This handpicked 10-day China itinerary guides you through six of the country’s most captivating destinations, mixing modern metropolitan buzz, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and ancient cultural charm across Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, Longji, Yangshuo, and Hong Kong. Curated to highlight the very best of China’s incredible geographic and cultural diversity, this tour delivers excellent value with a competitive price point and secure, trusted payment processes that make booking your dream trip seamless and stress-free.
This 10-day curated journey starts in the modern global hub of Shanghai, winds through the surreal mountain landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the ancient riverside charm of Fenghuang Old Town, the sweeping terraced hills of Longji, and the idyllic karst scenery of Yangshuo, before wrapping up in the dynamic coastal city of Hong Kong. The route is carefully designed to showcase every side of China, shifting from towering skyscrapers to jagged otherworldly peaks, from thousand-year-old stone alleys to modern coastal shopping districts, giving travelers a complete picture of the country’s incredible cultural and natural diversity.
Arrive in Shanghai, China’s most dynamic modern metropolis, and check into your pre-booked accommodation after your arrival transfer. Settle in and use your free evening to stretch your legs or hunt for a tasty plate of local Shanghainese soup dumplings if you arrive early enough. 🏨 Accommodation: Liyi Hotel Shanghai Railway Station or Country Inn & Suites
Today you’ll explore Shanghai’s most iconic highlights with a knowledgeable local guide, getting around the city comfortably by metro and taxi. Wander the classic pavilions and bustling traditional bazaars of Yuyuan Garden (you’ll visit the nearby City God Temple instead if Yuyuan is closed for any reason), then stop at Xintiandi to see the beautiful blend of historic shikumen lane houses and trendy modern cafes and boutiques. Wrap up the day with a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road, China’s most famous shopping boulevard. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Liyi Hotel Shanghai Railway Station or Country Inn & Suites
After breakfast, you’ll board your pre-booked flight heading west to Zhangjiajie, home of China’s most surreal mountain scenery. Once you arrive, head straight into Tianmen Mountain for a day of jaw-dropping exploration. Walk along the famous Gateway of Heaven, a giant natural arch carved into the mountain’s side, then test your nerve on the vertiginous Tianmen glass skywalk that hangs thousands of meters above the forested valley floor. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Best Western Plus Qingxinyuan Hotel Zhangjiajie
Today is fully dedicated to exploring the epic Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Ride the famous Bailong Super Elevator up to the top of Yuanjiajie, where you’ll get unbeatable views from the Summit Sightseeing Platform and see the jagged quartzite peak that inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Next, explore the scenic Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, then take a leisurely stroll through Shilihualang (10-Mile Gallery), where every turn opens up a new postcard-perfect view of forested peaks. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Best Western Plus Qingxinyuan Hotel Zhangjiajie
After morning breakfast, board a comfortable bullet train south to Fenghuang, the iconic ancient waterside town nestled along the banks of the Tuojiang River. Once you arrive and check into your accommodation, spend the rest of the day wandering the winding old alleys, historic wooden stilt houses, and centuries-old landmarks that give this town its timeless, fairy-tale charm. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Puyue Phoenix Hotel or Fenghuang Jiangtian Holiday Resort
After breakfast, travel by private car to Longsheng, home to the dramatic, centuries-old Longji Rice Terraces that cascade down rolling hillsides like giant green (or golden, depending on season) steps stretching toward the sky. Settle into your hillside accommodation this afternoon and take your first leisurely look at the sweeping terraced landscape stretching out before you. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Longji Terrace Lingli Art Hotel or Mountain View Guesthouse
Today you’ll dive deeper into the beauty of the Longji Terraces, exploring the scenic paddies surrounding the traditional ethnic minority villages of Ping’an and Dazhai. Hike up to the hilltop viewpoint for a sweeping, bird’s-eye view of the layered terraces that stretch as far as the eye can see. After your exploration, you’ll travel onward to Yangshuo, the iconic scenic karst destination in Guangxi, where you’ll check in for the night. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Wei Bo Shan Shu Yangshuo West Street Lijiang Branch or JI Hotel Yangshuo
Wake up to the sight of misty karst peaks peeking over the Yangshuo skyline, then set off for one of China’s most iconic scenic experiences: a leisurely local boat ride down the Li River. Drift past sheer limestone karsts jutting out of emerald green water, passing traditional bamboo rafts and quiet rural villages along the banks, soaking in the postcard-perfect scenery that has inspired centuries of Chinese art and poetry. 🍽️ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 🏨 Accommodation: Wei Bo Shan Shu Yangshuo West Street Lijiang Branch or JI Hotel Yangshuo
After a morning breakfast, you’ll travel from Yangshuo to dynamic Hong Kong, the bustling coastal global hub where Eastern and Western cultures blend seamlessly. Check into your city hotel once you arrive, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure to explore local street markets, dig into a dim sum feast, or wander the iconic Victoria Harbour waterfront. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast 🏨 Accommodation: Harbour Plaza Metropolis or Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Mong Kok
Enjoy a final included breakfast before checking out of your hotel, ahead of your scheduled departure flight from Hong Kong to wrap up your 10-day Chinese adventure. 🍽️ Included meal: Breakfast
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
March 21, 2026
My partner and I did this tour for our 10th anniversary trip and it was the most memorable vacation we’ve ever taken. The bamboo raft ride down the Li River in Yangshuo was absolutely magical, and wandering the night markets along Shanghai’s Bund gave us such a fun taste of city life here. We couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to all the different sides of China.
January 10, 2026
The views from Zhangjiajie’s mountain overlooks alone were worth the price of this tour.
September 14, 2025
I was traveling solo for my first trip to China and was so nervous about planning, but Lynn from HelloChinaTrip made everything completely seamless from start to finish. The itinerary really does have it all: futuristic skylines in Shanghai, misty otherworldly peaks in Zhangjiajie, cozy ancient streets in Fenghuang, and stunning rice terraces in Longji. Every day felt like a new adventure, and we never had too much downtime or too much rushing. I left already planning my next trip back to China, and I’ll absolutely book through the same team again.
July 19, 2025
This itinerary is perfectly paced, with something incredible to experience every single day.
May 2, 2025
We did this tour over the Chinese Golden Week holiday, so many of the popular scenic spots were much more wonderful than we expected. That said, every destination on the itinerary was incredibly beautiful and well-chosen, from the karst mountains in Yangshuo to the jagged quartz peaks of Zhangjiajie. The itinerary flowed perfectly between big cities, small ancient towns, and natural attractions, so we never felt rushed or bored. The only knock is the wonderful size we encountered due to our travel timing, which isn’t the tour operator’s fault at all.
February 18, 2025
Every stop on this itinerary was perfectly chosen, I’d book this again in a heartbeat.
December 28, 2024
As someone who loves both city exploring and outdoor hiking, this tour checked every box on my list. I was blown away by how diverse the destinations are—one day you’re exploring Shanghai’s futuristic riverfront, the next you’re standing above the clouds on Zhangjiajie’s iconic Avatar peaks. The mix of ancient cultural charm and modern development gives you such a complete picture of what modern China is really like. I’ve already recommended this tour to all of my friends who are thinking about visiting China.
December 5, 2024
The mix of buzzing modern Shanghai and jaw-dropping natural scenery in Zhangjiajie was such a perfect balance. We got to experience so much authentic ancient culture in Fenghuang that we never would have organized on our own. This tour is an absolute must for first-time visitors to China.
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.
