Reverse Timeline: 14-Day Private China Tour

Overview

行程从深圳的电子市场出发，再到成都的都江堰水利工程、西安的唐代遗迹和北京的明清宫殿，最后在上海回到近现代。成都、西安和北京各住三晚，减少频繁搬运行李。依次走过这些地方，城市与建筑的年代便有了具体参照。

— LyrikTrip 旅行设计师

请告知出行日期、人数与抵离航班。书面报价会列明四段城际交通、酒店、户外项目以及变更条件。

Why you'll love this trip

Five cities, connected by a single rail line. Electronics markets, pandas, the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City, and the Bund—each city comes with an English-speaking guide.
From the contemporary streets of Shenzhen to the 3rd-century-BC Dujiangyan Irrigation System, you’ll pass through five cities in fourteen days.

Step into the Huaqiangbei Electronics Market and explore, with your guide, how components, accessories, and finished products are all traded in the same vibrant neighborhood.
After visiting the panda base, take a seat at a teahouse in Chengdu's People's Park; the afternoon is reserved for gaiwan tea and free time.
Standing on a dam dating back to the third century BC, watch the water still follow the guidance it was given over a thousand years ago, then chat with the Daoist priests in the temple on the hilltop: two halves of the same afternoon that speak to each other.
Overlooking the Terracotta Army, identify ranks by armor and hairstyles: generals, crossbowmen, and infantry. A brief guide makes it all instantly clear before your eyes.
After exiting the Forbidden City through the north gate that afternoon, we climbed Jingshan Hill, where the entire Palace complex stretched out below us like a straight line cutting through the city.
As night falls, you'll wrap up your itinerary along the Bund with your guide by your side: historic colonial facades on one side, Pudong's gleaming skyscrapers on the other — and by now, you'll know exactly which came first.
Stay three nights in each of the three mid-route cities—Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing—so you can pack once and travel light. The entire itinerary requires just one flight and three high-speed rail journeys.

Things to do

Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, Shenzhen

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Taoist Temple & Dialogue at Mount Qingcheng, chengdu

Night View of the Bell & Drum Tower District, xian

Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Electronics

City

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

City

Heritage

Active

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Museum

Riverfront

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 2

Day 1 · Start with Shenzhen's contemporary streetscapes

Your driver meets your flight, whatever time it lands. Nothing is asked of you today.

Airport pickup Your driver and vehicle are waiting for the flight number on your confirmation, and the run into the city is yours to sleep through.

Shenzhen through the window On the way to the hotel, the view from the car window shifts from high-rises to bustling streets and flowing traffic. It begins with the contemporary streetscape of Shenzhen, then travels back through time to earlier chapters of China.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide is reachable, and dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, on your own account.

Day 2 · Six floors of how things get made

Begin the day at Huaqiangbei's electronic markets, with an afternoon reserved for rest.

Huaqiangbei electronics market You walk up through the floors with your guide, and the order of them is the lesson: loose components in trays at the bottom, prototype boards above, finished machines near the top. Stand at a stall counter while a buyer and a seller settle a bulk order in front of you, neither of them in any hurry, and look at the trays: the parts inside the thing you are holding right now are almost certainly on this floor.

What you buy Items purchased at the market are at your own expense; your guide can help you understand the products and prices.

Pace The market is the day's one substantial thing. The afternoon stays loose on purpose, because you flew a long way yesterday.

航班

Chengdu · Day 3 - Day 5

Day 3 · The city explains itself, then you leave

In the morning, visit the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition; in the afternoon, fly to Chengdu.

Shenzhen urban planning exhibition At the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition, revisit the city's evolution, then compare it with the neighborhoods you saw in Huaqiangbei Electronics Market yesterday.

Fly to Chengdu Afternoon flight from Shenzhen to Chengdu; flight details, seat class, and transfers at both ends are subject to the final itinerary.

Arrive in Chengdu Nothing is scheduled after the flight. Three nights in one hotel start tonight, so the suitcase opens once.

