--- title: "The Grand Tour — Imperial Icons & Avatar Mountains" description: "China Landmarks Family Grand Tour" type: "tour" route_id: "china-landmarks-family" total_days: 21 price: 6040 highlights: ["Shanghai", "Suzhou", "Huizhou", "Hangzhou", "Guilin", "Yangshuo", "Zhangjiajie", "Xi'an", "Datong", "Beijing"] url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/china-landmarks-family" canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/china-landmarks-family" locale: "es-ES" alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/china-landmarks-family","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/china-landmarks-family","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/china-landmarks-family","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/china-landmarks-family","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/china-landmarks-family","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/china-landmarks-family","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/china-landmarks-family","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/china-landmarks-family"} --- # The Grand Tour — Imperial Icons & Avatar Mountains China Landmarks Family Grand Tour ## Summary - Route ID: china-landmarks-family - Duration: 21 days / 20 nights - Starting price: $6,040 - Group size: 2 travelers - Status: active - Highlights: Shanghai, Suzhou, Huizhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, Xi'an, Datong, Beijing ## Hero tags - Private - Tailor-made ## Selling points - Explore 11 destinations across China in 21 days, from Shanghai's modern Bund to Beijing's Forbidden City, with four UNESCO natural wonders and five imperial cities at a comfortable pace. - Visit Zhangjiajie's Avatar Hallelujah Mountain and walk the glass walkway suspended 1,430 meters above ground, experiencing the real-life inspiration for the film's floating peaks. - Discover Datong's Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery—ancient Buddhist treasures built into cliff faces—rarely included in standard China tours but essential for understanding China's spiritual heritage. - Hike Huangshan's Yellow Mountains with an overnight stay on the peak, watching sunrise from Cloud-dispelling Pavilion and exploring the West Sea Grand Canyon with flexible routes for all fitness levels. - Experience hands-on cultural immersion: craft Terracotta Warriors with a local artisan in a cave dwelling, learn tea ceremony techniques in Meijiawu, and explore Xi'an's Muslim Quarter food scene. ## City highlights - Guilin (2 days): Guilin - Shanghai (2 days): Shanghai - Xi'an (2 days): Xi'an - Suzhou (1 days): Suzhou - Yangshuo (1 days): Yangshuo - Datong (2 days): Datong - Beijing (5 days): Beijing - Huizhou (2 days): Huizhou - Zhangjiajie (3 days): Zhangjiajie - Hangzhou (1 days): Hangzhou ## Itinerary ### The Heart of Jiangnan - 6 days Bund, Gardens, Peaks and West Lake #### Shanghai (2 days) - Subtitle: Shanghai - Recommendation: Shanghai opens the route with a modern-to-classical contrast. The Bund and Pudong skyline introduce China’s urban ambition, while Yuyuan Garden brings the journey into older architectural and garden traditions. - Transport: High-speed rail transfer **The Core** The Bund, Pudong skyline, Yuyuan Garden, old town bazaar, and xiaolongbao stalls around the garden. **The Flexible Part** [The Bund]{#E93C10} is recommended for its clear contrast between 1920s waterfront buildings and modern towers across the Huangpu. Garden timing and old-town walking can be adjusted. **The Local ** The bazaar around Yuyuan Garden adds vendors, steamed dumplings, and a busy old-city atmosphere to the opening. Think of this as a starting point. We’ll tailor the route with you. #### Suzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Suzhou - Recommendation: Suzhou refines the classical side introduced in Shanghai. Its garden design and canal-town setting give the route a quieter Jiangnan chapter before the mountains begin. - Transport: High-speed rail transfer **The Core** Humble Administrator’s Garden, Tongli Water Town, stone bridges, canal-side houses, and wooden boats. **The Flexible Part** [Humble Administrator’s Garden]{#E93C10} is the core Suzhou experience, showing water, stone, pavilions, and framed views. Tongli time can be adjusted around pace and crowds. **The Local ** Tongli’s whitewashed houses, narrow waterways, and boats passing close to doorsteps keep the visit lived-in. #### Huizhou (2 days) - Subtitle: Huizhou - Recommendation: Huangshan gives the first major natural-wonder shift in the journey. Granite peaks, cliffside pines, mountain