Yangtze Plateau 18-Day Private China Tour

Overview

This journey progresses step by step from Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu toward Lhasa. After arriving on the plateau, one day is set aside for rest, followed by a slower-paced exploration of palaces and monasteries. When leaving Lhasa, the itinerary first flies to Chongqing, then proceeds along the Yangtze River for a three-night cruise, disembarking at Yichang before flying to Shanghai. Plateau accommodation details, permits for entering Tibet, and cruise departures will be confirmed item by item based on your travel dates.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Please let us know your travel dates, the number of travelers, and any health or mobility needs we should consider in advance. We will first verify Tibet permits, Lhasa accommodation options, flights, and cruise sailings, then provide a written quote outlining the services and costs we can arrange. Guests planning to visit high-altitude areas who have heart or lung conditions or other health concerns should consult a doctor first.

Why you'll love this trip

Journey from Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu to Lhasa, then travel by ship along the Yangtze River for three nights via Chongqing, concluding in Shanghai.
From the Forbidden City to the Bund, an 18-day journey tracing the full arc of China.

Climb the hill behind the palace and look back down the golden roofs you spent the morning walking through: the whole Forbidden City lies flat below you and the axis it sits on runs straight out of the frame, north and south.
Ride the cable car up to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and arrive on the ridge with your legs unused: the watchtowers step away along the spine of the hills in both directions, and you get the wall on the morning you were meant to get it, not after an hour of stairs.
Give the buried army of the first emperor a whole day instead of a stop: an estimated eight thousand figures, no two faces alike, and by the second pit hall you can tell a general from a crossbowman by his armor and the knot of his hair.
Cycle the top of the old city wall of Xi'an, up where the parapet runs level above the traffic: for one hour the city belongs to whoever is pedaling on the ramparts, and you come off it knowing exactly how big the walled city used to be.
Get to the panda base in the morning, in the hours the animals are actually moving, and stay long enough to watch one climb down off a platform and think better of it.
Take a bamboo chair in a Chengdu park with a gaiwan in front of you and let the afternoon go: refills come as long as you stay, and nothing after it is scheduled.
Finish at sea level on the Shanghai waterfront after dark, having crossed the river on the boat the city commutes by: the old bank buildings on one bank, the towers on the other and 3,650 m two weeks behind you.

Things to do

Ancient City Wall Cycling in Xi'an, Xi'an

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The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

City

Heritage

Cycling

Nature

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City

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Heritage

City

Riverfront

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Your driver meets the flight, whatever hour it lands. Nothing on this route asks anything of you today.

Airport pickup Upon arrival in Beijing, proceed to your hotel. The scope of service and costs for airport transfers on arrival and departure on the final day are subject to the written quotation provided in your booking.

Beijing at forty-four meters The city sits low and flat and the first drive in shows it: ring roads, poplars, lit shopfronts. Eighteen days from now you will have been 3,600 meters above this road and come back down by river.

Evening The evening is reserved for rest. Dinner can be enjoyed near the hotel, with costs settled according to the included items on your booking or paid on the spot.

Day 2 · One line through the palace, then the hill behind it

The palace first, on one axis, then the one hill that shows you what you just walked through. This is the day the scale of the place lands.

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

Jingshan Park The north gate puts you at the foot of a hill made from the earth of the palace moat. One steady climb, and from the pavilion on top the whole palace lies flat below you: acres of gold roof in rows, and the city's central axis running straight through the middle of it and out of sight both ways. Photograph it from here rather than from inside: this is the frame that holds all of it.

Pace The palace is large and guests regularly find it tiring, so the route stops at the seats we know about and the hill comes after the flat walking, not before.

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

A cable car does the ascent, so the ridge arrives with your legs unused. One thing today, and the whole day for it.

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

Cable car up You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions. Your guide points out the pass below and why the towers stand exactly where they stand: line of sight, one tower to the next, a signal moving faster than a horse. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it. That is the fifteen seconds worth filming.

