Yangtze Plateau 18-Day Private China Holiday

Overview

This journey progresses from Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu to Lhasa. Once on the plateau, allow a full day to acclimatise before exploring the palaces and monasteries at a slower pace. Depart Lhasa by flight to Chongqing, then cruise along the Yangtze River for three nights, disembarking at Yichang before flying to Shanghai. High-altitude accommodation, Tibet entry permits, and the specific cruise sailing will be confirmed item by item based on your travel dates.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Please provide your travel dates, the number of people travelling with you, and any health or mobility needs to consider in advance. We will first verify your permits for Tibet, accommodation details in Lhasa, flights, and cruise sailings, then provide a written quote outlining the services and costs we can arrange. Guests planning to visit high-altitude areas who have cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, or other health concerns, should consult a doctor first.

Why you'll love this trip

Journey from Beijing to Xi'an and Chengdu, then onward to Lhasa, followed by a three-night Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing, concluding in Shanghai.
From the Forbidden City to the Bund: 18 days across China’s complete arc.

Climb the hill behind the palace and look back down at the golden roofs you spent the morning walking through: the whole Forbidden City lies flat below you, and the axis it sits on runs straight out of the frame, north and south.
Ride the cable car up to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and arrive on the ridge with your legs unused: the watchtowers step away along the spine of the hills in both directions, and you get the wall on the morning you were meant to get it, not after an hour of stairs.
Give the buried army of the first emperor a whole day instead of a stop: an estimated eight thousand figures, no two faces alike, and by the second pit hall you can tell a general from a crossbowman by his armour and the knot of his hair.
Cycle along the top of Xi'an's ancient city wall, where the parapet runs level above the traffic: for an hour, the city belongs to whoever is pedalling on the ramparts, and you come off it knowing exactly how vast the walled city once was.
Get to the panda base in the morning, during the hours when the animals are actually active, and stay long enough to watch one climb down from a platform and then think better of it.
Settle into a bamboo chair in a Chengdu park with a gaiwan before you and let the afternoon drift by: refills come as long as you stay, and nothing is scheduled afterwards.
Finish at sea level on the Shanghai waterfront after dark, having crossed the river on the boat the city commutes by: the old bank buildings on one bank, the towers on the other and 3,650 m two weeks behind you.

Things to do

Walk through the Hutongs & Shichahai, Beijing

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The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Your driver meets the flight, whatever hour it lands. Nothing on this route asks anything of you today.

Airport pickup Upon arrival in Beijing, proceed to your hotel. Please note that the scope and costs of airport transfer on the final day are subject to the written quotation provided in your booking confirmation.

Beijing at forty-four meters The city sits low and flat and the first drive in shows it: ring roads, poplars, lit shopfronts. Eighteen days from now you will have been 3,600 metres above this road and come back down by river.

Evening The evening is reserved for rest. Dining options are available nearby, with meal charges settled either as included in your booking or paid on-site.

Day 2 · One line through the palace, then the hill behind it

The palace first, on one axis, then the one hill that shows you what you just walked through. This is the day the scale of the place lands.

The Forbidden City Your timed slot is booked ahead by us, so you walk in on schedule. Inside you follow one line: the ceremonial halls where the court did its business, the living quarters behind them, the imperial garden at the end, then out through the north gate. Stand in the middle of the main courtyard and look back through the gates you came in by: they line up, one inside another, all the way out to the street.

Jingshan Park The north gate puts you at the foot of a hill made from the earth of the palace moat. One steady climb, and from the pavilion on top the whole palace lies flat below you: acres of gold roof in rows, and the city's central axis running straight through the middle of it and out of sight both ways. Photograph it from here rather than from inside: this is the frame that holds all of it.

Pace The palace is large and guests often find it tiring, so the route stops at the seats we know about and the hill comes after the flat walking, not before.

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

A cable car does the ascent, so the ridge arrives with your legs unused. One thing today, and the whole day for it.