mist, and an overnight stay on the peak bring the route into a more dramatic landscape rhythm. - Transport: High-speed rail transfer Hongcun Village, Yungu Cable Car, West Sea Grand Canyon, Cloud-dispelling Pavilion, Shixin Peak, and named pines. **The Flexible Part** [Huangshan Yellow Mountains]{#E93C10} can be explored by a more active canyon route or a gentler first-ring route. Sunrise and sunset plans depend on weather. **The Local ** Hongcun’s moon pond, white walls, black tiles, and working village lanes bring Anhui life into the mountain chapter. #### Hangzhou (1 days) - Subtitle: Hangzhou - Recommendation: Hangzhou centers the route around West Lake’s long cultural memory. Its causeways, temple hills, and tea village connect landscape beauty with the habits that shaped Chinese aesthetics. - Transport: Airport transfer **The Core** West Lake, Su Causeway, Lingyin Temple, Buddhist carvings in the hills, and Meijiawu Tea Village. **The Flexible Part** [West Lake]{#E93C10} is the main experience, best kept focused rather than rushed. Temple time and tea tasting can be adjusted around interest and energy. **The Local ** Meijiawu Tea Village adds terraced tea fields, brewing etiquette, and a quieter connection to Hangzhou’s hills. Think of this as a starting point. We’ll tailor the route with you. ### Karst Rivers and Floating Peaks - 6 days Terraces, Rivers and Sandstone Pillars #### Guilin (2 days) - Subtitle: Guilin - Recommendation: Guilin brings the journey into southern China’s classic karst scenery. Caves, river landscapes, and nearby terraces soften the route after Jiangnan cities and mountain peaks. - Transport: Private transfer **The Core** Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Longji Rice Terraces, minority family visit, and the Li River cruise. **The Flexible Part** [Li River cruise]{#E93C10} is the central Guilin experience, connecting the city with Yangshuo through limestone peaks and river life. Terrace walking can be adjusted. **The Local ** Minority family visits, bamboo rice, oil tea, village roads, and paddies add a rural rhythm to the scenery. #### Yangshuo (1 days) - Subtitle: Yangshuo - Recommendation: Yangshuo extends Guilin’s river scenery into the countryside. It gives the route a slower rural chapter, with karst peaks, fields, village roads, and open valley views. - Transport: Private transfer **The Core** Yangshuo countryside, cycling or battery-car exploration, village paths, fields, karst peaks, and West Street. **The Flexible Part** Yangshuo countryside can be explored by bicycle or battery car depending on comfort and pace. The route can be adjusted around energy, weather, and road conditions. **The Local ** Rice paddies, village roads, farmers, small markets, and West Street cafés bring the landscape closer to daily life. #### Zhangjiajie (3 days) - Subtitle: Zhangjiajie - Recommendation: Zhangjiajie gives the route its most otherworldly landscape. Sandstone pillars, mist, high viewpoints, glass walkways, and canyon bridges make this the strongest visual nature chapter. - Transport: Airport transfer **The Core** Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Hallelujah Mountain, Mount Tianzishan, Tianmen Mountain, and Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. **The Flexible Part** [Zhangjiajie National Forest Park]{#E93C10} is the core experience, with Bailong Elevator and mountain routes adjusted by crowds, weather, and comfort with heights. **The Local ** Misty platforms, forest paths, cable cars, and layered pillar views keep the landscape dramatic without needing a crowded schedule. Think of this as a starting point. We’ll tailor the route with you. ### Ancient Capitals and Northern Grottoes - 9 days Warriors, Grottoes and Great Wall #### Xi'an (2 days) - Subtitle: Xi'an - Recommendation: Xi'an anchors your journey in China's imperial origins—the Terracotta Warriors guard the first emperor's tomb, the city walls enclose the old capital, and the Muslim Quarter pulses with the food culture that defines this noodle capital. - Transport: High-speed rail transfer **The Core** Terracotta Warriors, a countryside cave-dwelling workshop, miniature warrior making, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Muslim Quarter. **The Flexible Part** [Terracotta Warriors]{#E93C10} are the must-keep family anchor. The hands-on clay workshop can be longer for children who like making things, or shorter if the day needs more rest. **The Local Side** The cave dwelling visit turns the warrior story into something tactile, while the Muslim Quarter adds noodles, skewers, and a livelier evening contrast. **Good