Six Cities: 14-Day China Holiday

Overview

One country, six cities, each with its own rhythm. Beijing retains the floor plan of its imperial palaces; walk along one of its central axes. Xi’an still wears the walls it once defended; cycle atop them. Chengdu invites you to sit, which is why the mid-journey pace is deliberately slowed. Shanghai has laid out its trade on both banks of the river, and Shenzhen arranges its electronic components and finished products across different floors of the market. Finally, in Guangzhou, as you sip tea and stroll to the Pearl River, you will be able to articulate the distinct character of each of these cities.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Please share your travel dates, the number of fellow travellers, and the passports you hold. We will combine venue bookings and intercity services to confirm your day-by-day itinerary and a written quote.

Why you'll love this trip

A single itinerary spanning six cities: Mutianyu, the Terracotta Army, the giant panda, the 3rd century BC hydraulic engineering marvel, and the Bund, with an English-speaking guide accompanying you in every city.
From the Forbidden City to Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, a fortnight to witness the distinct rhythms of six cities.

Walk one axis of the Forbidden City, out through the north gate, and then climb the hill standing directly across the street: from the pavilion on top, the golden roofs you just walked between line up in rows and the Beijing Central Axis runs straight through them.
Ride along the top of the Xi'an City Wall on a hired bicycle, one of the most complete surviving city walls in China, on a flat brick road wide enough to ride two abreast around the whole old city.
Spend an afternoon in a People's Park teahouse with a gaiwan that keeps getting refilled as long as you stay: cards at the next table, the ear cleaner working the row behind you, and nowhere you are due next.
Stand at the mouth of the Dujiangyan waterworks and watch the river being divided the way it has been divided since the third century BC, on the day trip out of Chengdu.
End an evening on the Bund with your guide beside you: the old waterfront buildings on one bank, the Pudong towers on the other, one city looking at itself across the water.
Walk Huaqiangbei floor by floor with a guide who reads the trade for you: loose components on one level, prototypes above them, finished machines above that, and the buying chain that connects the three.
Unpack once for three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu: nine of the fourteen days run out of three hotels, and no morning starts with a suitcase.

Things to do

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Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple and Conversation, Chengdu

Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Culture

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Tech

City

Meal

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Culture

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Tech

City

Meal

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Culture

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Tech

City

Meal

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing and rest

You land in Beijing and the day asks nothing of you. The trip starts tomorrow, at the gate of a palace.

Arrival Your flight arrives in Beijing and tonight's hotel is already arranged, the first of thirteen nights. Nothing is planned and nothing needs to be.

Getting to the hotel The arrival transfer is not part of the base price on this route. Whether your order carries an airport pickup is written into your quote before you pay, and if it does not, your guide sends you the taxi and metro instructions for your terminal in advance.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide is reachable, and a place to eat near the hotel is recommended and booked for you on request, at your own expense.

Day 2 · One axis, then the hill that looks back

You walk through the palace in a single line and exit at the back. Then you climb the hill facing that gate and see what you have just walked through.

The Forbidden City Your reservation is timed, so the morning starts at a fixed hour. You take the ceremonial halls first, then the living quarters behind them, then the imperial garden, and your guide keeps the route on that one line instead of chasing side courts, with places to sit along the way.

Out through the north gate You leave by the gate at the back of the palace, and the hill is straight across the street. The crossing is short enough that most people are still talking about the last hall when they start climbing.

Jingshan Park Stairs to the pavilion at the top, and from up there the roofs you have been walking between for three hours line up in rows with the Beijing Central Axis running through the middle. You will find yourself pointing rather than talking.

Day 3 · A whole day on the Wall

The drive out is long, so the wall gets the day to itself. Read the wall instead of photographing it and leaving.

The road out Head north from central Beijing into the mountainous area, allowing ample time for the round-trip journey. Therefore, this day is dedicated solely to the Mutianyu Great Wall, with no other attractions added.

Mutianyu Great Wall A restored run of wall along the ridge with watchtowers you can walk between. The climb to the wall is on foot unless you have added the cable car or chairlift to your order, and your guide sets the pace to the slowest walker in your party.

On the wall You stand in a tower doorway and your guide reads the ground for you, where the beacon towers are, where the pass runs below, and why the wall turns where it turns. The ridge line goes on past where the restored section ends.

High-speed train

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Day 4 · The square, the altar, the bronzes, then a train

Beijing's public face in the morning, its shapes and its collection after. Leave the capital by rail, at the speed the country moves at now.

