This 14-day fully private tour of China lets you explore six of the country’s most beloved destinations: imperial Beijing, history-rich Xi’an, scenic Guilin, dramatic Zhangjiajie, cultural Kunming, and buzzing cosmopolitan Shanghai. Curated from top-rated attractions and experiences to fit your personal travel pace, this handpicked cross-country itinerary delivers unbeatable value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment options for a seamless, unforgettable Chinese adventure.
This 14-day cross-country private journey kicks off in Beijing, China’s centuries-old imperial capital, before traveling west to Xi’an, home of the world-famous 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors. From there you’ll head south to experience Guilin’s dreamy karst river landscapes and ancient rice terraces, then journey to Zhangjiajie’s jagged, mist-shrouded sandstone peaks, before wrapping up your adventure in sparkling, modern Shanghai. The route curates the very best of China’s iconic highlights, mixing world-famous historical landmarks, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and deep cultural dives for a well-rounded, unforgettable trip.
Arrive in Beijing at your leisure, where your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport or station and transfer you to your comfortable city hotel. Take the rest of the day to settle in, grab a bite of iconic local street food (on your own), and rest up for your days of exploration ahead. 🏨 Overnight at your Beijing hotel.
Start your first full day of sightseeing with a peaceful early morning visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors once held grand ceremonies to pray for bountiful harvests. After wandering the ancient cypress groves and iconic circular altar, head to Panjiayuan Antique Market, China’s largest open-air craft and antique market, to browse unique souvenirs from hand-painted ceramics to silk scarves. Next, walk through expansive Tiananmen Square before stepping into the 600-year-old Forbidden City, the former home of Chinese emperors, to explore its golden-roofed palaces and hidden courtyards. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, authentic Chinese lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing.
Today you’ll venture outside the city to the quiet, well-preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. Choose your ideal adventure: take a scenic cable car up to the wall for leisurely walks with sweeping mountain views, or hike along the ancient stone battlements for a more active experience. On your way back to the city, stop at a local jade carving factory to watch master artisans practice this thousands-year-old traditional craft. End the day with a quick photo stop outside the iconic Bird Nest Stadium and Water Cube, landmarks from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, authentic Chinese lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing.
Before departing Beijing for Xi’an, spend a lovely morning exploring the Summer Palace, the Qing dynasty imperial family’s scenic mountain summer retreat. Glide across the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake on a peaceful boat ride, with views of the famous hand-painted Long Corridor and Fragrant Hill in the distance. After your visit, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your private flight to Xi’an. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Chinese lunch in Beijing. 🏨 Overnight at your Xi'an hotel.
Today is dedicated to Xi’an’s most iconic treasure: the Qin Terracotta Warriors. Walk through the massive excavation pits to marvel at thousands of life-sized clay warriors, each with a unique hand-carved face, built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. After that, visit a local pottery workshop to try your hand at making your own small clay creation, learning traditional techniques passed down through generations. In the afternoon, walk or cycle along the top of the perfectly preserved ancient Xi’an City Wall, then head to Wild Goose Pagoda North Square to see Asia’s largest public fountain. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, Chinese lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an.
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to Xi’an airport for your flight to Guilin, the scenic southern city famous for its dramatic karst mountain landscapes. Once you land, your private local Guilin guide will meet you and transfer you smoothly to your city hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax after travel, or wander the neighborhood to try famous Guilin rice noodles on your own. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast. 🏨 Overnight in Guilin.
Today you’ll take a scenic drive up to Longji Rice Terraces, a stunning layered landscape carved into the mountains by local communities over hundreds of years. Take a leisurely trek along the edge of the terraces, with panoramic views of the green or golden (depending on season) stepped fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. Stop at a traditional Zhuang or Yao minority village to experience local village life, meet residents, and learn about their unique customs and culture. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, a hearty authentic Chinese lunch made with local ingredients at a village restaurant. 🏨 Overnight in Guilin.
One of China’s most iconic scenic experiences is on the agenda today: a leisurely full cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Sit back and soak in the views of steep karst peaks rising directly from the glassy green river — the same scenery printed on the back of China’s 20 yuan banknote. Once you arrive in Yangshuo, take a stroll along lively West Street, full of craft shops and cozy cafes, then explore the quiet surrounding countryside by bicycle or local vehicle, passing through small villages and fragrant farmland. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, lunch. 🏨 Overnight back in Guilin.
Before departing Guilin for Zhangjiajie, check off Guilin’s most iconic city sights. Start at Elephant Trunk Hill, the natural rock formation that looks just like an elephant sipping water from the Li River, Guilin’s most famous landmark. Take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Li River and Shanhu Lake, then stop to admire the gleaming Golden and Silver Twin Pagodas that rise from the lake’s glassy surface. End your Guilin exploration with a visit to Reed Flute Cave, a stunning limestone cave full of otherworldly stalactite and stalagmite formations. After lunch, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, a la carte lunch at a popular local restaurant. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie.