to Know** The warrior museum involves large halls and walking between pits. Comfortable shoes matter, and a simple snack break before the workshop keeps younger travelers happier. #### Datong (2 days) - Subtitle: Datong - Recommendation: Datong takes the route beyond the standard China path. Its grottoes, cliff-built monastery, and Liao-dynasty temple halls add a deeper Buddhist and northern historical layer. - Transport: High-speed rail transfer *The Core** Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Monastery, Huayan Temple, Buddhist statues, cliff architecture, and preserved temple halls. **The Flexible Part** [Yungang Grottoes]{#E93C10} are the core Datong experience, with key caves prioritized if time is limited. Hanging Monastery access depends on mobility and comfort with heights. **The Local ** Huayan Temple’s wooden halls, statues, and frescoes offer a calmer contrast to the cliffside drama. #### Beijing (5 days) - Subtitle: Beijing - Recommendation: Beijing closes the three-week journey with imperial scale. The Forbidden City, Great Wall, Lama Temple, and Hutongs bring the route back to China’s political and cultural center. **The Core** Lama Temple, Mutianyu Great Wall, Hutong rickshaw tour, courtyard family visit, and the Forbidden City. **The Flexible Part** [Mutianyu Great Wall]{#E93C10} is recommended for its balance of access, scenery, and Ming watchtowers. Hutong depth and Forbidden City pacing can be adjusted. **The Local ** Grey-brick lanes, courtyard homes, incense at Lama Temple, and local tea conversations bring old Beijing closer. Think of this as a starting point. We’ll tailor the route with you. ## Service workflow From your first question to your safe return home — the expertise of seasoned locals, offered on your terms. Ready when you need us. Silent when you don't. - Pre-Trip Prep: Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - Itinerary Planning: An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - Booking Services: Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - On-Trip Experience: Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Free Expert Chat ($0): Overwhelmed by prep? Talk to a real local expert, anytime. - 1:1 Local Advisor - Pre-trip Q&A - Authentic Local Info - Traveler's Toolkit ($0): Everything a seasoned traveler needs for China — curated by locals. - Essential Apps (pre-configured) - Payment & SIM Setup Guide - Pocket Phrase Cards - Pro Roadmap ($99): An hour-by-hour trip roadmap, expertly crafted by locals (bookings not included). - 1:1 Video Call with a planner - Transit, dining & timing tips - Ready-to-follow roadmap - All-Inclusive Booking (Custom): Ultimate peace of mind. We handle every detail, so you don't have to. - Hotels & Transit Booking - VIP Attraction Access - Visa Invitation Letter - On-Trip Concierge ($199): Exclusive online safety net for self-booking travelers. We've got your back. - Real-time Translation - Emergency Rescheduling - Ride & Dining Assist ## Concierge - Name: [object Object] - Title: [object Object] - Tagline: [object Object] - Bio: [object Object] - Languages: English, 中文 ### Trust signals - Bilingual route design - Hotel and host coordination - No-obligation first call ### Included support - Before you book: {'en-US': 'Route pacing review', 'en-GB': 'Route pacing review', 'zh-CN': '路线节奏审查', 'de-DE': 'Routen-Tempo-Überprüfung', 'fr-FR': "Examen du rythme de l'itinéraire", 'es-ES': 'Revisión del ritmo de la ruta', 'it-IT': 'Revisione del ritmo del percorso'}; {'en-US': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'en-GB': 'Hotel tier and room style matching', 'zh-CN': '酒店等级与房型匹配', 'de-DE': 'Abstimmung von Hotelkategorie und Zimmerstil', 'fr-FR': "Correspondance entre la catégorie d'hôtel et le style de chambre", 'es-ES': 'Emparejamiento de categoría de hotel y estilo de habitación', 'it-IT': 'Abbinamento tra categoria alberghiera e stile della camera'}; {'en-US': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'en-GB': 'Private transfer and guide options', 'zh-CN': '私人接送和导游选项', 'de-DE': 'Private Transfer- und Führungsoptionen', 'fr-FR': 'Options de transfert privé et de guide', 'es-ES': 'Opciones de traslado privado y guía', 'it-IT': 'Opzioni di trasferimento privato e guida'} - On the road: {'en-US': 'Daily bilingual support', 'en-GB': 'Daily bilingual support', 'zh-CN': '每日双语支持', 'de-DE': 'Tägliche zweisprachige Unterstützung', 'fr-FR': 'Assistance bilingue quotidienne', 'es-ES': 'Asistencia bilingüe diaria', 'it-IT': 'Supporto bilingue quotidiano'}; {'en-US': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'en-GB': 'Restaurant and timing