South to North: 14-Day China Holiday

Overview

Most first-time trips to China begin in Beijing, with a visit to the Forbidden City on day two. This journey starts in the south, opening in a city deeply engaged in modernisation, before heading north in one continuous sweep—no backtracking: a temple courtyard in Foshan, the river-divided skylines of Shanghai, an unplanned afternoon in a Chengdu teahouse, an irrigation system first built in the 3rd century BCE that still operates today, then the armies of the first Emperor, the palaces, and finally the Great Wall. Spending three nights each in Chengdu, Xi’an, and Beijing slows down the second half of the itinerary. By the time the Wall comes into view on day thirteen, you’ll already know exactly what you’re looking at.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your travel dates, group size, and the passport you hold. You’ll receive a first response within four hours and a clear quote within one working day. For this route, we’ll also candidly update you on the status of ground confirmations and departure calendars—before you’re asked for anything.

Why you'll love this trip

Five cities, no backtracking. Wing Chun, pandas, a Qin-era irrigation system and the Terracotta Warriors, with English-speaking guides city by city.
14 days from a southern teahouse to the Great Wall. See how China fits together.

On your first full day after arriving, take your first stance under the guidance of a local Wing Chun master. The town’s temple grounds still host lion dances and martial arts performances: on the second day, you will practice hands-on rather than observe through a lens.
As night falls, standing on the Bund, a century-old cluster of bank buildings is behind you while the skyscrapers of Pudong rise before you: one city gazing across the river at another — two Chinas in the same frame for the first time on this journey.
Spend the afternoon in a bamboo chair at People's Park, sipping covered-bowl tea that is endlessly refilled: by the time your table is topped up for the second time, no one in your group will bother to ask what comes next.
Step onto an irrigation system dating back to the 3rd century BC that is still in operation today, then spend the remainder of your time on that serene Taoist mountain: here, the ancient and the operational are no longer opposites.
Climb Xi'an's city wall: one side reveals the modern metropolis, the other the ancient old-town streets. Where weather and energy allow, you can cycle the ramparts; otherwise, walk the route.
On day thirteen, take a cable car or open-air chairlift up to Mutianyu, where watchtowers line up along the ridge: the backdrop of a ten-day journey ultimately converges into that picture already formed in your mind.
Stay three nights each in Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing; in the second half of the journey, you can unpack upon arrival in each city, eliminating the need to change hotels every day.

Things to do

Lion dance and martial arts performance in a temple courtyard, Foshan

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou

Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter, Shanghai

The Bund and Pudong Skyline at Night, Shanghai

Former French Concession and Wukang Road, Shanghai

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Qingcheng Mountain Daoist Temple, Mount Qingcheng

Xi'an City Wall and its cycling route along the top, Xi'an

Bell and Drum Tower Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night Views, Xi'an

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Itinerary

Arrivals

Guangzhou · Day 1 - Day 2

Day 1 · Arrival in Guangzhou

Arrive in Guangzhou on your confirmed flight. After being met at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. No sightseeing is scheduled for this day.

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

Guangzhou through the window Elevated roads, then banyan trees and lit shopfronts along a subtropical street. The China you flew to shows up before you have unpacked anything, and it is warmer and louder than the one in the photographs.

Evening No itinerary is planned for that evening. If you would like to have dinner, your guide can recommend and reserve a restaurant near the hotel on your behalf; please note that meal costs are to be settled by guests.

Day 2 · Foshan Ancestral Temple, Lion Dance and Wing Chun

Round-trip between Guangzhou and Foshan: start with Ancestral Temple and lion dance, then explore Wing Chun; the first full day is reserved for jet-lag adjustment.

Road out to Foshan Travel to Foshan by car from Guangzhou and return to Guangzhou for the evening, keeping your luggage at the hotel. Specific departure and return times will be confirmed in the quote.

Foshan Ancestral Temple Courtyards, carved roof ridges and the cultural displays inside a temple complex that has been the neighbourhood's meeting point for centuries. Stand under the main roof and look up at the ridge: it is crowded with small ceramic figures, a whole theatre company's worth of them, up where nobody can see them properly from the ground.

Lion dance and martial arts in the temple grounds Two people inside one lion, one working the head and one the tail, and a drum keeping both of them honest. Watch the feet rather than the face: the lion is a martial arts form wearing a costume, and the drummer is the one telling it where to go.