Tiananmen Square Everyone goes through security screening to enter, and the queue is budgeted separately so the rest of the day does not slide. You walk the square itself, which is where most of China's twentieth century happened.

The Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line inside a walled park that the neighbourhood still uses as a park. Your guide gives you the shape rule first, round for heaven and square for earth, and after that you can read the compound yourself.

The National Museum of China Bronzes, ceramics, sculpture and calligraphy, by timed reservation. Two hours here puts dates on the things you have been walking past outdoors for three days.

High-speed rail to Xi'an Your guide walks you to the platform and hands you over at the door. The rail class for your order is written into your quote, and a guide meets your train at the Xi'an end.

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces, one at a time

The whole day goes to one site, and it needs it. Learn to tell the ranks apart and the pits stop being a crowd.

Out to the pits About an hour on the road from the city, and your guide uses it to give you the ranks before you see them, so the first pit is not just a wall of soldiers.

The Terracotta Army You work through the pits one by one. Armour and hairstyle tell the generals from the crossbowmen from the infantry, and in the newer excavation areas you can still see traces of the original paint on the figures. The site holds an estimated eight thousand figures.

Standing at the rail The front ranks are lit and the hall runs back into shadow, rank behind rank, further than the photographs ever show. You will lower your voice without deciding to.

Day 6 · On top of the wall, then behind it

Ride the old city's outline in daylight and walk its food lanes after dark. One city at two hours of the day.

Xi'an City Wall You go up at a gate tower and take a rented bicycle along the top, on flat brick wide enough to ride two abreast. The wall closes a full loop around the old centre, so you can turn back whenever you like and still have ridden a side of the city.

From the parapet On one side the lanes of the old town run away below you, on the other the towers of the new city stand behind the wall line. It is the clearest picture of the whole trip's argument, and it is free.

The Bell and Drum Tower quarter and the Muslim Quarter After dark, on foot with your guide. The two towers used to keep the city's time; the lanes behind them do the eating. Your guide tells you what each stall is selling before you buy anything, and what you buy is on your own account.

High-speed train

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Day 7 · A pagoda, then the mountains

A short morning before a long ride south. Cross the range that separates the two halves of China and arrive somewhere that eats differently.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda The brick pagoda and the temple compound around it, an hour and a half in the morning while the quarter is still quiet.

High-speed rail through the Qinling The line south runs through the Qinling mountains, the range that separates northern China from the south, most of it in tunnel and viaduct. You get off in a city that grows tea, not wheat.

Into Chengdu A guide meets your train and you are at the hotel with the evening still in front of you. The next two days are the slowest of the fourteen, by design.

Day 8 · Pandas while they are moving, then nowhere to be

The morning is the only time the pandas are worth the trip. The afternoon has nothing to do at all.

Chengdu Panda Base Go early, because that is when they climb, eat and fight over the same length of bamboo. By mid-afternoon they are asleep, which is why this is not an afternoon item.

People's Park teahouse Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and the man with the kettle comes back as long as you are sitting there. Cards at the next table, the ear cleaner working the row behind you with his tuning fork.

The afternoon Nothing follows it. Your guide stays if you want the conversation and steps back if you do not. You will notice at some point that nobody has looked at a phone for an hour.

Day 9 · A day trip to the works that waters this plain

Out by rail in the morning, back to the same hotel at night. See what twenty-three centuries of maintenance looks like.

Rail out to Dujiangyan Take a car from Chengdu to Dujiangyan, and return to the same hotel in Chengdu for the night. This is a fairly packed day, with a slower pace scheduled before and after.

Dujiangyan irrigation system Stand at the water-dividing point of Dujiangyan and watch the Min River flow split into different channels. There is no conventional dam blocking the river here; your guide will explain how the Fish Mouth, Flying Sand Weir, and Treasure Bottle Mouth each function.

A small Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng A working temple away from the front-gate crowds. The resident priest sits down with you and takes your questions, and then there is tai chi on the temple ground, done slowly enough that nobody has to be good at it.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 10 - Day 11

Day 10 · Three lanes, a mask, and a plane

Chengdu's shopfront in the morning and its neighbourhood theatre after lunch. Leave the city after the last face has changed.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Begin by exploring the three courtyard lanes of Kuanchi Alley, then stroll through the modern district of Taikoo Li. Kuanchi Alley has since become a bustling commercial street, dotted with teahouses and snack stalls; your guide will provide an honest overview of its current state.

