South to North: 14-Day Private China Tour

Overview

For most first-time visitors, a China trip begins in Beijing, with a Palace Museum tour on day two. This journey instead starts in the south, opening in a city busy with modernization, then heading northward without retracing its steps: a temple courtyard in Foshan, the Shanghai skyline with its two banks gazing across the river, an unstructured afternoon in a Chengdu teahouse, an irrigation system in operation since the third century BCE, followed by the first emperor's army, then the palace, and finally the Great Wall. Three nights each in Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing let the second half of the itinerary slow down. By day thirteen, when the Great Wall finally appears, you'll realize you've long since understood exactly what you're looking at.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your travel dates, the number of companions, and the passports you hold. We'll reply within four hours and provide a clear quote within one business day. For this route, we'll also candidly update you on the status of ground confirmations and departure schedules before anything is required of you.

Why you'll love this trip

Five cities, no backtracking. Wing Chun, pandas, a Qin-era irrigation system and the Terracotta Warriors, with English-speaking guides city by city.
14 days from a southern teahouse to the Great Wall. See how China fits together.

On your first full day, step into your first stance with a local Wing Chun master. This town's temple grounds still host lion dances and martial arts performances: on the second day, you'll learn by doing, not through a camera lens.
As night falls, standing on the Bund, the historic bank buildings rise behind you while the modern skyscrapers of the Pudong skyline shine ahead—two Chinas gazing across the river, sharing this frame for the first time on your journey.
Hand the afternoon over to a bamboo chair in People’s Park, paired with a gaiwan tea cup that keeps getting refilled. By the second refill, no one in your group is asking what comes next.
Step into an irrigation system built in the 3rd century BC that is still in operation today, then spend the rest of your time on this serene Taoist mountain: here, the ancient and the functional are no longer opposites.
Climb the ancient city wall of Xi'an to take in a view that splits between the modern skyline and the old city's quiet alleys; cycling is a wonderful option if your energy and the weather allow, but you can easily walk the route instead.
On day 13, arrive at Mutianyu by cable car or open-air chairlift, watching the watchtowers line the ridge in sequence: the backdrop of the ten-day journey ultimately coalesces into the very image you already carry in your mind.
Stay three consecutive nights in each of Chengdu, Xi'an, and Beijing—so in the second half of your trip, you can settle in once in every city, saving you the hassle of switching hotels every day.

Things to do

Lion Dance & Martial Arts in a Temple Courtyard, Foshan

Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou

The Bund and Pudian Skyline at Night, Shanghai

Former French Concession & Wukang Road, Shanghai

Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dujiangyan

Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple, Mount Qingcheng

Community Sichuan Opera Theater, Chengdu

Xi'an City Wall and Cycling Route on Top of the Wall, Xi'an

Zhonglu Drum and Bell Tower Street & Muslim Quarter at Night, Xi'an

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Heritage

Stage

Folk

Meal

City

Heritage

Museum

City

Nature

City

Heritage

City

Stage

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Landmark

Culture

Museum

Itinerary

Arrivals

Guangzhou · Day 1 - Day 2

Day 1 · Arrival in Guangzhou

Arrive in Guangzhou on the confirmed flights and be transferred to your hotel. No tours are scheduled for the day.

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.

Guangzhou through the window Elevated roads, then banyan trees and lit shopfronts along a subtropical street. The China you flew to shows up before you have unpacked anything, and it is warmer and louder than the one in the photographs.

Evening No itinerary is scheduled for the evening. If you would like dinner, your guide can recommend and book a restaurant near your hotel; meals are at your own expense.

Day 2 · Foshan Ancestral Temple, Lion Dance, and Wing Chun

Round-trip from Guangzhou to Foshan: visit Ancestral Temple and watch the Lion Dance, then try Wing Chun Kung Fu. The first full day is reserved for jet-lag recovery.

Road out to Foshan Round-trip by car between Guangzhou and Foshan, with an overnight stay in Guangzhou; luggage can be left at the hotel. Specific departure and return times will be confirmed in the quote.

Foshan Ancestral Temple Courtyards, carved roof ridges and the cultural displays inside a temple complex that has been the neighborhood's meeting point for centuries. Stand under the main roof and look up at the ridge: it is crowded with small ceramic figures, a whole theater company's worth of them, up where nobody can see them properly from the ground.

