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Moderate walking every touring day, with two light days built into the middle. Lift equipment inside scenic areas, including the Mutianyu cable car, is not in the base price: the Great Wall climb is on foot unless you add it, quoted separately.

Overview

One country, six cities, each with its own rhythm. Beijing preserves the floor plan of its imperial palace; you walk along one of its central axes. Xi'an still wears the city walls it once used for defense; you ride atop them. Chengdu invites you to sit down, so the journey deliberately slows in the middle. Shanghai places trade on both banks of the river, while Shenzhen arranges electronic components and finished products across different floors of its markets. Ending in Guangzhou with tea and a walk by the Pearl River, you can finally describe the distinct character of each city.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Please share your travel dates, group size, and passport details with us. We will confirm your day-by-day itinerary and written quote, taking into account venue reservations and intercity schedules.

Why you'll love this trip

  • Six cities, one route:慕田峪 Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, pandas, a third-century BC hydraulic marvel, and the Bund—all with an English-speaking guide in every city.
  • From the Forbidden City to the Huaqiangbei electronics market, 14 days to see six cities each in their own rhythm.
  • Walk one axis of the Forbidden City, out through the north gate, and then climb the hill standing directly across the street: from the pavilion on top, the golden roofs you just walked between line up in rows and the Beijing Central Axis runs straight through them.
  • Ride along the top of the Xi'an City Wall on a rented bicycle, one of the most complete surviving city walls in China, on a flat brick road wide enough to ride two abreast around the whole old city.
  • Sit an afternoon in a People's Park teahouse with a gaiwan that keeps getting refilled as long as you stay: cards at the next table, the ear cleaner working the row behind you, and nowhere you are due next.
  • Stand at the mouth of the Dujiangyan waterworks and watch the river being divided the way it has been divided since the third century BC, on the day trip out of Chengdu.
  • End an evening on the Bund with your guide beside you: the old waterfront buildings on one bank, the Pudong towers on the other, one city looking at itself across the water.
  • Walk Huaqiangbei floor by floor with a guide who reads the trade for you: loose components on one level, prototypes above them, finished machines above that, and the buying chain that connects the three.
  • Unpack once for three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu: nine of the fourteen days run out of three hotels, and no morning starts with a suitcase.
Tour route mapTour route: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, GuangzhouBeijing · ArrivalsD1–D3Xi'anD4–D6ChengduD7–D9ShanghaiD10–D11ShenzhenD12–D13Guangzhou · DeparturesD14