Sichuan opera, community theatre You go backstage before the show and watch the faces go on. Then face-changing from close up, near enough that you still cannot see how it happens.

Flight to Shanghai Your guide takes you to the airport after the theatre. The cabin for your order is written into your quote, and a guide meets you in Shanghai.

Day 11 · A garden, a collection, and two banks

Start in the oldest quarter and end at the water after dark. Watch a city look at itself across a river.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and winding paths inside the oldest quarter of the city. It comes first because everything else you will see today was built to answer it.

Shanghai Museum Bronzes, ceramics, painting and calligraphy, on a timed entry. Two hours, and your guide picks a route through it rather than starting at gallery one.

The Bund after dark The old waterfront buildings behind you, lit; the Pudong towers across the water, also lit; the ferries and the barges going between them. Your guide is with you the whole evening.

Flight

Shenzhen · Day 12 - Day 13

Day 12 · Plane trees, a commuter ferry, then south

A low-rise morning to balance last night's skyline. Cross the river the way the city crosses it.

The former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane trees over narrow streets, historic housing, small independent shops. Nothing here is tall, which after last night is the point.

The Huangpu River ferry A few minutes across on the boat people take to work, standing at deck level with bicycles and commuters, the same water you looked at from above the night before.

Flight to Shenzhen The afternoon goes to the airport and the flight, and nothing is scheduled on arrival. This is the second of the two light days.

Day 13 · Floor by floor

Components, prototypes, finished machines, in that order and in that building. See what a city built for making actually looks like.

Huaqiangbei You climb through the market with your guide reading the trade as you go: trays of loose components on one floor, boards and prototypes above, finished machines above that, and the buyers moving between them with sample bags.

What the guide adds Not the products but the chain. Who sources from whom, at what volume, and why a shop selling one kind of connector can stay in business on one square metre. You will find yourself doing arithmetic on the way down the escalator.

The rest of the day After the Huaqiangbei visit, enjoy some free time to explore the electronics markets further or return to your hotel to rest. For additional experiences in Shenzhen, please specify your preferences in your written quote request.

High-speed train

Guangzhou · Day 14

Day 14 · Shenzhen to Guangzhou: Dim sum and Pearl River views

On the final day, travel from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, allowing time for a classic Cantonese dim sum breakfast and a view of the banks of the Pearl River.

Shenzhen to Guangzhou High-Speed Rail Travel to Guangzhou by high-speed rail that day; train times are coordinated with the return flight. Whether to enjoy morning tea first or take the train depends on the teahouse location and the written itinerary.

Cantonese yum cha For the mobile day between Shenzhen and Guangzhou, we arrange a stop at a heritage tea house. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, cheung fun, and char siu bao – seasonal dim sum baskets arrive one after another, with hot tea served and replenished leisurely. This session is included in the base fare.

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town The contemporary waterfront of Guangzhou, towers and public space along the Pearl River. Fourteen days ago you were standing at a palace gate finished in 1420.

Departure Your flight home leaves from Guangzhou. The departure transfer is not part of the base price on this route, and whether your order carries it is written into your quote before you pay.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shenzhen

Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen

A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.

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.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

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

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

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.

Guangzhou

Conrad Guangzhou

A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Shenzhen

Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen

A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.

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.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

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.

Guangzhou

Conrad Guangzhou

A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Shenzhen

Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen

A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.

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.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

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.

Guangzhou

Conrad Guangzhou

A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, 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

Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle on all touring days in every city, including the full-day Mutianyu round trip on day three and the ground legs of the Dujiangyan day trip on day nine. Airport transfers are not part of this line: see Not Included
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on all touring days in each city, including the Bund evening in Shanghai and the Huaqiangbei walk in Shenzhen
Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 3 · Xi'an 3 · Chengdu 3 · Shanghai 2 · Shenzhen 2. The arrival night in Beijing is one of the 13. Hotels named in your written confirmation
Intercity transportSix intercity transport segments: high-speed rail from Beijing to Xi'an on Day 4, high-speed rail from Xi'an to Chengdu on Day 7, round-trip high-speed rail from Chengdu to Dujiangyan on Day 9, flight from Chengdu to Shanghai on Day 10, flight from Shanghai to Shenzhen on Day 12, and high-speed rail from Shenzhen to Guangzhou on Day 14. Specific schedules, seat classes, and cabin types are subject to the written quotation.
Tickets & experiences, BeijingTian'anmen Square · the Forbidden City with its timed entry reservation · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall admission · the Temple of Heaven · the National Museum of China with its entry reservation
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Army · Xi'an City Wall admission with the wall-top bicycle rental · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · the Bell and Drum Tower quarter and the Muslim Quarter in the evening, a walking visit with your guide
Tickets & experiences, ChengduChengdu panda base in the morning · People's Park gaiwan teahouse with the tea seat paid · Kuanzhai Alley and the Taikoo Li quarter as a walking visit · community Sichuan opera with backstage access and a close-range face-changing demonstration
Tickets & experiences, DujiangyanDujiangyan irrigation works · a visit to a small Qingcheng Taoist temple, including a conversation with a resident priest and a tai chi session
Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city quarter · Shanghai Museum with its entry reservation · the former French Concession and Wukang Road as a walking visit · the Huangpu River ferry crossing · the Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied
Experiences, Shenzhen & GuangzhouHuaqiangbei with your guide explaining the sourcing chain floor by floor · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town
Meals13 hotel breakfasts, days two through fourteen, plus one arranged Cantonese yum cha on the morning of day fourteen at a long-established tea house on the way to Guangzhou, tea seat and dim sum included

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Guangzhou
VisasVisa fees and processing for any guest who requires a Chinese visa
Airport transfersAirport transfer from Beijing on arrival and to Guangzhou on departure are not included in the base price. If required, specific arrangements and fees will be detailed in a written quotation.
Lift equipment inside scenic areasThree named places, all excluded on the same footing: the Mutianyu cable car, chairlift and toboggan · the Mount Qingcheng cable car and lake boat · the Dujiangyan scenic shuttle. Any of them can be asked for per order and is priced when you choose it
MealsAll lunches and dinners other than the day-fourteen yum cha. Food bought in the Muslim Quarter and around Kuanzhai Alley is on your own account. Your guide recommends and books on request
Travel insuranceTravel insurance is not included in the base price. Please ensure you have travel insurance that covers medical treatment in China.
Optional add-onsPriced separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added into the base plan by default
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, laundry, personal spending

Special Notes

Travel dates, booked venues, and intercity connections affect the daily order of itinerary items.

Booking & Itinerary Confirmation — This route can be booked based on your travel date. Specific arrangements for venue reservations, intercity transfers, and add-on services will be detailed in the written itinerary and quotation.
Beijing Departure Day — Day 4 includes a Beijing tour and a high-speed rail journey to Xi'an; venue booking slots and train schedules must be arranged together. The visiting sequence for attractions in the Beijing segment is subject to the written itinerary.
Departure dates — no departures between 1 October and 7 October. This is the national holiday week: four cities on this route experience holiday-peak crowding and the Terracotta Army site is at its busiest of the year. Dates are also arranged so that day two never falls on a Monday, when the Forbidden City is closed; if your dates would place it there, days two and three swap places.
Timed-entry reservations — Advance booking is required for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum; admission fees are included in the base rate. Booking responsibility, entry time slots, and venue opening status will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
The day-fourteen tea house — Cantonese morning tea is arranged on the travel day from Shenzhen to Guangzhou. The sequence of the tea house, morning tea, and high-speed rail will be confirmed against the return flight and included in the written itinerary.
December departures — It is cold in Beijing and Xi'an in December, and both the Great Wall tour and the city wall cycling trip are held outdoors. We will confirm the arrangements for these two days based on the specific dates and the fitness of our fellow travellers.
The Great Wall climb — the cable car, chairlift and toboggan at Mutianyu are all excluded from the base price, so unless you add one, the climb to the wall is on foot. We say this here rather than letting it surface on the day.
Passport & Entry — Entry eligibility depends on each traveller’s passport, mode of entry, total stay duration in China, and departure date. Please provide these details at the time of booking so we can review each itinerary individually; allow ample processing time where a visa is required.
Intercity Timetable — The base price includes six intercity travel segments; specific schedules, seat classes, cabins, and same-day connections are subject to the written itinerary and quotation.
Group — Group departure; minimum 1 guest. The recommended group size depends on the specific departure date and vehicle configuration.
Confirmation & Changes — The confirmation deadline and amendment or cancellation terms are subject to the written quotation. As this itinerary includes two domestic flight segments, four rail segments, hotel accommodations and pre-booked venues, these items will need to be re-verified when rescheduling.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The six stops come apart cleanly. Beijing and Xi'an stand together as the classic pair, Chengdu can go or be shortened, and the Shanghai to Guangzhou stretch works on its own as a shorter modern-China line. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut stops rather than compress the days that are left.

