- 4.9/5 523 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
China is easier to plan in 10 days than most people expect, if you pick four places and stay on the main route. This private trip covers Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai, with a flight or high-speed train between each. You never spend a full day on the road.
You see the Forbidden City, walk a restored stretch of the Great Wall, stand in front of the Terracotta Army and drift down the Li River past the limestone peaks. You finish on the Shanghai waterfront. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide in every city, built for first-time visitors who want the classics at a steady pace.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Beijing
Forbidden City, hutong rickshaw ride, Mutianyu Great Wall
4
Beijing to Xi’an
Temple of Heaven, high-speed train
5 - 6
Xi'an
Terracotta Army, cooking class, calligraphy, shadow puppet show
6 - 7
Guilin
Evening flight, Li River cruise
8
Yangshuo to Shanghai
Countryside, flight
9
Shanghai
The Bund, Yu Garden, dim sum, Shanghai Tower
10
Shanghai
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Welcome to Beijing
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel, usually 45-90 minutes away. Rest, then meet your guide for a briefing on early starts and the passport you need for ticketed sites.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Forbidden City and Hutongs
Walk the central axis of the Forbidden City, the palace of Ming and Qing emperors, with a guide. Tickets are capped and reserved in advance. In the afternoon, ride a rickshaw through the old hutong lanes and step into a courtyard home.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Drive about 1.5 hours to Mutianyu, a restored section along forested ridges. Take the cable car up and walk between watchtowers for as long as you like, since the steps are steep. Return to Beijing for a free evening.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Temple of Heaven and Train to Xi’an
Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning, when locals practice tai chi in the park. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Xi’an, about 4.5 hours. You arrive in the evening.
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- Xi’an
- Day 5: Terracotta Army
Go early to the Terracotta Army, about 40 minutes from the city, and walk the pits of life-size soldiers and horses. Your guide explains the bronze chariots in the museum. In the afternoon, walk or cycle the Xi’an city wall.
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Xi’an Flavors, Then Fly to Guilin
Spend the morning in a local home or kitchen learning to make dumplings, then try calligraphy and walk the Muslim Quarter. Catch an evening flight to Guilin, about 2 hours. This is a full day, so tell us if you’d rather drop one activity.
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- Guilin
- Day 7: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Cruise the Li River for about four hours, past the limestone peaks on the 20-yuan note, with lunch on board. In dry months low water can shorten the route, so your guide confirms the starting point. Walk West Street in Yangshuo in the late afternoon.
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- Yangshuo
- Day 8: Yangshuo Countryside and Fly to Shanghai
Cycle or take a bamboo raft through the countryside along the Yulong River in the morning. Then transfer to Guilin airport and fly to Shanghai, about 2 hours. You arrive in the evening.
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- Shanghai
- Day 9: Shanghai
Walk the Bund, with the Pudong skyline across the river, then Yu Garden and a dim sum lunch. Here’s what I found visit a silk workshop in the afternoon, then see the city from the shanghai tower. Fuxing Park is a quiet stop if time allows.
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- Shanghai
- Day 10: Departure from Shanghai
Today marks the end of your Shanghai adventure. Take some time to pack and get ready for your journey. When prepared, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel to provide a seamless transfer to the airport. Wishing you a pleasant journey home or to your next destination, and we hope to see you again soon!
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Accommodation Options
The hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
Beijing 3 Nights
- 3.8
Top Choice
Beijing Novotel Peace Hotel
Address: 3 Jinyu Hu Tong, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100006
- 4.4
Top Choice
The Regent Beijing
Address: 99 Jinbao St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100005
- 4.5
Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Address: 97 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, CN, Postal Code: 100005, China
- 4.2
Fairmont Beijing
Addess: China, Beijing, Chaoyang, Yong'an Dongli, Jianguomenwai Avenue
Xi'an 2 Nights
- 4.0
Top Choice
Grand Noble Hotel Xian
Address: No. 334 East Street, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China
- 4.7
Top Choice
Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Address: 7W4W+659, Fenxiang Lane, Bell Tower Business District, Beilin, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, 710002
- 4.5
Hilton Xi'an
Address: 199 Dongxin St, Xincheng, Xi'An, Shaanxi, China, 710005
Guilin 1 Night
- 4.4
Top Choice
Guilin Bravo Hotel
Address: 14 Ronghu S Rd, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541002
- 4.5
Top Choice
Guilin Shangri-la Hotel
Address: 111 Huancheng North 2 Rd, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541004
- 4.4
Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel Guilin
Address: No. 8 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, China, 541002
Yangshuo 1 Night
- 4.8
Top Choice
Yangshuo Li River Resort
Address: 1 Shuangtan Village, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541900
- 4.2
Top Choice
Green Lotus Hotel
Address: No. 1 Guanlian Road, Yangshuo, Guilin, Guangxi, China
- 4.0
Yangshuo Yitian West Street Hotel
Address: Building E, Yitian West Street, Yangshou, Guilin, China
Shanghai 2 Nights
- 4.1
Top Choice
Maxx by Steigenberger on the Bund Shanghai
Address: 1 East Jinling Road, Shanghai, China
- 4.1
Top Choice
Hengshan Garden Hotel
Address: 516 Hengshan Rd, 516, Xuhui District, China, 200031
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