🌟 Highlights
- Fully private customizable 13-day journey that blends millennia of ancient history, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and modern urban energy, hitting all of China’s most iconic must-sees
- Enjoy two world-class river experiences: the postcard-perfect Li River cruise and a multi-day sailing through the legendary Yangtze River Three Gorges
- Curated one-of-a-kind experiences: Great Wall hikes, traditional hutong rickshaw rides, and up-close visits to the Terracotta Warriors
- All core logistics and activities pre-planned for a fully seamless, stress-free adventure
🗺️ Itinerary Overview
This hand-crafted private tour takes you across the very best of China over 13 days, starting in the imperial capital Beijing, moving west to the ancient capital of Xi’an to explore one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders, then south to the karst mountain landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo for a scenic Li River cruise. From there you’ll travel to Chongqing to board your Yangtze River cruise, exploring the Three Gorges and iconic sites along the way, before wrapping up your trip in the bustling, modern metropolis of Shanghai. The route is designed to give you a complete, immersive introduction to everything China has to offer, with no iconic highlight left out.
📖 Day-by-Day Itinerary
🌟 Day 1: Beijing
Welcome to China! You’ll arrive in the capital city of Beijing today, where your local contact will meet you and help you get settled into your accommodation to rest after your travels, ready to start exploring tomorrow. 🍽️ No meals included | 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 2: Beijing
Kick off your Beijing adventure with a visit to the sprawling, iconic Tiananmen Square, then step into the 600-year-old Forbidden City – once the exclusive imperial home of 24 Chinese emperors, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of historic art and architecture. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to the lush Summer Palace, the Qing emperors’ favorite summer retreat, and enjoy a gentle boat ride across the sparkling Kunming Lake if weather permits. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 3: Beijing
Today you’ll visit the stunning, less crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. You’ll glide up to the wall via cable car, then spend 2-3 hours leisurely hiking along the ancient fortification, soaking in panoramic views of the wall winding over forested mountain slopes. After your hike, you’ll stop at Changling Tomb, the largest and best-preserved of the Ming Dynasty imperial tombs, to learn about ancient Chinese burial traditions. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Beijing
🌟 Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an
Before departing Beijing, you’ll explore the Temple of Heaven, a magnificent 15th-century sacred site where emperors once held annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. You’ll wander through the tranquil surrounding park, then take a fun rickshaw ride through narrow, centuries-old hutong alleyways, getting an up-close look at traditional Beijing courtyard homes and local neighborhood life before traveling on to Xi’an. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an
Spend your day exploring Xi’an’s most legendary attraction: the Terracotta Army, an 8,000-strong army of life-sized clay warriors built to guard the first emperor of China in the afterlife over 2,000 years ago. Your private guide will walk you through the three excavated pits, sharing fascinating stories about the army’s discovery and history that you won’t find in standard guidebooks. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an to Guilin
You’ll board your pre-scheduled flight from Xi’an to the scenic southern riverside city of Guilin. Once you arrive and settle in, you’ll visit the famous Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave filled with otherworldly stalactite and stalagmite formations, lit up to highlight their surreal shapes for a magical walking tour. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight in Guilin
🌟 Day 7: Guilin to Yangshuo
Today you’ll set off on one of the most scenic cruises in the world: a 3.5 to 4.5-hour leisurely sail down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. You’ll sit back and soak in postcard-perfect views of steep limestone karst peaks rising out of misty green waters – the same scenery that inspired centuries of Chinese landscape paintings. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Yangshuo
🌟 Day 8: Yangshuo to Chongqing
Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Yangshuo’s countryside at your own pace before traveling to the bustling riverside city of Chongqing, where you’ll prepare to board your Yangtze River cruise tomorrow. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight in Chongqing
🌟 Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise
You’ll board your cruise ship this morning and begin your leisurely journey down the Yangtze, China’s iconic mother river. In the afternoon, you’ll take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, a stunning 18th-century red wooden pavilion built into a rocky hill along the river, with sweeping panoramic views of the Yangtze from its top. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 🏨 Overnight on Yangtze Cruise Ship
🌟 Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise
Continue your relaxed sail through the dramatic Three Gorges today, soaking in the ever-changing views of steep gorges and lush riverbanks. Today’s shore excursion takes you to the pristine Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), where you’ll glide through narrow, misty gorges on a traditional flat-bottom boat, getting up close to the area’s unspoiled natural beauty. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 🏨 Overnight on Yangtze Cruise Ship
🌟 Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise to Shanghai
This morning you’ll take a guided shore excursion to the world-famous Three Gorges Dam, one of the most impressive engineering feats in modern history, to learn about its construction and impact on the Yangtze region. After your visit, you’ll disembark and travel on to Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
🌟 Day 12: Shanghai
Explore the very best of Shanghai on your full day tour: start with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese art and artifacts in the country. Next, wander through the classical Yu Garden, a 16th-century traditional Chinese garden filled with pavilions, koi ponds, and lush greenery, then browse the bustling shops and local snack stalls of nearby Yuyuan Market. In the afternoon, stroll through the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, admiring the blend of colonial-era architecture and trendy local cafes and boutiques. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai
🌟 Day 13: Shanghai
After breakfast, your 13-day China adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight or next travel destination, with lasting memories of China’s history, nature, and culture. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
✅ What's Included
- All core activity and entrance fees for listed experiences: Tiananmen Square access, Forbidden City guided tour, Summer Palace exploration, Kunming Lake boat ride (weather permitting), Mutianyu Great Wall cable car, Great Wall hiking access, Changling Tomb visit, Temple of Heaven entry and park exploration, hutong rickshaw ride, Terracotta Warriors guided tour, Reed Flute Cave visit, and 3.5-4.5 hour Li River cruise
- Scheduled one-way flight from Xi’an to Guilin
- All meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Fully private customized touring experience tailored to your pace and preferences
❌ What's Not Included
- No core itinerary activities are excluded; personal expenses (including souvenirs, extra snacks, travel insurance, and optional unlisted activities) are not covered
ℹ️ Important Information
