Grand Corridor: 21-Day Private China Tour

Overview

二十一天，从北京慕田峪长城走到西安城墙，再看成都的都江堰、重庆出发的长江航段，以及张家界的砂岩峰林，最后到上海。北京和西安各住三晚，成都与张家界各住四晚，重庆一晚、上海两晚；长江段计划三晚，具体航次与舱位逐单确认。成都和上海各留一个较轻松的日程。

— LyrikTrip 旅行设计师

告诉我们出行日期、同行人数和步行节奏。长江航段可按日期逐单安排；实际航次、舱位、费用与包含项目以书面方案为准。

Why you'll love this trip

From Beijing to Shanghai, via Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, and Zhangjiajie, tour city walls, hydraulic engineering, and sandstone peaks.
Twenty-one days: from Mutianyu Great Wall to the Zhangjiajie pillars, finishing along the Huangpu River in Shanghai.

Day 3: Head to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Take the cable car or open-air chairlift up the mountain, then hike the ridge between the watchtowers. The descent method will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
Cycle or stroll across Xi'an's city wall to see how the ancient ramparts encircle the old town.
Perched above one of the world's oldest hydraulic systems—built in the 3rd century BC and still irrigating the Chengdu Plain today—you'll spend the afternoon exploring its sacred Taoist mountain: a day when the itinerary shifts from city walls to the rhythm of water.
Ride a metro train straight through the Liziba residential building. Because this city is built on hills with no flat land, the train passes through the building instead of going around it.
In Zhangjiajie, spend four nights admiring the sandstone pillars from three perspectives: looking down from the summit platforms, viewing at eye level from the cliffside walkways, and gazing up from the stream beds.
On the nineteenth night, view the contrasting architecture on both sides of the Huangpu River from The Bund: historic districts on one bank, and the skyline of Pudong on the other.
Stay four consecutive nights in both Chengdu and Zhangjiajie to minimize hotel changes between cities.

Things to do

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area, Xi'an

Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter Night Scenery, Xi'an

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Learn more

Bailong Sky Ladder & Yuanjiajie, Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Cable Car & Cliff Pathways, Zhangjiajie

Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie

Tianmen Mountain Nightly Illumination, Zhangjiajie

Yuyuan Garden & the Old City Quarter, Shanghai

Former French Concession and Wukang Road, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Cycling

Heritage

City

Nature

City

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

City

Stage

City

Nature

Mountain

Walk

Nature

Heritage

Active

Stage

Hands-on

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Day 1 · Arrival in Beijing with free time to rest

Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel; the rest of the time is for rest. Airport pickup arrangements are subject to the confirmation sheet.

Airport pickup Your driver and vehicle wait 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 to see turns up before you have opened a bag.

Evening No fixed activities are scheduled for today. If you would like to dine near the hotel, arrangements can be made on a per-occasion basis according to your arrival time; meal costs will depend on your actual selections.

Day 2 · From the Forbidden City's central axis to Jingshan Park

The palace on foot, then the hill behind it. You see the plan only after you have walked the thing.

The Forbidden City Walk from the ceremonial halls of the Forbidden City to the inner court and Imperial Garden, then exit through the north gate to Jingshan Park. Standing in the courtyard and looking back, you'll see a succession of palace gates aligned along the central axis; the specific entry time is subject to your reservation confirmation.

Pace The palace is large and guests regularly find it tiring, so the route stops at the seats we know about and the garden at the end is unhurried.

Jingshan Park Straight out of the north gate and up the hill that was built from the earth dug out of the moat. Twenty minutes of steps, and from the pavilion at the top the palace lies flat below you: gold roof after gold roof in a grid, with the city's central axis running out north and south. This is the fifteen seconds worth filming today.

Day 3 · Muyuan Great Wall

Today has one thing in it, because the round trip north uses the day. This is the first of the walls.

Drive out to Mutianyu The run north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, and the vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car up The climbing is done for you, by the uphill cable car or the open chairlift. You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions.

Walk the towers Your guide reads the wall while you walk it: the beacon towers and how a message moved along them, the pass in the valley below, and why the line runs along this ridge and not the next one. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it, one after another, until they stop being visible.