Drive out to Mutianyu The drive north out of Beijing takes a good part of the morning, which is why nothing else is scheduled today; the vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car up You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions. Your guide points out the pass below and why the towers stand exactly where they stand: line of sight, one tower to the next, a signal moving faster than a horse. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it. That is the fifteen seconds worth filming.

Farmhouse lunch below the wall Enjoy a home-style Northern Chinese lunch at a restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall, allowing time to descend the mountain and return to the city. Specific arrangements for this meal and whether it is included in the quote are subject to the order.

Coming down The toboggan on its metal track through the trees is the way most guests come off the wall. It is not included in the price and is paid at the top by whoever wants it; the cable car brings everyone else down the way they came up.

High-speed train

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5

Day 4 · A lane in the morning, a train in the afternoon

Old Beijing on foot while the neighbourhood is doing its errands, then 1,200 km of North China Plain at 300 km/h. Today the country starts changing under you.

Old Beijing hutong and Shichahai lakeside walk Gray brick lanes, doorway stones, bicycles leaned on walls and the lakes at the end of them. This is the ordinary version of the city, the one that is nobody's monument. Stand at the water for a minute: rowing boats, someone practicing an instrument badly, and the palace roofline you stood over yesterday just visible past the trees.

High-speed rail to Xi'an The afternoon train crosses the North China Plain in a few hours, flat and worked to the horizon in every direction. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote, because it is not fixed across all orders and we would rather write it down than let you assume the top one.

Arriving Xi'an sits about four hundred metres up, and it is the first of three steps the plan takes upward. Nothing is scheduled after check-in.

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces

The buried army gets the whole day, not a stop between two other things. By the afternoon you are reading ranks off armour.

The Terracotta Army An estimated eight thousand figures standing in formation where a farm well hit the first of them in 1974. You walk the pit halls in order, and your guide gives you the reading key early: armor plating, the knot of the hair, the set of the hands. After that you do the sorting yourself, and it changes what you are looking at: not a crowd, a chain of command.

The paint In the newer excavated areas, some pieces still bear traces of their original colour. The army left the ground painted; almost all of it vanished within the first minutes of exposure to the air.

Shaanxi noodle lunch After visiting the pit hall, enjoy a Shaanxi noodle lunch nearby. Please refer to your order for details on specific arrangements and whether it is included in the quote.

Pace Peak season crowds mean we dedicate the full day to the Terracotta Warriors without rushing to other major sites. Booking for National Day holidays and specific routing will be confirmed separately based on your travel dates.

High-speed train

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7

Day 6 · On the wall, then through the mountains

An hour of pedalling on a fourteenth-century parapet, then a train that tunnels the mountain range dividing northern China from southern. Today you cross a watershed, literally.

Xi'an City Wall with rampart cycling Up the gate ramp, hire a bike, and ride the top of the wall with the parapet at your elbow and the traffic below it. The old city is on one side and the new one on the other, and the ride tells you the size of the walled city better than any map: it takes real pedaling to get around it.

High-speed rail to Chengdu The afternoon train runs south into the Qinling range and spends much of the way inside it, tunnel after tunnel, before coming out into the Sichuan basin. Green, hazy, wet air: another country's worth of difference in three hours. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Arriving Chengdu sits at about five hundred metres above sea level, on the second of the three steps, and is the last night before the itinerary leaves the lowlands.

Day 7 · Pandas early, then nowhere to be

The morning is spent where the animals are actually awake. The afternoon is spent in a chair. This is the last easy day before the plan goes up.

Chengdu Panda Base You are there in the morning, the hours when the pandas are generally moving: eating, climbing down off platforms, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths, about three hours. Get to an enclosure early and wait rather than walking the whole park: the animal comes to the fence on its own schedule, not yours.

Gaiwan tea in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and a man with a long-spouted kettle who tops it up as long as you sit there. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner two tables over working with a tuning fork. Three hours are set aside for it because the sitting is the content. An hour in, you'll notice you haven't looked at your phone and nobody has asked what happens next.

