Grand Corridor: 21-Day China Holiday

Overview

Twenty-one days, from Beijing’s Mutianyu Great Wall to Xi’an’s city walls, then to Chengdu’s Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a Yangtze River cruise departing from Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillar forests, concluding in Shanghai. The itinerary includes three nights in Beijing and Xi’an respectively, four nights each in Chengdu and Zhangjiajie, one night in Chongqing, and two nights in Shanghai; the Yangtze segment is planned for three nights, with specific cruise schedules and cabin types confirmed on a per-booking basis. A more relaxed schedule is reserved for both Chengdu and Shanghai.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Tell us your travel dates, number of companions, and walking pace. Yangtze River segments can be arranged on a per-date basis; specific itineraries, cabin availability, costs, and inclusions are subject to the written proposal.

Why you'll love this trip

From Beijing to Shanghai, via Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze and Zhangjiajie, enjoy the city walls, water conservancy works and sandstone peak forests in sequence.
Twenty-one days from the Mutianyu Great Wall to the Zhangjiajie pillar forest, culminating along the Huangpu River in Shanghai.

On day three, head to the Mutianyu Great Wall. After ascending by cable car or open-air chair lift, walk along the ridge between the watchtowers; the descent method will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
Ride or walk along the Xi'an City Wall to see how the ancient rampart encircles the old city.
Step onto an ancient hydraulic engineering marvel built in the 3rd century BC that still irrigates the Chengdu Plain to this day, then climb its sacred Taoist mountain in the afternoon—a journey that shifts its focus from city walls to the rhythm of water.
Ride the subway straight through the Liziba apartment block: built on hilly terrain with no level ground, the city designed this section so the train passes through the building rather than curving around it.
In Zhangjiajie, spend four nights appreciating the sandstone pillars from three perspectives: overlooking from the summit platforms, viewing at eye level from cliffside walkways, and looking up from the stream beds.
On the 19th night, view the buildings on both banks of the Huangpu River from the Bund: one side features historic districts, while the other showcases the Pudong skyline.
Stay four consecutive nights in each of Chengdu and Zhangjiajie to minimise cross-city hotel changes.

Things to do

Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Street at Night, Xi'an

Sipping Tea in the People's Park, Chengdu

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Learn more

Local Sichuan Opera Performance, Chengdu

Bailong Elevator & Yuanjiajie, Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Cableway & Cliff Plank Path, Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Nighttime Lighting Show, Zhangjiajie

Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter, Shanghai

Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing, with rest time allowed

Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel; the remaining time is free. Please note that airport transfer arrangements are subject to the confirmation details.

Airport pickup Your driver and vehicle wait for the flight number on your confirmation, and the run into the city is yours to sleep through.

Beijing through the window Ring roads first, then poplars and the lit shopfronts of an ordinary street. The country you flew this far to see turns up before you have opened a bag.

Evening No fixed activities are scheduled for today. For meals near the hotel, we can arrange them individually based on your arrival time; costs will depend on your selections.

Day 2 · Walk from the Forbidden City's central axis to Jingshan Park

The palace on foot, then the hill behind it. You see the plan only after you have walked the thing.

The Forbidden City From the ceremonial halls of the Forbidden City, make your way to the Inner Court and the Imperial Garden, then head north through the North Gate to Jingshan Park. Standing in the courtyard and looking back, you will see a succession of palace gates aligned along the central axis; the specific entry time is subject to your reservation.

Pace The palace is large and guests often find it tiring, so the route stops at the seats we know about and the garden at the end is unhurried.

Jingshan Park Straight out of the north gate and up the hill that was built from the earth dug out of the moat. Twenty minutes of steps, and from the pavilion at the top the palace lies flat below you: gold roof after gold roof in a grid, with the city's central axis running out north and south. This is the fifteen seconds worth filming today.

Day 3 · Mutianyu Great Wall

Today has one thing in it, because the round trip north uses the day. This is the first of the walls.

Drive out to Mutianyu The run north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, and the vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car up The climbing is done for you, by the uphill cable car or the open chairlift. You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions.