Things to do

The Forbidden City, Beijing
01
Jingshan Park, Beijing
02
Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
03
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
04
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
05
National Museum of China, Beijing
06
Terracotta Army, Xi'an
07
Xi'an City Wall Cycling, Xi'an
08
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an
09
Huifang Night Tour, Xi'an
10
Chengdu Panda Base, Chengdu
11
Learn more
Tea at People's Park, Chengdu
12
Learn more
Dujiangyan, Dujiangyan
13
Daoist Temples & Dialogues in Qingchengshan, chengdu
14
Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li, Chengdu
15
Community Opera House, Chengdu
16
Yuyuan Garden & the Old City, Shanghai
17
Shanghai Museum, Shanghai
18
The Bund, Shanghai
19
Former French Concession and Wukang Road, Shanghai
20
The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai
21
Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen
22
Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou
23
Cantonese Morning Tea, Guangzhou
24
The Forbidden City, BeijingHeritage
Jingshan Park, BeijingViewpoint
Mutianyu Great Wall, BeijingGreat Wall
Tiananmen Square, BeijingLandmark
Temple of Heaven, BeijingCulture
National Museum of China, BeijingMuseum
Terracotta Army, Xi'anHeritage
Xi'an City Wall Cycling, Xi'anCycling
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'anPagoda
Huifang Night Tour, Xi'anCity
Chengdu Panda Base, ChengduNature
Learn more
Tea at People's Park, ChengduCity
Learn more
Dujiangyan, DujiangyanHeritage
Daoist Temples & Dialogues in Qingchengshan, chengduHeritage
Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li, ChengduCity
Community Opera House, ChengduCulture
Yuyuan Garden & the Old City, ShanghaiHeritage
Shanghai Museum, ShanghaiMuseum
The Bund, ShanghaiRiverfront
Former French Concession and Wukang Road, ShanghaiCity
The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, ShanghaiCity
Huaqiangbei, ShenzhenTech
Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town, GuangzhouCity
Cantonese Morning Tea, GuangzhouMeal
The Forbidden City, BeijingHeritage
Jingshan Park, BeijingViewpoint
Mutianyu Great Wall, BeijingGreat Wall
Tiananmen Square, BeijingLandmark
Temple of Heaven, BeijingCulture
National Museum of China, BeijingMuseum
Terracotta Army, Xi'anHeritage
Xi'an City Wall Cycling, Xi'anCycling
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'anPagoda
Huifang Night Tour, Xi'anCity
Chengdu Panda Base, ChengduNature
Learn more
Tea at People's Park, ChengduCity
Learn more
Dujiangyan, DujiangyanHeritage
Daoist Temples & Dialogues in Qingchengshan, chengduHeritage
Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li, ChengduCity
Community Opera House, ChengduCulture
Yuyuan Garden & the Old City, ShanghaiHeritage
Shanghai Museum, ShanghaiMuseum
The Bund, ShanghaiRiverfront
Former French Concession and Wukang Road, ShanghaiCity
The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, ShanghaiCity
Huaqiangbei, ShenzhenTech
Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town, GuangzhouCity
Cantonese Morning Tea, GuangzhouMeal
The Forbidden City, BeijingHeritage
Jingshan Park, BeijingViewpoint
Mutianyu Great Wall, BeijingGreat Wall
Tiananmen Square, BeijingLandmark
Temple of Heaven, BeijingCulture
National Museum of China, BeijingMuseum
Terracotta Army, Xi'anHeritage
Xi'an City Wall Cycling, Xi'anCycling
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'anPagoda
Huifang Night Tour, Xi'anCity
Chengdu Panda Base, ChengduNature
Learn more
Tea at People's Park, ChengduCity
Learn more
Dujiangyan, DujiangyanHeritage
Daoist Temples & Dialogues in Qingchengshan, chengduHeritage
Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li, ChengduCity
Community Opera House, ChengduCulture
Yuyuan Garden & the Old City, ShanghaiHeritage
Shanghai Museum, ShanghaiMuseum
The Bund, ShanghaiRiverfront
Former French Concession and Wukang Road, ShanghaiCity
The Bund & Huangpu River Ferry, ShanghaiCity
Huaqiangbei, ShenzhenTech
Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town, GuangzhouCity
Cantonese Morning Tea, GuangzhouMeal

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Beijing
Beijing
Beijing

Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing; start with a relaxing rest

You land in Beijing and the day asks nothing of you. The trip starts tomorrow, at the gate of a palace.

Arrival Your flight comes into Beijing and tonight's hotel is already in your plan, the first of thirteen nights. Nothing is scheduled and nothing needs to be.
Getting to the hotel The arrival transfer is not part of the base price on this route. Whether your order carries an airport pickup is written into your quote before you pay, and if it does not, your guide sends you the taxi and metro instructions for your terminal in advance.
Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide is reachable, and a place to eat near the hotel is recommended and booked for you on request, on your own account.

Stay — Beijing · Meals — None included today

Day 2 · One axis, then the hill that looks back

You walk the palace along a single line and come out the back. Then you climb the hill facing that gate and see what you just walked through.

The Forbidden City Your reservation is timed, so the morning starts at a fixed hour. You take the ceremonial halls first, then the living quarters behind them, then the imperial garden, and your guide keeps the route on that one line instead of chasing side courts, with places to sit along the way.
Out through the north gate You leave by the gate at the back of the palace, and the hill is straight across the street. The crossing is short enough that most people are still talking about the last hall when they start climbing.
Jingshan Park Stairs to the pavilion at the top, and from up there the roofs you have been walking between for three hours line up in rows with the Beijing Central Axis running through the middle. You will find yourself pointing rather than talking.

Stay — Beijing · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 3 · The wall, a whole day of it

The drive out is long, so the wall gets the day to itself. Read the wall instead of photographing it and leaving.

The road out Head north from central Beijing into the mountains; allow ample round-trip travel time. To keep the day relaxed, only the Mutianyu Great Wall is scheduled, with no additional stops.
Mutianyu Great Wall A restored run of wall along the ridge with watchtowers you can walk between. The climb to the wall is on foot unless you have added the cable car or chairlift to your order, and your guide sets the pace to the slowest walker in your party.
On the wall You stand in a tower doorway and your guide reads the ground for you, where the beacon towers are, where the pass runs below, and why the wall turns where it turns. The ridge line goes on past where the restored section ends.

Stay — Beijing · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

高铁

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an

Day 4 · The square, the altar, the bronzes, then a train

Beijing's public face in the morning, its shapes and its collection after. Leave the capital by rail, at the speed the country moves at now.

