China Culture & Technology Tour: Beijing, Chongqing & Shenzhen

This morning, stop at Tiananmen Square for a quick look, then enter the Forbidden City. When traveling with children or older family members, there's no need to cover every corner of the site. Instead, follow your experienced guide along a carefully chosen route that focuses on the most important and impressive halls and courtyards. Your visit will be far more than a history lesson, as these magnificent buildings are filled with fascinating details, clever design features, and fun stories.

For lunch, head to Haidilao Smart Restaurant, where robots assist with food preparation and service. The interactive dining environment and immersive projection displays make the meal entertaining for both children and adults, and it's a fun introduction to the innovative side of modern China.

Drive about 2 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. A cable car takes you up, so you skip the steepest climb and save your energy for the walk along the wall itself. You can walk as little or as much as you like, and the views open up with every turn.

In the afternoon, visit Shougang Park, a former steel mill that has been turned into a public leisure space. The old blast furnaces, pipes, and industrial structures remain in place, and the site now includes walking paths, open areas, and a few cafés. It's an easy walk, and you can decide how much time to spend.

Start the day at a local morning market, walk past stalls selling steaming buns, potstickers, and fried dough. You'll see locals shopping for produce, picking up breakfast, and going about their morning routines. If you're curious, you can also try douzhi, a fermented mung bean drink that tends to be an acquired taste.

Then head to the sacred Temple of Heaven. The parkland surrounding the temple is where locals gather in the morning to exercise, practice tai chi, dance, and play traditional games. If you're interested, you're welcome to join in and experience authentic local life in Beijing.

Later, board a high-speed train to Shanghai. The journey takes about 4.5 hours comfortably, giving you time to relax.

Start at the Bund, Shanghai's iconic waterfront and the best place to take in the city's past and present. Walk to Yuyuan Garden, a typical Chinese garden with winding paths, rockeries, and goldfish ponds. The adjacent bazaar is lively and practical, with a mix of souvenir stalls and snack shops where you can grab a bubble tea or a quick bite. Then take a short visit to a silk workshop, you can see how silk is produced.

In the afternoon, stroll from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli, a quiet neighborhood of stone-gate houses. This area is pedestrian-friendly and less crowded than the downtown center, with small food stalls and local snacks available along the way.

End the day at Shanghai Tower, where the observation deck presents you sweeping views of the city's vast size and layout.

Start the day at Ciqikou Ancient Town, a hillside neighborhood of old stone streets, small shops, and food stalls. It's a popular spot for travelers, with a mix of local crafts, snacks, and traditional buildings.

From there, visit Kuixing Tower for a view from the 22nd floor. Standing on what appears to be the ground floor, you look over the railing only to find yourself at the height of the 22nd floor. This striking visual illusion gives the place an almost surreal feel. Then walk a short stretch of the Mountain City Footpath, where you'll pass murals, narrow alleyways.

Lunch is Chongqing hotpot. The meal involves a shared pot of spicy broth, with fresh ingredients cooked at the table. It's a local tradition, everyone gathered around the bubbling pot, sharing food and conversation.

In the afternoon, stop at Liziba Station, where the metro runs right through a residential building. Then drive to the Huangjuewan Interchange. You might wonder why a highway junction would be worth a stop. The answer becomes clear when you see it: 5 levels stacked together, 20 ramps branching off in eight directions, weaving through the hillside like a massive concrete knot.

Today, take a 2-hour drive to the Dazu Rock Carvings, a hillside gallery of Buddhist stone carvings. The site also appears as a location in the game Black Myth: Wukong. The carvings are spread across two main areas, Beishan and Baoding Mountain. You'll walk along stone paths past carved figures and reliefs set into the cliff face, and the craftsmanship is still visible in the details. The paths are well maintained, with steps and shaded areas. Your guide will point out key carvings along the way, leaving you free to explore at your own pace.

This morning, experience Hakka culture in Shenzhen. Begin at Hehu Xinju, the city's largest Hakka walled house, built over 200 years ago. You'll be amazed at how a single clan once kept hundreds of people living together here in harmony and order. Then, continue to Dawan Shiju to witness the preservation of Hakka cultural heritage. If your visit coincides with a local festival, you may also have the chance to witness traditional folk performances and celebrations. More than architectural landmarks, these residences tell the story of a people shaped by migration, community, defense, and tradition.

After a delicious Hakka lunch, head to Dapeng Ancient Town, a historic coastal military stronghold. Today, you can stroll along its stone-paved lanes and past its weathered walls. Whenever you feel like a break, find a cozy local shop, sip some tea or sample a few local snacks, and let the laid-back charm of this southern China's town gently embrace you.

Today is all about Shenzhen's innovation and futuristic vibe. Start at Tencent Binhai Tower, the headquarters of the company behind WeChat and QQ, two apps that have reshaped social life in China. This is one of the most sought-after tech workplaces among young people today, and its vibrant campus showcases what a leading internet company looks like.

Then head to Happy Harbour, a large entertainment and leisure complex offering shopping, dining, and activities for all ages. Here, you can visit the DJI Experience Store to explore the latest drone technology and even try a test flight. If you're traveling with kids, this is sure to be a highlight that will leave them thrilled.

In the afternoon, explore the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum, where hands-on exhibits, immersive displays, and interactive demonstrations help you understand scientific concepts and emerging technologies through practical experiences. From robotics and space exploration to artificial intelligence, the museum offers plenty to spark curiosity across generations.