Walk the towers Your guide reads the wall while you walk it: the beacon towers and how a message moved along them, the pass in the valley below, and why the line runs along this ridge and not the next one. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it, one after another, until they stop being visible.

Descent The method of descent is subject to the written itinerary; if you choose the slide, the fee will need to be confirmed separately.

Day 4 · Square, altar, museum, train

The fullest day in Beijing, then the high-speed rail south. It ends the wall chapter and opens the next one.

Tiananmen Square You cross the ceremonial centre of modern China on foot. Security screening comes first; your registration is done in advance with your passport details, and the queue still takes its own half hour to an hour, budgeted separately from the time you spend on the square.

Temple of Heaven Three sets of buildings in one architectural sentence, round for heaven and square for earth: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the round altar. Walk out to the middle of the round altar and speak at a normal volume: the stone tiers were laid to send it back to you.

National Museum of China One thread through the bronzes and ceramics rather than the whole building, taken as a second look at things you have now stood in front of. Reservation booked by us.

High-speed rail to Xi'an After the tour, proceed to the station and take the high-speed train to Xi'an. Specific train numbers, cabin types, and transfer arrangements are subject to written confirmation.

High-speed rail

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Day 5 · A Day Among the Terracotta Warriors

The pits get the whole morning and nothing is stacked behind them. Rank, armour and hairstyle are the day's reading lesson.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated eight thousand figures, buried to follow one man into whatever came next, standing in the trenches you look down into from the walkways. Your guide separates them for you: generals by armour and headdress, crossbowmen by stance, infantry by everything they lack.

Surviving paint In the newer excavation areas some figures still carry paint. Ask your guide to point to one and then look back down the trench: every one of those grey ranks was once coloured.

Crowds This site is busy in season, which is why it holds the morning by itself and why your entry is timed rather than left to the queue.

Day 6 · Xi'an City Wall & Muslim Quarter

The second wall of the route, and the first one you can go all the way around. The evening belongs to the lanes behind the towers.

Xi'an City Wall by bicycle You ride the top of one of the most complete city walls surviving in China, bicycle hire included; walking a section instead costs the same. From up here the old city is a closed rectangle with a gate tower on each side, and the modern city presses against it from outside all the way around. Somewhere on the second side you'll notice you have stopped talking and started counting the gate towers.

Bell and Drum Tower square The two towers that kept the city's time before clocks, standing at the crossing of the old street grid. Climbing either one is a separate on-site ticket and is not included in your price.

The Muslim Quarter by night The lanes of the Hui neighbourhood at the hour they are actually working, with your guide reading the stalls for you: what is worth stopping for, what is made for tourists, and how each thing is eaten. Food is on your own account.

Day 7 · Over the Qinling

In the morning, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then take a high-speed train through the Qinling Mountains to arrive in Chengdu.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds The temple grounds around the brick pagoda raised to hold sutras a Tang-dynasty monk carried back overland from India. Grounds entry is included; climbing the pagoda itself is a separate on-site ticket and is not in your price.

High-speed rail through the Qinling range The afternoon train south runs through the mountain wall that divides China's north from its south, mostly in tunnel with sudden valleys between. The class of travel for your order is stated in writing in your quote. Sit on the right and watch what happens to the vegetation when you come out the far side.

Arrival in Chengdu Your Chengdu guide takes over at the station, and the evening is left open: you are here for four nights and nothing needs to happen tonight.

High-speed rail

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 10

Day 8 · Giant pandas in the morning, gaiwan tea in the afternoon.

One of the two more relaxed days. Visit the Panda Base in the morning and leave the afternoon for the teahouse in People's Park.

Chengdu Panda Base You are there in the morning, the hours when the pandas are generally moving: eating, coming down off things, going back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths and about three hours to use as you like. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait: the animal comes over on its own schedule, not yours.

Tea sitting in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees and one gaiwan each, the lidded cup China brews in, topped up by someone with a long-spouted kettle for as long as you sit. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner working two tables over with a tuning fork. The whole afternoon is set aside for this and there is nothing after it. An hour in, you'll notice nobody at your table has asked what happens next.

