Two Waters: 21-Day China Holiday

Overview

This 21-day itinerary departs from Beijing, passing through Xi'an, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing, followed by a Yangtze River cruise to Yichang, before concluding in Shanghai. The itinerary includes three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, four nights in Jiuzhaigou Town, one night in Chongqing, and three nights aboard the ship. Featuring the Dujiangyan water-diversion system, the Three Gorges Dam and the classical gardens of Zhujiajiao, the journey is centred on how people harness the power of water. The full itinerary is available to book; specific hotel, transport and cabin details are subject to written confirmation.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Please provide your preferred travel dates and group size. Our written quotation will outline hotel and transport details, as well as cruise itinerary and cabin arrangements for both the plateau and Yangtze River segments.

Why you'll love this trip

China at half the speed. The Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, pandas, water towns and the Bund, with English-speaking guides city by city.
21 days from a valley lake that never moves to a river that carries your ship. See what a country does with water.

Observe the watchtowers along the mountain ridge at Mutianyu. The cable car ascent and toboggan descent are included in the quote; actual operations are subject to the scenic area's arrangements on the day of your visit.
As your day at the Forbidden City comes to a close, climb the hill of Jingshan Park for a look back: the golden roofs you wove through that morning stretch out below you, aligned along a straight axis.
Standing beside the terracotta pits, home to roughly 8,000 statues created to serve a single emperor: your guide will show you how to distinguish generals from crossbowmen by their armour and hairstyles.
Cycle on the Xi'an City Wall, comparing the old town's lanes on one side with the new district on the other; bike rental times are confirmed according to the day's scenic area schedule.
Step into Dujiangyan, where in the 3rd century BCE a river was divided in two without a dam. It still works today: the entire philosophy of this route lies right beneath your feet.
Visit the Panda Base in the morning and relax in a teahouse at People's Park in the afternoon; gaiwan tea is included in the quote, while other tea snacks can be selected on the spot.
Drift along the waterways of Zhujiajiao by boat, then step into the Kezhi Garden, where a household once channeled the same waters within its walls and built its residence around them.

Things to do

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Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

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City

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Heritage

Wellness

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Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

Wellness

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Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

Wellness

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Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Regardless of when your flight lands, we will meet you at the airport based on the confirmed flight details. The first day is reserved for arrival and rest.

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.

Beijing through the window Ring roads first, then poplars and the lit shopfronts of an ordinary street. The country you flew this far for shows up before you have unpacked anything.

Evening No evening activities are arranged. If you would like to book dinner, your guide can recommend or assist with reservations, at your own expense.

Day 2 · One axis, then the view of it

The palace in the morning, the hill behind it in the afternoon. Today you discover that this city was designed before it was built.

The Forbidden City Your timed slot is booked ahead under your passport name, so you walk in on schedule. Inside, one axis: the ceremonial halls where the court did its business, the living quarters behind them, the imperial garden at the end, then out through the north gate. Stand in the middle of the main courtyard and look back through the gates you came in by. They line up, one inside another, all the way out to the square.

Pace The palace is large and guests regularly find it exhausting, so the route is cut to that single line, with the seats we know about built into it.

Jingshan Park Exit through the north gate of the palace and ascend the steps to Jingshan’s viewing platform. Look back south: the rooftops of the Forbidden City unfold in layered tiers along the central axis, stretching all the way to the horizon.

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

A cable car takes you up and a sledge brings you down. The wall was built to stop horses, not people, and from up there you can see why that distinction mattered.

Drive out to Mutianyu The run north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, which is why nothing else is on today. The vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car up The climb is done for you. You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions, and your guide points out the beacon towers, the pass below, and why the sightlines fall where they do. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it: that is today's picture.

Lunch Lunch is not included. You may eat near Mutianyu or return to the city centre first, depending on the day's itinerary.

Toboggan down A seated sled on a metal track through the trees, about twenty minutes, and it puts you at the bottom with your legs intact for tomorrow.

High-speed rail

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Day 4 · Round for heaven, square for earth

Spend the day exploring Beijing’s plazas, museums, and the Temple of Heaven, then take a high-speed train to Xi'an in the evening. This is a fairly full day.

