Slow Classics: 21-Day China Holiday

Overview

This 21-day itinerary dedicates time to exploring cities rather than simply adding more stops. Guests spend four nights each in Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai: in Beijing, they meander through hutongs and sit down to learn gaiwan tea; in Xi’an, they cycle along the city walls and browse the Sianjinqiao market; in Chengdu, they reserve an entire afternoon for the teahouse in People’s Park. Three segments of high-speed rail link Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Chongqing; the river cruise leg from Chongqing to Yichang requires separate confirmation of the sailing schedule, cabin type and price based on travel dates, followed by a flight to Shanghai from Yichang.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Let us know your travel dates and party size; our written proposal will detail the cruise itinerary, cabin category, pricing and transfers at both ends, after which we will confirm the complete itinerary with you.

Why you'll love this trip

With four nights apiece in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, the route includes visiting the Terracotta Warriors, cycling the Ming City Wall, and a panda base, leaving a few days in Shanghai.
From the Forbidden City to Chengdu teahouses, 21 days devoted to the cities—and to you.

Spend an extra day in Beijing: amble through the hutongs in the morning, then sit down for a bowl of gaiwan tea before getting hands-on at an enamel workstation.
Ride along the top of Xi'an's City Wall, pause to contrast the streetscapes inside and outside the fortifications, then head down to Sajin Bridge for a local snack experience.
Carve out an afternoon at a teahouse in People's Park, sitting under a tree to enjoy gaiwan tea; no other sightseeing is scheduled for the day.
Stroll through Chongqing on a crisp morning, following the city's self-proclaimed '8D' route—a nickname born from its layered topography, where the exit you choose determines exactly which level you end up on.
On our fourth day in Shanghai, we visited a corner of People’s Park where parents seek suitable partners for their adult children. Over the course of this 21-day journey, it was the only stop devoted entirely to other people’s lives.
Four nights in each of Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai. Beijing and Chengdu both include a slower-paced day, so you won't need to pack and rush to the next destination every day.

Things to do

Farmhouse Lunch at the Foot of the Great Wall, Beijing

Walk Through Hutongs and Shichahai, Beijing

Seated Tea Ceremony: Gaiwan Basics, Beijing

Ancient City Wall Cycle Tour in Xi'an, Xi'an

Learn more

Market Stroll and Sichuan Cooking Class, Chengdu

Behind the Scenes of Sichuan Opera, Chengdu

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Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

Woodblock Watercolour Printing, Shanghai

The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Matchmaking Corner Visit in Shanghai, Shanghai

A Refined Journey Through Shanghai's Bars, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Meal

Family

City

Hands-on

Craft

Culture

Heritage

Meal

Cycling

Food

Museum

Workshop

Nightlife

Nature

Learn more

City

Food

Opera

Learn more

Heritage

Food

City

Cityscape

Heritage

Museum

City

Craft

City

Art

Local Life

Nightlife

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Meal

Family

City

Hands-on

Craft

Culture

Heritage

Meal

Cycling

Food

Museum

Workshop

Nightlife

Nature

Learn more

City

Food

Opera

Learn more

Heritage

Food

City

Cityscape

Heritage

Museum

City

Craft

City

Art

Local Life

Nightlife

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Meal

Family

City

Hands-on

Craft

Culture

Heritage

Meal

Cycling

Food

Museum

Workshop

Nightlife

Nature

Learn more

City

Food

Opera

Learn more

Heritage

Food

City

Cityscape

Heritage

Museum

City

Craft

City

Art

Local Life

Nightlife

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Day 1 · Land first. That is the whole day

Your driver meets the flight, whatever hour it lands. Twenty-one days is long enough to begin slowly.

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

Beijing through the window The airport expressway, then the ring road, then poplars and a street of lit shopfronts. The country you flew for shows up before you have opened a suitcase.

Evening There is no scheduled itinerary for this evening. If you would like to dine near the hotel, your guide can recommend options and assist with reservations; meals are at your own expense.