Wing Chun session Begin with the origins of Wing Chun and how to generate close-range power, then try basic stances and hand techniques. Instructor and session times will be confirmed based on your travel dates.

Easy day This is the first full day after a long-haul flight, so it holds three things and no more, and each of them shortens if the party is still on the wrong clock.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 3 - Day 4

Day 3 · Foshan morning tea, Guangzhou New Town, then fly to Shanghai

Begin with morning tea in Foshan, then visit Haixinsha to view Zhujiang New Town, and finally fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai.

Cantonese morning tea At a time-honoured teahouse, fresh shrimp dumplings, siu mai, rice noodle rolls and char siu buns are served straight from the steamer, with tea refilled throughout. Dim sum charges are calculated based on the written quote.

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town Looking from Haixinsha toward Zhujiang New Town, you have the river islet park on one side and riverside towers on the other. Yesterday you were in the courtyard of Ancestral Temple in Foshan; today, view Lingnan’s cityscapes from a new angle.

Fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai The flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai requires that transfers and check-in buffers at both ends be arranged according to the actual flight schedule. The flight number, departure/arrival times, and cabin class are specified in writing in this quote.

Evening Upon arrival in Shanghai, proceed to your hotel check-in; no sightseeing is scheduled for that evening, with the Bund reserved for Day 4. Exact arrival times are subject to flight confirmation.

Day 4 · A garden, a collection, two skylines

From Yu Garden and the Old City to the Shanghai Museum, then head to The Bund at night to view Puxing across the river.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a path that refuses to run straight, set within the oldest quarter of the city. Walk the loop once without stopping to read anything: the garden is designed to withhold the far end of the pond until you have turned the corner.

Shanghai Museum Explore bronze vessels, ceramics, and calligraphy and painting; get closer to the bronzes to identify the casting seams left by the moulds. Specific gallery sections and booking slots will be confirmed according to your travel date.

The Bund and the Pudong skyline after dark The old banking houses hold one bank of the river and the Pudong towers hold the other, a century apart and looking straight at each other across the water. Your guide stays with you through the evening. Stand at the rail with the old buildings behind you and the towers in front: that is the fifteen seconds worth filming.

Flight

Chengdu · Day 5 - Day 7

Day 5 · Wukang Road and the Huangpu River ferry, then fly to Chengdu

Stroll down Wukang Road, then cross the river on a commuter ferry; after that, fly from Shanghai to Chengdu.

The former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane trees closing over the street, three-storey houses behind low walls, small shops that sell one thing each. Look up at the balconies with the laundry out: these are apartments, not a preserved district, and somebody is having their morning above your head.

Huangpu River commuter ferry The boat people take to get to work, a few minutes across, with scooters wheeled on at the front and the same two skylines from last night arriving at deck height in daylight.

Fly from Shanghai to Chengdu Fly from Shanghai to Chengdu. Pick-up and drop-off, flight times, and cabin class are confirmed according to your travel dates and detailed in the written quote.

Evening Check in and stop. Nothing is scheduled, and dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, on your own account.

Day 6 · Panda Base and Loose-leaf Tea at People’s Park

Start the morning with a panda viewing session, then relax with tea at Renmin Park, leaving ample time without rushing.

Chengdu panda base in the morning You are there in the active hours: eating, climbing down off things, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths, benches, about three hours to use as you like. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait: the animal comes over on its own schedule or not at all.

People's Park teahouse Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and someone with a long-spouted kettle topping it up for as long as you stay. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner working two tables over with a tuning fork. An hour in, you'll notice you have stopped checking how long this is taking.

Easy day Two things and a whole afternoon, on purpose. Chengdu is where the second half of this trip changes speed.

Day 7 · Return to Chengdu the same day after visiting Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng

See the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which is still in use today to divide the Min River, then visit Mount Qingcheng, and stay in Chengdu again that night.

Rail out to Dujiangyan Take a high-speed rail from Chengdu to Dujiangyan and return the same day, leaving luggage at the Chengdu hotel. Rail transfers at both ends are subject to confirmation for this trip.

