Noah Thompson
February 28, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Experience the full diversity of China across this 11-day curated tour, visiting four of the country’s most iconic destinations: historic capital Beijing, ancient cultural hub Xi’an, jaw-dropping natural wonder Zhangjiajie, and dynamic modern metropolis Shanghai. This all-encompassing itinerary features hand-picked top attractions to showcase both China’s rich history and stunning natural scenery, is offered at an unbeatable price point, and backed by trusted, secure payment processes for a smooth, stress-free booking experience.
This 11-day curated journey starts in Beijing, China’s imperial capital, where you’ll explore iconic royal landmarks and the Great Wall before traveling west to Xi’an, the ancient Silk Road starting point home to the legendary Terracotta Army. From Xi’an you’ll head south to Zhangjiajie, where dramatic karst peaks create an otherworldly landscape straight out of a fantasy film, before finishing your adventure in vibrant Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis. The route is carefully designed to showcase every side of China, from ancient traditions to stunning natural beauty to 21st-century innovation, giving you a complete introduction to this one-of-a-kind country.
🌟 Day 1: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing today, where you’ll meet your tour group and get settled into your accommodation. Take the rest of the day to acclimate to your new surroundings and rest up for 10 days of exciting exploration ahead. 🏨 Overnight accommodation in Beijing included.
🌟 Day 2: Beijing
Kick off your first full day of sightseeing with a 2–3 hour guided tour of sprawling Tiananmen Square, where you’ll learn about the site’s deep cultural and historical significance. Next, step inside the Forbidden City, the former private residence of Chinese emperors, to wander its ornate palaces and hidden courtyards. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, the site of imperial worship ceremonies for hundreds of years, before wrapping up the day with a thrilling acrobatic performance at Beijing’s iconic Red Theater. 🍽️ Authentic local Chinese lunch included.
🌟 Day 3: Beijing
Today you’ll check the world-famous Great Wall of China off your bucket list at the beautifully preserved, less crowded Mutianyu section. Round-trip cable car access is included to take you straight to the wall with no strenuous climbing required. After your scenic walk along the ancient fortifications, join your group for a celebratory toast of red wine to mark the occasion. On your way back to the city, stop for photos at the iconic Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, then take a charming 40-minute rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic Hutong alleyways. 🍽️ Lunch included.
🌟 Day 4: Beijing → Xi'an
Before departing Beijing for Xi’an, squeeze in one more iconic stop: a visit to the Summer Palace, the Qing Dynasty’s stunning lakeside imperial retreat full of historic pavilions and manicured gardens. After exploring, you’ll travel to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, and settle in for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast and a lunch of local Beijing specialties included.
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an
Dedicate the day to exploring Xi’an’s most famous wonder: the Terracotta Army. Walk the massive excavation pits and explore the brand-new on-site exhibition hall with your guide, then visit the home of Yang Zhifa, the local farmer who first discovered the warriors in the 1970s. Get hands-on at a traditional Terracotta Warrior crafting workshop, where you’ll make your own miniature warrior to take home as a souvenir. End the day with a visit to the 1,300-year-old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist landmark. 🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, and a classic Xi’an dumpling dinner (followed by a performance of traditional Tang Dynasty music and dance) included.
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an → Zhangjiajie
Start your morning with a leisurely stroll through Xi’an’s City Wall Park, where you can watch locals go about their daily morning routines. Join a traditional Tai Chi class led by a local instructor if you’d like—participation is completely optional. Next, climb up to Xi’an’s perfectly preserved ancient city wall, where you can choose to walk or cycle along the top for panoramic views of the city. After lunch, you’ll depart for Zhangjiajie, your next stop for incredible natural scenery. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch of regional specialties at a Muslim Quarter restaurant included.
🌟 Day 7: Zhangjiajie
Kick off your first full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest with an eco-friendly shuttle ride to the iconic Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, which will carry you up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Wander through the otherworldly landscape of towering karst peaks, stopping at the famous Hallelujah Mountain (the inspiration for Avatar’s floating mountains) and the stunning Enchanting Platform overlook. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch of traditional regional Hunan dishes at a mountain village restaurant included.
🌟 Day 8: Zhangjiajie
Head to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon today, where you’ll walk across the famous Yuntiandu Glass Bridge— the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge—for heart-stopping panoramic views of the canyon below. After your bridge experience, enjoy a peaceful guided walk along Golden Whip Stream, a lush green valley lined with steep cliffs and crystal-clear running water. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included.
🌟 Day 9: Zhangjiajie → Shanghai
Before departing Zhangjiajie for Shanghai, explore the breathtaking Tianmen Mountain. Ride the world’s longest passenger cableway up to the mountain summit, then walk along the vertigo-inducing Glass Skywalk clinging to the cliffside for unbeatable views. Next, visit the massive natural Tianmen Cave (also called Heaven’s Gate), before descending to Tianmen Square for a final group photo. After your morning of adventure, you’ll travel to Shanghai and settle in for your final days of the tour. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
🌟 Day 10: Shanghai
Explore the best of Shanghai today, starting with a visit to the world-class Shanghai Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese art and artifacts in the country. Next, wander through the 400-year-old classical Yu Garden, crossing the famous Nine Zigzag Bridge to visit the charming mid-lake pavilion. In the afternoon, stroll along the iconic Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront lined with historic architecture and unbeatable views of the Pudong skyline, with free time to explore at your own pace. Wrap up the day with a scenic one-hour Huangpu River cruise to see the city lights twinkle from the water. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
🌟 Day 11: Shanghai
After breakfast this morning, your unforgettable 11-day China tour comes to an end. You’ll be transferred to the airport or your next destination in Shanghai, with endless memories and unique souvenirs to take home. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
February 28, 2026
Zhangjiajie was even more breathtaking than all the photos I’d seen online, and seeing the Terracotta Warriors in person was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was so cool to see how different each city was, from Shanghai’s futuristic skyline to Beijing’s ancient imperial palaces. This tour really does deliver on its promise to show off the full diversity of China.
January 20, 2026
We visited during the Chinese New Year holiday, so most popular sites were far more wonderful than we expected. The Great Wall in Beijing and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an were both packed, which made it hard to take everything in at our own pace. That said, every other part of the tour was incredible, and the sights we saw were more than worth the trip. I’d still recommend this tour, just try to book outside of major Chinese holiday windows if you can.
November 5, 2025
I went on this tour with my adult daughter, and we both had an amazing time from start to finish. We never felt rushed between destinations, and the order of the cities made the whole trip flow really smoothly. We got plenty of free time to wander around and grab local snacks on our own between guided visits, which we really appreciated. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without all the stress of planning every detail yourself.
September 18, 2025
Every destination on this tour was incredible, and I left already planning my next trip back to China.
April 10, 2025
Our consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped us adjust a few small itinerary details before our tour started, and she was helpful and responsive the whole time. Every stop was well thought out: we got enough time to explore Shanghai’s bustling riverfront, walk the Great Wall, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, and hike Zhangjiajie’s forests without feeling rushed. The tour gave us the perfect mix of iconic sites and unexpected hidden gems we never would have planned on our own. This is the most well-organized international tour I’ve ever joined.
March 12, 2025
This 11-day China tour was absolutely the best vacation I’ve ever taken.
December 18, 2024
The mix of modern cities, ancient history, and dramatic natural scenery was perfectly balanced. I’ll never forget standing on Zhangjiajie’s glass bridge looking out over those otherworldly stone peaks. If you’re on the fence about booking this tour, don’t hesitate.