Tian'anmen Square Everyone goes through security screening to enter, and the queue is budgeted separately so the rest of the day does not slide. You walk the square itself, which is where most of China's twentieth century happened.
The Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line inside a walled park that the neighborhood still uses as a park. Your guide gives you the shape rule first, round for heaven and square for earth, and after that you can read the compound yourself.
The National Museum of China Bronzes, ceramics, sculpture and calligraphy, by timed reservation. Two hours here puts dates on the things you have been walking past outdoors for three days.
High-speed rail to Xi'an Your guide walks you to the platform and hands you over at the door. The rail class for your order is written into your quote, and a guide meets your train at the Xi'an end.

Stay — Xi'an · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 5 · Eight thousand faces, one at a time

The whole day goes to one site, and it needs it. Learn to tell the ranks apart and the pits stop being a crowd.

Out to the pits About an hour on the road from the city, and your guide uses it to give you the ranks before you see them, so the first pit is not just a wall of soldiers.
The Terracotta Army You work through the pits one by one. Armor and hairstyle tell the generals from the crossbowmen from the infantry, and in the newer excavation areas you can still see traces of the original paint on the figures. The site holds an estimated eight thousand figures.
Standing at the rail The front ranks are lit and the hall runs back into shadow, rank behind rank, further than the photographs ever show. You will lower your voice without deciding to.

Stay — Xi'an · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 6 · On top of the wall, then behind it

Ride the old city's outline in daylight and walk its food lanes after dark. One city at two hours of the day.

Xi'an City Wall You go up at a gate tower and take a rented bicycle along the top, on flat brick wide enough to ride two abreast. The wall closes a full loop around the old center, so you can turn back whenever you like and still have ridden a side of the city.
From the parapet On one side the lanes of the old town run away below you, on the other the towers of the new city stand behind the wall line. It is the clearest picture of the whole trip's argument, and it is free.
The Bell and Drum Tower quarter and the Muslim Quarter After dark, on foot with your guide. The two towers used to keep the city's time; the lanes behind them do the eating. Your guide tells you what each stall is selling before you buy anything, and what you buy is on your own account.

Stay — Xi'an · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

高铁

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu

Day 7 · A pagoda, then the mountains

A short morning before a long ride south. Cross the range that separates the two halves of China and arrive somewhere that eats differently.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda The brick pagoda and the temple compound around it, an hour and a half in the morning while the quarter is still quiet.
High-speed rail through the Qinling The line south runs through the Qinling mountains, the range that separates northern China from the south, most of it in tunnel and viaduct. You get off in a city that grows tea, not wheat.
Into Chengdu A guide meets your train and you are at the hotel with the evening still in front of you. The next two days are the slowest of the fourteen, by design.

Stay — Chengdu · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 8 · Pandas while they are moving, then nowhere to be

The morning is the only hour the pandas are worth the trip. The afternoon has no task in it at all.

Chengdu panda base You go early, because that is when they climb, eat and fight over the same length of bamboo. By mid-afternoon they are asleep, which is why this is not an afternoon item.
People's Park teahouse Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and the man with the kettle comes back as long as you are sitting there. Cards at the next table, the ear cleaner working the row behind you with his tuning fork.
The afternoon Nothing follows it. Your guide stays if you want the conversation and steps back if you do not. You will notice at some point that nobody has looked at a phone for an hour.

Stay — Chengdu · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 9 · A day trip to the works that waters this plain

Out by rail in the morning, back to the same hotel at night. See what twenty-three centuries of maintenance looks like.

Rail out to Dujiangyan Drive from Chengdu to Dujiangyan, then return to the same Chengdu hotel for the night. This is one of the busiest days of the trip, framed by a more relaxed pace on either side.
Dujiangyan irrigation works Standing at Dujiangyan's water-dividing point, you watch the Minjiang River branch into different channels. There is no transverse dam here; your guide will explain how the Fish Mouth, Flying Sand Weir, and Treasure Bottle Mouth each serve their purpose.
A small Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng A working temple away from the front-gate crowds. The resident priest sits down with you and takes your questions, and then there is tai chi on the temple ground, done slowly enough that nobody has to be good at it.

