Explore all of China’s must-see iconic destinations on this thoughtfully curated 15-day tour, which takes you through five of the country’s most unmissable spots: imperial Beijing, ancient Xi’an, giant panda hub Chengdu, historic Nanjing, and dynamic modern Shanghai. Designed to give first-time visitors the perfect well-rounded introduction to China, this carefully selected itinerary delivers great value with the best available price and secure, trusted payment options that make booking your dream trip simple and stress-free.
This thoughtfully curated 15-day journey starts in the imperial heart of Beijing, where you’ll dive into thousands of years of Chinese imperial history before heading out to walk the legendary Great Wall. From Beijing, you’ll move west to Xi’an to uncover the world-famous Terracotta Army, then south to Sichuan to meet giant pandas, hike sacred Mount Emei, and admire the massive Leshan Giant Buddha. Next, you’ll unwind among dramatic karst peaks in Yangshuo with a leisurely Li River bamboo raft ride, before wrapping up your adventure in the sparkling modern metropolis of Shanghai. The route balances iconic sights with local experiences for the ultimate immersive introduction to China.
Today you’ll arrive in Beijing and meet your chief experience officer and fellow tour group members. After getting sorted, we’ll take a gentle orientation stroll around the local area to help you get your bearings before a relaxing first night in the city. 🏨 Stay at Dongfang Hotel Beijing
Dive into Beijing’s most iconic imperial sights today: we’ll start by exploring sprawling Tiananmen Square, the political heart of modern China, then step inside the Forbidden City, the centuries-old walled palace complex where China’s emperors ruled for hundreds of years. You’ll wander through ornate courtyards and historic halls as your guide shares fascinating stories of imperial life. 🏨 Stay at Dongfang Hotel Beijing
Leave Beijing’s busy city streets behind for a full day exploring one of the world’s greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China. We’ll visit the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section, where you can walk along ancient stone ramparts framed by forested mountains, take in sweeping views, and explore at your own pace. We’ll return to Beijing for the night after our day out. 🏨 Stay at Dongfang Hotel Beijing
After traveling from Beijing to ancient imperial capital Xi’an, we’ll settle in with a casual orientation walk to get to know our new surroundings. The highlight of today is a visit to vibrant Muslim Quarter, a historic bustling neighborhood packed with street food stalls, traditional shops, and lively local culture. 🏨 Stay at HNA Hotel Xi'an
Today we visit Xi’an’s most famous attraction: the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors, an incredible archaeological site filled with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers built to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. We’ll explore the site with a knowledgeable guide who’ll bring this ancient wonder to life, then sit down for a warm, authentic meal at a local family home. 🍽️ Included: Local family lunch 🏨 Stay at HNA Hotel Xi'an
We travel from Xi’an to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province, today. After arriving, we’ll take a gentle orientation walk to help you settle in, then gather as a group for a classic Sichuan dining experience: a flavorful, shared hotpot dinner that’s one of China’s most beloved meals. 🍽️ Included: Group hotpot dinner 🏨 Stay at Celebrity Ruicheng Hotel (Rongcheng Hotel)
Get ready to meet China’s most famous residents today: we’ll visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center, where you can watch fluffy giant pandas munch bamboo and play in their spacious, natural enclosures. After visiting the pandas, we’ll explore central Chengdu’s most popular spots: leafy, laid-back People’s Park and bustling Tianfu Square. 🏨 Stay at Celebrity Ruicheng Hotel (Rongcheng Hotel)
Leave Chengdu behind and head to the Mount Emei scenic area today, stopping along the way to visit the incredible Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved into a cliffside overlooking a river confluence, this 71-meter-tall stone Buddha is the largest in the world, and we’ll have plenty of time to explore the site and learn about its long history. 🏨 Stay at Chanlin Inn
Spend the full day hiking the scenic trails around sacred Mount Emei, one of China’s four great Buddhist mountains. Wander through misty ancient forests, pass hidden hilltop temples, and stop to take in sweeping panoramic views of the mountain landscape at your own pace. 🏨 Stay at Chanlin Inn