Lion dance and martial arts in the temple grounds Two people inside one lion, one working the head and one the tail, and a drum keeping both of them honest. Watch the feet rather than the face: the lion is a martial arts form wearing a costume, and the drummer is the one telling it where to go.

Wing Chun session Starts with the origins of Wing Chun and its close-range power generation, followed by basic stances and hand techniques. Instructor and session time confirmed based on your travel dates.

Easy day This is the first full day after a long-haul flight, so it holds three things and no more, and each of them shortens if the party is still on the wrong clock.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 3 - Day 4

Day 3 · Foshan morning tea and Guangzhou's new city, then fly to Shanghai

Start your day with morning tea in Foshan, then head to Haixinsha to take in the views of Zhujiang New Town, and finally fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai.

Cantonese morning tea At a heritage teahouse, har gow, shumai, cheung fun, and char siu bao are served straight from the steamer, with tea refills arriving continuously. Dim sum pricing is based on the official written quote.

Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town From Haixinsha looking toward Zhujiang New Town, River Island Park stands on one side and riverside towers on the other. Just the day before, you were in the courtyard of Foshan Ancestral Temple; today, appreciate Lingnan cities from a new angle.

Fly Guangzhou to Shanghai Fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai. Arranging transfers and check-in buffers at both ends must be based on the actual flight schedule. The flight number, times, and cabin class are specified in writing in this quotation.

Evening Upon arrival in Shanghai, check into the hotel; no sightseeing is arranged that evening. The Bund will be included on Day 4. Please refer to your flight confirmation for the exact arrival time.

Day 4 · A garden, a collection, two skylines

From Yuyuan Garden and the Old City Temple area to the Shanghai Museum, then head to the Bund after dark to view the Pudong skyline across the river.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and a path that refuses to run straight, set inside the oldest quarter of the city. Walk the loop once without stopping to read anything: the garden is designed to withhold the far end of the pond until you have turned the corner.

Shanghai Museum View bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy and painting; up close to the bronzes, you can still make out the seams left by the mold-casting process. Please confirm the specific pavilions and booking slots based on your travel dates.

The Bund and the Pudong skyline after dark The old banking houses hold one bank of the river and the Pudong towers hold the other, a century apart and looking straight at each other across the water. Your guide stays with you through the evening. Stand at the rail with the old buildings behind you and the towers in front: that is the fifteen seconds worth filming.

航班

Chengdu · Day 5 - Day 7

Day 5 · Wukang Road and the Huangpu River ferry, then fly to Chengdu

Stroll down Wukang Road, then cross the river on a public ferry; after that, fly from Shanghai to Chengdu.

The former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane trees closing over the street, three-story houses behind low walls, small shops that sell one thing each. Look up at the balconies with the laundry out: these are apartments, not a preserved district, and somebody is having their morning above your head.

Huangpu River commuter ferry The boat people take to get to work, a few minutes across, with scooters wheeled on at the front and the same two skylines from last night arriving at deck height in daylight.

Fly Shanghai to Chengdu Fly from Shanghai to Chengdu. Airport transfers, flight schedules, and cabin class will be verified according to the travel date and specified in the written quote.

Evening Check in and stop. Nothing is scheduled, and dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, on your own account.

Day 6 · Panda Base and Gaiwan Tea at People’s Park

Start the morning with a visit to the giant pandas, then unwind with a cup of tea at Renmin Park, allowing yourself some unhurried time to simply enjoy the moment.

Chengdu panda base in the morning You are there in the active hours: eating, climbing down off things, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths, benches, about three hours to use as you like. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait: the animal comes over on its own schedule or not at all.

People's Park teahouse Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, and someone with a long-spouted kettle topping it up for as long as you stay. Cards at the next table, an ear cleaner working two tables over with a tuning fork. An hour in, you'll notice you have stopped checking how long this is taking.

Easy day Two things and a whole afternoon, on purpose. Chengdu is where the second half of this trip changes speed.

Day 7 · Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng, Return to Chengdu Same Day

Visit the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which still diverts water to this day, then head to Mount Qingcheng. Stay in Chengdu that evening.

Rail out to Dujiangyan Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Dujiangyan and return the same day, leaving luggage at your hotel in Chengdu. Pickup and drop-off at both ends of the route will be confirmed for this specific itinerary.

Dujiangyan irrigation works An irrigation system built in the 3rd century BC and still in operation. Stand where the water divides and watch it take both channels: one of them runs onto the plain this province farms, and it has been doing that without interruption for over two thousand years. Your guide draws the mechanism before you look at it, which takes about four minutes and changes what you see.