Tiananmen Square You cross the ceremonial centre of modern China on foot. Screening comes first and takes its own half hour to an hour, so it sits in the day's budget separately; your guide walks you to the nearest entrance.

National Museum of China On the east side of the square, check in using the name on your passport. Explore the bronzes first, then the ceramics and Buddhist statues; items you saw at the Forbidden City on day 2 can be traced here to their dates and production background.

Temple of Heaven The Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault and the Circular Mound, on one line. Your guide gives you the key in a sentence, round belongs to heaven and square belongs to earth, and then leaves you to spot it yourself: the platforms, the roofs, the balustrades, the terrace under your feet.

High-speed rail to Xi'an Late afternoon, station transfer by your own vehicle, then the train south. Cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote. Your Xi'an guide meets the train.

Day 5 · Eight thousand men, for one man

One site, one day, no filler. The scale is not the point here; the individual faces are.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated eight thousand figures in formation, dug out where they stood and left there, so you are looking down into the excavation rather than at objects in cases. Your guide teaches you to read a rank before you walk the pits: armour plates, stance, and the way the hair is knotted separate a general from a crossbowman from a foot soldier.

The newer excavation areas Traces of the original pigment are still visible on some figures here. They were painted, all of them, and the gray you have seen in photographs is what happened after the air got in.

Timing Crowds here run heavy in season, so your entry hour is set by us against that day rather than left to chance, and the day carries nothing else.

Day 6 · A wall you ride instead of climb

Beijing's wall runs across mountains; this one runs in a rectangle around a city. The same idea, used to keep something in rather than out.

Xi'an City Wall by bicycle You take a bicycle at the hire point on the wall and ride the top, two abreast, for as long as you feel like. Outside the parapet: the modern city. Inside: the old grid, still laid out the way it was drawn. Gate towers come up at the corners and give you a reason to stop.

Bell Tower and Drum Tower The two towers that kept this city's time, standing where the old grid crosses itself. One rang the morning, one beat the night.

The Muslim Quarter after dark You walk in as the food streets open, past the flat breads coming off the wall of the oven and the men working a lump of persimmon dough with a wooden mallet. Nothing here is a set menu; your guide tells you what each thing is and you decide. Anything you eat is on your account.

High-speed rail

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Day 7 · Over the Qinling

A temple in the morning, a mountain range in the afternoon. You cross the line where northern China becomes southern China, and the window does the explaining.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds The temple raised around a pagoda built to hold the sutras a monk brought back overland from India, still a working Buddhist site with its own resident community. You walk the grounds and the halls. The ticket to climb the pagoda is separate at the door and not included; your guide will tell you whether the queue is worth it that morning.

High-speed rail to Chengdu Afternoon departure, and the line goes under the Qinling in a series of long tunnels. Watch what happens between them: the dry, pale north gives way to wet green slopes and terraced water, and by the time you come out the other side the air in the carriage has changed. Cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Arrival Your Chengdu guide meets the train, and the evening is yours. Dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, on your account.

Day 8 · A morning that moves, an afternoon that does not

Pandas first, while they are still awake. Then a chair, and nowhere to be.

Chengdu Panda Base You are there in the morning, the hours when the animals are generally moving: eating, coming down off things, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths and about three hours. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait rather than walk on: the animal comes over on its own schedule, not on yours.

Teahouse sitting in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, the lidded cup China brews in, refilled by a man with a long-spouted kettle as long as you stay. Cards at the next table. An ear cleaner two tables over, working with a tuning fork; that is his own trade and yours to buy or not. An hour in, you'll notice you have stopped planning the rest of the day.

Free Afternoon After the panda base and tea house, no afternoon activities are scheduled.

Day 9 · Someone divided a river

A full day out of the city, and the reason this route exists. Today the trip stops being a list of places and becomes an argument about water.

Dujiangyan irrigation system Begun in the 3rd century BC, and it splits the Min River in two without a dam. One arm is turned onto the plain to irrigate it; the other is left to take the flood away. You walk out over the divide with both arms of the river under you and your guide shows you the three parts doing the work: the head that splits the flow, the spillway that dumps the excess, and the cut through the rock that meters what goes through.

