James Wilson
April 30, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 15-day curated small group tour takes you through 7 of China’s most celebrated destinations, from historic Beijing and cultural Xi’an to the dramatic, world-famous scenery of Chongqing and Zhangjiajie, with additional stops in Chengdu, Nanjing and Shanghai. Kept intentionally intimate with a maximum of just 16 guests per group, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, personal travel experience free of the overcrowding that plagues large mass tours. Curated as a top-tier itinerary with unbeatable value and backed by trusted, secure payments, it’s ideal for travelers eager to soak up China’s most breathtaking views.
This 15-day journey sweeps across 7 of China’s most unforgettable destinations, weaving together ancient history, intimate wildlife encounters, otherworldly mountain scenery, and modern urban energy. We kick off our adventure in the historic imperial capital of Beijing, exploring iconic landmarks before heading west to Xi’an to uncover the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army. Next we travel to laid-back Chengdu for close-up giant panda encounters, then on to misty, hilly Chongqing for spicy local flavors and dramatic karst gorges. We then explore the mist-shrouded peak landscapes of Zhangjiajie before wrapping up our trip in the glittering modern metropolis of Shanghai, giving you the full sweep of China’s past and present in one seamless, intimate trip.
Arrive in Beijing, China’s vibrant capital, at your own pace. Your local guide will meet you on arrival and help you check into your city hotel 🏨. The rest of the day is free to settle in, grab a bite of local street food, or wander nearby neighborhoods to get your first taste of Beijing life.
After an included breakfast 🍽️, we start our day capturing postcard-perfect photos at iconic Tiananmen Square, the beating heart of the city. Next, a guided tour takes you through the Forbidden City, the centuries-old imperial palace complex that was off-limits to ordinary people for hundreds of years. We climb up to neighboring Jingshan Park for a sweeping panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City before ending the day with a leisurely stroll through the beautifully manicured imperial gardens of the Summer Palace.
Today we head out to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the most well-preserved and scenic stretches of this world wonder. We ride a cable car up to the 14th watchtower, then set off on a relaxed hike along the wall, with endless views of the structure winding over rolling green hills. On our way back to central Beijing, we stop for exterior photos at the iconic Bird’s Nest National Stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Center, the famous venues from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
We check out of our Beijing hotel 🏨 this morning and travel via prearranged transport to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties. Once you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your Xi’an hotel to rest after your journey, with the rest of the evening free to explore a local night market if you’re feeling hungry.
After our included breakfast 🍽️, we head out early to the world-famous Terracotta Army Museum. We explore Pit 1 first, where more than 6,000 life-sized clay warriors have stood guard over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang for more than 2,000 years, before moving on to Pit 2 to see 1,300 additional warriors and horses, each with a unique hand-carved face. Back in central Xi’an, we take a leisurely walk along the intact, 14-kilometer Ancient City Wall, then stop for a visit to the iconic Bell Tower at the city’s center before wrapping up our day with an included group lunch 🍽️.
We start the day with an included breakfast 🍽️, then visit the 1,300-year-old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist landmark that once held ancient scriptures brought back from India by a traveling monk. After exploring the pagoda, we check out and travel to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province. Once we arrive, we wander the bustling historic Muslim Quarter, packed with street food stalls and local shops, to get a first taste of Chengdu’s famous snack culture before checking into our hotel 🏨.
We leave early after an included breakfast 🍽️ (to catch pandas when they’re most active!) and head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. We explore the base to watch giant pandas munch on fresh bamboo, visit the on-site Panda Museum to learn about the species’ conservation, and stop by the Red Panda Playground to see these fluffy, smaller panda relatives climb and play. In the afternoon, we visit the Sanxingdui Site Museum, home to mysterious, massive ancient bronze artifacts that tell the story of a 3,000-year-old lost civilization in Sichuan.
After an included breakfast 🍽️, we check out of our Chengdu hotel and travel to Chongqing, the misty mountain city built along the banks of the Yangtze River. Once we arrive, we stop at the famous Liziba Metro Station to see the iconic sight of a light rail train passing straight through a residential skyscraper. Next we visit the historic Kuixing Building and the Jiefangbei People’s Liberation Monument, Chongqing’s central city landmark. In the evening, we gather as a group for an included authentic spicy Chongqing hot pot dinner 🍽️, the city’s most iconic meal.