Dujiangyan irrigation system An irrigation system built in the 3rd century BC and still in operation. Stand where the water divides and watch it take both channels: one of them runs onto the plain this province farms, and it has been doing that without interruption for over two thousand years. Your guide draws the mechanism before you look at it, which takes about four minutes and changes what you see.

Mount Qingcheng Taoist temple Follow the mountain trail to the Daoist temple. The reception format and timing for meeting the Daoist priest and introductory tai chi must be confirmed for your travel date; the mountain path is adjusted based on weather and your physical condition.

Back to Chengdu The return train gets you back into the city in the evening, at the hotel you left this morning.

High-speed Train

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Day 8 · Chengdu’s Alleys and Sichuan Opera, then a high-speed rail journey to Xi’an

Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li, enjoy a Sichuan opera performance, and then take the high-speed train to Xi'an.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Three parallel lanes of courtyard houses, and the shopping district beside them. It is busy and thoroughly commercial, and worth an hour and a half for the building form alone: look through any open doorway at the courtyard behind it, and the plan of a Chinese city house is right there.

Community Sichuan opera house A neighbourhood theatre, not a hotel ballroom. You go backstage before the performance, watch a painted face being built up in layers, then sit close enough to fail to catch the change: the mask becomes another mask in the time it takes the performer to swing his head.

Rail Chengdu to Xi'an High-speed rail journey from Chengdu to Xi'an. Train number, schedule, seat class, and station transfer arrangements to be confirmed in the written quotation.

Day 9 · Terracotta Warriors – a full day

Today is dedicated solely to the Terracotta Warriors, allowing a leisurely stroll through the halls and pits where the clay figures are displayed.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated 8,000 figures buried with the first emperor of unified China, standing in the pits they came out of. Walk the length of the main pit first without stopping, then come back: the ranks separate out by armour and hairstyle once you know what to look at, and no two faces were modelled the same.

The color that is left In the more recently excavated areas, traces of the original paint are still visible on some figures. Ask your guide to point out a surviving patch: it is the one detail that makes the army stop looking like stone and start looking like a crowd.

Pace The Terracotta Army is the only excursion activity today, and the majority of the time will be spent walking and standing. For availability during the National Day holiday period, please refer to the actual departure calendar.

Day 10 · Xi'an City Wall and Muslim Quarter

Cycle or walk along the city walls during the day, then explore the Bell and Drum Tower district and the Muslim Quarter in the evening.

Xi'an City Wall with the wall-top cycling section You ride a section of the top, wide enough for two abreast, with the modern city on one side and the old street grid on the other. The bicycle is included for that section. Stop at a corner tower, put both feet down and look inward: the grid below you is the old city's street plan, and the traffic is still following it.

Weather and stamina This is the longest stretch of unsheltered outdoor time on the route. When the weather or the legs say otherwise, the same stretch is walked instead of ridden, and you stand in exactly the same place.

Bell & Drum Towers District and Muslim Quarter Night Tour Walk from the Bell and Drum Tower area into the Muslim Quarter, passing stalls serving noodles, dried persimmons, and roujiamo. This neighbourhood is home to Chinese Muslim families who have lived and worked here for generations; food costs are at your own expense.

High-speed Train

Beijing · Day 11 - Day 14

Day 11 · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then high-speed train to Beijing

Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, then travel to Beijing by high-speed train; no tours are arranged upon arrival.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda A tall brick pagoda in its own temple compound, with the cultural quarter that grew up around it. Stand at the base and look up the taper: the storeys shorten as they rise, which is what makes the thing look taller than it is. This is the part of Xi'an that is not Qin, and the reason the city kept mattering for another thousand years.

Rail Xi'an to Beijing Take a high-speed train from Xi'an to Beijing. The specific service number, times, seat class, and station transfer arrangements will be confirmed in your written quotation.

Evening After arriving in Beijing, check into your hotel; no tours are arranged that evening. You will stay in Beijing for three consecutive nights.

Day 12 · Walk along the central axis of the Forbidden City to Jingshan

Enter the Forbidden City through its south gate, walk along the central axis to the north gate, then climb Jingshan Park to overlook the palace complex.

The Forbidden City Real-name booking is required for the Forbidden City; specific entry time slots will be confirmed based on your travel date. Once inside, follow the central axis, moving from the front hall to the living quarters and the Imperial Garden, before exiting via the north gate.