Why it is not a ruin This is not a site that used to work. The Chengdu plain has been fed by it continuously since it was built, which is the difference between a monument and a machine.

Mount Qingcheng Journey to Mount Qingcheng to visit an active Taoist temple, exchange with the resident priests, and experience Tai Chi at the temple entrance. The selected walking route does not require a cable car; cable car fees are not included.

High-speed rail

Jiuzhaigou · Day 10 - Day 13

Day 10 · Up the railway, and nothing else

Travel by rail from Chengdu towards Jiuzhaigou, with rest time reserved upon arrival. Specific train schedules and gate hotels will be detailed in the written confirmation.

Inter-city Transport Rail travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and accommodation at the valley entrance are included in the itinerary; specific train schedules and hotels will be confirmed in writing according to your travel dates.

What the design intends Journey from the Chengdu Plain towards Jiuzhaigou by rail, arriving with no high-intensity activities scheduled; a late afternoon and evening are set aside to acclimatise to the altitude.

The window The plain runs out, the line starts working, and the rivers below the track turn from brown to a hard pale green. That colour change is the first sign of where you are going.

Day 11 · The valley

Spend a day exploring Jiuzhaigou, entering the valley from the gatehouse. The specific itinerary will be arranged according to the park's opening hours.

Arrangements within the Valley Sightseeing inside the valley and accommodation at the entrance are included in the itinerary; specific routes and hotel details are listed in the written confirmation.

The valley loop as designed The in-park shuttle carries you up the arms of the valley, and the loop for the day is chosen that morning by the guide against the season and the crowds rather than fixed in advance. The plan finishes in the early afternoon so the return is not a rush.

The two the design reaches for A lake clear enough that trunks sunk decades ago are still legible on the bottom, and a waterfall that is remarkable for its width rather than its drop, spread across the valley floor in a long low line.

What you should know either way The valley sits between about 2,000 and 3,100 metres and it draws heavy crowds in season. Both facts are in the design, and both are stated to you before any date is discussed.

Day 12 · A forest, a mask, a potato cake

Visit Jiamuhai Panda Centre and Baima Tibetan Village to learn about the forest environment and local life. Specific arrangements will be confirmed in writing.

Today's Itinerary The Panda Centre and Baima Tibetan Village have been included in the itinerary; specific viewing and hospitality arrangements are detailed in the written confirmation.

The valley panda centre Plan to visit the Jiawuhai Panda Centre, offering a contrast to the Chengdu Panda Base on Day 8. The specific venue and visiting arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

Baima Tibetan village In the afternoon, visit the Baima Tibetan Village to learn about its mask ritual dances and potato sticky rice cakes. The specific form of interaction with local families is determined by the host arrangements.

Day 13 · The road the tea went up

Visit the old streets of the ancient Tea Horse Road in Songpan, and in the afternoon, enjoy a hands-on leathercraft workshop; the specific workshop will be confirmed in writing.

Day Itinerary Songpan Ancient City and leather craft workshops are included in your itinerary; specific hosting arrangements will be detailed in the written confirmation.

Songpan old town Gates, an old street and a covered bridge on the road that carried tea up onto the plateau and brought horses down off it, for several hundred years. Han, Tibetan, Qiang and Hui merchants historically kept shops on the same street here, which is why the doorways along one lane do not look like they belong to one place.

Tibetan leather workshop Explore the cutting, stitching, and stamping techniques at a local leather workshop and enjoy a hands-on experience. Workshop sessions and finished items are subject to written confirmation.

Rail or flight

Chongqing · Day 14 - Day 16

Day 14 · Down off the plateau

A full transfer day and no apology for it. The altitude gives back about 1,750 metres between breakfast and dinner.

Inter-city Transport Transport from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing is included in the itinerary; it may involve a rail transfer via Chengdu or a flight from the local airport, with the exact arrangement specified in the written confirmation.

Transfer arrangements The day carries no sightseeing either way. A transfer this long takes up the whole day rather than having a site squeezed onto the end of it.

What you feel Dropping from about 2,000 metres back to about 250 is a physical event even though you spend it sitting down. Sleep on this leg if you can. Tomorrow you get on a ship.

