This 14-day private guided tour curates an unforgettable cross-country journey through China’s most iconic destinations, blending ancient history, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and vibrant modern culture across stops including Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa (Tibet), Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai. Built for travelers who prefer personalized, flexible experiences over crowded group trips, this handpicked itinerary showcases China’s greatest highlights at a competitive, transparent price. You’ll also enjoy total peace of mind with secure, trusted payment processing for a seamless, hassle-free trip.
This 14-day cross-country journey kicks off in the imperial capital Beijing, winding west to the ancient terracotta capital of Xi’an before climbing up to the sacred high-altitude plateau of Tibet’s Lhasa. After dipping back into southwest China to see giant pandas in laid-back Chengdu and explore the hilly river city of Chongqing, we head to Zhangjiajie’s jaw-dropping, otherworldly sandstone peaks that inspired Avatar, before finishing our trip in dynamic, modern Shanghai. Every stop is chosen to highlight China’s greatest hits, delivering a balanced, unforgettable full tour of the country’s diversity.
🌟 Day 1: Beijing Today is your arrival day in China’s bustling capital! After you clear immigration and meet your private guide, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable central city hotel to settle in and rest up for your two weeks of exploration ahead. 🏨 Accommodation options include Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong or Beijing Capital Hotel.
🌟 Day 2: Beijing Today we dive into Beijing’s most iconic natural and imperial sights! First, we head to the beautifully preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where you can choose to hike the restored battlements at your own pace or glide up via cable car for sweeping panoramic views over misty mountain valleys. After lunch, we visit the lush Summer Palace, China’s largest imperial garden, where you’ll stroll along the shores of scenic Kunming Lake and explore the temple grounds on Longevity Hill. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Stay at your central Beijing hotel.
🌟 Day 3: Beijing → Xi'an We start the day with a visit to sprawling Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before stepping into the 600-year-old Forbidden City, once the exclusive home of Chinese emperors. Your private guide will walk you through the most iconic main palaces and courtyards, sharing fascinating stories of imperial life along the way. After lunch, we catch our flight to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, and transfer to your hotel for the night. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation options include Sheraton Xi'an Hotel or Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square.
🌟 Day 4: Xi'an Today we explore Xi’an’s most legendary attractions! First, we visit the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warrior and Horses Museum, where you’ll come face to face with thousands of unique, life-sized clay warriors built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Next, we wander the bustling Muslim Quarter, a historic neighborhood packed with street food stalls and traditional craft shops, before heading to Xi’an’s intact 14-kilometer ancient city wall, where you can stroll or bike along the top for panoramic views over the old city. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Stay at your Xi’an hotel.
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an → Lhasa After breakfast this morning, we fly from Xi’an up to Lhasa, the spiritual and cultural capital of Tibet set on the stunning Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Take it easy today as you acclimatize to the high altitude, checking into your comfortable hotel and getting settled after your journey. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Accommodation options include Lhasa Hotel VIP Building or Home2 Suites by Hilton Lhasa.
🌟 Day 6: Lhasa Today we explore Lhasa’s most sacred cultural sites! We start with a guided tour of the iconic Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, perched on a hilltop overlooking the city with its striking red and white architecture. Next, we visit the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Monastery, Tibet’s most sacred Buddhist temple, before wandering the bustling Barkhor Street, a traditional circular pilgrimage path lined with craft vendors and butter tea houses. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch at a local Tibetan restaurant | 🏨 Stay at your Lhasa hotel.
🌟 Day 7: Lhasa → Chengdu Before we leave Lhasa this morning, we visit two of Tibet’s most important monastic institutions: the grand Drepung Monastery, once the largest monastery in Tibet, and Sera Monastery, famous for its centuries-old tradition of public Buddhist debating. After lunch, we fly down to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province in southwest China, and check into your hotel for the night. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation options include Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center or Sheraton Chengdu Lido.
🌟 Day 8: Chengdu Today is all about Chengdu’s most beloved highlights! We start early at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you’ll get up close to playful giant pandas (and rare red pandas!) munching on bamboo in their naturalistic enclosures. Next, we wander the charming Kuai & Zhai Alleys, a preserved neighborhood of traditional Qing-dynasty courtyard homes now packed with cafes, craft shops, and street food, with your local guide pointing out hidden gems. We then visit the serene Wenshu Temple, a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple famous for its beautiful gardens and aromatic vegetarian snacks. Tonight, we treat you to an authentic Sichuan hotpot dinner, Chengdu’s world-famous spicy specialty! 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (signature Sichuan hotpot) | 🏨 Stay at your Chengdu hotel.
🌟 Day 9: Chengdu → Chongqing After breakfast, we travel to Chongqing, the misty mountain city built along the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Our first stop is the viral Liziba Station, where a light rail train passes straight through a residential apartment building, a quirky, incredible feat of modern engineering. We then wander the ancient cobblestone streets of Ciqikou Ancient Town, a historic port town packed with traditional snacks and craft shops, before heading to Jiefangbei CBD to see the iconic Liberation Monument and soak up the city’s vibrant energy. We end the day at Bayi Road Snack Street, where you can sample a range of local Chongqing treats. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Stay at Pagoda Hotel Chongqing International Land-sea.