Descent The descent method is subject to the written itinerary; if the slide option is selected, additional fees must be confirmed separately.

Day 4 · Square, altar, museum, train

The fullest day in Beijing, then the high-speed rail south. It ends the wall chapter and opens the next one.

Tian'anmen Square You cross the ceremonial center of modern China on foot. Security screening comes first; your registration is done in advance with your passport details, and the queue still takes its own half hour to an hour, budgeted separately from the time you spend on the square.

Temple of Heaven Three sets of buildings in one architectural sentence, round for heaven and square for earth: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the round altar. Walk out to the middle of the round altar and speak at a normal volume: the stone tiers were laid to send it back to you.

National Museum of China One thread through the bronzes and ceramics rather than the whole building, taken as a second look at things you have now stood in front of. Reservation booked by us.

High-speed rail to Xi'an After the tour, proceed to the station for a high-speed train to Xi'an. Specific train numbers, seat classes, and transfer arrangements are subject to the written confirmation.

高铁

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Day 5 · A Day with the Terracotta Warriors

The pits get the whole morning and nothing is stacked behind them. Rank, armor and hairstyle are the day's reading lesson.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated eight thousand figures, buried to follow one man into whatever came next, standing in the trenches you look down into from the walkways. Your guide separates them for you: generals by armor and headdress, crossbowmen by stance, infantry by everything they lack.

Surviving paint In the newer excavation areas some figures still carry paint. Ask your guide to point to one and then look back down the trench: every one of those grey ranks was once colored.

Crowds This site is busy in season, which is why it holds the morning by itself and why your entry is timed rather than left to the queue.

Day 6 · Xi'an City Wall & Muslim Quarter

The second wall of the route, and the first one you can go all the way around. The evening belongs to the lanes behind the towers.

Xi'an City Wall by bicycle You ride the top of one of the most complete city walls surviving in China, bicycle hire included; walking a section instead costs the same. From up here the old city is a closed rectangle with a gate tower on each side, and the modern city presses against it from outside all the way around. Somewhere on the second side you'll notice you have stopped talking and started counting the gate towers.

Bell and Drum Tower square The two towers that kept the city's time before clocks, standing at the crossing of the old street grid. Climbing either one is a separate on-site ticket and is not in your price.

The Muslim Quarter by night The lanes of the Hui neighborhood at the hour they are actually working, with your guide reading the stalls for you: what is worth stopping for, what is made for tourists, and how each thing is eaten. Food is on your own account.

Day 7 · Over the Qinling

Spend the morning exploring the Big Wild Goose Pagoda scenic area, then take a high-speed train through the Qinling Mountains to arrive in Chengdu.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds The temple grounds around the brick pagoda raised to hold sutras a Tang-dynasty monk carried back overland from India. Grounds entry is included; climbing the pagoda itself is a separate on-site ticket and is not in your price.

High-speed rail through the Qinling range The afternoon train south runs through the mountain wall that divides China's north from its south, mostly in tunnel with sudden valleys between. The class of travel for your order is stated in writing in your quote. Sit on the right and watch what happens to the vegetation when you come out the far side.

Arrival in Chengdu Your Chengdu guide takes over at the station, and the evening is left open: you are here for four nights and nothing needs to happen tonight.

高铁

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 10

Day 8 · Morning panda visit, afternoon gaiwan tea tasting

One of the two more relaxed days. Morning at the Panda Base, afternoon reserved for a teahouse in People's Park.

Chengdu panda base You are there in the morning, the hours when the pandas are generally moving: eating, coming down off things, going back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths and about three hours to use as you like. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait: the animal comes over on its own schedule, not yours.

Tea sitting in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees and one gaiwan each, the lidded cup China brews in, topped up by someone with a long-spouted kettle for as long as you sit. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner working two tables over with a tuning fork. The whole afternoon is set aside for this and there is nothing after it. An hour in, you'll notice nobody at your table has asked what happens next.

