This 15-day fully private tour of China’s top highlights brings together the country’s most beloved cultural, modern, and natural destinations for an unforgettable cross-country journey. You’ll explore iconic landmarks in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, while also enjoying a leisurely scenic cruise along the breathtaking Yangtze River, covering 12 unique stops across the country. This handpicked itinerary is curated for great value and traveler peace of mind, offering an unbeatable price alongside secure, trusted payment options.
This 15-day curated journey starts in dynamic, modern Shanghai, weaves through the classic garden and water towns of the Jiangnan region (Suzhou and Hangzhou), travels north to explore ancient imperial Beijing, heads west to the 2,000-year-old capital Xi'an, and finishes with a leisurely, scenic cruise through the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. The route is designed to give you a complete, well-rounded taste of China, moving seamlessly from sparkling metropolises to quiet ancient sites and dramatic natural landscapes, all with the exclusive comfort of a private travel experience.
Welcome to China! You’ll arrive in bustling Shanghai, where your private guide will meet you and transfer you to your city hotel to settle in after your journey. The rest of the day is free to wander the nearby neighborhood or rest ahead of your upcoming adventures.
Today you’ll experience Shanghai’s iconic mix of old and new. Start with a stroll through the ornate, traditional Yuyuan Garden, a 16th-century classical garden filled with pavilions, koi ponds, and carved rockeries. Next, wander along historic Shanghai Old Street to browse traditional crafts and snacks, then head to the tree-lined former French Concession to admire the charming blend of European colonial and local shikumen architecture. End your day at the world-famous Bund, where you can gaze across the Huangpu River at the glittering skyline of Pudong’s Lujiazui Financial District.
Today mixes city spiritual culture and peaceful water town charm. Start your morning at the serene Jade Buddha Temple, home to two stunning white jade Buddha statues that have drawn visitors for more than a century. After exploring the temple grounds, you’ll drive an hour outside central Shanghai to Zhujiajiao, an ancient canal water town that has stood for more than 1,700 years. Wander cobblestone lanes, cross ancient stone arch bridges, and soak up the slow, quiet pace of life in this classic Jiangnan water town.
Today you’ll travel from Shanghai to Suzhou, the famous "City of Gardens" known for its centuries-old classical Chinese landscapes. Your first stop is iconic Tiger Hill, a scenic hill dotted with historic temples and gardens, topped by the ancient leaning Tiger Hill Pagoda, one of Suzhou’s most recognizable landmarks. Next, visit the UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden, a masterpiece of traditional Chinese garden design that uses clever landscaping to create a sense of endless space in a compact area. Cap off your day with a visit to a local silk factory, where you can watch skilled artisans spin, weave, and finish luxurious Chinese silk from start to finish.
Today you’ll journey to Hangzhou, home to China’s most celebrated scenic lake. Start with a visit to the peaceful Faxi Temple, a quiet Buddhist temple tucked into the tea-growing hills west of the city. Next, you’ll head to Longjing tea village, the birthplace of China’s famous Longjing green tea, where you can watch local farmers process tender tea leaves by hand and even sample a fresh, fragrant cup if you wish. End your day with a relaxing boat cruise across the misty, tree-lined shores of West Lake, one of China’s most beloved natural landmarks. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Hilton Garden Hotel or equivalent 4-star property
After breakfast, you’ll travel north from Hangzhou to Beijing, China’s ancient imperial capital. Once you arrive and check in to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the local area at your own pace. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Nianhua Bay Zen Hotel
Today you’ll check off one of the world’s greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China. You’ll visit the well-preserved, less crowded Mutianyu section of the wall, and ride a scenic cable car up to the mountaintop section to walk along the ancient fortifications, with sweeping views of the wall winding through misty forested hills. After returning to the city, you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, a stunning imperial complex where Ming and Qing emperors once prayed for good harvests. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Nianhua Bay Zen Hotel
Today is dedicated to exploring Beijing’s rich imperial history. Start at vast Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before entering the Forbidden City, the 600-year-old walled palace complex that was home to 24 Chinese emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties. As you cross the city, you’ll pass by the iconic Bird’s Nest National Stadium, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, before ending your day at the Summer Palace, a beautiful imperial retreat garden on the shores of Kunming Lake. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Nianhua Bay Zen Hotel
Start your day with an authentic adventure: a slow rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding alleys of Beijing’s traditional hutongs, where you can catch a glimpse of everyday local life in historic courtyard homes. After your hutong tour, you’ll travel west from Beijing to Xi’an, one of China’s four great ancient capitals. Once you arrive, head to the lively Xi’an Muslim Quarter, a 1,000-year-old neighborhood packed with street food stalls, traditional craft shops, and historic mosques perfect for an evening wander. 🏨 Accommodation: Hampton Hilton Hotel or equivalent 3-4 star property
Today you’ll visit Xi’an’s most famous attraction: the Terracotta Warriors, the 2,200-year-old army of life-sized clay statues built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China. Explore the three massive excavation pits and marvel at the intricate detail of each unique warrior. After that, head to the completely intact ancient Xi’an City Wall, where you can walk or bike along the 14-kilometer top of the fortification for panoramic views of the city. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Hampton Hilton Hotel or equivalent 3-4 star property