Day 2 · One axis, then the hill behind it

Reserve a visit to the Forbidden City on your confirmed departure date, avoiding closure days. Exit through the north gate to climb Jingshan Park, with the palace city you just walked through stretching out below.

The Forbidden City The palace the Ming and Qing courts ran the country from, finished in 1420 and lived in for five centuries. You walk a single line through it: the ceremonial halls where the court did its business, the living quarters behind them, the imperial garden, then out through the north gate. Guests regularly say this place is exhausting, so the route is cut to that one line rather than looped through the side courts.

Jingshan Park Straight out of the north gate and up a stepped path to the pavilion on the hill. From up there the golden roofs lie below you in rows, and the central axis of the city runs away north and south from the exact spot you are standing on. About an hour, and the climb is short.

Pace This is a half day inside a very large site followed by one short climb, and nothing else is added to it.

Day 3 · Take the cable car up and the slide down

The drive north takes a good part of the morning, which is why nothing else is on today. The wall is a full day here, not a stop between two other things.

Drive out to Mutianyu Depart from central Beijing and head north to Mutianyu, with a private car at your disposal throughout the day.

Cable car up, then the wall The climb is done by cable car, so getting onto the Wall doesn't depend on anyone's knees. You step off onto a restored stretch with watchtowers running along the ridge in both directions. Your guide reads it from up there: the beacon towers, the pass below, and why the sightlines fall where they do. Stand in a tower doorway and look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it one after another.

Farmhouse lunch below the wall On the Great Wall day, lunch will be at a local farmhouse restaurant at the foot of Mutianyu, serving traditional northern dishes. Please refer to the written quotation for specific restaurant details and confirmation of whether this lunch is included in the total price.

Slide down the mountain When open, descend the fixed track on a single-person alpine coaster; if in service suspension, take the cable car instead.

Day 4 · Day 4 in Beijing: Alleys & Artisan Craft

In the morning, explore the hutongs around Shichahai, then sit down for a gaiwan tea and try your hand at enamel cloisonné-making—a gentler pace than the previous days.

Shichahai hutongs Courtyard lanes and lakeside streets where old Beijing still goes about its daily business. Grey brick, doorstep stones, bicycles leaning against a wall, the lakes growing quiet as the afternoon turns. About two hours on foot, at a walking pace rather than a sightseeing pace.

Tea sitting, the gaiwan An hour at a tea table with a gaiwan, the lidded cup China brews in. You learn how it is filled, how the lid holds the leaves back when you pour, and how long each steep sits before the next one. Seated throughout.

Cloisonné Workstation Cloisonné is enamel packed into cells made of bent copper wire and then fired. Beijing has made it for centuries, and the Chinese name, jingtailan, carries the reign it is dated to. You spend about ninety minutes at a bench with the wire and the colour rather than watching someone else do it.

High-Speed Rail

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 8

Day 5 · The morning park, the afternoon train

In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven to observe daily life within the park; in the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Xi'an and proceed to your hotel upon arrival.

Temple of Heaven Three groups of buildings on one line. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the round mound altar are built in a formal language where round belongs to heaven and square to earth. The visit is set in the morning, when the surrounding park fills with Beijing residents exercising, singing and playing cards. That is half of what you came to see. About two hours.

Rail to Xi'an The afternoon belongs to the train. Your guide hands you over at the station gate, the North China plain runs past at speed for the first hour, and the class of this leg is written into your quote for your order.

Arrival Met at Xi'an station and driven to the hotel, with the evening left open.

Day 6 · Terracotta Army, standing right at its excavation site

Spend the morning at the Terracotta Army, visiting during your reserved time slot; after viewing the pits, enjoy a Shaanxi noodle lunch.

The Terracotta Warriors The buried army of China's first emperor, an estimated eight thousand figures, standing in the pits where they were found rather than behind glass in a gallery. You can tell a general from a crossbowman from a foot soldier by the armour and by the way the hair is tied, and in the newer excavation areas some original pigment still survives on the figures. About three and a half hours with your guide.

