Two Waters: 21-Day Private China Tour

Overview

这条21天线路从北京出发，经西安、成都、九寨沟和重庆，乘船沿长江到宜昌，最后抵达上海。北京、西安、成都和上海各住三晚，九寨沟沟口四晚，重庆一晚，船上三晚。都江堰的分水工程、三峡大坝和朱家角的园林，让旅程围绕人们如何使用水展开。全程可预订，具体酒店、交通班次和船舱以书面确认单为准。

— LyrikTrip 旅行设计师

请告知出行日期和同行人数。书面报价会列明高原段与长江段的酒店、交通、游轮航次及船舱安排。

Why you'll love this trip

China at half the speed. The Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, pandas, water towns and the Bund, with English-speaking guides city by city.
21 days from a valley lake that never moves to a river that carries your ship. See what a country does with water.

Spot the watchtowers along the ridge at Mutianyu. Cable car ascent and toboggan descent are included in the price; actual availability on the day is subject to the scenic area's schedule.
As your day in the Forbidden City comes to a close, climb the hill in Jingshan Park and look back: the golden rooftops you wove through all morning stretch out beneath you, aligned in a single straight axis.
Stand beside the pits of the Terracotta Army, where roughly eight thousand statues are buried, all united in following one man. Your guide will show you how to distinguish generals from crossbowmen by their armor and hair buns.
Cycle the Xi'an City Wall to compare the old-city lanes on both sides with the newer districts; rental hours are confirmed according to that day's scenic-area schedule.
In都江堰, someone in the 3rd century BC split the river in two without building a dam—and it still works today. The entire philosophy of this route is literally under your feet.
Tour the panda sanctuary in the morning, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon at a teahouse in People's Park. Covered in the quote is a gaiwan tea set; other snacks are available on request.
Take a boat across the waterways of Zhujiajiao, then step into Kezhi Garden, where a family once channeled the same waters inside their own walls, building their home around them.

Things to do

Muyanling Great Wall Alpine Slide, Beijing

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

Former French Concession and Wukang Road, Shanghai

The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry, Shanghai

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Family

Landmark

Museum

Culture

Heritage

Cycling

City

Pagoda

Nature

Learn more

City

Learn more

Heritage

Wellness

Learn more

Riverfront

Heritage

Museum

Water

City

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Land, and do nothing

Meet you at the airport based on the confirmed flight details, regardless of arrival time. The first day is reserved for arrival and rest.

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.

Beijing through the window Ring roads first, then poplars and the lit shopfronts of an ordinary street. The country you flew this far for shows up before you have unpacked anything.

Evening No activities are arranged for the evening. If you would like dinner, please ask your guide for recommendations or assistance with reservations at your own expense.

Day 2 · One axis, then the view of it

The palace in the morning, the hill behind it in the afternoon. Today you find out that this city was drawn before it was built.

The Forbidden City Your timed slot is booked ahead under your passport name, so you walk in on schedule. Inside, one axis: the ceremonial halls where the court did its business, the living quarters behind them, the imperial garden at the end, then out through the north gate. Stand in the middle of the main courtyard and look back through the gates you came in by. They line up, one inside another, all the way out to the square.

Pace The palace is large and guests regularly find it exhausting, so the route is cut to that single line, with the seats we know about built into it.

Jingshan Park Exit through the Forbidden City's North Gate and ascend the steps to the viewing terrace on Jingshan Hill. Looking back south, the palace rooftops unfold in layered tiers along the central axis, stretching all the way to the horizon.

Day 3 · The wall, without the climb

A cable car takes you up and a sled brings you down. The wall was built to stop horses, not people, and from up there you can see why that distinction mattered.

Drive out to Mutianyu The run north out of the city takes a good part of the morning, which is why nothing else is on today. The vehicle stays with you all day.

Cable car up The climb is done for you. You step off onto a restored stretch of wall with watchtowers running away along the ridge in both directions, and your guide points out the beacon towers, the pass below, and why the sightlines fall where they do. Look along the ridge with the towers stepping down it: that is today's picture.

