🌟 Highlights
- Fully private, customizable 13-day journey curating China’s most iconic bucket-list spots, blending 5,000 years of history and jaw-dropping natural scenery
- Includes two once-in-a-lifetime signature experiences: hiking the Great Wall and a leisurely scenic cruise through the Yangtze River Three Gorges
- All top attraction entrance fees are pre-included for stress-free travel
- Curated for first-time visitors to China, with a route that covers imperial capitals, karst mountain landscapes, and modern megacities for a complete introduction
🗺️ Itinerary Overview
This journey starts in the ancient imperial capital of Beijing, where you’ll explore world-famous royal landmarks before heading west to Xi’an, home of the legendary Terracotta Warriors. From there you’ll travel south to Guilin and Yangshuo to cruise the iconic karst-lined Li River, then north to Chongqing to board your 2-day Yangtze River cruise through the dramatic Three Gorges. After a tour of the monumental Three Gorges Dam, you’ll end your trip in dynamic, modern Shanghai. The route is designed to showcase every side of China, from ancient history to natural beauty to 21st-century energy, all tailored to your preferences.
📖 Day-by-Day Itinerary
🌟 Day 1: Beijing
Today marks your arrival in Beijing, China’s buzzing capital steeped in imperial history. Your private guide will meet you at the airport and help you get settled into your accommodation, leaving you free to relax after your journey and prep for the adventures ahead. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 2: Beijing
Kick off your exploration with a morning visit to iconic Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public city square, before stepping into the Forbidden City—China’s imperial palace for 500 years, filled with ornate palaces, hidden courtyards, and centuries of history. In the afternoon, you’ll wander the lush, lake-front grounds of the Summer Palace, a favorite royal retreat dotted with historic pavilions and classic Chinese gardens. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 3: Mutianyu & Changling
Leave Beijing’s city bustle behind today for a trip to one of the most beautiful, well-preserved sections of the Great Wall: Mutianyu. Stroll or hike along the ancient stone ramparts, taking in sweeping views of the wall winding through misty green mountains. After your Great Wall experience, you’ll visit Changling Tomb, the largest and best preserved of the Ming Dynasty imperial burial grounds, to learn about ancient Chinese imperial funeral traditions. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 4: Beijing → Xi'an
Before departing Beijing for Xi’an, you’ll fit in two more beloved local experiences. Start with a morning visit to the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests, set in a sprawling, peaceful city park. Next, take a fun rickshaw ride through the narrow alleyways of a traditional Beijing hutong, getting a glimpse into generations-old local life. After your activities, you’ll travel to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an
Today is dedicated to Xi’an’s most famous historic treasures. First, you’ll visit the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors, thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and horses built to guard the first emperor of China over 2,000 years ago. Next, head to Xi’an’s perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, where you can walk or bike along the top for panoramic views of the city. End your day wandering the bustling Muslim Quarter, a lively historic neighborhood packed with delicious street food and unique local crafts. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an → Guilin
After breakfast, you’ll travel from Xi’an to Guilin, the scenic southern city famous for its dramatic karst mountain landscapes. Once you arrive, you’ll explore Reed Flute Cave, a magical natural limestone cave filled with otherworldly rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites illuminated with colorful lighting. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Overnight in Guilin
🌟 Day 7: Guilin → Yangshuo
Today you’ll experience one of China’s most iconic scenic adventures: a full cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Glide slowly down the quiet river as dramatic, jagged karst peaks rise around you—this is the legendary scenery that has inspired Chinese painters and poets for centuries. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Yangshuo
🌟 Day 8: Yangshuo → Chongqing
After breakfast, you’ll leave Yangshuo’s scenic countryside and travel to Chongqing, a bustling mountain city perched on the banks of the upper Yangtze River. Settle into your accommodation and relax as you prep for your upcoming river cruise. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Overnight in Chongqing
🌟 Day 9: Yangtze River
Today you’ll board your scenic Yangtze River cruise and set sail through the famous Three Gorges. Spend the day relaxing on the open deck, soaking in ever-changing views of steep green gorges, quiet riverside villages, and rolling hills along the water. 🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included | 🏨 Overnight on the Yangtze River cruise ship
🌟 Day 10: Yangtze River
Your leisurely Yangtze River cruise continues today. Join optional shore excursions to explore hidden ancient sites along the river, or simply kick back and enjoy the stunning scenery from the comfort of your ship. 🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included | 🏨 Overnight on the Yangtze River cruise ship
🌟 Day 11: Yichang → Shanghai
Your cruise ends in Yichang, where you’ll tour the incredible Three Gorges Dam, one of the world’s largest and most impressive engineering projects, to learn about its history and impact. After your tour, you’ll travel on to Shanghai, China’s most vibrant modern metropolis. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
🌟 Day 12: Shanghai
Explore the best of Shanghai’s blend of old and new today. Start at the Shanghai Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Chinese art and artifacts. Next, wander through the classic Yu Garden, a stunning traditional Chinese garden surrounded by bustling old-town shopping streets. In the afternoon, stroll the tree-lined boulevards of the Former French Concession, filled with historic colonial architecture and trendy cafes, before ending your day at The Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront with unbeatable views of the city’s futuristic skyline across the river. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included | 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
🌟 Day 13: Shanghai
After breakfast, your private guide will escort you to the airport for your departure, bringing your 13-day China adventure to a close. 🍽️ Breakfast included
✅ What's Included
- Fully private customizable tour experience with private guide and transport throughout your trip
- Entrance fees for all scheduled attractions: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Changling Tomb, Temple of Heaven, Hutong rickshaw ride, Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Reed Flute Cave, Li River cruise, Three Gorges Dam, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden
- All scheduled meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All intercity transport between destinations and overnight accommodation (including Yangtze cruise ship accommodation)
❌ What's Not Included
- International arrival/departure airfare and any domestic flights not pre-arranged
- China travel visas, travel insurance, and personal expenses (souvenirs, optional extra activities, etc.)
- Gratuities for your guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
ℹ️ Important Information