Day 9 · Dujiangyan & Mount Qingcheng

Return to Chengdu from Dujiangyan: first explore the water-diversion works, then hike Mount Qingcheng. Stay in Chengdu for the night.

Dujiangyan irrigation works A waterworks finished in the 3rd century BC and running ever since, which splits one river into a flood channel and an irrigation channel using no dam at all. You walk out onto the divide with the fast water on both sides and see the three parts of it working at once. The Chengdu plain has been farming behind this thing for over two thousand years, which is why it gets a whole day instead of a photo stop.

Mount Qingcheng One of the founding mountains of Taoism, rising straight above the waterworks and much quieter than the plain below. You sit down with a priest who lives in the temple and ask what you want to ask, then take a taiji session on the mountain. Both are in your price. The walking is stone steps under old trees.

Back to Chengdu The same intercity line back in the evening, into the same hotel room you left this morning.

Day 10 · Cheng Alleys & Sichuan Opera

An easy afternoon and a neighborhood theater. Today is the city Chengdu is now, not the one on the postcards.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Two blocks of Qing-dynasty street grid and one block of current Chengdu retail, walked back to back. The lanes are heavily commercialized and your guide will say so: what they are worth walking for is the shape, how wide a wide lane was and how narrow a narrow one, with the retail block afterwards showing what the same city does with money now.

Community Sichuan opera Watch the face-changing art in Sichuan opera at a community theater. Performance times, seating, and whether a backstage visit is included will depend on the itinerary confirmed at the time of booking.

高铁

Chongqing · Day 11 - Day 14

Day 11 · A city with no flat ground

Arrive in Chongqing, the mountain city built into the hills, by high-speed rail, then explore it on foot along stairs, overhead bridges, and ramps.

High-speed rail to Chongqing Your vehicle to the station in Chengdu, the train, then your Chongqing guide at the other end. The class of travel for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Liziba monorail You ride a working metro line straight through the middle of a residential tower, with the station inside the building and people getting off to go home. Metro fare included. Stand at the front window on the approach: the tower arrives, and then you are inside it.

Vertical city walking line Your guide walks you through a place where the ground floor of one street is the eighth floor of the next, by stairs, footbridges and lanes cut along the cliff. The stops are set on the day rather than written down in advance, because weather and crowds decide which of them are worth the climb.

Day 12 · Board in Chongqing

Transfer from the hotel to the pier, then board the ship for the Yangtze River journey to Yichang; sailing details and boarding times are subject to the written confirmation.

Morning in Chongqing Your vehicle and guide stay with you until the pier, and the morning is kept light because the boarding time is fixed and the traffic here is vertical.

Transfer to the pier We will arrange a car to transfer you from your hotel in Chongqing to the dock, where you will then board according to your selected sailing. Please note that the specific shuttle time and boarding location are subject to your confirmation.

What the operator's program says Cruise segments along the Yangtze River can be arranged individually based on your travel dates. Specific boarding times, cabin categories, onboard meals, language services, and pricing are subject to the written confirmation for your selected sailing.

Day 13 · Downstream, first stop

Disembark at Fengdu during the selected itinerary for a shore excursion, then continue cruising down the river; shore-side activities are subject to the schedule of your cruise.

Fengdu Mingshan scenic area Some sailings stop at Fengdu, offering tours of temples built around local legends of the underworld. Actual port of call, tour duration, and whether in-park transport is included are subject to the confirmation document for your selected sailing.

Zhongxian in the evening The cruise line's itinerary may include an evening performance in Zhongxian; the event's confirmation and port-of-call times are subject to the notification for the selected sailing.

On board On-board activities, dining, and services during the sailing day are subject to the selected cruise and written confirmation.

Day 14 · Qujiang & Wu Gorges

Journey along the Yangtze River through two gorges; riverside activities and tributary excursions are subject to the itinerary of the selected sailing.

Peak of the Three Gorges or Baidicheng The ship may arrange a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Summit or Bai Di City. Specific activities and schedules are subject to notification for the selected sailing.

Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge During the passage through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, you can view the rocky cliffs and river from the deck; the transit time is subject to the day's sailing schedule.