Today you’ll explore more of Xi’an’s ancient history before traveling southwest to Chongqing. Start with a visit to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist pagoda built to house ancient Buddhist scriptures brought back from India. Next, explore the Archaeological Museum of Hanyangling Mausoleum, the well-preserved tomb of a Han Dynasty emperor, where you can see thousands of small terracotta figures and ancient artifacts in their original excavation context. After your explorations, you’ll travel to Chongqing, the hilly riverside megacity on the banks of the Yangtze River. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Hampton Hilton Hotel or equivalent 3-4 star property
Today you’ll explore Chongqing’s most iconic spots before boarding your Yangtze River cruise. Ride the historic Yangtze River cable car for sweeping views of the city sprawling across steep hills on both sides of the river, then ride China’s longest outdoor escalator, built to climb Chongqing’s dramatic hilly terrain. Next, visit Hongya Cave, a iconic multi-level stilted building complex cascading down to the river, packed with shops, restaurants, and stunning evening light displays. After boarding your Victoria Series cruise ship, join a gentle tai chi exercise session on the open deck to unwind. 🍽️ Included meals: Chongqing hot pot lunch, buffet dinner served 18:30-20:00 🏨 Accommodation: Standard twin/double room on Victoria Series cruise ship
Your leisurely cruise through the Three Gorges continues today. Start your morning with a gentle group tai chi session on the deck as you glide past towering river cliffs. Later, you’ll take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, a legendary hillside temple complex dedicated to the afterlife in Chinese mythology, full of fascinating carvings, temples, and panoramic river views. Back on the ship, join a range of curated cultural activities to learn more about local life along the Yangtze. 🍽️ Included meals: Buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, buffet dinner 🏨 Accommodation: Standard twin/double room on Victoria Series cruise ship
Today you’ll cruise through the most dramatic and scenic stretches of the Three Gorges. First, you’ll pass through the rugged, narrow Qutang Gorge, known for its steep, towering cliff faces, then through the misty, scenic Wu Gorge, lined with forested peaks. You’ll stop for a shore excursion to tranquil Shennv Stream, where you’ll ride a small wooden boat through the narrow, clear-water gorge to experience the pristine natural beauty up close. In the evening, enjoy a lively cabaret and talent show performed by your cruise ship crew. 🍽️ Included meals: Buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, buffet dinner 🏨 Accommodation: Standard twin/double room on Victoria Series cruise ship
Today is the final day of your tour. You’ll take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project Site, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, to learn about this incredible feat of modern engineering and take in panoramic views of the reservoir. 🍽️ Included meal: Final breakfast on the cruise ship
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 30, 2026
I booked this tour as a 30th anniversary surprise for my parents, and they still can’t stop raving about how wonderful it was. The pace was ideal: we had plenty of time to explore each site, but never felt tired from moving too quickly between cities. The Yangtze River Cruise was a lovely surprise, with great amenities that let us recharge before our next stop. Every detail was handled perfectly, so we never had to stress about anything beyond enjoying the trip.
January 5, 2026
Every part of the tour was expertly organized, and all our guides were warm and knowledgeable. We traveled during Chinese New Year, which meant almost every attraction was far more wonderful than we anticipated, which made it a bit harder to fully enjoy some stops. We still had an incredible time seeing all of China’s top highlights.
November 21, 2025
I wasn’t sure how 15 days across multiple Chinese cities would feel, but the whole itinerary was seamless from start to finish. We got to experience cutting-edge modern Shanghai, ancient imperial Beijing, the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and the peaceful natural beauty of the Yangtze River all in one trip. The food included was incredible, we got to try Peking duck, xiaolongbao, and Xi’an hand-pulled noodles at amazing local spots. Private transportation meant we never had to figure out public transit or fight for rides in an unfamiliar country. This is easily the best vacation I’ve ever been on.
October 19, 2025
This private tour was the perfect stress-free way to see all of China’s most iconic destinations.
September 3, 2025
I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without the hassle of planning everything themselves.
June 22, 2025
Ethan, our consultant from HelloChinaTrip, adjusted our itinerary slightly when we mentioned we love traditional Chinese gardens, and it made our time in Suzhou and Hangzhou absolutely magical. The Yangtze River Cruise was a wonderfully relaxing break between busy city stops, with stunning views and delicious on-board food. Every private transfer was on time, and our local guides were knowledgeable and friendly across every city. This is the best organized international trip my husband and I have ever taken.
March 12, 2025
This 15-day China highlights trip exceeded every expectation I had.
February 17, 2025
I loved that this was a fully private tour, we could shift our daily schedule a little to spend more time at the spots that interested us most. All our guides were deeply knowledgeable about Chinese history and culture, which made every site feel far more meaningful.
December 30, 2024
This tour hits every must-see highlight of China while still feeling personal and relaxed thanks to the private format. Our guide in Beijing even took us to a quieter, lesser-known section of the Great Wall that let us enjoy the views without the crowds. We left already planning our next trip back to China.
December 18, 2024
All the iconic stops were perfectly paced, and we never felt rushed throughout the entire journey. Our private guides knew all the best tricks to avoid big crowds at the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall.
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