Oliver Bennett
March 20, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 17-day Discovery Tour of China’s Provinces invites you to explore 7 iconic destinations across the country, from the imperial landmarks of Beijing and Xi’an to cultural hubs of Luoyang, Chengdu, Suzhou, Shanghai, and dynamic Hong Kong. Curated to highlight China’s stunning mix of ancient history and modern vibrancy, this hand-picked itinerary delivers excellent value for curious travelers. You can book with total peace of mind, thanks to the tour’s unbeatable pricing and trusted, secure payment processing.
This 17-day curated journey kicks off in the international gateway of Hong Kong, before moving into the jaw-dropping karst countryside of Yangshuo for outdoor adventure. It continues on to panda-packed Chengdu, the ancient imperial capital of Xi’an, the Buddhist art hub of Luoyang, and legendary Shaolin Temple, before heading north to Beijing to walk the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City. The trip wraps up with a stop in serene, garden-filled Suzhou, and ends in the glittering modern metropolis of Shanghai, giving you a complete portrait of China’s diverse landscapes, layered history, and vibrant contemporary culture.
Arrive in the bustling, iconic international hub of Hong Kong today! Settle into your accommodation at your own pace, wander nearby neighborhoods, sample local street food, or soak up stunning Victoria Harbour views before your cross-country China adventure officially begins. No meals included today.
Today you’ll travel from Hong Kong to scenic Yangshuo, tucked into Guangxi’s world-famous karst country. After checking in, you can stretch your legs with a casual stroll and catch your first glimpse of the jagged limestone peaks that rise from the Li River’s banks. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Get ready for a day of outdoor fun exploring Yangshuo’s one-of-a-kind landscape! You’ll head out on a guided cycling tour through the quiet countryside, pedaling past rice paddies, sleepy farming villages, and towering karst formations. All gear (bikes and safety helmets) is provided, so you just need to enjoy the fresh air. Midday, you’ll stop at a local friend’s home for a casual lunch made with fresh, locally grown produce straight from the surrounding fields, for an authentic taste of rural southern China. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch included.
Today is your free day to explore Yangshuo at your own pace! You can book a bamboo raft cruise down the Li River, browse the night market for handcrafted souvenirs, hike to a hilltop viewpoint for panoramic karst photos, or just relax at a riverside café watching the world go by. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today you’ll depart Yangshuo and travel to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province. Once you arrive, join a leisurely walking tour of two of the city’s most beloved local spots: bustling central Tianfu Square, and leafy People’s Park, where you can watch locals play mahjong, drink tea, and practice morning tai chi. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today is the day many visitors wait for: a full visit to the world-famous Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base! Wander through lush, natural enclosures to see giant pandas (and even rare red pandas) munching bamboo, playing, and napping in the shade, and learn about the incredible conservation work being done to protect these iconic animals. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today you’ll travel from Chengdu to Xi’an, one of China’s four great ancient capitals and home to the world-famous Terracotta Army. After arriving, set out on a walking tour of the bustling Muslim Quarter, where you can sniff out delicious street food snacks as you wander, then stop to admire the ancient Xi’an City Walls and Gates—one of the best-preserved ancient city fortifications in the world. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today you’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Warriors archaeological site, one of the most spectacular ancient discoveries in the world. Walk through massive excavation pits to see thousands of life-sized, individually carved warrior and horse statues built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang over 2,000 years ago, and learn about the site’s history and ongoing archaeology from your guide. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Leave Xi’an behind today and travel to Luoyang, an ancient capital and centuries-old center of Buddhist art in China. After arriving, join a guided exploration of the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO-listed site with thousands of carved Buddha statues and inscriptions cut into the limestone cliffs over 1,500 years ago. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today is dedicated to exploring the legendary birthplace of Shaolin kung fu! You’ll tour the ancient Shaolin Monastery nestled at the foot of Song Mountain, then wander through the atmospheric Shaolin Pagoda Forest, the historic burial ground for eminent Shaolin monks. After that, catch a thrilling live Shaolin Kung Fu performance from the temple’s resident martial artists. Midday, you’ll enjoy a delicious Buddhist vegetarian lunch at Yongtai Temple, a simple yet flavorful meal rooted in centuries-old monastic tradition. 🍽️ Breakfast and Buddhist vegetarian lunch included.
