Clara Bennett
April 18, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 12-day fully private, bespoke China tour guides you across five of the nation’s most unmissable destinations, spanning the buzzing global hub Hong Kong, modern Shanghai, ancient capital Xi’an, dramatic natural wonder Zhangjiajie, and iconic imperial capital Beijing. Curated to showcase the very best of China’s diverse culture, cities and landscapes, this fully customizable trip comes with competitive, transparent pricing and secure, trusted payment processing, delivering a seamless, stress-free personalized travel experience tailored just for you.
This 12-day bespoke cross-country journey starts in Hong Kong, the vibrant East-meets-West southern hub, then travels north through the glittering modern metropolis of Shanghai, the misty dramatic karst peaks of Zhangjiajie, and the ancient imperial capital of Xi'an, before ending at China's modern capital Beijing. The route is designed to showcase every side of China: from quiet timeless canal towns to 2,000-year-old archaeological wonders, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and the world-famous Great Wall, delivering a seamless, unforgettable adventure that fits exactly what you want out of your China trip.
Arrive in Hong Kong at your leisure, check into your city hotel 🏨, and settle into your first taste of China. Spend the rest of the day exploring however you please—hunt for local dim sum, head up to Victoria Peak for skyline views, or wander bustling street markets. No scheduled meals today, leaving you free to try the local favorites that catch your eye.
Start your day with a delicious local breakfast 🍽️, then enjoy a full free day of exploring Hong Kong's unique blend of Chinese and British culture. Wander hilly traditional neighborhoods, visit Victoria Harbour for sunset, or relax at a local tea house—your day is fully shaped by what you want to see. End the night back at your comfortable Hong Kong hotel 🏨.
Kick off your morning with a tasty breakfast 🍽️, then head to the airport for your pre-arranged transfer to Shanghai, China's most dynamic modern metropolis. After checking into your Shanghai hotel 🏨, you'll have the entire evening free to stroll the Bund and admire the iconic skyline lit up after dark.
Wake up to a hearty breakfast 🍽️ before diving into Shanghai's best cultural highlights. First, explore thousands of years of Chinese art and history at the world-class Shanghai Museum. Next, wander the lush traditional pavilions of Yu Garden and browse unique handicrafts and street snacks in lively Yuyuan Market. You'll then visit a working silk production workshop to learn about China's ancient silk-making tradition, before ending your day strolling the tree-lined, charming streets of the Former French Concession. Both breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you'll return to your Shanghai hotel 🏨 for the night.
Start your morning with a filling breakfast 🍽️, then set off on a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Xitang, one of China's best-preserved ancient water towns. Glide along the town's winding canals on a traditional boat ride, passing stone arch bridges and centuries-old wooden waterfront homes, and soak up Xitang's quiet, timeless atmosphere before continuing your journey to Zhangjiajie. Check into your local hotel 🏨 after your day of travel, with only breakfast included today to leave you free to try local dinner options.
Today you dive into Zhangjiajie's otherworldly karst mountain landscape, starting with a morning breakfast 🍽️. Explore the stunning Wulinyuan Scenic Area, then ride the famous Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area for jaw-dropping views of jagged quartz sandstone peaks. Next, take a scenic cable car into the Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, where you'll see the iconic First Bridge under the Sun natural stone bridge, plus other famous formations like Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers and Imperial Brush Peak. Wrap up your day with a leisurely walk through the scenic Ten-mile Gallery valley. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you'll stay overnight in Zhangjiajie 🏨.
After a morning breakfast 🍽️, enjoy your last day exploring Zhangjiajie's natural wonders before transferring to Xi'an. First, take a peaceful boat ride across the crystal-clear, mountain-fringed waters of Baofeng Lake. Next, ride one of the world's longest cable cars—a 7,455-meter, 30-minute scenic journey—to the top of Tianmen Mountain for sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. After your morning of exploration, you'll travel to Xi'an, the ancient imperial capital of China, and check into your local hotel 🏨 for the night. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️.
