Grace Miller
April 1, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Explore China’s top cultural landmarks and world-famous natural scenery on this 15-day small group tour, which centers on the breathtaking views of Chongqing and Zhangjiajie while stopping at other iconic destinations including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Shanghai. Capped at just 16 guests, this intimate itinerary delivers a far more comfortable, immersive travel experience than overcrowded large-group outings. Carefully curated for quality, this trip offers unbeatable value and secure, trusted payment processing for a stress-free, unforgettable Chinese adventure.
This seamless 15-day adventure kicks off in Beijing, China's ancient imperial capital, and winds across the country through Xi'an, Chengdu, and Chongqing before moving on to the otherworldly pillar peaks of Zhangjiajie, traveling through Nanjing en route to your final stop in dynamic modern Shanghai. Curated for intimacy and value, the trip centers on the breathtaking natural scenery that Chongqing and Zhangjiajie are famous for, paired with unmissable cultural sites that span 5,000 years of Chinese history, creating a well-rounded introduction to the best of China.
🌟 Day 1: Beijing Arrive in Beijing today, China's bustling capital and the starting point of your adventure. Check into your accommodation, get settled after your travels, and spend the rest of the day acclimating. Feel free to wander the nearby neighborhood, sample a quick street food snack, and rest up for your upcoming sightseeing.
🌟 Day 2: Beijing Today you dive straight into thousands of years of imperial Chinese history! Start at iconic Tiananmen Square, where you can snap photos of this world-famous public landmark before joining a guided tour of the Forbidden City, the centuries-old home of Chinese emperors (entrance fee is fully included). After exploring the palace grounds, climb to the top of Jingshan Park for sweeping panoramic views of the entire Forbidden City and Beijing skyline. Wrap up your day with a leisurely stroll through the lush, historic Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 3: Beijing Today is dedicated to one of the world's greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China. You'll visit the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section, where a cable car will whisk you up to the 14th watchtower to start your hike. Spend hours wandering along the ancient stone wall, taking in views of the structure snaking through misty green mountains as you go. On your way back into the city, stop to snap exterior photos of two of Beijing's most iconic modern landmarks: the Bird's Nest National Stadium and the Water Cube Aquatics Center.
🌟 Day 4: Beijing → Xi'an After checking out of your Beijing hotel this morning, you'll travel to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China and home to the world-famous Terracotta Army. Once you arrive, check into your accommodation and take the rest of the day to relax or explore the local neighborhood at your own pace.
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an Get ready to uncover one of the most incredible archaeological discoveries of the 20th century! You'll spend the morning exploring the Terracotta Army Museum, starting with Pit 1 where more than 6,000 life-size warrior figures have stood guard underground for over 2,000 years. Next, head to Pit 2 to see the 1,300 additional warriors and horses that make up this remarkable ancient army. After your museum visit, return to central Xi'an for a leisurely walk along the fully intact Ancient City Wall that surrounds the old town, ending your day with a stop at the historic Bell Tower at the heart of the city. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an → Chengdu After breakfast, you'll travel from Xi'an to Chengdu, the laid-back Sichuan capital famous for pandas and spicy cuisine. Once you arrive and get settled, head out to explore two of the city's most popular spots: visit the 7th-century Buddhist landmark Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then wander the bustling Muslim Quarter, where you can soak up the lively atmosphere and sample local street snacks. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 7: Chengdu Today is all about getting up close with China's most beloved animals! You'll visit the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can watch giant pandas munch on bamboo, play in tree-dotted enclosures, and even spot tiny panda cubs if you're lucky. Explore the on-site Panda Museum to learn more about these endangered national treasures, then stop by the Red Panda Playgrounds to see their smaller, fluffier red panda cousins. After your panda encounter, head to the Sanxingdui Site Museum to explore the mysterious 3,000-year-old relics of the ancient Shu civilization. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 8: Chengdu → Chongqing After breakfast, travel from Chengdu to misty, hilly Chongqing, a one-of-a-kind megacity famous for its unique urban landscape and spicy food. Once you arrive, check out the city's viral iconic attraction: watch as a metro train passes straight through a residential building at Liziba Metro Station, then visit the historic Kuixing Building and the iconic Jiefangbei People's Liberation Monument in the city's central district. Wrap up your day with a cozy, flavorful group hot pot dinner, Chongqing's world-famous signature culinary experience. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Group Chongqing Hot Pot Dinner
🌟 Day 9: Chongqing: Wulong Karst Day Trip Today you'll head out of the city to explore the dramatic UNESCO-listed karst scenery of Wulong. Step onto the 280-meter-high glass observation deck for heart-stopping panoramic views of the deep gorge below, then ride a massive sightseeing elevator down into the gorge to start your hike. Wander past the incredible natural rock arches of Tianlong (Heavenly Dragon) Bridge and Qinglong (Azure Dragon) Bridge, taking in lush green cliffs and misty waterfalls along the way, before returning to Chongqing for the night. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 10: Chongqing → Zhangjiajie After breakfast, check out of your Chongqing hotel and travel to Zhangjiajie, the stunning Hunan national park famous for its jagged, mist-shrouded quartzite pillar peaks (the inspiration for the Avatar film series). Arrive at the park edge, check into your accommodation, and rest up for two full days of exploring the otherworldly landscape.