Tonight Pack for altitude before you sleep. Tomorrow the plan gains three thousand metres in one flight, and the day after that is deliberately empty.

Flight

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11

Day 8 · Five hundred metres to three thousand six hundred and fifty

One flight, one whole day, nothing else on it. The plan gains its altitude in a single move and then stops moving.

Fly from Chengdu to Lhasa Today is reserved exclusively for the transfer from Chengdu to Lhasa; no other sightseeing activities are scheduled. Actual flight details, cabin class, and pickup times will be confirmed based on your travel date.

Landing high The plateau starts before the wheels are down, brown and folded and very large, with the river valleys threading through it. The airport sits an hour or so from the city and the drive in is flat.

The rest of the day Check in, drink water, walk slowly, eat lightly, sleep early. That is the entire program, and it is the program on purpose.

High-altitude Accommodation Accommodation in Lhasa is subject to order confirmation. If oxygen-supplemented room types and related equipment are required, they must be explicitly stated on the confirmation document and cannot be inferred solely from the hotel name.

Day 9 · The day with nothing in it

An acclimatisation day, and the only real work is breathing. The plan builds this day in first and everything else fits around it.

Why the day exists Lhasa sits at an altitude of approximately 3,650 metres. This day is free of scheduled sights, transfers, or set departure times, reserved entirely for your body to rest. Altitude reactions vary from person to person, and a rest day does not guarantee complete acclimatisation.

What it looks like If conditions permit, take a short walk near the hotel and find a spot to sit and enjoy the street views; alternatively, you can rest in your room. No climbing activities are scheduled for this day.

The pace from here For the rest of this section the plan carries one thing per day, not three, which is the difference between this and a shorter Tibet itinerary. By evening you'll notice you've stopped hurrying, and that it wasn't a decision you made.

Day 10 · The palace above the city

One building, one morning, and the rest of the day left alone. At this altitude the plan carries a single item a day.

The Potala Palace The palace stands on the ridge above Lhasa and is visible from most of the city, which is the point of where it was put. Entry runs on a strictly timed slot of about an hour, walking up through the White Palace and the Red Palace. The climb to the entrance is the hardest physical thing in this section: stairs, at 3,650 m, which is why it comes on the second full day rather than the first.

Afternoon Nothing further is scheduled. Two full days of this section carry one item each, and the empty half-days are the reason the section works at all.

Bookings and Fitness Entry to the Potala Palace is subject to the bookable time slot on the day of visit; please also allow for the physical effort required to climb the entrance steps. Whether admission tickets and guide fees are included in the quoted price shall be as stated in the written order.

Day 11 · The temple people walk around

A working pilgrimage site in the morning, a monastery courtyard in the afternoon. Today is about what people do here, not what was built here.

Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Pilgrims circumambulate the temple, many of them in full prostration. The street that encircles it turns clockwise all day with them: prayer wheels on one side, shops on the other, moving in the same direction as everyone else. You walk the circuit at their pace, which is not fast, and the altitude agrees with that.

Sera Monastery debate In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery. Whether the debating sessions are open and if tours are permitted on the day will depend on the monastery's arrangements; even if not open, you can still view the monastery's courtyards.

Today's pace Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are scheduled for the morning, with Sera Monastery in the afternoon, allowing time for meals and rest in between. Ticket and guided tour services are specified in the written order.

Flight

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14

Day 12 · Down three thousand metres before dinner

Fly from Lhasa to Chongqing, returning to a lower-altitude city at night. Today is mainly dedicated to travel between locations and rest.

Fly Lhasa to Chongqing Fly from Lhasa to Chongqing. The flight date must align with the subsequent cruise boarding day; the specific schedule will be confirmed upon booking.

Back to Low Altitude Chongqing is nestled in a river valley, with far more humidity than Lhasa. Upon arrival, check in and rest to allow your body a buffer to adjust.

Evening If your arrival time allows, you may wish to watch the train pass through the building at Liziba Station; vehicle and guide arrangements are subject to your booking and the day's schedule.