Day 4 · Watch the pandas at dawn, then unwind in a teahouse in the afternoon.

Visit the Giant Panda Base in the morning, then enjoy a tea at People's Park. The remaining time is free for rest.

Chengdu panda base The morning slot is the whole point: the pandas are generally more active early, and by late morning most of them are asleep in the same position. Flat shaded paths, about three hours, and your guide keeps to the enclosures where something is actually happening.

Teahouse sitting in People's Park A bamboo chair under the trees and one gaiwan (the lidded cup China brews in), refilled as long as you sit there. The next table is playing cards, the ear cleaner works down the row with his tuning fork, and nobody is going anywhere. Your seat and the refills are arranged; the ear cleaning and the massage stalls are yours to take or leave. Some time in the second hour you'll realize you have stopped checking how long this is supposed to take.

Pace Beyond the Panda Base and People's Park, no other attractions are scheduled.

Day 5 · Branching at Dujiangyan, Hiking at Mount Qingcheng

Depart from Chengdu to see how Dujiangyan diverts the river, then hike Qingcheng Mountain and return to Chengdu that evening.

Dujiangyan irrigation system You stand on the dividing levee with the river coming at you and splitting around it: one channel to the plain, one to carry the flood away, no dam anywhere in the design. Built in the third century BC, and the fields behind you have been watered by it ever since. Your guide walks you through the three parts in order so the mechanism is legible on the ground rather than on a diagram.

Mount Qingcheng Mount Qingcheng is a renowned Taoist mountain, and the area still features several Taoist temples. As you hike up the forested paths, you will pass through the temple buildings sheltered by the tree canopy.

Exchange with a Daoist priest Plan to exchange with Taoist practitioners at Qingcheng Mountain; specific meeting and Tai Chi course arrangements must be confirmed in writing based on your travel dates.

Back to Chengdu The return transport is included and you sleep in the same Chengdu hotel tonight, so nothing gets packed.

高铁

Xi'an · Day 6 - Day 8

Day 6 · Explore two districts in Chengdu, then take the high-speed rail

In the morning, visit the Kuan-Zhou Alley and Taikoo Li separately, then take a high-speed train to Xi'an in the afternoon.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Start with the three lanes of Kuanzhai Alley, then head to the open-air shopping district at Taikoo Li. Located a short distance apart, these two sites showcase how Chengdu approaches the treatment of its old buildings versus its new districts.

High-speed rail to Xi'an In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Xi'an. As the train leaves the Sichuan Basin, it winds through mountainous terrain and tunnels. Seat class and both-end pickup arrangements are subject to the final confirmation.

Arrive in Xi'an Three nights in one hotel again. Nothing is scheduled tonight.

Day 7 · Identify Terracotta Warriors by Armor and Hairstyles

One site, one day, no second stop. Learn to read rank off a stranger who has been standing there for twenty-two centuries.

The Terracotta Warriors You come in above Pit One and the formation runs away from you down the length of the hall, an estimated eight thousand figures in all three pits. Your guide gives you the reading key first: armor plates, topknot position, the stance of the hands. After that the ranks separate on their own, and the generals stop being a caption and start being findable.

Newer Excavation Sites In the more recently excavated areas some of the original pigment survives on the figures, which is the closest you get to seeing them the way they were buried.

Crowds This is one of the busiest sites in the country and we plan the day around the hours the pits are least crowded rather than around the coach schedule.

Day 8 · Up on the wall, then down into the noise

The whole old town from above in the afternoon, the same town from inside it after dark.

Xi'an City Wall You go up the ramp and the top of the wall opens out flat and wide, running away from you around the entire old town. Look inward from the parapet: the street grid below still follows the Tang-dynasty plan, and the modern city has simply filled it in. Your wall-top access is included and your guide picks the gate with the view you want.