Farmhouse lunch below the wall Enjoy a home-style Northern Chinese lunch at a restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall, ensuring ample time to descend and return to the city. Specific meal arrangements and whether it is included in the quoted price are subject to your booking.

Coming down The toboggan on its metal track through the trees is the way most guests come off the wall. It is not in the price and is paid at the top by whoever wants it; the cable car brings everyone else down the way they came up.

高铁

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5

Day 4 · A lane in the morning, a train in the afternoon

Old Beijing on foot while the neighborhood is doing its errands, then 1,200 km of North China Plain at 300 km/h. Today the country starts changing under you.

Old Beijing hutong and Shichahai lakeside walk Gray brick lanes, doorway stones, bicycles leaned on walls and the lakes at the end of them. This is the ordinary version of the city, the one that is nobody's monument. Stand at the water for a minute: rowing boats, someone practicing an instrument badly, and the palace roofline you stood over yesterday just visible past the trees.

High-speed rail to Xi'an The afternoon train crosses the North China Plain in a few hours, flat and worked to the horizon in every direction. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote, because it is not fixed across all orders and we would rather write it down than let you assume the top one.

Arriving Xi'an sits about four hundred meters up, and it is the first of three steps the plan takes upward. Nothing is scheduled after check-in.

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces

The buried army gets the whole day, not a stop between two other things. By the afternoon you are reading ranks off armor.

The Terracotta Army An estimated eight thousand figures standing in formation where a farm well hit the first of them in 1974. You walk the pit halls in order, and your guide gives you the reading key early: armor plating, the knot of the hair, the set of the hands. After that you do the sorting yourself, and it changes what you are looking at: not a crowd, a chain of command.

The paint In the newer excavated areas some pieces still carry traces of their original color. The army left the ground painted; almost all of it went in the first minutes of air.

Shaanxi noodle lunch After exploring the Keng Hall, enjoy a meal of Shaanxi noodles nearby. For specific lunch arrangements and whether it is included in the quote, please refer to your order.

Pace Crowds are large in peak season, so we dedicate the entire day to the Terracotta Warriors, avoiding any rush to the next major site. Reservations and route details for the National Day holiday will be confirmed separately based on your travel date.

高铁

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7

Day 6 · On the wall, then through the mountains

An hour of pedaling on a fourteenth-century parapet, then a train that tunnels the mountain range dividing north China from south. Today you cross a watershed, literally.

Xi'an City Wall with rampart cycling Up the gate ramp, hire a bike, and ride the top of the wall with the parapet at your elbow and the traffic below it. The old city is on one side and the new one on the other, and the ride tells you the size of the walled city better than any map: it takes real pedaling to get around it.

High-speed rail to Chengdu The afternoon train runs south into the Qinling range and spends much of the way inside it, tunnel after tunnel, before coming out into the Sichuan basin. Green, hazy, wet air: another country's worth of difference in three hours. The cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Arriving Chengdu is about five hundred meters up, the second step of three, and the last night before the plan leaves the lowlands.

Day 7 · Pandas early, then nowhere to be

The morning is spent where the animals actually are awake. The afternoon is spent in a chair. This is the last easy day before the plan goes up.

Chengdu panda base You are there in the morning, the hours when the pandas are generally moving: eating, climbing down off platforms, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths, about three hours. Get to an enclosure early and wait rather than walking the whole park: the animal comes to the fence on its own schedule, not yours.

Gaiwan tea sitting in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and a man with a long-spouted kettle who tops it up as long as you sit there. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner two tables over working with a tuning fork. Three hours are set aside for it because the sitting is the content. An hour in, you'll notice you haven't looked at your phone and nobody has asked what happens next.

Tonight Pack for altitude before you sleep. Tomorrow the plan gains three thousand meters in one flight, and the day after that is deliberately empty.

航班

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11

Day 8 · Five hundred meters to three thousand six hundred and fifty

One flight, one whole day, nothing else on it. The plan gains its altitude in a single move and then stops moving.

