Overview
A fourteen-day itinerary connecting Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai. Upon arrival in Beijing, rest first, then visit the Forbidden City and the Mutianyu Great Wall; in Xi'an, explore the Terracotta Warriors; in Chengdu, visit the Panda Base, take a Sichuan cooking class and enjoy a Sichuan opera. On day 9, fly from Chengdu to Guilin and stay overnight; on day 10, travel to Yangshuo by car and stay for three consecutive nights. On day 13, fly from Guilin to Shanghai; on day 14, arrange a Yuyuan Garden tour and airport transfer according to your departure flight time. Activities on day 12 can be tailored to individual interests; specific services and inclusions are subject to confirmation via a written quote.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Please tell us the ages of each member of your group and the travel dates you have in mind, and we will set the pace of the itinerary based on the slowest, not the fastest, traveller among you. We reply for the first time within four hours; you will receive a clear price within one business day. On this route, we will also candidly share the realities of family rooms before you commit to anything.
Why you'll love this trip
- Six cities, one family pace. The Great Wall by cable car, the Terracotta Warriors, pandas and a teahouse, with English-speaking guides city by city.
- 14 days from the Forbidden City to a rice valley in the karst. See China together.
- Follow the Central Axis of the Forbidden City to visit the main halls and the Imperial Garden, with entry slots booked according to your travel date.
- Take a cable car to the Mutianyu Great Wall; the toboggan slide down depends on daily operating conditions.
- Stand before approximately 8,000 terracotta warriors, then climb the historic city walls that encircle ancient Xi'an.
- We will aim to schedule the panda base in the morning and enjoy gaiwan tea at a teahouse in People's Park in the afternoon; panda activity is subject to conditions on the day.
- Tour the Yulong River Valley by car, taking in the rice paddies, villages, and karst peaks; bamboo rafts or cruise boats can be arranged upon request.
- If your flight schedule permits, visit Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City Quarter before departing Shanghai.
- Three consecutive nights each in Beijing, Chengdu, and Yangshuo; one night in Guilin, with Days 9 and 13 focused on inter-city travel.
Things to do
Itinerary
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3
· Arrive in Beijing and check in for rest
Airport transfer to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax and adjust to the local time.
· The Forbidden City and a Traditional Cloth-Shoe Workshop
Walk the central axis of the Forbidden City in the morning, then learn about the handcraft of cloth shoes in the afternoon.
· Cable Car to the Mutianyu Great Wall
Take the cable car up, then walk around the city wall; the descent method will be confirmed based on daily operating conditions.
Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5
· Hutongs and Shichahai, High-Speed Train to Xi'an
Morning at leisure in Beijing with a walking tour; afternoon high-speed rail to Xi'an; overnight in Xi'an.
· Terracotta Warriors and Shaanxi Noodles
Visit the Terracotta Warriors, with Shaanxi noodles arranged for lunch, and return to the city centre in the afternoon to rest.
Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 8
· Explore Xi'an City Wall, then Take High-Speed Train to Chengdu
Tour the Xi'an City Wall in the morning and travel to Chengdu by high-speed rail in the afternoon.
· Panda Base and People's Park Teahouse
Watch pandas in the morning and relax at a teahouse in People’s Park in the afternoon.
· Market, Sichuan Cooking, and Community Opera
First, get acquainted with the fresh ingredients before you start cooking. In the afternoon, watch a Sichuan opera, then enjoy free time to explore at your own pace.
Guilin · Day 9
· Fly from Chengdu to Guilin
Set aside time to head to the airport, arriving in Guilin by plane and staying there that evening.
Yangshuo · Day 10 - Day 12
· From Guilin to Yangshuo
A morning tour of Guilin can be arranged as required, followed by a coach transfer to Yangshuo in the afternoon.
· Drive through the Yu Long River Valley
Drive through the valley and farmland, with stops to enjoy the scenery.
· Flexible Activities Day in Yangshuo
Continue your stay in Yangshuo; tailor the day's activities to your companions' interests.
Shanghai · Day 13 - Day 14
· Fly from Yangshuo via Guilin to Shanghai
Drive to Guilin Airport, then fly to Shanghai; stay overnight in Shanghai.
· Yu Garden & Shanghai Airport Transfer
If your departure flight allows, tour Yu Garden before heading to the airport.
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicles are provided for city tours across the six cities, airport and station transfers, and overland connections between Guilin and Yangshuo; the specific scope of vehicle use is subject to confirmation in the written order.
- Trains and flightsThe Beijing–Xi'an and Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed rail segments, and the Chengdu–Guilin and Guilin–Shanghai flights, are scheduled according to the itinerary. The quote provided lists the included items; actual flight numbers, seat classes, and transfers at both ends are subject to the order confirmation.
- Hotels13 nights with breakfast at your chosen level: four-star, five-star or quality boutique, as named in your written confirmation
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day, in every city
- Beijing tickets and experiencesThe Palace Museum, Mutianyu Great Wall, the hutongs and Shichahai, and the cloth shoe workshop are scheduled according to the itinerary; Palace Museum reservations, Great Wall ascent/descent methods, and workshop item delivery are confirmed in the written order.
- Xi'an ticketsThe Terracotta Warriors museum; admission up to the top of the Xi'an City Wall
- Chengdu tickets and experiencesVisits to the panda base, tea houses in People's Park, Sichuan opera performances, and Sichuan cuisine courses are scheduled according to the itinerary; details on tea seating, backstage access, and course specifics are subject to written order confirmation.
- Yangshuo touringOn Day 11, take a scenic drive through the Yulong River valley; the pace of stops and walks can be adjusted to suit the needs of fellow travellers.