Lunch Lunch is not included. You may have a meal near Mutianyu or return to the city first — simply decide based on your sightseeing pace for the day.

Toboggan down A seated sled on a metal track through the trees, about twenty minutes, and it puts you at the bottom with your legs intact for tomorrow.

高铁

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Day 4 · Round for heaven, square for earth

Explore the plazas, museums, and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, then take a high-speed train to Xi'an in the evening. This day's itinerary is quite packed.

Tian'anmen Square You cross the ceremonial center of modern China on foot. Screening comes first and takes its own half hour to an hour, so it sits in the day's budget separately; your guide walks you to the nearest entrance.

National Museum of China On the east side of the plaza, check in using the name on your passport. Start with the bronze vessels, then explore the ceramics and Buddhist sculptures; artifacts you saw in the Forbidden City on Day 2 can be traced here to their historical period and production context.

Temple of Heaven The Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault and the Circular Mound, on one line. Your guide gives you the key in a sentence, round belongs to heaven and square belongs to earth, and then leaves you to spot it yourself: the platforms, the roofs, the balustrades, the terrace under your feet.

High-speed rail to Xi'an Late afternoon, station transfer by your own vehicle, then the train south. Cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote. Your Xi'an guide meets the train.

Day 5 · Eight thousand men, for one man

One site, one day, no filler. The scale is not the point here; the individual faces are.

The Terracotta Warriors An estimated eight thousand figures in formation, dug out where they stood and left there, so you are looking down into the excavation rather than at objects in cases. Your guide teaches you to read a rank before you walk the pits: armor plates, stance, and the way the hair is knotted separate a general from a crossbowman from a foot soldier.

The newer excavation areas Traces of the original pigment are still visible on some figures here. They were painted, all of them, and the gray you have seen in photographs is what happened after the air got in.

Timing Crowds here run heavy in season, so your entry hour is set by us against that day rather than left to chance, and the day carries nothing else.

Day 6 · A wall you ride instead of climb

Beijing's wall runs across mountains; this one runs in a rectangle around a city. The same idea, used to keep something in rather than out.

Xi'an City Wall by bicycle You take a bicycle at the hire point on the wall and ride the top, two abreast, for as long as you feel like. Outside the parapet: the modern city. Inside: the old grid, still laid out the way it was drawn. Gate towers come up at the corners and give you a reason to stop.

Bell Tower and Drum Tower The two towers that kept this city's time, standing where the old grid crosses itself. One rang the morning, one beat the night.

The Muslim Quarter after dark You walk in as the food streets open, past the flat breads coming off the wall of the oven and the men working a lump of persimmon dough with a wooden mallet. Nothing here is a set menu; your guide tells you what each thing is and you decide. Anything you eat is on your account.

高铁

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Day 7 · Over the Qinling

A temple in the morning, a mountain range in the afternoon. You cross the line where northern China becomes southern China, and the window does the explaining.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda grounds The temple raised around a pagoda built to hold the sutras a monk brought back overland from India, still a working Buddhist site with its own resident community. You walk the grounds and the halls. The ticket to climb the pagoda is separate at the door and not included; your guide will tell you whether the queue is worth it that morning.

High-speed rail to Chengdu Afternoon departure, and the line goes under the Qinling in a series of long tunnels. Watch what happens between them: the dry, pale north gives way to wet green slopes and terraced water, and by the time you come out the other side the air in the carriage has changed. Cabin class for your order is stated in writing in your quote.

Arrival Your Chengdu guide meets the train, and the evening is yours. Dinner near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want it, on your account.

Day 8 · A morning that moves, an afternoon that does not

Pandas first, while they are still awake. Then a chair, and nowhere to be.

Chengdu panda base You are there in the morning, the hours when the animals are generally moving: eating, coming down off things, dropping back to sleep in the fork of a tree. Flat shaded paths and about three hours. Get to an enclosure fence early and wait rather than walk on: the animal comes over on its own schedule, not on yours.