Today you’ll travel to Beijing, China’s modern capital and home to centuries of imperial history. Arrive and settle into your accommodation at your leisure, with the rest of the day free to explore nearby attractions or rest after your journey. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Today you’ll head out of the city to visit the stunning Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. Walk along the ancient stone battlements winding over misty mountain ridges, soak up sweeping panoramic views of the wall stretching into the distance, and snap photos of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Dive into Beijing’s imperial history today! First, you’ll explore the vast open spaces of Tiananmen Square, then step inside the Forbidden City, the centuries-old walled imperial palace complex that was home to Chinese emperors for hundreds of years. After exploring the palace, you’ll wander through a traditional Beijing hutong (alley neighborhood) to get a taste of old Beijing local life. In the evening, you’ll enjoy an iconic Beijing Roast Duck dinner, with crispy skin and tender meat paired with classic sides. 🍽️ Breakfast and Beijing Duck dinner included.
Depart Beijing today and travel to Suzhou, the picturesque “Venice of the East” famous for its delicate classical gardens and water towns. After arriving, take a leisurely walking tour of the city to get oriented, then explore one of Suzhou’s world-famous classical Chinese gardens, designed to evoke natural landscapes in miniature. In the evening, settle in for a traditional performance of local music, opera, and theater for an immersive taste of Suzhou’s rich cultural heritage. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Leave Suzhou this morning and travel to Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis. After arriving, join an orientation walking tour to get your bearings, then explore two of Shanghai’s most iconic districts: the glittering waterfront of The Bund, lined with historic colonial-era buildings, and charming Old Town, where you can browse traditional shops and soak up old Shanghai vibes. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Dive deeper into Shanghai’s rich history and culture today! Your walking tour will take you through the city’s most historic neighborhoods, you’ll revisit The Bund for daytime views, then explore the beautiful traditional Yuyuan Gardens, a 400-year-old classical garden in the heart of the city. In the evening, you’ll gather for a dinner of delicious local Shanghai specialties, from soup dumplings to classic Shanghainese sweet and savory dishes. 🍽️ Breakfast and Shanghai specialties dinner included.
Today marks the end of your 17-day China adventure! After breakfast, you’ll check out and prepare for your onward journey, taking home endless memories of your cross-country trip through China. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
March 20, 2026
I was nervous about visiting China for the first time, but this tour made everything so easy and enjoyable. I loved that we got to experience both the hustle of modern Shanghai and the ancient serenity of Suzhou’s gardens, plus thousands of years of history in Luoyang and Xi’an. The stop in Chengdu to see the giant pandas was the highlight of my entire trip, and the local food we got to try at every stop was way better than any Chinese food I’ve had back home. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the best of China without the stress of planning everything yourself.
January 14, 2026
My consultant Ethan from HelloChinaTrip helped me adjust a small part of my itinerary before the trip started, and he was so responsive and helpful the whole time. Every local guide we had at each stop was knowledgeable, and we never felt rushed moving between the tour’s incredible destinations. This is easily the best organized international tour I’ve ever joined.
September 22, 2025
The mix of ancient history and modern culture across all these provinces made this an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime trip.
May 1, 2025
We traveled during peak May holiday season, so many of the popular landmarks like the Forbidden City and Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors were much more wonderful than we expected. The itinerary itself was perfectly paced, and we got to enjoy amazing local food in every city from soup dumplings in Shanghai to spicy hot pot in Chengdu. The gardens in Suzhou were just as peaceful and beautiful as advertised, even with extra visitors around. My only knock is the seasonal crowds, which are no fault of the tour itself, so I still highly recommend this trip if you can travel off-peak.
February 18, 2025
This 17-day discovery tour of China’s provinces gave me the perfect blend of iconic sights and authentic local experiences I was craving.
December 5, 2024
I got to check so many bucket list items off my list, from seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an to visiting giant pandas in Chengdu. Every stop felt well-planned, and I loved getting to explore cultural gems like Luoyang alongside major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to China’s diverse regions.
