The walking distance can be adjusted based on your travel companions. You can take a cable car up to Mutianyu, and a scenic drive is arranged in the Yulong River Valley. Days 9 and 13 are primarily focused on intercity transportation, while Day 12 offers flexible activity scheduling.

Overview

十四天串联北京、西安、成都、桂林、阳朔和上海。抵达北京后先休息,再游故宫与慕田峪长城;西安安排兵马俑,成都安排熊猫基地、川菜课和川剧。第9天从成都飞桂林,在桂林住一晚;第10天乘车到阳朔,连住三晚。第13天经桂林飞上海,第14天按离境航班时段安排豫园游览和送机。第12天的活动可按同行人的兴趣逐单安排,具体服务与包含项以书面报价确认。

— LyrikTrip 旅行设计师

每一次LyrikTrip之旅都始于一次对话。请告诉我们您团队中每位成员的年龄以及您考虑的出行日期,我们会根据同行中走得最慢的人而非走得最快的人来安排行程节奏。我们会在四小时内首次回复;一个工作日内为您提供明确的价格。在这条路线上,我们也会在您做出任何承诺之前,坦诚地告知您家庭房的实际情况。

Why you'll love this trip

  • Six cities, one family pace. The Great Wall by cable car, the Terracotta Warriors, pandas and a teahouse, with English-speaking guides city by city.
  • 14 days from the Forbidden City to a rice valley in the karst. See China together.
  • Tour the Great Hall and the Imperial Garden along the central axis of the Forbidden City; entry time slots are booked based on your travel date.
  • Ride the cable car to the Mutianyu Great Wall. The options for descending via the toboggan slide will be arranged based on their opening status on the day.
  • Stand before some 8,000 terracotta soldiers, then climb the ancient walls encircling Xi’an’s old city.
  • Schedule the panda base in the morning as far as possible, and enjoy covered-bowl tea at a teahouse in People's Park in the afternoon; panda activity will depend on the actual conditions that day.
  • Take a scenic drive through the Yu Long River valley, past terraced rice paddies, traditional villages, and towering karst peaks; bamboo rafts or cruise boats available on request.
  • Before departing Shanghai, if your flight schedule allows, take time to explore Yu Garden and the surrounding Old Town.
  • Stay three consecutive nights each in Beijing, Chengdu, and Yangshuo; spend one night in Guilin, with Days 9 and 13 focused on intercity transit.
Tour route mapTour route: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo, ShanghaiBeijing · ArrivalsD1–D3Xi'anD4–D5ChengduD6–D8GuilinD9YangshuoD10–D12Shanghai · DeparturesD13–D14

Things to do

Forbidden City, Beijing
01
Traditional Handwoven Slipper Workshop, Beijing
02
Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
03
The Great Wall Slide, Beijing
04
Old Beijing Hutongs & Shichahai, Beijing
05
Terra Cotta Warriors, Xi'an
06
Xi'an City Wall, Xi'an
07
Chengdu Panda Base, Chengdu
08
People's Park Teahouse, Chengdu
09
Market Tour & Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class, Chengdu
10
Community Sichuan Opera, Chengdu
11
Yulong River Valley, Yangshuo
12
Yuyuan Garden & the Old City, Shanghai
13

Itinerary

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Beijing
Beijing
Beijing

Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing, check in and rest

Airport transfer to the hotel; the rest of the time is at your leisure to rest and adjust to the local time.

Airport pickup After arriving in Beijing, head to your hotel. The pickup time and vehicle arrangements will be subject to the details confirmed in your travel itinerary.
The rest of the day After check-in, please take some time to rest. Dinner can be arranged on your own near the hotel.

Day 2 · The Forbidden City and a Cloth Shoe Workshop

Explore the Central Axis of the Forbidden City in the morning, and learn about the artisanal craft of traditional cloth shoes in the afternoon.

The Forbidden City Walk along the central axis of the Forbidden City to visit the great halls, the imperial living quarters, and the Imperial Garden, with a rest break along the way. Ticket booking and entry time slots will be confirmed according to the travel dates.
Cloth-shoe workshop In the afternoon, explore a cloth-shoe workshop to learn about layered-sole construction and hand-sewing techniques. The specific experience format and final product arrangements are subject to the confirmed quote.

Day 3 · Take the cable car to Mutianyu Great Wall

Take the cable car up the mountain, then stroll along the city wall on foot. The descent method will be confirmed on the day based on its availability.