Teahouse sitting in People's Park Bamboo chairs under the trees, a gaiwan each, the lidded cup China brews in, refilled by a man with a long-spouted kettle as long as you stay. Cards at the next table. An ear cleaner two tables over, working with a tuning fork; that is his own trade and yours to buy or not. An hour in, you'll notice you have stopped planning the rest of the day.

Free Afternoon After the panda base and teahouse, no activities are scheduled for the afternoon.

Day 9 · Someone divided a river

A full day out of the city, and the reason this route exists. Today the trip stops being a list of places and becomes an argument about water.

Dujiangyan irrigation system Begun in the 3rd century BC, and it splits the Min River in two without a dam. One arm is turned onto the plain to irrigate it; the other is left to take the flood away. You walk out over the divide with both arms of the river under you and your guide shows you the three parts doing the work: the head that splits the flow, the spillway that dumps the excess, and the cut through the rock that meters what goes through.

Why it is not a ruin This is not a site that used to work. The Chengdu plain has been fed by it continuously since it was built, which is the difference between a monument and a machine.

Mount Qingcheng Head to Mount Qingcheng to visit an active Taoist temple, chat with the resident priests, and practice Tai Chi in front of the temple. The chosen walking routes do not require the cable car, which is not included in the price.

高铁

Jiuzhaigou · Day 10 - Day 13

Day 10 · Up the railway, and nothing else

Take the railway from Chengdu toward Jiuzhaigou, and allow time to rest upon arrival. The specific train number and the hotel near the entrance are listed in the written confirmation.

Inter-city Transport Rail travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and lodging at the entrance are included in the itinerary; specific train times and hotels will be confirmed in writing based on your travel dates.

What the design intends Head north from the Chengdu Plain by rail toward Jiuzhaigou. Upon arrival, no strenuous activities are scheduled, allowing the late afternoon and evening to acclimatize to the altitude.

The window The plain runs out, the line starts working, and the rivers below the track turn from brown to a hard pale green. That color change is the first sign of where you are going.

Day 11 · The valley

Spend a full day exploring Jiuzhaigou, entering from the park entrance into the valley. The specific sightseeing route will be arranged according to the park's operating status.

Valley Arrangements Sightseeing within the valley and lodging at the gateway are included in the itinerary; the specific route and hotel details are specified in the written confirmation.

The valley loop as designed The in-park shuttle carries you up the arms of the valley, and the loop for the day is chosen that morning by the guide against the season and the crowds rather than fixed in advance. The plan finishes in the early afternoon so the return is not a rush.

The two the design reaches for A lake clear enough that trunks sunk decades ago are still legible on the bottom, and a waterfall that is remarkable for its width rather than its drop, spread across the valley floor in a long low line.

What you should know either way The valley sits between about 2,000 and 3,100 meters and it draws heavy crowds in season. Both facts are in the design, and both are stated to you before any date is discussed.

Day 12 · A forest, a mask, a potato cake

Visit the Jia Wu Hai Panda Center and the Baima Tibetan Village to learn about the forest environment and local life. Specific arrangements will be confirmed in writing.

Daily Schedule The Panda Center and Baima Tibetan Village have been included in the itinerary; specific viewing arrangements and reception details are outlined in the written confirmation.

The valley panda center Planned visit to the Jia Wu Hai Panda Center, providing a contrast to the Chengdu Panda Base on Day 8. The exact location and visit format are still to be confirmed.

Baima Tibetan village In the afternoon, visit the White Horse Tibetan Village to learn about mask dance rituals and potato cake-making. The specific format of interaction with local families will be arranged by the host.

Day 13 · The road the tea went up

Visit the old streets of Songpan Ancient Town along the historic Tea Horse Road, and enjoy a hands-on leathercraft workshop in the afternoon. The specific workshop will be confirmed in writing.

Daily Itinerary Songpan Ancient City and a leather craft workshop have been added to your itinerary. Specific reception arrangements will be detailed in the written confirmation document.

Songpan old town Gates, an old street and a covered bridge on the road that carried tea up onto the plateau and brought horses down off it, for several hundred years. Han, Tibetan, Qiang and Hui merchants historically kept shops on the same street here, which is why the doorways along one lane do not look like they belong to one place.