Day 13 · A vertical city, then a ship

Explore the mountain city in the morning and board the ship in the afternoon. For the next three nights, your luggage can stay in your stateroom.

Chongqing in the morning Chongqing is built along the mountains, meaning the same street can correspond to different floors in different buildings. Reserve the morning for short walks around the city; specific routes will depend on the pier and boarding schedule.

Embarkation Board in Chongqing in the afternoon to begin the Yangtze section of the voyage. Specific sailings, terminals, cabin categories, and inclusions are subject to order confirmation.

The rest of the descent From here to Shanghai the plan loses its last 260 metres over four days, most of them without you doing anything.

Day 14 · Gorge River Cruise

The river narrows as the mountains on either bank draw closer. Today, remain on board to enjoy the gorge scenery; the passing time of any locks will depend on the specific itinerary.

On the water The gorges arrive as walls, not views: the river bends and the sky becomes a strip. Deck chairs, tea, and the country going past at walking pace after two weeks of trains and flights.

Through the locks If the booked cruise passes through locks, you may watch the transit from the deck or designated viewing areas. Specific timings and locations depend on the ship’s arrangements on the day.

The on-board programme Onboard activities depend on the specific itinerary. You can also stay on deck and watch the hillsides on either bank slowly change with the river.

Cruise Details The day's route, port of call, and onboard activities are subject to the confirmed cruise itinerary and may not be assumed based on other ships' programmes.

Yangtze River cruise

Yichang · Day 15

Day 15 · The slowest day of the eighteen

Continue the cruise along the river; whether to dock and specific activities are arranged by the ship for the day. Today is primarily for rest on board.

Sailing The river widens after the gorges and the banks flatten into terraces, towns and cranes. This is the part of China nobody photographs and everybody lives on.

Shore visit A shore stop sits in the day, organised by the ship operator to its own schedule. We name it as theirs rather than as ours.

What the day is for Leave your luggage in the cabin; no need to rush trains or flights during the day. After the Lhasa segment, these three nights are for the slow-moving river and rest on board.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18

Day 16 · Off the river, into the last city

Disembark in Yichang in the morning, then fly to Shanghai. Today you arrive in the final city, with one more day tomorrow to take things at a leisurely pace.

Disembark at Yichang The ship arrives in the morning and the transfer to the airport runs from the dock. This is the last time your bags move before Shanghai.

Fly to Shanghai Fly from Yichang to Shanghai. Specific flights, cabin classes, and transfer arrangements are confirmed based on travel dates; sightseeing is not arranged upon arrival.

Sea level Eight days ago, I was in Lhasa; tonight I arrive in Shanghai. The itinerary returns to a lower-altitude city, so tomorrow I can leisurely explore the urban centre on foot.

Day 17 · A garden, a commuter boat, two skylines

["A classical garden at dawn, a commuter ferry in the afternoon, and a stroll along the Bund after dark. The final sightseeing day mirrors the first."]

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockeries, ponds and paths that never run straight, set in the oldest quarter of Shanghai. Flat the whole way, about two hours, and the lanes around it are free to wander. After eighteen days of scale, a garden designed to be viewed from six paces is a welcome change of pace.

Huangpu River ferry You cross the river on the boat the city commutes by, at the rail with scooters and people going to work, for the price of a bus ticket. A few minutes, and the far bank arrives fast.

The Bund in the evening The old bank and trading buildings line one bank of the river, while the towers occupy the other, and they stand roughly a century apart, facing each other directly. Your guide accompanies you on this stretch: the riverfront attracts practised approaches from strangers offering tea or English practice.

Day 18 · Return Journey

Breakfast, then the airport. The plan ends the way it started: a driver, and no hurry.

Airport drop-off Transfer to Shanghai airport in accordance with the return flight time. Airport transfer vehicle and costs are subject to the written quotation in the order.

What goes home with you The order of it. Forty-four metres, four hundred, five hundred. Three thousand six hundred and fifty, and then a river all the way back to the sea.

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatisation.

