Isla Thompson
April 8, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Curated by National Geographic Journeys, this 10-day "Pandas and the Peaks of Zhangjiajie" tour takes you through six of China’s most iconic destinations: Chengdu’s beloved giant panda habitats, misty Zhangjiajie’s dramatic peaks, ancient Xi’an, the breathtaking landscapes of Tibet, cosmopolitan Shanghai, and vibrant Hong Kong. This carefully handpicked itinerary delivers exceptional top-tier experiences, paired with unbeatable pricing and secure, trusted payment processing, making it a seamless, unforgettable way to explore China’s stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage.
This expertly curated 10-day journey kicks off in dynamic, cosmopolitan Shanghai, before venturing into the mist-shrouded, otherworldly karst peaks of Zhangjiajie for two full days of jaw-dropping natural exploration. Next, you’ll travel to panda paradise Chengdu for intimate encounters with China’s most beloved animal, then continue to the postcard-perfect river landscapes of Yangshuo for a mix of tranquil outdoor adventure and traditional cultural experiences, before wrapping up your adventure amid the dazzling skyline and vibrant energy of Hong Kong. The route balances iconic natural wonders, deep cultural dives, and modern city highlights to showcase the very best of China’s unique, diverse appeal.
Kick off your China adventure with a warm welcome moment, where you’ll meet your expert expedition leader and fellow travel companions after arriving in Shanghai. Once you’ve gotten settled, you’ll stroll along the iconic Bund, where you can admire historic Art Deco waterfront buildings and gaze across the Huangpu River at Pudong’s futuristic skyline. End your first day settled comfortably in the heart of the city. 🏨 Central Hotel Shanghai
After a filling morning breakfast to fuel your travels, you’ll fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, the gateway to China’s most famous mountain karst region. Once you arrive, take a gentle orientation walk to get familiar with the town, pick up any last-minute supplies, and acclimate to the mountain air before your big exploration days. A group dinner is included this evening, followed by a comfortable night’s stay. 🍽️ Breakfast & Dinner included | 🏨 Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel
Spend the day exploring the dramatic, otherworldly landscape of Wulingyuan National Forest Park, a UNESCO-listed site famous for its thousands of towering quartzite peaks often shrouded in wispy mist. Your highlight for the day is a ride on the iconic Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, which climbs 326 meters up a sheer cliff face to give you unbeatable panoramic views of the entire park. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel
Your second full day of mountain adventure takes you to stunning Tianmen Shan Mountain National Park. Glide up to the summit on one of the world’s longest cable car rides, with sweeping views of forested slopes unfolding below you as you climb. At the top, you’ll walk across the famous cliffside glass bridge, where transparent panels give you vertiginous, unforgettable views of the valley thousands of feet below. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Sunshine Hotel Zhangjiajie
After breakfast, you’ll travel from Zhangjiajie to Chengdu, the laid-back, food-loving capital of Sichuan province. Once you check into your hotel, take a leisurely stroll through the iconic People’s Park, where you can watch locals play mahjong, drink jasmine tea, and go about their daily routine to get a true taste of local Chengdu culture. In the evening, enjoy a classic Sichuan feast: a bubbling, family-style hot pot dinner packed with bold, spicy flavors. 🍽️ Breakfast & Sichuan hot pot dinner included | 🏨 Tibet Hotel Chengdu
Today brings your much-anticipated visit to the world-famous Giant Panda Conservation and Research Centre, the leading global facility for panda conservation and breeding. Wander through lush, natural enclosures to watch giant pandas munch on fresh bamboo, play, and nap, getting an up-close look at China’s most beloved iconic animal. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Tibet Hotel Chengdu
After a morning breakfast, you’ll travel from Chengdu to Yangshuo, the postcard-perfect riverside town famous for its rolling karst peaks and crystal-clear waterways. Once you arrive, take a gentle orientation walk around the town to get your bearings, browse local street-side shops, and soak in Yangshuo’s laid-back, laid-back riverside vibe. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel
Spend today enjoying a perfect mix of outdoor relaxation and cultural tradition in Yangshuo. Start with a leisurely bamboo raft ride along the iconic Li River, drifting slowly past dramatic karst peaks that rise straight from the water — views that have inspired Chinese painters for centuries. After your raft ride, enjoy a delicious lunch of local traditional flavors at Jia Community Restaurant. In the afternoon, head to Qixianfeng Tea Plantation for a guided tour of lush, green tea fields, followed by a traditional tea ceremony where you’ll learn to taste and appreciate local tea varieties. 🍽️ Breakfast & Lunch included | 🏨 Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel
After breakfast this morning, you’ll travel from Yangshuo to iconic Hong Kong, a bustling dynamic metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures blend seamlessly. Once you check into your hotel, enjoy a classic Cantonese dinner of yum cha, featuring freshly steamed dumplings, savory buns, and beloved local dim sum specialties. In the evening, head to Victoria Harbour to watch the world-famous Symphony of Lights, a dazzling synchronized light and sound show that illuminates Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. 🍽️ Breakfast & Dim sum dinner included | 🏨 Metropark Hotel Kowloon
Your 10-day China adventure comes to a close today. After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you’ll prepare for your onward departure, taking home memories of dramatic peaks, adorable pandas, and unforgettable cultural experiences. 🍽️ Breakfast included
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 8, 2026
As a long-time National Geographic reader, I had high hopes for this tour and it didn’t disappoint. The views from Zhangjiajie’s mountain overlooks took my breath away, and getting to see giant pandas in their protected habitat was incredibly moving. I loved how the itinerary balanced busy city days in Shanghai with quiet, immersive time in nature.
February 14, 2026
I had a wonderful time exploring all the iconic sites on this itinerary, and the curated route was fantastic. We did encounter larger than expected crowds at Zhangjiajie’s most popular overlooks during the Chinese New Year holiday, which is the only reason I’m not giving 5 stars.
January 22, 2026
If you’re on the fence about booking this tour, stop thinking about it and go. You’ll get to see pandas, walk among some of the most incredible mountains on earth, and experience thousands of years of Chinese culture all in one perfectly planned trip.
November 30, 2025
Every stop on this tour felt thoughtful and special.
October 17, 2025
My partner and I took this tour for our 10th anniversary and it was the trip of a lifetime. We got to try so many amazing local foods from Shanghai soup dumplings to Chengdu hot pot, all perfectly included as part of the curated experience. The misty peaks of Zhangjiajie felt like walking through a traditional Chinese watercolor painting, and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an was even more impressive than I imagined. National Geographic’s attention to detail really shows in every part of this well-planned journey.
September 5, 2025
Getting to walk among bamboo forests and see giant pandas up close in Chengdu was a lifelong dream that this tour made completely accessible. The stop in Xi’an to see the Terracotta Army was perfectly scheduled, with plenty of time to soak in the history of the site. National Geographic really curated the itinerary to highlight both natural and cultural wonders across all four cities. I can’t recommend this trip enough for anyone who wants to see the best of China without the stress of planning every detail.
May 21, 2025
I was nervous about booking my first trip to China from the US, but Lynn, our consultant from HelloChinaTrip, answered all my questions before departure and made the whole process completely seamless. The highlight for me was watching giant pandas tumble around in bamboo in Chengdu early one morning, a moment I’ll never forget. The mix of modern Shanghai, ancient history in Xi’an, and otherworldly natural scenery in Zhangjiajie meant there was something exciting to experience every single day. All the transportation between cities was well-organized, and we had plenty of free time to explore on our own when we wanted it. This is easily the best organized group tour I’ve ever been on.
March 12, 2025
This 10-day China tour exceeded every one of my expectations.
January 19, 2025
This is the best way to see multiple iconic Chinese destinations in just 10 days.
December 18, 2024
The quartz peaks of Zhangjiajie were even more stunning in person than any photo I’ve seen. Our itinerary was perfectly paced, so we never felt rushed between stops. I’d book this tour again in a heartbeat.