Fly Chengdu to Lhasa Today is dedicated solely to the transfer from Chengdu to Lhasa, with no other sightseeing scheduled. The actual flight, cabin class, and pickup/drop-off times will be confirmed based on your travel date.

Landing high The plateau starts before the wheels are down, brown and folded and very large, with the river valleys threading through it. The airport sits an hour or so from the city and the drive in is flat.

The rest of the day Check in, drink water, walk slowly, eat lightly, sleep early. That is the entire program, and it is the program on purpose.

High-Altitude Accommodation Lodging in Lhasa is subject to order confirmation. Requests for oxygen-supply rooms and related equipment must be explicitly specified on the confirmation form and cannot be assumed based on the hotel name alone.

Day 9 · The day with nothing in it

An acclimatisation day, and the only real work is breathing. The plan builds this day in first and everything else fits around it.

Why the day exists Lhasa sits at approximately 3,650 meters above sea level. This day includes no scheduled sightseeing, travel time, or fixed departure times, and is left for your body to rest. Individual responses to altitude vary; even a rest day does not guarantee complete acclimatization.

What it looks like When conditions permit, take a short walk near the hotel and find a spot with a good view of the street to sit and rest; you can also simply stay in your room to relax. No hiking or climbing activities are scheduled for the day.

The pace from here For the rest of this section the plan carries one thing per day, not three, which is the difference between this and a shorter Tibet itinerary. By evening you'll notice you've stopped hurrying, and that it wasn't a decision you made.

Day 10 · The palace above the city

One building, one morning, and the rest of the day left alone. At this altitude the plan carries a single item a day.

The Potala Palace The palace stands on the ridge above Lhasa and is visible from most of the city, which is the point of where it was put. Entry runs on a strictly timed slot of about an hour, walking up through the White Palace and the Red Palace. The climb to the entrance is the hardest physical thing in this section: stairs, at 3,650 m, which is why it comes on the second full day rather than the first.

Afternoon Nothing further is scheduled. Two full days of this section carry one item each, and the empty half-days are the reason the section works at all.

Booking & Stamina Entry to the Potala Palace must be scheduled within the available booking slots for the day, and you should also reserve some energy for the entrance steps. Whether the admission ticket and guide fees are included in the quoted price will be specified in writing on the order.

Day 11 · The temple people walk around

A working pilgrimage site in the morning, a monastery courtyard in the afternoon. Today is about what people do here, not what was built here.

Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Pilgrims circumambulate the temple, many of them in full prostrations. The street that rings it turns clockwise all day with them: prayer wheels on one side, shops on the other, the same direction as everybody else. You walk the circuit at their pace, which is not fast, and the altitude agrees with that.

Sera Monastery debate In the afternoon, head to Sera Monastery. Whether the debate sessions are open and if visits are possible on the day are subject to the monastery's schedule; if not open, you can still explore the monastery courtyards.

Pace of the Day Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are kept for the morning, while Sera Monastery is scheduled for the afternoon, with breaks for meals and rest in between. Admission tickets and guide services are as specified in writing in the order.

航班

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14

Day 12 · Down three thousand meters before dinner

Fly from Lhasa to Chongqing, returning to a low-altitude city for the night. Today focuses on travel and rest.

Fly Lhasa to Chongqing Fly from Lhasa to Chongqing. The flight date must align with the subsequent river cruise boarding date; the actual schedule will be confirmed with your booking.

Back to Low Altitude Chongqing is nestled in a river valley, and its air is far more humid than Lhasa's. After arriving, check in and rest to give your body time to adjust to the transition.

Evening If your arrival time allows, stop by Liziba Station to see trains pass through the apartment building; whether a vehicle and guide will be arranged is subject to your booking details and the day's schedule.

Day 13 · A vertical city, then a ship

Explore the mountain city in the morning and board the ship in the afternoon. For the next three nights, your luggage can remain in your stateroom.

Chongqing in the morning Chongqing is built along the contours of its hills, so the same street may correspond to different floors depending on the building. We suggest devoting the morning to short walks within the city; specific routes will be adjusted according to the dock and boarding schedule.