Tributary Boat Excursion If your selected sailing itinerary includes a tributary excursion, you can transfer to a smaller boat for a closer view of the cliffs lining both banks. Please refer to the confirmation details for the specific tributary and time slot.

长江游轮

Yichang · Day 15

Day 15 · Disembark in Yichang and transfer to a train

Visit the Three Gorges Dam on your selected sailing and disembark at Yichang, then transfer to a train for Zhangjiajie; verify connection times for each booking.

Three Gorges Dam If a Three Gorges Dam visit is included in your selected sailing, please disembark as notified by the cruise line and proceed to the Yichang Tourist Center. In-park transport and arrival times are subject to the confirmation document.

Our vehicle takes over From the Yichang Visitor Center, head to the train station and board a train to Zhangjiajie. Please verify the specific train number against the disembarkation time of your selected sailing.

Into Zhangjiajie After arriving in Zhangjiajie, you will check in to a local hotel, followed by four consecutive nights in Zhangjiajie according to the itinerary. Specific transfers and accommodations are subject to the written confirmation.

高铁

Zhangjiajie · Day 16 - Day 18

Day 16 · Bailong Elevator and Yuanjiajie

An elevator up the outside of a cliff, and then the thing this whole route has been walking toward.

Bailong glass elevator The lift runs up the outside of a cliff face inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, both directions in your price. Queues here run long in peak season, so the day starts early rather than after breakfast at leisure.

Yuanjiajie The platform layer on top of the plateau, looking out over the densest run of sandstone columns, including the natural stone arch called the First Bridge Under Heaven. These are the pillars the floating mountains in the Avatar films were modeled on, which is how most guests find out they have already seen this place.

The three angles Today is from above. The cliff walkway tomorrow is from beside, and the streambed the day after is from below. Nothing else is scheduled today, on purpose.

Day 17 · The cliffside trail of Tianmen Mountain

A long cableway out of town, then walkways cut into a cliff face. Today is the vertical one.

Tianmen Mountain cableway A passenger cableway 7.4 km long, one of the longest of its kind, boarding at the edge of the city and climbing to the mountain top; the return ride is in your price. You leave from a street with traffic on it and arrive on a ridge, without a road in between.

Cliff walkway The walkways are cut into the rock face with glass-floored sections built out over the drop. A solid-floor path runs beside every glass section, so anyone who would rather not walk on glass walks the same route on stone.

Heaven's Gate The opening straight through the rock, left by a cliff collapse recorded in AD 263. A stairway climbs to it from the mountain road; the stairway is the one genuinely steep piece of walking on this route and climbing it is your choice, since the arch reads just as well from the bottom.

Evening lighting program The mountain runs an evening lighting program on some dates. When it is operating on your confirmed date we go, and it carries no extra charge; when it is not, the evening is yours and the day has already stood on the cableway and the walkway.

Day 18 · From Tianzi Mountain to Jinbian Stream

The last full day of stone, and the one that changes elevation most. It ends at a loom.

Tianzi Mountain The high terrace over the densest part of the pillar forest, where the columns stand in ranks below you rather than around you. The mountain is named after a Tujia leader who styled himself Son of Heaven, which tells you who held this country before the maps did.

Golden Whip Stream Down to the valley floor and along the streambed, the same columns seen from underneath with the canopy closing overhead. Walking length is set on the day to suit your party. Wild macaques work this stretch and will take food out of an open hand, so food stays packed and your guide walks the party through. Down here you'll find yourself lowering your voice without deciding to.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon glass bridge A glass-decked bridge spanning 430 meters across the canyon; when it opened in 2016 it was the longest and highest span of its kind. A solid-floor path runs alongside for anyone who would rather cross on something opaque.

Tujia brocade workshop Xilankapu, literally "the flowered bedcover," is the local Tujia weaving tradition, worked on a waist loom with the pattern counted in threads rather than drawn on paper. You get hands on the loom when the workshop is open on your date, and a visit without the hands-on when it is not.