On the wall Bicycles are the usual way people cover the circuit, and bicycle hire is not part of your price. Whether bicycles are on hire on your date is written into your quote, and walking a section with your guide is the standing alternative either way.

Bell and Drum Towers quarter after dark After dark, food stalls line the streets around the Bell and Drum Towers. Your guide will walk you past them so you can learn about local delicacies before choosing what to buy. Dinner is not included in the itinerary.

高铁

Beijing · Day 9 - Day 11

Day 9 · Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the morning, then take the high-speed train to Beijing in the afternoon.

Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an in the morning, then take a high-speed train to Beijing in the afternoon.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda The pagoda went up to hold the sutras a Tang-dynasty monk carried back from India, and it is still the plainest thing in a quarter that has grown ornate around it. Stand at the base and look straight up the brick tiers: no decoration, no color, just seven stories of storage for the books that changed what this country believed. Entry to the grounds and the cultural area is included; climbing the pagoda is a separate ticket and is not.

High-speed rail to Beijing The afternoon train crosses the North China plain at speed, flat land and winter wheat and power lines all the way. Your seat class is written into your quote, and your vehicle runs hotel to station and station to hotel at both ends.

Arrive in Beijing Three nights in one hotel. Nothing is scheduled tonight, which matters, because tomorrow is the long one.

Day 10 · One axis, six hundred years

Walk the palace in a single line, then climb the hill that shows you the line.

The Forbidden City Advance booking is required for the Palace Museum; specific entry times will be confirmed once your travel dates are set. Once inside, follow the central axis past the ceremonial halls, residential quarters, and Imperial Garden, exiting through the North Gate. From the courtyard, look back to see one gate leading to the next.

Pace Visits to the Forbidden City follow a primary route arranged according to your reservation time slot, with rest breaks available in open areas. On days when the museum is closed, the sightseeing itinerary for Beijing will be adjusted.

Jingshan Park Straight out of the north gate and up the hill made from the earth dug out of the moats. Twenty minutes of steps, and from the pavilion at the top the whole palace lies below you as one line of golden roofs running north to south through the middle of Beijing. This is where the morning turns from a lot of courtyards into a plan.

Day 11 · The wall, and nothing else

A long drive out, a long stretch of wall, a long drive back. Today only has one thing in it on purpose.

Drive out to Mutianyu Due to the drive from Beijing to Mutianyu and the time needed for the round trip, no other attractions are scheduled for this day.

Up to the wall Great Wall scenic area admission, full-day vehicle hire, and guided tour are included; cable car, chairlift, and toboggan slides are at additional cost. Actual opening hours and the mode of ascent/descent must be confirmed based on your travel date.

Along the ridge You come out onto a restored stretch with watchtowers stepping away along the ridge in both directions. Your guide reads the wall to you: beacon towers, the pass below, why the sightlines run where they run. Stand in a tower doorway and look along the ridge with the towers going smaller: that is the photograph, and it is the same one from the fourth tower as from the first. Up here you'll find yourself talking more quietly than you were an hour ago.

高铁

Shanghai · Day 12 - Day 14

Day 12 · Round for heaven, square for earth, then south

In the morning, plan to visit the Temple of Heaven and the National Museum of China; in the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Shanghai. The specific order will be confirmed based on reservations and train schedules.

Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line, and the shapes carry the argument: round belongs to heaven, square belongs to earth. The emperor came here once a year to account for the harvest, and the park around it now opens early and fills with people exercising, which is the version of it you will actually walk into.

National Museum of China Advance reservations are required to enter the National Museum of China. Please check the itinerary on your travel date to see if an AM visit allows enough time to catch an afternoon departure. The bronze ware and ceramics on display also offer a striking parallel to the collections you’ve seen in Xi'an and Beijing on previous days.

High-speed rail to Shanghai The afternoon train south, your seat class written into your quote, your vehicle running hotel to station and station to hotel at both ends.

