Isabella Rossi
March 8, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 14-day intimate small group tour of China explores 6 iconic destinations, including imperial Beijing, ancient Xi’an, Chengdu (home to China’s beloved giant pandas), the misty otherworldly Avatar Mountains of Zhangjiajie, scenic Kunming, and dynamic Shanghai. Curated for a comfortable, unforgettable travel experience far from the crowds of large package tours, this handpicked itinerary delivers unbeatable value with guaranteed fair best pricing and trusted, secure payment processing, letting you tick off China’s most famous bucket-list highlights in one seamless trip.
This 14-day seamless adventure starts in Beijing, China’s ancient imperial capital, where you’ll tick off world-famous cultural landmarks before traveling west to Xi’an, home of the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors. From Xi’an, you’ll glide through central China on high-speed rail to laid-back Chengdu, home of giant pandas and mouthwatering Sichuan cuisine. Next, you’ll head to Zhangjiajie to explore the otherworldly quartz sandstone peaks that inspired Avatar’s famous floating mountain scenery, before flying to dynamic coastal Shanghai to wrap up your trip. The route balances iconic cultural sites, one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters, and dramatic natural landscapes for a complete introduction to China’s many wonders.
After touching down in Beijing, you’ll be checked into your comfortable local hotel to rest and shake off any travel fatigue. No scheduled activities today, so you can wander the nearby neighborhood or relax ahead of your coming adventures. 🏨 Overnight at included local hotel.
Today you dive deep into Beijing’s imperial and local culture. Start with a visit to the serene Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests. Next, cruise through narrow, winding traditional hutongs on a rickshaw, stopping to visit a local family for a glimpse of everyday life in old Beijing. After that, you’ll stroll across historic Tian’anmen Square before heading into the Forbidden City for a 2+ hour guided tour of China’s former imperial palace, unpacking centuries of royal history. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte Chinese lunch at a local neighborhood restaurant 🏨 Overnight at Beijing hotel
Today you check off one of the world’s greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China. We visit the less crowded, beautifully preserved Mutianyu section, with a round-trip cable car included to whisk you up to the wall’s ramparts. Spend your day strolling along the ancient stone walls, taking in sweeping views of green mountains stretching to the horizon. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a restaurant at the foot of the mountain 🏨 Overnight at Beijing hotel
Before departing Beijing for Xi’an, you’ll explore the Summer Palace, China’s iconic imperial garden. Take a leisurely stroll down the famous Long Corridor, lined with hundreds of hand-painted traditional murals, before heading to the train station for your journey west. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a local Beijing restaurant 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an hotel upon arrival
Today is all about Xi’an’s ancient treasures. Start by strolling or cycling along the fully preserved ancient Xi’an City Wall, which wraps around the city’s historic core. Next, stop at a cave dwelling pottery workshop for a hands-on lesson to craft your own miniature terracotta warrior to take home as a souvenir. After that, visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors archaeological site, where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers have stood guard over an emperor for more than 2,000 years. Wrap up the day with a casual walk around lively Bell Tower Square in central Xi’an. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a local restaurant near the site 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an hotel
Before boarding your high-speed train to Chengdu, explore Xi’an’s bustling Muslim Quarter, starting with a visit to the historic Gao's Courtyard. Stop for photos at Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Plaza, then stay to watch the area’s famous dynamic music fountain show before departure. A 2nd class high-speed train seat is included for your comfortable journey to Chengdu. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch in Xi'an 🏨 Overnight at Chengdu hotel upon arrival
Today’s highlight is for animal lovers: a visit to the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can get up close to gentle giant pandas as they munch bamboo and play in lush, natural enclosures. After panda viewing, head to UNESCO-listed Mt. Leshan, home to the world’s largest stone-carved Buddha, and hike down the mountainside for a close-up view of this incredible ancient monument. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch nearby 🏨 Overnight at Chengdu hotel
Settle into local Chengdu life today. Start with a visit to People’s Park, where you’ll experience a traditional local tea house: sip fragrant local tea while watching locals play mahjong and go about their daily routines. Next, explore the historic Wuhou Temple, a centuries-old shrine dedicated to Three Kingdoms-era statesman Zhuge Liang. Wrap up the day with a stroll along atmospheric Jinli Ancient Street, where you can browse local handicrafts and sample casual Sichuan snacks. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, authentic Sichuan lunch 🏨 Overnight at Chengdu hotel
