Carlos Mendez
February 19, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 12-day fully private, customisable China tour takes you across 5 of the country’s most unforgettable destinations, spanning Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and the iconic capital Beijing. Crafted to deliver the ultimate seamless China travel experience, this handpicked itinerary offers unbeatable value, transparent fair pricing and secure, trusted payment processing to keep your entire trip planning totally stress-free.
This 12-day private journey starts in the dynamic fusion city of Hong Kong, moving on to Shanghai where centuries-old tradition meets cutting-edge modernity, stops at a charming ancient water town en route to the mist-shrouded karst peaks of Zhangjiajie, heads inland to Xi’an’s imperial heritage, and wraps up in majestic Beijing. This carefully crafted route balances world-famous must-see landmarks with intimate local experiences, giving you a complete, unforgettable taste of China’s incredible diversity.
Settle into Hong Kong after your arrival, taking time to acclimate to the city’s iconic energetic buzz. Wander a nearby neighborhood at your leisure, whether you’re craving classic dim sum from a local hole-in-the-wall or want to catch your first glimpse of Victoria Harbour’s glittering skyline. No meals are included today, leaving you free to explore the city’s world-famous food scene on your own terms. 🏨 Overnight in Hong Kong
Today is yours to explore Hong Kong however you please. Check off sights at the top of your personal bucket list — whether that’s a ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic harbor views, a bargain hunt at Temple Street Night Market, or a day trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. 🍽️ A hearty local breakfast is included to start your day. 🏨 Overnight in Hong Kong
Depart Hong Kong this morning, heading to the airport for your short flight to Shanghai. After checking into your Shanghai hotel, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or take a casual stroll along the Bund to see the city’s famous skyline. 🍽️ Breakfast is included before your departure. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
Dive into Shanghai’s layered history and culture today. Start at the world-class Shanghai Museum to browse thousands of years of Chinese art and imperial artifacts. Next, wander the classic pavilions and bustling alleys of Yu Garden and adjacent Yuyuan Market, where you can browse handcrafted souvenirs and watch local artisans at work. You’ll then visit a working silk production workshop to learn how China’s iconic luxury silk is made from start to finish, before ending the day strolling the tree-lined avenues of the Former French Concession, admiring charming colonial-era architecture and hidden boutique cafes. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
Depart Shanghai for Zhangjiajie today, with a scenic stop en route at the postcard-perfect Xitang Ancient Town. After a roughly 1.5-hour drive through the lush Yangtze Delta countryside, you’ll arrive at this well-preserved water town where ancient stone buildings line a quiet network of canals. Take a gentle boat ride along the water to soak up the town’s timeless, peaceful atmosphere before continuing your journey west to Zhangjiajie. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie
Spend the day exploring Zhangjiajie’s most iconic otherworldly natural scenery. Start with a full exploration of the Wulinyuan Scenic Area, home to the dramatic jagged quartz peaks that inspired the Avatar mountain landscapes. Ride the famous Bailong Elevator, a cliffside glass outdoor elevator, up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, then take a scenic cable car to the Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve for sweeping panoramic views of thousands of peaks stretching to the horizon. You’ll also see the spectacular First Bridge under the Sun, a natural stone bridge spanning two mountain peaks, plus the famous Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers rock formation, Imperial Brush Peak, and walk the gentle Ten-mile Gallery valley. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie
Explore two more of Zhangjiajie’s stunning natural spots before traveling to Xi’an today. First, take a peaceful boat ride across the emerald waters of Baofeng Lake, tucked between steep karst cliffs for a completely different perspective of the park’s scenery. Next, ride the 7,455-meter Tianmen Mountain cable car (a 30-minute scenic ride) that lifts you from the city all the way up to the misty summit, with jaw-dropping views the entire way. After your mountain adventure, you’ll travel to Xi’an, China’s ancient imperial capital, to check in for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
Immerse yourself in 2,000 years of Chinese imperial history today. Start with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, the life-sized clay army built to guard the first Qin Emperor’s tomb, where you can walk the excavation pits and marvel at the unique detail of every warrior. Back in the city center, wander the aromatic, bustling lanes of Muslim Street, Xi’an’s most iconic food neighborhood, then end your day at the ancient Ming-era Drum Tower, the symbol of old Xi’an. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
Enjoy a uniquely local cultural experience before departing Xi’an for Beijing. Join a 1-hour Tai Chi session led by a skilled local master, who will teach you the basics of this gentle centuries-old martial art as you practice on the ancient city wall. After your session, rent a bike and cycle along the top of Xi’an’s perfectly preserved 14th-century Ancient City Wall, soaking up views of the city inside and outside the fortifications. After your ride, you’ll head to the airport for your flight to Beijing. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
Explore Beijing’s most iconic imperial landmarks today. Start at Tiananmen Square, the massive central public square in the heart of the capital, then walk into the Forbidden City, the 600-year-old imperial palace complex that housed Chinese emperors for centuries. In the afternoon, visit the sprawling Summer Palace, the imperial summer retreat dotted with ancient temples, ornate pavilions, stone bridges, and traditional theaters set along Kunming Lake. End your day at a local pearl store, where you can design and create your own custom pearl souvenir to take home. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
Visit two of Beijing’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites today. Start at the Temple of Heaven, the stunning imperial altar where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests, set in peaceful park grounds with beautiful traditional Chinese architecture. In the afternoon, head out of the city to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, widely considered one of the most scenic and well-preserved stretches of the wall. You’ll have time to walk 1.4 miles along the wall, passing 22 original stone blockhouses and watchtowers as you take in views of the wall snaking over green forested hills. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
Today marks the end of your 12-day cross-China adventure. After a included local breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel and prepare for your departure from Beijing, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
February 19, 2026
As a first-time solo traveler to China, I loved that every detail was taken care of for me on this fully private custom tour. Each destination felt completely unique, from Shanghai's modern energy to Xi'an's ancient history, and I left already planning my next trip back.
October 2, 2025
This 12-day private tour checked every box on our travel wish list, from Shanghai's stunning skyline views to the historic Forbidden City in Beijing. Our local guides were incredibly knowledgeable and all private transfers were comfortable and always on time. We visited during China's National Day Golden Week, so almost every major attraction was far more wonderful than we anticipated, which put a small damper on our overall experience. Even with that, the tour was perfectly organized and we got to experience so much of China's incredible diversity in just under two weeks.
July 24, 2025
We traveled with our two teenage kids on this tour, and every day felt exciting and well-paced, never rushed or overplanned. The team let us add an extra day in Zhangjiajie to do a longer mountain hike, which our kids absolutely raved about. Our local guides in each city were great at answering the kids' endless questions and even suggested amazing local street food spots we never would have found on our own. From Hong Kong's bustling street markets to Beijing's iconic imperial palaces, this tour gave us the perfect mix of culture, nature, and adventure that our whole family loved.
March 12, 2025
This private bespoke tour from Hong Kong to Beijing was the most incredible introduction to China I could have asked for.
December 18, 2024
My wife and I booked this tour through consultant Ethan at HelloChinaTrip, and he customized everything perfectly to match our love of nature and history. Walking through the misty Zhangjiajie peaks and seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi'an felt far more intimate than a crowded group tour would have been. We can't recommend this experience enough to any traveler wanting a personalized China trip.
