James Miller
April 12, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 10-day private China tour delivers the ultimate blend of China’s most iconic unmissable highlights, guiding you through four unforgettable destinations: historic Beijing, ancient Xi’an to see the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, giant panda sanctuary Chengdu, and vibrant cosmopolitan Shanghai. Curated with top handpicked experiences at a competitive price point, this personalized private itinerary also offers fully secure, trusted payments to ensure a totally stress-free booking and travel experience from start to finish.
This 10-day private adventure starts in Beijing, China's millennia-old imperial capital, where you soak in centuries of royal history and traditional local life before traveling on to Xi'an, the ancient capital that houses the world-famous Terracotta Army. From Xi'an, you journey on to laid-back Chengdu, the global panda capital, to meet these beloved cuddly creatures up close, before finishing your trip in dynamic Shanghai, a sparkling metropolis that blends old colonial charm with cutting-edge modern energy. The route is carefully designed to move smoothly between destinations, highlighting both unmissable bucket-list sights and hidden cultural gems that showcase the full diversity of China's past and present.
After your arrival in Beijing, you’ll check into your accommodation at Super House International Hotel to unwind after your travels. The rest of your day is free to settle in, explore the surrounding neighborhood, or grab a bite of local street food at your leisure. 🏨
Today you dive deep into Beijing’s imperial core. You’ll start by strolling across the iconic, vast open space of Tiananmen Square, then step into the Forbidden City—once the exclusive royal residence of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. After exploring the palace grounds, you’ll wander through winding, centuries-old traditional hutong alleyways to experience authentic old Beijing local life, then stop for an exterior visit to the historic Buddhist Miaoying Temple. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll stay another night at Super House International Hotel.
Get ready for an unforgettable day outdoors and off the beaten tourist track. You’ll head outside the city to hike the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, a quieter stretch that boasts stunning views of the wall winding over mountains and alongside sparkling lakes. After your hike, you’ll return to the city to explore the trendy 798 Art District, a former factory complex turned contemporary art hub filled with galleries, street art, and unique creative spaces. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll return to Super House International Hotel for the night.
This morning, you’ll visit the stunning Temple of Heaven complex, a UNESCO-listed site where ancient emperors once held annual ceremonies to pray for bountiful harvests, dotted with beautiful traditional architecture and peaceful gardens. After exploring, you’ll travel from Beijing to Xi’an, and once you’ve settled in, you’ll stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter—Xi'an’s famous food hub packed with local snacks, handicraft shops, and centuries-old cultural heritage. 🍽️ Breakfast and dinner at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll check into Xi’an Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel for your stay.
Today is dedicated to Xi'an’s most iconic ancient wonders. You’ll start by walking along the top of Xi'an’s perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, a 600-year-old fortification that offers panoramic views of the entire city. Next, you’ll visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors site, where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers have stood guard over the first emperor of China for more than two millennia. To wrap up your day, you’ll explore Xi'an Museum to dive deeper into the city’s long and layered history. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll stay another night at Xi’an Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel.
After checking out of your Xi'an hotel, you’ll travel to laid-back Chengdu, the charming capital of Sichuan province famous for its slow pace of life and world-famous spicy cuisine. Once you arrive, you’ll wander through historic Kuanzhai Alley, a restored district of Qing-era courtyard homes that now house cute cafes, local craft shops, and traditional cultural exhibits. Later, you’ll visit Chengdu People's Park, a beloved local gathering spot where you can watch locals play mahjong, drink traditional tea, and practice tai chi. 🏨 You’ll check into Dorsett Grand Chengdu Hotel for the night.
The long-awaited day with giant pandas is here! You’ll visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where you can get up close to cuddly giant pandas as they munch on bamboo, play, and nap in sprawling, naturalistic enclosures. After spending time with these iconic animals, you’ll visit the Sichuan Museum to explore the region’s rich art, history, and cultural heritage, from ancient bronze relics to traditional Sichuan silk paintings. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll stay another night at Dorsett Grand Chengdu Hotel.