Crowds This is one of the busiest sites in the country, so the visit runs on a timed arrival and your guide takes the pits in the order that works against the flow that day.

Shaanxi noodle lunch After touring the terracotta pits, enjoy a Shaanxi-style noodle lunch, featuring the local wide noodles. Inclusion in the total price is subject to the written quotation.

Day 7 · On the wall, then one street over

Ride the top of the wall at your own pace, with the old city inside and the new one outside. Then eat where the queue is a local one.

Cycle the Xi'an city wall The Xi'an City Wall still encircles the old town, and you can cycle along the top. Cycle a section or the full loop depending on your energy levels, pausing at the gate towers to view the alleys inside the walls and the new city beyond. Please confirm ticket prices and bicycle rental details as outlined in your itinerary.

Seeking Flavors on Sajin Bridge Follow your guide through Xi'an's Sajin Bridge Street, where you'll find stalls serving rou jia mo, noodle dishes, and charcoal-grilled lamb. Please refer to the written quotation for details on which tastings are included in this experience.

Day 8 · Behind glass in the day, on the street at night

The provincial collection first, then a workshop, then the same dynasty lit up outdoors. One period, three distances.

Shaanxi History Museum The provincial collection for Shaanxi, the province that held the capital through the dynasties whose ground you stood on two days ago. Roughly two and a half hours with your guide, who takes it chronologically so the objects line up with the places you have already been.

Shadow puppet workshop Shadow puppetry works feature figures cut from translucent hide, mounted on rods and moved behind a lit screen, so the audience watches the shadow rather than the puppet. You spend about ninety minutes with the figures and the screen yourself.

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City A lit pedestrian district named for the dynasty whose capital stood on this ground, walked after dark when the whole street is out. About two hours, and it is deliberately the second half of a day whose first half you spent looking at the same period behind glass.

High-Speed Rail

Chengdu · Day 9 - Day 12

Day 9 · Spend the morning in Xi'an, then cross the Qinling Mountains in the afternoon.

Free time to explore Xi'an on your final morning. In the afternoon, travel south through the Qinling Mountains by high-speed rail and transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Chengdu.

Free morning Nothing is scheduled. Your guide will point you at a walkable option near the hotel before the trip if you ask, and otherwise the morning is yours.

Rail across the Qinling The line to Chengdu runs south through the Qinling range, the watershed that separates the wheat-eating north from the rice-eating south, in a long series of tunnels and bridges. You get on in dry northern light and get off in damp southern air on the same afternoon. The class of this leg is written into your quote for your order.

Arrival Met at Chengdu station and driven to the hotel, with the evening left open.

Day 10 · Awake early, seated all afternoon

Pandas are visited in the morning because that is when they are up. The afternoon has one item on it and it is a chair.

Chengdu panda base in the morning Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base in the morning, as pandas are typically more active earlier in the day. The on-site walk takes about three hours, with specific activities dependent on conditions on the day.

People's Park teahouse Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and someone with a long-spouted kettle who refills it as long as you stay. Around you: neighbours playing cards, an ear cleaner working the next table with his tuning fork. A whole afternoon is set aside for this, roughly three hours, because sitting is the content here and not a stop on the way to something else. You'll get up at the end of it and realise you have not looked at your phone since lunch.

Day 11 · Buy it, cook it, then go behind the curtain

You shop the market with the instructor before you cook anything. In the afternoon you are backstage in a neighbourhood theatre instead of in a hotel ballroom.

Market visit and Sichuan cooking class You go to a local market with the cooking instructor first and buy exactly what the dishes need, then cook them and eat what you've cooked. About four hours end to end, and the class itself is included in the base price.

Community Sichuan opera, backstage A neighbourhood theatre, not a hotel show. You step inside before the performance starts, while the makeup is still being applied, then watch face-changing from close up: the performer's painted face becomes another painted face in the time it takes him to swing his head. About two hours in the afternoon, seated.

