--- title: "New China: 18 Days Across Four Metro Engines" description: "New China: 18 Days Across Four Metro Engines" type: "tour" route_id: "new-china-discovery" total_days: 18 price: 4320 highlights: ["Shanghai", "Hangzhou", "Beijing", "Tianjin", "Chengdu", "Chongqing", "Guangzhou", "Shenzhen"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/new-china-discovery" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/new-china-discovery" locale: "de-DE" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/new-china-discovery","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/new-china-discovery","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/new-china-discovery","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/new-china-discovery","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/new-china-discovery","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/new-china-discovery","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/new-china-discovery","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/new-china-discovery"} --- # New China: 18 Days Across Four Metro Engines 新中国发现 ## Summary - Route ID: new-china-discovery - Duration: 18 days / 17 nights - Starting price: $4,320 - Group size: 8 travelers - Status: active - Highlights: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen ## Hero tags - Private - Tailor-made ## Selling points - Discover China’s four most dynamic city regions in one private journey: Shanghai-Hangzhou, Beijing-Tianjin, Chengdu-Chongqing, and Guangzhou-Shenzhen. - See how ancient heritage and ultra-modern life exist side by side, from the Forbidden City and West Lake to smart ports, XR games, and everyday tech services. - See how technology enters daily life through AI-assisted TCM, smart logistics, drones, robotics, and autonomous mobility. - Step into real local life beyond the skyline through Chengdu communities, tea houses, food streets, old hutongs, creative districts, and riverside neighborhoods. - Trace modern China through trade, cities, and innovation, from historic merchant ports to modern supply chains, EVs, startups, and Shenzhen’s tech ecosystem. ## City highlights - Beijing (1 days): Beijing - Chengdu (1 days): Chengdu - Shanghai (1 days): Shanghai - Guangzhou (1 days): Guangzhou - Chongqing (1 days): Chongqing - Hangzhou (1 days): Hangzhou - Shenzhen (11 days): Shenzhen - Tianjin (1 days): Tianjin ## Itinerary ### Old Streets, New Technologies — Shanghai & Hangzhou - 2 days 1 Day #### Shanghai (1 days) - Subtitle: Shanghai - Recommendation: Shanghai is where historic riverfront buildings and neon-lit skyscrapers share the same skyline. As one of China’s most global cities, it gives this journey a clear first look at how commerce, design, and technology shape modern urban life. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Shanghai Tower, tuned mass damper, North Bund, Postal Museum, Waibaidu Bridge, classic Bund, XR Terracotta Army experience, Yu Garden, and Xuhui's Xu Guangqi story. **The Flexible Part** [Shanghai Tower]{#E93C10} sets up the modern-engineering theme, while Yu Garden and Xuhui keep the city connected to older design, faith, and science. **The Route Role** Shanghai opens this route as modern China's global face: skyline engineering, historic riverfront buildings, immersive tech, and local openness all in one city. **Good to Know** Tower visibility depends on weather. Keep the riverfront walk flexible, and treat the XR experience as a modern layer rather than a replacement for real historic sites. #### Hangzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Hangzhou - Recommendation: Shanghai is where historic riverfront buildings and neon-lit skyscrapers share the same skyline. As one of China’s most global cities, it gives this journey a clear first look at how commerce, design, and technology shape modern urban life. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** West Lake boat ride, classical lake scenery, traditional medicine context, and Hangzhou's digital-economy side. **The Flexible Part** [West Lake]{#E93C10} should stay calm and unhurried; technology or medicine-related visits can expand or contract around the day. **The Route Role** Hangzhou balances the route after Shanghai. It shows how poetic landscape, health traditions, and digital commerce can sit together in one local identity. **Good to Know** Lake experiences are weather-sensitive but not fragile; mist can suit the mood. Avoid overloading the day with too many city transfers. ### Imperial Beijing, Smart Tianjin — Beijing & Tianjin - 2 days 1 Day #### Beijing (1 days) - Subtitle: Beijing - Recommendation: As China’s political heart, Beijing is a city of grand imperial order and deep cultural roots. Today, old alleys, creative spaces, and new mobility experiences add another layer to the city’s imperial framework. