enjoy a Tai Chi session in the park beneath centuries-old pine trees, followed by a unique moment joining a local choir with Beijing residents. Walk across Tiananmen Square and explore the Forbidden City (UNESCO), the former imperial residence, renowned for its red walls, grand courtyards, and ornate rooftops.
Day 3 - Beijing
Excursion to the Great Wall (UNESCO), Mutianyu section, known for its spectacular scenery and fewer crowds (optional cable car). Return to Beijing and visit the 798 Art District, a former industrial zone transformed into a vibrant hub of galleries and cafés. Visit a pearl workshop. In the evening, enjoy a Peking duck dinner, the capital’s most famous culinary specialty. Overnight at the hotel.
Excursion to the Great Wall (UNESCO), Mutianyu section, known for its spectacular scenery and fewer crowds (optional cable car). Return to Beijing and visit the 798 Art District, a former industrial zone transformed into a vibrant hub of galleries and cafés. Visit a pearl workshop. In the evening, enjoy a Peking duck dinner, the capital’s most famous culinary specialty. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Beijing – Pingyao (by high-speed train)
Visit the Lama Temple, an important symbol of the Qing emperors’ embrace of Buddhism. Take part in a traditional tea ceremony with tasting. Wander through the hutongs, Beijing’s historic alleyways lined with traditional courtyard houses. Transfer to the railway station and depart by high-speed train to Pingyao. Overnight in Pingyao.
Visit the Lama Temple, an important symbol of the Qing emperors’ embrace of Buddhism. Take part in a traditional tea ceremony with tasting. Wander through the hutongs, Beijing’s historic alleyways lined with traditional courtyard houses. Transfer to the railway station and depart by high-speed train to Pingyao. Overnight in Pingyao.
Day 5 - Pingyao
Discover Pingyao (UNESCO), one of China’s best-preserved medieval walled cities from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit the Rishengchang Draft Bank, the Yamen, the Chinese Finance Museum, the Confucius Temple, and stroll through the old streets. Participate in a Shanxi noodle-making workshop, followed by a tasting of this regional specialty.
Discover Pingyao (UNESCO), one of China’s best-preserved medieval walled cities from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit the Rishengchang Draft Bank, the Yamen, the Chinese Finance Museum, the Confucius Temple, and stroll through the old streets. Participate in a Shanxi noodle-making workshop, followed by a tasting of this regional specialty.
Day 6 - Pingyao – Xi’an (by high-speed train)
Travel to Xi’an, one of China’s ancient capitals and a flourishing center during the Tang dynasty. Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi’an City Museum. Explore the Great Mosque, an active place of worship blending Islamic and traditional Chinese architecture. Free time in the lively Muslim Quarter. Dinner featuring Chinese hot pot. Optional Tang dynasty dance performance (payable locally).
Travel to Xi’an, one of China’s ancient capitals and a flourishing center during the Tang dynasty. Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi’an City Museum. Explore the Great Mosque, an active place of worship blending Islamic and traditional Chinese architecture. Free time in the lively Muslim Quarter. Dinner featuring Chinese hot pot. Optional Tang dynasty dance performance (payable locally).
Day 7 – Xi’an
Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (UNESCO), featuring over 7,000 life-sized warriors and horses. Visit a jade workshop and take part in a Chinese calligraphy initiation. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling banquet, a local specialty. Optional light and sound show on the ancient city walls (payable locally).
Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (UNESCO), featuring over 7,000 life-sized warriors and horses. Visit a jade workshop and take part in a Chinese calligraphy initiation. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling banquet, a local specialty. Optional light and sound show on the ancient city walls (payable locally).
Day 8 – Xi’an → Shanghai (Flight)
Free time in the morning before transfer to the airport. Flight to Shanghai. Lunch at leisure. Upon arrival, explore Nanjing Road and enjoy a walk along the Bund, with views of Pudong’s futuristic skyline.
Free time in the morning before transfer to the airport. Flight to Shanghai. Lunch at leisure. Upon arrival, explore Nanjing Road and enjoy a walk along the Bund, with views of Pudong’s futuristic skyline.
Day 9 – Shanghai → Zhujiajiao
Morning walk in Fuxing Park, where locals gather to exercise, dance, and play games. Explore the leafy streets of the former French Concession, followed by a stroll through Xintiandi and Tianzifang, discovering traditional lilongs and boutique-lined alleys. Visit Zhujiajiao, the “Venice of Shanghai,” a charming water town over 1,700 years old, known for its stone bridges, canals, and traditional houses.
Optional Shanghai by Night excursion after dinner (payable locally).