Start your day of ancient Chinese history with a filling breakfast 🍽️. Your first stop is the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, an awe-inspiring 2,000-year-old archaeological site featuring thousands of life-size clay warriors built to guard the first emperor of China's tomb. After exploring the site, head back to central Xi'an to wander bustling food stalls and traditional shops on centuries-old Muslim Street, before visiting the iconic historic Drum Tower in the heart of the city. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you'll stay overnight at your Xi'an hotel 🏨.
Wake up early for a special 1-hour Tai Chi session led by a skilled local master, where you can learn the basics of this calming traditional Chinese practice before your breakfast 🍽️. After your class, rent a bike and cycle along the top of Xi'an's perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, getting a one-of-a-kind view of the city's old and new neighborhoods. After your morning of activity, you'll transfer to Beijing, China's modern capital, and check into your hotel 🏨 for the coming days. Only breakfast is included today, leaving you free to try Beijing's famous Peking duck for dinner if you wish.
Dive into Beijing's imperial history today, starting with a hearty breakfast 🍽️. First, walk across expansive Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before entering the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the former home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon, you'll visit the beautiful Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial garden filled with ancient temples, ornate pavilions, historic bridges, and traditional theaters set alongside a scenic lake. End the day with a stop at a local pearl store, where you can design your own custom piece of jewelry to take home as a souvenir. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, and you'll stay overnight in Beijing 🏨.
Today brings one of China's most iconic experiences, starting with breakfast 🍽️. First, visit the Temple of Heaven, a stunning 15th-century imperial temple where ancient emperors prayed for good harvests, set within peaceful, sprawling park grounds. Then, head out to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, a beautifully preserved, less crowded stretch of the wall snaking across forested mountains. You'll get to explore 1.4 miles of the wall, passing 22 historic blockhouses and watchtowers, with endless panoramic views along the way. Breakfast and lunch are included today 🍽️, before returning to your Beijing hotel 🏨 for the night.
Enjoy a final breakfast in Beijing 🍽️ before your tour comes to an end. Depending on your departure schedule, you can squeeze in any last-minute souvenir shopping or a final stroll around your favorite Beijing neighborhood, before heading to the airport for your onward journey.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 18, 2026
As a first-time visitor to China, I was worried about navigating language barriers and figuring out what to see, but this tour took all that stress away. We got to experience so many different sides of the country in just 12 days, and every detail was perfectly handled from start to finish.
February 10, 2026
Everything about the tour service was fantastic, but we visited during Chinese New Year and popular sites across all cities were far more wonderful than we expected. We still had an amazing time and our guide did everything possible to work around the crowds, so it was still a wonderful trip.
October 3, 2025
I can’t imagine a better way to see northern and southern China than this private, well-organized tour.
May 22, 2025
My partner and I booked this tour for our 10 year anniversary trip, and it was absolutely unforgettable. We got to see everything from the skyscrapers of Shanghai and Hong Kong to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and the otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie, which gave us such a great feel for how diverse China is. Each day wasn’t overpacked, so we had plenty of time to stop for photos, browse local markets, or just take a break when we wanted to. Our driver was always on time, and our guide’s stories brought thousands of years of history to life at every stop.
April 19, 2025
Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped us customize this tour when we asked to add an extra day hiking in Zhangjiajie instead of a shopping stop, and she was so accommodating the whole time. The views in Zhangjiajie were even more incredible than I’d seen in photos, and the local guide there knew all the best quiet overlooks to avoid the biggest crowds. Every meal we had was delicious, from dim sum in Hong Kong to street food in Shanghai and hand-pulled noodles in Xi’an. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see China’s best spots without the stress of planning everything yourself.
March 12, 2025
This private bespoke China tour exceeded every one of my expectations.
December 28, 2024
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about every historic site we visited in Xi’an and Beijing. The private car and custom itinerary meant we never wasted time waiting around, which made the 12 days feel perfectly paced.