🌟 Day 11: Zhangjiajie Today you dive straight into Zhangjiajie's iconic scenery! Ride the famous Bailong Elevator, a glass outdoor lift that whisks you to the top of the pillar peaks in just 1.5 minutes. Once at the top, hike through the Yuanjiajie scenic area to see the iconic South Sky Pillar, a 1,000-meter-tall vertical peak that juts straight out of the mist. Stop for views at the Enchanting Platform, then explore the delicate natural rock formations of the Natural Bonsai at Backyard Garden, with picture-perfect misty views around every turn. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 12: Zhangjiajie Get ready for another day of heart-pounding sky-high adventure! Start with a walk across the famous Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world's longest high-altitude glass-bottomed bridge, stretching 430 meters across the canyon and sitting 300 meters above the valley floor. After your thrilling walk across the glass bridge, head to nearby Baofeng Lake for a relaxing scenic cruise across its crystal-blue waters, surrounded by steep green peaks rising straight out of the lake. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 13: Zhangjiajie → Shanghai You'll kick off your day with one final Zhangjiajie adventure before traveling to Shanghai this evening. Head to Tianmen Mountain for a 30-minute scenic cable car ride that climbs 7,455 meters up to the mountain top, one of the longest public cable car rides in the world. Once at the top, visit the ancient Tianmen Temple tucked into the mountain, then walk the thrilling Glass Skywalk perched 1,430 meters above sea level, followed by a 1.6-kilometer stroll along the cliff-hanging walkway with unbeatable views of the surrounding mountains. After your adventure, travel to Shanghai for the final leg of your trip. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 14: Shanghai Today you explore the best of China's most dynamic modern metropolis, paired with classic Chinese culture. Start at the Shanghai Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world, and head up to the "Top of Shanghai Observatory" on the 118th floor for sweeping panoramic views of the entire city and Huangpu River. Next, visit the Shanghai Museum to explore their world-famous collection of ancient Chinese art in the dedicated Bronze and Ceramics Exhibition Halls. Wrap up your day with a leisurely stroll through the classical Yu Garden, then wander the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar to pick up souvenirs and sample local Shanghainese snacks like xiaolongbao soup dumplings. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
🌟 Day 15: Shanghai Today brings your 15-day China adventure to a close. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you endless memories of ancient history, incredible food, and breathtaking natural scenery.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 1, 2026
Chongqing was such a surprise highlight! Our guide took us up to the famous night viewing platform to see the city lights reflecting on the Yangtze, and it was magical. The mix of iconic cultural spots across Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and stunning natural scenery made this trip feel so well-rounded.
February 17, 2026
Every part of this trip was perfectly planned, from the hotels to the entrance tickets.
January 5, 2026
My consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust my pre-tour arrival plans when my flight got changed last minute, which was such a relief. Everything on the tour went off without a hitch, and the food they arranged was amazing, with plenty of vegetarian options for me.
November 22, 2025
The breathtaking views of Zhangjiajie alone were worth the price of this tour.
September 18, 2025
I went on this tour with my teen daughter, and we both had the time of our lives. We loved getting to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, visit giant pandas in Chengdu, walk the Nanjing City Wall, and then end with the otherworldly views of Zhangjiajie and the bustling skyline of Chongqing. The small group size meant we never felt herded like cattle, which is such a nice change from big bus tours. This is honestly the best organized international tour I’ve ever been on.
June 19, 2025
I was nervous about booking a group tour to China, but this experience completely changed my mind. With only 12 guests on our trip, we got plenty of personal attention from our guide, who was happy to answer all our questions about local life and history. The hotels were all clean, centrally located, and way nicer than I expected for a group tour. I’ll definitely book another small group tour to China again after such a great experience.
April 30, 2025
The tour was well organized and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about all the historical sites. We hit a few days of unseasonably heavy fog in Zhangjiajie that blocked the famous peak views, which was the only downside.
March 12, 2025
This 15-day China tour exceeded every expectation I had.
January 19, 2025
I’ve wanted to see Zhangjiajie’s quartz peaks and Chongqing’s neon skyline for years, and this tour delivered both perfectly. We got to stop at all the iconic cultural spots in Xi’an, Beijing, and Chengdu too, so it balanced nature and culture perfectly. The itinerary was paced really well, with enough free time to wander and try local street food on our own. I can’t recommend this small group tour enough to anyone wanting to see the best of China.
December 28, 2024
The small group size (we only had 12 people total) made everything so comfortable, no rushing. Our guide knew all the best hidden viewpoints in Zhangjiajie that most tourists miss.