Day 12 · Wenshu Monastery and Chengdu Snacks Night Tour

Start your morning at Wenshu Monastery, then enjoy free time in the afternoon; once the city glows at night, hop on a rickshaw to explore the alleyways for local snacks.

Wenshu Monastery A working monastery rather than a museum. Incense, courtyards, and people who came here to pray rather than to look. A vegetarian canteen sits alongside it with a local queue at lunchtime. About two hours, unhurried, and the courtyards are flat.

Tuk-tuk street-food evening As night falls, ride a tuk-tuk through Chengdu's residential neighbourhoods and old lanes, stopping at small shops along the way to taste local snacks. Specific stops and tasting inclusions will be confirmed via written plan.

Rest day There is free time between Wenshu Monastery and the evening food tour, allowing you to arrange the afternoon at your own leisure.

High-Speed Rail

Chongqing · Day 13 - Day 15

Day 13 · Morning in Chengdu, afternoon in Chongqing

Visit the Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li in the morning, then take a high-speed train to Chongqing and spend the night before boarding.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li A historic quarter formed around three parallel lanes, restored and now busy and commercial, which is why it is walked early in the day while it is still quiet. Then Taikoo Li, where the same city does its present tense in low-rise stone and glass. About two and a half hours together.

Rail to Chongqing In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing; specific train numbers and seat classes will be confirmed based on your travel date. Upon arrival at Chongqing Station, a driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. One night in Chongqing, bags stay packed light for tomorrow.

Day 14 · A city with no ground floor, then the river

In the morning, explore the layered, hilly streets and alleyways of Chongqing; in the afternoon, head to the wharf and board your confirmed sailing.

Chongqing's 8D Mountain City Route 8D is the nickname this city gave itself, for a place built on so many levels that the exit you take decides which floor you come out on. You walk and ride a route through those levels with your guide for about four hours: overpasses that meet buildings halfway up, streets that turn out to be roofs, lifts that count as public transport. Step out of an exit and check which number is on the wall before you look for the river.

Boarding in the afternoon Your driver and guide take you to the pier and hand you over for a four-day, three-night downstream sailing to Yichang. City transport at both ends is ours and is included.

Itinerary Confirmation Fares and cabin categories are not included in the page's base price. Specific sailing details, cabin allocation, ship activities, and quotes will be verified against your travel date and incorporated into your complete itinerary.

Day 15 · A full day on the river

Full day onboard; specific activities and port calls are subject to the itinerary of the chosen sailing.

Onboard Activities The inclusion of onboard dining, activities, and shore excursions depends on the fare type selected and the shipowner's specifications; detailed arrangements are outlined in the written itinerary.

What the day is for This is the middle of twenty-one days and nothing is scheduled against it on our side. Stand at the rail after breakfast and watch the valley walls close in on both sides.

Yangtze River Cruise

Yichang · Day 16

Day 16 · Continue navigating along the river

Continue downriver; shore stops, locations and activity levels are subject to the cruise operator's current itinerary.

Onboard and ashore If an onshore excursion is scheduled for the current voyage, the specific location, level of activity, and whether it is included in the ship ticket shall be subject to the ship operator's instructions and written itinerary.

The last quiet day Tomorrow we plan to disembark at Yichang and proceed to Shanghai; tonight we will remain on board.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 17 - Day 21

Day 17 · Off the water, into the loudest city on the coast

After disembarking in Yichang, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai; upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Shanghai.

Disembark at Yichang After disembarking in Yichang, a driver will meet you at the pier for transfer to the airport; shuttle timings are subject to the confirmed ship and flight schedules.

Flight to Shanghai The one internal flight on this route, in the base price, and the class for your order is written into your quote. Met on arrival and driven into the city.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Four nights in one Shanghai hotel start tonight, and the suitcase stays open until day 21.

Day 18 · A garden inside the old town, then the collection

The oldest quarter of Shanghai in the morning, the country's objects in the afternoon. This is the day the last nineteen days get filed.