Cable car up to Mutianyu Drive from Beijing to Mutianyu, ride the cable car up the mountain, and walk along the wall. Pause between the watchtowers to take in the distant ridgelines and passes.
Descend the mountain If the toboggan run is open on the day of your activity and suitable for your companions, you can take it down the mountain; otherwise, the itinerary will be adjusted to use the cable car or another method. Specific arrangements are subject to the trip confirmation.
Farmhouse lunch below the wall After descending the mountain, a farmhouse lunch can be arranged at the foot of the Great Wall; please confirm separately whether it is included in the quoted price.
高铁

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5

Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an

Day 4 · Hutongs & Shichahai, High-Speed Rail to Xi'an

Morning at leisure in Beijing, afternoon high-speed rail to Xi'an, overnight in Xi'an.

Hutongs and Shichahai Walk through the hutongs to Shichahai, taking in the grey-brick courtyard walls, alley entrances, and lakeside views. The duration of the tour can be adjusted to fit the day's train schedule.
High-speed rail to Xi'an In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Xi'an. The specific train number, seat class, and pickup/drop-off arrangements at both ends are subject to the quote and travel confirmation.

Day 5 · Terracotta Army and Shaanxi Noodles

Visit the Terracotta Army; lunch featuring Shaanxi noodles can be arranged, followed by a return to the city center for the afternoon rest.

The Terracotta Warriors Visit the Terracotta Army exhibition pits to observe the armor, postures, and hair buns of the warriors. Inside the museum, learn about the discovery and restoration process of the terracotta figures.
Shaanxi noodle lunch Lunch can be arranged to feature Shaanxi noodle dishes, allowing you to try local handmade noodles. The specific restaurant and whether it is included in the quote require separate confirmation.
Back into the city The afternoon returns to the hotel with time before dinner, because the museum morning is a lot of standing.
高铁

Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 8

Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu

Day 6 · Xi'an City Wall, then High-Speed Rail to Chengdu

Visit the Xi'an City Wall in the morning, then take a high-speed train to Chengdu in the afternoon.

Xi'an City Wall Climb the Xi'an City Wall and walk along it, enjoying a bird's-eye view of the historic streets within and the new city beyond. Ticket and tour details are subject to the final quote confirmation.
High-speed rail to Chengdu In the afternoon, take the high-speed train through the Qinling Mountains to Chengdu. Specific train numbers, seat classes, and transfer arrangements at both ends are subject to the quoted price and travel confirmation.

Day 7 · Panda Base & People’s Park Teahouse

Watch the pandas in the morning and relax with tea at People's Park in the afternoon.

Panda base, in the morning We recommend visiting the panda reserve in the morning to observe the pandas along the park's walking paths. Actual animal activity may vary based on conditions on the day of your visit.
People's Park teahouse Sit down at a teahouse in People's Park, sip a bowl of gaiwan tea, and watch people chatting and playing cards in the shade of the trees. Allow some free time in the afternoon.

Day 8 · Farmers' Market, Sichuan Cooking Class, and Community Sichuan Opera

Begin by exploring the ingredients before preparing the dish; in the afternoon, enjoy a Sichuan opera performance, followed by free time.

Explore a Local Market Visit a local market to explore key Sichuan ingredients like Sichuan peppercorn and bean paste, then head to a cooking class.
Sichuan home cooking Learn to cook classic Sichuan home-style dishes and taste the dishes prepared in class. Course content and participation details are subject to the travel confirmation note.
Community Sichuan opera Watch a Sichuan opera performance at the community theater in the afternoon. Whether a backstage tour is included depends on the final trip confirmation.
The rest of the afternoon Free time after the Sichuan opera performance.
航班

Guilin · Day 9

Guilin
Guilin
Guilin

Day 9 · Fly from Chengdu to Guilin

Allow time to travel to the airport and fly to Guilin; stay overnight in Guilin.

An unhurried morning Breakfast at your own speed, bags packed without a countdown, then the transfer to the airport.
Flight to Guilin Fly from Chengdu to Guilin. Flight, cabin class, and pickup/drop-off arrangements at both ends are subject to the quotation and itinerary confirmation.
One night in Guilin Spend one night in Guilin, then depart by car for Yangshuo the next day.
包车

Yangshuo · Day 10 - Day 12

Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Yangshuo

Day 10 · Journey from Guilin to Yangshuo

In the morning, a Guilin sightseeing tour can be arranged at your discretion; in the afternoon, take a coach to Yangshuo.

Guilin in the Morning A leisurely riverside stroll through the old town or a visit to a karst cave can be arranged on request. Specific locations, tickets, and fees are subject to the confirmed quotation.
Road south to Yangshuo Take a scenic coach journey from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing limestone peaks and patchwork farmland. Arriving in Yangshuo, you’ll stay for three consecutive nights.

Day 11 · Tour the Yulong River Valley by Car

Scenic drive along the river valley and farmland, with optional stops for viewing.