Tibetan leather workshop Learn cutting, stitching, and embossing techniques at a local leather goods workshop and try your hand at crafting. Workshop details and finished products are subject to written confirmation.

铁路或航班

Chongqing · Day 14 - Day 16

Day 14 · Down off the plateau

A full transfer day and no apology for it. The altitude gives back about 1,750 meters between breakfast and dinner.

Inter-City Transport Transport from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing is included in the itinerary; you may transfer via Chengdu by rail or fly from the local airport. The specific mode of transport will be detailed in the written confirmation.

Transfer Schedule The day carries no sightseeing either way. A transfer this long gets the whole day rather than having a site squeezed onto the end of it.

What you feel Dropping from about 2,000 meters back to about 250 is a physical event even though you spend it sitting down. Sleep on this leg if you can. Tomorrow you get on a ship.

Day 15 · On board

Embark in Chongqing and cruise down the Yangtze to Yichang. The specific cruise itinerary and cabin category will be confirmed in your written confirmation.

Cruise Arrangements A three-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang with onboard accommodation is included in the itinerary; specific sailings, cabin categories, and ground services are detailed in the written confirmation.

What the design intends Spend the morning before embarkation in Chongqing; the exact boarding time and sailing schedule will be confirmed in writing.

The change of unit For the next three days you stop measuring the trip in kilometres and start measuring it in bends. The banks move; you do not.

Day 16 · The gorges

Cruise through the gorge aboard your ship, observing the changing landscapes along both banks from the water. Specific routes and shore-visit schedules are subject to the written itinerary.

Onboard itinerary The Yangtze River cruise sailing days are included in the itinerary; the final docking schedule is subject to the written itinerary of the specific sailing.

What the design intends The sailing runs the first two gorges in daylight. The first is the short one, where the river is squeezed between cliffs into its narrowest run; the second is the long one, walls stepping back one behind another for tens of kilometres.

What a shore stop would be The port of call excursion for this itinerary is organized by the cruise line; the specific port and whether it is included are subject to the final itinerary confirmation.

长江游轮

Yichang · Day 17

Day 17 · The other end of the argument

Looking back from the Three Gorges Dam to Day 9's Dujiangyan: one diverts water, the other builds a dam to block the river.

Dam Itinerary The Three Gorges Dam is included in the full itinerary. Docking and tour details will be confirmed in writing.

The Three Gorges Dam The final day of the cruise brings you to the Three Gorges Dam. On day 9, at Dujiangyan, you saw how to divide the river without building a dam; here, you see another way of blocking the river to build one.

Tour arrangements Dam viewing is included in the full itinerary quote; specific docking, tour arrangements, and ticket details are specified in the written confirmation.

航班

Shanghai · Day 18 - Day 21

Day 18 · The river hands you over

After disembarking in Yichang, fly to Shanghai and take an evening stroll along the Bund. Flight details are listed in the written confirmation.

Flight from Yichang to Shanghai The Yichang to Shanghai flight has been included in your itinerary; the airline, flight number, and cabin class are specified in the written confirmation.

Arrival in Shanghai Your Shanghai guide takes over at the airport, and the vehicle runs you to the hotel. Three nights here, and the bags are not moving again.

The Bund after dark Stroll along the Bund's riverside promenade, with the historic colonial-era buildings on one side and Pudong's high-rises across the Huangpu River. The lights from both banks at dusk bring the day to a close on the riverbank.

Day 19 · A garden and a room of bronzes

Slow morning, flat ground, indoor afternoon. After a week of moving, today asks for nothing above walking pace.

Yu Garden and the old city Pavilions, rockery, ponds and a path that never runs straight, dropped inside the oldest quarter of the city. Flat the whole way, about two hours, and the lanes outside the garden wall come with it.

Shanghai Museum Bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy and painting. After reserving entry using your passport name, start in the bronzes gallery, where you can compare the vessels with those you saw at the National Museum of China on Day 4.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide recommends and books dinner if you want it, on your account.

