Tom Warren
April 30, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 15-day intimate small-group China tour centers on experiencing the breathtaking natural scenery of Chongqing and Zhangjiajie, while also stopping at iconic cultural and scenic destinations across the country: Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Nanjing, and Shanghai. Capped at a maximum of only 16 guests, it avoids the overcrowding common on large group trips, letting you fully soak in every incredible vista and local experience. Carefully curated for quality, this tour delivers great value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment options for a hassle-free booking process.
This 15-day curated journey begins in the imperial capital of Beijing, where you’ll dive into thousands of years of Chinese history before moving west to Xi’an, home of the world-famous Terracotta Army. From Xi’an you’ll travel to panda paradise Chengdu, then on to the misty mountain metropolis of Chongqing to explore dramatic gorges and feast on iconic local food. The trip then heads to Zhangjiajie, the otherworldly sandstone peak landscape that inspired Avatar, to experience its iconic natural formations and record-breaking glass attractions before wrapping up your adventure in modern, glittering Shanghai. The route weaves together ancient culture and breathtaking natural scenery for a truly well-rounded, unforgettable Chinese travel experience.
🌟 Day 1: Beijing Today you’ll arrive in China’s bustling capital Beijing, check into your hotel 🏨 and get settled after your journey. Take the rest of the day to explore the nearby neighborhood, grab your first taste of authentic Beijing street food, or rest up for the exciting days of sightseeing ahead.
🌟 Day 2: Beijing Kick off your first full day of sightseeing with a stop at iconic Tiananmen Square for photos to remember your trip, then join an expert guided tour of the Forbidden City, once the exclusive home of Chinese emperors (entrance fee included!). After exploring the palace grounds, head up to nearby Jingshan Park for sweeping panoramic views of the entire city and Forbidden City, then end your day with a leisurely stroll through the sprawling, picturesque Summer Palace. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing.
🌟 Day 3: Beijing Today is all about one of the world’s greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China! You’ll head to the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section, where you’ll ride a cable car all the way up to the 14th watchtower before setting off on a scenic hike along the ancient wall, with incredible views stretching for miles around. On your way back into the city, stop for photos of Beijing’s iconic Olympic venues: the Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) to cap off your day. 🏨 Overnight in Beijing.
🌟 Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an After checking out of your Beijing hotel this morning, you’ll travel to the ancient capital city of Xi’an, where you’ll check into your accommodation and get ready for a day of historic exploration tomorrow. 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an.
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an Today you’ll visit one of the most incredible archaeological finds in the world: the Terracotta Army! You’ll explore Pit 1, which holds more than 6,000 life-size warrior and horse figures, before moving on to Pit 2, home to 1,300 more intricately crafted ancient warriors. After exploring the museum, take a leisurely walk along Xi’an’s perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, then stop to visit the historic Bell Tower at the heart of the city. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included today. 🏨 Overnight in Xi'an.
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an to Chengdu This morning you’ll depart Xi’an and travel to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province. Once you arrive, head out to explore the historic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then wander through the lively Muslim Quarter, a bustling neighborhood full of delicious street food, unique crafts, and historic mosques. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Chengdu.
🌟 Day 7: Chengdu Get up early today for the best chance to see giant pandas at their most active at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding! You’ll also explore the on-site Panda Museum and visit the Red Panda Playground to spot these smaller, equally adorable creatures foraging and playing. After your panda encounter, head to the Sanxingdui Site Museum to explore the mysterious ancient Bronze Age artifacts from this lost civilization that still fascinate archaeologists today. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Chengdu.
🌟 Day 8: Chengdu to Chongqing Today you’ll travel from Chengdu to the hilly, misty metropolis of Chongqing in southwest China. After checking in, head out to see the city’s most iconic quirky sight: the Liziba Metro Station, where trains pass straight through a residential apartment building! Next, visit the historic Kuixing Building and the iconic Jiefangbei People’s Liberation Monument at the center of the city, then end your day with a delicious shared Chongqing hot pot dinner with your new travel friends. 🍽️ Breakfast and group hot pot dinner are included today. 🏨 Overnight in Chongqing.
🌟 Day 9: Chongqing to Wulong (return to Chongqing) Today you’ll take a day trip out to the dramatic karst landscapes of Wulong, just outside Chongqing. Step out onto the thrilling 280-meter-high glass observation deck for jaw-dropping views of the gorges below, then ride a sightseeing elevator deep into the gorge. After that, hike through the stunning Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon) Bridge to see its massive natural arch, then continue on to view the dramatic Qinglong (Azure Dragon) Bridge before heading back to Chongqing for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Chongqing.
🌟 Day 10: Chongqing to Zhangjiajie Today you’ll check out of your Chongqing hotel and travel to Zhangjiajie, the famous national park in Hunan province known for its otherworldly sandstone pillar peaks. Arrive at your accommodation, get settled, and rest up for a full day of exploring the park tomorrow. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie.