Yu Garden and the old city A classical garden of pavilions, rockeries, ponds and winding paths, set inside the oldest quarter of the city with the bazaar streets around it. About two hours, all of it flat.

Shanghai Museum Bronzes and ceramics, painting and calligraphy, and the craft collections. It is the shortest route to reading everything you have already walked past in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu. Entry is by named reservation and the booking system carries limited English, so we book your slot before you land. About two hours with your guide.

Day 19 · Wutong Street, Woodblock Workbench and Commuter Ferry

A slow grid of streets in the morning and a printing bench after it. The river crossing at the end is the one local people take to get to work.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane-tree streets, historic residences and small independent shops on a street grid that runs at its own angle to the rest of the city and reads much slower than the skyline across the river. About two hours on foot.

Woodblock watermark printing A printing method that reproduces a painting by cutting one block per colour and layering the impressions by hand, carried on in Shanghai through its long-established art and publishing houses. You work at the bench yourself for about ninety minutes, and what comes off it goes home with you.

Huangpu River ferry The crossing local people take to get to work, a working ferry rather than a sightseeing cruise. You stand at the rail with commuters and their scooters, and the towers on both banks pass at the speed of a bus route. About thirty minutes including the walk to the pier.

Day 20 · Art Spaces, Marriage Corners, and Shanghai by Night

During the day, visit art venues and the People’s Park ‘marriage corner’; after dark, your guide will take you to local bars; drinks are at your own expense.

Shanghai art centres Visit contemporary art spaces in Shanghai with a guide; specific venues will be confirmed based on your travel dates and included in the written itinerary.

People's Park marriage market A corner of the park where parents gather to find matches for their grown children, each of them standing there on someone else's behalf. Height, salary and hukou go on a sheet of paper under an umbrella. Your guide translates what is written and what is being asked. About an hour, and you look rather than take part. Standing there listening to the translation, you'll find yourself lowering your voice.

Guided bar round An evening round walked with your guide, who does the introductions and the ordering. About three hours. The guided round itself is in the base price, drinks are on your own account, and the venue list for your dates is named in your written itinerary.

Day 21 · Out through Shanghai

Your driver runs you to the airport with room left for the traffic. Twenty-one days end in the city that looks least like the one you landed in.

Airport drop-off The driver takes you to the airport with margin built against your flight time. If your flight is late in the day, tell us and the gap is arranged around your check-out time instead of left on a timetable.

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.