Mount Qingcheng Taoist temple Follow the Qingcheng Mountain trail to the Taoist temple. The format and time slot for the exchange with the Taoist priest and the introductory Tai Chi session must be confirmed according to the travel date; the mountain path will be adjusted based on weather and physical condition.

Back to Chengdu The return train puts you back in the city in the evening, in the hotel you left this morning.

高铁

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Day 8 · Chengdu's Alleys and Sichuan Opera, Followed by High-Speed Rail to Xi'an

Wander through the Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li, watch a Sichuan opera performance, then take a high-speed train to Xi'an.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Three parallel lanes of courtyard houses, and the shopping district beside them. It is busy and thoroughly commercial, and worth an hour and a half for the building form alone: look through any open doorway at the courtyard behind it, and the plan of a Chinese city house is right there.

Community Sichuan opera house A neighborhood theater, not a hotel ballroom. You go backstage before the performance, watch a painted face being built up in layers, then sit close enough to fail to catch the change: the mask becomes another mask in the time it takes the performer to swing his head.

Rail Chengdu to Xi'an Travel from Chengdu to Xi'an by high-speed rail. The train number, schedule, seating class, and station meet-and-greet arrangements will be confirmed in your written quote.

Day 9 · Terracotta Army, allocating a full day

Today is all about the Terracotta Army—take your time wandering through the exhibition halls and pits where the figures stand.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated 8,000 figures buried with the first emperor of unified China, standing in the pits they came out of. Walk the length of the main pit first without stopping, then come back: the ranks separate out by armor and hairstyle once you know what to look at, and no two faces were modeled the same.

The color that is left In the more recently excavated areas, traces of the original paint are still on some figures. Ask your guide to point out a surviving patch: it is the one detail that makes the army stop looking like stone and start looking like a crowd.

Pace The Terracotta Army is today's only tour activity, which involves a significant amount of walking and standing. Whether dates are available during the National Day holiday will depend on the actual departure calendar.

Day 10 · Xi'an City Wall & Muslim Quarter

Cycle or stroll along the city walls by day, then explore the Bell and Drum Tower District and Muslim Food Street in the evening.

Xi'an City Wall with the wall-top cycling section You ride a section of the top, wide enough for two abreast, with the modern city on one side and the old street grid on the other. The bicycle is included for that section. Stop at a corner tower, put both feet down and look inward: the grid below you is the old city's street plan, and the traffic is still following it.

Weather and stamina This is the longest stretch of unsheltered outdoor time on the route. When the weather or the legs say otherwise, the same stretch is walked instead of ridden, and you stand in exactly the same place.

Night Walk Through the Drum & Bell Towers and Muslim Quarter Walk from the Bell and Drum Towers into the Muslim Quarter, passing by stalls selling noodles, dried persimmons, and roujiamo. Chinese Muslim families have lived and worked here for generations; please budget for your own snack expenses.

高铁

Beijing · Day 11 - Day 14

Day 11 · Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then take a high-speed train to Beijing

Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, then take a high-speed train to Beijing; no sightseeing is arranged upon arrival.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda A tall brick pagoda in its own temple compound, with the cultural quarter that grew up around it. Stand at the base and look up the taper: the storeys shorten as they rise, which is what makes the thing look taller than it is. This is the part of Xi'an that is not Qin, and the reason the city kept mattering for another thousand years.

Rail Xi'an to Beijing Travel from Xi'an to Beijing by high-speed rail. Train number, schedule, seat class, and station pickup arrangements will be confirmed in your written quotation.

Evening Upon arrival in Beijing, you will check in to your hotel; there are no tours scheduled for the evening. You will stay in Beijing for three consecutive nights.

Day 12 · Walk along the Forbidden City's central axis to Jingshan

Enter from the south side of the Forbidden City, walk along the central axis to the north gate, then ascend Jing Mountain to overlook the palace complex.

The Forbidden City Visit to the Forbidden City requires real-name reservation; specific entry time slots are confirmed based on your travel date. Once inside, follow the central axis from the ceremonial halls of the outer court through the residential areas to the Imperial Garden, then exit via the north gate.

Pace The Forbidden City is vast, so it’s wise to build in rest time during your visit. Note that it is closed on Mondays; if Day 12 of your itinerary falls on a Monday, you’ll need to switch the order with the Great Wall day.

