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Overview
Departing from Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei and Nantou Ancient City, take the high-speed train to Foshan to explore Lingnan Tiandi, then continue to Guangzhou to see Zhujiang New Town. Next, fly to Hangzhou for a two-night stay, with daytime activities arranged separately based on your interests. Finally, take the high-speed train to Shanghai to experience the different pacing of life between the Bund, Yu Garden, and the city’s urban districts. The guided tours in Shenzhen and Shanghai will be accompanied by local guides, while optional activities in Hangzhou are quoted separately.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Please share your travel dates, number of companions, and main interests. We’ll check hotel availability, intercity schedules, and optional experiences, then provide a written itinerary and quote.
Why you'll love this trip
- From Huaqiangbei and Nantou Ancient Town to the Lingnan alleyways and the Bund; sightseeing days in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Shanghai come with an English-speaking guide.
- From Shenzhen's electronics markets to Shanghai's old-city gardens, 11 days across the Pearl River and Yangtze River Deltas.
- Book self-driving taxis in Shenzhen by date and experience them along actual operational routes; specific services are subject to confirmation by the operator.
- Stroll through Huaqiangbei with a tour guide, moving from electronic component counters to shelves of prototypes and finished goods, to see how the market works.
- Take a walk in the afternoon, heading straight into the ancient city walls that encircle the delta's newest city — at the same hour, in step together.
- End your day in the lanes of Foshan’s Lingnan Tiandi, where grey brick glows warmly under the night lights.
- At night, stand shoulder to shoulder with your guide on The Bund: behind you, a row of century-old buildings; across the river, a skyline of skyscrapers.
- Visit the matchmaking corner in People's Park to see how parents openly share details about their children and exchange introductions.
- The first three nights are in Shenzhen, the last three in Shanghai; staying at each destination for three consecutive nights minimizes hotel changes.
Things to do
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Tech
Self-driving
City
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City
City
Skyline
Art
Local Life
Heritage
Riverfront
Route
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Arrivals
Shenzhen · Day 1 - Day 3
· Arrive in Shenzhen and behold a newly minted metropolis
Nothing scheduled today except getting you settled. The clock this trip is about starts outside the car window.
· The market and the machine
First, visit Huaqiangbei's electronics component market, then experience autonomous driving taxis in the city.
· The plan, then the town it went around
The city explains itself in the morning; in the afternoon you walk the part it did not replace.
高铁
Foshan · Day 4
· Travel to Foshan by high-speed rail
Spend the morning at your leisure in Shenzhen before boarding a high-speed train to Foshan. In the evening, stroll through the Lingnan Tiandi cultural district.
Chartered Vehicle
Guangzhou · Day 5
· Morning in Foshan, followed by a transfer to Guangzhou
In the morning, you can arrange a Foshan experience according to your departure date, then travel by car to Guangzhou. Specific activities are quoted separately.
Flight
Hangzhou · Day 6 - Day 7
· The new center, then a flight north
In the morning, take a walking tour of Guangzhou's Zhujiang New Town, then head to Hangzhou in time for your confirmed flight.
· A Day in Hangzhou
Today is reserved for Hangzhou. Daytime sightseeing can be arranged separately according to your interests; specific details and costs will be confirmed in writing before payment.
高铁
Shanghai · Day 8 - Day 11
· Out of the lake city, into the port city
Spend the morning in Hangzhou, where you can arrange optional activities; in the afternoon, travel to Shanghai by high-speed rail.
· Height, art, and other people's arrangements
A city read from above, then at eye level, then from a park bench.
· A garden, then the two banks
In the morning, explore Yu Garden and the Old City; in the evening, enjoy the views of both banks of the Huangpu River from the Bund.
· Departure from Shanghai
After breakfast at the hotel, head to the airport in accordance with your flight schedule.
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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden 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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
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.
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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden 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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
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.
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.
Foshan
Ramada Foshan Hotel
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
Foshan
InterContinental Foshan
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Foshan
Foshan Silver Garden 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.
Foshan
Foshan Nanhai Xin Hu Hotel
Shenzhen
Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen
Located in Futian CBD, close to major landmarks and metro lines. Featuring 500+ elegant rooms and suites with exclusive Horizon Club services.
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.
Hangzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Nestled in the northwest corner of West Lake along Lingyin Road, the residence embraces the lake, while its garden overlooks the mountains.
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.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Also the road transfer from Foshan to Guangzhou on day five, your arrival transfer in Shenzhen on day one and your airport transfer in Shanghai on day eleven
- Intercity travelThe high-speed rail from Shenzhen to Foshan, the domestic flight from Guangzhou to Hangzhou, and the high-speed rail from Hangzhou to Shanghai are all included in the base price. Specific train numbers, flights, and seating classes will be stated in writing in the quotation.
- Hotels10 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included
- Meals10 hotel breakfasts, one each morning from day two to day eleven
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on all touring days in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai, including the evening visit to the Bund
- Tickets and experiencesAdmission to the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition · Shekou and Nantou Ancient City · Pedestrian tour of Huaqiangbei · One ride in an autonomous taxi (subject to confirmation of time slots by the operator) · Lingnan Tiandi · Haixinsha and Zhujiang New Town · Observation Deck of Shanghai Tower · Yu Garden and Old Town · Views of the Bund at night · One art venue in Shanghai · Matchmaking Corner of People's Park
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- International flightsYour flights into Shenzhen and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and processing, for guests who need a Chinese visa
- MealsAll lunches and dinners: your guide recommends and books around your taste each day, on your account
- Hangzhou daytime programThe optional Hangzhou tour on Day 7 and the morning of Day 8 is not included in the base price, which covers guides, transportation, tickets, and experiences; however, two nights of accommodation and breakfast in Hangzhou are included.
