Noah Thompson
April 21, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 10-day National Geographic Journeys adventure guides you across six of China’s most unforgettable destinations: giant panda habitat Chengdu, the dramatic sky-piercing peaks of Zhangjiajie, ancient cultural hub Xi’an, the breathtaking Tibetan plateau, and the dynamic global cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Carefully curated for exceptional travel experiences, this tour offers unbeatable value, transparent pricing, and fully secure trusted payments, making it a seamless, rewarding way to explore China’s most iconic natural and cultural draws.
This handcrafted cross-China adventure kicks off in bustling global metropolis Shanghai, before moving north to Zhangjiajie’s dramatic jagged karst landscapes for days of world-class mountain exploration. From Zhangjiajie, we travel west to laid-back Chengdu for gentle giant panda encounters, then south to idyllic riverside Yangshuo for a relaxed taste of rural southern Chinese culture, before wrapping up your trip with the glittering iconic skyline of Hong Kong. The route perfectly balances once-in-a-lifetime natural scenery, delicious local food, and deep cultural immersion to showcase the incredible diversity of China.
Begin your adventure with a warm welcome from your expert expedition leader and fellow traveling group after you arrive in Shanghai. After getting settled, take a leisurely stroll along the iconic Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront dotted with historic colonial architecture, and snap photos of the futuristic Pudong skyline stretching across the river. Tonight you’ll rest at 🏨 Central Hotel Shanghai, right in the heart of the city.
After a filling morning breakfast 🍽️, you’ll fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, home of China’s most famous otherworldly karst formations. Once you land and check into your hotel, join your group for a casual orientation walk to stretch your legs and get a feel for the local area. Share a group dinner 🍽️ with your new travel companions before turning in for the night at 🏨 Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel.
Wake up to a hearty breakfast 🍽️ before heading out for a full day of exploring the stunning Wulingyuan National Forest Park, the UNESCO-listed site whose jagged peaks inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Ride the iconic Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator, for sweeping panoramic views of the forest and peaks stretching out below you. After a day of hiking and exploring, return to 🏨 Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel for the night.
After breakfast 🍽️, today’s adventure brings you to Tianmen Shan Mountain National Park. Glide up the steep mountain slopes on a scenic cable car ride with unbeatable views of cliffs and valleys below, then test your nerve on the famous Glass Bridge, a transparent skywalk suspended thousands of feet above the valley floor that offers hair-raising, unobstructed views of the landscape. After your day of adventure, check into 🏨 Sunshine Hotel Zhangjiajie for the night.
After an early breakfast 🍽️, you’ll travel from Zhangjiajie to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province. Once you’ve checked in, wander through Chengdu’s iconic People’s Park, where you can watch locals practice tai chi, play mahjong, and soak up the city’s famously relaxed pace of life. Tonight, dig into a signature family-style Sichuan hot pot dinner 🍽️, cooking fresh ingredients in a bubbling, flavour-packed broth right at your table. You’ll stay overnight at 🏨 Tibet Hotel Chengdu.
After breakfast 🍽️, the highlight of your Chengdu visit awaits: a full day at the Giant Panda Conservation and Research Centre. Get up close to China’s most beloved native animal, watch giant pandas munch on bamboo and play in their lush enclosures, and learn about the groundbreaking conservation work that saved the species from extinction. After your day with the pandas, return to 🏨 Tibet Hotel Chengdu for a relaxed evening.
After breakfast 🍽️, you’ll travel from Chengdu to Yangshuo, the charming riverside town nestled between green karst hills in southern China. Settle into your accommodation, then join your group for a casual orientation walk to explore the town’s quiet alleyways, riverside paths, and local street markets. Tonight you’ll rest at 🏨 Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel.
Start your day with breakfast 🍽️, then head out for a gentle bamboo raft ride along the iconic Li River. Drift past towering green karst peaks and serene rural farmland that have inspired Chinese poets and artists for centuries. After your raft ride, sit down to a delicious lunch 🍽️ at Jia Community Restaurant, where you’ll taste traditional local dishes blending classic recipes with fresh, regional ingredients. In the afternoon, tour the misty Qixianfeng Tea Plantation, followed by a traditional Chinese tea ceremony where you’ll learn to taste and appreciate rare local tea varieties. Return to 🏨 Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel for the night.
After breakfast 🍽️, you’ll fly from Yangshuo to dynamic Hong Kong, the bustling coastal global city. Check into your hotel, then tonight enjoy a classic Hong Kong yum cha dinner 🍽️, sampling iconic dim sum including plump shrimp-filled steamed dumplings, savoury buns, and creamy congee. After dinner, head to Victoria Harbour to watch the world-famous Symphony of Lights, a dazzling multimedia show that illuminates Hong Kong’s iconic skyline after dark. You’ll stay overnight at 🏨 Metropark Hotel Kowloon.
Today brings your 10-day Chinese adventure to a close. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel, you’ll be free to depart at your own pace, taking countless unforgettable memories with you.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 21, 2026
If you’re on the fence about booking this tour, stop waiting and book it. The mix of bustling Shanghai, ancient Xi'an, cuddly pandas in Chengdu, and stunning Zhangjiajie gives you the perfect taste of everything China has to offer. It’s well worth every single penny.
January 19, 2026
When I booked this trip last minute, I was worried I’d end up with a disjointed experience, but Ethan from HelloChinaTrip took care of every single detail for me. The itinerary hits all the best spots across Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, and Xi'an, with enough downtime that we never felt rushed from one location to the next. Getting to watch giant pandas play during their morning feeding in Chengdu was a personal highlight, as was walking the overlook paths above the dramatic Zhangjiajie peaks. National Geographic really knows how to put together a meaningful, well-planned adventure that highlights both the natural and cultural wonders of China.
September 14, 2025
I went on this tour with my adult daughter, and we both agreed it was the trip of a lifetime. We got to see the iconic Terracotta Army in Xi'an, which was far more impressive in person than any photo could capture, and the dramatic karst peaks of Zhangjiajie took our breath away every time we turned a corner. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about local history and wildlife, and all the accommodations were comfortable and conveniently located. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see multiple iconic parts of China without the stress of planning everything yourself.
May 2, 2025
I gave this tour 4 stars only because we visited during the national May holiday, so all major scenic spots were far more wonderful than we anticipated. Every other part of the trip, from the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an to the iconic modern skyline of Shanghai, was absolutely incredible and flawlessly organized.
March 12, 2025
This 10-day panda and Zhangjiajie tour was easily the best trip I’ve ever taken.
December 18, 2024
Seeing giant pandas up close in Chengdu and walking through the otherworldly Zhangjiajie peaks felt like a dream. National Geographic’s itinerary was perfectly paced, with just enough free time to explore on our own between guided stops.
