Clara Bennett
April 5, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 12-day bespoke private tour guides you across five of China’s most iconic destinations, starting from bustling Hong Kong and moving through cutting-edge Shanghai, history-rich Xi’an, jaw-dropping Zhangjiajie, before finishing at the legendary imperial capital Beijing. Curated to fit your unique travel preferences, this tour stands out for its carefully selected one-of-a-kind experiences, unbeatable competitive pricing, and secure, trusted payment processes that let you focus fully on enjoying your unforgettable cross-China adventure.
This 12-day private journey begins in the dynamic, cross-cultural hub of Hong Kong, moves east to the glitzy global metropolis of Shanghai, detours into the mist-shrouded karst peaks of Zhangjiajie for otherworldly natural scenery, steps back through millennia of Chinese history in ancient imperial capital Xi'an, and wraps up in the iconic capital Beijing. The route balances modern energy, thousand-year-old history, and unforgettable natural beauty, hitting all of China's top bucket-list spots while staying flexible to your travel preferences, turning your dream Chinese adventure into a seamless, personal experience.
Today is your arrival day in bustling Hong Kong! Settle into your hotel 🏨 after your flight, and take time to explore your neighborhood at your own pace. Whether you want to grab steamed dim sum from a local street stall or head to Victoria Harbour for a first glimpse of the city's iconic skyline, the day is yours to adjust to your new surroundings. No meals are included today, leaving you free to eat whatever catches your eye.
A delicious included breakfast 🍽️ fuels your second day exploring Hong Kong's unique blend of East and West. Wander at your own pace: hike up to Victoria Peak for panoramic skyline views, browse vintage stalls in Mong Kok, or visit one of the city's world-class art museums. End the day back at your comfortable 🏨, rested for your travels ahead.
Start your day with a hearty included breakfast 🍽️ before checking out of your Hong Kong hotel and heading to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai, check into your new accommodation 🏨, and get settled ahead of tomorrow's full day of sightseeing.
Breakfast 🍽️ kicks off your full day of exploring Shanghai's best mix of history and culture. First, dive into thousands of years of Chinese art and heritage at the Shanghai Museum, then wander the ornate traditional pavilions of Yu Garden, browsing handcrafted souvenirs and local snacks at the bustling Yuyuan Market next door. Next, you'll visit a local silk production workshop to learn how this iconic Chinese fabric is made, before ending the day strolling the tree-lined avenues of the Former French Concession, admiring its charming blend of colonial and Chinese architecture. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included, and you'll stay overnight at your Shanghai 🏨.
Fuel up with an included breakfast 🍽️ before checking out of your Shanghai hotel for your day of travel. First, you'll take a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the picture-perfect Xitang Ancient Town, where you'll glide along the town's winding water canals on a relaxing boat ride, with front-row views of centuries-old riverside architecture. After exploring the ancient water town, you'll continue on to Zhangjiajie and check into your 🏨 for the night. Only breakfast 🍽️ is included today, leaving you free to enjoy dinner at a local spot.
Start your day exploring Zhangjiajie's otherworldly karst landscape with an included breakfast 🍽️. You'll first wander the dramatic Wulinyuan Scenic Area, then ride the iconic Bailong Elevator up to the mist-shrouded Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Next, take a scenic cable car ride into the Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, where you'll get sweeping views of iconic formations like Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers and Imperial Brush Peak, plus see the spectacular First Bridge under the Sun, a natural stone bridge stretching across two jagged peaks. End your day with a leisurely walk along the stunning Ten-mile Gallery valley before heading back to your 🏨. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included today.
Breakfast 🍽️ is included to start your day of adventure and travel. First, you'll take a peaceful boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep karst peaks rising straight from the water. Then, you'll ride the famous 7,455-meter Tianmen Mountain cable car, a 30-minute scenic journey that takes you high above forested peaks to one of Zhangjiajie's most iconic viewpoints. After exploring, you'll head to the airport for your flight to Xi'an, where you'll check into your 🏨 for the night. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included today.