Yulong River valley Take a scenic drive along the Yulong River Valley, passing through rice paddies, villages, and stone arches as towering karst peaks loom in the distance. Note that bamboo rafts or river cruises are not automatically included in today's itinerary.
Stops along the way You may stop briefly along the route; specific locations and the itinerary are subject to the trip confirmation document.
Back before dark Return to Yangshuo after the tour; dinner can be arranged at your leisure.

Day 12 · Flexible Activity Day in Yangshuo

Continue staying in Yangshuo and tailor the day's activities to the interests of your travel companions.

Yongzhou Streak You will continue to stay in Yangshuo today, so no hotel change is needed. The scope of the guide's and vehicle's services is subject to the confirmed quote.
Optional Tour Riverside market or old-town tours can be arranged on an itemized basis; final routes, tickets, and fees are subject to the quotation confirmation.
Bamboo Rafts and Cruise Boats Bamboo rafts or cruise boats can be arranged separately upon request; ticketing and related fees must be specified in the quotation confirmation.
航班

Shanghai · Day 13 - Day 14

Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai

Day 13 · Fly from Yangshuo to Shanghai via Guilin

Take a car to Guilin Airport, then fly to Shanghai. Stay overnight in Shanghai that evening.

Proceed to Guilin Airport From Yangshuo, transfer by car to Guilin Airport. Departure time is subject to the actual flight schedule.
Flight to Shanghai Fly from Guilin to Shanghai. Specific flight details, class of service, and transfer arrangements are subject to the final quote and travel confirmation.
Check in in Shanghai After arrival, check in to your hotel and arrange your own dinner at a nearby restaurant. The following day's arrangements are subject to your departure flight time.

Day 14 · Yu Garden & Shanghai Airport Transfer

If your departure flight time allows, visit Yuyuan Garden before heading to the airport.

Yu Garden & the Old City If your flight time allows, you can visit Yu Garden and the surrounding Old Town area; for early flights, the itinerary may be adjusted or canceled, subject to the confirmation form.
Shanghai Airport Drop-off Airport transfer is arranged to coincide with your departure flight. Please refer to your travel confirmation for the exact meeting time and location.
Departures

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Hotels

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

Included / Excluded

What's Included

  • Private vehicleDedicated air-conditioned vehicles are provided for tours across six cities, airport and station transfers, and overland connections between Guilin and Yangshuo; the specific scope of vehicle usage is subject to written order confirmation.
  • Trains and flightsTwo high-speed rail segments (Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu) and two flight segments (Chengdu to Guilin, Guilin to Shanghai) are arranged according to the itinerary. The quoted price includes these items; actual flight/rail schedules, seat classes, and transfers at both ends are subject to the order confirmation.
  • Hotels13 nights with breakfast at your chosen level: four-star, five-star or quality boutique, named in your written confirmation
  • GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day, in every city
  • Beijing tickets and experiencesThe Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, hutongs and Shichahai, and the cloth-shoe workshop are scheduled according to the itinerary; the booking for the Forbidden City, the mode of ascent and descent at the Great Wall, and the delivery of workshop products are subject to written order confirmation.
  • Xi'an ticketsThe Terracotta Warriors museum; admission up to the Xi'an City Wall top
  • Chengdu tickets and experiencesGiant Panda Base, teahouse in People's Park, Sichuan opera performance, and Sichuan cuisine class are scheduled as part of the itinerary; details on teahouse seating, theater backstage access, and class specifics will be confirmed in writing with your order.
  • Yangshuo touringOn Day 11, enjoy a scenic drive through the Yulong River Valley; the pace of stops and walks can be adjusted to suit your travel companions' needs.
  • Shanghai ticketsYu Garden and the old city
  • MealsHotel accommodation including breakfast from Day 2 to Day 14; whether lunch at a farmhouse at the foot of the Great Wall and a Shaanxi noodle lunch are arranged and included will be confirmed in the written quote.
  • InsuranceTravel accident insurance; the scope and the sum insured are stated in your written confirmation

Not Included

  • International flightsYour flights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
  • VisasVisa fees and processing requirements; please verify whether a visa is required for you based on your passport, itinerary, and travel dates against official policies.
  • MealsExcept for meals explicitly included in a written quote, lunch and dinner are at your own expense; whether we can assist with reservations can be confirmed during the inquiry.
  • Guilin ticketed sitesNo ticketed Guilin site is in the base price. If one is settled for your day 10 morning, its ticket is priced in writing in your quote
  • River boats and raftsBamboo rafts and river cruises on any stretch of water in Yangshuo are separate tickets and are not part of this plan
  • Wall-top hire in Xi'anIf bicycles or an electric cart are the settled way across the wall top for your dates, the hire is priced separately
  • Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
  • PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending

Special Notes

Venue reservations, transport schedules, and certain experiences must be confirmed based on your travel dates.