Day 9 · Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng

Round trip from Chengdu to Dujiangyan: first explore the water-diversion works, then visit Mount Qingcheng before returning to Chengdu for the night.

Dujiangyan irrigation system A waterworks finished in the 3rd century BC and running ever since, which splits one river into a flood channel and an irrigation channel using no dam at all. You walk out onto the divide with the fast water on both sides and see the three parts of it working at once. The Chengdu plain has been farming behind this thing for over two thousand years, which is why it gets a whole day instead of a photo stop.

Mount Qingcheng One of the founding mountains of Taoism, rising straight above the waterworks and much quieter than the plain below. You sit down with a priest who lives in the temple and ask what you want to ask, then take a taiji session on the mountain. Both are in your price. The walking is stone steps under old trees.

Back to Chengdu The same intercity line back in the evening, into the same hotel room you left this morning.

Day 10 · Cheng Alleys & Sichuan Opera

An easy afternoon and a neighbourhood theatre. Today is the city Chengdu is now, not the one on the postcards.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Two blocks of Qing-dynasty street grid and one block of current Chengdu retail, walked back to back. The lanes are heavily commercialised and your guide will say so: what they are worth walking for is the shape, how wide a wide lane was and how narrow a narrow one, with the retail block afterwards showing what the same city does with money now.

Community Sichuan opera Watch a Sichuan opera face-changing performance at the community theatre; specific showtimes, seating, and whether a backstage tour is arranged will be confirmed during booking.

High-speed rail

Chongqing · Day 11 - Day 14

Day 11 · A city with no flat ground

Arrive in Chongqing, a city built into the hills, via high-speed rail, then explore its 'Mountain City' landscape on foot through steps, skybridges, and slopes.

High-speed rail to Chongqing Your vehicle to the station in Chengdu, the train, then your Chongqing guide at the other end. The class of travel for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Liziba monorail You ride a working metro line straight through the middle of a residential tower, with the station inside the building and people getting off to go home. Metro fare included. Stand at the front window on the approach: the tower arrives, and then you are inside it.

Vertical city walking route Your guide walks you through a place where the ground floor of one street is the eighth floor of the next, by stairs, footbridges and lanes cut along the cliff. The stops are set on the day rather than written down in advance, because weather and crowds decide which of them are worth the climb.

Day 12 · Board in Chongqing

Transfer from the hotel to the pier, then board the ship and cruise along the Yangtze River to Yichang; the sailing schedule and boarding time are subject to the written confirmation.

Morning in Chongqing Your vehicle and guide stay with you until the pier, and the morning is kept light because the boarding time is fixed and the traffic here is vertical.

Transfer to the pier A vehicle will be arranged to transfer you from your Chongqing hotel to the dock, followed by boarding procedures for your selected voyage; shuttle timings and boarding locations are subject to the confirmation slip.

What the operator's programme says Yangtze River cruise segments can be arranged individually based on travel dates. Specific boarding times, cabin categories, onboard dining, language services, and fees are subject to the written confirmation for the selected sailing.

Day 13 · Downstream, first stop

Disembark at Fengdu for shore excursions based on the selected sailing, then continue downstream along the river; onshore activities are subject to the specific sailing schedule.

Fengdu Mingshan scenic area Some sailings call at Fengdu, where you can visit temples inspired by folk legends of the underworld. Actual docking, tour duration, and whether in-park transport is included are subject to the confirmation details for your selected sailing.

Zhongxian in the evening The ship may schedule an evening performance in Zhongxian; whether it will be held and the exact port-call time are subject to the notices for your selected sailing.

On board Onboard activities, dining and services during sailing days are subject to the selected itinerary and written confirmation.

Day 14 · Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge

Along the Yangtze River through two gorges; onshore excursions and tributary tours are subject to the selected sailing itinerary.