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.

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.

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

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatisation.

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.

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.

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

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatisation.

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.

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.

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

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

The Forbidden CityAdmission, plus the timed reservation booked by us with the details on your confirmation. This day is never set on a Monday, the palace's closing day
Jingshan ParkAdmission. The hilltop pavilion looks down the palace roofline and the central axis
Mutianyu Great WallAdmission, plus the uphill cable car or open chairlift section, so the ascent does not rest on walking. The toboggan descent is not included in the price
Old Beijing hutong and Shichahai lakeside walkThe guided walk through courtyard lanes and lakeside streets. No admission charge applies to this walk
The Terracotta ArmyIncludes entrance tickets to Kengting. Visitor volume and reservation arrangements for the National Day holiday will be verified against your specific travel date.
Xi'an City Wall with rampart cyclingAdmission, plus bicycle hire for the rampart cycling section
Chengdu Panda Base, morning visitAdmission, morning entry when the animals are generally more active
Gaiwan tea sitting, People's ParkEach guest is served a gaiwan (lidded tea cup) with complimentary refills; strolling services such as ear cleaning are available at separate stalls within the garden for an additional fee.
Yu Garden and the old cityAdmission to Yu Garden. The surrounding old-city walk is free of charge.
Huangpu River ferryThe public ferry crossing fare
The Bund in the eveningThe evening walk along the Bund waterfront. No admission charge applies.
Plateau and Yangtze River SectionThe starting price of USD 4,900 includes select services for Days 8–16; specific inclusions such as accommodation in Lhasa, entry permit processing, the Chongqing–Yichang cruise, and Yichang transfers are itemised individually within the written quote for each booking.

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
Visas and the Tibet permitGuests required to obtain a Chinese visa are responsible for visa and processing fees. The method and cost for obtaining entry permits to Tibet will be confirmed in writing per guest based on their documents and booking.
Unlisted items in the Plateau and Yangtze River segmentsFrom Day 8 to Day 16, only some services are included in the starting price of US$4,900. Specific inclusions and extra costs for accommodation, permits, transport, cabin, tickets and meals are itemised in the written quote for your order.
Toboggan descent at MutianyuPayable on site by guests who choose it
In-park stall servicesEar cleaning, shoe shining and similar services in People's Park
In-venue transport not named aboveIn-park shuttle services and private transport not listed in the included expenses.
Meals other than those namedLunches and dinners not named above: recommended and booked by your guide, at your own expense
GratuitiesGratuities for guides, drivers and ship crew
Single or extra room differenceCharged per order once the room grade is chosen
Personal spendingLaundry, minibar, telecommunications, personal shopping
Optional add-onsOptional sightseeing tours, meals, or services are quoted separately per order.

Special Notes

The plateau section, scenic spot bookings, and Yangtze River cruises are all subject to date availability; specific arrangements are subject to written confirmation of your order.