Day 13 · Back into today

By day, explore Yuyuan Garden and the Shanghai Museum; as night falls, stroll the Bund to take in the views of both banks of the Huangpu River.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and paths that turn back on themselves, inside the oldest quarter of Shanghai. This is the piece of the city that was here before the treaty port arrived, and after two weeks of imperial scale it is a relief to be somewhere built for one family.

Shanghai Museum The bronze and ceramics galleries at the Shanghai Museum can be compared to what you saw in Xi'an and Beijing over the past few days. Please verify venue details and reservation arrangements based on your travel dates.

The Bund and the Pudong skyline After dark, stroll along the Bund waterfront, with historic bank buildings behind you and the skyscrapers of Pudong across the river. The journey begins in contemporary Shenzhen, moves through Xi'an and Beijing, and culminates on the banks of the Huangpu River, revealing Shanghai's different eras side by side.

Evening safety Your guide stays with you on the waterfront all evening. Strangers who approach visitors on the Bund with an invitation to practice English or to see a tea ceremony are running a known scam, and your guide will steer you past it without a scene.

Day 14 · Plane trees, then the airport

The last morning has nothing you have to see in it. That is the design.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Stroll slowly down Wukang Road, where plane trees shade boutique shops and old-style residences along the street. If your flight schedule allows, set aside some free time here for a leisurely walk.

Airport drop-off When departing from Shanghai for the airport, confirm the drop-off time in coordination with your flight and hotel checkout; the final arrangements are subject to the confirmed itinerary.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai 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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai 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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

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.

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.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

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.

Shenzhen

Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai 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.

Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen

The Langham, Shenzhen is a luxury hotel in Futian CBD, featuring elegant rooms, fine dining, and premium facilities.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Shenzhen 2 · Chengdu 3 · Xi'an 3 · Beijing 3 · Shanghai 2
BreakfastsOne hotel breakfast per day from Day 2 to Day 14, for a total of 13 servings
Airport pickup and drop-offShenzhen airport pickup on day one, met on arrival, and Shanghai airport drop-off on day fourteen, both by private vehicle
Domestic flightThe base fare includes the flight from Shenzhen to Chengdu on Day 3; the specific flight number and cabin class will be confirmed in the written quote.
High-speed railThe base price includes three high-speed rail segments: Chengdu to Xi'an on Day 6, Xi'an to Beijing on Day 9, and Beijing to Shanghai on Day 12. Seat class is subject to the written quote.
Station and hotel transfersPrivate vehicle between hotel and airport or rail station for all four intercity legs
Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle with driver on every touring day listed on this page, in all five cities, including the full-day Great Wall round trip and the Dujiangyan day return from Chengdu
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each city, including the Bell and Drum Towers quarter after dark on day eight and the whole Bund evening on day thirteen
Tickets and experiences, ShenzhenThe guided Huaqiangbei market walk with the supply-chain commentary · entrance to the Shenzhen urban planning exhibition
Tickets and experiences, ChengduMorning entry to the Panda Base · A cup of gaiwan tea at People's Park for every guest · Guided stroll through the Kuanzhai Alleys and Taikoo Li
Tickets and experiences, DujiangyanAdmission tickets to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng; details on Taoist exchanges or Tai Chi classes are subject to the confirmed reception arrangements.
Tickets and experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Warriors entrance with on-site commentary by your guide · Xi'an City Wall top access · the guided Bell and Drum Towers quarter evening walk · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds and cultural area
Tickets and experiences, BeijingThe Forbidden City entrance with the timed reservation booked by us · Jingshan Park entrance · Mutianyu Great Wall scenic-area entrance · Temple of Heaven park and the three halls · National Museum of China entrance with the morning reservation booked by us
Tickets and experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city entrance · Shanghai Museum entrance with the timed reservation booked by us · the guided Bund and Pudong evening riverside walk · the former French Concession and Wukang Road morning walk
InsuranceTravel accident insurance for every guest

