Reverse Timeline: 14-Day China Holiday

Overview

The journey begins in Shenzhen’s electronics markets and progresses through Dujiangyan’s ancient waterworks in Chengdu, Tang-dynasty ruins in Xi’an, and Ming-Qing palaces in Beijing, before returning to the modern era in Shanghai. With three nights spent in each of Chengdu, Xi’an and Beijing, there is less need to constantly move luggage. Traversing these cities in this order gives a tangible sense of the eras represented by their architecture.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Please provide your travel dates, group size, and arrival and departure flights. Our written quotation will detail four segments of intercity transport, accommodation, outdoor activities, and any amendment terms.

Why you'll love this trip

Five cities, one seamless journey. From electronics markets to pandas, the Terracotta Warriors to the Forbidden City and The Bund—every city is accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
From Shenzhen’s contemporary streets to the Three Gorges Dam of the third century BC, journey through five cities in fourteen days.

Step into Huaqiangbei Electronics Market and, with your guide, see how components, accessories and finished products are traded in the same vibrant district.
After visiting the Panda Base, relax in the teahouses of Chengdu People’s Park; the afternoon is devoted to gaiwan tea and free time.
Standing on the dam built in the third century BCE, watching the waters still follow the guidance established a thousand years ago, then conversing with a Daoist priest in the mountain temple: two halves of the same afternoon, each corroborating the other.
Overlook the terracotta army and distinguish officers by their armour and topknots: generals, crossbowmen, and infantry—once pointed out, they become clearly visible before your eyes.
After leaving the Forbidden City through the north gate that afternoon, we ascended Jingshan Hill to take in the entire Forbidden City sprawling before us, stretching like a straight line through the city.
As night falls, as you conclude your journey at the Bund, your guide is right by your side: one side reveals the historic Bund, the other the soaring skyscrapers of Pudong, and you now know which of the two came first.
Stay three nights in each of the three intermediate cities to avoid repacking: three nights in Chengdu, three in Xi'an, and three in Beijing. Just one flight and three high-speed rail journeys complete the entire itinerary.

Things to do

Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, Shenzhen

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Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Mount Qingcheng Taoist Temples & Dialogue, Chengdu

Drum & Bell Tower District Night Scenery, Xi'an

Former French Concession and Wu Kang Road, Shanghai

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 2

Day 1 · Begin with Shenzhen's contemporary streetscape

Your driver meets your flight, whatever time it lands. Nothing is asked of you today.

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

Shenzhen through the window On the way to the hotel, the car window reveals a sequence of high-rises, streets, and flowing traffic. It begins with Shenzhen's contemporary cityscape, then journeys back to earlier chapters of China.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide is reachable, and dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, at your own expense.

Day 2 · Six floors of how things get made

Start with Huaqiangbei's electronics market, and keep the afternoon free for rest.

Huaqiangbei electronics market You walk up through the floors with your guide, and the order of them is the lesson: loose components in trays at the bottom, prototype boards above, finished machines near the top. Stand at a stall counter while a buyer and a seller settle a bulk order in front of you, neither of them in any hurry, and look at the trays: the parts inside the thing you are holding right now are almost certainly on this floor.

What you buy Items purchased at the market are at your own expense; your guide can help you understand the products and prices.

Pace The market is the day's one substantial thing. The afternoon stays loose on purpose, because you flew a long way yesterday.

Flight

Chengdu · Day 3 - Day 5

Day 3 · The city explains itself, then you leave

Visit the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition in the morning and fly to Chengdu in the afternoon.

Shenzhen urban planning exhibition At the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition, revisit the city's development and compare it with the streets seen in the Huaqiangbei market yesterday.

Fly to Chengdu Afternoon flight from Shenzhen to Chengdu; flight details, seat class, and transfers at both ends are subject to final confirmation.

Arrive in Chengdu Nothing is scheduled after the flight. Three nights in one hotel start tonight, so the suitcase opens once.

Day 4 · Morning pandas, afternoon tea house

Visit the Panda Base in the morning, then head to People's Park for tea, with the remainder of the day free for rest.

Chengdu Panda Base The morning slot is the whole point: the pandas are generally more active early, and by late morning most of them are asleep in the same position. Flat shaded paths, about three hours, and your guide keeps to the enclosures where something is actually happening.

Teahouse sitting in People's Park A bamboo chair under the trees and one gaiwan (the lidded cup China brews in), refilled as long as you sit there. The next table is playing cards, the ear cleaner works down the row with his tuning fork, and nobody is going anywhere. Your seat and the refills are arranged; the ear cleaning and the massage stalls are yours to take or leave. Some time in the second hour you'll realise you have stopped checking how long this is supposed to take.