Day 15 · On board

Embark in Chongqing and cruise downriver to Yichang. Specific sailing dates and cabin types are detailed in your written confirmation.

Cruise Schedule The three-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang and onboard accommodation are included in the itinerary; specific sailings, cabin categories, and land arrangements are detailed in the written confirmation.

What the design intends Spend the morning before boarding in Chongqing; the actual boarding time and cruise schedule are subject to the written itinerary.

The change of unit For the next three days you stop measuring the trip in kilometres and start measuring it in bends. The banks move; you do not.

Day 16 · The gorges

Glide through the gorges by boat, observing the changing landscapes on both banks from the river. Specific routes and stopovers are subject to the written itinerary.

Onboard Itinerary The Yangtze river cruise day has been included in the itinerary; port-of-call arrangements are subject to the final written itinerary for the specific sailing.

What the design intends The sailing runs the first two gorges in daylight. The first is the short one, where the river is squeezed between cliffs into its narrowest run; the second is the long one, walls stepping back one behind another for tens of kilometres.

What a shore stop would be The shore excursions on this voyage segment are arranged by the shipping company; port of call and whether it is included are subject to the final confirmed itinerary.

Yangtze River cruise

Yichang · Day 17

Day 17 · The other end of the argument

Looking back on Day 9's Dujiangyan before reaching the Three Gorges Dam: one diverts water, the other builds a dam to block the river.

Dam Itinerary The Three Gorges Dam is included in the full itinerary; specific boarding and tour arrangements are subject to written confirmation.

The Three Gorges Dam The final day of the cruise itinerary brings us to the Three Gorges Dam. On Day 9 at Dujiangyan, we witnessed an engineering marvel that diverts water without building a dam; here, we see an entirely different approach: blocking the river to construct a dam.

Tourist Arrangements The dam tour is included in the full itinerary quote; specific berthing, tour methods, and ticket arrangements are detailed in the written confirmation.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 18 - Day 21

Day 18 · The river hands you over

After disembarking in Yichang, fly to Shanghai and take an evening stroll along the Bund. Flight details are outlined in the written confirmation.

Yichang to Shanghai flight The flight from Yichang to Shanghai has been included in your itinerary, with the carrier, flight details, and cabin class specified in the written confirmation document.

Arrival in Shanghai Your Shanghai guide takes over at the airport, and the vehicle runs you to the hotel. Three nights here, and the bags are not moving again.

The Bund after dark Stroll along the riverside promenade at the Bund, with its historic colonial-era architecture on one side and the soaring skyscrapers of Pudong across the Huangpu River. The glittering lights from both shores of the river mark the day's closing moment.

Day 19 · A garden and a room of bronzes

Slow morning, flat ground, indoor afternoon. After a week of moving, today asks for nothing above walking pace.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and a path that never runs straight, set in the oldest quarter of the city. Flat the whole way, about two hours, and the lanes outside the garden wall come with it.

Shanghai Museum Bronze vessels, ceramics, and calligraphy & painting. After booking entry under your passport name, visit the bronze exhibition first to compare the artefacts with those seen at the National Museum of China on Day 4.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide recommends and books dinner if you want it, on your account.

Day 20 · Water, brought indoors

An hour west of the city, a canal town and a garden. The third thing this country does with water, after dividing it and damming it: it moves in next to it.

Zhujiajiao by rowing boat You go through the town on the water rather than beside it, under stone bridges, past back doors and washing steps that go straight down into the canal. The boat fare is included in the base price.

Keshi Garden Within the Keshi Garden, the houses, school, and gardens unfold around a single pond. Standing by the water's edge to observe its relationship with the architecture, and then recalling the water-distribution point of Dujiangyan and the Three Gorges Dam, reveals the third specific scene of water along this route.

Afternoon at Leisure Lunch is on your own. After a guided tour of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and the Keshi Garden, the afternoon is free with no scheduled activities.

Day 21 · Plane trees, then the ferry, then home

Spend the morning strolling along Wukang Road, take the ferry across the Huangpu River, then head to the airport in time for your flight.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane-tree streets, historic houses and small independent shops, walked without a schedule. Nothing here has an opening time you need to make.