Pace The Forbidden City is expansive, so allow time for rest during your visit. Note that it is closed on Mondays; if Day 12 falls on a Monday, the itinerary order for the Great Wall and Forbidden City may need to be adjusted.

Jingshan Park Out of the north gate and up the hill, about an hour including the climb. From the pavilion at the top the palace roofs read as one continuous field of gold, and the Beijing Central Axis runs straight out through them, north and south. That axis is how the whole old city was set out, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2024.

Day 13 · The wall, on day thirteen

Climb the wall at Mutianyu and walk between the enemy towers; no other heavy activities scheduled for the day.

Drive out to Mutianyu The drive north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, which is why the Wall gets the whole day and no other heavy site is scheduled alongside it. The vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car or open chairlift up Take a cable car or open-air chair lift up, then walk onto the restored section of the city wall. Ascension methods and fees are subject to written quotes and daily availability.

Walking the towers Your guide reads the wall to you at the top: the beacon towers, the pass below, why the sightlines run where they do, and what a garrison up here actually did all day. Walk out to the second tower and turn around: the wall behind you is doing the same thing over the next ridge, and the one after that.

Day 14 · Depart on the day of your flight schedule

Whether the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, or the National Museum of China can be included depends on flight timings and booking availability; final airport drop-off.

How the day is cut For flights before noon, you will be taken directly to the airport. For departures between noon and 6:00 PM, you may choose to visit either the Temple of Heaven or Tiananmen Square. For flights after 6:00 PM, you may also consider booking a slot at the National Museum of China. All activities are subject to flight schedules and booking availability, and must be confirmed in writing prior to payment.

Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line, where the emperor made the annual sacrifice for the harvest. Round for heaven, square for earth: once you hold that, the ground plan reads itself. The park around it is where the neighbourhood does its morning, so you are walking through other people's routine rather than a monument.

Tiananmen Square Walk past Tiananmen Square. Security checks are required for entry; queue times vary depending on the day. The final itinerary is subject to flight times and drop-off buffer.

National Museum of China The museum is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, featuring exhibits of bronze ware, ceramics, statues, and calligraphy. A visit is arranged only if flight timings allow and the booking is successful.

Airport drop-off Arranging Beijing airport transfers in accordance with confirmed flight timings, with buffer time allocated for check-in and transit.

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.

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.

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.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Situated in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers unmatched transport convenience. Located near Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3, it ensures seamless travel.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

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

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Home to numerous multinational corporations, Tianhe’s emerging central business district benefits from a prime location next to Zhujiang New Town.

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.

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.

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.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Situated in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers unmatched transport convenience. Located near Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3, it ensures seamless travel.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Home to numerous multinational corporations, Tianhe’s emerging central business district benefits from a prime location next to Zhujiang New Town.

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.

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.

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.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Situated in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers unmatched transport convenience. Located near Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3, it ensures seamless travel.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Home to numerous multinational corporations, Tianhe’s emerging central business district benefits from a prime location next to Zhujiang New Town.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Intercity transportThe itinerary includes two domestic flights—Guangzhou to Shanghai on Day 3 and Shanghai to Chengdu on Day 5—and three high-speed rail journeys: a round trip to Dujiangyan on Day 7, Chengdu to Xi'an on Day 8, and Xi'an to Beijing on Day 11. Specific train numbers, flight details, cabin class, and seat grades are subject to the written quotation.
Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle with driver for all listed touring in all five cities, the Foshan road round trip on day two and the morning of day three, the Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng day and the full-day Mutianyu round trip; airport transfers at both ends of the two flights; station transfers for the three rail movements; airport pickup in Guangzhou on day one and drop-off in Beijing on day fourteen
Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Guangzhou 2 · Shanghai 2 · Chengdu 3 · Xi'an 3 · Beijing 3
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each of the five cities, including the Foshan day, and accompanying the Bund evening in Shanghai and the Muslim Quarter evening in Xi'an
Tickets & experiences, Guangzhou and FoshanFoshan Ancestral Temple · the lion dance and martial arts in the temple grounds · the Wing Chun session with a local practitioner · Cantonese morning tea at a long-established tea house, table and tea service included · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town
Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden with the old city · Shanghai Museum · the Bund and the Pudong skyline after dark, guide accompanied · the former French Concession and Wukang Road on foot · the Huangpu River commuter ferry crossing
Tickets & experiences, ChengduThe panda base on a morning visit · the gaiwan teahouse sitting in People's Park, seat and refills included · Kuanzhai Alley with Taikoo Li · the community Sichuan opera house with the backstage visit and face-changing up close
Tickets & experiences, DujiangyanThe Dujiangyan irrigation works · the tranquil Mount Qingcheng Taoist temple, with a conversation with a resident Taoist and an introduction to tai chi
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Warriors · the Xi'an City Wall with the wall-top cycling section and the bicycle for it · the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · the Bell and Drum Tower quarter with the Muslim Quarter at night, on foot with the guide
Tickets & experiences, BeijingForbidden City, Jingshan Park, and Mutianyu Great Wall. The method and cost of ascending the Great Wall, as well as the feasibility of the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, or the National Museum of China on the departure date, are confirmed in the written quote according to the travel date.
Meals13 hotel breakfasts, one per morning on days two through fourteen. The tea house sittings in Foshan and Chengdu are seated experiences with the tea included rather than meals
InsuranceTravel accident insurance