Good to Know

Group: Package tour itinerary, minimum 1 guest. Final group size and vehicle configuration are subject to the written quotation.
Pace: Six cities plus one day trip in 14 days: Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 3, Chengdu 3, Shanghai 2, Shenzhen 2. Two light days built into the middle, and the Dujiangyan day trip between them is the fullest day of the trip
Effort: Moderate walking on every touring day. The Great Wall climb is on foot unless you add the cable car, chairlift or toboggan, all of which are excluded and priced separately. Jingshan is stairs to the top; the city wall ride is flat.
Ports: Fly into Beijing, out of Guangzhou. Airport transfers at both ends are not included in the base price on this route.
Visas: Please verify the entry requirements for each passenger based on their passport, method of entry, and departure date. If a visa is required, please allow ample time for processing at the time of booking.
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
Payment: This route is available for booking. Please note that the deposit, balance payment deadline and cancellation or amendment terms are subject to the written quotation. Should an alternative hotel of the same standard be required, this will be clearly specified on the confirmation letter.
Season: Selling window October to December 2026. No departures October 1 to 7. December departures fall in the cold season for Beijing and Xi'an and are confirmed against your exact dates

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.

Six cities in fourteen days. Is this a coach tour with better hotels?

No, and the nights are how you check. Nine of the fourteen days run out of three hotels, three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu, so the first two thirds of the trip has no packing in it. Two days in the middle are deliberately slow, one of them an afternoon in a park teahouse with nothing after it. The moving happens on four rail legs and two flights, and each of those days carries a short morning rather than a full one.

Why is the trip not open for booking?

Because our own review has not closed. In plain terms: the fourteen-day plan currently runs over on time once transfers are counted, the departure-day routing and the tea house's city are not fixed, the Shenzhen day needs a second confirmed item, Until those close we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates: we will hold nothing, promise nothing and write to you the day it opens.

Can we ride in one of the driverless taxis in Shenzhen?

This can be arranged, as an optional add-on priced separately, and it is deliberately not part of the plan. The service runs on a commercial operator's own network, so its availability is not ours to promise: we book it against your date and reconfirm after you land, and if the operator is not running that day the ride does not happen and nothing is charged for it. That is exactly why it is not in your base price and not on the highlight list. What day thirteen gives you either way is Huaqiangbei, floor by floor, with a guide who reads the sourcing chain for you.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. Most European passports enter visa-free for stays of up to 14 days, as do Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports; the named list is in Good to Know. We check your fourteen days plus any other days you spend 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. US passports are the exception and this route is not sold to US guests at present: the US is not on that list, fourteen days is longer than the ten-day transit policy allows, and our compliance review of that market is still open.

How much walking is there really?

Every touring day involves moderate walking on mostly flat ground, with two exceptions worth planning for. Jingshan on day two is stairs to the top, about an hour, and it is optional on the day if anyone would rather wait at the bottom. Mutianyu on day three is the real one: the cable car, chairlift and toboggan are all excluded from the base price, so without an add-on the climb to the wall is on foot. Tell us your party's walking range when you write, and we will tell you which of the two to add before you pay rather than after.

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Terracotta Army

Xian City Wall Cycling Tour

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Hui Community Evening Stroll

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple and Conversation

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Community Theatre

Yu Garden and the Old Town

Shanghai Museum

The Bund

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

Huaqiangbei

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

Cantonese Morning Tea

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terracotta Army

08. Xian City Wall Cycling Tour

09. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

10. Hui Community Evening Stroll

11. Chengdu Panda Base

12. People's Park Tea

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple and Conversation

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Theatre

17. Yu Garden and the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

21. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

22. Huaqiangbei

23. Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

24. Cantonese Morning Tea

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terracotta Army

08. Xian City Wall Cycling Tour

09. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

10. Hui Community Evening Stroll

11. Chengdu Panda Base

12. People's Park Tea

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple and Conversation

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Theatre

17. Yu Garden and the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

21. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

22. Huaqiangbei

23. Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

24. Cantonese Morning Tea

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terracotta Army

08. Xian City Wall Cycling Tour

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Shanghai · Day 10 - Day 11

Shenzhen · Day 12 - Day 13

Guangzhou · Day 14