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** E-bike ride along the Beijing Central Axis, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall cable car, hutong alleys, optional local home visit, and creative-space reuse. **The Flexible Part** [Beijing Central Axis]{#E93C10} is the organizing thread, connecting imperial order with a modern mobility experience. Drone delivery at the Wall depends on local operations and weather. **The Route Role** Beijing brings political and cultural depth to a modern-China itinerary. It shows old planning logic, living alleys, and adaptive reuse rather than only monuments. **Good to Know** E-bike pacing should follow traffic and comfort. Great Wall add-ons are operationally conditional, so keep the core visit strong even without them. #### Tianjin (1 days) - Subtitle: Tianjin - Recommendation: As China’s political heart, Beijing is a city of grand imperial order and deep cultural roots. Today, old alleys, creative spaces, and new mobility experiences add another layer to the city’s imperial framework. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** 1920s international architecture, port-city context, modern logistics, automation, clean-energy infrastructure, and the route's industrial-modern layer. **The Flexible Part** [Modern logistics]{#E93C10} is the key Tianjin angle. Architecture walks can be lighter or deeper depending on how much industry access is available that day. **The Route Role** Tianjin extends Beijing with a port and infrastructure perspective. It turns the route from capital history toward how goods, energy, and automation move in today's China. **Good to Know** Factory or logistics access can change by permission and operating calendar. Keep a city-architecture backup so the stop still reads clearly if site access shifts. ### Slow Living, Mountain-City Nights — Chengdu & Chongqing - 2 days 1 Day #### Chengdu (1 days) - Subtitle: Chengdu - Recommendation: Chengdu gives the journey its most relaxed rhythm. Known for pandas, tea houses, Sichuan cuisine, and strong community life, it shows a softer side of modern urban China. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Panda Breeding and Research Center, Sichuan courtyard community, tea house, elderly cafeteria, community center, Sichuan embroidery workshop, local food street, East Suburb Memory Park, and Sichuan opera backstage. **The Flexible Part** [Community courtyard visit]{#E93C10} is the local-life heart. Opera backstage and embroidery can flex around show schedules and workshop availability. **The Route Role** Chengdu gives the modern route a relaxed social rhythm: pandas, neighborhood services, creative reuse, food, tea, and performance culture all feel human-scale. **Good to Know** Visit pandas early for activity. Opera makeup access depends on theater timing, so protect the evening schedule if face-changing is a priority. #### Chongqing (1 days) - Subtitle: Chongqing - Recommendation: Chengdu gives the journey its most relaxed rhythm. Known for pandas, tea houses, Sichuan cuisine, and strong community life, it shows a softer side of modern urban China. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Mountain-city layers, Yangtze River setting, rail lines, bridges, high-rise streets, multi-level traffic, and Chongqing's cinematic urban experience. **The Flexible Part** [Mountain-city infrastructure]{#E93C10} is the reason to be here. Viewpoints, rail rides, and riverfront time can be adjusted around traffic and weather. **The Route Role** Chongqing shows modern China in three dimensions. It gives the itinerary a dense urban chapter where geography, transport, food, and river life stack vertically. **Good to Know** Distances can look short but take time because of hills and bridges. Comfortable shoes matter, and the day should allow for stair streets and traffic delays. ### Merchant Roots, Startup Futures — Guangzhou & Shenzhen - 12 days 1 Day #### Guangzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Guangzhou - Recommendation: Known as the "Millennium Merchant City," Guangzhou is the historic gateway of Chinese global trade. Today, its markets, workshops, factories, and wholesale networks reveal how quickly ideas can move through a modern supply chain. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Thirteen Hongs Museum, textile district, fabric markets, design studios, wholesale shops, optional XPENG smart EV factory, Cantonese dim sum, and Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. **The Flexible Part** [Textile district]{#E93C10} is the supply-chain core, showing how fabric, design, production, and orders connect quickly. XPENG access is optional and availability-based. **The Route Role** Guangzhou brings the route into trade and manufacturing. It links the old merchant gateway with today's markets, factories, Cantonese food, and Lingnan family culture. **Good to Know** Factory experiences require confirmation and may cost extra. Markets are busy working environments, so keep expectations practical and follow guide instructions. #### Shenzhen (11 days) - Subtitle: Shenzhen - Recommendation: Known as the "Millennium Merchant City," Guangzhou is the historic gateway of Chinese global trade. Today, its markets, workshops, factories, and wholesale networks reveal how quickly ideas can move through a modern supply chain. - Transport: Private transfer · paced for arrival **The Core** Fisherman's Village, Reform and Opening-up story, electronics or innovation markets, drones, new mobility, startup culture, and Shenzhen's rapid urban growth. **The Flexible Part** [Reform-era Shenzhen]{#E93C10} is the narrative anchor: a city built around experimentation, speed, electronics, and new urban industries. **The Route Role** Shenzhen closes the modern-China arc by showing how quickly a city can become a technology and manufacturing ecosystem after reform. **Good to Know** Innovation visits depend on operating days and access. Keep market walks focused; electronics districts can be overwhelming without a clear purpose. ## Service workflow From your first question to your safe return home — the expertise of seasoned locals, offered on your terms. Ready when you need us. Silent when you don't. - Pre-Trip Prep: Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - Itinerary Planning: An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - Booking Services: Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - On-Trip Experience: Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Free Expert Chat ($0): Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - 1:1 Local Advisor - Pre-trip Q&A - Authentic Local Info - Traveler's Toolkit ($0): Everything a seasoned traveler needs for China — curated by locals. - Essential Apps (pre-configured) - Payment & SIM Setup Guide - Pocket Phrase Cards - Pro Roadmap ($99): An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - 1:1 Video Call with a planner - Transit, dining & timing tips - Ready-to-follow roadmap - All-Inclusive Booking (Custom): Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - Hotels & Transit Booking - VIP Attraction Access - Visa Invitation Letter - On-Trip Concierge ($199): Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Real-time Translation - Emergency Rescheduling - Ride & Dining Assist ## Concierge - Name: [object Object] - Title: [object Object] - Tagline: [object Object] - Bio: [object Object] - Languages: English, 中文 ### Trust signals - Bilingual route design - Hotel and host coordination - No-obligation first call ### Included support - Before you book: {'en-US': 'Route pacing review', 'en-GB': 'Route pacing review', 'zh-CN': '路线节奏审查', 'de-DE': 'Routen-Tempo-Überprüfung', 'fr-FR': "Examen du rythme de l'itinéraire", 'es-ES': 'Revisión del ritmo de la ruta', 'it-IT': 'Revisione del ritmo del percorso'}; {'en-US': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'en-GB': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'zh-CN': '酒店等级与房型匹配', 'de-DE': 'Abstimmung von Hotelkategorie und Zimmerstil', 'fr-FR': "Correspondance entre la catégorie d'hôtel et le style de chambre", 'es-ES': 'Emparejamiento de categoría de hotel y estilo de habitación', 'it-IT': 'Abbinamento tra categoria alberghiera e stile della camera'}; {'en-US': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'en-GB': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'zh-CN': '私人接送和导游选项', 'de-DE': 'Private Transfer- und Führungsoptionen', 'fr-FR': 'Options de transfert privé et de guide', 'es-ES': 'Opciones de traslado privado y guía', 'it-IT': 'Opzioni di trasferimento privato e guida'} - On the road: {'en-US': 'Daily bilingual support', 'en-GB': 'Daily bilingual support', 'zh-CN': '每日双语支持', 'de-DE': 'Tägliche zweisprachige Unterstützung', 'fr-FR': 'Assistance bilingue quotidienne', 'es-ES': 'Asistencia bilingüe diaria', 'it-IT': 'Supporto bilingue quotidiano'}; {'en-US': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'en-GB': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'zh-CN': '餐厅及时间调整', 'de-DE': 'Anpassungen von Restaurant und Öffnungszeiten', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications du restaurant et des horaires', 'es-ES': 'Ajustes de restaurante y horarios', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche di ristorante e orari'}; {'en-US': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'en-GB': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'zh-CN': '天气感知计划变更', 