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

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

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

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

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

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

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

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

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

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

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

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

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

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

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

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

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

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

Shanghai

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai on the Bund

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

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

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

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

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

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Included / Excluded

What's Included

TransfersAirport pickup on day 1 in Beijing and airport drop-off on day 21 in Shanghai
Private vehiclePrivate vehicle for your group on every listed touring day in all five land cities: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai. The full-day Mutianyu round trip is included. Station and airport transfers are included for the three rail legs and the one internal flight, plus the pier transfers at Chongqing and Yichang. Vehicle type follows the final group size and is stated in writing in your quote
Rail, three legsDay 5 Beijing to Xi'an, Day 9 Xi'an to Chengdu, Day 13 Chengdu to Chongqing. Three high-speed rail segments are included in the base fare; specific train numbers and seat classes will be confirmed in the written itinerary based on travel dates.
Internal flightThe domestic flight from Yichang to Shanghai on Day 17 is included in the base quote; specific flight and cabin class will be confirmed in the written proposal.
Hotels, 17 nightsAccommodation on land for 17 nights in total: 4 nights in Beijing, 4 nights in Xi'an, 4 nights in Chengdu, 1 night in Chongqing, and 4 nights in Shanghai. The specific hotels, room types, and breakfast arrangements are subject to the written quotation and confirmation documents.
GuideA licensed English-speaking guide on every touring day, city by city
Reservations booked by usWhere advance real-name booking is required for the Palace Museum or the Shanghai Museum, we will arrange this on the confirmed travel date on your behalf, having confirmed your required identification details in advance.
BeijingForbidden City · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall (upward cable car included; descent via toboggan when open) · Temple of Heaven · Shichahai Hutongs · Gaiwan tea service · Cloisonné workbench
Xi'anTerracotta Warriors · Cycling along the Xi'an City Wall (entry tickets and bicycle hire subject to quote confirmation) · Exploring Shajing Road (along-the-way tastings subject to quote confirmation) · Shaanxi History Museum · Shadow Puppetry Workshop · Datang Everbright City
ChengduMorning panda base tour · People's Park tea house · Market visit and Sichuan cooking class · Community Sichuan opera backstage visit · Wenshu Monastery · Tuk-tuk night food tour (tasting items along the route confirmed by quote) · Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li
ChongqingThe 8D city route on the morning of day 14
ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city · Shanghai Museum · former French Concession and Wukang Road · woodblock watermark printing · Huangpu River ferry crossing · Shanghai art centres · People's Park marriage market · the guided bar round itself
MealsFarmhouse lunch at the foot of the Great Wall on Day 3 and Shaanxi noodle lunch on Day 6 can be arranged; whether these are included in the total price is subject to the written quote. Tasting stops on the Sanquqiao food hunt and the Chengdu Dudu car night tour are confirmed via the written inclusions for the respective experiences; the Sichuan cooking class includes the food prepared during the lesson.
InsuranceTravel accident insurance

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
The Yangtze shipTicket and cabin availability for the Chongqing to Yichang cruise on days 14 to 17 is not included in the base price; schedules, cabin options, and pricing will be verified separately based on your travel dates.
VisasVisa fees and processing for guests who require a Chinese visa, including every US guest on this route
MealsBeyond the meals listed above: lunches and dinners are recommended and booked by your guide, at your own expense
DrinksDrinks on the Shanghai bar round and at any meal are on your own account
PersonalGratuities, laundry, telecoms and other personal spending. Single or extra-room difference
Optional add-onsPlease submit any additional items outside the itinerary before confirming the proposal, and ensure they are listed separately in the written quotation.

Special Notes

Sailing schedules, train services, hotel accommodations, and select dining arrangements are confirmed based on the chosen travel dates. Please review the written itinerary before finalising your booking.

Yangtze River Cruise Segment — On days 14–17, the itinerary includes a cruise from Chongqing to Yichang; tickets and cabin grades are not included in the base price on this page. Please provide your travel dates so we can verify the actual sailing, cabin availability, operator activities, and pricing before finalising the complete plan.
Travel in December — Can a four-day, three-night cruise segment from Chongqing to Yichang be scheduled in December? Specific sailing dates and cabin availability must be verified against the current schedule; it is not possible to assume available dates based solely on the original planned season.
Departure Date and Closure Day — Day 2 includes a visit to the Forbidden City, and Day 14 is scheduled to board the ship in Chongqing; the actual departure date must avoid the Forbidden City's closure days and align with the current cruise schedule, to be confirmed in writing.
Holiday & Shipping Schedule Changes — Real-name reservation availability and cruise schedules during public holidays are subject to change; please verify details against specific dates. Affected itineraries will be clarified before your booking is confirmed.
Sailing Confirmation — Ship activities and port of call are subject to the itinerary published for the selected sailing and will be confirmed in the written proposal.
Train & Cabin Class — Three high-speed rail segments and one domestic flight are included in the base price; specific train services, flight numbers, seat classes, and cabin types are detailed in the written itinerary.
Reschedule — Changes to the itinerary require a re-verification of seat and fare availability for the high-speed rail, flight, and ship segments; the revised details are subject to written confirmation.
Entry and Duration of Stay — Entry requirements depend on your passport, entry date, and total time spent in China; any other stays in China within approximately 21 days of this trip must also be checked against the policies in force at the time of travel.
US passports — US passport holders should verify the applicable Chinese entry requirements for their actual travel dates; a 21-day itinerary cannot be covered solely by the 10-day transit visa exemption. Please confirm the required documents and processing times before booking.
Transit Visa Exemption — If you intend to use the transit visa exemption, first verify that the policy's eligibility criteria and maximum stay limit apply; a 10-day transit visa exemption cannot cover a complete 21-day itinerary.
Dining & Accommodation — Whether lunch on Day 3 and Day 6 is included in the total price, as well as hotel details, room type, and breakfast arrangements, are specified in the written quote for the specific dates.
Confirmation and changes — Please verify all details before payment. The booking confirmation deadline, rescheduling options, and refund conditions are subject to the specific written quote and confirmation form issued for your reservation.