Stay — Chengdu · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

航班

Shanghai · Day 10 - Day 11

Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai

Day 10 · Three lanes, a mask, and a plane

Chengdu's shopfront in the morning and its neighborhood theater after lunch. Leave the city after the last face has changed.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Start with the three courtyard alleys of Kuanzhai Alley, then explore the modern district of Taikoo Li. Today, Kuanzhai Alley is a commercial street filled with teahouses and street food stalls, and your guide will provide an honest account of its current state.
Sichuan opera, community theater You go backstage before the show and watch the faces go on. Then face-changing from close up, near enough that you still cannot see how it happens.
Flight to Shanghai Your guide takes you to the airport after the theater. The cabin for your order is written into your quote, and a guide meets you in Shanghai.

Stay — Shanghai · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 11 · A garden, a collection, and two banks

Start in the oldest quarter and end at the water after dark. Watch a city look at itself across a river.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and winding paths inside the oldest quarter of the city. It comes first because everything else you will see today was built to answer it.
Shanghai Museum Bronzes, ceramics, painting and calligraphy, on a timed entry. Two hours, and your guide picks a route through it rather than starting at gallery one.
The Bund after dark The old waterfront buildings behind you, lit; the Pudong towers across the water, also lit; the ferries and the barges going between them. Your guide is with you the whole evening.

Stay — Shanghai · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

航班

Shenzhen · Day 12 - Day 13

Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen

Day 12 · Plane trees, a commuter ferry, then south

A low-rise morning to balance last night's skyline. Cross the river the way the city crosses it.

The former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane trees over narrow streets, historic housing, small independent shops. Nothing here is tall, which after last night is the point.
The Huangpu River ferry A few minutes across on the boat people take to work, standing at deck level with bicycles and commuters, the same water you looked at from above the night before.
Flight to Shenzhen The afternoon goes to the airport and the flight, and nothing is scheduled on arrival. This is the second of the two light days.

Stay — Shenzhen · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

Day 13 · Floor by floor

Components, prototypes, finished machines, in that order and in that building. See what a city built for making actually looks like.

Huaqiangbei You climb through the market with your guide reading the trade as you go: trays of loose components on one floor, boards and prototypes above, finished machines above that, and the buyers moving between them with sample bags.
What the guide adds Not the products but the chain. Who sources from whom, at what volume, and why a shop selling one kind of connector can stay in business on one square meter. You will find yourself doing arithmetic on the way down the escalator.
The rest of the day After visiting Huaqiangbei, you'll have free time to continue exploring the electronics market or return to your hotel to rest. If you'd like to add other Shenzhen experiences, these can be confirmed separately in a written quote.

Stay — Shenzhen · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel

高铁

Guangzhou · Day 14

Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou

Day 14 · Shenzhen to Guangzhou: Afternoon Tea Along the Pearl River

On the final day, transfer from Shenzhen to Guangzhou for a Cantonese morning tea and some time to enjoy the views along both banks of the Pearl River.

High-Speed Rail from Shenzhen to Guangzhou On this day, take a high-speed train to Guangzhou, with the specific service coordinated with the return flight schedule. The order of morning tea and the train journey will be determined by the teahouse's location and the written itinerary.
Cantonese yum cha On the transit day between Shenzhen and Guangzhou, we’ll enjoy a long-established teahouse. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, rice noodle rolls, and char siu buns, along with seasonal dim sum, are served tray after tray, with tea refilled at a leisurely pace. This lunch is included in the base fare.
Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town The contemporary waterfront of Guangzhou, towers and public space along the Pearl River. Fourteen days ago you were standing at a palace gate finished in 1420.
Departure Your flight home leaves from Guangzhou. The departure transfer is not part of the base price on this route, and whether your order carries it is written into your quote before you pay.

Stay — Trip ends · Meals — Breakfast at the hotel, plus the arranged yum cha

Departures

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Hotels

These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.

Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)
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.
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
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.
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
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.
Shangri-La Hotel
Xian
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
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.
MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel
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.
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui 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.
Hilton Beijing
Beijing
Hilton Beijing
Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea
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.
The Temple House
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
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.
Conrad Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Sofitel Beijing Central
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue
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.
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)
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.
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
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.
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
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.
Shangri-La Hotel
Xian
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
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.
MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel
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.
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui 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.
Hilton Beijing
Beijing
Hilton Beijing
Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea
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.
The Temple House
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
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.
Conrad Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Sofitel Beijing Central
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue
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.
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort Area)
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.
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International high-end hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and city stays.
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
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.
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
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.
Shangri-La Hotel
Xian
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
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.
MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel
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.
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen
A Nanshan hotel beside the Houhai commercial district, with easy access to Shenzhen's western business and cultural areas.
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui 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.
Hilton Beijing
Beijing
Hilton Beijing
Established international hotel in Beijing with reliable service and central access.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea
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.
The Temple House
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
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.
Conrad Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Sofitel Beijing Central
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui Pudong Avenue
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

  • Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle on all touring days in every city, including the full-day Mutianyu round trip on day three and the ground legs of the Dujiangyan day trip on day nine. Airport transfers are not part of this line: see Not Included
  • GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on all touring days in each city, including the Bund evening in Shanghai and the Huaqiangbei walk in Shenzhen
  • Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 3 · Xi'an 3 · Chengdu 3 · Shanghai 2 · Shenzhen 2. The arrival night in Beijing is one of the 13. Hotels named in your written confirmation
  • Intercity transportSix intercity transfers: Day 4, high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an; Day 7, high-speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu; Day 9, round-trip high-speed train between Chengdu and Dujiangyan; Day 10, flight from Chengdu to Shanghai; Day 12, flight from Shanghai to Shenzhen; Day 14, high-speed train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou. Specific schedules, seat classes, and cabin types are subject to the written quotation.
  • Tickets & experiences, BeijingTian'anmen Square · the Forbidden City with its timed entry reservation · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall admission · the Temple of Heaven · the National Museum of China with its entry reservation
  • Tickets & experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Army · Xi'an City Wall admission with the wall-top bicycle rental · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · the Bell and Drum Tower quarter and the Muslim Quarter in the evening, a walking visit with your guide
  • Tickets & experiences, ChengduChengdu panda base in the morning · People's Park gaiwan teahouse with the tea seat paid · Kuanzhai Alley and the Taikoo Li quarter as a walking visit · community Sichuan opera with backstage access and a close-range face-changing demonstration
  • Tickets & experiences, DujiangyanDujiangyan irrigation works · a small Qingcheng Taoist temple visit with a conversation with a resident priest and a tai chi session
  • Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city quarter · Shanghai Museum with its entry reservation · the former French Concession and Wukang Road as a walking visit · the Huangpu River ferry crossing · the Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied
  • Experiences, Shenzhen & GuangzhouHuaqiangbei with your guide explaining the sourcing chain floor by floor · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town
  • Meals13 hotel breakfasts, days two through fourteen, plus one arranged Cantonese yum cha on the morning of day fourteen at a long-established tea house on the way to Guangzhou, tea seat and dim sum included

Not Included

  • International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Guangzhou
  • VisasVisa fees and processing for any guest who needs a Chinese visa
  • Airport transfersAirport pickup in Beijing and departure transfer in Guangzhou are not included in the base price. If you wish to add these services, specific arrangements and fees will be detailed in a written quote.
  • Lift equipment inside scenic areasThree named places, all excluded on the same footing: the Mutianyu cable car, chairlift and toboggan · the Mount Qingcheng cable car and lake boat · the Dujiangyan scenic shuttle. Any of them can be asked for per order and is priced when you choose it
  • MealsAll lunches and dinners other than the day-fourteen yum cha. Food bought in the Muslim Quarter and around Kuanzhai Alley is on your own account. Your guide recommends and books on request
  • Travel insuranceTravel insurance is not included in the base price. Please arrange your own travel insurance that covers medical expenses in China.
  • Optional add-onsPriced separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added into the base plan by default
  • PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, laundry, personal spending

Special Notes

Travel dates, venue reservations, and intercity train schedules affect the daily sequence of activities.