Huangpu River ferry You cross the river on the boat people take to work, at the rail with commuters and their scooters, for the price of a fare that is in your base price. It is a short ride and it is the last thing this route asks you to look at.

Airport drop-off Your driver takes you to the airport, timed to your flight with room to spare. If a late flight leaves the day open, tell us and we plan the gap around your check-out rather than around a schedule.

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

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodation and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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.

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.

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.

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

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

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

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodation and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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.

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.

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.

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

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)

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

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodation and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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.

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.

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.

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

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish Pudong choice, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for every listed touring item in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, including three full-day round trips: the Great Wall, Dujiangyan with Mount Qingcheng, and Zhujiajiao. Airport pickup in Beijing on day one; airport drop-off in Shanghai on day 21; hotel transfers for both high-speed rail legs
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in the four cities, including the whole of the evening of day 18 on the Bund
Intercity railTwo legs in the base price: Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail on day four, Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed rail on day seven. Cabin class is being finalised, so until it is settled every quote states in writing the cabin class for that order.
Hotel & Cruise Accommodation20 nights in total: 3 nights in Beijing (nights 1–3), 3 nights in Xi'an (nights 4–6), 3 nights in Chengdu (nights 7–9), 4 nights at Jiuzhaigou Valley entrance (nights 10–13), 1 night in Chongqing (night 14), 3 nights on a Yangtze River cruise (nights 15–17), and 3 nights in Shanghai (nights 18–20). Specific hotels and cabins are listed in the written confirmation.
MealsHotel breakfasts confirmed: 12 in total — Days 2–4 in Beijing; Days 5–7 in Xi'an; Days 8–10 in Chengdu; Days 19–21 in Shanghai. Other meals (Days 10–18) and onboard meals are listed separately in a written confirmation based on your travel dates.
Tickets & experiences, BeijingWalking visit of Tian'anmen Square with the guide handling the security screening queue, no ticket required · The Forbidden City with the passport-name reservation booked by us · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall with the cable car up and the toboggan down, both included in the base price · Temple of Heaven through ticket for the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault and the Circular Mound · National Museum of China, free entry with the passport-name reservation booked by us
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Warriors museum admission · City Wall admission with bicycle hire on the wall · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda temple grounds, the pagoda climb ticket separate and not included · Bell Tower and Drum Tower combined admission, followed by an evening walk through the Muslim Quarter
Tickets & experiences, ChengduChengdu Panda Base morning ticket · People's Park teahouse seat and gaiwan tea · Dujiangyan Irrigation System admission · Mount Qingcheng admission; Taoist exchange and Tai Chi session to be confirmed via written itinerary
Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiThe Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied, no ticket · Yu Garden with the old city walk · Shanghai Museum, free entry with the passport-name reservation booked by us · Former French Concession and Wukang Road, walking, no ticket · Zhujiajiao town admission, Kezhi Garden admission and the rowing-boat fare · the Huangpu River ferry fare
Plateau and Yangtze River SectionsInter-city transport up to arrival in Shanghai on Days 10–18, accommodation in Jiuzhaigou Valley Entrance and Chongqing, three nights on the Yangtze River cruise, and all listed tours are included in this itinerary’s quoted price. Specific hotel details, modes of transport, cruise schedule, cabin category, and meal arrangements are subject to the final written confirmation.
InsuranceFull group travel accident insurance

Not Included

International flightsFly-in to Beijing, fly-out from Shanghai, and any connecting flights outside of China
VisaVisa fees and processing for travellers requiring a Chinese visa are not included in the quoted price; entry eligibility should be verified against your passport and travel dates.
In-park transportCosts for scenic area sightseeing buses, shuttles, cable cars and in-park boats not listed in the inclusions for the Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai segments are at the guest's own expense; the Mutianyu cable car and toboggan run, and the ZHUJIAJIAO rowing boat, are included. In-park and riverside transport for the Jiuzhaigou and Yangtze River segments are as specified in the written quote.
Attraction tickets must be purchased separatelyEntry tickets to ascend the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; ear-cleaning services, chess and card tables, and other street-vendor amenities at the People’s Park teahouse
Additional mealsAdditional food and beverage charges and personal à la carte orders not specified in the written quotation are the guest's responsibility.
Optional Add-onsThis route currently includes no optional add-ons. Any future optional items will be individually priced before being offered and will never be added by default.
Personal expensesGratuities, single room supplements, extra bed charges, laundry fees, and personal expenses

Special Notes

Departure dates, intercity transport, and accommodation arrangements are subject to written confirmation. The following items require verification by date.