Embarkation Board in Chongqing in the afternoon to begin the Yangtze River segment of your journey. Voyage number, dock, cabin, and ticket inclusions are confirmed per order.

The rest of the descent From here to Shanghai the plan loses its last 260 meters over four days, most of them without you doing anything.

Day 14 · River Cruise on the Gorges

The river narrows here, with the mountains closing in on both sides. Today, we stay aboard to take in the gorges. The transit of the locks and specific timings are subject to the itinerary of this particular voyage.

On the water The gorges arrive as walls, not views: the river bends and the sky becomes a strip. Deck chairs, tea, and the country going past at walking pace after two weeks of trains and flights.

Through the locks If your booked sailing passes through a lock, you can watch vessels transit from the deck or designated viewing areas. The timing and available vantage points are subject to the ship’s arrangements for the day.

The on-board program Onboard activities vary by voyage. Alternatively, you can stay on deck and watch the riverbanks change gently with the course of the water.

Cruise Notes Daily itineraries, port of call, and onboard activities are subject to the confirmed cruise sailing and cannot be inferred from another ship's program.

长江游轮

Yichang · Day 15

Day 15 · The slowest day of the eighteen

Continue sailing along the river; whether to dock and the specific activities are arranged by the cruise operator for this voyage. Today is primarily for rest on board.

Sailing The river widens after the gorges and the banks flatten into terraces, towns and cranes. This is the part of China nobody photographs and everybody lives on.

Shore visit A shore stop sits in the day, organised by the ship operator to its own schedule. We name it as theirs rather than as ours.

What the day is for Leave your luggage in the cabin—no need to rush to trains or flights during the day. After the Lhasa segment concludes, spend these three days leisurely on the slowly moving river, enjoying relaxation on board.

航班

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18

Day 16 · Off the river, into the last city

Disembark in Yichang in the morning, then fly to Shanghai. We arrive at our final city today, with one more day tomorrow to explore at a leisurely pace.

Disembark at Yichang The ship arrives in the morning and the transfer to the airport runs from the dock. This is the last time your bags move before Shanghai.

Fly to Shanghai Fly from Yichang to Shanghai. Actual flight, cabin class, and transfers are confirmed based on your travel date; no sightseeing is arranged upon arrival.

Sea level Just eight days ago in Lhasa, arriving in Shanghai tonight. The itinerary moves to a low-altitude city—tomorrow, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the urban center.

Day 17 · A garden, a commuter boat, two skylines

Start with a morning in a classical garden, take the commuter ferry in the afternoon, and stroll along the Bund at night. Your final day beautifully mirrors the first.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and paths that never run straight, sitting inside the oldest quarter of Shanghai. Flat the whole way, about two hours, and the lanes around it cost nothing to walk. After eighteen days of scale, a garden built to be looked at from six paces is a change of gear.

Huangpu River ferry You cross the river on the boat the city commutes by, at the rail with scooters and people going to work, for the price of a bus ticket. A few minutes, and the far bank arrives fast.

The Bund in the evening The old bank and trading buildings hold one bank of the river, the towers hold the other, and they are about a hundred years apart looking straight at each other. Your guide walks this one with you: the riverfront draws practiced approaches from strangers offering tea or English practice.

Day 18 · Return Journey

Breakfast, then the airport. The plan ends the way it started: a driver, and no hurry.

Airport drop-off Transfer to Shanghai Airport according to your return flight time. Airport transfer vehicles and costs are subject to the written quote in your booking.

What goes home with you The order of it. Forty-four meters, four hundred, five hundred. Three thousand six hundred and fifty, and then a river all the way back to the sea.

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatization.

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.

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.

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

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

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

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatization.

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.

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.

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

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

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

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.

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa

Five-star Tibetan-design hotel with oxygen-enriched rooms for high-altitude acclimatization.

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.

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.

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

Beijing

Hilton Beijing

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Lhasa

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel

Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel, near Norbulingka and Tibet Museum, with mountain views, an oxygen lounge and 4 restaurants.

