This 16-day private guided tour of China lets you experience the country’s endless diverse beauty across 8 unforgettable destinations: the historic capitals Beijing and Xi’an, panda hometown Chengdu, scenic Guilin, picturesque Suzhou and Hangzhou, alpine-kissed Kunming, and dynamic modern Shanghai. Curated as a top-tier selection of China’s unmissable natural and cultural highlights, this tour delivers unbeatable value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment options, all tailored to your preferred pace as an exclusive private journey.
This 16-day curated journey starts in northern China’s iconic imperial capital Beijing, then travels west to the ancient terracotta capital Xi’an, before heading south to Chengdu, the beloved home of giant pandas. From there, you’ll explore Guilin’s dreamlike karst landscapes and rice terraces, then move east to the classic garden and water town destinations of Hangzhou and Suzhou, before wrapping up your adventure in the glittering modern metropolis of Shanghai. Designed for first-time visitors eager to experience all of China’s most beloved highlights, this route weaves together 5,000 years of history, diverse natural beauty, and unique cultural encounters into one unforgettable trip.
After your arrival in Beijing, you’ll check into your comfortable accommodation to rest and shake off any travel fatigue. No scheduled activities are planned today, so you can take it easy and explore the surrounding neighborhood at your own pace. 🏨 Stay overnight at Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan or a similar quality property like Sunworld.
Kick off your Beijing adventure with a visit to iconic Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, before stepping into the 600-year-old Forbidden City, once the exclusive imperial residence of Chinese emperors. After exploring the palace grounds, climb to the top of Jingshan Park for sweeping panoramic views of the Forbidden City and Beijing’s skyline. In the afternoon, enjoy a fun rickshaw ride through old Beijing’s narrow hutong alleyways, stopping to visit a traditional courtyard home and chat with a local family to experience everyday Beijing life. 🍽️ Today includes breakfast and an authentic Chinese lunch at a popular local restaurant. 🏨 Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan or a similar nearby property.
Start your morning with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, the stunning 15th-century altar where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for bountiful harvests, where you can admire its iconic circular architecture and peaceful park grounds. Next, stop at a local jade carving factory to learn about this ancient Chinese craft and watch skilled artisans at work. The day’s highlight is a trip to the peaceful, well-preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall: you can choose to hike along the wall or take a scenic cable car up, matching your travel pace. On your way back to the city, stop for photos outside the iconic Bird Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 🍽️ Breakfast and a Chinese lunch arranged near the Great Wall are included. 🏨 Overnight at the same Beijing hotel.
Before traveling from Beijing to Xi'an, visit the magnificent Summer Palace, the former Qing Dynasty imperial retreat famous for its ornate pavilions, winding covered corridors and lush hillside gardens. Take a relaxing boat ride across sparkling Kunming Lake to soak in scenic views of the palace grounds. After your boat ride, enjoy lunch before heading to Xi'an for your overnight stay. 🍽️ Breakfast and a Chinese lunch are included. 🏨 Check into Meihao Hotel Xi'an East Street or a similar quality property like Grand Noble Hotel for the night.
Spend your morning exploring one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders: the Qin Terracotta Warriors, where thousands of life-size clay soldiers and horses have stood guard over China’s first emperor for more than 2,000 years. After touring the excavation pits, join a hands-on pottery workshop to try making your own small clay figure, learning the ancient craft behind the iconic statues. In the afternoon, visit the historic Xi'an Bell Tower in the city center, then head to Gao's Courtyard, a traditional Qing-era family home, to watch live demonstrations of traditional Chinese paper cutting and shadow puppetry. 🍽️ Breakfast and a Chinese lunch arranged near the attraction are included. 🏨 Overnight at your Xi'an hotel.
Before traveling from Xi'an to Chengdu, spend the morning exploring Xi'an’s well-preserved Ancient City Wall, one of the largest and oldest intact city walls in the world. You can choose to rent a bicycle to cycle along the top of the wall, or take a leisurely sightseeing car for a more relaxed pace. Next, visit the 7th-century Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist monument built to hold ancient scriptures brought back from India, and stroll around the pagoda’s spacious north square. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included. 🏨 After arriving in Chengdu, check into Tianfu Sunshine Hotel or a similar quality property like Grand Hyatt Chengdu for the night.
Wake up early to visit the world-famous Chengdu Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center, where you can get up close to adorable giant pandas and red pandas as they munch on bamboo and play in naturalistic enclosures. In the afternoon, take a slow walk around leafy People’s Park to see how locals relax, playing mahjong, dancing, and drinking tea. End your day strolling through Jinli Ancient Street, a historic pedestrian street lined with traditional wooden buildings, street food stalls, and craft shops. 🍽️ Breakfast and a flavorful Sichuan lunch at a popular local restaurant are included. 🏨 Overnight at your Chengdu hotel.
Before traveling from Chengdu to Guilin, explore two of Chengdu’s top cultural attractions this morning. First, visit the Jinsha Ruins Museum, home to thousands of ancient artifacts from the 3,000-year-old Shu Kingdom, including the iconic golden sun bird relic. Next, head to Wuhou Temple, a historic shrine dedicated to famous 3rd-century strategist Zhuge Liang, surrounded by peaceful cypress groves. After your tour, enjoy lunch—you can opt for a standard meal or a famous Sichuan hotpot at a local restaurant. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included. 🏨 After arriving in Guilin, check into Hampton by Hilton Guilin Xiufeng or a similar quality property like Holiday Inn Express for your stay.
