China Delights

China

2,960

autumn

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Gallery Is this tour Right for you

Overview

This private tour of China is a journey through time and cultures. Explore China’s glorious past and its current phenomenal developments, visiting the ancient capital of Chang’an and the vibrant capital, Beijing. Climb atop Longsheng’s stunning rice terraces amidst picturesque minority villages and stroll through the buzzing streets of Shanghai’s metropolis. This China private tour features a well-balanced itinerary that balances urban and rural, old and new, highlighting the past, present, and future of this mighty giant, now a global force to be reckoned with. Without a doubt, this 14-day China private tour provides insight into a country far more complicated than what Western media portrays. The recommended dates for this China private tour are March - April and September - October (please refer to the list of Chinese national holidays below, during which these rates might not apply).

Highlights

Beijing Past and Present. Hutongs by rickshaw, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and a night food market experience.
The Great Wall & Imperial Tombs. Walk the Wall by cable car and explore Ming Dynasty burial grounds.
Xi'an's Ancient Legacy. Terracotta Army, city walls, Muslim Quarter, and Silk Road history.
Karst Landscapes of Guilin & Yangshuo. River cruises, bamboo rafting, Moon Hill, and iconic outdoor performances.
Longsheng Rice Terraces. Hike among sweeping terraces and stay in Zhuang minority villages.
Shanghai by Night. The Bund, skyline cruises, Pudong towers, and acrobatics shows.
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Cable cars, granite peaks, pine forests, sunrise above the sea of clouds.
UNESCO Villages. Walks through Hongcun, one of China's best-preserved ancient villages.

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Beijing

Day 1

Arrival In Beijing

Beijing (2)

Day 2

Explore Beijing

The Great Wall Of China

Day 3

Excursion To The Great Wall

Xian

Day 4

From Beijing To Xian By Bullet Train

Guilin

Day 5

By Flight To Guilin

Longsheng

Day 6

From Guilin To Longsheng

Longsheng (2)

Day 7

Amidst Minorities And Rice Terraces In Longsheng

Yangshuo

Day 8

To Yangshuo

Yulong River

Day 9

Exploring Yangshuo And The Surroundings

Shanghai

Day 10

By Flight To Shanghai

Day 13

Shanghai Urban Tour

Yellow Mountain

Day 11

The Yellow Mountain

Huangshan

Day 12

Tour Ancient Villages

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Day 14

Departure From China

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Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the fascinating capital of the world’s most populous country. The city mirrors China’s fast-growing economy and the people’s struggle to make it through another day. Skyscrapers rise up only a few steps away from the ancient hutongs; the latest cars glide past rickshaws; and traditions thousands of years old continue to be observed alongside new market rules and a new way of life. All these, and much more, make Beijing one of the world’s most impressive cities to visit. Upon arrival and after immigration formalities, meet the local guide and drive to the hotel to recuperate from the long flight (note: check-in at 1400. Early check-in is subject to room availability or an early check-in supplement). In the afternoon, take a first orientation tour of the city, visiting the hutongs, which are living evidence of how Beijing looked during imperial times. With families living around central courtyards, sharing their toilets, water, and other facilities, this way of life dates back hundreds of years. Take a rickshaw ride through the calm lanes of the hutongs and get a glimpse of the life of ordinary Beijingers. Then proceed to Houhai, a huge artificial lake that used to be an exclusive lakeside garden for royals and is now a nightlife hotspot, busy with trendy restaurants and pubs. In the evening, walk through Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, where, behind some of the world’s largest shopping malls, visit the night food market. For the brave at heart, a delicious meal of various insects cooked in several ways awaits.

