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Overview
Departing from Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei and Nantou Ancient Town, take the high-speed train to Foshan to explore Lingnan Tiandi, then continue to Guangzhou to see Zhujiang New Town. After that, fly to Hangzhou for a two-night stay, with daytime activities arranged separately according to your interests. Finally, travel by high-speed train to Shanghai, where you can experience the contrasting pace of life between the Bund, the Yu Garden, and the city’s urban districts. The sightseeing in Shenzhen and Shanghai will be accompanied by local guides, while optional activities in Hangzhou are quoted separately.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Please provide your travel dates, the number of accompanying guests, and your key interests. We will verify hotel availability, intercity train schedules, and optional experiences, and then provide you with a written itinerary and quote.
Why you'll love this trip
- From Huaqiangbei and Nantou Ancient City to the old lanes of Lingnan and the Bund; designated tour days in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Shanghai include English-speaking guides.
- From Shenzhen's electronics market to Shanghai's old-town gardens, 11 days traversing the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta.
- Book self-driving taxis in Shenzhen by date and experience them on active routes; final details are subject to confirmation by the operator.
- Follow your guide through Huaqiangbei, from the electronic components counters to the sample and finished product shelves, and learn how the market operates.
- In the afternoon, walk directly from the Delta's newest city into the ancient walled city that encircles it, at the same moment, with the same pace.
- End your day wandering through the narrow lanes of Lingnan Tiandi in Foshan, where the grey bricks glow warmly under the night lights.
- At night, stand side by side with your guide on the Bund: behind you, a row of century-old buildings faces the modern skyscrapers across the river.
- Explore the matchmaking corner in People's Park, where parents openly display their children's profiles and exchange introductions.
- Spend the first three nights in Shenzhen and the last three in Shanghai; stay at each hotel for three consecutive nights to minimise hotel changes.
Things to do
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Tech
Self-driving
City
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City
City
Skyline
Art
Local Life
Heritage
Riverfront
Route
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Arrivals
Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 3
· Arriving in Shenzhen, Discovering a New City
Nothing scheduled today except getting you settled. The clock this trip is about starts outside the car window.
· The market and the machine
Start by visiting Huaqiangbei's electronics component market, then experience a self-driving taxi in the city.
· The plan, then the town it went around
The city explains itself in the morning; in the afternoon you walk the part it did not replace.
High-speed rail
Foshan · Day 4
· Travel to Foshan by high-speed rail
Enjoy free time in Shenzhen in the morning before travelling to Foshan by high-speed rail; in the evening, explore Lingnan Tiandi on foot.
Private car
Guangzhou · Day 5
· Morning in Foshan, then transfer to Guangzhou
In the morning, you can arrange a Foshan experience based on your departure date, followed by a transfer to Guangzhou; specific activities will be quoted separately.
Flight
Hangzhou · Day 6 - Day 7
· The new centre, then a flight north
Morning walk around Guangzhou's Zhujiang New Town, then depart for Hangzhou at your confirmed flight time.
· A Day in Hangzhou
Today is reserved for Hangzhou. Daytime sightseeing can be arranged separately according to your interests; specific details and costs will be confirmed in writing before payment.
High-speed rail
Shanghai · Day 8 - Day 11
· Out of the lake city, into the port city
Spend the morning in Hangzhou, with optional activities arranged on request; then travel to Shanghai via high-speed rail in the afternoon.
· Height, art, and other people's arrangements
A city read from above, then at eye level, then from a park bench.
· A garden, then the two banks
Visit Yu Garden and the Old City District in the morning, then head to the Bund in the evening to view the architecture lining both banks of the Huangpu River.
· Departure from Shanghai
After breakfast at the hotel, please proceed to the airport according to your flight 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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden Hotel
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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.
Guangzhou
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
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.
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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden Hotel
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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.
Guangzhou
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
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.
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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden Hotel
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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Locatted in the Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring over 500 elegant guest rooms and suites with exclusive executive floor services.
Guangzhou
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Hangzhou
Nestled in the far north-west corner of West Lake — along Lingyin Road — with lake views and mountain-facing gardens, this residence sits as quietly as it commands the view.
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.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Also the road transfer from Foshan to Guangzhou on day five, your arrival transfer in Shenzhen on day one and your airport transfer in Shanghai on day eleven
- Intercity travelHigh-speed train from Shenzhen to Foshan, domestic flight from Guangzhou to Hangzhou, and high-speed train from Hangzhou to Shanghai are all included in the base price; specific train numbers, flight details, and seat classes will be specified in writing in the quotation
- Hotels10 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included
- Meals10 hotel breakfasts, one each morning from day two to day eleven
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on all touring days in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai, including the evening visit to the Bund
- Tickets and experiencesShenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition tickets · Shekou and Nantou Ancient City · Huaqiangbei Walking Tour · One ride in an autonomous taxi (subject to operator confirmation of time slots) · Lingnan Tiandi · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town · Shanghai Tower Observation Deck · Yu Garden and Laochengxiang · The Bund Night View · An art museum in Shanghai · People's Park Matchmaking Corner
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- International flightsYour flights into Shenzhen and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and processing, for guests who require a Chinese visa
- MealsAll lunches and dinners: your guide recommends and books around your taste each day, on your account
- Hangzhou daytime programmeThe optional Hangzhou excursion on Day 7 and the morning of Day 8 includes guide, vehicle, tickets, and activity fees that are not included in the base price; two nights' accommodation and breakfast in Hangzhou are included.
