Does this tour include Shanghai or other cities?

No — A Tale of Two Cities is focused on Beijing and Xi'an only. You spend several nights in Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs), travel by high-speed train to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors and ancient city sights, then fly back to Beijing to connect home. It is ideal if you want imperial Beijing and ancient-capital Xi'an without a longer multi-region loop.

Do New Zealand passport holders need a visa for this itinerary?

Many leisure visits qualify for China's visa-free entry for NZ ordinary passport holders (commonly up to 30 days under current policy, published to 31 December 2026). This route stays well within a typical holiday length, but entry rules depend on your exact travel dates and purpose — confirm before you book. We summarise options in our China visa guide for New Zealanders; CTS can help you check what applies to your booking.

What is included in the tour price from New Zealand?

The advertised lead-in price covers return international flights from Auckland, domestic flights within China as per the itinerary, 4-star hotel accommodation, English-speaking guides, entrance fees and meals where listed, land transfers, and the Beijing–Xi'an sector on high-speed train G89 (or similar) in 2nd class. Items such as travel insurance, tips (we suggest about NZD $10 per person per day), optional evening shows, and meals not listed are extra — see the Inclusions and Exclusions sections on this page.

How does the Beijing to Xi'an journey work?

You travel by high-speed rail — typically train G89 departing Beijing around 15:00 and arriving in Xi'an in the evening (about four hours), in a 2nd-class seat unless otherwise advised. Morning of that day is free at leisure in Beijing; you check out by noon. Your Xi'an guide meets you at the station and transfers you to the hotel. It is a comfortable way to see the countryside between China's northern capital and the ancient Tang capital.

Which Beijing and Xi'an highlights are covered?

In Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Beihai Park, the Great Wall (with a jade workshop en route), Olympic Park photo stop, and a pedi-cab hutong tour with a family visit — plus optional acrobatic show in the evening where available. In Xi'an: the Terracotta Warriors (including Circle Vision and Bronze Chariot), City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda Museum, and Huimin Street — with an optional Tang Dynasty banquet show. Exact order follows the day-by-day itinerary.

How physically demanding is this tour?

Most sightseeing is at a Discovery pace with coach transfers, but the Great Wall involves walking on slopes and steps, Xi'an's City Wall can be explored on foot or by bike depending on options offered locally, and hutong pedi-cabs are short rides with walking in narrow lanes. If you have mobility concerns, tell us when you enquire so we can note it for your guide.

When can I depart, and is a single room available?

The 15 October 2026 departure has sold out. Confirmed 2027 group departures are 18 March 2027 and 10 June 2027 from Auckland, priced from NZD $3,480 per person twin-share. If you prefer your own room, a single supplement of NZD $395 applies. Contact CTS to register interest in another Beijing & Xi'an window.

How do I book or ask a specific question about this route?

Use the enquiry form on this page or call 0800 CTS 888 (0800 287 888). Our team will confirm availability on your dates, explain deposit and balance, and walk through any optional extras (such as evening shows) so you know the full picture before you commit.

China · discovery · 10 Days

A Tale of Two Cities

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); confirmed 2027 group departures listed on this page.

1 / 5 · Golden guardian lion at Beijing’s Forbidden City

Next confirmed departure

18 March 2027

Scheduled group departure

Twin-share price

From NZD $3,480

Per person · NZD

Travelling solo?

Own room + NZD $395

From NZD $3,875 total per person

Check availability →

100+ Years Heritage

Backed by CTS · Founded 1928

Auckland Local Office

Local Support When You Need It

Direct China Operations

No Middlemen, Best Value

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Trusted by Kiwi Families

Book with a licensed New Zealand travel specialist

CTS Tours is a TAANZ member and IATA-accredited agency with local support in Auckland and direct operations in China—so you deal with one trusted team from enquiry to return.

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TAANZ — Travel Agents Association of New Zealand

Book with confidence

Free changes up to 60 days

Amend dates or travellers at no fee until 60 days before departure.

NZ-based specialist team

Speak to a Kiwi consultant in Auckland — one team, enquiry to return.

Backed by CTS · Founded 1928

CTS Tours NZ has run Kiwi-led tours from Auckland since 2000 (25 years), backed by China Travel Service (founded 1928) — hotels, guides, transport we run ourselves.

TAANZ bonded & IATA

Client funds held in a TAANZ-bonded trust — protected if travel plans are disrupted.

Two capitals, one clear introduction to 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

Experiences included in this journey

Walk the Great Wall ↗Meet the Terracotta Warriors ↗Discover imperial Beijing ↗

Your route at a glance.