Jingshan Park Out of the north gate and up the hill, about an hour including the climb. From the pavilion at the top the palace roofs read as one continuous field of gold, and the Beijing Central Axis runs straight out through them, north and south. That axis is how the whole old city was set out, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2024.

Day 13 · The wall, on day thirteen

Hike up to Mutianyu Wall, strolling along the ramparts between the watchtowers; no other heavy activities are scheduled for the day.

Drive out to Mutianyu The run north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, which is why the wall gets the whole day and no other heavy site sits beside it. The vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car or open chairlift up You may ascend by cable car or open-air chairlift, then walk up to the restored section of the city wall. The mode of ascent and any associated fees are subject to the written quote and the day's operational status.

Walking the towers Your guide reads the wall to you at the top: the beacon towers, the pass below, why the sightlines run where they do, and what a garrison up here actually did all day. Walk out to the second tower and turn around: the wall behind you is doing the same thing over the next ridge, and the one after that.

Day 14 · Departure day scheduled according to flight times

Whether the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, or the National Museum of China can be arranged depends on flight times and reservation availability; the day concludes with a transfer to the airport.

How the day is cut If departing before noon, you will be sent directly to the airport. For departures between noon and 6:00 PM, you can choose either the Temple of Heaven or Tiananmen Square. If departing after 6:00 PM, you may also consider booking a visit to the National Museum of China. The final itinerary must be confirmed in writing before payment, based on your flight details and reservation availability.

Temple of Heaven Three structures on one line, where the emperor made the annual sacrifice for the harvest. Round for heaven, square for earth: once you hold that, the ground plan reads itself. The park around it is where the neighborhood does its morning, so you are walking through other people's routine rather than a monument.

Tian'anmen Square Walk through Tiananmen Square. Entry requires security screening, and wait times vary by day; the schedule will be adjusted based on flight timing and buffer for airport transfer.

National Museum of China Located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, the museum houses exhibits including bronzes, ceramics, statues, and calligraphy. The visit is arranged only when flight times allow and the reservation is confirmed.

Airport drop-off Arrange the airport transfer in Beijing according to the confirmed flight schedule, with buffer time for check-in and transportation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Nestled in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers exceptional transportation convenience with easy access to Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3.

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.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Situated in Tianhe Xin'an Central Business District with a prime location adjacent to Zhujiang New Town, this area is home to numerous multinational corporations.

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

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.

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.

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.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Nestled in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers exceptional transportation convenience with easy access to Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3.

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

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Situated in Tianhe Xin'an Central Business District with a prime location adjacent to Zhujiang New Town, this area is home to numerous multinational corporations.

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

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.

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.

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.

Guangzhou

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou

Nestled in the heart of Taikoo Hui, the hotel offers exceptional transportation convenience with easy access to Shipaiqiao Station on Metro Line 3.

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

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Guangzhou

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe

Situated in Tianhe Xin'an Central Business District with a prime location adjacent to Zhujiang New Town, this area is home to numerous multinational corporations.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Intercity transportThe itinerary includes two domestic flights, Guangzhou to Shanghai on Day 3 and Shanghai to Chengdu on Day 5; and three high-speed rail segments, round trip to Dujiangyan on Day 7, Chengdu to Xi'an on Day 8, and Xi'an to Beijing on Day 11. Specific train numbers, flight details, cabin classes, and seat grades are subject to the final written quotation.
Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle with driver for all listed touring in all five cities, the Foshan road round trip on day two and the morning of day three, the Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng day and the full-day Mutianyu round trip; airport transfers at both ends of the two flights; station transfers for the three rail movements; airport pickup in Guangzhou on day one and drop-off in Beijing on day fourteen
Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Guangzhou 2 · Shanghai 2 · Chengdu 3 · Xi'an 3 · Beijing 3
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each of the five cities, the Foshan day included, and accompanying the Bund evening in Shanghai and the Muslim Quarter evening in Xi'an
Tickets & experiences, Guangzhou and FoshanFoshan Ancestral Temple · the lion dance and martial arts in the temple grounds · the Wing Chun session with a local practitioner · Cantonese morning tea at a long-established tea house, table and tea service included · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town
Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden with the old city · Shanghai Museum · the Bund and the Pudong skyline after dark, guide accompanied · the former French Concession and Wukang Road on foot · the Huangpu River commuter ferry crossing
Tickets & experiences, ChengduThe panda base on a morning visit · the gaiwan teahouse sitting in People's Park, seat and refills included · Kuanzhai Alley with Taikoo Li · the community Sichuan opera house with the backstage visit and face-changing up close
Tickets & experiences, DujiangyanThe Dujiangyan irrigation works · the quiet Mount Qingcheng Taoist temple with the conversation with a resident Taoist and the tai chi introduction
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Warriors · the Xi'an City Wall with the wall-top cycling section and the bicycle for it · the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · the Bell and Drum Tower quarter with the Muslim Quarter at night, on foot with the guide
Tickets & experiences, BeijingThe Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and the Mutianyu Great Wall. The mode of ascent and cost for the Great Wall, as well as whether the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, or the National Museum of China will be included on the departure day, will be confirmed in the written quote based on the travel dates.
Meals13 hotel breakfasts, one per morning on days two through fourteen. The tea house sittings in Foshan and Chengdu are seated experiences with the tea included rather than meals
InsuranceTravel accident insurance