- Foshan experiencesThe old mansion morning tea, Wing Chun kung fu lesson, and lion dance performance are not included in the base price; they can be arranged separately upon request based on departure date, with specific times subject to supplier confirmation.
- Guangzhou car factory visitNot included in the base price. Arrangements and specific availability dates can be requested separately based on your travel date, subject to factory confirmation.
- Meetings with local practitionersThis route does not promise arranged conversations with local practitioners in any of the five cities
- Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
- PersonalGratuities, single supplement, personal spending and anything not named above
Special Notes
Hotel, transportation schedules, and optional activities are confirmed according to travel dates.
- Confirmed by Date — This route is bookable. Specific schedules and seat classes for the Hangzhou daytime activities, the Guangzhou car factory tour, and intercity transport must be confirmed based on your departure date; unconfirmed items are not treated as finalized arrangements. Quotes and final itineraries will be sent for your review before payment.
- The two Hangzhou days — The two-night hotel stay with breakfast is included in the base price; daytime excursions on Day 7 and the morning of Day 8 are not included and can be arranged separately based on your interests with a quote provided. The specific activities, guides, and vehicles are subject to the written itinerary confirmed before payment.
- Guangzhou to Hangzhou flight — Please check flight times based on your departure date. The specific flight from Guangzhou to Hangzhou on day 6 and the sightseeing itinerary for that day will be confirmed in the written itinerary provided before payment.
- Robotaxi — Self-driving taxi experiences must be booked with the operator by date. If operations are suspended on the day, we will confirm an alternative sightseeing arrangement and how any costs will be handled.
- The three Foshan experiences — Arrangements for the morning tea at the ancestral house, Wing Chun lessons, and lion dance performances on Day 5's departure date are available upon request and are not included in the base price. Specific activities and time slots are subject to the provider's confirmation.
- Guangzhou car factory — Factory visits can be arranged by quoting based on the departure date of Day 6 and are not included in the base price. Specific opening dates and bookable time slots are subject to confirmation by the factory.
- The Shanghai art venue — Specific names and admission arrangements for Shanghai art venues are subject to confirmation in your written order.
- National holiday week — For travel during public holidays, please verify venue availability, transportation, and crowd levels in advance. Specific arrangements are subject to the written itinerary.
- Departure dates and the visa window — Entry and visa-exemption requirements depend on the traveler's passport, mode of entry, number of days staying, and travel dates; please verify official policies before booking and before departure.
- Hotels and venues — named in your confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Eleven Days Your Length?
Fewer than 11 days?
Fewer than 11 days?
The two ends of this route stand on their own: Shenzhen with the delta, or Shanghai with the lake city. Tell us your dates and which end interests you more, and we shape backward from that.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private tours can be booked with as few as 1 guest; the final group size and vehicle arrangements will be confirmed with your booking.
- Departure & Arrival Cities
- Shenzhen in, Shanghai out; you do not return to the entry city. Arrival transfer and departure airport transfer both included
- Visas
- Please verify official visa and visa-exemption policies based on your passport, entry method, number of stay days, and travel dates; this route can be arranged per booking.
- Language
- English-speaking licensed guides in Shenzhen, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shanghai
- Intercity travel
- The base fare includes two high-speed rail segments and one domestic flight; specific train and flight numbers, as well as cabin class, are subject to the written quote.
- Payment
- Deposit, balance, modification, and refund terms are subject to the written quote and order terms.
- Flexibility
- When changing your itinerary, please reconfirm your flights, high-speed train, and hotel reservations; modification and refund terms are subject to your written booking confirmation.
- On the Bund
- Stroll along the Bund to take in historic architecture and the skyline of Pudong; specific sightseeing times will be confirmed upon your arrival in Shanghai.
- Season
- October to December in the delta is mild and dry, Shanghai and Hangzhou turn cold in December; outdoor walking sits in the warmer part of each day
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.
Not yet, and we would rather say so. Four items are still open: the Hangzhou ground partner, the Guangzhou to Hangzhou flight timing, the car factory visitor date and the cabin class for the three intercity legs. Until all four are closed we take no order and no deposit. Talk to us now and we will tell you where each one stands and when we expect it to close.
The two nights and both breakfasts are in the price; the daytime program is not, because no ground partner is in place there yet. We are doing one of two things: placing that partner and writing the two days in, or shortening the route and moving those days to Shanghai. Either way you see the final version in writing before you pay, and we do not describe those hours on this page until they are real.
It is a booked ride on a live commercial route, reserved by date in advance and reconfirmed on the ground. What we cannot promise is the operator's service on any given day: suspensions are their call to make, not ours. If your date is affected, your guide extends the Huaqiangbei walk instead, at no extra charge. That building is where most of the day's understanding comes from anyway.
Two reasons, both practical. There is no direct air service from the US into Shenzhen, which is where this route starts. And this is an 11-day plan, which is longer than the stay allowed by the visa-free transit policy US passports would otherwise use. Entering through Hong Kong and crossing the land border is not an approved selling route for this product, so we do not offer it. Whether to open the route to US guests holding a Chinese visa is under review, and we will say so here when it is decided.
No, and it is worth saying plainly. This route holds no Great Wall, no Terracotta Warriors and no pandas; it spends its eleven days on two river deltas and on how this country runs its oldest and its newest ground side by side. If the classic first-visit list is what you want, tell us and we will point you at the route built for it.