Today we travel to Yangshuo, the postcard-perfect riverside town famous for its dramatic karst mountain peaks. After arriving, we’ll take a leisurely orientation walk around town to help you get your bearings, so you can spot your favorite local spots ahead of tomorrow’s exploration. 🏨 Stay at Zhangtai Heju Hotel, Ubud Town Yangshuo
Experience the best of Yangshuo’s natural beauty today with a peaceful bamboo raft ride down the Li River’s famous Xingping section. Glide past towering limestone karsts and lush green riverbanks that have inspired Chinese artists for centuries, then stop for a delicious local lunch at Jia Community Restaurant. 🍽️ Included: Lunch at Jia Community Restaurant 🏨 Stay at Zhangtai Heju Hotel, Ubud Town Yangshuo
Today is unstructured free time for you to enjoy Yangshuo however you’d like! Rent a bike to cycle through rural rice villages, try rock climbing on the karsts, sample local street food, or just relax at your hotel with a view of the mountains. 🏨 Stay at Zhangtai Heju Hotel, Ubud Town Yangshuo
We leave scenic Yangshuo and travel to Shanghai, China’s most dynamic and modern metropolis, today. After checking in to your hotel, we’ll take an orientation walk around the city center, then head to the iconic Bund to see the glowing historic waterfront skyline at dusk. 🏨 Stay at Zhen Yue Hotel Shanghai
Today we visit the world-renowned Shanghai Museum, home to one of the finest collections of ancient Chinese art and cultural relics in the country. Explore thousands of years of Chinese history through bronze artifacts, calligraphy, porcelain, and more at your own pace. 🏨 Stay at Zhen Yue Hotel Shanghai
Today marks the end of your 15-day China adventure! After checking out of your hotel, you’ll depart for your next destination, carrying unforgettable memories of your trip across China.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 21, 2026
The 15-day pace was perfect for seeing five different cities without feeling too hectic. I particularly loved the contrast between modern Shanghai and imperial Beijing, it gave me such a well-rounded view of the country.
February 14, 2026
Every part of this trip was seamless and absolutely unforgettable.
November 8, 2025
Seeing all five of these incredible cities in one trip was such a privilege. Every logistical detail from inter-city transport to hotel bookings was taken care of, so I could just focus on enjoying the sights. I will absolutely recommend this tour to all my friends who want to visit China.
October 3, 2025
My consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust a few small parts of the itinerary before I left, and she was so helpful the whole time. All five cities we visited were incredible, and I left already planning my next trip back to China.
July 19, 2025
I came on this tour as a solo traveler and felt completely comfortable the entire time. Each city brought something new: Shanghai's incredible skyline, Beijing's Forbidden City, Xi'an's ancient warriors, Nanjing's rich history, and Chengdu's cozy vibe and amazing pandas. The itinerary was thoughtfully balanced, with just enough free time to explore on your own between group activities. This is honestly the best way to see all of China's top highlights if it's your first visit.
May 2, 2025
I loved seeing all the iconic spots on this tour, from Shanghai's Bund to Chengdu's giant panda base. My only issue was that we traveled during peak Golden Week, so most major sites were far more wonderful than I anticipated. The itinerary itself was still really well put together.
March 12, 2025
This 15-day China highlights tour exceeded every expectation I had.
January 20, 2025
This curated tour really does hit all the must-sees, there wasn't a single stop that felt like a waste of time. I learned so much about Chinese history from our local guides in each city, especially when we walked around Nanjing's ancient city walls and Xi'an's historical sites. Chengdu's panda base stop was the perfect relaxed break between all the historical sightseeing. I'd recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without the stress of planning everything themselves.
December 30, 2024
I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to China.
December 18, 2024
Visiting the Great Wall outside Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi'an was surreal. Every stop was perfectly timed so we never felt rushed between cities.
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