Pace No other attractions are scheduled apart from the Panda Base and People's Park.

Day 5 · Duojiangyan Water Division & Qingshan Walking

Departing from Chengdu, first observe how Dujiangyan Divides the Water, then visit Mount Qingcheng, and return to Chengdu that evening.

Dujiangyan irrigation system You stand on the dividing levee with the river coming at you and splitting around it: one channel to the plain, one to carry the flood away, no dam anywhere in the design. Built in the third century BC, and the fields behind you have been watered by it ever since. Your guide walks you through the three parts in order so the mechanism is legible on the ground rather than on a diagram.

Mount Qingcheng Mount Qingcheng is a renowned Taoist mountain, and Taoist temples can still be found within it. Head up along the forested trail, passing through the temple structures shaded by the trees.

Exchange with Taoist Priests Plan to meet with the Taoist priests at Qingcheng Mountain; specific meeting details and Tai Chi class schedules must be confirmed in writing based on travel dates.

Back to Chengdu The return transport is included and you sleep in the same Chengdu hotel tonight, so nothing gets packed.

High-speed rail

Xi'an · Day 6 - Day 8

Day 6 · Explore two neighbourhoods in Chengdu, then take the high-speed rail

Visit Kuan-Zhou Alley and Taikoo Li separately in the morning, then travel to Xi'an by high-speed train in the afternoon.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Start with the three narrow lanes of Kuanzhai Alley, then head to Taikoo Li’s open-air commercial district. The two sites are a short distance apart, offering a glimpse into how Chengdu approaches the preservation of old architecture versus the development of new neighbourhoods.

High-speed rail to Xi'an In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Xi'an, leaving the Sichuan Basin and passing through mountains and tunnels en route. Seat class and pick-up arrangements at both ends are subject to the final confirmation document.

Arrive in Xi'an Three nights in one hotel again. Nothing is scheduled tonight.

Day 7 · Recognise the Terracotta Warriors from their armour and hairpins

One site, one day, no second stop. Learn to read rank off a stranger who has been standing there for twenty-two centuries.

The Terracotta Warriors You come in above Pit One and the formation runs away from you down the length of the hall, an estimated eight thousand figures in all three pits. Your guide gives you the reading key first: armour plates, topknot position, the stance of the hands. After that the ranks separate on their own, and the generals stop being a caption and start being findable.

More Recent Excavation Area In the more recently excavated areas some of the original pigment survives on the figures, which is the closest you get to seeing them the way they were buried.

Crowds This is one of the busiest sites in the country and we plan the day around the hours the pits are least crowded rather than around the coach schedule.

Day 8 · Up on the wall, then down into the noise

The whole old town from above in the afternoon, the same town from inside it after dark.

Xi'an City Wall You go up the ramp and the top of the wall opens out flat and wide, running away from you around the entire old town. Look inward from the parapet: the street grid below still follows the Tang-dynasty plan, and the modern city has simply filled it in. Your wall-top access is included and your guide picks the gate with the view you want.

On the wall Bicycles are the usual way people cover the circuit, and bicycle hire is not included in your price. Whether bicycles are available for hire on your date is stated in your quote, and walking a section with your guide is the standard alternative either way.

Bell and Drum Towers quarter after dark The area around the Drum and Bell Towers is bustling with street food stalls after dark. As you walk past with your guide, you can learn about local dishes before choosing what to buy. Please note that dinner is not included in the itinerary.

High-speed rail

Beijing · Day 9 - Day 11

Day 9 · Morning at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, afternoon high-speed train to Beijing

Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an in the morning, then take a high-speed train to Beijing in the afternoon.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda The pagoda went up to hold the sutras a Tang-dynasty monk carried back from India, and it is still the plainest thing in a quarter that has grown ornate around it. Stand at the base and look straight up the brick tiers: no decoration, no colour, just seven stories of storage for the books that changed what this country believed. Entry to the grounds and the cultural area is included; climbing the pagoda is a separate ticket and is not.

High-speed rail to Beijing The afternoon train crosses the North China plain at speed, flat land and winter wheat and power lines all the way. Your seat class is written into your quote, and your vehicle runs hotel to station and station to hotel at both ends.

Arrive in Beijing Three nights in one hotel. Nothing is scheduled tonight, which matters, because tomorrow is the long one.

Day 10 · One axis, six hundred years

Walk the palace in a single line, then climb the hill that shows you the line.

The Forbidden City The Palace Museum requires advance booking, and the specific entry time will be confirmed once your travel date is set. Once inside, follow the central axis past the ceremonial halls, living quarters, and the Imperial Garden, exiting via the North Gate; standing in the courtyards, you’ll find one imperial gate leading to the next.