After an included breakfast 🍽️, we take a day trip out to the dramatic Wulong Karst National Geology Park. We step out onto the 280-meter-high glass observation deck for heart-stopping views over the deep gorges below, then ride a sightseeing elevator down into the gorge. We hike through the incredible natural karst landscape, getting up close to the massive natural arch of Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon) Bridge, then continue on to explore the equally stunning Qinglong (Azure Dragon) Bridge before heading back to Chongqing for the night.
Today we check out of our Chongqing hotel 🏨 and travel to Zhangjiajie, the mountainous national park in Hunan famous for its thousands of jagged quartz peaks rising out of the mist. We transfer you to your hotel near the park entrance once we arrive, so you can rest up and recharge for two full days of hiking and exploring.
Start the day with an included breakfast 🍽️ before heading into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We ride the famous Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, which whisks us up to the top of the peak in just 1.5 minutes for sweeping panoramic views. We hike through the Yuanjiajie scenic area, stopping to see the iconic South Sky Pillar (the real-life inspiration for Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountains), then visit the Enchanting Platform and the Natural Bonsai garden at Backyard Garden, where every turn brings a new postcard-worthy view.
After an included breakfast 🍽️, we head to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to walk across the famous Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a 430-meter-long structure suspended 300 meters above the canyon floor. The fully transparent walkway gives you the thrilling feeling of walking on air high above the gorge below. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely scenic cruise across the calm, emerald waters of Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep karst peaks, for a relaxed end to our day of exploring.
We start bright and early with an included breakfast 🍽️, then head to Tianmen Mountain before traveling to Shanghai. We ride the 7,455-meter-long Tianmen Mountain cable car, a 30-minute scenic ride that takes us all the way to the mountain top. Once at the top, we visit the ancient Tianmen Temple tucked into the mountainside, then walk the famous Glass Skywalk perched 1,430 meters above sea level, for unobstructed views of the valley below. We finish with a stroll along the 1.6-kilometer Cliff-Hanging Walkway, carved into the side of the mountain, before we travel to Shanghai and check into our city hotel 🏨 for the night.
After an included breakfast 🍽️, we kick off our day of Shanghai exploration with a trip to the Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. We ride the elevator up to the Top of Shanghai Observatory on the 118th floor, for a bird’s-eye panoramic view of the entire city stretching out to the horizon. Next, we visit the Shanghai Museum to explore its world-famous collections of ancient bronze and ceramics, one of the best collections of Chinese cultural artifacts in the world. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely stroll through the classic classical Chinese gardens of Yu Garden, then wander the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, packed with local handicraft shops and street snacks, to pick up souvenirs.
Today is departure day for your 15-day China adventure. After checking out of your Shanghai hotel 🏨, you’ll be transferred to the airport or train station at your scheduled departure time, with endless new memories of China to take home.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 30, 2026
As someone who loves both history and nature, this itinerary checked every single box for me. I was worried that 15 days moving between 7 cities would feel tiring, but the schedule was laid out so well that we never felt rushed. The small group size made it easy to connect with other travelers, and our guide was happy to answer all of our questions about daily life in modern China. I can’t imagine a better introduction to all the incredible diversity this country has to offer.
February 18, 2026
This is the best organized tour I’ve ever been on, with a great mix of historic cultural sites and jaw-dropping natural scenery. Seeing giant pandas in Chengdu after hiking around Zhangjiajie was the perfect shift of pace, and I loved getting to try all the delicious local food in each city along the way.
October 17, 2025
Ethan from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust a few small booking details before the trip started, and he was responsive and helpful the entire time. Having all transport and entry tickets pre-arranged took all the stress out of navigating seven different cities, which was a huge relief. The small group size meant we got lots of personal attention from our guide, and every day felt balanced between scheduled sightseeing and free time to explore on your own. Zhangjiajie’s cliff paths and Chongqing’s night skyline were my highlights, and I’ll be recommending this tour to all my friends planning a trip to China.
May 21, 2025
The itinerary was perfectly curated, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about every historic and natural site we visited. I booked this tour specifically to see the dramatic cliffs of Zhangjiajie, but we had three straight days of heavy fog that blocked most of the iconic views. This was totally out of the tour operator’s control, just bad luck with spring weather. Even so, I still enjoyed every other stop from Beijing’s Forbidden City to Chongqing’s vibrant riverfront.
March 12, 2025
This 15-day small group tour exceeded every expectation I had for exploring China’s most iconic spots.
December 4, 2024
I loved that the group size capped at 16 guests, so it never felt crowded or rushed between destinations. The views in Zhangjiajie were even more breathtaking than I imagined, and seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an was a lifelong dream come true. This is the perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to China.