Morning walk in Fuxing Park, where locals gather to exercise, dance, and play games. Explore the leafy streets of the former French Concession, followed by a stroll through Xintiandi and Tianzifang, discovering traditional lilongs and boutique-lined alleys. Visit Zhujiajiao, the “Venice of Shanghai,” a charming water town over 1,700 years old, known for its stone bridges, canals, and traditional houses.
Optional Shanghai by Night excursion after dinner (payable locally).
Day 10 – Shanghai → Guilin
Visit the Yu Garden, a classical Ming dynasty garden, and explore the Chenghuangmiao old city district. Lunch featuring Xiaolongbao, Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings. Visit the Shanghai Museum and a silk factory. Transfer to Guilin, the “Forest of Osmanthus,” celebrated for landscapes that inspired generations of poets and painters. Dinner at leisure.
Visit the Yu Garden, a classical Ming dynasty garden, and explore the Chenghuangmiao old city district. Lunch featuring Xiaolongbao, Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings. Visit the Shanghai Museum and a silk factory. Transfer to Guilin, the “Forest of Osmanthus,” celebrated for landscapes that inspired generations of poets and painters. Dinner at leisure.
Day 11 – Guilin → Ping’an Village (Rice Terraces) → Yangshuo
Visit a green tea plantation to learn about tea cultivation, preparation, and tasting. Continue to Ping’an, a Zhuang ethnic minority village in the Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Mountains, home to some of China’s most spectacular terraced rice fields. Walk through the village and along the terraces, meeting local farmers at work. Lunch in the village. Overnight in Yangshuo.
Visit a green tea plantation to learn about tea cultivation, preparation, and tasting. Continue to Ping’an, a Zhuang ethnic minority village in the Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Mountains, home to some of China’s most spectacular terraced rice fields. Walk through the village and along the terraces, meeting local farmers at work. Lunch in the village. Overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 12 – Yangshuo
Cruise along the Li River, admiring breathtaking karst landscapes, rice paddies, bamboo groves, and fishermen on traditional rafts. Visit Fuli, a riverside town over 1,000 years old, known for its fan-making tradition and lively market. Continue to Xingping, an ancient fishing village with well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Free time to explore the countryside, local markets, the old town, and West Street (Xijie).
Cruise along the Li River, admiring breathtaking karst landscapes, rice paddies, bamboo groves, and fishermen on traditional rafts. Visit Fuli, a riverside town over 1,000 years old, known for its fan-making tradition and lively market. Continue to Xingping, an ancient fishing village with well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Free time to explore the countryside, local markets, the old town, and West Street (Xijie).
Day 13 – Yangshuo → Guilin → Hong Kong (High-Speed Train)
After breakfast, transfer to Guilin railway station and board the high-speed train to Hong Kong (approx. 3h15). Lunch at leisure. Upon arrival, meet your French-speaking guide for a tour of Kowloon. Discover the striking architecture of the M+ Museum and stroll through its rooftop garden overlooking Victoria Harbour. Visit the tranquil Nan Lian Garden, designed in Tang dynasty style, with elegant pavilions, ponds, and traditional wooden architecture. Walk along the Avenue of Stars, followed by an authentic local dinner. Evening visit to the lively Ladies Market in Mong Kok.
After breakfast, transfer to Guilin railway station and board the high-speed train to Hong Kong (approx. 3h15). Lunch at leisure. Upon arrival, meet your French-speaking guide for a tour of Kowloon. Discover the striking architecture of the M+ Museum and stroll through its rooftop garden overlooking Victoria Harbour. Visit the tranquil Nan Lian Garden, designed in Tang dynasty style, with elegant pavilions, ponds, and traditional wooden architecture. Walk along the Avenue of Stars, followed by an authentic local dinner. Evening visit to the lively Ladies Market in Mong Kok.
Day 14 – Hong Kong → Paris (with Stopover)
A full day exploring Hong Kong’s unique blend of modernity and tradition. Ride the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the South China Sea, and the city skyline. Visit Tai Kwun, a former central police station transformed into a vibrant cultural and artistic complex. Take a sampan ride in Aberdeen Harbour, where traditional fishing boats contrast with modern skyscrapers. Enjoy a Dim Sum lunch and free time before transfer to the airport. Return flight to Paris. (Dinner not included.)
A full day exploring Hong Kong’s unique blend of modernity and tradition. Ride the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the South China Sea, and the city skyline. Visit Tai Kwun, a former central police station transformed into a vibrant cultural and artistic complex. Take a sampan ride in Aberdeen Harbour, where traditional fishing boats contrast with modern skyscrapers. Enjoy a Dim Sum lunch and free time before transfer to the airport. Return flight to Paris. (Dinner not included.)
Day 15 – Paris
Arrival in Paris in the morning. End of the trip.
Arrival in Paris in the morning. End of the trip.