After breakfast, board your included high-speed train from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie, the gateway to China’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Settle in for the scenic journey through central China, then check into your Zhangjiajie hotel on arrival. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast 🏨 Overnight at Zhangjiajie hotel
Today you explore the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie National Forest, the otherworldly landscape that inspired Avatar. Start with a tour of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, then ride the iconic Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator) up the cliffside for unbeatable peak views. Next, wander through the mist-shrouded peaks of Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, then visit the Ten-mile Gallery (note: the small scenic train ride here is at your own expense) to see the area’s unique rock formations up close. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, lunch 🏨 Overnight at Zhangjiajie hotel
Check off two more of Zhangjiajie’s top attractions today. First, walk across the famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottom bridge, for thrilling vertiginous views of the canyon thousands of feet below. After that, visit the stunning mountain-fringed Baofeng Lake, where you can cruise across clear turquoise water surrounded by steep, forested peaks. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a local restaurant 🏨 Overnight at Zhangjiajie hotel
Explore the iconic Tianmen Mountain before your flight to Shanghai, experiencing all six of the mountain’s famous wonders: the scenic full-length cable car ride up the mountain, the vertigo-inducing Glass Skywalk along the cliff edge, the ancient mountain-top Tianmen Temple, the unique Bonsai Garden, the massive natural Tianmen Cave, and the winding 99-bend Connected-Heaven Avenue. After your mountain adventure, board your included flight from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a local restaurant
Explore the best of old and new Shanghai on a full city tour today. Wander through traditional Shikumen lane houses (called Nong Tang) to experience authentic old Shanghai neighborhood life. Next, visit the classic Jiangnan-style Yuyuan Garden, then explore the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar (also known as Chenghuangmiao Old Street) where you can shop for souvenirs and try local Shanghai snacks. Wrap up the day with a visit to the Shanghai City History Museum inside the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where you’ll learn how Shanghai grew into the global metropolis it is today. 🍽️ Included: Hotel breakfast, a la carte lunch at a local Shanghai restaurant 🏨 Overnight at Shanghai hotel
After a final included breakfast, your 14-day China adventure comes to an end. You’re free to arrange your departure from Shanghai at your leisure. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
March 8, 2026
As someone who’s always been nervous about traveling to a country where I don’t speak the local language, this tour took all the stress out of the entire trip. From seamless inter-city transport to well-picked local restaurants for every meal, every tiny detail was handled perfectly. I loved getting to see so many different sides of China: the bustling modern energy of Shanghai, thousands of years of history in Xi’an, the quiet magical mist of Zhangjiajie’s peaks, and the laid-back charm of Chengdu and Kunming. The small group size also meant I made a couple of new friends along the way, which was such a wonderful bonus. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without the hassle of planning everything yourself.
January 20, 2026
I’ve done dozens of group tours around the world, and this 14-day small group trip was easily one of the best I’ve ever booked. Being in a small intimate group meant we never felt rushed, and our guide could share so much extra context at every stop from Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors to Beijing’s Forbidden City. The itinerary was perfectly paced, with just the right mix of guided sightseeing and free time to explore on our own. I left already planning my next trip back to China!
October 19, 2025
This was the best vacation my partner and I have ever taken, hands down.
May 2, 2025
Every stop on this tour was absolutely incredible, full of unforgettable history and jaw-dropping natural beauty. I’m only dropping one star because we visited during Chinese National Day Golden Week and every popular site had much larger crowds than we anticipated. Our guide still did everything possible to keep our day running smoothly despite the crowds.
April 22, 2025
The view from the top of Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains took my breath away, 10 out of 10.
March 12, 2025
This 14-day China tour checked every single one of my bucket list items, it was absolutely perfect.
February 15, 2025
Our consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped us adjust a few small preferences in our itinerary before we left, and everything went off without a single hitch. Getting to watch giant pandas munch bamboo in Chengdu was easily the highlight of my whole year.
December 30, 2024
The 14 days of this tour flew by way faster than I expected. Walking the Great Wall outside Beijing, standing on Zhangjiajie’s glass sky bridge, and watching giant pandas play are experiences I’ll never forget. This tour is absolutely worth every single penny.
December 18, 2024
Seeing giant pandas up close in their Chengdu habitat was a dream come true. The mist-shrouded Avatar Mountains of Zhangjiajie were even more stunning than I imagined from the movie.
