Noah Muller
April 21, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Perfect for curious travelers eager to experience both sides of China, this 9-day curated tour weaves together exploration of the country’s ancient spiritual roots and cutting-edge modern marvels across four iconic destinations: Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Handpicked to showcase China’s most unforgettable can’t-miss highlights, this trip delivers unbeatable value with guaranteed best pricing, plus secure, trusted payment processes that make booking your dream Chinese adventure simple and stress-free.
This 9-day journey kicks off in China’s imperial capital Beijing, where you’ll tick off world-famous historic landmarks before heading south to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius and the heart of traditional Chinese spiritual culture. Winding through Xuzhou and Nanjing to explore thousands of years of Chinese history, you’ll next move on to Suzhou’s idyllic classical gardens and the winding canals of Tongli water town, before finishing your trip in dynamic Shanghai, China’s most iconic modern metropolis. The route is carefully crafted to weave together millennia of Chinese spiritual and cultural heritage with jaw-dropping displays of contemporary innovation, giving you a holistic, unforgettable taste of the real China.
After your arrival in Beijing, you’ll be smoothly transferred straight to your centrally located hotel to drop your bags and shake off any travel fatigue. As the sun dips low, head out to bustling Wangfujing Street, one of Beijing’s most famous shopping and dining strips, for a leisurely evening stroll soaking up local city life. End your first day with a delicious welcome dinner right in the Wangfujing area. 🍽️ Meal included: Dinner | 🏨 Accommodation: Mercure Beijing Downtown, Grand Concordia, or Grand Mercure B
Today is dedicated to exploring the core of Beijing’s imperial history, with a full day of iconic sightseeing. First, you’ll wander the vast open expanse of Tiananmen Square before stepping into the Forbidden City, the centuries-old walled home of Chinese emperors, where you can explore ornate palaces and hidden courtyards (if the Forbidden City is unavailable, you’ll visit the serene Confucius Temple and historic Lama Temple instead). After wrapping up at the Forbidden City, climb up to the viewing platform at Jingshan Park (also called Coal Hill) for a sweeping panoramic view of the entire capital, the perfect photo opportunity. 🍽️ Meal included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Same central Beijing property
Today’s the day you’ll check off one of the world’s greatest wonders: the Great Wall of China. We’ll take you to the beautifully restored, less crowded Mutianyu section, where you’ll ride a comfortable cable car both up and down the mountain to explore the wall at your own pace, with stunning views of the structure winding through forested hills. Back in the city, you’ll visit the creative 798 Art District, a former factory complex turned hub for contemporary Chinese art, before stopping at the iconic Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO-listed imperial sacrificial site. End your day with a mouthwatering signature lacquered duck dinner, Beijing’s most famous culinary experience. 🍽️ Meal included: Lacquered duck dinner | 🏨 Accommodation: Same central Beijing property
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before boarding a high-speed train south to Taian. Once you arrive, you’ll explore Dai Temple, a magnificent ancient imperial temple dedicated to the God of Mount Tai, filled with historic stone carvings and centuries-old gnarled cypress trees. After a midday meal, you’ll continue on to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, where you’ll check into your accommodation for the night. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Shangri-la Qufu
Today dives deep into China’s Confucian spiritual roots, with a full exploration of Qufu’s most iconic Confucian landmarks. You’ll tour the sprawling Confucius Mansion, the centuries-old family home of Confucius’ descendants, followed by a visit to the magnificent Confucius Temple, the largest and oldest temple dedicated to the great philosopher in the world. After a traditional lunch, you’ll head to Xuzhou, where you’ll visit the elaborate underground mausoleum of a Han Dynasty emperor, a marvel of ancient Chinese tomb architecture. After exploring, check into your Xuzhou hotel for the night. 🍽️ Meal included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Xuzhou