Peak of the Three Gorges or Baidicheng The operator may arrange a shore excursion to the Summit of the Three Gorges or to Baidi City; specific activities and timings are subject to notification for your selected sailing.

Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge As the ship passes through the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, you can view the cliffs and the river from the deck. The duration depends on the day's sailing schedule.

Tributary Boat Cruise If the selected cruise includes a tributary tour, you may transfer to a small boat for a close-up view of the rock walls on both banks. The specific tributary and time slot are subject to the confirmation letter.

Yangtze River cruise

Yichang · Day 15

Day 15 · Disembark in Yichang & Transfer to Train

Take a tour of the Three Gorges Dam on your selected sailing, disembark in Yichang, and transfer to a train for Zhangjiajie; connection times are confirmed per booking.

Three Gorges Dam If your selected sailing includes a Three Gorges Dam visit, please disembark as per the cruise line's notification and proceed to the Yichang Visitor Centre; internal transport and arrival times are subject to the confirmation voucher.

Our vehicle takes over Head to the station from the Yichang Visitor Centre, then board a train to Zhangjiajie. Please verify the specific train service against the selected sailing's disembarkation time on a case-by-case basis.

Into Zhangjiajie Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, check into the local hotel. You will then stay in Zhangjiajie for four consecutive nights as per the itinerary. Specific transfers and accommodations are subject to the written confirmation.

High-speed rail

Zhangjiajie · Day 16 - Day 18

Day 16 · Bailong Elevator and Yuanjiajie

An elevator up the outside of a cliff, and then the thing this whole route has been walking toward.

Bailong glass elevator The lift runs up the outside of a cliff face inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, both directions in your price. Queues here run long in peak season, so the day starts early rather than after breakfast at leisure.

Yuanjiajie The platform layer on top of the plateau, looking out over the densest run of sandstone columns, including the natural stone arch called the First Bridge Under Heaven. These are the pillars the floating mountains in the Avatar films were modelled on, which is how most guests find out they have already seen this place.

The three angles Today is from above. The cliff walkway tomorrow is from beside, and the streambed the day after is from below. Nothing else is scheduled today, on purpose.

Day 17 · Tianmen Mountain Cliffside Walkway

A long cableway out of town, then walkways cut into a cliff face. Today is the vertical one.

Tianmen Mountain cable car A passenger cableway 7.4 km long, one of the longest of its kind, boarding at the edge of the city and climbing to the mountain top; the return ride is included in your price. You leave from a street with traffic on it and arrive on a ridge, without a road in between.

Cliff walkway The walkways are cut into the rock face, with glass-floored sections built out over the drop. A solid-floor path runs beside every glass section, so anyone who would rather not walk on glass can walk the same route on stone.

Heaven's Gate The opening straight through the rock, left by a cliff collapse recorded in AD 263. A stairway climbs to it from the mountain road; the stairway is the one genuinely steep piece of walking on this route and climbing it is your choice, since the arch reads just as well from the bottom.

Evening lighting programme The mountain runs an evening lighting programme on some dates. When it is operating on your confirmed date we go, and it carries no extra charge; when it is not, the evening is yours and the day has already stood on the cableway and the walkway.

Day 18 · From Tianzishan to Golden Whip Stream

The last full day of stone, and the one that gains the most elevation. It ends at a loom.

Tianzi Mountain The high terrace over the densest part of the pillar forest, where the columns stand in ranks below you rather than around you. The mountain is named after a Tujia leader who styled himself Son of Heaven, which tells you who held this country before the maps did.

Golden Whip Stream Down to the valley floor and along the streambed, the same columns seen from underneath with the canopy closing overhead. Walking length is set on the day to suit your party. Wild macaques work this stretch and will take food out of an open hand, so food stays packed and your guide walks the party through. Down here you'll find yourself lowering your voice without deciding to.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon glass bridge A glass-decked bridge spanning 430 metres across the canyon; when it opened in 2016 it was the longest and highest span of its kind. A solid-floor path runs alongside for anyone who would rather cross on something opaque.

