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Overview
Few families can walk at the same pace. This journey allows time for Beijing's Forbidden City and Great Wall, Chengdu's pandas and tea houses, the landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, and Shanghai's waterside settings. At Mutianyu, take the cable car up but walk the city wall; with three nights in Yangshuo, adjust the pace to each family member's stamina. Three domestic flights connect the cities; specific flight times and transfers are confirmed based on your travel dates.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Please share your travel dates, group size, and the ages of any seniors and children. We will verify the availability of connecting or family rooms for those specific dates and include your Yangshuo activity arrangements in your written itinerary.
Why you'll love this trip
- The classics, gently. Pandas, the Forbidden City, karst hills and the Bund, with English-speaking guides city by city.
- 14 days from a Great Wall toboggan to a teahouse chair. Meet China at your family's pace.
- Take the cable car up to the Mutianyu Great Wall and save your energy for the walk along the ramparts; if the toboggan run is open that day, you can ride it down.
- Take home a pair of hand-sewn cloth shoes, crafted on the very bench where you sat: this is the only thing you will have brought back from China with your own hands in fourteen days.
- Standing at the panda reserve early in the morning when the pandas are most active, the day becomes the very reason for the journey for the children in tow.
- Spend an afternoon at a teahouse in People's Park. Your gaiwan tea is refilled for as long as you stay; after all, no one is rushing anywhere.
- Stay three nights among the karst hills of Yangshuo and unpack just once: no moving around, no early starts, and no mid-journey transit.
- As the sun sets, your tour of the Bund concludes with your guide by your side: to one side, the historic Bund; to the other, Pudong's modern skyscrapers — a city gazing across the water.
- Three domestic flights connect Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghai, with three consecutive nights in Yangshuo allowing the family to explore at their own pace.
Things to do
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Landmark
Heritage
Great Wall
Family
Meal
Craft
City
Nature
City
Culture
Food
Heritage
CityLandmarkHeritageGreat WallFamilyMealCraftCityNatureCityCultureFoodHeritageCityLandmarkHeritageGreat WallFamilyMealCraftCityNatureCityCultureFoodHeritageCityItinerary
Arrivals
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4
· Arrive in Beijing and rest
After arrival, transfer to the hotel by car; the remainder of the day is free for family rest.
· One axis through the palace
The square first, then the gate, then five centuries in one straight line. This is the day the children work out how old this place is.
· Cable Car to the Great Wall, Slide Down
Take the cable car up at Mutianyu and walk along the city wall. For descent options, refer to the attraction's opening status on the day of your visit.
· A bench and a lane
Nothing today needs early legs. The one thing you carry out of China gets made this morning.
航班
Chengdu · Day 5 - Day 7
· Beijing to Chengdu
Fly from Beijing to Chengdu, check into your hotel upon arrival. No tours are scheduled for today.
· Watch pandas at dawn, sip tea in the afternoon
In the morning, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding; in the afternoon, unwind at People's Park with a bowl of gaiwan tea.
· Backstage and a wok
A neighborhood theater in the afternoon, a market and a kitchen around it. Today the family does things instead of looking at them.
航班
Guilin · Day 8
· Chengdu to Guilin
Fly from Chengdu to Guilin, spend the night here, and continue to Yangshuo the next day.
包车
Yangshuo · Day 9 - Day 11
· From Guilin to Yangshuo
Spend the morning in Guilin, then take a bus to Yangshuo in the afternoon to begin a three-night stay.
· Slow down for a day in Yangshuo
Stay at the same hotel throughout your trip—no need to repack or move your luggage.
· Free time in Yangshuo
Stay one more night in Yangshuo to give your family time to explore at their own pace.
航班
Shanghai · Day 12 - Day 14
· Yangshuo to Shanghai
The last flight day, and the last time the bags move before home.
· The garden, the ferry, the water
A classical garden in the morning, a commuter boat in the afternoon, the waterfront after dark. The last full day answers the first one.
· Shanghai airport transfer, journey concludes
Breakfast, then the airport. The plan ends the way it started, with a driver and no hurry.
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.
yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is located by the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and easy access to Guilin’s attractions.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable stays and convenient facilities for business and leisure travelers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
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.
yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is located by the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and easy access to Guilin’s attractions.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable stays and convenient facilities for business and leisure travelers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
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.
yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is located by the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and easy access to Guilin’s attractions.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable stays and convenient facilities for business and leisure travelers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li with one of Chengdu's strongest design statements.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring at all five stops, including the full-day Great Wall round trip and the 90-minute road transfer from Guilin into Yangshuo; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day fourteen; hotel and airport transfers for all three internal flights
- Internal flightsThree domestic flights: Beijing to Chengdu, Chengdu to Guilin, and Guilin to Shanghai. Flight numbers, times, and cabin class are subject to the written order.
- Hotels13 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 4 · Chengdu 3 · Guilin 1 · Yangshuo 3 · Shanghai 2
- GuideLicensed English-speaking local guide on every touring day at each stop, including the whole Bund evening in Shanghai
- Tickets & experiences, BeijingTiananmen Square · Forbidden City reserved visit · Mutianyu Great Wall and cable car · cloth shoe workshop · hutong walk around Shichahai. The availability of the sliding track and whether it is included are subject to the day's opening status and the written order.