Get ready for a day of breathtaking (and heart-pounding) scenery at Tianmen Mountain. Ride the world’s longest cable car up the mountain, with stunning views of steep forested slopes unfolding below you as you climb. Walk along the famous Glass Skywalk, a transparent path clinging to the side of a cliff thousands of feet above the ground, for unobstructed panoramic views. After exploring the mountain’s cliffside paths, visit the ancient Tianmen Temple tucked into the mountainside for a moment of quiet peace. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie.
Today you’ll explore the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie National Forest in Wulingyuan. First, head to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, riding the world-famous Bailong Elevator — the tallest outdoor glass elevator in the world — up a 300-meter cliff for incredible sweeping views. See the iconic Hallelujah Mountains, the jagged quartz sandstone peaks that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. After that, continue to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, where you can take in panoramic views of thousands of misty peaks stretching to the horizon. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Wulingyuan.
Get your adrenaline fix this morning with a visit to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass bridge strung between two canyon peaks. After testing your nerve on the transparent bridge, take a peaceful scenic boat ride around Baofeng Lake, a crystal-clear mountain lake surrounded by steep green forested peaks. After your morning of exploration, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai.
Explore the best of old and new Shanghai today. Start by wandering through the narrow traditional nongtang (alleyways) of Shanghai’s iconic Shikumen neighborhood, where you can get a glimpse of daily local life in this bustling global city. Next, visit the classic Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old traditional Chinese garden full of pavilions, koi ponds, and ancient trees. Wander through the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar next, where you can browse traditional crafts and try local snacks, before ending the day with a stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront lined with art deco colonial buildings and unbeatable views of Pudong’s futuristic skyline across the river. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast, authentic Chinese lunch. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai.
After breakfast at your hotel, your private 14-day Chinese adventure comes to an end. You’ll be transferred to Shanghai’s airport or train station for your departure, or you can extend your stay to explore more of the city on your own. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 10, 2026
Zhangjiajie’s dramatic landscapes were even more incredible than the photos I’d seen online. The entire 14 days flowed so smoothly that we never had to worry about logistics at all.
January 19, 2026
I would recommend this private tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without the hassle of planning.
November 3, 2025
As a first-time visitor to Asia, I was nervous about planning a big trip across multiple Chinese cities, but this private tour took all that stress away. Xi’an’s Terracotta Army was even more impressive than I could have imagined, and the local guide gave us so much fascinating context about the site’s history. Guilin’s river cruise was so peaceful, and the views of the karst peaks along the way were unforgettable. I can’t wait to come back to China and explore more, after this incredible first trip.
October 2, 2025
I booked this tour for my husband’s 50th birthday and it exceeded every expectation. Zhangjiajie’s quartz peaks took our breath away, and getting to see the Terracotta Army up close in Xi’an was a lifelong dream. The private car transfers between cities were seamless, and we never felt rushed at any of the attractions. Kunming’s colorful ethnic markets were such a lovely, unexpected surprise that broke up the itinerary perfectly.
August 27, 2025
When I reached out to HelloChinaTrip to plan our family trip, consultant Sunny adjusted the itinerary perfectly to accommodate my 10-year-old’s slower pace. She added extra breaks and kid-friendly food spots that made the trip enjoyable for everyone. We got to stand on the Great Wall, cruise the Li River in Guilin, and walk Zhangjiajie’s stunning cliff paths, all without feeling overscheduled. Every transfer and hotel was perfectly arranged, with no unexpected issues. This was easily the best-organized international trip our family has ever taken.
May 4, 2025
This was a fantastic tour that covered all the iconic spots I wanted to see. I only knock one star because we visited during national holiday week, which meant every major attraction was far more wonderful than we expected. Everything else from the itinerary to the guides was flawless.
March 12, 2025
This 14-day private tour was the perfect introduction to China.
February 11, 2025
The balance of history, nature and culture across all six cities was perfectly executed. Shanghai’s modern skyline at night was the perfect grand finale after two weeks of exploring natural and ancient wonders. All our private guides spoke excellent English and knew all the best hidden spots for local food.
December 30, 2024
This 14-day itinerary is hands down the best way to see all of China’s top highlights in one trip.
December 18, 2024
Every stop was perfectly paced, from the Great Wall in Beijing to the karst mountains in Guilin. Our private guide made every historical site feel alive and easy to understand.
This 9-day immersive Yunnan exploration tour takes you through Southwest China’s most iconic and beloved destinations, including vibrant Kunming, cultural Dali, scenic Lijiang, jaw-dropping Tiger Leaping Gorge, and mystical Shangri-La. Handpicked to deliver the best possible travel experience, this carefully curated itinerary offers unbeatable value at competitive prices, alongside fully trusted, secure payment processing that lets you focus entirely on soaking up Yunnan’s stunning natural landscapes and rich, one-of-a-kind local culture.
