Mia Andersson
April 5, 2026
This 7-day fully private China tour delivers a well-rounded travel experience, combining the vibrant energy of modern Shanghai, the breathtaking natural beauty of Guilin’s scenic wonderlands, and a rich cultural stop in historic Xi’an. You’ll travel completely stress-free with your own dedicated private guide and driver, letting you explore at your own pace instead of sticking to rigid group tour schedules. Curated as a top-tier itinerary, this tour offers unbeatable value, transparent pricing, and secure trusted payment processes for a worry-free booking and journey.



This 7-day cross-country journey kicks off in vibrant Shanghai, where you'll soak up the city's one-of-a-kind blend of old-world local charm and cutting-edge modern energy. From Shanghai, you'll travel south to Guilin, China's most celebrated natural wonderland, cruising the legendary Li River to the postcard-perfect riverside town of Yangshuo. You'll wander quiet rural villages, take in stunning panoramic river views, then return to Guilin to explore its most iconic natural landmarks before your departure. The route perfectly balances China's most beloved highlights, giving you a complete taste of the country's modern life, natural beauty, and cultural heritage all in one seamless private trip.
Touch down at Shanghai's international airport and meet your private guide and driver, who will help you get smoothly checked into your central city hotel 🏨 after your journey. The rest of the day is completely free for you to unwind, grab your first taste of Shanghainese soup dumplings, or take a casual evening stroll to catch your first glimpse of the city's glittering skyline.
Start your day with a delicious local Chinese breakfast 🍽️, then set off to explore the best of old and new Shanghai. Wander the tree-lined, flower-draped streets of the historic French Concession, dotted with well-preserved colonial villas and cozy independent cafes. Next, you'll tour centuries-old Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese landscape garden filled with winding paths, ornate pavilions, and tranquil koi ponds. From there, you'll explore the nearby Old City God Temple (Chenghuangmiao), stroll bustling Shanghai Old Street lined with traditional craft shops and snack stalls, and peek into everyday local life as you walk through narrow, historic nongtang alleyways. You'll also stop by trendy Xintiandi Shopping District and the iconic Bund to see the famous waterfront skyline before ending your day.
After a leisurely morning breakfast 🍽️, your private driver will transfer you to Shanghai's airport for your short flight to Guilin. Once you land in Guilin, your local guide will meet you and help you get settled into your hotel 🏨. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax, or head out to try Guilin's famous rice noodles at a local family-run restaurant nearby.
Wake up to a tasty breakfast 🍽️ before heading to the Li River port to start your 5-hour scenic cruise down to Yangshuo. Sit back and soak in the postcard-perfect views of towering karst limestone peaks that rise straight from the green river banks, a landscape that has inspired Chinese painters and poets for thousands of years. Once you dock in Yangshuo, you'll wander through the cozy, laid-back riverside town, and end your day strolling along lively West Street, packed with craft shops, street food vendors, and open-air cafes.
Grab your breakfast 🍽️ then gear up for a fun, leisurely bicycle tour through Yangshuo's idyllic countryside. Pedal past rolling green rice paddies and jagged karst outcroppings, stopping to soak up slow rural life in the charming local villages of Yima, Chaolong, Jiuxian, and Dashi along the way. You'll end your ride with a quiet stop to take in the views of the crystal-clear Yulong River, which winds gently through the karst landscape far from the crowds of central Yangshuo.
After your morning breakfast 🍽️, you'll travel back from Yangshuo to Guilin to explore two of Guilin's most iconic natural landmarks. First, you'll tour the otherworldly Reed Flute Cave, where thousands of years of erosion have created incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, brought to life by dramatic colorful light displays. Next, head to Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's most famous natural symbol shaped like a drinking elephant, and climb to its summit for sweeping panoramic views of the Li River and surrounding city.
Your memorable 7-day China adventure wraps up today. After your final morning meal, your private driver will transfer you to Guilin's airport in plenty of time for your onward departure flight, leaving you with lasting photos and memories of your trip through China's most iconic destinations.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 5, 2026
The mix of modern culture, jaw-dropping natural beauty, and ancient history on this tour makes it such a well-rounded introduction to China. Every part of the experience was seamless and enjoyable, and we left already planning our next visit to explore more of the country.
September 22, 2025
My wife and I booked this tour for our 20th anniversary trip, and it exceeded every expectation we had. I loved getting to experience the vibrant modern energy of Shanghai one day, then cruise past Guilin’s stunning mountain scenery the next, then dive into thousands of years of history in Xi’an. Our guides were all incredibly thoughtful, bringing us to local spots for meals instead of just tourist traps, and the private car was always clean and comfortable. Every single detail, from entrance tickets to restaurant reservations, was handled ahead of time so we never had to stress about anything. This was easily the best organized international trip we’ve ever taken.
March 12, 2025
This 7-day private tour of China was absolutely perfect from start to finish.
February 1, 2025
We took this tour over Chinese New Year in early 2025, so nearly every site was far more wonderful than we anticipated, which is my only reason for not giving a full 5 stars. Our guides and driver were incredible, and the service was flawless from the moment we landed in Shanghai. The Li River cruise through Guilin’s karst mountains was even more breathtaking than I imagined, and our Xi’an guide taught us so much fascinating history about the Terracotta Warriors. It was still an unforgettable trip, but I’d advise avoiding peak holiday travel windows if you hate crowds like we do.
December 18, 2024
Our consultant Ethan from HelloChinaTrip arranged everything perfectly for our family of four, even adding an extra stop at a Shanghai art museum we wanted to visit. Our private guides in each city were friendly, knowledgeable, and great about adjusting the pace to suit our kids. The private driver meant we never had to navigate public transport or wait for shared groups, which made the trip so much more relaxing.