Wake up to an included breakfast 🍽️ before heading out to explore Xi'an, China's ancient imperial capital. Your first stop is the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, where you'll marvel at thousands of life-sized clay warriors built to guard the first emperor of China in the afterlife. After that, wander the bustling, flavor-packed lanes of Xi'an's Muslim Street, where you can sample local street snacks and browse handmade crafts, before a visit to the historic Drum Tower in the heart of the old city. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included, and you'll stay overnight in your Xi'an 🏨.
Start your day with an included breakfast 🍽️ before a unique cultural experience: a 1-hour Tai Chi session led by a skilled local master, where you can learn the basics of this gentle, ancient martial art. After your session, rent a bike and cycle along the top of Xi'an's well-preserved Ancient City Wall, getting panoramic views of the city as you go. Then, you'll head to the airport for your flight to Beijing, check into your 🏨 and settle in for your final few days of adventure. Only breakfast 🍽️ is included today.
A filling breakfast 🍽️ gets you ready for a day exploring Beijing's most iconic imperial landmarks. First, you'll visit sprawling Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before stepping into the Forbidden City, the ancient home of Chinese emperors for hundreds of years, to explore its palaces, gardens and historic halls. Next, you'll head to the scenic Summer Palace, where you can wander its lakeside paths, explore ancient temples, pavilions, stone bridges and traditional theaters. End your day with a fun stop at a local pearl store, where you can design your own custom piece of pearl jewelry to take home as a souvenir. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included, and you'll stay overnight in your Beijing 🏨.
Fuel up with an included breakfast 🍽️ for a day of historic sightseeing. First, you'll visit the stunning Temple of Heaven, an imperial sacrificial temple where ancient emperors prayed for good harvests, with beautiful traditional architecture and peaceful park grounds. After that, you'll head out to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, where you'll explore 1.4 miles of the well-preserved wall, passing 22 historic blockhouses and watchtowers as you walk, with incredible views of the wall winding over misty hills. Breakfast and lunch 🍽️ are included, and you'll return to your Beijing 🏨 for the night.
Today is your departure day from Beijing! Start your day with an included breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel 🏨, before checking out in time for your flight home or onward adventure.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 5, 2026
All the hotels we stayed at were clean, centrally located, and matched exactly what we asked for when we outlined our budget for the bespoke tour. Transfers between cities went off without a hitch, and our guides always showed up on time and ready to go. We left with incredible memories and already can’t wait to come back to explore more of China.
February 14, 2026
I’d recommend this bespoke private tour to anyone who wants to see China’s best spots without the stress of planning everything yourself.
October 19, 2025
Lynn from HelloChinaTrip customized this itinerary perfectly for our family of four, accommodating our kids’ shorter energy levels for long walking days. Every guide was great with the kids, and we all left the trip with a new appreciation for Chinese history and incredible natural scenery.
August 30, 2025
Starting in Hong Kong and ending in Beijing, this route flows so much better than the pre-made itineraries I looked at online before booking. I was blown away by Zhangjiajie’s dramatic rock formations—our guide even adjusted our hike to be slower so I could take all the photos I wanted, which was such a nice perk of the private tour. Xi’an’s Terracotta Warrior tour was fascinating, our guide there shared so many little-known historical facts that made the experience way more interesting than just wandering around on my own. This trip is worth every penny for anyone who wants a personalized, stress-free way to see China’s top destinations.
May 22, 2025
The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is that we visited during national holiday week, so every major site was far more wonderful than we expected. Aside from that, every part of the tour was perfectly organized, our guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and private car transfers meant we never had to hassle with public transit or shared shuttles. We got to see everything from the Terracotta Warriors to the Great Wall, and the bespoke itinerary let us swap a shopping stop in Shanghai for a visit to the Shanghai Museum which we loved. I’d absolutely book this trip again just outside of peak Chinese holiday seasons!
March 12, 2025
This private tour was easily the best trip my partner and I have ever taken.
December 18, 2024
Every stop on this itinerary was perfectly balanced between iconic sights and free time to explore on our own. Our guide in Zhangjiajie knew all the quiet viewpoints that let us get amazing photos without crowds blocking the way. We couldn't have asked for a smoother 12 days.