Pace The Forbidden City visit follows a primary route scheduled according to your booking slot, with opportunities to rest in open areas; on days when the museum is closed, the itinerary for the Beijing leg will be adjusted accordingly.

Jingshan Park Straight out of the north gate and up the hill made from the earth dug out of the moats. Twenty minutes of steps, and from the pavilion at the top the whole palace lies below you as one line of golden roofs running north to south through the middle of Beijing. This is where the morning turns from a lot of courtyards into a plan.

Day 11 · The wall, and nothing else

A long drive out, a long stretch of wall, a long drive back. Today has only one thing in it on purpose.

Drive out to Mutianyu Take a coach from Beijing to Mutianyu. Please allow time for the round trip, so no other attractions are included in the itinerary for this day.

Up to the wall Great Wall scenic area admission, full-day car hire, and guided tours are included; cable cars, chairlifts, and toboggan rides are charged separately. Please confirm the actual opening status and ascent/descent methods based on your travel date.

Along the ridge You come out onto a restored stretch with watchtowers stepping away along the ridge in both directions. Your guide reads the wall to you: beacon towers, the pass below, why the sightlines run where they run. Stand in a tower doorway and look along the ridge with the towers going smaller: that is the photograph, and it is the same one from the fourth tower as from the first. Up here you'll find yourself talking more quietly than you were an hour ago.

High-speed rail

Shanghai · Day 12 - Day 14

Day 12 · Round for heaven, square for earth, then south

In the morning, the plan is to visit the Temple of Heaven and the National Museum of China; in the afternoon, proceed to Shanghai via high-speed rail. The specific sequence will be confirmed according to booking availability and train schedules.

Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line, and the shapes carry the argument: round belongs to heaven, square belongs to earth. The emperor came here once a year to account for the harvest, and the park around it now opens early and fills with people exercising, which is the version of it you will actually walk into.

National Museum of China Advance booking is required for the National Museum of China; verify whether a morning visit can connect with your afternoon train by checking your travel dates. The museum’s bronze and ceramic exhibits also offer a meaningful comparison with the sites you visited in Xi’an and Beijing in the previous days.

High-speed rail to Shanghai The afternoon train south, your seat class written into your quote, your vehicle running hotel to station and station to hotel at both ends.

Day 13 · Back to today

Spend the day exploring the Yu Garden and the Shanghai Museum, then enjoy the riverside views of the Bund as night falls.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockeries, ponds and paths that double back on themselves, in the oldest quarter of Shanghai. This is the part of the city that existed before the treaty port arrived, and after two weeks of imperial scale, it is a relief to be somewhere built for one family.

Shanghai Museum The bronze and ceramics galleries at the Shanghai Museum offer a wonderful opportunity to draw parallels with what you have seen in Xi'an and Beijing on previous days. Please confirm the venue opening hours and booking arrangements for your travel date.

The Bund and the Pudong skyline As night falls, stroll along the Bund riverside, with modern bank buildings behind you and the Lujiazui skyscrapers across the water. The journey begins in contemporary Shenzhen, passes through Xi'an and Beijing, and culminates in witnessing Shanghai's different eras on both banks of the Huangpu.

Evening safety Your guide stays with you on the waterfront all evening. Strangers who approach visitors on the Bund with an invitation to practise English or to see a tea ceremony are running a known scam, and your guide will steer you past it without a scene.

Day 14 · Plane trees, then the airport

The last morning has nothing you have to see in it. That is the design.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Stroll slowly down Wukang Road, where plane trees line the street alongside boutiques and old-style residences. If your flight time allows, set aside some unstructured time here for a leisurely walk.