Booking and Confirmation — This route is bookable. The plateau and Yangtze River segments on days 10 to 18 are included in the full itinerary quote. Specific details for accommodation, transportation from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing, cruise itinerary and cabin type, and the flight from Yichang to Shanghai will be specified in the written confirmation based on your travel dates.
Departure dates are narrow — Departure dates are subject to seasonal schedules at Jiuzhaigou and Yangtze River cruise availability. Please provide your preferred dates, and we will confirm all transport, accommodation, and cruise itineraries accordingly, detailing them in your written itinerary.
Cruise Timetables — Yangtze River cruise itineraries, cabin configurations, and port call schedules will be confirmed against your travel date and included in the written itinerary.
Jiuzhaigou Tour — The operating hours and scenic area transport at Jiuzhaigou are subject to seasonal changes and on-site operational arrangements; please check the specific accessible areas based on your travel date.
Transport Schedules — Specific schedules for the Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing, and Yichang to Shanghai legs are detailed in the written itinerary for your chosen dates.
Day 14: Mode of Transport — Transport from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing may involve a rail journey via Chengdu or a flight from the local airport; transfers are included in the itinerary, and the specific mode of transport will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
Altitude — The entrance and scenic area of Jiuzhaigou are at a higher altitude than the previous cities, so the pace of sightseeing should be adjusted to suit the physical condition of your travel companions. Arrival details and daily activities will be confirmed in writing in your itinerary.
The Palace Museum Booking — Please verify the opening days and real-name booking slots for the Palace Museum against your departure date; if Day 2 is not suitable for a visit, the itinerary for the Beijing segment will be adjusted during confirmation.
Reservations for Squares and Museums — Please allow time for security checks at Tiananmen Square and reservations for the National Museum of China; the sightseeing order for Day 4 and the high-speed train times to Xi'an will be confirmed together.
Entry Formalities — Visa or visa-free eligibility depends on your passport, port of entry, travel dates, and full itinerary. We verify this against the official regulations in place at the time of payment. We do not substitute transit visa exemption for the entry eligibility required for a 21-day itinerary.
Group — Exclusive itinerary, reserved solely for your group. Minimum of 1 guest; no upper limit on group size.
Confirmation & Changes — Each written quote will specify the confirmation deadline, as well as the terms and conditions for changes and refunds. As itineraries involve hotels, rail, cruises, and flights, any date changes are subject to the actual booking terms of each respective component.
International Arrivals and Departures — International airfares are not included in the base quote. Please confirm your inbound flight to Beijing and outbound flight from Shanghai, then verify the transfers and itineraries for the first and last days; if you require us to book the international flights on your behalf, a separate quote will be provided.

Is Twenty-one Days Your Length?

Fewer than 21 days?

If you would like to shorten your itinerary, please share your travel dates, number of days, and the city where you most wish to stay. We will adjust your route to fit your schedule and itemise each segment in the written quote.

Good to Know

Booking status: Available to book. Both the highland and Yangtze river segments are included in the all-inclusive itinerary quote; hotel, transport and cabin details are subject to written confirmation for your specific travel dates.
Group: Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
Pace: 21 days and 20 nights across seven city segments. Three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai, with some afternoons left intentionally open.
Effort: Long walking days on the city legs, one day on a bicycle on the Xi'an city wall, and one full day in a valley between 2,000 and 3,100 meters
Ports: Arrive in Beijing, depart from Shanghai; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day 21
Visas: UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, as do Australian and New Zealand passports. Every order is checked against your dates. US passports require a Chinese tourist or business visa for this route.
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides on every touring day of the sourced legs
Payment: Payment milestones, amounts, and refund/change terms are subject to the written quote and confirmation form for your travel dates; if equivalent hotel accommodation is used, this will be explained in advance.
Season: Departure dates are confirmed based on the seasonal schedule at Jiuzhaigou Valley, cruise timings, and intercity transport options, and are included in the written itinerary.