Day 20 · Water, brought indoors

An hour west of the city, a canal town and a garden. The third thing this country does with water, after dividing it and damming it: it moves in next to it.

Zhujiajiao by rowing boat You go through the town on the water rather than beside it, under stone bridges, past back doors and washing steps that go straight down into the canal. The boat fare is in the base price.

Keshi Garden Within the Kezhi Garden, houses, schoolhouses, and garden spaces unfold around a central pond. Standing by the water’s edge, observe how it interacts with the architecture, and let the mind drift to the water-diversion gates of Dujiangyan and the Three Gorges Dam — the third concrete scene on this route that explores the power of water.

Afternoon Downtime Lunch is on your own. After visiting Zhujiajiao and Keshi Garden, the afternoon is left free with no fixed activities scheduled.

Day 21 · Plane trees, then the ferry, then home

Take a morning stroll on Wukang Road, cross the Huangpu River on a ferry, and head to the airport according to your flight time.

Former French Concession and Wukang Road Plane-tree streets, historic houses and small independent shops, walked without a schedule. Nothing here has an opening time you need to make.

Huangpu River ferry You cross the river on the boat people take to work, at the rail with commuters and their scooters, for the price of a fare that is in your base price. It is a short ride and it is the last thing this route asks you to look at.

Airport drop-off Your driver takes you to the airport, timed to your flight with room to spare. If a late flight leaves the day open, tell us and we plan the gap around your check-out rather than around a schedule.

Departures

Free PDF

Read it on your own time

We'll send this itinerary guide to your inbox for free.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

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

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodations and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

The MGM Bellagio Shanghai is a premier international luxury brand on the waterfront of the Bund, blending cinematic lobbies and river-view rooms into the southern section of the historic architectural complex.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

Located near Jianshe Road and the Eastern Suburb Memory Park, its prime location makes it a desirable choice for accommodation in Chengdu.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Inside the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Wuzhong Road and Hongjing Road in the golden commercial district of Hongqiao Town, directly connected to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish choice in Pudong, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower.

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

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodations and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

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.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish choice in Pudong, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower.

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

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Jiuzhaigou

Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort

A full-service resort near Jiuzhaigou National Park, ideal for early park starts and a quiet evening return.

Jiuzhaigou

Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai, an IHG Hotel

A boutique luxury resort inspired by Tibetan and Qiang culture, offering stylish accommodations and immersive local experiences near Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Shanghai

MGM Bellagio Shanghai Bund Hotel

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang, located in the South Huangpi Bridge area near the French Concession, is just steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

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.

Chengdu

Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.

chongqing

Chongqing Marriott Hotel

A reliable Chongqing stay for travellers who want comfort after exploring the city’s hills, rivers, bridges, and night views.

Chongqing

Wuyu Sky Garden Hotel

A curated hotel option in Chongqing, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Xian

Shangri-La Hotel

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

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.

Chongqing

Pagoda Hotel Chongqing Jiefangbei

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

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

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Center Aegean Sea

Chengdu

The Temple House

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

Yichang

The Westin Yichang

A curated hotel option in Yichang, used as the shared route hotel resource.

Jiuzhaigou

Noble Guest Hotel

A culturally rich hotel located near the entrance to Jiuzhaigou National Park.