China Discovery — A Tale of Two Cities route map — cities, transport and nights

Your journey, day by day.

Save this itinerary:

Day 01

Auckland — Beijing

Meal on board · View full day

Depart Auckland in the evening on your international flight to Beijing. Dinner and breakfast served on board.

Meals: Meal on board

Day 02

Arrival in Beijing

Lunch · View full day

Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you and transfer you to visit the Temple of Heaven — a 500-year-old complex of altars and pavilions set in sweeping gardens, where emperors once made offerings to the heavens. Continue to a tea factory before checking in to your hotel.

Meals: Lunch

Stay: Beijing Wanda Moments or similar 4-star hotel

Day 03

Beijing

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

Tour Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy a photo stop at the National Centre for the Performing Arts — the striking glass dome affectionately known as "The Egg". Afterwards, step inside the Forbidden City, the vast palace complex that served as home to successive emperors for more than 500 years. Continue to Beihai Park, an imperial garden to the northwest of the Forbidden City, and visit a silk factory before dinner. Tonight's optional excursion: an acrobatic show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Beijing Wanda Moments or similar 4-star hotel

Day 04

Beijing — Great Wall

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

This morning, travel to the Great Wall — stretching almost 4,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia and rightfully crowned one of the ten wonders of the world. En route, stop at a jade carving factory to watch artisans at work. Return to the city and view the Olympic Park's Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube aquatic centre from the outside.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Beijing Wanda Moments or similar 4-star hotel

Day 05

Beijing — Hutong & Silk Market

Breakfast · View full day

This morning, climb aboard a pedi-cab for a tour of the Hutong — Beijing's historic neighbourhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens. Experience local life with a visit to a traditional family home. After lunch, head to the Silk Market for some shopping.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Beijing Wanda Moments or similar 4-star hotel

Day 06

Beijing — Xi'an by High-Speed Train

Breakfast · View full day

Morning is free at your leisure. Check out by noon, then board Train G89 (departs 15:00, arrives Xi'an 19:12, 2nd-class seat or similar high-speed service). Your local Xi'an guide will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Mercure Xi'an Downtown or similar 4-star hotel

Day 07

Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

This morning, visit the greatest archaeological discovery of the century: the Terracotta Warriors, a vast underground army of more than 2,000-year-old life-size soldiers interred with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The visit includes the Circle Vision Movie and Bronze Chariot exhibition. Tonight's optional excursion: Tang Palace Banquet Song and Dance Performance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Mercure Xi'an Downtown or similar 4-star hotel

Day 08

Xi'an — City Wall & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Breakfast, Lunch · View full day

Visit the ancient City Wall that encircles the historic centre of Xi'an, then continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda — the earliest and largest surviving square brick pagoda of the Tang Dynasty, and a landmark testament to the integration of Indian Buddhist architecture into Chinese culture following the spread of Buddhism to the Central Plains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: Mercure Xi'an Downtown or similar 4-star hotel

Day 09

Xi'an — Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Huimin Street

Breakfast · View full day

This morning, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Museum, then stroll through the vibrant Huimin Street — Xi'an's famous Muslim Quarter lined with street food stalls and artisan shops. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

Beijing — Auckland

View full day

Connect with your international flight from Beijing back to New Zealand.

Meals: See day description

What's Included

Included meals (12)

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

Accommodation (7 nights)

2 carefully selected properties

Sample hotels detailed below — final selection confirmed at booking.

Included

International and domestic airfares
4-star hotel accommodation throughout
English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Land transfers

Not Included

Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal expenses
Transportation and guide services during free time
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Tips (suggested NZD $10 per day per person)
Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary

Sample tour hotels

Representative properties for this tour — actual hotels may vary by departure date and are confirmed at booking.

4nights
Beijing Wanda Moments or similar 4-star hotel
3nights
Mercure Xi'an Downtown or similar 4-star hotel

Room basis: Prices are per person, twin share. A private room for a solo traveller is an additional NZD $395 for the full tour.

Discover your destinations

Explore the places on your journey.

Get to know the cities and landmarks along this route, with our guides to what to see and how to visit.

Destination guide

Beijing

Explore the guide →

Destination guide

Xi'an

Explore the guide →

Landmark guide

Great Wall of China

Explore the guide →

Landmark guide

Terracotta Warriors

Explore the guide →

Landmark guide

Forbidden City

Explore the guide →

Landmark guide

Temple of Heaven

Explore the guide →

Plan your trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about traveling to China with CTS

Have more questions?

Contact Our Specialists

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A Tale of Two Cities