- Shanghai ticketsYu Garden and the old city
- MealsHotel accommodation with breakfast is included from Day 2 to Day 14; whether the farmhouse lunch at the foot of the Great Wall and the Shaanxi noodle lunch are arranged and included is subject to the written quotation.
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance; the scope and the sum insured are stated in your written confirmation
Not Included
- International flightsYour flights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and procedures; check the official policy against your passport, itinerary, and travel dates to see whether a visa is required.
- MealsAll lunch and dinner expenses are at your own expense, unless specifically included in a written quote; we can confirm whether we can assist with reservations upon inquiry.
- Guilin ticketed sitesNo ticketed Guilin site is included in the base price. If one is arranged for your day 10 morning, its ticket price will be stated in writing in your quote.
- River boats and raftsBamboo rafts and river cruises on any stretch of water in Yangshuo are separate tickets and are not included in this plan.
- Wall-top hire in Xi'anIf bicycles or an electric cart are the settled way across the wall top for your dates, the hire is priced separately
- Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
- PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending
Special Notes
Facility bookings, transport schedules, and certain experiences must be confirmed according to your travel dates.
- The pace is the design — Six cities over fourteen days, including arrival rest days, city tours, and inter-city travel. Days 9 and 13 focus on transport, while Day 12 can be tailored to companions' interests. If you'd like to reduce the number of cities or slow the pace, please mention this when requesting a quote.
- Connecting and family rooms — The availability of connecting rooms and family rooms depends on travel dates and hotel inventory. Please specify the number of guests and room type requirements when requesting a quote; we will verify each booking individually. No specific room type is guaranteed until written confirmation is received.
- The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays — The opening hours and booking status of the Forbidden City are subject to your travel date; if a closure occurs, we will confirm an adjusted order for your Beijing sightseeing itinerary.
- The national holiday week — When travelling on public holidays, please verify venue availability, transport arrangements, and crowd levels in advance. The specific itinerary will be subject to the written schedule.
- December and the toboggan — The Mutianyu toboggan and cable car may be subject to weather or maintenance; the method for ascending the wall and descending the mountain will be confirmed based on the day's opening status and the needs of your travel companions.
- Entry Policy — Visa and visa-free requirements depend on your passport, entry point, length of stay, and travel dates; please verify official policies before booking and departure.
- Three parts still being set — On Day 10 (morning in Guilin), Day 12 (activities in Yangshuo), and for the Xi'an City Wall tour, the arrangements can be tailored to the needs of fellow travellers; specific items and costs are subject to confirmation in the written quotation.
- Shanghai is one night — This route begins in Beijing and ends in Shanghai after a three-night stay in Yangshuo. The itinerary includes one night in Shanghai; a Yuyuan Garden visit is subject to the time of your departure flight.
- Water in Yangshuo — Bamboo rafts and river cruises are not included in the existing base itinerary; if required, additional costs will be confirmed separately based on travel dates and water levels.
- Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and a comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Fourteen Days Your Length?
Fourteen days is a long time. Can it be shorter?
Fourteen days is a lot. Can it be shorter?
Each city block stands on its own, so we cut cities rather than the pace. Tell us how many days you have and who is in the party, and we shape it from there.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private itinerary, available for groups of one or more; specific group size and vehicle arrangements will be confirmed with your order.
- Pace
- The amount of walking can be adjusted according to your companions; Days 9 and 13 are mainly intercity travel, and Day 12 allows for flexible activity planning.
- Arrival & Departure Cities
- Arrival in Beijing, departure from Shanghai; airport pickup on day 1 and airport drop-off on day 14 are included
- Internal travel
- The two high-speed rail segments and two flight segments are arranged according to the current quotation; specific train/flight numbers, seat classes, and transfers at both ends are subject to the order confirmation.
- Visas
- Check the official visa and visa-free policies against your passport, mode of entry, length of stay, and travel dates.
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking guide on every touring day
- Payment
- This route is bookable; conditions for deposits, balance payments, amendments, and refunds are subject to the written quotation and order terms.
- Flexibility
- Cities can be cut and the order kept; the confirmation deadline and the change and refund conditions for your dates are listed in writing with your quote
- Season
- October to December: Beijing and Xi'an turn cold and dry, Chengdu stays mild and grey, the river valley is cool with low water
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.
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
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
This is the question the plan was built around. Six cities in fourteen days is the ceiling for a three-generation party, and this plan is built deliberately to that ceiling: three easy days on day 4, day 8 and day 12; two long travel days that carry no sightseeing; a cable car on every climb; a river valley day done seated in the vehicle. Tell us the real limits before you book, not after. If they are tighter than this, we cut cities rather than push anyone through.
Not promised on this route yet, and we would rather say so now. We are securing a bookable connecting or family room type in each of the six cities, and this line opens for dates only once all six are confirmed in writing. Until then we take no deposit here. What you can count on today is the room tier you choose, breakfast for all 13 nights, and hotels named in your confirmation.
Two of the fourteen days are museum days, and both have an exit built in. Day 2 ends at a workbench where they make a pair of shoes to take home. Day 5 holds one site only, so the clay army gets a proper look and then the day stops. The rest of the trip is a cable car and a toboggan run, pandas before nap time, then a wok and a stage.
Deliberately, very little. Day 9 is Chengdu to Guilin by air and day 13 is Yangshuo to Shanghai by air, with road transfers at each end. Breakfast is unhurried, bags get packed without a countdown, and both flights are included in your base price with transfers at both ends. Everyone arrives able to eat dinner sitting upright.
We check before you pay. British, European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, and Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. We then confirm that your 14 days plus any extra days in China fit inside that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so arrivals on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. US passports need a Chinese visa for a trip this long: it is applied for in person at a consulate with fingerprints taken, so we tell you the current processing period first and confirm the visa is in hand before any payment.

