7 Days China Ancient Capitals Tour of Beijing-Luoyang-Xian by High Speed Trains

Three ancient capitals, one smooth train week.

I like how this tour strings together Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi’an with scheduled high-speed trains and an English-speaking guide, so you spend your time on the sights instead of sorting out transport. I also love that the core tickets are handled for you, meaning you can focus on the big moments: the Great Wall at Mutianyu, Ming tombs at Dingling, the Palace Museum, Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin, and the Terracotta Warriors.

One thing to keep in mind is the pace and the extras. This is a full 7 days of guided stops, and lunches plus optional add-ons (like the Great Wall cable car or biking on Xi’an’s city wall) are on your own, so you will want some flexibility and extra spending money.

Key things I’d plan around

• High-speed train routing between Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi’an reduces stress and saves hours.
• Most major entrances included, so queues and ticket hassles are minimized.
• Mutianyu Great Wall is chosen for scenery and generally lighter crowds than the busiest sections.
• Longmen Grottoes are timed well after lunch, which helps keep the day from feeling chaotic.
• Tang-era pagodas and Xi’an Old City highlights close out the trip with a different vibe than the big museums.
• Coordinator and guides matter, and one praised team (Grace, plus guides Elise, Frank, Alicia, and Tony) is described as excellent at keeping schedules and logistics smooth.

Beijing, Luoyang, Xi’an in One Week by High Speed Train

This itinerary is built for people who want the major ancient-capital hits without living in airports or buses all day. The backbone is the high-speed rail between cities, which means you get more daytime for walking, photos, and actual sight time.

From a value standpoint, this format matters. You are paying for the whole chain: hotel nights with breakfast, transfers with air-conditioned cars, an English-speaking guide, and a bundle of entrance tickets. If you have ever tried to piece together train times, ticket windows, and guide meet-ups on your own, you already know how easily a “simple” trip turns into paperwork and delays.

Also, you will get a mobile ticket, which is handy when you are trying to stay organized. And because it is set up as a private tour for your group only, you are not stuck merging into random crowds all the time, even though you will still be visiting major attractions that are popular.

Day 1 in Beijing: Airport arrival pickup and downtown check-in

Day 1 starts with arrival support. You are met when you land at the airport or arrive at the train station, then transferred by driver in an air-conditioned car to your hotel in downtown. After that, it is free time on your own.

The key planning detail here is the meeting point and timing: the start is listed as Capital Airport Shunyi, Beijing 101300 China, with a start time of 1:00 pm. If your flight timing is earlier or later than that, rely on the message you receive from the operator about your exact pickup details.

Why this matters: having the transfer handled on day 1 is the difference between starting calm and starting frazzled. After a long flight, you want your first hours to be simple.

Day 2 at Mutianyu Great Wall and Dingling Underground Palace

This is a day that mixes big scenery with history you can actually stand inside.

Dingling Underground Palace (Ming Tombs)

You start with Dingling Mausoleum, one of the 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing. It is a shared burial area connected to the 13th Ming emperor Zhu Yijun, plus his wife and concubine. The mausoleum is described as one of the largest in scale.

What I like about starting here: it shifts you away from crowds and into a quieter, more “real” sense of imperial China. It is not just a monument you look at from outside. It is a space tied to how the Ming dynasty approached burial and ceremony.

Mutianyu Great Wall (less crowded, still dramatic)

Next is the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. This section is famous for the views, and it is also presented as less crowded and less touristy than the most over-visited stretches. Cable cars are available and optional, and you can pay on the spot.

Practical tip: if you want to save energy, consider the cable car option rather than forcing every step uphill. On a tight 7-day schedule, one “too ambitious” morning can ripple through the rest of the week.

After the Wall visit, you return to the hotel.

Day 3: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

Day 3 is your classic Beijing power day, and it is packed in a way that makes sense: public space first, then the imperial complex, then religious sites, then a major garden.

Tiananmen Square (Tian’anmen Guangchang)

You visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest downtown city square in the world, tied to the founding ceremony of new China in October 1, 1949.

You do not need long here to feel the scale. Even without museum-level time, it gives you context for how central government and symbolism were built into the city.

Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

From there, you go to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The tour includes admission and allows about two hours.

Important heads-up: the Forbidden City is listed as closed on each Monday. So if your dates fall on a Monday, your plan may shift. This is a big reason to double-check your confirmation email and keep your schedule flexible.

Traditional Medicine Market stop

There is also a short visit to a Chinese traditional medicine market. You learn about the culture and can buy souvenirs if you want. It is a quick, optional-feeling stop rather than a strict “must do.”

Temple of Heaven

After a local lunch, you head to the Temple of Heaven. This is where emperors went each year at fixed days to worship for heaven and pray for agricultural harvest. The surrounding buildings support the ritual preparation.