🌟 Day 11: Zhangjiajie Get ready for a day of incredible scenery in Zhangjiajie National Park! Today you’ll ride the famous Bailong Elevator, which whisks you up to the top of a pillar peak in just 1.5 minutes, then set off on a hike through the Yuanjiajie area to see the iconic South Sky Pillar (the real-life inspiration for Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountain). Stop for sweeping views at Enchanting Platform, then wander through the scenic Backyard Garden area to see its famous natural bonsai rock formations. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie.
🌟 Day 12: Zhangjiajie Today’s adventure takes you to two of Zhangjiajie’s most iconic attractions: first, you’ll walk across the record-breaking Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a 430-meter-long structure suspended 300 meters above the canyon floor for a thrilling, one-of-a-kind experience. After that, take a relaxing scenic cruise across the emerald waters of Baofeng Lake, surrounded by steep green karst peaks on all sides. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Zhangjiajie.
🌟 Day 13: Zhangjiajie to Shanghai This morning you’ll start the day with a spectacular cable car ride up Tianmen Mountain, a 30-minute journey that travels 7,455 meters up to the mountain’s summit. Once at the top, visit the ancient Tianmen Temple, then test your nerve with a walk on the glass skywalk perched 1,430 meters above sea level, before continuing along the 1.6-kilometer cliff-hanging walkway for unbeatable views of the valley below. After your morning of adventure, you’ll depart Zhangjiajie and travel to Shanghai, checking into your hotel for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai.
🌟 Day 14: Shanghai Today is your full day of exploring Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis. Head to the top of the Shanghai Tower to visit the “Top of Shanghai Observatory” on the 118th floor, for sweeping panoramic views of the city’s iconic skyline and the Huangpu River. Next, visit the Shanghai Museum to explore its world-famous collection of ancient bronze and ceramic works in the dedicated exhibition halls. End your day with a leisurely stroll through the classic, picturesque Yu Garden, then wander through the bustling adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar to shop for souvenirs and try local Shanghai snacks. 🍽️ Breakfast included today. 🏨 Overnight in Shanghai.
🌟 Day 15: Shanghai Today marks the end of your 15-day Chinese adventure! After checking out of your Shanghai hotel, you’ll head to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you endless memories of incredible scenery, delicious food, and ancient culture.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 30, 2026
The small group size was a huge selling point for me, and it lived up to the hype—we never had to wait around for dozens of people to get on or off the bus between stops. Zhangjiajie’s glass bridge and Chongqing’s Hongyadong were even more incredible in person than they are on social media.
February 14, 2026
Ethan, our consultant from HelloChinaTrip, helped me tweak a few small preferences on the itinerary before we left and answered all my random questions about visa and packing promptly. The small group size made it easy to get to know other travelers and ask our guide questions throughout the trip. Chongqing’s glowing night views from the Yangtze river cruise were absolutely unforgettable.
November 18, 2025
I traveled solo on this tour and felt completely safe and welcomed the entire time. It was so nice to not have to figure out trains, hotels, or national park entry tickets by myself, especially when navigating the massive Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This trip gave me the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, and I left with hundreds of great photos and amazing lifelong memories.
October 5, 2025
Best guided tour I’ve ever taken, worth every penny for the access and insider local knowledge we got on this trip.
September 2, 2025
This trip balanced stunning natural scenery and iconic cultural stops perfectly, which is exactly what I wanted out of a 15-day China trip. We got to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, eat mouth-watering spicy hot pot in Chongqing, and hike the famous Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie all in one seamless itinerary. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, pointed out hidden photo spots I never would have found on my own, and adjusted the schedule to give us extra time at our favorite stops. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of central and southwest China without the stress of planning everything yourself.
May 22, 2025
I was worried a 15-day tour would feel too packed, but the pacing here was just right, with enough downtime between long hikes and busy sightseeing stops. Getting to stop in Chengdu to see the giant pandas was such a wonderful surprise bonus that I didn’t even realize would be part of the tour. The food arrangements were great too, we got to try both authentic local street food and nice sit-down meals, with plenty of options for my preference for less spicy food. If you love nature and history and culture alike, this tour checks every single box. I’m already planning my next trip back to China to see more, and I’ll definitely book through the same team.
March 12, 2025
This 15-day small group tour exceeded every expectation I had for exploring Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.
January 20, 2025
The tour was perfectly organized and our guide was knowledgeable and friendly from start to finish, but we visited during an uncommonly wonderful week that obscured most of the Zhangjiajie peak views. This was totally out of the company’s control, so I’m still very happy with the overall experience.
December 18, 2024
I loved that the group size maxed out at 16 guests, so we never felt rushed or herded around like on huge crowded bus tours. The jagged peaks of Zhangjiajie were even more breathtaking than I’d seen in any travel photo.