- Foshan experiencesHeritage house morning tea, Wing Chun classes, and lion dance performances are not included in the base price; they can be arranged for an additional charge based on your departure date, with specific time slots subject to supplier confirmation.
- Guangzhou car factory visitNot included in the base price; individual quotes can be arranged based on the departure date, with specific availability dates subject to factory confirmation.
- Meetings with local practitionersThis route does not promise arranged conversations with local practitioners in any of the five cities
- Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
- PersonalGratuities, single supplement, personal spending and anything not named above
Special Notes
Accommodation, transport schedules, and optional activities are confirmed based on your travel date.
- Confirm by date — This route is bookable. Specific schedules and seat classes for Hangzhou daytime activities, the Guangzhou automotive factory visit, and intercity transport must be confirmed according to your departure date; unconfirmed items are not treated as locked arrangements. The quote and final itinerary will be provided for your review prior to payment.
- The two days in Hangzhou — Two nights' accommodation and breakfast are included in the base price; the daytime tours on Day 7 and the morning of Day 8 are not included and can be arranged separately to suit your interests, subject to quotation. Specific activities, guides and vehicles are as detailed in the written itinerary prior to payment.
- Guangzhou to Hangzhou flight — Flight times must be checked according to the departure date. The specific itinerary and day's tour sequence for the Guangzhou to Hangzhou transfer on Day 6 shall be subject to the written itinerary confirmed before payment.
- Robotaxi — Self-driving taxi experiences must be booked with the operator by date; if service is suspended on the day, alternative touring arrangements and fee handling will be confirmed with you.
- The three Foshan experiences — Traditional morning tea at old residential compounds, Wing Chun Kung Fu classes, and lion dance performances can be arranged based on your Day 5 departure date upon request, and are not included in the base price. Specific items and time slots are subject to supplier confirmation.
- Guangzhou car factory — Factory tours can be arranged by enquiring for your Day 6 departure date and are not included in the base price. Specific open dates and available time slots are subject to factory confirmation.
- The Shanghai art venue — The specific names of and entry arrangements for Shanghai's art venues are subject to confirmation in the written order.
- National holiday week — Please verify venue quotas, transport, and crowd conditions in advance for travel during public holidays; specific arrangements are subject to the written itinerary.
- Departure dates and the visa window — Entry and visa-exemption requirements depend on the traveller's passport, mode of entry, duration of stay, and travel dates; please verify the official policy when booking and before departure.
- Hotels and venues — named in your confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Eleven Days Your Length?
Fewer than 11 days?
Fewer than 11 days?
The two ends of this route stand on their own: Shenzhen with the delta, or Shanghai with the lake city. Tell us your dates and which end interests you more, and we shape backward from that.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private itinerary, bookable for as few as one guest; group size and vehicle arrangements to be confirmed per order.
- Arrival & Departure Cities
- Shenzhen in, Shanghai out; you do not return to the entry city. Arrival transfer and departure airport transfer both included
- Visas
- Check official visa and visa-exemption policies against your passport, entry method, duration of stay, and travel dates; this itinerary can be arranged on a per-order basis.
- Language
- English-speaking licensed guides in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai
- Intercity travel
- The base price covers two high-speed rail segments and one domestic flight; specific train schedules, flight details and cabin class are subject to the written quotation.
- Payment
- Deposit, balance, modification, and refund terms are subject to the written quotation and order terms.
- Flexibility
- When rescheduling, please re-verify your flights, high-speed trains, and hotel bookings; change and refund terms are subject to the written order.
- On the Bund
- Walk along the Bund to view its historic buildings and the Pudong skyline; the specific itinerary will be confirmed upon arrival in Shanghai.
- Season
- October to December in the delta is mild and dry, though Shanghai and Hangzhou turn cold in December; outdoor walks are best taken during the warmer part of the day.
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
E
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
C
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
L
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
M
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
R
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.
Not yet, and we would rather say so. Four items are still open: the Hangzhou ground partner, the Guangzhou to Hangzhou flight timing, the car factory visitor date and the cabin class for the three intercity legs. Until all four are closed we take no order and no deposit. Talk to us now and we will tell you where each one stands and when we expect it to close.
The two nights and both breakfasts are included in the price; the daytime programme is not, because no ground partner is in place there yet. We are doing one of two things: placing that partner and writing the two days in, or shortening the route and moving those days to Shanghai. Either way you see the final version in writing before you pay, and we do not describe those hours on this page until they are real.
It is a booked ride on a live commercial route, reserved by date in advance and reconfirmed on the ground. What we cannot promise is the operator's service on any given day: suspensions are their call to make, not ours. If your date is affected, your guide extends the Huaqiangbei walk instead, at no extra charge. That building is where most of the day's understanding comes from anyway.
Two reasons, both practical. There is no direct air service from the US into Shenzhen, which is where this route starts. And this is an 11-day plan, which is longer than the stay allowed by the visa-free transit policy US passports would otherwise use. Entering through Hong Kong and crossing the land border is not an approved selling route for this product, so we do not offer it. Whether to open the route to US guests holding a Chinese visa is under review, and we will say so here when it is decided.
No, and it is worth saying plainly. This route holds no Great Wall, no Terracotta Warriors and no pandas; it spends its eleven days on two river deltas and on how this country runs its oldest and its newest ground side by side. If the classic first-visit list is what you want, tell us and we will point you at the route built for it.