Not Included

International flightsExcludes international flights to Guangzhou and from Beijing, required transit segments at both ends, and accommodation in hub cities due to transits.
VisasGuests required to obtain a Chinese visa must bear the visa fee and processing costs; visa requirements are verified on a case-by-case basis according to passport, purpose of entry and travel dates.
Lunches and dinnersNo lunch or dinner is included in the base price on this route. Your guide recommends and books; the bill is your own. The tasting stalls on the Muslim Quarter walk and anything you order to eat at the People's Park teahouse are on the same basis
Climbing the Bell Tower and the Drum TowerThe Xi'an evening is the quarter on foot. Admission to climb either tower is a separately priced add-on
In-park transport and in-venue spendingThe site shuttles at the Terracotta Warriors, the panda base and Dujiangyan, the cableway and lake boat at Mount Qingcheng, and the audio guides and hired guides inside the museums and the palace: each is stated in writing in your quote rather than assumed
Optional add-onsPriced separately when you choose them; no optional item is added to the base plan
PersonalGratuities for guides and drivers, single-room or extra-room supplement, laundry, shopping, and all personal expenses

Special Notes

The details below are subject to change based on your travel date, weather conditions, and booking availability; please refer to your specific written itinerary for confirmation.

Booking and written confirmation — Inquiries and bookings for this itinerary can be made by travel date. Specific arrangements for accommodation, guides, transport, flights, high-speed rail, and venues requiring reservation are subject to the written quote and confirmation provided prior to payment; unverified departure times, time slots, and availability are not guaranteed in advance.
Pricing details to be confirmed in quotation — Please cross-check each included service against the written quotation you have received. Items not specified in the quotation are not considered included.
Departure Day Itinerary — Day 14 activities and airport transfer will be arranged according to your outbound flight schedule. The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the National Museum of China are not three mandatory must-see attractions; the specific activities that can actually be arranged and any necessary reservations will be confirmed in writing before payment.
Departure dates — The availability of the National Day holiday week (1–7 October) is subject to the tour departure calendar. The Palace Museum is closed on Mondays; if Day 12 falls on a Monday, the sequence of the Palace Museum and Great Wall visits can be swapped. The exact day-by-day order will be confirmed before payment.
November and December departures — three points on this route move with the weather. The Mutianyu ascent runs on a cableway and an open chairlift, and snow or ice closes both. The wall-top cycling section in Xi'an is the longest unsheltered stretch on the route and converts to a walking section of the wall. The hillside paths at Mount Qingcheng are the third. For a departure in those two months, your quote states the arrangement for all three in writing before you pay.
The three timed reservations — the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China and Shanghai Museum all require a timed reservation, and their systems sit poorly with overseas mobile numbers. The Forbidden City releases slots on a seven-day lead. Your quote states in writing who books each of the three and by when. The admission itself is in the base price either way.
Experiences requiring case-by-case confirmation — Please verify the specific format, staff, and time slots for the Foshan Wing Chun experience, the Qingcheng Mountain Daoist temple exchange and introductory Tai Chi, and the backstage visit to Chengdu’s Sichuan opera on your chosen dates. No fixed personnel or duration is guaranteed until confirmed; inclusions are subject to the written quote.
Foshan and the day three margin — On Day 2, take a round trip from Guangzhou to Foshan; Day 3's morning tea is also planned in Foshan, with both nights spent in Guangzhou. Before the flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on Day 3, verify the timing for morning tea, return transport, and check-in buffer against the actual flight schedule, and clearly itemise these in the quote.
Your first evening in Shanghai — No sightseeing is arranged on the evening of arrival in Shanghai; The Bund is scheduled for Day 4. Specific arrival times, airport transfers, and contact details for the night will be confirmed in the written itinerary based on your actual flight.
Shanghai Museum Campuses — The specific gallery section to be visited on Day 4 and the reservation time slot will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
Class of travel — two domestic flights and three rail movements. Your quote states the class of each one in writing, and the 2026 fourth-quarter air and rail timetables are re-checked for your dates before your confirmation is issued, because the airline season changes at the end of October.
Visa window — The current 30-day visa-free entry policy for eligible ordinary passports is valid until 31 December 2026. For travel near the policy’s expiry date or spanning across years, the relevant passport, arrival date, and duration of stay in China must be checked individually against the latest official regulations at the time of travel, rather than relying solely on a fixed departure date.