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 Lujiazui Pudong Avenue

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Lujiazui: a stylish choice in Pudong, just minutes from the Bund, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for every listed touring item in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, including three full-day round trips: the Great Wall, Dujiangyan with Mount Qingcheng, and Zhujiajiao. Airport pickup in Beijing on day one; airport drop-off in Shanghai on day 21; hotel transfers for both high-speed rail legs
GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in the four cities, including the whole of the day-18 evening on the Bund
Intercity railTwo legs in the base price: Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail on day four, Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed rail on day seven. Cabin class is being finalized, so until it is settled every quote states in writing the cabin class for that order
Hotel & ship accommodation20 nights in total: 3 nights in Beijing (nights of Days 1–3), 3 nights in Xi'an (nights of Days 4–6), 3 nights in Chengdu (nights of Days 7–9), 4 nights at Jiuhai Valley Entrance (nights of Days 10–13), 1 night in Chongqing (night of Day 14), 3 nights on the Yangtze River cruise (nights of Days 15–17), and 3 nights in Shanghai (nights of Days 18–20). Specific hotels and cabin categories will be itemized in the written confirmation.
MealsA total of 12 confirmed hotel breakfasts are included: Days 2, 3, and 4 in Beijing; Days 5, 6, and 7 in Xi'an; Days 8, 9, and 10 in Chengdu; and Days 19, 20, and 21 in Shanghai. Any other meals on Days 10 through 18, as well as on-board meals, are subject to written confirmation based on the travel dates.
Tickets & experiences, BeijingTian'anmen Square walking visit with the guide handling the screening queue, no ticket · the Forbidden City with the passport-name reservation booked by us · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall with the cable car up and the toboggan down, both in the base price · Temple of Heaven through ticket for the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault and the Circular Mound · National Museum of China, free entry with the passport-name reservation booked by us
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Warriors museum admission · City Wall admission with the bicycle hire on the wall · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda temple grounds, the pagoda climb ticket separate and not included · Bell Tower and Drum Tower combined admission, followed by the evening walk through the Muslim Quarter
Tickets & experiences, ChengduMorning admission to the Chengdu Panda Base · Teahouse seating and gaiwan tea at the People's Park · Admission to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System · Qingcheng Mountain admission; Daoist exchange and tai chi sessions to be confirmed per the written itinerary
Tickets & experiences, ShanghaiThe Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied, no ticket · Yu Garden with the old city walk · Shanghai Museum, free entry with the passport-name reservation booked by us · Former French Concession and Wukang Road, walking, no ticket · Zhujiajiao town admission, Kezhi Garden admission and the rowing-boat fare · the Huangpu River ferry fare
Tibetan Plateau & Yangtze River SectionCross-city transportation before arriving in Shanghai on days 10 to 18, lodging in Jiuzhaigou Goukou and Chongqing, three nights on a Yangtze River cruise, and all listed sightseeing are included in this itinerary's price. Specific hotels, modes of transport, flight/voyage numbers, cabin categories, and meal arrangements are subject to the written confirmation.
InsuranceGroup travel accident insurance

Not Included

International FlightsArriving in Beijing and departing from Shanghai, as well as any transit segments outside mainland China
VisaFor travelers requiring a Chinese visa, visa fees and processing procedures are not included in the quoted price. Specific entry eligibility should be verified based on passport status and travel dates.
Intra-Scenic Area TransportGuests are responsible for any scenic area sightseeing shuttles, transfer buses, cable cars, or in-park boat rides not specified in the inclusions for the Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai segments; the Mutianyu cable car and toboggan, as well as the traditional rowing boat at Zhujiajiao, are included. For the Jiuzhaigou and Yangtze River segments, in-park and on-shore transfer arrangements will be clearly stated in the written quotation.
Attraction tickets are not includedGiant Wild Goose Pagoda tower admission. Ear-picking, card-and-chess tables, and other vendor services at the People's Park teahouse
Additional diningAdditional dining costs and personal orders not listed in the written quote are at the guest's expense.
Optional Add-onsThis route currently does not include any optional add-ons. If optional items are available in the future, their prices will be clearly stated in advance and they will never be added by default.
PersonalGratuities, single-room supplement, extra bed charges, laundry fees, and personal expenses

Special Notes

Please refer to the written confirmation for departure dates, intercity transportation, and accommodation arrangements. Below are the items that need to be verified against the specific dates.