Airport drop-off Transfers to Shanghai airport are arranged; please confirm the pickup time against your flight and hotel checkout. Specific arrangements are subject to the final confirmation itinerary.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in the Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in the Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in the Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Shenzhen 2 · Chengdu 3 · Xi'an 3 · Beijing 3 · Shanghai 2
BreakfastsOne hotel breakfast daily from Day 2 to Day 14, 13 in total
Airport pickup and drop-offPrivate vehicle pickup at Shenzhen airport on day one, with a meet-and-greet on arrival, and drop-off at Shanghai airport on day fourteen.
Domestic flightThe base price includes the flight from Shenzhen to Chengdu on day 3; the specific flight and cabin class will be confirmed in the written quotation.
High-speed railThe base price includes three high-speed rail legs: Day 6 Chengdu to Xi'an, Day 9 Xi'an to Beijing, and Day 12 Beijing to Shanghai. Seat class is as per the written quotation.
Station and hotel transfersPrivate vehicle between hotel and airport or rail station for all four intercity legs
Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle with driver on every touring day listed on this page, in all five cities, including the full-day Great Wall round trip and the Dujiangyan day return from Chengdu
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each city, including the Bell and Drum Towers quarter after dark on day eight and the whole Bund evening on day thirteen
Tickets and experiences, ShenzhenThe guided Huaqiangbei market walk with the supply-chain commentary · entrance to the Shenzhen urban planning exhibition
Tickets and experiences, ChengduMorning entry to the Panda Base · A cup of gaiwan tea for each guest at the People's Park · Guided tour through the Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li streets
Tickets and experiences, DujiangyanAdmission tickets to the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project and Qingcheng Mountain; Daoist interaction sessions or Tai Chi classes, subject to the confirmed hospitality arrangements provided in writing
Tickets and experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Warriors entrance with on-site commentary from your guide · Access to the top of Xi'an City Wall · the guided evening walk through the Bell and Drum Towers quarter · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds and cultural area
Tickets and experiences, BeijingThe Forbidden City entrance with the timed reservation booked by us · Jingshan Park entrance · Mutianyu Great Wall scenic-area entrance · Temple of Heaven park and the three halls · National Museum of China entrance with the morning reservation booked by us
Tickets and experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city entrance · Shanghai Museum entrance with the timed reservation booked by us · the guided Bund and Pudong evening riverside walk · the former French Concession and Wukang Road morning walk
InsuranceTravel accident insurance for every guest

Not Included

International flightsInternational flights arriving in Shenzhen or departing from Shanghai, as well as international transit segments, are not included. Arrival and departure times will be verified during itinerary confirmation.
VisasVisa fees and processing for any guest who requires a Chinese visa
Lunches and dinnersAll lunches and dinners are on your own account. Your guide recommends and books on request
Separately ticketed items inside sitesCable cars, open chairlifts, toboggan rides, shuttle buggies inside a park, climbing a pagoda or tower, special exhibitions and audio-guide hire. None of these is included on this route unless it is named in the table above
Bicycle hire on the city wallThe wall-top access ticket is included; the bicycle itself is not
Shopping in HuaqiangbeiThe guided walk is included; anything you buy is on your own account, and we take no commission on it
Stall services in People's ParkThe tea table and a bowl of gaiwan tea are included; ear cleaning, massage, other tea snacks, and stall services in the park are at your own expense.
Optional add-onsNo priced optional add-on is offered on this route in this release. Nothing outside the included table is folded into the base plan
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, laundry, communications and personal spending

Special Notes

Specific departures, bookings, and outdoor activities will be confirmed based on your travel date.

Booking and Items Pending Confirmation — This route is now available for booking. Schedules and seat availability for the four intercity transfers, outdoor activities, holiday arrangements, and local reception details are all subject to confirmation based on the travel date; the itinerary shown on this page does not represent confirmed inventory.
Outdoor Activities — Muyuan Valley admission tickets, full-day car service, Qingcheng Mountain admission, and Xi'an City Wall boarding tickets are included in the quote. For Muyuan Valley's uphill/downhill facilities, Xi'an City Wall bicycle rental, and any tours or course arrangements at Qingcheng Mountain, please refer to the written quote based on your travel dates.
Departure Date — This route is now available to book. Please provide your preferred dates, and we will verify attraction opening days, ticket availability, and intercity transport for all four segments to finalize the daily itinerary.
Museum Closure Days — The opening hours and booking rules for the Palace Museum and all museums must be verified according to the travel dates. Should a museum be closed on a scheduled day, the sightseeing itinerary will be adjusted accordingly in the written programme.
Timed Booking — Advance booking slots for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum are verified against your travel dates and specified in your written itinerary.
International Arrivals & Departures — International flights are not included in the base quote. Please provide the flight details for your arrival in Shenzhen and departure from Shanghai so we can verify transfer arrangements and the itinerary for the first and last days.
Entry Formalities — Visa or visa-exemption eligibility depends on your passport, port of entry, travel dates, and full itinerary. A 14-day route cannot be completed relying solely on the 240-hour visa-free transit; we will verify each traveller against the official regulations in force at the time, prior to payment.
Group — Private itinerary, exclusive to your group. Minimum of 1 guest; no upper limit on group size.
Confirmation & Changes — The written quotation outlines the confirmation period, along with conditions for amendments and refunds. Rescheduling involves one domestic flight, three high-speed rail segments, and bookings for hotels and scenic areas; specific rules are subject to order confirmation.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The five cities come apart cleanly. Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu each stand on their own, the Shenzhen opening can go, and the Dujiangyan day return is the first thing we would cut rather than compress. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut days rather than cut the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
Pace: 14-Day, 5-City Itinerary: 2 nights in Shenzhen, 3 in Chengdu, 3 in Xi'an, 3 in Beijing, and 2 in Shanghai. Intercity travel is arranged on days 3, 6, 9, and 12, with Day 11 dedicated to a visit to the Great Wall.
Effort: Full touring days on foot with a private vehicle at every stop. The heaviest days are the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City with Jingshan, and the Great Wall. Jingshan is about twenty minutes of steps; at Mutianyu the uphill and downhill arrangement is stated in your quote
Ports: Enter via Shenzhen, exit via Shanghai; airport pickup on Day 1, drop-off on Day 14. International flights and transit segments are arranged by the guest or quoted separately.
Visas: Check visa or visa-free eligibility against each traveller’s passport, entry date, and full itinerary; specific requirements are subject to official regulations at the time of travel.
Language: Licensed English-speaking guides throughout, city by city. The three timed reservations are booked by us on a mainland number
Season: Attraction opening hours, outdoor facilities, and transport schedules are subject to change; departure dates and alternative arrangements are confirmed in writing via the itinerary.
Payment: This route is available for booking, with a minimum of one guest. Please refer to the written quotation and your order for details on the deposit, balance payment due date, and modification terms.