US passports — US ordinary passports are not included in this 30-day visa-exempt list; the 14-day itinerary also exceeds the 240-hour transit visa-free stay limit, so guests will typically need to obtain the applicable Chinese visa in advance. Verify entry requirements against the guest's passport and itinerary before payment.
Connections at both ends — International flights arriving in Guangzhou and departing from Beijing must be verified based on the point of departure and date; some itineraries may require a connection. International flights, connecting segments, and any accommodation in a hub city necessitated by these connections are not included in the base price of this route; the specific connection plan will be confirmed in writing before payment.
Confirmation and changes — Each quotation will specify the confirmation deadline, rescheduling, and refund conditions. Date changes may affect flight, high-speed rail, and venue bookings; specific costs and the scope of adjustments are subject to the written terms of that booking.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The five cities can be adjusted by dates and interests. If Guangzhou and Foshan are removed, the route can be revised to enter via Shanghai and exit via Beijing, with Chengdu and Dujiangyan retained as an independent segment. Please share your travel dates and the number of travellers so we can confirm the updated itinerary and quote.

Good to Know

Group: Quotes are available from 1 guest; group formation, party size, and service arrangements are subject to the written quotation.
Pace: Five cities in 14 days, south to north, no backtracking. Guangzhou 2 nights, Shanghai 2, Chengdu 3, Xi'an 3, Beijing 3. Two easy days, on day two and day six, and two same-day round trips that leave your bags in the hotel
Effort: Moderate. The Great Wall ascent is by cable car or open chairlift, the Xi'an wall-top section can be walked instead of ridden, and the two heaviest Beijing sites are on separate days. The longest single site day is the Terracotta Warriors, about three and a half hours mostly on your feet.
Ports: Guangzhou in, Beijing out, open jaw; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day fourteen
Intercity: Two domestic flights and three high-speed rail journeys, all included in the base price. Class specified in writing per booking.
Visas: British, most European, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports enter visa-free for days, checked order by order against your dates. US passports need a Chinese tourist or business visa for this route
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
Meals: 13 hotel breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are recommended and booked by your guide, on your own account
Payment: A 10% deposit (minimum US$399) secures your dates, with the balance due 14 days before departure; specific cancellation and amendment conditions, as well as the “or similar” standard for hotels, are provided in writing prior to payment.
Season: Specific available dates from October to December 2026, National Day week arrangements, and weather impacts are subject to the terms of that specific written quotation.

Your Private Concierge Service

Jenny

China Private Travel Route Consultant

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

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

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

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

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

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

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

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

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

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

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

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

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

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

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

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

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

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

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

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

Jan 2026

China Ready

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

Do this before you fly

VPN & Internet Access

What's blocked

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

Download before you leave

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

Hotel Wi-Fi tip

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

Good news

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

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

Paying in China

China is cashless

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

International cards now work

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

Carry some cash

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

Booking this trip

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

We handle the paperwork

Visa & Entry

Do you need a visa?

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

240-hour visa-free transit

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

Processing time

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

What we provide

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

Our responsibility, always

Safety & Practical Tips

Is China safe?

