October-ready from Auckland — Beijing's Forbidden City, Great Wall, and hutongs, then high-speed rail to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors. Many NZ leisure trips can use China's visa-free entry (confirm before you book); published departures include mid-October.
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15 Oct 2026
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October-ready from Auckland — Beijing's Forbidden City, Great Wall, and hutongs, then high-speed rail to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors. Many NZ leisure trips can use China's visa-free entry (confirm before you book); published departures include mid-October.
On this tour, “A Tale of Two Cities” means Beijing and Xi'an — not Shanghai. You start with Auckland — Beijing, explore Beijing including the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Olympic park photo stops, and a hutong pedi-cab tour with a family visit; then you board a high-speed train to Xi'an (published example: G89, afternoon departure, second-class or similar).
In Xi'an you visit the Terracotta Warriors (including Circle Vision and Bronze Chariot where specified), the ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Museum, and Huimin Street — matching the published day-by-day itinerary — before flying back via Beijing to Auckland.
Included: international and domestic airfares; 4-star hotel accommodation throughout; English-speaking tour guide; entrance fees as specified; meals as specified; land transfers.
Not included: Travel insurance (strongly recommended); personal expenses; transport and guide during free time; meals not listed; tips (suggested NZD $10 per day per person); anything not specifically mentioned as included.
Want Jiangnan gardens, West Lake, and Shanghai instead of Beijing and Xi'an? See China Discovery — Shanghai & Surroundings — 10 days from NZD $2,999 per person on the published page.
This Beijing & Xi'an route is priced From NZD $3,480 for 10 days on the published page.
Authoritative itinerary and gallery: main tour page.
Group departures from New Zealand (dates as published). Contact us to reserve a seat or request a private departure.
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
Visit the 500-year-old Temple of Heaven set in imperial gardens
Tour Tiananmen Square — the world's largest public square
Explore the Forbidden City, home to emperors for over 500 years
Walk the Great Wall, one of the ten wonders of the world
Photo stop at the iconic Bird's Nest and Water Cube Olympic Park
Experience old Beijing on a pedi-cab Hutong tour with a family visit
Discover the Terracotta Warriors — the greatest archaeological find of the century
Visit Xi'an's ancient City Wall and the Tang Dynasty Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Meal on board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast
Meals: Breakfast
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast
Schematic route for planning — not a geographic map. City order is derived from your itinerary text.
Interested in China Discovery — A Tale of Two Cities? We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
David Chen
Wellington, NZ
“As a second-generation Chinese Kiwi, I wanted to reconnect with my heritage. CTS created a journey that was both deeply personal and wonderfully surprising.”
Jennifer O'Brien
Tauranga, NZ
“The cooking class in a Beijing hutong was the highlight of our trip! Lisa and Baker clearly love what they do, and it shows in every aspect of the tour.”
Greg & Michelle Hart
Rotorua, NZ
“Fantastic value for money. We saw the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and Shanghai skyline all in one well-paced trip. The guides were outstanding.”
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