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.

Why does a China trip start in Shenzhen? I have never heard of it.

Because the order is the point. Shenzhen is where China's electronics industry actually sits, and it looks nothing like it did forty years ago. Two days there gives you the country's newest version first, so that the Ming and Qing palace on day ten and the third-century-BC waterworks on day five land as answers rather than as scenery. If you would rather open on the Great Wall, say so and we will point you at a route that does; we would rather move you than talk you into an order you do not want.

Fourteen days, five cities, one flight and three trains. Is that too much moving?

The moving is concentrated so the staying is not interrupted. Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing are three nights each in one hotel, which is nine of your thirteen nights with the suitcase shut. Each transfer sits in an afternoon with a sight in the morning before it and nothing after it, and your own vehicle runs hotel to station or airport at both ends of every leg. The one domestic flight is on day three, early enough that jet lag is doing the work anyway.

How do we get up the Great Wall in November?

At Mutianyu, the ways up are a cable car, an open chairlift and a toboggan down, and all three run to their own fourth-quarter timetables set by the scenic-area operator, not by us. So none of them is included in your price and none of them is promised here. What is included in your price is the scenic-area ticket, the full-day private vehicle from central Beijing and back, and your guide for the whole day; and before you pay, your quote states in writing which uphill and downhill arrangement applies to your departure date. Whatever the answer, you get a restored stretch of wall with the watchtowers you can walk between, and a whole day with nothing else on it.

Can I book this today?

Not yet, and we will not pretend otherwise. The remaining items have to be settled first: the four intercity legs booked against the real fourth-quarter timetable with cabin and seat class named, a written answer from our ground partners on the three fourth-quarter outdoor items, the national holiday week decision. Until those items are done we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates and where you would fly from: we will tell you what is settled, what is not, and write to you on the day the route opens.

Do we need a visa, and can we fly from the US?

Most guests on this route do not need a visa: French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, UK, Nordic, Central European, Irish, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports enter visa-free for stays days, and we check your 14 days plus any extra days in China against that window before you pay. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. The US is different, and the answer there is no: this route is not sold to United States guests, because Shenzhen has no direct service from the United States and 14 days is longer than the 10-day transit policy allows. Write to us anyway and we will send you a route that does work from a US departure.

Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

Urban Planning Exhibition

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Mount Qingcheng Taoist Temples & Dialogue

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li

Terracotta Army

Xi'an City Wall

Drum & Bell Tower District Night Scenery

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Yu Garden and the Old Town

Shanghai Museum

The Bund

Former French Concession and Wu Kang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea

05. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

06. Mount Qingcheng Taoist Temples & Dialogue

07. Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Drum & Bell Tower District Night Scenery

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden and the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession and Wu Kang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea

05. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

06. Mount Qingcheng Taoist Temples & Dialogue

07. Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Drum & Bell Tower District Night Scenery

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden and the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession and Wu Kang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea

05. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

06. Mount Qingcheng Taoist Temples & Dialogue

07. Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Drum & Bell Tower District Night Scenery

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden and the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession and Wu Kang Road

Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 2

Chengdu · Day 3 - Day 5

Xi'an · Day 6 - Day 8

Beijing · Day 9 - Day 11

Shanghai · Day 12 - Day 14