Booking & Quotation — This 18-day itinerary is available to book. The starting price of $4,900 includes partial services on days 8 to 16; specific inclusions and exclusions for Lhasa accommodation, Tibet travel permits, flights, and cruises will be detailed in a written quote based on your travel dates, prior to payment.
Tibet Entry Permits — Foreign visitors travelling to Tibet are required to obtain the relevant permits based on their individual identification documents and itinerary. The applicability of visa-free entry to a specific visitor's permit process must be verified on a case-by-case basis by a compliant processing agency; obtaining Chinese entry eligibility does not equate to having secured permission to enter Tibet.
Document Processing Time — Permits to enter Tibet must be arranged in advance. Please provide your passport details and entry method once your travel dates are confirmed; the required documents, final submission deadline, and any applicable fees will be outlined in your booking.
Season & Sailing Schedule — Itinerary arrangements for the high-altitude section and Yangtze River cruise schedules are season-dependent. Travel dates must align with Lhasa flight availability, permit processing times, and cruise schedules; specific available dates are subject to written quotations.
High-altitude itinerary — Lhasa sits at an elevation of approximately 3,650 metres. No sightseeing is scheduled upon arrival on Day 8; Day 9 is reserved for rest. Please note that the absence of altitude-related symptoms on the rest day cannot be guaranteed. Oxygen-enriched room types, equipment, and other health support measures are considered arranged only if explicitly listed in the booking. Guests with cardiopulmonary conditions or other health concerns should consult a doctor in advance.
Attraction Booking — Attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Potala Palace are scheduled according to their opening dates and reservation quotas. In the event of closures, capacity restrictions, or changes in available slots, the itinerary order will be adjusted and a written explanation provided upon confirmation of travel dates.
Transport Schedules — The two high-speed rail journeys, three domestic flights, and cruise passage must be coordinated. Train numbers, flight details, cabin classes, and transfers will be confirmed for specific dates and listed item by item in your booking.
Passport & Entry — Entry visa requirements or visa-exempt eligibility for China depend on your passport, purpose of travel, entry date, and current policies. Guests holding US passports and others are welcome to request a quote; specific visa and Tibet permits must be verified case by case and cannot be assumed visa-free based on nationality alone for the entire itinerary.
Visa-Free Transit — The 240-hour transit visa-free stay is too short for this 18-day itinerary, so it cannot be used to complete this trip; please confirm the applicable entry method to China and the Tibet permit before you travel.
Cancellation & Modification Policies — This itinerary includes high-speed rail, domestic flights, a fixed-date cruise, and a Tibet entry permit. Changing dates may affect multiple bookings; check the written terms in your order for confirmation deadlines and cancellation or amendment fees.

Is Eighteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than eighteen days?

The arc comes apart at one joint. Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu stand on their own as a shorter classic run. The plateau section needs its four nights and its rest day, so it is the piece that cannot be trimmed, only removed. The river descent can be replaced by a flight, at the cost of the recovery leg that makes the plateau section work. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut whole pieces rather than compressing the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Your group departs independently; a price quote can be requested for a single guest. The number of companions, vehicle type, and room arrangements are confirmed per booking.
Pace: Seven stops in 18 days: Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 2, Chengdu 2, Lhasa 4, Chongqing 1, three nights aboard ship, Shanghai 2. Four easy days, one of them with nothing scheduled at all
Effort: The walking intensity in the city is moderate; Lhasa is approximately 3,650 m above sea level. The itinerary includes four nights of accommodation and a full rest day. There are steps at the entrance to the Potala Palace, so please consult your doctor regarding altitude-related health risks based on your individual condition.
Ports: Arrival in Beijing, departure from Shanghai; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day eighteen are confirmed in writing per booking.
Visas: Verify China entry eligibility and Tibet permits separately. Visa or visa-exemption conditions vary by passport; current policies and individual itineraries apply. US passport holders are also welcome to request a quote.
Language: Dates and service standards for the English-speaking guide accompaniment are subject to written confirmation on the order.
Payment: Bookable for one guest. Deposit, balance payment deadlines, and document processing milestones are subject to the written quotation and contract of the specific order; same-category hotel substitutions will also be specified in the confirmation form.
Season: The plateau section and Yangtze river cruises are subject to seasonal and sailing schedules; available dates are confirmed on a case-by-case basis according to the current season's plan.

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.

I have a UK passport and enter China visa-free. Can I still get a Tibet permit?

We do not have a confirmed answer yet, and that is exactly why this route is not on sale. A Tibet travel permit is issued separately from your entry to China, it is applied for by an agency on your behalf, and its pre-review needs at least 15 days before departure. What we have not yet confirmed in writing is whether a passport with no Chinese visa page in it can be processed the same way. We are not going to take your deposit on a guess. What you can do now is tell us your dates: the day we have a written answer, and a departure calendar to go with it, we write to you first.

Can I do this trip in October, November or December 2026?