Tujia brocade workshop Xilankapu, literally "the flowered bedcover," is the local Tujia weaving tradition, worked on a waist loom with the pattern counted in threads rather than drawn on paper. You get hands on the loom when the workshop is open on your date, and a visit without the hands-on when it is not.

Flights

Shanghai · Day 19 - Day 21

Day 19 · Fly to Shanghai, Evening Tour of the Bund

Fly to Shanghai and take in the Bund that evening; the itinerary then includes a full day of sightseeing and a day dedicated to departure.

Flight to Shanghai Hotel to airport, the flight, airport to hotel, both ends in your own vehicle. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

The Bund after dark The row of early-twentieth-century bank and trading houses holds one bank of the Huangpu, and the Pudong towers hold the other, a hundred years apart, looking straight at each other across the water. Your guide is with you for the whole evening, which also means the practice-English and tea-ceremony approaches that work this waterfront on first nights do not reach you.

What changed Three weeks ago you were looking at a wall built to keep things out. Tonight you are standing on the edge that let everything in.

Day 20 · Yu Garden & Shanghai Museum

Spend the morning exploring the Yu Garden and the Old City area, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon visiting a few galleries at the Shanghai Museum.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and paths that refuse to run straight, set within the oldest quarter of the city. Flat the whole way, about two hours. After three weeks of imperial scale and geological scale, this is deliberately the smallest thing on the route.

Shanghai Museum Pick two exhibits from the bronzes, ceramics, or painting galleries to explore slowly, weaving together the artefacts and architecture you have seen over the previous three weeks; entry arrangements are subject to the confirmation letter.

The rest of the day No fixed activities after the museum; this is another relaxed segment of the schedule following the Chengdu teahouse day, and the final full afternoon before departing Shanghai.

Day 21 · Plane trees, then the water once more

In the morning, walk along Wukang Road and take the Huangpu River ferry, then head to the airport according to your flight time.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane-tree streets, historic houses and small independent shops, at a scale that has nothing to do with last night's skyline. The walk shortens to fit your flight time.

Huangpu River ferry Take a brief commuter ferry across the Huangpu River for a waterfront view of the Bund and Pudong, then head to the airport.

Airport drop-off Your driver takes you to the airport, timed to your flight with room to spare. If a late flight leaves the day open, tell us and we plan the gap around your check-out rather than around a schedule.

Departures

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Hotels

These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, ideal for travellers who want easy walks, food stops and short city transfers.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days exploring the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and China's premier 5A-level tourist destination.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

The MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund is an international luxury brand on the Bund’s waterfront, blending cinematic lobbies and river-view rooms with the southern stretch of the historic architecture.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and conference facilities, serving as the ideal base for travellers exploring the scenic wonders of Zhangjiajie.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Well-established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, ideal for travellers who want easy walks, food stops and short city transfers.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days exploring the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and China's premier 5A-level tourist destination.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

The MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund is an international luxury brand on the Bund’s waterfront, blending cinematic lobbies and river-view rooms with the southern stretch of the historic architecture.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and conference facilities, serving as the ideal base for travellers exploring the scenic wonders of Zhangjiajie.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Well-established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, ideal for travellers who want easy walks, food stops and short city transfers.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days exploring the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and China's premier 5A-level tourist destination.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

The MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund is an international luxury brand on the Bund’s waterfront, blending cinematic lobbies and river-view rooms with the southern stretch of the historic architecture.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and conference facilities, serving as the ideal base for travellers exploring the scenic wonders of Zhangjiajie.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Well-established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehicleA dedicated air-conditioned vehicle is provided for land tours in the listed cities, airport and train station transfers, as well as shuttle transfers from your Chongqing hotel to the pier and from Yichang pier to the station; the specific scope of vehicle use is subject to the written itinerary confirmation.
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each of the six cities, including the full Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng day and the evening programmes on days six, seventeen and nineteen
Rail and airThe itinerary includes rail travel from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu to Chongqing, and Yichang to Zhangjiajie, as well as a flight from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai; the trip from Chengdu to Dujiangyan is a same-day round trip. Train schedules, flights, seating classes, and the exact scope of inclusions are subject to written quotation confirmation.
Hotels17 hotel nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 3 · Xi'an 3 · Chengdu 4 · Chongqing 1 · Zhangjiajie 4 · Shanghai 2
Yangtze River CruiseThree-night cruise options from Chongqing to Yichang are available subject to departure dates. The starting price of USD 6,970 covers tickets, cabin category, onboard accommodation, dining, and selected shore excursions; a written quote specific to each booking will detail the exact inclusions.
Meals & dining17 breakfasts at the land-based hotels and the teahouse experience in People's Park on Day 8; meals on board are confirmed in writing according to the itinerary of the selected voyage. The inclusions for other meals are subject to the booking details.
Tickets & Experiences, BeijingThe Palace Museum (includes our proxy booking for time-limited reservations) · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall (includes cable car or open-air chairlift) · Tiananmen Square (includes our proxy security registration) · Temple of Heaven · National Museum of China (includes our proxy booking for reservations)
Admission and experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Warriors Museum ticket · Xi'an City Wall ticket includes cycling on the wall, with sightseeing by foot at the same price · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda ticket · Night views of Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter, with a guide
Admission and experiences, Chengdu and DujiangyanThe Chengdu Panda Base, Dujiangyan, Qingcheng Mountain, the Kuanzhai Alley, and a Sichuan Opera performance are included, subject to the itinerary. Temple exchange sessions, tai chi classes, and behind-the-scenes theatre tours must be confirmed according to your travel dates and the written itinerary.
Tickets & Experiences, ChongqingRide the Liziba Light Rail as it weaves through the apartment building; the metro fare is included. Walk through this vertical city with a guide. Walking tour stopovers are not fixed in advance or guaranteed: they are determined by the guide on the day
Zhangjiajie Tickets & ExperiencesZhangjiajie National Forest Park entrance tickets · Bailong Elevator round-trip · Yuanjiajie · Tianzi Mountain · Jinbian Stream (walking distance determined on the day) · Tianmen Mountain entrance tickets including return cable car · Tianmen Mountain cliff plank path (solid walkways alongside each glass plank section) · Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge entrance tickets (solid walkways also available nearby)
Tickets & Experiences, ShanghaiThe Bund and Pudong skyline at night, guided tour · Yu Garden and Old City God Temple tickets · Shanghai Museum tickets booked on your behalf · Former French Concession and Wukang Road stroll · Huangpu River ferry including ticket
On-site transportation: listed individuallyMuyuan Gorge cable car or chairlift, Bailong Elevator, and Tianmen Mountain cable car are included according to the itinerary; the coverage for Wulingyuan's Eco-Friendly Car, Tianzi Mountain cable car, and other means of transportation is subject to written quotation confirmation.
Conditional items, included only at runtimeThe Tianmen Mountain night light show on day 17 is only available if it operates on your confirmed date, and it is included at no extra charge. The Tujia brocade workshop on day 18 offers a hands-on experience when it is open that day; if it is not open, it will be a visit only. Neither is guaranteed, nor are they highlights of this route.
InsuranceThe coverage and applicable scope of the travel accident insurance are subject to the policy attached to the order.

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai, and any connecting sector needed to reach Beijing
VisasVisa fees and processing procedures; to check whether a visa is required, please verify the official policies based on your passport, itinerary, and travel dates.
Yangtze River自费 ActivitiesCabin upgrades, shore excursions, and personal onboard expenses not included in the written quote are charged separately; the specific inclusions and optional items for your chosen sailing are subject to the order confirmation.
MealsLunch and dinner are at the guest's own expense, excluding meals explicitly included in the order; assistance with recommending or reserving restaurants is available on request.
Climbing tickets sold in addition to the entry ticketClimbing the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda itself · climbing the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower
In-park transport not included in the listEvery cableway, lift, shuttle and toboggan not named as included above, including the Mutianyu descent by toboggan
Optional add-onsOptional activities such as the Mutianyu Luge are subject to same-day availability and group needs, with costs confirmed via written quote.
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending, laundry

Special Notes

A few things on this route follow the calendar, the season or a supplier's confirmation. Here they are, told straight.