航班

Shanghai · Day 19 - Day 21

Day 19 · Fly to Shanghai and enjoy a nighttime cruise on the Huangpu River

Fly to Shanghai and enjoy the Bund that evening, followed by a full day of sightseeing and a departure day.

Flight to Shanghai Hotel to airport, the flight, airport to hotel, both ends in your own vehicle. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

The Bund after dark The row of early-twentieth-century bank and trading houses holds one bank of the Huangpu and the Pudong towers hold the other, a hundred years apart, looking straight at each other across the water. Your guide is with you for the whole evening, which also means the practice-English and tea-ceremony approaches that work this waterfront on first nights do not reach you.

What changed Three weeks ago you were looking at a wall built to keep things out. Tonight you are standing on the edge that let everything in.

Day 20 · Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum

Spend the morning exploring Yu Garden and the Old City area, then in the afternoon, take your time visiting a few exhibition halls at the Shanghai Museum.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and paths that refuse to run straight, dropped inside the oldest quarter of the city. Flat the whole way, about two hours. After three weeks of imperial scale and geological scale, this is deliberately the smallest thing on the route.

Shanghai Museum Spend time carefully exploring two of the exhibits—bronzes, ceramics, or paintings—to connect the artifacts and architecture you’ve seen in the past three weeks; your entry arrangements will be confirmed on your confirmation slip.

The rest of the day After the museum, there are no fixed activities; this is another relatively relaxed segment of your day, following the Chengdu Teahouse, and it marks the last full afternoon before your departure from Shanghai.

Day 21 · Plane trees, then the water one more time

In the morning, walk along Wukang Road and take the Huangpu River ferry, then head to the airport according to your flight time.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane-tree streets, historic houses and small independent shops, at a scale that has nothing to do with last night's skyline. The walk shortens to fit your flight time.

Huangpu River ferry Take a short commuter ferry across the Huangpu River to enjoy a waterborne view of The Bund and Pudong, then proceed to the airport.

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 Area)

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

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

Located near Jianshe Road and the Eastern Suburb Memory Park, its prime location makes it a desirable choice for accommodation in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days around the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Located in the core area of Wulingyuan, a World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and National 5A Scenic Area.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

The MGM Bellagio Shanghai is a premier international luxury brand on the waterfront of the Bund, blending cinematic lobbies and river-view rooms into the southern section of the historic architectural complex.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Xian

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

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and meeting facilities, making it an ideal base for travelers exploring Zhangjiajie’s scenic attractions.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Inside the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Wuzhong Road and Hongjing Road in the golden commercial district of Hongqiao Town, directly connected to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)

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

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

Located near Jianshe Road and the Eastern Suburb Memory Park, its prime location makes it a desirable choice for accommodation in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days around the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Located in the core area of Wulingyuan, a World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and National 5A Scenic Area.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Xian

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

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and meeting facilities, making it an ideal base for travelers exploring Zhangjiajie’s scenic attractions.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Shanghai

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)

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

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

Located near Jianshe Road and the Eastern Suburb Memory Park, its prime location makes it a desirable choice for accommodation in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie

A comfortable Zhangjiajie base for travellers who want an easier return after long days around the national forest park.

Zhangjiajie

Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

Located in the core area of Wulingyuan, a World Natural Heritage Site, World Geopark, National Forest Park, and National 5A Scenic Area.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

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.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Xian

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

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Rezen One S Hotel

An upscale city hotel offering comfortable accommodation, dining, and meeting facilities, making it an ideal base for travelers exploring Zhangjiajie’s scenic attractions.