This part is a good change of pace from palace architecture. It helps you understand that imperial life was tied to seasons, farming, and cosmic order.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

The day ends at the Summer Palace, described as China’s largest and most beautiful imperial garden, almost like a museum of gardens. Admission is included, and you are transferred back to your hotel.

If you get tired by late afternoon, this is still a satisfying stop because you can move at your own speed inside a garden layout rather than being trapped in one building for hours.

Day 4: High-speed train to Luoyang, then Longmen Grottoes and Old Street

Day 4 is when the trip becomes less about one city and more about momentum.

Beijing to Luoyang by high-speed rail

You transfer to Beijing West Train Station and take a high-speed train to Luoyang: G671, 07:49-12:10. This is one of the big reasons this tour works. You lose fewer hours, so you can arrive and still tour the same day.

Luoyang arrival and lunch

When you arrive, a Luoyang guide and driver greet you at the station exit with a name board. You have lunch before you start the sightseeing.

Longmen Grottoes

The highlight is Longmen Grottoes, a treasure house of Buddhist stone-carving art. The scale is staggering: more than 100,000 stone statues, ranging from tiny pieces (2 centimeters) to large works (up to 17.14 meters), stretching for about 1,094 yards along both banks of the Yi River.

You are given about two hours here, which is enough time to appreciate why this site matters without turning it into an all-day grind.

Luoyang Old Street

Later, you visit Luoyang Old Street for crafts and snacks with local history appeal. This is a nice human-scale finish to the day. You get food smells, small shops, and the everyday texture that balances all the monument time.

Day 5: Shaolin Temple, Luoyang Museum, and a late train into Xi’an

This day is built around spiritual roots and cultural artifacts, then a train ride to set you up for Xi’an’s highlights.

Shaolin Temple and martial arts culture

You start in the morning with pickup in Luoyang at 8:30 am and head to Shaolin Temple. The tour describes it as the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism and Shaolin martial arts.

One more practical note: you also cannot wait for watching the Kongfu Show performance, with the phrase that all martial arts come from Shaolin. The show is listed as part of the experience, and admission for the day’s main stop is included.

If you are not into martial arts shows, the temple and its religious background still make this a meaningful stop. But if you are into performance and storytelling, this is likely the most entertaining moment of the day.

Luoyang Museum

After lunch at a local restaurant, you visit Luoyang Museum. It houses over 1,700 cultural and historical relics across 5 showrooms tied to different social development periods: primitive society, slavery society, and feudal society.

This is a good “anchor” after temple time because museums help connect symbols to real timelines. You do not need to read every label. You mainly want to catch the big threads.

Train to Xi’an in the early evening

After the museum, you head to the train station for high-speed rail to Xi’an: G823, 17:57-19:30. When you arrive, a local driver transfers you to your hotel for check-in.

The late-day train means you should keep your expectations realistic. Your best use of the evening is a reset, a casual walk, and an early night.

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an City Wall with an optional bike ride

Xi’an is where the tour really earns its reputation, because these stops are the ones most people dream about before they even book a trip.

Terracotta Warriors Museum

You meet your guide in the hotel lobby and join the group tour to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is described as the eighth world wonder, and you see thousands of real-sized soldiers, generals, and horse figures.

You get about two and a half hours at the museum. That is just enough time to find your own favorites, notice armor details, and step back to see the scale from different angles.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang)

After lunch, you visit the Ancient City Wall, described as the most complete city wall that survived in China and one of the largest and most complete ancient defense systems in the world.

A bike ride on the wall is optional based on your interest, with payment on the spot. If you are traveling with people who like movement and views, this is a great add-on. If you are more cautious with stairs and traffic, you can simply enjoy the wall walk and skip the bike.

Hotel drop-off happens after the tour.

Day 7: Small and Big Wild Goose Pagodas plus Muslim Quarter food and crafts

This final day slows down just enough to feel like a wrap-up rather than another sprint.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

You start with Small Wild Goose Pagoda, listed as one of the two completely preserved Tang dynasty Buddhist pagodas in Xi’an. It is about 1.5 hours with admission not listed as included.

This stop is a classic Tang-era contrast to the Warriors and palaces. Pagodas are easier on the feet, and they help you understand how faith traveled through China, not only how power was displayed.

Xi’an Museum

Next is Xi’an Museum, about one hour. You see historical relics and learn about the history of this ancient capital city.

This is the “connective tissue” between the Tang religious sites and the earlier imperial storylines.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)

Then you go to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Xi’an landmark initially built to preserve Buddhist sutras and statues brought back from ancient India by Monk Xuanzang during the Tang dynasty. Admission is included, and you will hear the stories from your guide.