Not Included

International flightsExcludes international flights to and from Guangzhou and Beijing, required transit segments at both ends, and accommodation in hub cities due to transits.
VisasGuests who require a Chinese visa must cover the visa fee and processing costs themselves; whether a visa is needed will be confirmed on a case-by-case basis according to passport, purpose of entry, and travel dates.
Lunches and dinnersNo lunch or dinner is in the base price on this route. Your guide recommends and books; the bill is your own. The tasting stalls on the Muslim Quarter walk and anything you order to eat at the People's Park teahouse are on the same basis
Climbing the Bell Tower and the Drum TowerThe Xi'an evening is the quarter on foot. Admission to climb either tower is a separately priced add-on
In-park transport and in-venue spendingThe site shuttles at the Terracotta Warriors, the panda base and Dujiangyan, the cableway and lake boat at Mount Qingcheng, and the audio guides and hired guides inside the museums and the palace: each is stated in writing in your quote rather than assumed
Optional add-onsPriced separately when you choose them; no optional item is added into the base plan
PersonalGratuities to guides and drivers, single-room or extra-room difference, laundry, shopping, all personal spending

Special Notes

The details below may vary depending on travel dates, weather, and booking availability; please refer to the written itinerary for your specific trip.

Booking & Written Confirmation — This itinerary can be inquired about and booked based on your travel date. Specific arrangements for hotels, guides, vehicles, flights, high-speed trains, and venues requiring reservations are subject to the written quote and confirmation provided prior to payment. Unverified departures, time slots, or availability are not guaranteed in advance.
Inclusions subject to the quoted price — Please cross-reference every included service against your written quote. Items not explicitly stated in the quote are not included.
Departure Day Itinerary — Day 14 itineraries and airport transfers are scheduled according to the departure flight time. The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the National Museum of China are not three mandatory activities; the specific attractions that can be arranged and any required reservations will be confirmed in writing prior to payment.
Departure dates — Whether the National Day week from October 1 to 7 can be scheduled is subject to the departure calendar. The Forbidden Palace is closed on Mondays; if Day 12 falls on a Monday, the sequence of the Forbidden Palace and Great Wall visits can be adjusted, and the specific day order will be confirmed before payment.
November and December departures — three points on this route move with the weather. The Mutianyu ascent runs on a cableway and an open chairlift, and snow or ice closes both. The wall-top cycling section in Xi'an is the longest unsheltered stretch on the route and converts to a walked section of the wall. The hill paths at Mount Qingcheng are the third. For a departure in those two months, your quote states the arrangement for all three in writing before you pay.
The three timed reservations — the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China and Shanghai Museum all require a timed reservation, and their systems sit poorly with overseas mobile numbers. The Forbidden City releases slots on a seven-day lead. Your quote states in writing who books each of the three and by when. The admission itself is in the base price either way.
Experiences Requiring Case-by-Case Confirmation — The Wing Chun experience in Foshan, the Taoist temple exchange and Tai Chi basics in Mount Qingcheng, and the backstage visit to Sichuan opera in Chengdu all require confirmation of the specific reception format, staff, and time slots based on your travel dates. No fixed personnel or duration is guaranteed until confirmed; inclusion of specific elements is subject to the written quotation.
Foshan and the day three margin — On day two, travel from Guangzhou to Foshan for a day trip, and plan a dim sum breakfast in Foshan for day three; stay in Guangzhou for both nights. Before the day-three flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai, verify the timing for dim sum, return transportation, and check-in buffer based on the actual flight schedule, and specify these details in the quote.
Your first evening in Shanghai — There is no sightseeing scheduled for the evening of arrival in Shanghai; the Bund tour is set for Day 4. Exact arrival times, airport transfers, and evening contact details will be confirmed in writing based on the actual flight itinerary.
Shanghai Museum Campus — The specific gallery areas and reservation time slots for Day 4 will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
Class of travel — two domestic flights and three rail movements. Your quote states the class of each one in writing, and the 2026 fourth-quarter air and rail timetables are re-checked for your dates before your confirmation is issued, because the airline season changes at the end of October.
Visa window — The 30-day visa-exemption policy for ordinary passports is currently valid until December 31, 2026. For travel near the policy's expiration date or across year-end, verify each booking individually against the latest official regulations based on passport type, entry date, and permitted length of stay in China; do not rely solely on a fixed departure date.
US passports — Please note that U.S. ordinary passports are not covered by the 30-day visa-free entry list; additionally, this 14-day itinerary exceeds the 240-hour transit visa exemption limit, so a valid Chinese visa is typically required in advance. Please verify each guest's passport details and specific itinerary for entry requirements prior to payment.
Connections at both ends — International flights departing from Guangzhou and departing from Beijing must be verified by departure date and location; some itineraries may require a connection. International flights, connecting segments, and accommodation in hub cities due to such connections are not included in the base fare for this route; final connection options will be confirmed in writing before payment.
Confirmation and changes — Each quote specifies the confirmation deadline, rescheduling options, and refund terms. Date changes may affect flight, high-speed rail, and venue reservations; the specific fees and adjustable scope are governed by the written terms for that booking.