Not Included

International flightsInternational flights arriving in Shenzhen and departing from Shanghai, as well as international transit segments, are not included; departure and return times will be verified when confirming the itinerary.
VisasVisa fees and processing for any guest who needs a Chinese visa
Lunches and dinnersAll lunches and dinners are on your own account. Your guide recommends and books on request
Separately ticketed items inside sitesCable cars, open chairlifts, toboggan rides, shuttle buggies inside a park, climbing a pagoda or tower, special exhibitions and audio-guide hire. None of these is included on this route unless it is named in the table above
Bicycle hire on the city wallThe wall-top access ticket is included; the bicycle itself is not
Shopping in HuaqiangbeiThe guided walk is included; anything you buy is on your own account, and we take no commission on it
Stall services in People's ParkTeahouse seating and a gaiwan tea set are included; ear cleaning, massages, other tea snacks, and vendor services within the park are at your own expense.
Optional add-onsNo priced optional add-on is offered on this route in this release. Nothing outside the included table is folded into the base plan
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, laundry, communications and personal spending

Special Notes

Specific departures, reservations, and outdoor activities are confirmed based on your travel date.

Bookings & Pending Confirmations — This route is currently bookable. Schedules and seat selections for the four intercity transport segments, outdoor activities, holiday arrangements, and local hospitality details must all be confirmed based on your travel dates; the itinerary shown on the page does not represent locked-in inventory.
Outdoor Activities — Admission tickets for Mutianyu, full-day car service, admission tickets for Mount Qingcheng, and the Xi'an City Wall climb ticket are included in the quoted price. The cost for Mutianyu's up-and-down mountain facilities, bicycle rental on the Xi'an City Wall, and any exchange or course arrangements at Mount Qingcheng are subject to a written quote based on the travel date.
Departure Date — This route is now available for booking. Please provide your preferred dates, and we will confirm landmark opening days, ticket reservations, and the four intercity transfers, then sequence each day's itinerary accordingly.
Museum Closure Days — Please verify the opening dates and reservation policies of the Forbidden City and all museums based on your travel dates; if a closure occurs, we will adjust the sightseeing sequence in your written itinerary.
Scheduled Booking — Reservations for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum will be verified against your travel dates and specified in the written itinerary.
International arrival/departure flights — International airfare is not included in the base quote. Please provide the flight details for your arrival in Shenzhen and departure from Shanghai so we can confirm transfers and itinerary arrangements for the first and last days.
Entry Procedures — Visa or visa-free eligibility depends on passport type, port of entry, travel dates, and the full itinerary. A 14-day route cannot be completed solely under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy; we will verify each traveler’s eligibility against the official regulations in effect at the time before payment.
Group — A private itinerary, reserved exclusively for your group. Minimum of 1 guest; no upper limit on group size.
Confirmation and Changes — A written quote will specify the confirmation deadline and any change or refund terms. Rescheduling involves one domestic flight, three high-speed rail segments, plus hotel and scenic-area bookings; specific rules are subject to order confirmation.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The five cities come apart cleanly. Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu each stand on their own, the Shenzhen opening can go, and the Dujiangyan day return is the first thing we would cut rather than compress. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut days rather than cut the pace.

Good to Know

Group: Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
Pace: 14-Day, 5-City Tour: Shenzhen (2 nights), Chengdu (3 nights), Xi'an (3 nights), Beijing (3 nights), and Shanghai (2 nights). Intercity travel is scheduled on days 3, 6, 9, and 12, with day 11 dedicated primarily to visiting the Great Wall.
Effort: Full touring days on foot with a private vehicle at every stop. The heaviest days are the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City with Jingshan, and the Great Wall. Jingshan is about twenty minutes of steps; at Mutianyu the uphill and downhill arrangement is stated in your quote
Ports: Arrive in Shenzhen, depart from Shanghai; airport pickup on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 14. International flights and connecting segments are arranged by guests or quoted separately.
Visas: Verify visa or visa-exempt status for each traveler based on passport details, entry date, and the full itinerary; specific requirements are subject to official regulations in effect at the time of travel.
Language: Licensed English-speaking guides throughout, city by city. The three timed reservations are booked by us on a mainland number
Season: Attraction opening hours, outdoor facilities, and transport schedules vary by date; departure dates and alternative arrangements are subject to written itinerary confirmation.
Payment: This route is bookable with a minimum of 1 guest. Payment terms, deposit timing, and cancellation policies are subject to the written quotation and order details.