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

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

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

Included / Excluded

What's Included

The Forbidden CityAdmission, plus the timed reservation booked by us with the details on your confirmation. This day is never set on a Monday, the palace's closing day
Jingshan ParkAdmission. The hilltop pavilion looks down the palace roofline and the central axis
Mutianyu Great WallAdmission, plus the uphill cable car or open chairlift section, so the ascent does not rest on walking. The toboggan descent is not in the price
Old Beijing hutong and Shichahai lakeside walkThe guided walk through courtyard lanes and lakeside streets. No admission charge applies to this walk
The Terracotta ArmyTicket to Kengting Hall included. Visitor volumes and reservation arrangements during the National Day holiday will be confirmed based on your specific travel dates.
Xi'an City Wall with rampart cyclingAdmission, plus the bicycle hire for the rampart cycling section
Chengdu panda base, morning visitAdmission, morning entry when the animals are generally more active
Gaiwan tea sitting, People's ParkEach guest is served a gaiwan tea with complimentary refills; ear-picking and other in-park vendor services are extra.
Yu Garden and the old cityYu Garden admission. The surrounding old-city walk carries no admission charge
Huangpu River ferryThe public ferry crossing fare
The Bund in the eveningThe evening walk on the Bund waterfront. No admission charge applies
Plateau & Yangtze River SectionThe starting price of USD 4,900 includes partial services for days 8 through 16; the specific scope of inclusions for items such as accommodation in Lhasa, the Tibet entry permit, the Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, and Yichang transfers, is itemized in the written quote for each order.

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
Visas and the Tibet permitGuests requiring a Chinese visa are responsible for their own visa and processing fees. The method and cost of obtaining Tibet entry permits will be confirmed in writing based on the guest's documentation and booking details.
Items in the Plateau and Yangtze River sections not listedFrom Day 8 to Day 16, only select services are included in the starting price of $4,900. Specific inclusions and additional charges for accommodation, permits, transportation, cabin, admission tickets, and meals will be itemized in your written quote.
Toboggan descent at MutianyuPayable on site by guests who choose it
In-park stall servicesEar cleaning, shoe shining and similar services in People's Park
In-venue transport not named aboveIn-park shuttles and mobility transport not listed under included costs.
Meals other than those namedLunches and dinners not named above: recommended and booked by your guide, on your own account
GratuitiesGratuities to guides, drivers and ship crew
Single or extra room differenceCharged per order once the room grade is chosen
Personal spendingLaundry, minibar, telecommunications, personal shopping
Optional add-onsOptional tours, meals, or services are quoted separately per booking.

Special Notes

The plateau segment, attraction reservations, and Yangtze River cruise itineraries are all date-dependent. Please refer to the written order confirmation for specific arrangements.

