Amara Johnson
April 10, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 11-day curated all-encompassing China tour whisks you across four of the nation’s most unmissable destinations: historic imperial capital Beijing, ancient wonder-studded Xi’an, otherworldly natural masterpiece Zhangjiajie, and buzzing modern metropolis Shanghai. Handpicked to highlight both China’s thousands of years of rich culture and its most breathtaking natural landscapes, this trip balances iconic must-see experiences with unbeatable value, backed by secure, trusted payment processes for a stress-free booking.
This 11-day journey kicks off in Beijing, China’s ancient imperial capital, where you soak up centuries of royal history and explore the country’s most famous landmarks before traveling west to Xi’an, home of the world-famous 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army. Next, you’ll head south to Zhangjiajie, where dramatic jagged quartz peaks, thrilling glass skywalks, and lush river valleys create an otherworldly natural escape. Finally, you’ll end your trip in dynamic, modern Shanghai, where you get to experience contemporary Chinese culture and cruise past the iconic skyline on the Huangpu River. This perfectly paced route blends every side of China into one unbeatable, unforgettable adventure.
🌟 Day 1: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at your convenience, check into your hotel 🏨, and take the rest of the day to settle in after your travels. Wander your neighborhood, try local street food, or rest up for the exciting days of exploration ahead.
🌟 Day 2: Beijing
Kick off your Beijing sightseeing with a 2-3 hour guided tour of expansive Tiananmen Square, followed by a full guided walk through the Forbidden City, the centuries-old royal palace complex that was once off-limits to all but emperors and their courts. Next, you’ll visit the stunning Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once held grand annual worship ceremonies. After a filling lunch 🍽️ of authentic local Chinese cuisine at a neighborhood restaurant, cap off your evening with a dazzling acrobatic performance at Beijing’s famous Red Theater.
🌟 Day 3: Beijing
Today is dedicated to the one and only Great Wall of China, with a full day exploring the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section. You’ll ride the included round-trip cable car up and down the wall, leaving you plenty of time to walk the ancient battlements and soak up sweeping mountain views. After your walk, gather with your group for a celebratory toast of red wine. On your way back to central Beijing, you’ll stop for photos at the iconic Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, then enjoy a leisurely 40-minute rickshaw ride through Beijing’s winding, historic Hutong alleyways. Lunch 🍽️ is included.
🌟 Day 4: Beijing → Xi'an
Before departing Beijing for Xi’an, you’ll visit the picturesque Summer Palace, the imperial garden retreat that blends rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and historic pavilions into one stunning landscape. A hearty breakfast 🍽️ and lunch 🍽️ of local Beijing specialties are included before you board your transport to Xi’an, where you’ll check in and settle in for the night 🏨.
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an
Discover Xi’an’s most iconic treasure today: the Terracotta Army. You’ll explore the ancient burial pits and the modern new exhibition hall, learning the 2,000-year history of this world-famous wonder, then stop at the home of Yang Zhifa, the local farmer who discovered the first terracotta warrior back in the 1970s. Get hands-on later at a terracotta crafting workshop, where you’ll mold and decorate your own miniature warrior to take home as a souvenir. End your day with a visit to the 7th-century Buddhist landmark Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Meals 🍽️ included today: breakfast, lunch, and a classic Xi’an dumpling dinner followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty music and dance.
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an → Zhangjiajie
Start your morning with a walk around Xi’an’s City Wall Park, where you can watch locals go about their daily routines. If you feel like joining in, you can participate in an optional traditional Tai Chi class led by a local instructor. Next, head to the top of Xi’an’s well-preserved ancient City Wall, where you can choose to walk or cycle along the full rampart. After exploring, enjoy a lunch 🍽️ of famous specialty dishes from Xi’an’s lively Muslim Quarter, including local favorites like sweet steamed rice. Breakfast 🍽️ is also included before you travel to Zhangjiajie for your next adventure.