Is Fourteen Days Your Length?

Fewer than fourteen days?

The five-city itinerary can be customized by date and interests. If Guangzhou and Foshan are removed, we can switch to entering via Shanghai and departing from Beijing, while keeping Chengdu and Dujiangyan as a standalone segment. Please share your travel dates and party size so we can confirm the updated routing and quote.

Good to Know

Group: Quotations available for a minimum of 1 guest. Group formation details, group size, and service arrangements are subject to the written quotation.
Pace: Five cities in 14 days, south to north, no backtracking. Guangzhou 2 nights, Shanghai 2, Chengdu 3, Xi'an 3, Beijing 3. Two easy days, on day two and day six, and two same-day round trips that leave your bags in the hotel
Effort: Moderate. The Great Wall ascent is by cable car or open chairlift, the Xi'an wall-top section can be walked instead of ridden, and the two heaviest Beijing sites are on separate days. The longest single site day is the Terracotta Warriors, about three and a half hours mostly on your feet
Ports: Guangzhou in, Beijing out, open jaw; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day fourteen
Intercity: Two domestic flights and three high-speed rail movements, all in the base price. Class stated in writing per order
Visas: British, most European, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports enter visa-free for days, checked order by order against your dates. US passports need a Chinese tourist or business visa for this route
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
Meals: 13 hotel breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are recommended and booked by your guide, on your own account
Payment: A 10% deposit (minimum USD 399) locks in your dates; the balance is due 14 days before departure. Specific cancellation and modification policies and the “or equivalent” hotel standards are provided in writing before payment.
Season: The specific bookable dates from October to December 2026, National Day holiday arrangements, and weather impacts are subject to the written quotation for that specific trip.

Your Private Concierge

Jenessa

Private China Route Concierge

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

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

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

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

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

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

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

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

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

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

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

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

Jan 2026

China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving.

Do this before you fly

VPN & Internet Access

What's blocked

Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.

Download before you leave

It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.

Hotel Wi-Fi tip

Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.

Good news

WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

Paying in China

China is cashless

Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.

International cards now work

Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.

Carry some cash

We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.

Booking this trip

Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.

We handle the paperwork

Visa & Entry

Do you need a visa?

Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.

240-hour visa-free transit

Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.

Processing time

Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.

What we provide

Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.

Our responsibility, always

Safety & Practical Tips

Is China safe?

China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.

Emergency numbers

Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.

Health & medications

Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.

Language

English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Why does the Great Wall come on day thirteen?

