Explore the very best of China’s iconic capital and stunning eastern region on this 9-day curated tour, taking you through four unforgettable destinations: historic Beijing, scenic Suzhou, picturesque Hangzhou, and dynamic modern Shanghai. Carefully crafted to showcase China’s most beloved cultural and modern highlights, this thoughtfully selected itinerary delivers unbeatable value with a great price and secure, trusted payment options to keep your travel booking simple and stress-free.
This 9-day curated journey kicks off in Beijing, China’s history-packed imperial capital, where you’ll get your first taste of millennia-old Chinese culture before heading south to explore the scenic, culturally rich Yangtze Delta region. You’ll wander UNESCO-classical gardens in water town Suzhou, experience local life in Wuxi, sip world-famous green tea in lakeside Hangzhou, and end your adventure in the buzzing global metropolis of Shanghai. The route is carefully designed to showcase both China’s 5000-year history and its cutting-edge modern identity, giving you a balanced, memorable introduction to the country.
Welcome to China’s iconic capital! After your arrival and immigration clearance, you’ll be transferred to your overnight accommodation, a peaceful resort (Beijing Chun Hui Yuan Resort or a comparable 4-star property). Take the rest of the day to settle in, shake off any jet lag, and get excited for the adventures ahead.
Today is your first full day to explore Beijing on your own terms. Your day starts with a complimentary breakfast served right at the resort. You can choose to venture out to tick off iconic spots like the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, browse local street markets for snacks and souvenirs, or simply relax in the resort’s peaceful grounds. You’ll stay another night at the same comfortable resort.
Today brings the main event you’ve been waiting for: a hike along the spectacular Juyongguan Pass section of the Great Wall of China! Feel centuries of history under your feet as you walk along this world wonder, with sweeping views of forested mountains stretching out around you. After your hike, you’ll visit the Jade Museum to learn about China’s ancient tradition of jade carving, then stop at a Traditional Chinese Medicine center to discover the ancient healing practices still used across the country today. A complimentary breakfast is included, and you’ll spend another night at the Beijing resort. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Beijing Chun Hui Yuan Resort or similar
Today we leave the capital behind and head south to the charming water city of Suzhou, traveling via Shanghai. After a complimentary breakfast, you’ll board your pre-arranged transport to Suzhou, where you’ll wander atmospheric Shang Tang Street – a historic canal-side thoroughfare lined with traditional wooden shopfronts and local food stalls. Grab a snack from a family-run vendor as you soak up the old-world vibe. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Holiday Inn Suzhou Huirong Plaza or similar
Kick off your day with a tasty complimentary breakfast before heading to one of Suzhou’s most famous treasures: the Lingering Garden, a stunning classical Chinese garden filled with winding pavilions, lotus ponds, and artfully arranged rock formations. Next, you’ll visit a local silk spinning factory to learn how China’s world-famous silk is produced from cocoon to finished fabric, with the chance to pick up authentic silk souvenirs if you wish. In the evening, you’ll travel to Wuxi and stroll lively Nanchang Street, a popular local spot for dining and shopping. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Grand Park Hotel Wuxi
Wake up to a complimentary breakfast before traveling east to Hangzhou, China’s iconic scenic lakeside city. Along the way, you’ll stop at a freshwater pearl display center, where you can learn how pearls are cultivated in eastern China’s freshwater lakes and browse handcrafted pearl jewelry. Once you arrive in Hangzhou, you’ll have time to settle in and explore your surroundings before the next day’s adventure. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Holiday Inn Hangzhou Xiaoshan or similar
Start your day with a complimentary breakfast, then head to Green Tea Village, a lush rural area famous for producing China’s renowned Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea. Wander rolling terraced tea plantations, learn how tea is harvested and processed by local farmers, and sample a fresh, fragrant cup of tea straight from the source. After your tea experience, you’ll travel north to China’s biggest city, Shanghai. Once you arrive, you’ll walk along the world-famous Bund, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront dotted with historic colonial buildings and unbeatable views of Pudong’s futuristic skyscraper skyline. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao or similar
Today is a free day for you to explore Shanghai according to your own interests! Your day starts with a complimentary breakfast at your hotel. You can head to Nanjing Road for world-class shopping, climb the Shanghai Tower for panoramic city views, wander the tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, or simply relax at your hotel after a week of exploring. You’ll stay another night at your Shanghai hotel. 🍽️ Breakfast included | 🏨 Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao or similar
Today marks the end of your Splendid China adventure! Wake up to a complimentary breakfast at your hotel, before you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. 🍽️ Breakfast included
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 3, 2026
I traveled solo on this tour and felt completely safe and welcome the entire time. The itinerary hits all the must-see spots while still leaving a little free time to explore on your own in each city.
February 19, 2026
Every city on this itinerary felt special and well-chosen for a first trip to China.
October 2, 2025
I booked this tour during the October holiday peak season, and I have to give it 4 stars just because of how wonderful many of the popular sites were. Everything else from the itinerary planning to the stops at local restaurants was perfectly organized. We got to walk along the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, and cruise the West Lake in Hangzhou, all of which were absolutely magical. I’d definitely recommend this tour, just book it outside of major Chinese public holidays if you can.
September 14, 2025
This tour was such a great way to see multiple parts of China in just over a week without the stress of planning everything myself. Beijing’s history was awe-inspiring, and I loved slowing down to see the classic gardens and canals in Suzhou after the bustle of the capital and Shanghai. The food stops along the way were a huge bonus, we got to try authentic Peking duck, local Hangzhou cuisine, and Suzhou-style dumplings that were all incredible. I’ve already recommended this tour to all my friends who want to visit China.
May 28, 2025
Lynn, my consultant from HelloChinaTrip, helped me adjust my hotel preferences before the tour started and was so helpful the whole time. The balance between big cities and scenic water towns in Suzhou was perfect, I never got bored.
March 12, 2025
This 9-day China tour exceeded every one of my expectations!
December 29, 2024
As someone who loves both history and natural scenery, this tour checked every box for me. The Great Wall at Mutianyu was the highlight of my time in Beijing, and the boat ride across West Lake in Hangzhou on a sunny morning was unforgettable. Shanghai’s skyline at night from the Bund took my breath away, and Suzhou’s quiet water towns were the perfect relaxing end to the trip. I can’t imagine a better 9-day introduction to China than this curated tour.
December 18, 2024
I’ve wanted to visit China for years, and this tour was the perfect introduction. I got to see all the iconic spots in Beijing plus the beautiful gardens in Suzhou, and the pacing never felt rushed. 5 stars all the way.
This 11-day immersive China tour, featuring a special extension to scenic Suzhou, takes you across 5 iconic destinations including Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing, and Shanghai, to explore the nation’s ancient past, vibrant modern present, and innovative future all in one seamless journey. Curated with hand-picked top experiences, it balances unmissable cultural highlights and local charm to deliver a well-rounded, satisfying trip for all types of travelers. You can book with complete peace of mind, thanks to unbeatable competitive pricing, carefully vetted itinerary planning, and secure, trusted payment processes.