  • Booking & Itinerary Confirmation — This tour can be booked by travel date. Specific arrangements for venue reservations, intercity schedules, and add-on services will be detailed in the written itinerary and quote.
  • Beijing Departure Day — Day 4 includes a Beijing tour and a high-speed train to Xi'an; venue reservation time slots and train departures must be coordinated together. The visiting sequence of Beijing landmarks is subject to the written itinerary.
  • Departure dates — no departures between October 1 and October 7. That is the national holiday week: four cities on this route run holiday-peak crowding and the Terracotta Army site is at its heaviest of the year. Dates are also set so that day two never falls on a Monday, when the Forbidden City closes; if your dates would put it there, days two and three change places.
  • Timed-entry reservations — Advance reservations are required for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum; admission tickets are included in the base quote. Reservation responsibilities, entry time slots, and venue availability will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
  • The day-fourteen tea house — Cantonese-style morning tea is scheduled on the travel day from Shenzhen to Guangzhou. The sequence of the tea house, morning tea, and high-speed rail will be confirmed in light of the return flight and noted in the written itinerary.
  • December departures — In December, Beijing and Xi'an are cold, and both the Great Wall visit and city wall cycling take place outdoors. We will confirm arrangements for these two days based on the specific dates and the physical fitness of the group members.
  • The Great Wall climb — the cable car, chairlift and toboggan at Mutianyu are all excluded from the base price, so unless you add one, the climb to the wall is on foot. We say this here rather than letting it surface on the day.
  • Passport & Entry — Entry eligibility depends on each traveler's passport, mode of entry, total duration of stay in China, and departure date. Please provide this information at the time of booking; we will review each reservation individually. If a visa is required, please allow sufficient processing time.
  • Intercity Timetable — The base price includes six intercity transport segments; specific schedules, seat classes, cabin assignments, and same-day connections are subject to the written itinerary and quotation.
  • Group — Group tour itinerary, with a minimum of 1 guest. Appropriate group size is confirmed based on the specific departure date and vehicle configuration.
  • Confirmation & Changes — The confirmation deadline and cancellation/change terms are subject to the written quotation. This itinerary involves two domestic flights, four rail segments, hotel bookings, and reserved venue slots, all of which must be reconfirmed if the date changes.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The six stops come apart cleanly. Beijing and Xi'an stand together as the classic pair, Chengdu can go or shorten, and the Shanghai to Guangzhou stretch works on its own as a shorter modern-China line. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut stops rather than compress the days that are left.

Good to Know

Group
Private group itinerary, starting from 1 guest. Group size and vehicle arrangements are subject to the written quote.
Pace
Six cities plus one day trip in 14 days: Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 3, Chengdu 3, Shanghai 2, Shenzhen 2. Two light days built into the middle, and the Dujiangyan day trip between them is the fullest day of the trip
Effort
Moderate walking on every touring day. The Great Wall climb is on foot unless you add the cable car, chairlift or toboggan, all of which are excluded and priced separately. Jingshan is stairs to the top; the city wall ride is flat
Ports
Beijing in, Guangzhou out. Airport transfers at both ends are not in the base price on this route
Visas
Please confirm entry requirements for each traveler based on their passport, mode of entry, and departure date. If a visa is required, allow sufficient time to process it when making your booking.
Language
Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
Payment
This tour is available for booking. Details regarding deposits, final payment deadlines, and refund/cancellation policies are subject to the written quote; if an equivalent hotel must be substituted, this will be noted in the confirmation document.
Season
Selling window October to December 2026. No departures October 1 to 7. December departures fall in the cold season for Beijing and Xi'an and are confirmed against your exact dates

Your Private Concierge

Jenessa

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

E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”

May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”

Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”

Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”

Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”

Jan 2026

China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western 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.

No, and the nights are how you check. Nine of the fourteen days run out of three hotels, three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu, so the first two thirds of the trip has no packing in it. Two days in the middle are deliberately slow, one of them an afternoon in a park teahouse with nothing after it. The moving happens on four rail legs and two flights, and each of those days carries a short morning rather than a full one.

Because our own review has not closed. In plain terms: the fourteen-day plan currently runs over on time once transfers are counted, the departure-day routing and the tea house's city are not fixed, the Shenzhen day needs a second confirmed item, Until those close we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates: we will hold nothing, promise nothing and write to you the day it opens.

It can be arranged, as an optional add-on priced separately, and it is deliberately not part of the plan. The service runs on a commercial operator's own network, so its availability is not ours to promise: we book it against your date and reconfirm after you land, and if the operator is not running that day the ride does not happen and nothing is charged for it. That is exactly why it is not in your base price and not on the highlight list. What day thirteen gives you either way is Huaqiangbei, floor by floor, with a guide who reads the sourcing chain for you.

Most guests on this route do not. Most European passports enter visa-free for stays days, and so do Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ones; the named list is in Good to Know. We check your fourteen days plus any other days you spend 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. US passports are the exception and this route is not sold to US guests at present: the US is not on that list, fourteen days is longer than the ten-day transit policy allows, and our compliance review of that market is still open.

Every touring day is moderate walking on mostly flat ground, with two exceptions worth planning for. Jingshan on day two is stairs to the top, about an hour, and it is optional on the day if anyone would rather wait at the bottom. Mutianyu on day three is the real one: the cable car, chairlift and toboggan are all excluded from the base price, so without an add-on the climb to the wall is on foot. Tell us your party's walking range when you write, and we will tell you which of the two to add before you pay rather than after.

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