Booking & Confirmation — This itinerary is bookable; the highland and Yangtze River segments on Days 10–18 are included in the complete package quote. Hotel bookings, transportation from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing, cruise sailings and cabin categories, and the flight from Yichang to Shanghai will be specified in the written confirmation based on your travel dates.
Departure dates are narrow — Departure dates are subject to Jiuzhaigou's seasonal schedules and Yangtze River cruise availability. Please share your preferred travel dates, and we will confirm all ground transportation, accommodations, and cruise itineraries accordingly, detailing them in your written itinerary.
Cruise Ship Schedules — Itinerary details for the Yangtze River cruise, including cabin assignments and port calls, are verified against your travel dates and included in the written confirmation document.
Jiuzhaigou Tour — Jiuzhaigou's accessible areas and scenic-area transportation are subject to seasonal changes and on-site operational arrangements; the specific scope of the visit will be confirmed based on your travel date.
Timetables — Specific flight or train schedules for Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing, and Yichang to Shanghai are detailed in the written itinerary for your selected dates.
Day 14 Transportation — The journey from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing may involve a rail transfer via Chengdu or a flight from the local airport; transportation is included in the itinerary, with the specific mode detailed in the written confirmation.
Altitude — The entrance to Jiuzhaigou Valley and the scenic area sit at a higher elevation than previous cities on your itinerary; please adjust your travel pace to accommodate your companions' physical comfort. Arrival details and daily activities will be confirmed via a written itinerary.
Forbidden City Reservation — Please verify the Palace Museum's open dates and real-name reservation time slots against your departure date; if Day 2 is not suitable for a visit, the itinerary for the Beijing segment will be adjusted at confirmation.
Square & Museum Reservations — Please allow extra time for security checks at Tiananmen Square and reservations for the National Museum of China; the Day 4 itinerary and the high-speed train departure to Xi'an will be confirmed accordingly.
Entry Formalities — Visa or visa-free eligibility depends on your passport, port of entry, travel dates, and complete itinerary. We verify eligibility against the applicable official regulations before payment, and we do not substitute a transit visa waiver for the entry eligibility required for a 21-day itinerary.
Group — Exclusive itinerary, just for your group. Available from a minimum of 1 guest with no cap on group size.
Confirmation & Changes — Each written quote clearly states the confirmation deadline and terms for changes and refunds. Since itineraries involve hotels, rail, cruises, and flights, any rescheduling must follow the specific booking conditions of each individual segment.
International Arrivals & Departures Flights — International airfare is not included in the base quotation. Please confirm your inbound flight to Beijing and outbound flight from Shanghai, then verify airport transfers and itinerary details for the first and last days. International flights can be booked on request, subject to a separate quote.

Is Twenty-one Days Your Length?

Fewer than 21 days?

To shorten the itinerary, please share your travel dates, number of days, and the cities where you most want to stay. We'll adjust the route to fit your schedule and outline each segment in a written quote.

Good to Know

Booking status: Bookings available. The high-altitude and Yangtze River segments are both included in the full itinerary quote. Hotels, transportation, and cabin details are subject to written confirmation specific to your travel dates.
Group: Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
Pace: 21 days, 20 nights, spanning seven city segments. Three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai; some afternoons are kept free for a more relaxed pace.
Effort: Long walking days on the city legs, one day on a bicycle on the Xi'an city wall, and one full day in a valley between 2,000 and 3,100 meters
Ports: Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day 21
Visas: UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, and so do Australian and New Zealand passports. Every order is checked against your dates. US passports need a Chinese tourist or business visa for this route
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides on every touring day of the sourced legs
Payment: Payment milestones, amounts, and cancellation or modification policies are governed by the written quote and confirmation letter for your travel dates; should a comparable hotel be substituted, this will be communicated in advance.
Season: Departure dates are confirmed based on Jiuzhaigou's seasonal schedule, cruise timetables, and intercity transport, and are included 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

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.

The route is called Two Kinds of Water and you cannot sell me either of them. Why is this page up?

Because the honest answer is more useful to you than an empty page. Eleven of the 21 days are fully sourced and priced today: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, with the water thread already running through Dujiangyan and Zhujiajiao. The two legs that give the route its name, the Jiuzhaigou valley and the Yangtze gorges, are designed and not bought: no operator, no valley-mouth hotel, no ship cabin grade, no carrier for the Yichang flight. Until those are named in writing we take no orders and no deposits, and nothing on days 10 to 18 is priced into any quote. If you tell us your dates we will write to you on the day it opens, and if you want the shorter fully-sourced version now, we will quote that instead.

