Beijing, Xi an and Luoyang are the three ancient capitals every China visitor should see, linked by high-speed rail in about 7 days. Days 1-2, Beijing: the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall (Badaling or Mutianyu), then a stroll around Shichahai lake area.
Days 3-4, Xi an: the Terracotta Army at the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang - thousands of life-size warriors; Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Quarter for roujiamo and yangrou paomo; evening lights at Datang Everbright City.
Days 5-6, Luoyang: the Longmen Grottoes with a hundred thousand Buddhas carved into cliffs; White Horse Temple, China first official monastery; bowl of Luoyang water feast soup in the old town.
High-speed rail links the three: Beijing-Xi an about 4.5 hours, Xi an-Luoyang 1.5 hours. Two nights per city keeps the pace easy.
Tickets and booking: the Forbidden City sells out 7 days ahead, the Terracotta Army 3-5 days, Longmen on the day - plan early in peak season.
This is the "main line of Chinese civilization" - ideal for travellers who want to understand Chinese history in one trip.