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Chengdu

The Temple House

Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

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

Beijing

Sofitel Beijing Central

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

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehicleDedicated air-conditioned vehicles are provided for land tours in the listed cities, airport and station transfers, and shuttles between hotels and wharves in Chongqing, as well as from the Yichang wharf to the station; the specific scope of vehicle use is subject to the written itinerary confirmation.
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each of the six cities, including the full Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng day and the evening programs on days six, seventeen and nineteen
Rail and airThe itinerary includes rail travel from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu to Chongqing, and Yichang to Zhangjiajie, as well as flights from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai. The Chengdu-to-Dujiangyan trip is a day tour with a same-day return. Specific train and flight numbers, seat classes, and included items are subject to the final written quotation.
Hotels17 hotel nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 3 · Xi'an 3 · Chengdu 4 · Chongqing 1 · Zhangjiajie 4 · Shanghai 2
Yangtze River CruiseThree-night cruises from Chongqing to Yichang can be scheduled by travel date. The starting price of $6,970 includes tickets, cabins, on-board accommodation and meals, and a selection of shore excursions; specific inclusions are itemized in each written quote.
Meals17 breakfasts at land hotels and a teahouse experience at People's Park on Day 8; onboard meals are subject to written confirmation for the selected itinerary. Inclusion of other meals is based on your booking.
Tickets & Experiences, BeijingThe Forbidden City (including our secured timed-entry reservation) · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall (including uphill cable car or open-air gondola) · Tiananmen Square (including the security registration we process on your behalf) · Temple of Heaven · National Museum of China (including our secured reservation)
Tickets & Experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Army Museum admission · Xi'an City Wall admission, including bicycle rental on the wall and a walking tour for the same price · Big Wild Goose Pagoda scenic area admission · Bell and Drum Towers Square and Muslim Quarter night tour with a tour guide
Tickets & experiences in Chengdu & DujiangyanItinerary includes the Chengdu Panda Base, Dujiangyan, Qingcheng Mountain, Kuanzhai Alley, and a Sichuan Opera performance; temple visits, Tai Chi classes, and behind-the-scenes tours of the theater must be confirmed based on travel dates and a written plan.
Tickets and Experiences, ChongqingRide the Liziba monorail as it passes through a residential building—fare included. Explore this vertical city on foot with your guide. Walking stops are not set in advance and are not guaranteed; they are decided on the day by your guide.
Zhangjiajie Tickets and ExperiencesZhangjiajie National Forest Park admission · Bailong Elevator round trip · Yuanjiajie · Tianzi Mountain · Jinbian Stream (walking distance confirmed on the day) · Tianmen Mountain admission including return cable car · Tianmen Mountain cliff walkway (solid pathway available alongside each glass section) · Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge admission (solid pathway available nearby)
Tickets & Experiences in ShanghaiEvening views of the Bund and Pudong skyline with a local guide · Admission tickets to Yu Garden and the Old City · Tickets to the Shanghai Museum arranged on your behalf · A leisurely walk through the Former French Concession and Wukang Road · Ferry crossing of the Huangpu River, including the ticket
In-park transport options, listed individuallyMu Tianyu uphill cable car or chairlift, Bailong Elevator, and Tianmen Mountain cable car are included per the itinerary; coverage of Tianzi Mountain cable car, park eco-vehicles, and other transfers is subject to written quotation confirmation.
Conditional item; included only when applicable at runtimeParticipation in the Tianmen Mountain night light show on Day 17 is available only when it is operating on your confirmed dates, with no additional charge. On Day 18, if the Tujia brocade workshop is open, a hands-on experience will be offered; otherwise, it will be a viewing-only visit. Neither activity is guaranteed, and neither is considered a highlight of this itinerary.
InsuranceCoverage and applicable zones of travel accident insurance are subject to the policy attached to your booking.

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai, and any connecting sector needed to reach Beijing
VisasVisa fees and application procedures; whether a visa is required, please check official policies based on your passport, itinerary, and travel dates.
Yangtze River Optional ExcursionsCabin upgrades, shore excursions, and onboard personal expenses not included in the written quotation are charged separately. The specific inclusions and optional activities for the selected voyage are subject to the order confirmation.
MealsExcluding any meals explicitly included in your booking, lunch and dinner are at your own expense; we are happy to help with restaurant recommendations or reservations upon request.
Climbing tickets sold on top of an entry ticketClimbing the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda itself · climbing the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower
In-park conveyances outside the included listEvery cableway, lift, shuttle and toboggan not named as included above, including the Mutianyu descent by toboggan
Optional add-onsOptional activities such as the Mutianyu sliding track are subject to same-day availability and group needs; costs will be confirmed in writing.
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending, laundry

Special Notes

A few things on this route follow the calendar, the season or a supplier's confirmation. Here they are, told straight.