Is Twenty-one Days Your Length?

Fewer than 21 days?

The six stops come apart cleanly. Beijing and Xi'an stand on their own as a ten-day pair, Chengdu and Shanghai each hold four nights without the rest, and the Chongqing and river stretch is the piece that lifts out first. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut stops rather than cut nights.

Good to Know

Group Type: Enquire for 1 guest; final group type, headcount limit, and vehicle specifications are subject to the written proposal.
Pace: 21 days, 20 nights: 4 nights each in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai; 1 night in Chongqing; and 3 nights scheduled on board. Days 4 and 12 have flexible time slots; activities on days 15 and 16 are subject to the cruise line's schedule.
Effort: The half-day at the Forbidden City, the Muyuan Great Wall, and the mountain city of Chongqing involve walking; the Xi'an city wall is primarily accessed by cycling. The level of activity on board and ashore varies depending on the actual voyage.
Ports: Arrive in Beijing, depart from Shanghai. Airport pickup on day 1 and drop-off on day 21
Inbound: Please check the applicable visa or visa-free policy based on your passport, travel dates, and total stay in China; a 21-day itinerary cannot be covered by a 10-day transit visa exemption alone.
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides on every touring day, city by city
Departure Date: Specific departure dates must align with the Palace Museum's opening days, actual sailing schedules from Chongqing to Yichang, and cabin availability. Please request a quote by date.
Payment: The deposit, balance due date, and cancellation or amendment terms are specified in this written quotation. Payment is to be made only after the full itinerary has been confirmed.

Your Private Concierge Service

Jenny

China Private Travel Route Consultant

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

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

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

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

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

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

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

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

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

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

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

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

Jan 2026

China Ready

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

Do this before you fly

VPN & Internet Access

What's blocked

Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.

Download before you leave

It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.

Hotel Wi-Fi tip

Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.

Good news

WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

Paying in China

China is cashless

Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.

International cards now work

Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.

Carry some cash

We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.

Booking this trip

Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.

We handle the paperwork

Visa & Entry

Do you need a visa?

Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.

240-hour visa-free transit

Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.

Processing time

Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.

What we provide

Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.

Our responsibility, always

Safety & Practical Tips

Is China safe?

China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.

Emergency numbers

Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.

Health & medications

Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.

Language

English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Twenty-one days and only six places. What do we actually do on the fourth day in a city? 21

The things the guidebooks stop listing. In Beijing it is a lane walk, a tea table and a cloisonné bench; in Xi'an it is two hours riding around the top of the city wall and then eating one street over from the tourist flow; in Chengdu it is a whole afternoon in a park teahouse with nothing after it; in Shanghai it is a corner of People's Park where parents look for matches for their grown children. None of those are things to see. They are what the city is doing while you are there.

What is the situation with the Yangtze section?

Days 14 to 17 are a four-day, three-night downstream sailing from Chongqing to Yichang, sold by the operator on an all-inclusive ticket. We have not secured a cabin block: the operator holds no space and takes named bookings first come first served through its own system, so we cannot promise you a cabin today. That is why the ship is not in the price, not in the inclusions and not sold to you as a highlight, and why we take no orders and no deposits on this route yet. What holds either way: the 17 land nights and the four-night cities, the guides, the three rail legs and the flight. All of that is arranged, and the pier transfers at both ends are ours. Tell us your dates and we write to you the day a cabin is held.

Can we go in December?