  • The pace is the design — The 14-day itinerary covers six cities, including an arrival day for rest, city tours, and intercity travel. Days 9 and 13 are primarily dedicated to transportation, while Day 12 can be customized based on your travel companions' interests. If you prefer fewer cities or a slower pace, please let us know when requesting a quote.
  • Connecting and family rooms — The availability of connecting rooms and family rooms depends on your travel dates and hotel inventory. When requesting a quote, please specify the number of guests and your preferred room type. We will verify each booking individually; specific room types are not guaranteed until we provide written confirmation.
  • The Forbidden City closes on Mondays — The opening hours and reservation status of the Forbidden City are subject to your travel date; in the event of a closure, we will confirm an adjusted Beijing sightseeing itinerary with you.
  • The national holiday week — For holiday travel, please verify venue capacity, transportation, and visitor traffic in advance. The exact daily itinerary is subject to the written schedule.
  • December and the toboggan — The Mutianyu toboggan and cable car may be affected by weather or maintenance; the method for reaching the wall and descending will be confirmed based on the day's opening status and the needs of your travel companions.
  • Entry Policies — Visa and visa-exemption requirements depend on your passport, entry method, length of stay, and travel dates; please verify official policies before booking and departure.
  • Three parts still being set — Itinerary activities on Day 10 morning in Guilin, Day 12 in Yangshuo, and the Xi'an City Wall tour can be arranged according to the needs of fellow travelers; specific items and costs are subject to written quotation confirmation.
  • Shanghai is one night — This route starts in Beijing, with three consecutive nights in Yangshuo, before arriving in Shanghai. One night's accommodation is arranged in Shanghai; the Yu Garden tour depends on the departure flight time.
  • Water in Yangshuo — Bamboo rafts and sightseeing boats are not included in the current base itinerary; if requested, additional charges will be confirmed separately based on travel dates and water levels.
  • Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and a comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fourteen days is a lot. Can it be shorter?

Fourteen days is a lot. Can it be shorter?

Each city block stands on its own, so we cut cities rather than the pace. Tell us how many days you have and who is in the party, and we shape it from there.

Good to Know

Group
Private itinerary, starting from just 1 guest; specific group size and vehicle arrangements to be confirmed upon booking.
Pace
Walking distance can be adjusted based on companions; Days 9 and 13 focus on intercity transit, and Day 12 offers flexible activity scheduling.
Departure & Arrival Cities
Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day 1 and airport drop-off on day 14 are included
Internal travel
Two high-speed rail segments and two flight segments are scheduled per the current quote; specific times, seat classes, and transfers at both ends are subject to the order confirmation.
Visas
Check official visa and visa-exemption policies based on passport type, entry method, days of stay, and travel dates.
Language
Licensed English-speaking guide on every touring day
Payment
This route is available for booking. Deposit, balance, change, and refund conditions are subject to the written quote and order terms.
Flexibility
Cities can be cut and the order kept; the confirmation deadline and the change and refund conditions for your dates are listed in writing with your quote
Season
October to December: Beijing and Xi'an turn cold and dry, Chengdu stays mild and gray, the river valley is cool with low water

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

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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.

This is the question the plan was built around. Six cities in fourteen days is the ceiling for a three-generation party, and this plan is built deliberately to that ceiling: three easy days on day 4, day 8 and day 12; two long travel days that carry no sightseeing; a cable car on every climb; a river valley day done seated in the vehicle. Tell us the real limits before you book, not after. If they are tighter than this, we cut cities rather than push anyone through.

Not promised on this route yet, and we would rather say so now. We are securing a bookable connecting or family room type in each of the six cities, and this line opens for dates only once all six are confirmed in writing. Until then we take no deposit here. What you can count on today is the room tier you choose, breakfast for all 13 nights, and hotels named in your confirmation.

Two of the fourteen days are museum days, and both have an exit built in. Day 2 ends at a workbench where they make a pair of shoes to take home. Day 5 holds one site only, so the clay army gets a proper look and then the day stops. The rest of the trip is a cable car and a toboggan run, pandas before nap time, then a wok and a stage.

On purpose, very little. Day 9 is Chengdu to Guilin by air and day 13 is Yangshuo to Shanghai by air, with the road transfer at each end. Breakfast is unhurried, bags get packed without a countdown, and both flights are in your base price with transfers at both ends. Everyone arrives able to eat dinner sitting upright.

We check before you pay. British, European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, and Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. We then confirm that your 14 days plus any extra days in China fit inside that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so arrivals on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. US passports need a Chinese visa for a trip this long: it is applied for in person at a consulate with fingerprints taken, so we tell you the current processing period first and confirm the visa is in hand before any payment.

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