Not the full 18 days, and we would rather say that than sell you a shortened version quietly. The plateau section is arranged from April to October only, and the river ships end their 2026 season on November 27 and December 7. Because this is an 18-day plan, a departure after mid-October crosses into November on the plateau. Put the two windows together and nothing in October to December fits end to end. As designed, this journey sells from April to October. If your dates are fixed in that quarter, the three-city classic run at the front of this plan does work then, and we will price that instead rather than bend this one.

Will 3,650 metres make me ill? 3,650

Some guests feel it and some do not, and nobody can tell you in advance which one you are. What the plan does about it: the ascent happens in one flight on day 8, and the whole of day 9 carries nothing at all. Every day after that carries a single item rather than three. The highest point of the route is the city you sleep in rather than a mountain pass, and the descent is by river over three nights instead of a second flight. What the plan does not yet have: a contracted oxygen-equipped hotel, which is what the section was designed around, and a finished pre-travel questionnaire on heart and lung history. Until both exist we do not describe an altitude safeguard as if it were in place. If you have a heart or lung history, talk to your doctor before you talk to us.

Why come down by boat instead of just flying to Shanghai?

Because the plateau needs digesting, and a second flight does not digest anything. Three nights on the river are the recovery leg of this route: you lose the last of the altitude slowly, you unpack once, and the country goes past at walking pace after two weeks of trains and flights. It is also the reason the plateau section can carry four nights instead of two: the days that follow it ask nothing of you. The honest part: those three nights are not sourced yet. The cabins are not contracted, the cabin grade is not set, and the two full days on board are carried by the ship operator's own programme rather than by ours. None of it is in the price today.

What is actually confirmed and priced today?

Eleven named items, all of them in the four sourced cities. In Beijing: the Forbidden City with its timed reservation, Jingshan Park, Mutianyu Great Wall with the uphill lift and the hutong and lakeside walk. In Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and the city wall with the bicycle. In Chengdu: the panda base in the morning and the tea seat with refills. In Shanghai: Yu Garden, the river ferry and the Bund in the evening. That list is closed: nothing outside it is inside the price. Hotels, transfers, the vehicle and guide days are settled in writing for your order, one by one. Cabin classes, the two arranged lunches and insurance are settled the same way, and no order is taken without them in writing. Days 8 to 16 are not sourced at all, and none of it is sold to you.

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Walk through the Hutongs & Shichahai

Terra Cotta Warriors

Cycle the Xi'an City Wall

Chengdu Panda Base

Tea at People's Park

Yu Garden & the Old Town

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Walk through the Hutongs & Shichahai

05. Terra Cotta Warriors

06. Cycle the Xi'an City Wall

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. Tea at People's Park

09. Yu Garden & the Old Town

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Walk through the Hutongs & Shichahai

05. Terra Cotta Warriors

06. Cycle the Xi'an City Wall

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. Tea at People's Park

09. Yu Garden & the Old Town

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Walk through the Hutongs & Shichahai

05. Terra Cotta Warriors

06. Cycle the Xi'an City Wall

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. Tea at People's Park

09. Yu Garden & the Old Town

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3Collapse

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Day 2 · One line through the palace, then the hill behind it

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5Collapse

Day 4 · A lane in the morning, a train in the afternoon

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7Collapse

Day 6 · On the wall, then through the mountains

Day 7 · Pandas early, then nowhere to be

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11Collapse

Day 8 · Five hundred metres to three thousand six hundred and fifty

Day 9 · The day with nothing in it

Day 10 · The palace above the city

Day 11 · The temple people walk around

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14Collapse

Day 12 · Down three thousand metres before dinner

Day 13 · A vertical city, then a ship

Day 14 · Gorge River Cruise

Yichang · Day 15Collapse

Day 15 · The slowest day of the eighteen

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18Collapse

Day 16 · Off the river, into the last city

Day 17 · A garden, a commuter boat, two skylines

Day 18 · Return Journey

Read it on your own time

Answers to all your trip questions

Something specific in mind?

What's Included

Not Included

Special Notes

Is Eighteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than eighteen days?

Jenny

Tell us what excites you

We design it around you

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14

Yichang · Day 15

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18