- Tickets & experiences, ChengduThe panda base in the morning · the gaiwan teahouse sitting in People's Park · the community Sichuan opera theater with the backstage look and face-changing up close · the market visit and Sichuan home-cooking class
- Guilin & YangshuoAccommodation: 1 night in Guilin and 3 nights in Yangshuo. Transfers and specified guided tours at both destinations will be fulfilled as detailed in your written order; the specific sightseeing tours and admission tickets are subject to the confirmed itinerary.
- Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden and the old city · the Huangpu River ferry crossing · the Bund and the Pudong night view, guide accompanied
- BreakfastIncludes 13 hotel breakfasts from Day 2 to Day 14. Whether a farmhouse lunch at the foot of the Great Wall is included depends on the written confirmation.
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasIf a Chinese visa is required for your passport and itinerary, the visa fees and application process are at your own expense.
- MealsIn addition to the 13 pre-specified hotel breakfasts, the inclusion of other lunch and dinner services is subject to the written booking confirmation; meals not listed in the booking are at your own expense.
- Optional add-onsNone on this route at present. Any future optional item is priced separately when you choose it and is never added by default
- PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending
Special Notes
A few things on this route follow the calendar, the season or a supplier's confirmation. Here they are, told straight.
- Family Room Type — Please request connecting or family rooms at the time of booking; room availability for each night in Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Shanghai must be confirmed according to your travel dates.
- Guilin and Yangshuo — In the morning of Day 9, enjoy Guilin; in the afternoon, travel to Yangshuo. Stay in Yangshuo for two consecutive nights on Days 10 and 11. Activities can be tailored to the family's stamina and interests; specific sites, ticket details, and cost estimates will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
- December departures — the river activities around Yangshuo run into low water and low temperatures in December. For a December departure, that stretch is confirmed against your exact dates and written into your quote before you pay.
- Departure dates — During the National Day holiday, please verify daily allocation limits at scenic spots and accommodation prices for specific dates. If Day 2 falls on a closure day for the Forbidden City, you may adjust the order with other sightseeing days in Beijing.
- Security screening at the square — everyone is screened to enter Tian'anmen Square. The queue takes half an hour to an hour and it is budgeted separately, on top of your time on the square, so the palace reservation still lands on time.
- Internal flights — Three domestic flights connect Beijing to Chengdu, Chengdu to Guilin, and Guilin to Shanghai. Rescheduling may affect cabin class and hotel accommodations; specific flight numbers and fees are subject to the written booking confirmation.
- Visa window — Visa exemption requirements must be verified for each traveler based on current travel policies, passport type, port of entry, and the full itinerary. Do not rely solely on a 14-day trip duration.
- US passports — Entry requirements for U.S. passport holders must be verified against actual itineraries and policies at the time of departure; if a visa is required, please allow sufficient time for the application.
- Confirmation and changes — Order confirmation deadlines, changes, and refund conditions are subject to the written quote.
Is Fourteen Days Your Length?
Fewer than fourteen days?
Fewer than fourteen days?
The five stops come apart cleanly: Beijing and Chengdu stand on their own, and the karst stretch can go or shorten. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we cut days rather than cut the pace.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- Pace
- 14 days across 5 cities: 4 nights in Beijing, 3 in Chengdu, 1 in Guilin, 3 in Yangshuo, and 2 in Shanghai. With three consecutive nights in Yangshuo, specific activities can be tailored to your family's pace.
- Effort
- You can take a cable car up the Great Wall, but still need to walk along the wall itself; slide access depends on daily availability, and activity intensity in Guilin and Yangshuo can be adjusted to suit your companions’ energy levels.
- Ports
- Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day fourteen
- Visas
- Visa exemption or visa requirements depend on each traveler's passport, the full itinerary, and policies in effect at the time of travel.
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
- Payment
- Available for one guest; payment, change, and refund terms are subject to the written order.
- Season
- Specific departure dates, holiday availability, and seasonal events in Yangshuo will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
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
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.
That is the question this route was built around. The whole plan is paced to the slowest walker in your party: every climb is done by cable car, the Great Wall descent is a seated sled, and two of the fourteen days have nothing scheduled. Each of the three flights takes a whole day, so nobody is rushed through an airport after a full morning out. Where a site is long, the route is cut to one line with places to sit.
Not yet, and we will not pretend otherwise. We have not secured a bookable connecting or family room type for every night of this route, including the riverside family hotel in Yangshuo, so bookings are not open: no orders, no deposits. What you can do now is tell us your dates, and we will write to you the day the room types are confirmed and the route opens.
Four nights sit there: one in Guilin and three in Yangshuo. The vehicle, guide and hotels are included the same as everywhere else. The day plans themselves are in final product review with our local partners, and in December the river activities there run into low water and cold, so we will not sell you a plan we cannot yet name. Before you book, those three days are named in your written itinerary and confirmed against your exact dates. What holds either way: one hotel for three nights, no packing in the middle of the trip, and the slowest stretch of the fourteen days.
It is three days, and we gave each of them the whole day rather than squeezing sights around it. Your own vehicle runs hotel to airport and back at both ends, and your guide hands you over at the door. The flight number, time and cabin class for your order are written into your quote. The Beijing to Chengdu leg alone runs close to six and a half hours door to door, which is why nothing else is on that day.
Most guests on this route do not. Most European passports enter visa-free for stays days; so do UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ones. 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 arrivals 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 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.
