🌟 Highlights
- 10-day fully customizable private tour that blends China's most iconic ancient cultural landmarks and otherworldly natural scenery
- Explore the dramatic mist-shrouded quartz peaks of Zhangjiajie, the real-life inspiration for Avatar's famous floating mountains
- Experience a balanced mix of city exploration, imperial history, outdoor adventure, and local cultural encounters across 4 top destinations
- All planned activities and entrance fees are included for a totally hassle-free getaway
🗺️ Itinerary Overview
This carefully curated 10-day journey starts in the bustling modern metropolis of Shanghai, winds through the unearthly mountain landscapes of Zhangjiajie, moves inland to ancient Xi'an home of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, and finishes in imperial Beijing, where you'll walk the iconic Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City. Along the route, you'll wander ancient water towns, practice tai chi with a local master, browse centuries-old markets, and take in some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth, creating a well-rounded introduction to the very best of China.
📖 Day-by-Day Itinerary
🌟 Day 1: Shanghai
Arrive in dynamic Shanghai at your own pace, check into your accommodation and get settled after your travel. Spend your first evening exploring nearby streets, catching your first glimpse of the glittering Huangpu River skyline, and resting up for your adventure ahead. 🏨
🌟 Day 2: Shanghai
Today we dive into Shanghai's perfect mix of ancient and modern culture. We start at the world-class Shanghai Museum, where you can browse thousands of years of Chinese history through stunning bronze relics, delicate jade carvings, classic scroll paintings, and intricate stone sculptures. Next, wander through the serene, 400-year-old Yu Garden, a masterclass in traditional Jiangnan garden design filled with koi ponds, rock formations, and pavilions. After exploring the garden, browse the bustling Yuyuan Market to hunt for handmade souvenirs and sample local street snacks, then end the day strolling the tree-lined, villa-lined avenues of the charming Former French Concession. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 3: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie
Before we head west to Zhangjiajie, we stop at the picture-perfect Xitang Ancient Town, one of China's best-preserved historic water towns. Glide along the town's winding canals on a relaxed boat ride, passing centuries-old stone bridges and riverside courtyard homes as you soak in Xitang's quiet, old-world charm. After your visit, we continue on to Zhangjiajie for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨
🌟 Day 4: Zhangjiajie
Today we explore the iconic Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the heart of Zhangjiajie's famous jagged peak landscape. We ride the dramatic Bailong Elevator (the world's tallest outdoor glass lift) up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, home to the original peak that inspired Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain. After exploring Yuanjiajie, we take a shuttle bus up to Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, where we'll stop to see the famous First Bridge Under the Sun, plus iconic natural formations including Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers and Imperial Brush Peak, before descending the mountain via cable car. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 5: Zhangjiajie to Xi'an
We fit in two more stunning Zhangjiajie experiences before traveling north to Xi'an. First, we take a peaceful boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Baofeng Lake, where sheer rocky peaks rise straight from the water's edge for postcard-perfect views. Next, we head to Tianmen Mountain, where you'll ride a 7,455-meter cable car on a 30-minute scenic ascent up the mountain, with jaw-dropping views of the dramatic landscape below before you explore the mountain's famous cliffside paths. After your visit, we travel onward to Xi'an for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an
Today is dedicated to Xi'an's most incredible historic treasures. We start with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, the 2,000-year-old underground imperial army built to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, where you can marvel at thousands of uniquely carved warrior and horse statues. After exploring the site, we wander through the lively Muslim Quarter, Xi'an's historic food hub, where you can sample iconic local snacks between browsing market stalls, then stop to see the ancient Drum Tower in the heart of the city. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 7: Xi'an to Beijing
Kick off your morning with a one-of-a-kind local experience: a 1-hour tai chi practice session led by an experienced local master, a gentle, mindful way to start the day. After your class, we rent bikes and cycle along the top of Xi'an's perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, getting 360-degree views of the city as you ride around the historic fortification. Later in the day, we travel north to Beijing, your final stop on the tour. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨
🌟 Day 8: Beijing
Today we dive into Beijing's most iconic historic and political landmarks. We start at sprawling Tiananmen Square, where you'll see the grand Great Hall of the People and pay your respects at Mao Zedong's Mausoleum. Next, we step into the sprawling Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, where you can explore hundreds of historic halls, pavilions, and gardens that were once off-limits to anyone outside the imperial court. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 9: Beijing
We start the morning with a visit to the stunning Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century imperial temple where emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests, set within a sprawling, peaceful public park filled with classic Chinese architecture. In the afternoon, we head out to the beautifully restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. This 1.4-mile stretch of the wall features 22 original watchtowers and blockhouses, perfect for hiking at your own pace while taking in sweeping views of the wall snaking across misty mountain ridges. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 10: Beijing
Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast in Beijing before checking out of your accommodation. Your 10-day tour of China's top highlights comes to an end today, with endless unforgettable memories to take home. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
✅ What's Included
- All entrance fees and scheduled experiences, including all boat rides, elevator access, cable car rides, and the 1-hour tai chi session with a local master
- All extra included experiences: stroll along the Bund, a visit to Shanghai Tower for Huangpu River views, and access to all Tianzi Mountain viewpoints
- All meals as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary
- Fully private, customizable travel experience adjusted to your preferences and schedule
- All inter-city transportation between destinations and local ground transport for activities
❌ What's Not Included
- All core tour experiences and activities listed are included, there are no mandatory excluded fees for the planned itinerary
ℹ️ Important Information