Yangtze River Itinerary — Yangtze River segments can be arranged individually based on travel dates. Before confirming your order, please verify the itinerary, cabin class, onboard language services, fees, and inclusions in writing. Specific availability is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
Coverage of the Yangtze River Segment — The itinerary from Chongqing to Yichang is planned for four days and three nights. Cruise-related items are partially included; specific details such as tickets, cabin categories, onboard accommodations, dining, and shore excursions vary by voyage and are itemized in the written quote.
Departure dates — Share your planned departure date with us, and we will verify Yangtze River cruise itineraries, intercity transport options, and the opening days of scenic spots along the route, before confirming a feasible 21-day schedule.
How to Choose Your Departure Date — Departure dates must align with the Yangtze cruise itinerary and the Forbidden City’s opening days; specific dates and day sequences are subject to the written itinerary confirmed per booking.
Tight transfer time on Day 15 — Disembarkation in Yichang, the dam area tour, and the train connection to Zhangjiajie need to be coordinated; the actual disembarkation time, pier transfer, and train number should be verified per sailing.
Class of travel — The schedules, seat classes, and fares for intercity trains and flights are subject to the written quotation and order confirmation.
Two in-park conveyances — Whether the Tianzishan cable car and the forest park eco-travel vehicles are used or included will be confirmed based on the actual itinerary and the written quote.
Heights — Zhangjiajie has two glass sections on this route, the Tianmen cliff walkway and the Grand Canyon glass bridge. Both have a solid-floor path running alongside, so no one has to walk on glass to complete a day.
Reaching Beijing — This route begins in Beijing. International or domestic flights to Beijing, along with any necessary connections, will be arranged separately based on your departure city and dates.
Visa window — Entry and visa-waiver requirements may vary depending on passport type, duration of stay, and travel dates. Please verify the latest official policies before booking and departure.
US passports — Travelers holding U.S. passports should also verify entry policies applicable to their specific itineraries and allow sufficient time for any required visa processing.
Confirmation and changes — The confirmation period, changes, and refund conditions are subject to the written order. Please verify the Yangtze River itinerary and other transport arrangements together; when rescheduling, each segment must be re-confirmed for availability.

Is Twenty-one Days Your Length?

Fewer than twenty-one days?

The corridor comes apart cleanly. Beijing and Xi'an stand on their own as a first week; Chengdu with Dujiangyan is a self-contained block; Zhangjiajie and Shanghai make a shorter second half without the river. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut days rather than cut the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Private itinerary available for groups as small as one guest; final group size and transportation arrangements are confirmed at the time of booking.
Pace: 21-day itinerary: 3 nights in Beijing, 3 in Xi'an, 4 in Chengdu, 1 in Chongqing, 4 in Zhangjiajie, and 2 in Shanghai, plus 3 planned nights on the Yangtze River cruise segment. Days 8 and 20 are scheduled to be more relaxed; onboard accommodations are subject to the confirmation document for the selected sailing.
Effort: Moderate. Every major climb has a cable car or a lift; the Heaven's Gate stairway is the one steep piece and it is optional; both glass sections have a solid-floor path alongside
Entry & Exit Cities: Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day twenty-one
Visas: Verify official visa and visa-exemption policies based on your passport, mode of entry, duration of stay, and travel dates.
Language: See included services for English-speaking guide arrangements on land excursions. Onboard language services must be confirmed on a per-booking basis for each selected cruise voyage.
Payment: This route is available for booking. Deposit, balance, modification, and refund terms are subject to the written quote and order terms.
Season: Opening hours for Yangtze River cruises and stops along the route may vary by date; your departure date will be confirmed in writing via a case-by-case review of your itinerary.

Your Private Concierge

Jenessa

Private China Route Concierge

“A bilingual planning desk for tailor-made China journeys.”

Our China team tunes pacing, hotels and local hosts around each route style.

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 traveler 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 traveler.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Twenty-one days is a long trip. Will it drag?