Today you’ll take a day trip to the stunning Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area, where thousands of layers of hand-carved terraces climb up forested hillsides, creating a breathtaking landscape that changes with every season. Set off on a gentle trek along the terraces, stopping to explore traditional minority villages home to the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, and learn about their unique culture and way of life. 🍽️ Breakfast and a hearty local lunch at a restaurant within the minority village are included. 🏨 Return to Guilin city for your overnight stay at the same Guilin hotel.
Enjoy one of the most scenic days of your trip on a full cruise along the legendary Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, gliding past dramatic limestone karst peaks that rise straight out of the green river—the same iconic view that appears on the back of China’s 20 yuan banknote. A buffet lunch is served right on board your cruise as you take in the views. Once you arrive in Yangshuo, you can take a sightseeing car tour or wander through bustling pedestrian West Street, then go for a leisurely bicycle ride through the quiet countryside along the Yulong River. 🍽️ Breakfast and the on-board buffet lunch are included. 🏨 Return to Guilin city for your overnight stay.
Today you’ll travel from scenic Guilin to Hangzhou, the historic southern Chinese capital famous for its natural beauty and world-renowned tea culture. There are no scheduled sightseeing activities during your travel day, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey east. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included today. 🏨 After arriving in Hangzhou, check into Wenhua Jinglan Hotel Hangzhou or a similar quality property like Holiday Inn Hangzhou for the night.
Start your day with a trip to Meijiawu, a charming traditional tea village tucked into the hills surrounding Hangzhou, famous for its premium longjing (dragon well) green tea. You’ll visit a local farmer’s home to try your hand at tea picking, learn the process of rolling and drying tea leaves, and even enjoy a meal cooked with fresh tea ingredients. In the afternoon, climb up to Chenghuang Pavilion for sweeping panoramic views of iconic West Lake, then take a relaxing boat ride across the lake to soak in its tranquil scenery up close. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included today. 🏨 Overnight at your Hangzhou hotel.
After breakfast, travel from Hangzhou to Suzhou, the historic “Venice of the East” famous for its network of canals and classic Chinese gardens. Your first stop is the Lingering Garden, one of Suzhou’s four famous imperial gardens, known for its clever layout, beautiful pavilions, and iconic rock formations. Next, visit Lion Grove Garden, famous for its maze of jagged limestone rocks that are said to resemble lions, fun to explore. End your day strolling along Pingjiang Ancient Street, a well-preserved historic street lined with traditional shops and cozy cafes. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included. 🏨 Check into Hotel Soul or a similar quality property like Garden Hotel Suzhou for your overnight stay.
This morning, take a trip to picturesque Tongli Water Town, a quiet ancient town crisscrossed by a network of calm canals, dotted with traditional stone bridges and wooden courtyard homes. Climb aboard a traditional wooden boat for a leisurely cruise along the town’s waterways, taking in the quiet, charming scenery of this timeless Chinese water town. After your tour of Tongli, travel onward to Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern city. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch are included today. 🏨 Check into Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Putuo or a similar quality property for your overnight stay.
Explore the best of old and new Shanghai today! Start with a walking tour of historic Shikumen lanes, the traditional stone-gate alleyways that defined Old Shanghai in the 19th and early 20th century, to learn about the city’s unique mixed cultural history. Next, take a leisurely orientation walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront lined with historic colonial-era buildings, looking out across the river to the glittering Pudong skyline. In the afternoon, visit beautiful Yuyuan Garden, a traditional Ming-era garden in the heart of old Shanghai, then stop at Jade Buddha Temple to see the stunning 1.9-meter tall white jade Buddha that gives the temple its name. 🍽️ Breakfast and a delicious local Chinese lunch are included today. 🏨 Overnight at your Shanghai hotel.
After a memorable 16-day journey across China, enjoy your included breakfast this morning before checking out of your hotel. Your tour ends today, and you’ll be transferred to Shanghai’s airport or train station for your onward departure. 🍽️ Breakfast is included this morning.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
February 17, 2026
Going private made this tour such a luxury compared to the large group tours I’ve joined in the past. We could take as much time as we wanted at spots that interested us, and our local guides were always happy to answer all our random questions about Chinese culture and daily life. The mix of big cities, historic sites, and natural attractions on this itinerary means there’s something for every type of traveler.
November 30, 2025
This was the best organised international tour I’ve ever been on, and I got to see so many incredible places I’d only dreamed of visiting.
September 4, 2025
Our consultant Ethan from HelloChinaTrip adjusted a few small parts of the itinerary for us to fit our love of hiking, which made this trip feel completely personal rather than a one-size-fits-all package. The route across 8 cities flows so well, we never felt rushed even with so many destinations to cover in 16 days. Each stop brought something new: modern energy in Shanghai, ancient history in Beijing and Xi’an, stunning natural scenery in Guilin and Kunming, and charming classical gardens in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Seeing giant pandas up close in their Chengdu hometown was the highlight of the entire trip for me. This tour truly lives up to its name of showing off China’s endless beauty, and I would recommend it to every first-time visitor to China.
March 12, 2025
This 16-day private tour was the perfect stress-free way to experience the best of China’s diverse landscapes and history.
December 18, 2024
We had an incredible time exploring every destination on this itinerary, from seeing giant pandas in Chengdu to marvelling at the Terracotta Army in Xi’an. We only knocked one star off because we visited during peak Lunar New Year travel season, so almost all popular spots were far more wonderful than we anticipated, which was a timing choice on our end, not an issue with the tour itself.
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