🌟 Day 7: Zhangjiajie
Your Zhangjiajie exploration begins today with an eco-friendly shuttle ride to the famous Bailong Elevator, the world’s highest outdoor glass elevator. Ride the elevator up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where you’ll wander among the dramatic jagged peaks that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Don’t miss photos of the iconic Hallelujah Mountain and the stunning overlook at Enchanting Platform. After a full morning of exploring, sit down to a lunch 🍽️ of traditional regional dishes at a local mountain village restaurant. Breakfast 🍽️ is included to start your day.
🌟 Day 8: Zhangjiajie
Today you’ll explore two more of Zhangjiajie’s most incredible natural attractions. First, head to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where you’ll walk across the world-famous Yuntiandu Glass Bridge, a thrilling transparent walkway suspended hundreds of meters above the canyon floor. After that, enjoy a leisurely guided stroll along the tree-lined Golden Whip Stream valley, where you can breathe fresh cool air and take in stunning views of surrounding peaks. Breakfast 🍽️ and lunch 🍽️ are included today.
🌟 Day 9: Zhangjiajie → Shanghai
Before leaving Zhangjiajie for Shanghai, you’ll experience one last iconic natural attraction: Tianmen Mountain. Ride the world’s longest cableway all the way up to the mountain summit, then step out onto the vertiginous Glass Skywalk for unobstructed views of the mountain landscape below. Next, visit the breathtaking Tianmen Cave, a massive natural arch that gives the mountain its name, before descending to Tianmen Square for a final group photo. Breakfast 🍽️ is included today, after which you’ll travel to Shanghai and check into your hotel 🏨.
🌟 Day 10: Shanghai
Spend your full day exploring the best of dynamic Shanghai, 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 traditional classical gardens of Yu Garden, crossing the famous Nine Zigzag Bridge to reach the charming mid-lake pavilion. In the afternoon, stroll along the iconic Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront promenade, with free time to explore and shop at your own pace. Cap off your day with a relaxing one-hour cruise along the Huangpu River, where you can take in views of both the colonial-era Bund buildings and the modern Pudong skyline. Breakfast 🍽️ is included today.
🌟 Day 11: Shanghai
After breakfast 🍽️, your 11-day China adventure comes to an end. Check out of your hotel 🏨 and depart for the airport at your convenience, taking home endless memories of your trip through China’s history, nature, and modern culture.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 10, 2026
My husband and I booked this 11-day tour for our 10th anniversary trip, and it turned out to be the best vacation we’ve ever taken. Waking up early to watch the mist roll over Zhangjiajie’s quartz peaks was a moment I’ll never forget, and walking the ancient sections of the Great Wall outside Beijing left me completely awestruck. We loved trying different local foods in each city—from Shanghai soup dumplings to Xi’an’s famous hand-pulled noodles—and every meal recommendation from our guides was spot on. This itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors to China who want to see both iconic historical sites and otherworldly natural landscapes, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
February 19, 2026
This tour covers all the can’t-miss spots in China, from Shanghai’s sparkling skyline to Xi’an’s ancient Terracotta Warriors and the surreal pillar mountains of Zhangjiajie. All local guides were knowledgeable and all accommodations were clean and comfortable, with zero issues on the service side. We visited during the Lunar New Year holiday, which meant every major attraction was far more wonderful than we anticipated, making it hard to fully enjoy some stops. Even with the crowds, we still had an amazing time and would recommend this itinerary to anyone traveling outside of peak holiday windows.
October 2, 2025
Zhangjiajie was even more stunning than the photos I’d seen online, and I loved exploring Beijing’s Forbidden City and Shanghai’s tree-lined French Concession with friendly local guides. The 11-day pace was just right: never too rushed, but we still got to see every spot on the itinerary without feeling like we missed out.
January 18, 2025
Seeing the Great Wall, Terracotta Army, and Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly peaks all in one seamless trip was absolutely incredible.
December 5, 2024
Our consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip planned every detail of this tour perfectly, so we never had to stress about entrance tickets or accommodation. The itinerary balanced iconic city sights and jaw-dropping natural scenery perfectly, giving us a true taste of everything China has to offer.