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

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VPN & Internet Access

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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.

Why does a China trip start in Shenzhen? I have never heard of it.

Because the order is the point. Shenzhen is where China's electronics industry actually sits, and it looks nothing like it did forty years ago. Two days there gives you the country's newest version first, so that the Ming and Qing palace on day ten and the third-century-BC waterworks on day five land as answers rather than as scenery. If you would rather open on the Great Wall, say so and we will point you at a route that does; we would rather move you than talk you into an order you do not want.

Fourteen days, five cities, one flight and three trains. Is that too much moving?

The moving is concentrated so the staying is not interrupted. Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing are three nights each in one hotel, which is nine of your thirteen nights with the suitcase shut. Each transfer sits in an afternoon with a sight in the morning before it and nothing after it, and your own vehicle runs hotel to station or airport at both ends of every leg. The one domestic flight is on day three, early enough that jet lag is doing the work anyway.

How do we get up the Great Wall in November?

At Mutianyu the ways up are a cable car, an open chairlift and a toboggan down, and all three run to their own fourth-quarter timetables set by the scenic-area operator, not by us. So none of them is inside your price and none of them is promised here. What is inside your price is the scenic-area ticket, the full-day private vehicle from central Beijing and back, and your guide for the whole day; and before you pay, your quote states in writing which uphill and downhill arrangement applies to your departure date. Whatever the answer, you get a restored stretch of wall with the watchtowers you can walk between, and a whole day with nothing else on it.

Can I book this today?

Not yet, and we will not pretend otherwise. the remaining items have to be settled first: the four intercity legs booked against the real fourth-quarter timetable with cabin and seat class named, a written answer from our ground partners on the three fourth-quarter outdoor items, the national holiday week decision, Until those items are done we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates and where you would fly from: we will tell you what is settled, what is not, and write to you on the day the route opens.

Do we need a visa, and can we fly from the US?

Most guests on this route do not need a visa: French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, UK, Nordic, Central European, Irish, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports enter visa-free for stays days, and we check your 14 days plus any extra days in China against that window before you pay. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. The US is different, and the answer there is no: this route is not sold to United States guests, because Shenzhen has no direct service from the United States and 14 days is longer than the 10-day transit policy allows. Write to us anyway and we will send you a route that does work from a US departure.

Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

Urban Planning Exhibition

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea Time

Dujiangyan

Taoist Temple & Dialogue at Mount Qingcheng

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Terracotta Army

Xi'an City Wall

Night View of the Bell & Drum Tower District

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Yu Garden & Old Town

Shanghai Museum

The Bund

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea Time

05. Dujiangyan

06. Taoist Temple & Dialogue at Mount Qingcheng

07. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Night View of the Bell & Drum Tower District

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea Time

05. Dujiangyan

06. Taoist Temple & Dialogue at Mount Qingcheng

07. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Night View of the Bell & Drum Tower District

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

01. Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

02. Urban Planning Exhibition

03. Chengdu Panda Base

04. People's Park Tea Time

05. Dujiangyan

06. Taoist Temple & Dialogue at Mount Qingcheng

07. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an City Wall

10. Night View of the Bell & Drum Tower District

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Forbidden City

13. Jingshan Park

14. Mutianyu Great Wall

15. Temple of Heaven

16. National Museum of China

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. The Bund

20. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 2

Chengdu · Day 3 - Day 5

Xi'an · Day 6 - Day 8

Beijing · Day 9 - Day 11

Shanghai · Day 12 - Day 14