This 7-day private Southern China adventure takes you through two dynamic Guangdong hubs, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, blending immersive explorations of centuries-old authentic Cantonese culture with up-close views of China’s most dazzling modern city skylines. You’ll enjoy a fully flexible, personalized experience with an exclusive dedicated private guide and driver accompanying you every step of the way, with none of the constraints of crowded group tours. This curated excursion is competitively priced, with secure, trusted payment processing to make your booking simple and stress-free.
This 7-day southern China adventure takes you from the cultural heart of the region, Guangzhou, through the historic martial arts and ceramic-making hub of Foshan, past the scenic food-loving town of Shunde, before ending in the futuristic global tech capital Shenzhen. It’s the ultimate mix of old and new: you’ll wander ancient gardens, watch traditional lion dances, browse century-old markets, and stand atop one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, all at your own pace with a local guide to share hidden stories you won’t find in any guidebook.
Today is all about arrival and settling in! After you land at Guangzhou’s airport, your private driver will meet you and whisk you to your downtown hotel to drop off your luggage. The rest of the day is free for you to wander nearby streets, grab your first taste of authentic Cantonese dim sum, and relax before your week of exploring. 🏨 Hotel accommodation included.
Kick off your first full day of sightseeing with a delicious local breakfast 🍽️. Head first to Baiyun Mountain, Guangzhou’s iconic urban green escape, where you can stroll along shaded scenic hiking trails then glide over the treetops on a relaxing cable car ride for panoramic views of the whole city. After descending, you’ll explore downtown’s Huacheng Square, a sprawling public space dotted with sleek contemporary architecture and lush gardens. Don’t miss the iconic curving Guangzhou Opera House, designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid, before a stop at the modern Guangzhou Library to browse its impressive cultural collections. End the day back at your Guangzhou hotel to rest 🏨.
Today dives deep into traditional Cantonese culture, starting with another included breakfast 🍽️. Your first stop is Chen Clan Academy, a stunning 19th-century complex that showcases the most intricate examples of traditional Cantonese architecture, from hand-carved woodwork to colorful decorative brick motifs. Next, wander the charming lanes of Yongqingfang, a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood filled with independent boutiques, cozy traditional teahouses, and contemporary art galleries. After that, you’ll visit the bustling Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, one of Guangzhou’s oldest and most famous shopping districts, perfect for picking up souvenirs and local snacks. Wrap up your day with a stroll through the centuries-old Qingping Medicine Market, where you’ll see hundreds of rare herbs and traditional healing ingredients that have been a core part of Cantonese culture for generations. Return to your Guangzhou hotel for the night 🏨.
After breakfast 🍽️, travel to nearby Foshan, the birthplace of southern Chinese martial arts, to explore its iconic cultural sites. First stop is the historic Zumiao Temple complex, home to the Ip Man Hall and Wong Fei-hung Memorial Hall, honoring two of China’s most legendary martial arts masters. While you’re there, catch a thrilling traditional Martial Arts Lion Dance performance, a vibrant centuries-old Cantonese cultural tradition. Next, visit Nanfeng Kiln, a working ceramic kiln that’s produced traditional Cantonese pottery for more than 500 years, where you can watch master artisans at work. End your day with a leisurely stroll through Liang’s Garden, a serene classic Chinese garden dotted with elegant pavilions, winding paths, and tranquil lotus ponds. Check into your Foshan hotel for the night 🏨.
Start your day of travel with a hearty included breakfast 🍽️, then head from Foshan toward Shenzhen, with stops in scenic Shunde along the way. First, explore Shunfengshan Park, a sprawling green public park centered around a glistening lake, home to the massive iconic Shunfengshan Archway with postcard-perfect views of the surrounding area. Next, wander the lively Daliang Huagai Road Commercial Pedestrian Street, where you can browse local shops and sample world-famous Shunde street food. After that, visit Qinghui Garden, a breathtaking classical Lingnan-style garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, with delicate pavilions, manicured greenery, and quiet lotus ponds. After exploring Shunde, continue on to Shenzhen and check into your hotel for the night 🏨.
Today you’ll experience the cutting-edge side of southern China, starting with an included breakfast 🍽️. First, head to the iconic Ping An Financial Center, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, and ride the elevator all the way up to the 116th-floor sky observation deck, where you’ll get unobstructed, jaw-dropping panoramic views of the entire Shenzhen skyline and across the border to Hong Kong. Next, visit DJI Sky City, the global headquarters of the world’s leading drone manufacturer, where you can see cutting-edge drone technology and innovative architectural design on display. End your day with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront at Shenzhen OCT Harbour, a trendy open-air destination filled with shops, restaurants, and public art. Return to your Shenzhen hotel to rest 🏨.
Enjoy your final included breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel before your private driver transfers you to the airport for your departure. Your 7-day southern China adventure comes to a close here, with plenty of new memories and photos to take home.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
January 8, 2026
I loved how this itinerary balances ancient Cantonese culture and the cutting-edge modern energy that makes Guangdong so unique. Because it’s a private tour, we could slow down and spend extra time browsing the historic colonial buildings on Guangzhou’s Shamian Island, no rushing to keep up with a group. It was the perfect relaxed 7-day getaway.
October 22, 2025
As a food lover traveling through China, this tour was an absolute dream come true. Our guide took us to a 70-year-old family-run dim sum restaurant in an older neighborhood of Guangzhou, where the food was far more authentic than any tourist spot I’ve been to. In Shenzhen, we hiked to a scenic overlook above the city for incredible skyline views, then wandered a night market full of unique local street snacks. The whole trip was perfectly paced, the service was impeccable, and I left already planning my next trip back to the region.
September 15, 2025
Sunny, our consultant from HelloChinaTrip, helped us tweak this itinerary perfectly to fit our love of both traditional culture and modern innovation. Our guide walked us through the ornate halls of Guangzhou's Chen Clan Academy, explaining centuries of Cantonese artistic traditions that I’d never learned about before. In Shenzhen, we got front-row views of the iconic skyline at dusk and even stopped at a vibrant seaside art district that wasn’t on our original itinerary, at our guide’s suggestion. This private, personalized experience is miles better than any group tour I’ve ever taken, and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Southern China.
March 12, 2025
This private Southern China tour exceeded every one of my expectations.
February 20, 2025
We traveled during the Chinese New Year holiday, so nearly every popular attraction in both cities was far more wonderful than we anticipated, which cut a bit into our exploration time. Our guide and driver were still incredibly attentive and helpful, and we loved getting to try special traditional Cantonese New Year treats that we wouldn’t have experienced any other time of year.
December 28, 2024
Our private guide knew all the best hidden dim sum spots in central Guangzhou that we never would have found on our own. The private driver was always punctual, the car was clean and comfortable, and traveling between Guangzhou and Shenzhen felt totally seamless.
This 4-day private Guangzhou city break takes you beyond the city center to explore top nearby highlights including Kaiping, Foshan, and an additional handpicked destination for a well-rounded southern China travel experience. Curated around the region’s very best attractions, this exclusive private tour delivers unbeatable value at the best available price, and offers secure, trusted payment processes to keep your entire booking experience simple and stress-free.