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.

The route is called Two Kinds of Water and you cannot sell me either of them. Why is this page up?

Because the honest answer is more useful to you than an empty page. Eleven of the 21 days are fully sourced and priced today: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, with the water thread already running through Dujiangyan and Zhujiajiao. The two legs that give the route its name, the Jiuzhaigou valley and the Yangtze gorges, are designed and not bought: no operator, no valley-mouth hotel, no ship cabin grade, no carrier for the Yichang flight. Until those are named in writing we take no orders and no deposits, and nothing on days 10 to 18 is priced into any quote. If you tell us your dates we will write to you on the day it opens, and if you want the shorter fully-sourced version now, we will quote that instead.

21 days is a long time. Is that just the same trip stretched out? 21

No, and the difference shows up in the middles of days rather than in extra sights. Four cities get three nights each, so you unpack four times in three weeks instead of eight. Four days across the trip carry nothing scheduled at all, including a whole afternoon in a teahouse chair. Both rail transfers are half-days, not sprints. And the extra length is what makes the route's actual subject possible: the argument about water needs the 3rd-century BC waterworks, the dam and the courtyard pond in the same trip, which does not fit in fourteen days.

Which dates can I actually go?

This season, there is a 12-day window: departures between 8 and 19 October 2026. Three rules combine to produce it. The valley is unavailable from November through March on our seasonal record, and on a 21-day plan the valley days fall 9 to 12 days after departure, so 19 October is the last departure whose valley days land in October. There are no departures from 1 to 7 October, the national holiday week. And once the river leg is sourced, the sailing on file leaves Chongqing on Fridays and boarding is day 15, so the departure day has to be a Friday too: 9 October and 16 October. The 16 October date needs one confirmation from the operator first, because that boarding day is also listed for a special long-haul sailing. We check all of this against your dates before anything is charged.

How high does this go, and what does the altitude day feel like?

You sleep at about 2,000 metres for four nights at the mouth of the valley, and the valley itself runs up to about 3,100 metres on the day inside it. That is high enough to notice and well below the range where the design would have to change. Two things in the plan are there for this: you climb to it by rail over about three and a half hours instead of flying, so your body gets the gain gradually, and the arrival day carries nothing at all. The valley day itself is walking on level boardwalks between shuttle stops rather than climbing. If anyone in your party has a condition affected by altitude, tell us before we talk dates.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for stays days, and so do Australian and New Zealand passports. Before you pay we check your 21 days plus any extra days in China against that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 11, 2026 finish inside it. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 21 days is more than twice the stay the 10-day transit policy allows, so US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, with the fee and the appointment their own. One more thing we say plainly: if you are already in China on the transit policy, you cannot take this route, because 21 days is far beyond it and the valley is outside the area that policy lets you stay in. We would rather say that than sell you something that does not work.

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall Slide

Tiananmen Square

National Museum of China

Temple of Heaven

Terracotta Army

City Wall Cycling Tour in Xi'an

The Drum Tower

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Chengdu Panda Base

Tea at People's Park

Dujiangyan

Mount Qingcheng

The Bund

Yu Garden & the Old Town

Shanghai Museum

Boat Tour to Zhujiajiao

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Mutianyu Great Wall Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. City Wall Cycling Tour in Xi'an

10. The Drum Tower

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea at People's Park

14. Dujiangyan

15. Mount Qingcheng

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. Boat Tour to Zhujiajiao

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

21. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Mutianyu Great Wall Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. City Wall Cycling Tour in Xi'an

10. The Drum Tower

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea at People's Park

14. Dujiangyan

15. Mount Qingcheng

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & the Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. Boat Tour to Zhujiajiao

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

21. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Mutianyu Great Wall Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. City Wall Cycling Tour in Xi'an

10. The Drum Tower

11. Big Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea at People's Park

14. Dujiangyan

15. Mount Qingcheng

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & the Old Town

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Jiuzhaigou · Day 10 - Day 13

Chongqing · Day 14 - Day 16

Yichang · Day 17

Shanghai · Day 18 - Day 21