Because it is the last piece, not the first. Put it on day two and it stays the picture you already had before you booked. Put it on day thirteen and you reach it having stood in a Foshan temple courtyard, on the Bund between two skylines, at an irrigation system from the 3rd century BC that is still running, and in front of the first emperor's army, so the wall arrives as an answer rather than a photograph. The practical side works out the same way: the round trip from the city takes most of a day, so the wall gets a day of its own with nothing heavy beside it.

Fourteen days, five cities, five intercity movements. How much of that is travel?

Less than the numbers suggest, because none of it doubles back. The two flights sit in the afternoon of days three and five, each with a morning of sightseeing before it. Two of the three rail movements are afternoon departures on days eight and eleven, again after a morning out. The third is a same-day round trip on day seven that leaves your Chengdu room untouched. Your own driver runs both ends of every movement and your guide hands you over at the door. What that buys you is the second half: three nights each in Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing, one hotel per city.

We're traveling in November. What actually changes?

Three things on this route move with the weather. The Mutianyu ascent runs on a cableway and an open chairlift, and snow or ice closes both. The wall-top cycling section in Xi'an is the longest unsheltered stretch on the route. The hill paths at Mount Qingcheng are the third. We cannot promise any of the three against a forecast, and we will not pretend otherwise: your quote states in writing what is arranged for your exact dates. What holds regardless: the wall day is yours either way and the section is walked when it is not ridden, so you stand on the same wall and in the same place on the ramparts, and the two indoor anchors of the trip, the palace and the army, are unaffected by weather.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. British, French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Nordic, Central European, Irish, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports currently 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. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 14 days is longer than the 10-day visa-free transit policy allows, so US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, applied for in person the first time. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if the dates do not fit, we say so instead of selling.

Can we book this today?

Not yet, and we would rather say so than take a deposit on it. Four things are still being settled: the day plan and transfer timing are being re-cut, Until those items are done we take no orders and no deposits. What you can do now is send us your dates and passports, and we will write to you the day this route opens.

Foshan Ancestral Temple

Lion Dance & Martial Arts in a Temple Courtyard

Wing Chun Kung Fu Course

Cantonese Morning Tea

Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town

Yu Garden & Old Town

Shanghai Museum

The Bund and Pudian Skyline at Night

Former French Concession & Wukang Road

Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

Chengdu Panda Base at Dawn

People's Park Teahouse

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Community Sichuan Opera Theater

Terra Cotta Warriors

Xi'an City Wall and Cycling Route on Top of the Wall

Zhonglu Drum and Bell Tower Street & Muslim Quarter at Night

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion Dance & Martial Arts in a Temple Courtyard

03. Wing Chun Kung Fu Course

04. Cantonese Morning Tea

05. Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town

06. Yu Garden & Old Town

07. Shanghai Museum

08. The Bund and Pudian Skyline at Night

09. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

10. Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

11. Chengdu Panda Base at Dawn

12. People's Park Teahouse

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera Theater

17. Terra Cotta Warriors

18. Xi'an City Wall and Cycling Route on Top of the Wall

19. Zhonglu Drum and Bell Tower Street & Muslim Quarter at Night

20. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

21. The Forbidden City

22. Jingshan Park

23. Mutianyu Great Wall

24. Tiananmen Square

25. Temple of Heaven

26. National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion Dance & Martial Arts in a Temple Courtyard

03. Wing Chun Kung Fu Course

04. Cantonese Morning Tea

05. Haixinsha & Zhujiang New Town

06. Yu Garden & Old Town

07. Shanghai Museum

08. The Bund and Pudian Skyline at Night

09. Former French Concession & Wukang Road

10. Huangpu River Commuter Ferry

11. Chengdu Panda Base at Dawn

12. People's Park Teahouse

13. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

14. Qingcheng Mountain Taoist Temple

15. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

16. Community Sichuan Opera Theater

17. Terra Cotta Warriors

18. Xi'an City Wall and Cycling Route on Top of the Wall

19. Zhonglu Drum and Bell Tower Street & Muslim Quarter at Night

20. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

21. The Forbidden City

22. Jingshan Park

23. Mutianyu Great Wall

24. Tiananmen Square

25. Temple of Heaven

26. National Museum of China

01. Foshan Ancestral Temple

02. Lion Dance & Martial Arts in a Temple Courtyard

Guangzhou · Day 1 - Day 2

Shanghai · Day 3 - Day 4

Chengdu · Day 5 - Day 7

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Beijing · Day 11 - Day 14