Sophia Mendez
February 20, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 10-day fully customizable private tour brings you all of China’s unmissable top highlights, covering the historic capitals of Beijing and Xi’an, vibrant modern Shanghai, and the iconic otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie—the real-life inspiration for the famous floating mountains in *Avatar*. Curated for exceptional value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment processing, this private itinerary can be adjusted to match your unique travel interests and preferred pace, so you get a tailored, seamless experience exploring China’s most iconic sights.
This carefully curated 10-day journey starts in the bustling modern metropolis of Shanghai, winds through the unearthly mountain landscapes of Zhangjiajie, moves inland to ancient Xi'an home of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, and finishes in imperial Beijing, where you'll walk the iconic Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City. Along the route, you'll wander ancient water towns, practice tai chi with a local master, browse centuries-old markets, and take in some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth, creating a well-rounded introduction to the very best of China.
🌟 Day 1: Shanghai Arrive in dynamic Shanghai at your own pace, check into your accommodation and get settled after your travel. Spend your first evening exploring nearby streets, catching your first glimpse of the glittering Huangpu River skyline, and resting up for your adventure ahead. 🏨
🌟 Day 2: Shanghai Today we dive into Shanghai's perfect mix of ancient and modern culture. We start at the world-class Shanghai Museum, where you can browse thousands of years of Chinese history through stunning bronze relics, delicate jade carvings, classic scroll paintings, and intricate stone sculptures. Next, wander through the serene, 400-year-old Yu Garden, a masterclass in traditional Jiangnan garden design filled with koi ponds, rock formations, and pavilions. After exploring the garden, browse the bustling Yuyuan Market to hunt for handmade souvenirs and sample local street snacks, then end the day strolling the tree-lined, villa-lined avenues of the charming Former French Concession. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 3: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Before we head west to Zhangjiajie, we stop at the picture-perfect Xitang Ancient Town, one of China's best-preserved historic water towns. Glide along the town's winding canals on a relaxed boat ride, passing centuries-old stone bridges and riverside courtyard homes as you soak in Xitang's quiet, old-world charm. After your visit, we continue on to Zhangjiajie for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨
🌟 Day 4: Zhangjiajie Today we explore the iconic Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the heart of Zhangjiajie's famous jagged peak landscape. We ride the dramatic Bailong Elevator (the world's tallest outdoor glass lift) up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, home to the original peak that inspired Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain. After exploring Yuanjiajie, we take a shuttle bus up to Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, where we'll stop to see the famous First Bridge Under the Sun, plus iconic natural formations including Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers and Imperial Brush Peak, before descending the mountain via cable car. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 5: Zhangjiajie to Xi'an We fit in two more stunning Zhangjiajie experiences before traveling north to Xi'an. First, we take a peaceful boat ride across the crystal-clear waters of Baofeng Lake, where sheer rocky peaks rise straight from the water's edge for postcard-perfect views. Next, we head to Tianmen Mountain, where you'll ride a 7,455-meter cable car on a 30-minute scenic ascent up the mountain, with jaw-dropping views of the dramatic landscape below before you explore the mountain's famous cliffside paths. After your visit, we travel onward to Xi'an for the night. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an Today is dedicated to Xi'an's most incredible historic treasures. We start with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, the 2,000-year-old underground imperial army built to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, where you can marvel at thousands of uniquely carved warrior and horse statues. After exploring the site, we wander through the lively Muslim Quarter, Xi'an's historic food hub, where you can sample iconic local snacks between browsing market stalls, then stop to see the ancient Drum Tower in the heart of the city. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 7: Xi'an to Beijing Kick off your morning with a one-of-a-kind local experience: a 1-hour tai chi practice session led by an experienced local master, a gentle, mindful way to start the day. After your class, we rent bikes and cycle along the top of Xi'an's perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, getting 360-degree views of the city as you ride around the historic fortification. Later in the day, we travel north to Beijing, your final stop on the tour. 🍽️ Breakfast included. 🏨
🌟 Day 8: Beijing Today we dive into Beijing's most iconic historic and political landmarks. We start at sprawling Tiananmen Square, where you'll see the grand Great Hall of the People and pay your respects at Mao Zedong's Mausoleum. Next, we step into the sprawling Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, where you can explore hundreds of historic halls, pavilions, and gardens that were once off-limits to anyone outside the imperial court. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 9: Beijing We start the morning with a visit to the stunning Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century imperial temple where emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests, set within a sprawling, peaceful public park filled with classic Chinese architecture. In the afternoon, we head out to the beautifully restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. This 1.4-mile stretch of the wall features 22 original watchtowers and blockhouses, perfect for hiking at your own pace while taking in sweeping views of the wall snaking across misty mountain ridges. 🍽️ Breakfast and Lunch included. 🏨
🌟 Day 10: Beijing Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast in Beijing before checking out of your accommodation. Your 10-day tour of China's top highlights comes to an end today, with endless unforgettable memories to take home. 🍽️ Breakfast included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
February 20, 2026
When we reached out about a customizable tour, our consultant Ethan at HelloChinaTrip adjusted the itinerary immediately to add an extra day in Xi’an so we could see more of the Terracotta Army than the standard stop. Every part of the tour ran like clockwork: private drivers were on time, guides were incredibly knowledgeable about both history and local culture, and the accommodation choices were perfectly suited to our mid-range budget. Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains took my breath away, and walking through the Forbidden City in Beijing with a guide who could explain every detail made the experience so much richer than exploring on our own. We loved the mix of modern Shanghai and ancient historical sites, and would 100% book this tour again for our next trip back to China.
September 30, 2025
As someone who’s always been nervous about traveling to a new country where I don’t speak the language, this private tour took all the stress out of our 10-day trip. We got to see all the can’t-miss highlights we wanted: the Bund in Shanghai, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall in Beijing, the mind-blowing Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and of course the stunning Avatar Mountains that we’d seen in photos for years. We were able to tweak the itinerary to skip one uninteresting shopping stop, which made the trip feel totally personalized instead of a generic group tour. Every meal recommendation our guides gave us was incredible, and we got to try so many amazing local dishes we never would have found on our own. This trip exceeded every expectation we had, and I recommend it to anyone looking to experience the best of China in one trip.
April 22, 2025
We had an absolutely lovely time on this tour, with seamless planning and fantastic guides across every city. We knocked off a star only because we visited Zhangjiajie during a wonderful week that completely obscured the mountain views, which was just bad luck with the season and not the tour company’s fault. We’re already planning to come back to see the mountains in clearer weather, and we’d book this exact tour again.
March 12, 2025
This private tour of China’s top highlights was absolutely perfect from start to finish.
December 18, 2024
Getting to see everything from the Great Wall in Beijing to the otherworldly Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie in 10 days felt seamless, never rushed. Our private guide knew all the best spots to avoid the biggest crowds, and everything was customizable to our slow travel pace. I can’t imagine a better introduction to China.