Booking & Quotation — This 18-day itinerary is bookable. The starting price of $4,900 covers partial services for days 8 through 16. Specific inclusions and extra fees for Lhasa accommodation, Tibet entry permits, flights, and the river cruise will be detailed in a written quote for the selected dates before payment.
Tibet Entry Documents — Foreign guests traveling to Tibet are required to obtain relevant permits based on their individual identification documents and travel itineraries. Whether visa-free entry is applicable to a specific guest's permit application must first be verified on a case-by-case basis by a compliant processing agency. Securing Chinese entry eligibility does not equate to having obtained a Tibet travel permit.
Document Processing Time — A Tibet Travel Permit must be arranged in advance. Please provide your passport details and mode of entry when confirming your travel dates; required documents, the latest submission deadline, and any associated fees will be specified in your booking.
Seasons & Schedules — Scheduling for the high-altitude segment and Yangtze River cruise itineraries is subject to seasonal availability. Your travel dates must align with flights to Lhasa, permit processing times, and cruise sailings; available dates are subject to the written quote.
High-Altitude Itinerary — Lhasa is at an elevation of approximately 3,650 meters. No sightseeing is scheduled on Day 8 upon arrival; Day 9 is designated for rest. Please note that the absence of altitude sickness during the rest day is not guaranteed. Supplemental oxygen-equipped rooms, medical equipment, and other health support measures are considered arranged only if explicitly stated in your booking. If you have cardiopulmonary conditions or other health concerns, please consult a doctor beforehand.
Attraction Reservations — Sites such as the Forbidden City and the Potala Palace are scheduled according to opening dates and reservation availability. In the event of closures, capacity limits, or changes in availability, sightseeing itineraries will be adjusted and explained in writing at the time your travel dates are confirmed.
Transport Schedules — The two high-speed rail segments, three domestic flights, and cruise itinerary must be seamlessly connected. Train numbers, flight details, cabin class, and transfer arrangements are confirmed based on specific dates and itemized in your booking.
Passport & Entry — China entry visa or visa-free eligibility depends on passport, purpose of travel, entry date, and current policies. Guests holding U.S. passports—and all other nationalities—may inquire about pricing; required visas and Tibet permits must be verified per booking, not assumed based solely on nationality.
Transit Visa Exemption — The 240-hour visa-free transit stay is shorter than this 18-day itinerary and cannot be used to complete this trip. Please confirm your eligible entry method into China and the required Tibet permit before departure.
Refund & Change Policies — This itinerary includes high-speed rail, domestic flights, fixed-date cruises, and Tibet permits. Rescheduling may affect multiple bookings; please refer to the written terms in your order for deadlines and cancellation or change fees.

Is Eighteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than eighteen days?

The arc comes apart at one joint. Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu stand on their own as a shorter classic run. The plateau section needs its four nights and its rest day, so it is the piece that cannot be trimmed, only removed. The river descent can be replaced by a flight, at the cost of the recovery leg that makes the plateau section work. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut whole pieces rather than compressing the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Private group: inquiries open for 1 guest; vehicle and room arrangements depend on the confirmed order size.
Pace: Seven stops in 18 days: Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 2, Chengdu 2, Lhasa 4, Chongqing 1, three nights aboard ship, Shanghai 2. Four easy days, one of them with nothing scheduled at all
Effort: City walking pace is moderate; Lhasa is at approximately 3,650 meters elevation. Plan for a four-night stay with one full day reserved for rest. Note that the Potala Palace entrance includes steps, and please consult a doctor about potential high-altitude health risks based on your personal circumstances.
Ports: Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day eighteen are stated in writing per order
Visas: China entry eligibility and Tibet permits are verified separately. Visa or visa-free requirements vary by passport and depend on travel policies and individual itineraries; guests with U.S. passports can also request a quote.
Language: The dates and service standards for the English-speaking guide are subject to written confirmation in the booking order.
Payment: Booking available for 1 guest. The schedule for the deposit, final payment, and documentation processing is governed by the written quotation and contract for your specific order; any like-for-like hotel substitutions will also be itemized in the confirmation.
Season: The plateau segment and Yangtze River cruise are both subject to seasonal and itinerary variations; available dates are confirmed individually based on the current season's schedule.

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.

I have a UK passport and enter China visa-free. Can I still get a Tibet permit?

We do not have a confirmed answer yet, and that is exactly why this route is not on sale. A Tibet travel permit is issued separately from your entry to China, it is applied for by an agency on your behalf, and its pre-review needs at least 15 days before departure. What we have not yet confirmed in writing is whether a passport with no Chinese visa page in it can be processed the same way. We are not going to take your deposit on a guess. What you can do now is tell us your dates: the day we have a written answer, and a departure calendar to go with it, we write to you first.

Can I do this trip in October, November or December 2026?

Not the full 18 days, and we would rather say that than sell you a shortened version quietly. The plateau section is arranged from April to October only, and the river ships end their 2026 season on November 27 and December 7. Because this is an 18-day plan, a departure after mid-October crosses into November on the plateau. Put the two windows together and nothing in October to December fits end to end. As designed, this journey sells from April to October. If your dates are fixed in that quarter, the three-city classic run at the front of this plan does work then, and we will price that instead rather than bend this one.