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

Emergency numbers

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

Health & medications

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

Language

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

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Why does the Great Wall come on day thirteen?

Because it is the last piece, not the first. Put it on day two and it stays the picture you already had before you booked. Put it on day thirteen and you reach it having stood in a Foshan temple courtyard, on the Bund between two skylines, at an irrigation system from the 3rd century BC that is still running, and in front of the first emperor's army, so the wall arrives as an answer rather than a photograph. The practical side works out the same way: the round trip from the city takes most of a day, so the wall gets a day of its own with nothing heavy beside it.

Fourteen days, five cities, five intercity journeys. How much of that is travel?

Less than the numbers suggest, because none of it doubles back. The two flights sit in the afternoon of days three and five, each with a morning of sightseeing before it. Two of the three rail movements are afternoon departures on days eight and eleven, again after a morning out. The third is a same-day round trip on day seven that leaves your Chengdu room untouched. Your own driver runs both ends of every movement and your guide hands you over at the door. What that buys you is the second half: three nights each in Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing, one hotel per city.

We're travelling in November. What actually changes?

Three things on this route move with the weather. The Mutianyu ascent runs on a cableway and an open chairlift, and snow or ice closes both. The wall-top cycling section in Xi'an is the longest unsheltered stretch on the route. The hill paths at Mount Qingcheng are the third. We cannot promise any of the three against a forecast, and we will not pretend otherwise: your quote states in writing what is arranged for your exact dates. What holds regardless: the wall day is yours either way and the section is walked when it is not ridden, so you stand on the same wall and in the same place on the ramparts, and the two indoor anchors of the trip, the palace and the army, are unaffected by weather.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. British, French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Nordic, Central European, Irish, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports currently enter visa-free for stays days, and we check your 14 days plus any extra days in China against that window before you pay. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 14 days is longer than the 10-day visa-free transit policy allows, so US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, applied for in person the first time. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if the dates do not fit, we say so instead of selling.

Can we book this today?

Not yet, and we would rather say so than take a deposit on it. Four things are still being settled: the day plan and transfer timing are being re-cut. Until those items are done we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates and passports, and we will write to you the day this route opens.

Foshan Ancestral Temple

Lion dance and martial arts performance in a temple courtyard

Wing Chun Kung Fu Class

Cantonese Yum Cha

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter

Shanghai Museum

The Bund and Pudong Skyline at Night

Former French Concession and Wukang Road

Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

Chengdu Panda Base at dawn

People's Park Teahouse

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Qingcheng Mountain Daoist Temple

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Community Sichuan Opera House

Terracotta Army

Xi'an City Wall and its cycling route along the top

Bell and Drum Tower Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night Views

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion dance and martial arts performance in a temple courtyard

03. Wing Chun Kung Fu Class

04. Cantonese Yum Cha

05. Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

06. Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter

07. Shanghai Museum

08. The Bund and Pudong Skyline at Night

09. Former French Concession and Wukang Road

10. Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

11. Chengdu Panda Base at dawn

12. People's Park Teahouse

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Daoist Temple

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera House

17. Terracotta Army

18. Xi'an City Wall and its cycling route along the top

19. Bell and Drum Tower Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night Views

20. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

21. Forbidden City

22. Jingshan Park

23. Mutianyu Great Wall

24. Tiananmen Square

25. Temple of Heaven

26. National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion dance and martial arts performance in a temple courtyard

03. Wing Chun Kung Fu Class

04. Cantonese Yum Cha

05. Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town

06. Yu Garden and the Old Town Quarter

07. Shanghai Museum

08. The Bund and Pudong Skyline at Night

09. Former French Concession and Wukang Road

10. Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

11. Chengdu Panda Base at dawn

12. People's Park Teahouse

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Daoist Temple

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera House

17. Terracotta Army

18. Xi'an City Wall and its cycling route along the top

19. Bell and Drum Tower Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night Views

20. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

21. Forbidden City

22. Jingshan Park

23. Mutianyu Great Wall

24. Tiananmen Square

25. Temple of Heaven

26. National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion dance and martial arts performance in a temple courtyard

Guangzhou · Day 1 - Day 2

Shanghai · Day 3 - Day 4

Chengdu · Day 5 - Day 7

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Beijing · Day 11 - Day 14