Not on this route. The sailing this plan is built on leaves Chongqing on Fridays and its 2026 season ends on November 27, and no December sailing fits these 21 days. The last departure of this selling season is Saturday, November 14, 2026, finishing on December 4. If December is your only window, tell us and we will point you at routes that run then instead of bending this one.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK and European passports enter visa-free for stays of up to 21 days, and so do Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ones. Your 21 days plus any extra days in China are checked against that window order by order. Every departure in this selling season finishes on or before December 4, 2026, inside the current policy. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 21 days is far longer than the 10-day transit policy allows, so every US guest holds a Chinese tourist or business visa, applied for in person the first time. Because the sailing date is fixed, we confirm processing time against your departure date in writing before any payment. If the dates do not fit, we say so instead of selling.

How much walking is there really?

Three days carry real distance: the Forbidden City half day, the Mutianyu wall walk, and the Chongqing morning through the city's levels. Every climb on this route is done by machine: cable car up at Mutianyu, a seated sled down, lifts and escalators through Chongqing. The Xi'an wall is ridden, not walked. Four of the 21 days are rest days, three of those are on the river and ask nothing of anyone, and the two remaining land rest days have a monastery and an evening food ride on them. Tell us if anyone in your party wants a shorter version of a given day and the guide builds the day around that person.

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Farmhouse Lunch at the Foot of the Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan

Walk Through Hutongs and Shichahai

Seated Tea Ceremony: Gaiwan Basics

Cloisonné Workshop

Temple of Heaven

Terracotta Army

Sha'anxi Noodle Lunch

Ancient City Wall Cycle Tour in Xi'an

Flavour Hunt on Sajin Bridge

Shaanxi History Museum

Xi'an Shadow Puppet Workshop

Datang Everbright City

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea House

Market Stroll and Sichuan Cooking Class

Behind the Scenes of Sichuan Opera

Wenshu Monastery

Tuk-Tuk Food Route

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Chongqing's 8D Fantasy City

Yu Garden and the Old Town

Shanghai Museum

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

Woodblock Watercolour Printing

The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry

Shanghai Arts Centre

Matchmaking Corner Visit in Shanghai

A Refined Journey Through Shanghai's Bars

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Farmhouse Lunch at the Foot of the Great Wall

05. Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan

06. Walk Through Hutongs and Shichahai

07. Seated Tea Ceremony: Gaiwan Basics

08. Cloisonné Workshop

09. Temple of Heaven

10. Terracotta Army

11. Sha'anxi Noodle Lunch

12. Ancient City Wall Cycle Tour in Xi'an

13. Flavour Hunt on Sajin Bridge

14. Shaanxi History Museum

15. Xi'an Shadow Puppet Workshop

16. Datang Everbright City

17. Chengdu Panda Base

18. People's Park Tea House

19. Market Stroll and Sichuan Cooking Class

20. Behind the Scenes of Sichuan Opera

21. Wenshu Monastery

22. Tuk-Tuk Food Route

23. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

24. Chongqing's 8D Fantasy City

25. Yu Garden and the Old Town

26. Shanghai Museum

27. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

28. Woodblock Watercolour Printing

29. The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry

30. Shanghai Arts Centre

31. Matchmaking Corner Visit in Shanghai

32. A Refined Journey Through Shanghai's Bars

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Farmhouse Lunch at the Foot of the Great Wall

05. Mutianyu Great Wall Toboggan

06. Walk Through Hutongs and Shichahai

07. Seated Tea Ceremony: Gaiwan Basics

08. Cloisonné Workshop

09. Temple of Heaven

10. Terracotta Army

11. Sha'anxi Noodle Lunch

12. Ancient City Wall Cycle Tour in Xi'an

13. Flavour Hunt on Sajin Bridge

14. Shaanxi History Museum

15. Xi'an Shadow Puppet Workshop

16. Datang Everbright City

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 8

Chengdu · Day 9 - Day 12

Chongqing · Day 13 - Day 15