Is 3,650 meters going to make me ill? 3,650

Some guests feel it and some do not, and nobody can tell you in advance which one you are. What the plan does about it: the ascent happens in one flight on day 8, and the whole of day 9 carries nothing at all. Every day after that carries a single item rather than three. The highest point of the route is the city you sleep in rather than a mountain pass, and the descent is by river over three nights instead of a second flight. What the plan does not yet have: a contracted oxygen-equipped hotel, which is what the section was designed around, and a finished pre-travel questionnaire on heart and lung history. Until both exist we do not describe an altitude safeguard as if it were in place. If you have a heart or lung history, talk to your doctor before you talk to us.

Why come down by boat instead of just flying to Shanghai?

Because the plateau needs digesting, and a second flight does not digest anything. Three nights on the river are the recovery leg of this route: you lose the last of the altitude slowly, you unpack once, and the country goes past at walking pace after two weeks of trains and flights. It is also the reason the plateau section can carry four nights instead of two: the days that follow it ask nothing of you. The honest part: those three nights are not sourced yet. The cabins are not contracted, the cabin grade is not set, and the two full days on board are carried by the ship operator's own program rather than by ours. None of it is in the price today.

What is actually confirmed and priced today?

Eleven named items, all of them in the four sourced cities. In Beijing: the Forbidden City with its timed reservation, Jingshan Park, Mutianyu Great Wall with the uphill lift and the hutong and lakeside walk. In Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and the city wall with the bicycle. In Chengdu: the panda base in the morning and the tea seat with refills. In Shanghai: Yu Garden, the river ferry and the Bund in the evening. That list is closed: nothing outside it is inside the price. Hotels, transfers, the vehicle and guide days are settled in writing for your order, one by one. Cabin classes, the two arranged lunches and insurance are settled the same way, and no order is taken without them in writing. Days 8 to 16 are not sourced at all, and none of it is sold to you.

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Hutong and Shichahai Walk

Terracotta Warriors

Ancient City Wall Cycling in Xi'an

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea

Yuyuan Garden & the Old City

The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Hutong and Shichahai Walk

05. Terracotta Warriors

06. Ancient City Wall Cycling in Xi'an

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. People's Park Tea

09. Yuyuan Garden & the Old City

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Hutong and Shichahai Walk

05. Terracotta Warriors

06. Ancient City Wall Cycling in Xi'an

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. People's Park Tea

09. Yuyuan Garden & the Old City

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

01. The Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Mutianyu Great Wall

04. Hutong and Shichahai Walk

05. Terracotta Warriors

06. Ancient City Wall Cycling in Xi'an

07. Chengdu Panda Base

08. People's Park Tea

09. Yuyuan Garden & the Old City

10. The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry

11. The Bund

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3Collapse

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Day 2 · One line through the palace, then the hill behind it

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5Collapse

Day 4 · A lane in the morning, a train in the afternoon

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7Collapse

Day 6 · On the wall, then through the mountains

Day 7 · Pandas early, then nowhere to be

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11Collapse

Day 8 · Five hundred meters to three thousand six hundred and fifty

Day 9 · The day with nothing in it

Day 10 · The palace above the city

Day 11 · The temple people walk around

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14Collapse

Day 12 · Down three thousand meters before dinner

Day 13 · A vertical city, then a ship

Day 14 · River Cruise on the Gorges

Yichang · Day 15Collapse

Day 15 · The slowest day of the eighteen

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18Collapse

Day 16 · Off the river, into the last city

Day 17 · A garden, a commuter boat, two skylines

Day 18 · Return Journey

Read it on your own time

Answers to all your trip questions

Something specific in mind?

What's Included

Not Included

Special Notes

Is Eighteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than eighteen days?

Jenessa

Tell us what excites you

We design it around you

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 7

Lhasa · Day 8 - Day 11

Chongqing · Day 12 - Day 14

Yichang · Day 15

Shanghai · Day 16 - Day 18