It is built so that it does not. One idea runs through the whole route, walls then water then stone, and each day carries one piece of it rather than three unrelated sights. Three days are deliberately easy, on days eight, fourteen and twenty, and you unpack once for four nights in Chengdu and again for four in Zhangjiajie. Twenty-one days could hold nine hotel changes; this plan uses six.

You say the Yangtze days are not sold. So what am I actually buying?

Right now, nothing: this route is not open for booking at all, and that is the honest answer. Three things have to be true first, a cabin held on a named sailing, the cabin grade chosen and written into the inclusions, and the operator confirming in writing the English-language service on board. We will not take a deposit against a segment we have not bought. What is already settled is the other seventeen days: the six cities with their guides and vehicles, the rail and air sectors, and the tickets named one by one in the inclusions above. Tell us your dates and we write to you the day the river segment lands.

I am not good with heights. Does Zhangjiajie rule me out?

No. There are exactly two glass sections on this route, the Tianmen cliff walkway on day seventeen and the Grand Canyon glass bridge on day eighteen, and each has a solid-floor path running beside it that goes to the same places. The Bailong elevator and the Tianmen cableway are enclosed cabins. The one steep climb, the stairway up to Heaven's Gate, is optional and the arch reads just as well from the bottom. Tell your guide on day one and the whole Zhangjiajie block is walked on stone.

Why can we only start on a Monday?

Because the sailing this route hangs on runs once a week, and everything before and after it is timed to reach the pier on the right day. A Monday start has a second benefit: day two lands on a Tuesday, which keeps the Forbidden City morning off the palace's Monday closing day. If Monday does not work for you, the river segment stops fitting and we will design you a different plan rather than bend this one and hope.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK and most European passports enter visa-free for stays days. Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. Before you pay we check your 21 days plus any other days in China against that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so a departure on or before December 11, 2026 finishes inside it, and every date we offer does. US passports are different: the US is not on that list and 21 days is more than double what the 10-day transit policy allows, so every US guest holds a Chinese tourist or business visa, with the fee and the appointment their own. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if the dates do not fit we say so instead of selling.

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Terra Cotta Warriors

Cycling Tour of Xi'an City Wall

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area

Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter Night Scenery

Chengdu Giant Panda Base

Savoring tea in People's Park

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Mount Qingcheng

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Community Sichuan Opera

Liziba Monorail

Vertical City Stroll

Bailong Sky Ladder & Yuanjiajie

Tianzi Mountain

Jinbian Stream

Tianmen Mountain Cable Car & Cliff Pathways

Heavenly Door

Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Tianmen Mountain Nightly Illumination

Tujia Brocade Workshop

The Bund & Pudong Skyline

Yuyuan Garden & the Old City Quarter

Shanghai Museum

Former French Concession and Wukang Road

Huangpu River Ferry

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terra Cotta Warriors

08. Cycling Tour of Xi'an City Wall

09. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area

10. Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter Night Scenery

11. Chengdu Giant Panda Base

12. Savoring tea in People's Park

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Mount Qingcheng

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera

17. Liziba Monorail

18. Vertical City Stroll

19. Bailong Sky Ladder & Yuanjiajie

20. Tianzi Mountain

21. Jinbian Stream

22. Tianmen Mountain Cable Car & Cliff Pathways

23. Heavenly Door

24. Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

25. Tianmen Mountain Nightly Illumination

26. Tujia Brocade Workshop

27. The Bund & Pudong Skyline

28. Yuyuan Garden & the Old City Quarter

29. Shanghai Museum

30. Former French Concession and Wukang Road

31. Huangpu River Ferry

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Tiananmen Square

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Terra Cotta Warriors

08. Cycling Tour of Xi'an City Wall

09. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area

10. Bell and Drum Tower Square and Muslim Quarter Night Scenery

11. Chengdu Giant Panda Base

12. Savoring tea in People's Park

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Mount Qingcheng

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera

17. Liziba Monorail

18. Vertical City Stroll

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 10

Chongqing · Day 11 - Day 14

Yichang · Day 15