adjustments', 'zh-CN': '餐厅及时间调整', 'de-DE': 'Anpassungen von Restaurant und Öffnungszeiten', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications du restaurant et des horaires', 'es-ES': 'Ajustes de restaurante y horarios', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche di ristorante e orari'}; {'en-US': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'en-GB': 'Weather-aware plan changes', 'zh-CN': '天气感知计划变更', 'de-DE': 'Wetterabhängige Planänderungen', 'fr-FR': 'Modifications de plan en fonction de la météo', 'es-ES': 'Cambios de plan según el clima', 'it-IT': 'Modifiche del piano in base al meteo'} ## Hotels - Rezen Select Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Hub, Shanghai: Upscale local hotel near Shanghai Hongqiao transport hub, ideal for transit stays. - Vienna International Hotel (Shanghai Pudong Airport Hangtou Road), Shanghai: Upscale local hotel near Pudong Airport corridor, convenient for airport access. - Blossom House · Shanghai On The Bund, Shanghai: Boutique-style hotel near the Bund, suited for a refined Shanghai stay. - Grand Rezen Hotel Shanghai Pudong (Shanghai International Tour and Resort Zone), Shanghai: Upscale local hotel in Pudong, convenient for resort-zone and city stays. - Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai, Shanghai: Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort. - Holiday Inn Express Suzhou Shihu University Town by IHG, Suzhou: International midscale hotel near Shihu University Town, practical and reliable. - BOOEIN HOTEL, Suzhou: Local upscale hotel near Jinji Lake and Suzhou Expo Center. - Grace Hotel, Suzhou: Local hotel near Longfor Dongwu Paradise Walk and Shihu East Road Subway Station. - ROSSO HOTEL MUDU, Suzhou: Stylish local hotel near Mudu Ancient Town, suitable for cultural leisure stays. - Fragrans Hotel (Suzhou Lumu Metro Station Branch), Suzhou: Local hotel near Lumu Metro Station, convenient for Suzhou city access. - Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui, Suzhou: International high-end hotel in Suzhou with modern facilities and polished service. - Pan Pacific Suzhou, Suzhou: International high-end hotel near Suzhou’s historic core and garden area. - Garden Hotel SUZHOU, Suzhou: Local landmark hotel in central Suzhou with garden-style charm. - Suzhou Rispace Hotel, Suzhou: Upscale local hotel in Suzhou, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Wyndham Garden Suzhou, Suzhou: International hotel in Suzhou offering reliable comfort and convenient access. - Blossom Hill Inn Suzhou, Suzhou: Boutique-style local hotel in Suzhou’s historic area, suited for cultural stays. - Hangzhou Rezen HAOZEN HOTEL (Song City), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel in Hangzhou, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Hangzhou Junshang Yunyi Hotel (Chihua Street Subway Station), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel near Chihua Street Subway Station in Hangzhou. - Manju Hotel (Hangzhou Gongshu Wanda Plaza Branch), Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel near Gongshu Wanda Plaza, convenient for city stays. - Hotel Indigo Hangzhou Uptown, Hangzhou: International lifestyle hotel in Hangzhou with modern design and refined service. - New Century Grand Hotel Hangzhou, Hangzhou: Local landmark hotel in Hangzhou with extensive facilities and classic service. - Pagoda Hotel Hangzhou West Lake · Wulin Plaza, Hangzhou: Local design hotel near West Lake and Wulin Plaza, ideal for urban stays. - Maison New Century Hotel Hangzhou Zhelv, Hangzhou: Upscale local hotel in Hangzhou, suitable for business and leisure travelers. - DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road, Beijing: International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays. - Hilton Beijing, Beijing: Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access. - Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town, Beijing: International upscale hotel near Chaoyang’s commercial and lifestyle district. - Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast, Beijing: International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays. - Sofitel Beijing Central, Beijing: Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service. - Palace International Hotel Beijing, Beijing: Local five-star hotel in Beijing offering spacious rooms and classic hospitality. - West International Trade Grand Hotel, Beijing: Local five-star hotel in western Beijing, suitable for business and events. - Atour X Hotel, Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing: Modern local boutique hotel near Sanyuanqiao with