21 days is a long time. Is that just the same trip stretched out? 21

No, and the difference shows up in the middles of days rather than in extra sights. Four cities get three nights each, so you unpack four times in three weeks instead of eight. Four days across the trip carry nothing scheduled at all, including a whole afternoon in a teahouse chair. Both rail transfers are half-days, not sprints. And the extra length is what makes the route's actual subject possible: the argument about water needs the 3rd-century BC waterworks, the dam and the courtyard pond in the same trip, which does not fit in fourteen days.

Which dates can I actually go?

This season, a 12-day window: departures between October 8 and 19, 2026. Three rules stack up to produce it. The valley is unavailable November through March on our seasonal record, and on a 21-day plan the valley days fall 9 to 12 days after departure, so October 19 is the last departure whose valley days land in October. There are no departures October 1 to 7, the national holiday week. And once the river leg is sourced, the sailing on file leaves Chongqing on Fridays and boarding is day 15, so the departure day has to be a Friday too: October 9 and October 16. The October 16 date needs one confirmation from the operator first, because that boarding day is also listed for a special long-haul sailing. We check all of this against your dates before anything is charged.

How high does this go, and what does the altitude day feel like?

You sleep at about 2,000 meters for four nights at the mouth of the valley, and the valley itself runs up to about 3,100 meters on the day inside it. That is high enough to notice and well below the range where the design would have to change. Two things in the plan are there for this: you climb to it by rail over about three and a half hours instead of flying, so your body gets the gain gradually, and the arrival day carries nothing at all. The valley day itself is walking on level boardwalks between shuttle stops rather than climbing. If anyone in your party has a condition affected by altitude, tell us before we talk dates.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for stays days, and so do Australian and New Zealand passports. Before you pay we check your 21 days plus any extra days in China against that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 11, 2026 finish inside it. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 21 days is more than twice the stay the 10-day transit policy allows, so US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, with the fee and the appointment their own. One more thing we say plainly: if you are already in China on the transit policy, you cannot take this route, because 21 days is far beyond it and the valley is outside the area that policy lets you stay in. We would rather say that than sell you something that does not work.

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Muyuy Great Wall

Muyanling Great Wall Alpine Slide

Tiananmen Square

National Museum of China

Temple of Heaven

Terracotta Army

Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

Drum and Bell Towers

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Chengdu Panda Base

People's Park Tea

Dujiangyan

Qingcheng Mountain

The Bund

Yu Garden & Old Town

Shanghai Museum

Boat Tour of Zhujiajiao

Former French Concession and Wukang Road

The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Muyuy Great Wall

04. Muyanling Great Wall Alpine Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

10. Drum and Bell Towers

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. People's Park Tea

14. Dujiangyan

15. Qingcheng Mountain

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. Boat Tour of Zhujiajiao

20. Former French Concession and Wukang Road

21. The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Muyuy Great Wall

04. Muyanling Great Wall Alpine Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

10. Drum and Bell Towers

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. People's Park Tea

14. Dujiangyan

15. Qingcheng Mountain

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

18. Shanghai Museum

19. Boat Tour of Zhujiajiao

20. Former French Concession and Wukang Road

21. The Bund and Huangpu River Ferry

01. Forbidden City

02. Jingshan Park

03. Muyuy Great Wall

04. Muyanling Great Wall Alpine Slide

05. Tiananmen Square

06. National Museum of China

07. Temple of Heaven

08. Terracotta Army

09. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

10. Drum and Bell Towers

11. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. People's Park Tea

14. Dujiangyan

15. Qingcheng Mountain

16. The Bund

17. Yu Garden & Old Town

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 6

Chengdu · Day 7 - Day 9

Jiuzhaigou · Day 10 - Day 13

Chongqing · Day 14 - Day 16

Yichang · Day 17

Shanghai · Day 18 - Day 21