Yangtze River Itinerary — Yangtze River segments can be arranged on an individual basis based on travel dates. Before confirming your order, please verify the sailing schedule, cabin class, onboard language services, fees, and inclusions in the written proposal; specific availability is subject to query at the time of booking.
Yangtze River Segment Inclusions — The itinerary from Chongqing to Yichang is planned for four days and three nights. Cruise-related items are partially included; the specific inclusions for tickets, cabin category, on-board accommodation and meals, and shore excursions will be detailed item by item in the written quote based on the selected sailing.
Departure dates — Tell us your planned departure date; we will cross-check Yangtze River cruise schedules, intercity transport, and the opening days of attractions along the route for each booking, then confirm a workable 21-day itinerary.
How to Confirm the Departure Date — Departure dates must align with the Yangtze River itinerary and the Forbidden City's opening days; specific dates and sequence will be subject to the written itinerary confirmed for each booking.
Tight transfer time on Day 15 — Disembarking at Yichang, touring the dam area, and the train transfer to Zhangjiajie must be coordinated; actual disembarkation times, pier shuttle arrangements, and train schedules must be verified individually for each selected sailing.
Class of travel — Schedules, seat classes, and fares for intercity trains and flights are subject to written quotations and order confirmations.
Two in-park conveyances — Whether the Tianzishan Cableway and the forest park eco-shuttle are to be used and included will be confirmed based on the actual itinerary and the written quotation.
Heights — Zhangjiajie has two glass sections on this route: the Tianmen cliff walkway and the Grand Canyon glass bridge. Both have a solid-floor path running alongside, so no one has to walk on glass to complete the day.
Reaching Beijing — This itinerary begins in Beijing; international or domestic flights arriving in Beijing, along with any necessary connections, are arranged separately based on the departure city and date.
Visa window — Entry and visa-exemption requirements may vary depending on your passport, length of stay, and travel dates. Please verify official policies before booking and departure.
US passports — Travellers holding a US passport should also check the entry policies applicable to their specific itinerary and allow sufficient time for any visas they need to apply for.
Confirmation and changes — Refer to your written booking confirmation for deadlines, amendment policies, and refund terms. Please verify that the Yangtze River cruise and any other transport arrangements align; availability for each leg must be reconfirmed when rescheduling.

Is Twenty-one Days Your Length?

Fewer than twenty-one days?

The corridor comes apart cleanly. Beijing and Xi'an stand on their own as a first week; Chengdu with Dujiangyan is a self-contained block; Zhangjiajie and Shanghai make a shorter second half without the river. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut days rather than cut the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Private itinerary; bookings accepted from just 1 guest. Final group size and vehicle arrangements confirmed upon order.
Pace: 21-day itinerary: 3 nights in Beijing, 3 in Xi'an, 4 in Chengdu, 1 in Chongqing, 4 in Zhangjiajie, and 2 in Shanghai, plus 3 nights on Yangtze River cruise segments. Days 8 and 20 are lighter on activities; on-board accommodations are subject to confirmation on your selected sailing.
Effort: Moderate. Every major climb has a cable car or a lift; the Heaven's Gate stairway is the one steep section and it is optional; both glass sections have a solid-floor path alongside.
Cities of Entry and Exit: Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day twenty-one
Visas: Check official visa and visa-exemption policies against your passport, entry method, duration of stay, and travel dates.
Language: English-speaking guides are provided for the overland excursion days, as listed in the inclusions; language services on board must be confirmed individually for each selected sailing.
Payment: This route is available to book. Conditions regarding deposits, outstanding balances, amendments, and refunds are subject to the written quote and order terms.
Season: The operating hours of Yangtze River cruises and scenic spots along the route may vary depending on the date; departure dates are subject to the written itinerary confirmed on a case-by-case basis.

Your Private Concierge Service

Jenny

China Private Travel Route Consultant

“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”

Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

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.”