convenient city access. - Manxin Hotel Beijing Guangqumen, Beijing: Stylish local upscale hotel in Beijing’s central area, suited for urban stays. - Mercure Beijing City Centre, Beijing: International midscale hotel in central Beijing with convenient city connections. - Beijing Pudi Hotel, Beijing: Local boutique hotel in Beijing with refined design and comfortable rooms. - Beijing Suwen Hotel, Beijing: Boutique-style local hotel in Beijing, suitable for relaxed city stays. - Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao. - Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square), Beijing: Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square. - JI Hotel (Beijing Fengtai Station Fengguan Road), Beijing: Reliable midscale chain hotel near Fengtai Station, practical for transit stays. - JI Hotel (Beijing Shoujingmao Jijiamiao Subway Station), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Jijiamiao Subway Station, convenient for city travel. - JI Hotel Beijing Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Capital University of Economics and Business. - Yitel (Beijing Tiantan), Beijing: Midscale hotel near the Temple of Heaven, suitable for central Beijing stays. - Vienna Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station Lize Business District), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Lize Business District and Beijing West Railway Station. - Mei Hua Light Luxury Hotel (Beijing South Railway Station Shiliuzhuang Subway Station), Beijing: Light luxury hotel near Beijing South Railway Station and Shiliuzhuang Subway Station. - Lavande Hotel (Beijing Fengtai Railway Station First Economic and Trade Subway Station), Beijing: Midscale chain hotel near Fengtai Railway Station with convenient transport access. ## Experiences A longer family route through Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Xi'an and Beijing. - Forbidden City (Beijing): The Forbidden City brings travelers into the ceremonial center of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: Core imperial Beijing access with palace courtyards and historic halls. - Temple of Heaven (Beijing): Temple of Heaven combines Ming dynasty ritual architecture with Beijing's lively park culture. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: Pairs grand ceremonial architecture with everyday local morning activity. - Summer Palace (Beijing): Summer Palace shows a softer side of imperial Beijing through gardens pavilions and Kunming Lake. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: A scenic palace experience balancing architecture gardens and lake views. - Mutianyu Great Wall (Beijing): A well-restored Great Wall section with open views and easier walking conditions for first-time visitors. - Host: Beijing, Beijing Lens - Access: A polished Great Wall experience with flexible cable car or walking options. - Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an): The Terracotta Warriors reveal the military scale and funerary ambition of China's first emperor. - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens - Access: Essential Xi'an access to one of China's most recognized archaeological sites. - Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling (Xi'an): Cycling the ancient wall gives travelers a relaxed way to see Xi'an's historic urban layout. - Host: Xi'an, Xi'an Lens - Access: Active heritage experience on one of China's best-preserved city walls. - Tianzi Mountain (Zhangjiajie): Tianzi Mountain is known for high viewpoints over Zhangjiajie's pillar-like sandstone formations. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: A key viewpoint for Zhangjiajie's vertical mountain scenery. - Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains (Zhangjiajie): Yuanjiajie is famous for the pillar scenery that helped make Zhangjiajie internationally recognizable. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: A signature Zhangjiajie landscape moment with strong visual impact. - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge (Zhangjiajie): Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge adds a thrilling perspective above the surrounding canyon landscape. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: A dramatic glass-floor experience for travelers comfortable with heights. - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Zhangjiajie): Zhangjiajie National Forest Park showcases dense forests cliffs and surreal pillar formations. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: The core nature reserve experience behind Zhangjiajie's global fame. - Bailong Elevator (Zhangjiajie): Bailong Elevator provides a quick vertical transition through Zhangjiajie's dramatic cliff landscape. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: A distinctive engineering-and-scenery moment inside the park. - Tianmen Mountain (Zhangjiajie): Tianmen Mountain adds cable car views cliff paths and a very different Zhangjiajie perspective. - Host: Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie Lens - Access: A high-altitude mountain experience with dramatic access and views. - Longji Rice Terraces (Guilin): Longji Rice Terraces add rural mountain scenery and ethnic village context to a Guilin journey. - Host: Guilin, Guilin Lens - Access: A scenic highland contrast to Guilin's river and karst landscapes. - Li River Cruise (Guilin): The Li River Cruise carries travelers through Guilin's signature karst scenery toward Yangshuo. - Host: Guilin, Guilin Lens - Access: A slow scenic transfer through one of China's most recognizable landscapes. - Yangshuo Countryside (Yangshuo): Yangshuo Countryside brings travelers closer to villages rivers fields and limestone hills. - Host: Yangshuo, Yangshuo Lens - Access: A softer countryside moment after the Li River scenery. - Chengdu Panda Research Center (Chengdu): Chengdu Panda Research Center is the classic place to see giant pandas and learn about conservation. - Host: Chengdu, Chengdu Lens - Access: A core Chengdu experience centered on China's most beloved animal. - The Bund (Shanghai): The Bund frames Shanghai's historic banks and modern Pudong skyline in one clear view. - Host: Shanghai, Shanghai Lens - Access: A signature Shanghai orientation stop for architecture and city contrast. ## China ready We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving. ### VPN & Internet Access - What's blocked: Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN. - Download before you leave: It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working. - Hotel Wi-Fi tip: Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops. - Good news: WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work. ### Paying in China - China is cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities. - International cards now work: Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning. - Carry some cash: We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns. - Booking this trip: Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees. ### Visa & Entry - Do you need a visa?: Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval. - 240-hour visa-free transit: Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight. - Processing time: Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates. - What we provide: Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly. ### Safety & Practical Tips - Is China safe?: China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence. - Emergency numbers: Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary. - Health & medications: Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically. - Language: English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler. ## Reviews - Overall rating: 4.9 - Total reviews: 523 4.9 / 5 - Emily Carter: 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. - Claire Brooks: 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. - Laura Bennett: 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. - Mark Henderson: 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. - Rebecca Miller: Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible. ## FAQ ### What's included in the price? Hotels, domestic transport, guided experiences, most meals, entrance fees, and your Travel Designer support. International flights are optional. ### Can I customize this itinerary? Absolutely. Every detail — dates, pace, hotels, experiences — can be customized to your preferences. ### How many people are in a group? Max 12 travelers for our small group. Custom private trips can be as small as 2 people. ### Do I need a visa for China? Most Western passport holders need a tourist visa. We provide visa invitation letters for All-Inclusive bookings. ### Is China safe for Western travelers? Extremely safe. Violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent. Our concierge provides 24/7 support. ### What about the language barrier? All guides speak English. Your itinerary includes translation cards and On-Trip Concierge provides real-time translation. ### How far in advance should I book? 3–6 months ahead for peak seasons (April–May, September–October). ### What if I need to cancel? Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Rescheduling is flexible.