Today you’ll travel from Chengdu to Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis where Eastern tradition and Western colonial history blend seamlessly. After arriving, you’ll visit the unique Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of vintage Chinese propaganda posters that offer a fascinating glimpse into China’s recent history. In the evening, you’ll stroll along the iconic Bund, Shanghai’s waterfront lined with stunning historic colonial buildings that light up beautifully after dark. 🍽️ Breakfast and dinner at a local restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll check into Shanghai SSAW Boutique Hotel for your stay.
Spend the day discovering Shanghai’s mix of traditional and colonial charm. You’ll start with a visit to Yu Garden, a stunning traditional Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, surrounded by the bustling Old Town market full of local snacks and handmade souvenirs. Next, you’ll visit the serene Jade Buddha Temple, home to two breathtaking giant jade Buddha statues that draw visitors and pilgrims from across the world. To wrap up your day, you’ll wander through the leafy streets of the former French Concession, lined with historic colonial villas, trendy boutiques, and cozy cafes. 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch at a local tourist restaurant are included today. 🏨 You’ll spend another night at Shanghai SSAW Boutique Hotel.
After enjoying your included breakfast at your hotel, your 10-day Chinese adventure comes to an end. You’ll check out of your accommodation and depart at your leisure, carrying memories of ancient wonders, cuddly pandas, and vibrant culture home with you. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 12, 2026
My wife and I took this tour for our 10th anniversary, and it was the most memorable trip we’ve ever taken. We loved how private it was—we never had to wait for other group members or stick to a rigid schedule that didn’t fit our pace. Getting to see giant pandas wandering around their Chengdu reserve was easily the highlight for both of us.
February 14, 2026
This tour was incredibly well organized and our guides were fantastic across all four cities. We gave four stars only because we visited during the Lunar New Year holiday, and almost every site was way more wonderful than we expected, which is purely a seasonal issue not a problem with the tour itself.
October 3, 2025
As a history lover, I’ve wanted to see the Terracotta Warriors in person for decades, and this tour let me experience them without the hassle of planning everything myself. The private experience meant we got extra time to ask our guide questions about the history of the site, which was amazing. The stop in Chengdu to see the giant pandas was the perfect relaxed break between the busy big cities of Shanghai and Beijing. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see China’s top sights without the stress of DIY travel.
July 21, 2025
I traveled solo on this tour and felt completely safe and well taken care of the entire 10 days. Each city stop had a different local guide who knew all the best hidden spots for photos and local food, not just the main tourist traps. I got to try Peking duck in Beijing, soup dumplings in Shanghai, mapo tofu in Chengdu, and biang biang noodles in Xi’an, all at amazing local spots recommended by my guides. The itinerary flowed perfectly between cities, with seamless transfers that never felt stressful. If you’re a solo traveler nervous about visiting China for the first time, this tour is perfect for you.
May 22, 2025
I booked this 10-day private tour through HelloChinaTrip after consultant Lynn recommended it for my family’s first visit to China, and it exceeded all our expectations. We got to explore Shanghai’s Bund, Beijing’s Forbidden City, Xi’an’s incredible Warriors, and see giant pandas in their Chengdu reserve all at our own pace, no rushing around with big groups. Every transfer was perfectly timed, our guides at each stop were knowledgeable and friendly, and the itinerary balanced iconic sights with plenty of time to stop for local snacks. I couldn’t have asked for a better organized trip.
April 30, 2025
This is the best way to see all of China’s most famous iconic sights in just 10 days.
March 12, 2025
This tour was absolutely everything I dreamed of for my first trip to China.
January 8, 2025
Worth every penny to check off the two biggest bucket list items I’ve had for years.
December 30, 2024
Every part of this tour was perfectly planned out, from the comfortable hotel stays to pre-booked entrance tickets to all the major sites. I left already planning my next trip back to China, and I would absolutely book this same tour again.
December 18, 2024
Getting to see the Terracotta Warriors and giant pandas up close was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our private guide made navigating the busy cities so easy and stress-free.