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

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.”

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

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.”

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

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.”

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”

Jan 2026

China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.

Do this before you fly

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.

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

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.

We handle the paperwork

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.

Our responsibility, always

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 traveller.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Twenty-one days is a long trip. Will it drag?

It is built so that it does not. One idea runs through the whole route, walls then water then stone, and each day carries one piece of it rather than three unrelated sights. Three days are deliberately easy, on days eight, fourteen and twenty, and you unpack once for four nights in Chengdu and again for four in Zhangjiajie. Twenty-one days could hold nine hotel changes; this plan uses six.

You say the Yangtze days are not sold. So what am I actually buying?

Right now, nothing: this route is not open for booking at all, and that is the honest answer. Three things have to be true first, a cabin held on a named sailing, the cabin grade chosen and written into the inclusions, and the operator confirming in writing the English-language service on board. We will not take a deposit against a segment we have not bought. What is already settled is the other seventeen days: the six cities with their guides and vehicles, the rail and air sectors, and the tickets named one by one in the inclusions above. Tell us your dates and we write to you the day the river segment lands.

I'm not good with heights. Does Zhangjiajie rule me out?

No. There are exactly two glass sections on this route, the Tianmen cliff walkway on day seventeen and the Grand Canyon glass bridge on day eighteen, and each has a solid-floor path running beside it that goes to the same places. The Bailong elevator and the Tianmen cableway are enclosed cabins. The one steep climb, the stairway up to Heaven's Gate, is optional and the arch reads just as well from the bottom. Tell your guide on day one and the whole Zhangjiajie block is walked on stone.

Why can we only start on a Monday?

Because the sailing this route depends on runs once a week, and everything before and after it is timed to reach the pier on the right day. A Monday start has a second benefit: day two lands on a Tuesday, which keeps the Forbidden City morning off the palace's Monday closing day. If Monday does not work for you, the river segment stops fitting and we will design you a different plan rather than bend this one and hope.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK and most European passports enter visa-free for stays days. Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. Before you pay we check your 21 days plus any other days in China against that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so a departure on or before December 11, 2026 finishes inside it, and every date we offer does. US passports are different: the US is not on that list and 21 days is more than double what the 10-day transit policy allows, so every US guest holds a Chinese tourist or business visa, with the fee and the appointment their own. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if the dates do not fit we say so instead of selling.

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Terracotta Army

Cycling the Xi'an City Walls

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Street at Night

Chengdu Giant Panda Base

Sipping Tea in the People's Park

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Qingcheng Mountain

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Local Sichuan Opera Performance

Liziba Monorail

Vertical city walking tour

Bailong Elevator & Yuanjiajie

Tianzi Mountain

Golden Whip Stream

Tianmen Mountain Cableway & Cliff Plank Path

Tianmen

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Tianmen Mountain Nighttime Lighting Show

Tujia Brocade Workshop

The Bund and Pudong Skyline

Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter

Shanghai Museum

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

Huangpu River Ferry

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terracotta Army

08. Cycling the Xi'an City Walls

09. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

10. Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Street at Night

11. Chengdu Giant Panda Base

12. Sipping Tea in the People's Park

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Local Sichuan Opera Performance

17. Liziba Monorail

18. Vertical city walking tour

19. Bailong Elevator & Yuanjiajie

20. Tianzi Mountain

21. Golden Whip Stream

22. Tianmen Mountain Cableway & Cliff Plank Path

23. Tianmen

24. Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

25. Tianmen Mountain Nighttime Lighting Show

26. Tujia Brocade Workshop

27. The Bund and Pudong Skyline

28. Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter

29. Shanghai Museum

30. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

31. Huangpu River Ferry

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terracotta Army

08. Cycling the Xi'an City Walls

09. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

10. Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Street at Night

11. Chengdu Giant Panda Base

12. Sipping Tea in the People's Park

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Local Sichuan Opera Performance

17. Liziba Monorail

18. Vertical city walking tour

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 10

Chongqing · Day 11 - Day 14

Yichang · Day 15