This is a powerful pairing: the museum gives context, and the pagoda ties it to belief and movement of ideas.

Muslim Quarter around Bell and Drum Tower Square

The last sightseeing stop is the Muslim Quarter, in the Bell and Drum Tower Square area. Expect lots of local snacks and handi-crafts.

This is a fun finale because it is not formal history. It is sensory history, food, and neighborhood life. It is also a good moment to buy small gifts without feeling like you are shopping in a hurry.

Then you are transferred to the airport or train station for your next destination.

Price and logistics: What you are paying for, and what you should budget

At $1,522 per person for about 7 days, this tour is not a budget deal. But the price can make sense if you count what is bundled.

Included in the core price:

• 6 nights in 3 or 4-star accommodations with breakfast (twin-sharing or triple-sharing)
• English-speaking tour guide
• Most entrance tickets for the major sights
• High-speed trains between Beijing, Luoyang, and Xi’an using 2nd class seats
• Transfers with air-conditioned cars
• One bottle of mineral water per person per day
• Pickup offered, with mobile ticket use mentioned

Not included (so budget ahead):

• Lunch and dinner
• Cable car at the Great Wall (optional)
• Bike ride on Xi’an’s city wall (optional, pay on the spot)
• Any personal expenses
• Single room supplement, if you want privacy

In other words, the “hidden cost” is mostly food and the few optional activities. If you are the type who plans snacks and meals daily anyway, the financial shock is smaller.

Also, note the single supplement if you are traveling solo. It is listed as USD305 for 3-star hotels or USD365 for 4-star hotels. That is a meaningful add-on, so decide early if you want to share a room.

Who should book this tour, and who should think twice

This tour fits best if you:

• care about China’s ancient capitals and the big landmark list (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin, Terracotta Warriors)
• like guided structure, especially for ticketed sites
• want to reduce the stress of coordinating trains and transfers
• are comfortable with moderate physical fitness needs, since you will be walking and touring across full days

You might want to think twice if:

• you prefer long free time with minimal schedules, because this plan is tight and structured
• you dislike optional paid add-ons, because cable cars and city wall biking are mentioned as extra choices
• you are very picky about pacing and want slower, deeper stops at every museum hall (you only get a fixed time window at each major site)

Quick tips to make it feel smooth

• Wear comfortable shoes. The week is built on touring, not lounging.
• Bring cash or a payment method for the optional extras and lunch and dinner.
• If you are sensitive to crowds, consider timing your photos and breaks so you do not burn energy at peak moments.
• Keep an eye on the Forbidden City Monday closure note, especially if your dates include Monday.
• Stay ready for pickup confirmations. You will receive pickup info by email, and the guide may also call or message through your hotel the night before.

And one more practical comfort tip: travel with a small day bag for water, power needs, and any quick changes. The tour provides water, but you still want your essentials easy to reach.

Should you book this 7-day ancient capitals tour?

If your dream trip is Beijing plus Luoyang plus Xi’an, with the main history hits handled in a logical order, this tour is a strong match. The high-speed train routing reduces fatigue, and the included tickets and guided structure are the kind of value that makes sightseeing actually enjoyable.

I would book it if you want a guided, efficient week that still covers major sites in depth enough to feel real. I would skip it if you want lots of free wandering time or you hate a busy schedule with occasional extra costs for lunch and optional cable cars and wall biking.

Either way, this is the kind of itinerary that works best when you travel prepared: good shoes, realistic expectations, and a little budget for meals and optional add-ons.

FAQ

Where is the tour start location and what time?

The start is listed as Capital Airport Shunyi, Beijing 101300 China, with a start time of 1:00 pm.

How do you get from the airport or station to your hotel on day 1?

Upon arrival in Beijing at the airport or train station, you will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel by the tour driver.

Which high-speed train is used from Beijing to Luoyang?

The itinerary lists a high-speed train from Beijing West Train Station to Luoyang: G671, 07:49-12:10 (2nd class seat).

Which high-speed train is used from Luoyang to Xi’an?

The itinerary lists a high-speed train from Luoyang to Xi’an: G823, 17:57-19:30 (2nd class seat).

Are hotel breakfasts and entrance tickets included?

Yes. The package includes 6 nights of 3 or 4-star accommodations with hotel breakfast, and it includes entrance tickets for the listed sights.

Is the Forbidden City always open during the tour?

The tour notes that the Forbidden City is closed on each Monday.

What optional activities might require extra payment?

The itinerary specifically mentions optional cable car access at the Great Wall (pay on the spot) and an optional bike ride on Xi’an City Wall (pay on the spot).

How much is the single room supplement?

The single person private room supplement is listed as USD305 for 3-star hotels and USD365 for 4-star hotels.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.