'de-DE': 'Wetterabhängige Planänderungen', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications de plan en fonction de la météo', 'es-ES': 'Cambios de plan según el clima', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche del piano in base al meteo'} ## Hotels - Rezen Select Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Hub, Shanghai: Upscale local hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao transport hub, ideal for transit stays. - Vienna International Hotel (Shanghai Pudong Airport Hangtou Road), Shanghai: Upscale local hotel near Pudong Airport corridor, convenient for airport access. - Blossom House · Shanghai On The Bund, Shanghai: Boutique-style hotel near the Bund, suited for a refined Shanghai stay. - Grand Rezen Hotel Shanghai Pudong (Shanghai International Tour and Resort Zone), Shanghai: Upscale local hotel in Pudong, convenient for resort-zone and city stays. - Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai, Shanghai: Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort. - Hangzhou Rezen HAOZEN HOTEL (Song City), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel in Hangzhou, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Hangzhou Junshang Yunyi Hotel (Chihua Street Subway Station), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel near Chihua Street Subway Station in Hangzhou. - Manju Hotel (Hangzhou Gongshu Wanda Plaza Branch), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel near Gongshu Wanda Plaza, convenient for city stays. - Hotel Indigo Hangzhou Uptown, Hangzhou: International lifestyle hotel in Hangzhou with modern design and refined service. - New Century Grand Hotel Hangzhou, Hangzhou: Local landmark hotel in Hangzhou with extensive facilities and classic service. - Pagoda Hotel Hangzhou West Lake · Wulin Plaza, Hangzhou: Local design hotel near West Lake and Wulin Plaza, ideal for urban stays. - Maison New Century Hotel Hangzhou Zhelv, Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel in Hangzhou, suitable for business and leisure travelers. - DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road, Beijing: International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Hilton Beijing, Beijing: Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access. - Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town, Beijing: International upscale hotel near Chaoyang’s commercial and lifestyle district. - Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast, Beijing: International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays. - Sofitel Beijing Central, Beijing: Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service. - Palace International Hotel Beijing, Beijing: Local five-star hotel in Beijing offering spacious rooms and classic hospitality. - West International Trade Grand Hotel, Beijing: Local five-star hotel in western Beijing, suitable for business and events. - Atour X Hotel, Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing: Modern local boutique hotel near Sanyuanqiao with convenient city access. - Manxin Hotel Beijing Guangqumen, Beijing: Stylish local upscale hotel in Beijing’s central area, suited for urban stays. - Mercure Beijing City Centre, Beijing: International midscale hotel in central Beijing with convenient city connections. - Beijing Pudi Hotel, Beijing: Local boutique hotel in Beijing with refined design and comfortable rooms. - Beijing Suwen Hotel, Beijing: Boutique-style local hotel in Beijing, suitable for relaxed city stays. - Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao. - Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square), Beijing: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square. - JI Hotel (Beijing Fengtai Station Fengguan Road), Beijing: Reliable midscale chain hotel near Fengtai Station, practical for transit stays. - JI Hotel (Beijing Shoujingmao Jijiamiao Subway Station), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Jijiamiao Subway Station, convenient for city travel. - JI Hotel Beijing Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Capital University of Economics and Business. - Yitel (Beijing Tiantan), Beijing: Midscale hotel near the Temple of Heaven, suitable for central Beijing stays. - Vienna Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station Lize Business District), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Lize Business District and Beijing West Railway Station. - Mei Hua Light Luxury Hotel (Beijing South Railway Station Shiliuzhuang Subway Station), Beijing: Light luxury hotel near Beijing South Railway Station and Shiliuzhuang Subway Station. - Lavande Hotel (Beijing Fengtai Railway Station First Economic and Trade Subway Station), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Fengtai Railway Station with convenient transport access. ## Experiences A modern China arc through Hangzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen and the infrastructure of the present day. - Forbidden City (Beijing): The Forbidden City brings travelers into the ceremonial center of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: Core imperial Beijing access with palace courtyards and historic halls. - Mutianyu Great Wall (Beijing): A well-restored Great Wall section with open views and easier walking conditions for first-time visitors. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: A polished Great Wall experience with flexible cable car or walking options. - West Lake (Hangzhou): West Lake gives travelers Hangzhou's classic gardens causeways water views and literary atmosphere. - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens - Access: A signature Hangzhou moment balancing scenery culture and calm pacing. - AI TCM Diagnosis at Huqingyu Hall (Hangzhou): This moment connects Hangzhou's historic Huqingyu Hall with contemporary AI-assisted health interpretation. - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens - Access: A contrast between old Chinese medicine culture and modern technology. - Wensan Future Technology Center (Hangzhou): Wensan Future Technology Center introduces Hangzhou beyond West Lake through its digital and tech identity. - Host: Hangzhou, Hangzhou Lens - Access: A future-facing urban stop that broadens the Hangzhou story. - Liziba Monorail (Chongqing): Liziba Monorail shows the city's layered terrain and unusual urban transit design. - Host: Chongqing, Chongqing Lens - Access: A short but memorable urban infrastructure moment unique to Chongqing. - Chongqing 8D Magical City (Chongqing): Chongqing 8D Magical City captures the city's stacked roads bridges railways and dramatic vertical layout. - Host: Chongqing, Chongqing Lens - Access: A visual urban experience showing why Chongqing feels three-dimensional. - DJI Sky City (Shenzhen): DJI Sky City represents Shenzhen's role in hardware design drones and future-facing technology. - Host: Shenzhen, Shenzhen Lens - Access: A strong innovation landmark linked to one of Shenzhen's best-known tech brands. - Shenzhen Self-Driving Car Experience (Shenzhen): This moment introduces China's autonomous driving development through Shenzhen's urban innovation scene. - Host: Shenzhen, Shenzhen Lens - Access: A hands-on style technology moment focused on future transport. - Huaqiangbei Electronics Market (Shenzhen): Huaqiangbei Electronics Market shows the speed scale and density of China's hardware ecosystem. - Host: Shenzhen, Shenzhen Lens - Access: A street-level look at Shenzhen's maker and electronics culture. - The Bund (Shanghai): The Bund frames Shanghai's historic banks and modern Pudong skyline in one clear view. - Host: Shanghai, Shanghai Lens - Access: A signature Shanghai orientation stop for architecture and city contrast. ## China ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler. ## Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 4.9 / 5 - Emily Carter: Perfect for couples - My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all. - Claire Brooks: Great for families - Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip. - Laura Bennett: Alisa made the whole experience easy - Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights. - Mark Henderson: Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly - Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless. - Rebecca Miller: Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## FAQ ### What's included in the price? Hotels, domestic transport, guided experiences, most meals, entrance fees, and your Travel Designer support. International flights are optional. ### Can I customize this itinerary? Absolutely. Every detail — dates, pace, hotels, experiences — can be customized to your preferences. ### How many people are in a group? Max 12 travelers for our small group. Custom private trips can be as small as 2 people. ### Do I need a visa for China? Most Western passport holders need a tourist visa. We provide visa invitation letters for All-Inclusive bookings. ### Is China safe for Western travelers? Extremely safe. Violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent. Our concierge provides 24/7 support. ### What about the language barrier? All guides speak English. Your itinerary includes translation cards and On-Trip Concierge provides real-time translation. ### How far in advance should I book? 3–6 months ahead for peak seasons (April–May, September–October). ### What if I need to cancel? Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Rescheduling is flexible.