🌟 Day 10: Chongqing → Zhangjiajie This morning we fly from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, home to China’s most stunning otherworldly mountain scenery. After arriving, we head straight into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and take a scenic cable car ride up to Huangshizhai, a spectacular mesa overlook with unbeatable views of the surrounding jagged sandstone peaks. We then hike along the lush Golden Whip Brook, a gentle valley trail that winds between towering cliffs, with options for shorter or longer hikes to match your pace. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation options include Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel or Hampton by Hilton Zhangjiajie.
🌟 Day 11: Zhangjiajie We spend another full day exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Park today. We ride the famous Bailong Super Elevator 326 meters up the side of a cliff to reach Yuanjiajie, where we’ll see the iconic Heaven and Earth Pillar – the real-life inspiration for the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Next, we head to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, where panoramic views of thousands of jagged peaks stretching into the mist will take your breath away. We end the day exploring Shilihualang (10-Mile Gallery), a scenic valley that you can experience via electric sightseeing train or a leisurely walking trail. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Stay at your Zhangjiajie hotel.
🌟 Day 12: Zhangjiajie → Shanghai Today we experience the thrills of Tianmen Mountain before heading to Shanghai. We ride the world’s longest cable car up to the top of Tianmen Mountain, then walk along the dizzying glass skywalk clinging to the cliff edge, with straight-down views of the valley thousands of feet below. We wander past Tongtian Avenue, the 99-turn road that winds up the mountain, before stepping through the 131.5-meter tall natural Tianmen Cave, known as the Gateway to Heaven. We also visit the ancient Tianmen Temple tucked into the mountain, and get another chance to walk the cliffside glass walkway. After all this adventure, we fly to Shanghai, China’s most vibrant modern metropolis, and check into our downtown hotel. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation options include Holiday Inn Shanghai Nanjing Road or Crowne Plaza Shanghai Nanjing Road.
🌟 Day 13: Shanghai Today we explore Shanghai’s perfect mix of traditional and modern sights! We start with a stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront promenade lined with historic colonial-era buildings, with stunning views of Pudong’s futuristic skyscraper skyline across the Huangpu River. Next, we visit the classic Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old traditional Chinese garden filled with pavilions, koi ponds, and winding paths in the heart of the old city. We then wander Xintiandi, a stylish district of restored shikumen courtyard homes that was once part of the French Concession, before ending the day at the serene Jade Buddha Temple, home to two giant carved jade Buddha statues. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Stay at your Shanghai hotel.
🌟 Day 14: Shanghai (Departure) After a leisurely breakfast this morning, your 14-day Chinese adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transferred to Shanghai’s international airport in time for your departing flight, with endless memories of your cross-country journey across China. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 10, 2026
Having a private tour meant we never had to wait in long lines for tickets or transport, which made the 14 days feel totally relaxed. The mix of iconic cities and natural landscapes across the itinerary gave us such a complete sense of China's incredible diversity.
March 28, 2026
I was nervous about visiting Lhasa at high altitude, but our guide made sure we took it slow and stayed comfortable the entire time. Getting to see the Potala Palace up close after seeing it in photos my whole life was such a moving experience. The entire itinerary flowed so well from ancient sites to natural wonders to modern cities, it never felt disjointed.
January 20, 2026
Seeing giant pandas in Chengdu and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an was a dream come true on this seamless tour.
November 5, 2025
I traveled with my teenage kids on this tour and we all had the best time, even though we have wildly different interests. My kids loved the hiking in Zhangjiajie and the modern skyline in Shanghai, while my favorite parts were exploring the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city walls in Xi'an. All the private transfers went off without a hitch, and our guides were great at explaining history in a way that kept everyone engaged. This is easily the best organized international tour we've ever taken. We left already planning our next trip back to explore more of China.
May 2, 2025
I gave this 4 stars only because we visited during Golden Week and almost every popular site was far more wonderful than we anticipated. Every other part of the tour, from our private guides to the pre-booked tickets, was perfectly organized. The mix of history, nature and city culture across all 14 days was exactly what we wanted.
April 30, 2025
As someone who loves both history and hiking, this tour checked every box I had for a cross-country trip through China. We got to explore ancient palaces in Beijing, walk the dramatic cliffs of Zhangjiajie, watch the Potala Palace light up at sunset in Lhasa, and eat incredible spicy food in Chongqing. Every private guide was knowledgeable and happy to adjust our schedule to let us spend more time at spots we loved. I've already recommended this tour to all of my friends who are planning a trip to Asia.
March 12, 2025
This 14-day private tour exceeded every one of my expectations for a first trip to China.
February 17, 2025
The view from the top of Zhangjiajie's Tianmen Mountain alone made this entire incredible tour worth every penny.
December 30, 2024
This perfectly planned 14-day tour gave me the most unforgettable adventure through the best of China.
December 18, 2024
Ethan from HelloChinaTrip planned this perfectly for our anniversary trip, and every detail was taken care of. From the Great Wall in Beijing to the karst peaks in Zhangjiajie, every stop felt personal and never rushed. We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to China.
Dive into the unmatched natural and cultural beauty of Tibet on this immersive 6-day tour, which covers Lhasa, the stunning alpine Namtso Lake, surrounding scenic areas, and a stop in historic Xi’an for a well-rounded travel experience. As a top-curated pick for exploring the heart of Tibet, this tour stands out for its carefully selected itinerary highlights, competitive pricing, and secure, trusted payment processes, letting you focus fully on soaking in the one-of-a-kind magic of your journey.