After checking out of your Xuzhou hotel, board another high-speed train east to Nanjing, one of China’s great ancient capitals. Once you arrive, head to the lush, forested slopes of Purple Mountain, where you’ll visit the iconic Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, built to honor the founding father of modern China, followed by a stop at the tranquil, ancient Linggu Temple hidden away in the mountain’s forests. After a day of sightseeing, check into your Nanjing hotel for the night. 🍽️ No meals included | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Nanjing Central, Hilton Nanjing Riverside, or New Jin
Today you’ll leave Nanjing behind to explore Suzhou, the famous "Venice of the East" known for its stunning classical gardens. Your first stop is the Garden of the Humble Administrator, one of China’s most beautiful UNESCO-listed gardens, filled with winding paths, lotus ponds, and delicate pavilions. After exploring, you’ll have free time to wander the historic, tree-lined Pingjiang Road, lined with traditional shops and cozy local tea houses. Next, head to the charming ancient water town of Tongli for a scenic boat ride through its network of winding canals, before continuing on to Shanghai to check into your hotel. 🍽️ Meal included: Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis
Today you’ll explore the best of old and new Shanghai. Start your day with a visit to the glittering Pudong Financial District, home to Shanghai’s most iconic skyscrapers and the beating heart of modern China’s economy. Cross the Huangpu River via scenic ferry ride for unbeatable views of the iconic Shanghai skyline, before heading to Yuyuan Garden, a stunning traditional Chinese garden in the heart of old Shanghai. End your day with a hands-on traditional tea ceremony right in the Yuyuan area, where you’ll learn about ancient Chinese tea culture and sample fine local teas. 🍽️ Inclusions: Lunch, traditional tea ceremony tasting | 🏨 Accommodation: Novotel Shanghai Atlantis
On your final day of the tour, you’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before checking out, bringing your journey through ancient and modern China to a close. 🍽️ Meal included: Breakfast
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 21, 2026
I went on this tour with my teenage kid, and we both were equally engaged the whole 9 days. They loved exploring Shanghai’s modern tech hubs and trying all the street food in Beijing, while I was blown away by the quiet, serene energy of Nanjing’s ancient temples and Suzhou’s classical gardens. The itinerary was paced perfectly, with enough free time to wander on our own between group activities. We never felt overwhelmed by how much we saw, and the high-speed train connections between cities were seamless and comfortable. This is a tour I’ll be telling all my travel friends about for years.
January 18, 2026
Ethan, my consultant at HelloChinaTrip, helped me adjust a few small parts of the itinerary to fit my interest in Taoism, and it made the whole trip feel totally personalized. One of my favorite parts of this tour was how it didn’t force you to pick between old and new—we got to walk along Suzhou’s 1000-year-old canals in the morning, then take a high speed train to Shanghai to see the world’s tallest skyscrapers that evening. The balance of spiritual sites and modern landmarks meant there was never a dull moment, and every stop felt intentional instead of just ticking a box. This is easily the best organized international tour I’ve ever joined.
September 10, 2025
As someone who loves both history and contemporary culture, this tour checked every box for me. I left with a far deeper understanding of how China’s ancient spiritual roots shape its modern identity, which was exactly what I was looking for.
May 2, 2025
I loved every moment of this exploration of China’s dual identity, from the peaceful Buddhist temples in Nanjing to Shanghai’s futuristic Bund. The only downside was that we visited during a national holiday week, so major sites were far more wonderful than we expected, which cut into our time exploring at our own pace.
March 12, 2025
This tour perfectly balanced ancient spiritual roots and cutting-edge modern China, it was everything I hoped for.
February 17, 2025
The contrast between the ancient spiritual sites and cutting-edge modern cities was so striking and well-highlighted on this tour. Our guides at each stop gave great context that connected the history we were seeing to the modern China we experienced every day. I left already planning my next trip back to explore more.
December 28, 2024
Getting to see Shanghai’s glittering skyline one day and the Forbidden City in Beijing the next was such a thrill. Our itinerary let us soak up the spiritual energy of Nanjing’s ancient temples and Suzhou’s quiet gardens without feeling rushed. I can’t recommend this tour enough for first-time China visitors.