Hotel
Dinner

Beijing (2)

Begin the day with a walk along Tiananmen Square. It is the world’s largest central city square, and it is said that no one could rule China without first controlling it. It is surrounded by important buildings, among them the National Museum and the Great Hall of the People (the Chinese parliament). At the heart of the square, there is a mausoleum for Chairman Mao, who reshaped the country, leading the People’s Republic of China from its foundation in 1949 until his death in 1976. Then proceed on foot to the Forbidden City. A common belief in China is that the ancestral spirits in heaven use 10,000 halls on different occasions; to show his recognition of heaven's superiority over earth, the emperor had only 9999 halls built in the Forbidden City for his own use. The compound was forbidden to all but the Imperial Family and their servants, and has been the place from which the emperors of China ruled the country for hundreds of years. Stroll between the halls and the gardens surrounding them and stop at some of the more significant halls. Leave the Forbidden City to the Coal Hill. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, this was the highest observation point in the center of the restless city, offering a great view over the Forbidden City and the whole of Beijing (assuming it is a clear day). In the evening, attend the Golden Mask Show, which, like anything Chinese, is greater than life. This ancient love story of the queen and king who fell in love with each other, and the queen that sacrifice herself and her love to the king for the sake of her people, is being performed by a troop of more than 200 dancers and actors in the magnificent OCT theater, which was built specifically for this show prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. After the show, drive to the hotel for a second night in Beijing.

Hotel
Breakfast

The Great Wall Of China

Drive out of the city to the famous Great Wall, probably China’s most prominent landmark. What we in the West know as the Wall is actually a system of walls that was built over centuries by different emperors. The Wall is considered to be about 2700 kilometers in length, but if we include all the sections built throughout its history, there are about 10,000 kilometers of this enormous man-made structure. Take a round-trip cable car to walk along part of the Wall and hear about its history and how it failed to fulfill its main goal of stopping the Mongols from invading the country. On the way back to the city, stop at the Ming Dynasty Tombs at Changling. This site is where most of the Ming Emperors have been buried, after the Ming Emperor Yongle moved the imperial capital from Nanjing, in southern China, to Beijing in the north. Keeping a similar theme, proceed to the Sacred Road. The name derives from the fact that the Chinese believed that a road with several gates leads the souls of the ‘heavenly families’ back to the sky. Arrive back in town and drive to Zone 798, a modern art compound, in which artists from all over the city create and exhibit their work. Here, at the galleries, one can engage in conversation with some of the artists, hearing from them about what it is like to express yourself in a country where self-expression was taboo until not so long ago. Wrap up the day walking through ‘The Village’. The story of this ultra-modern shopping and entertainment area reflects that of its developers, the husband-and-wife team who founded the SOHO group. Both born into impoverished families, they have become icons of reemerging China, with net worths well over 10 billion US dollars. And as such, so is ‘The Village’- from a sleepy neighborhood of communist era residential blocks, this has turned into one of Beijing’s most prestigious places for the upper-class youth to hang out at.

Hotel
Breakfast

Xian

With an early morning start, drive to the Temple of Heaven. This used to be where the emperor, considered to be directly descended from heaven and representing the heavenly spirit on earth, asked for blessings for the Imperial Family and for the entire nation. He asked for good crops, good weather, and prosperity for all. The ceremony lasted for three days, during which he did not leave the compound. Nowadays, the grounds surrounding the temple are filled with Beijingers of all ages, who come to practice t’ai chi and dancing, and indulge in all kinds of recreational activities. Then drive to the train station to board a fantastic bullet train ride at 300 km/h (186 mph) to Xian, a must-do on every China private tour. Upon arrival in Xian, meet the guide and driver, and transfer to the hotel. En route, stop for a walk along the old City Wall. This fortified wall, with its massive guard towers and arrow slits, faithfully depicts the reality of an ancient capital that had to retain the powers of the newly made emperor against warlords who tried to regain control of territories that had recently been conquered and assimilated into the empire, which is now known as China.

Hotel
Breakfast

Guilin

Driving out of the city center, head towards the Terracotta Army Site. Discovered accidentally in 1974 by two farmers plowing their plot, one of the most amazing historical discoveries of our time was made. An entire army of terracotta soldiers, each with different characteristics and fully armored, was created to protect the tomb of the first Qin emperor. Explore this breathtaking site, then visit the nearby museum to see the permanent exhibition featuring rare artifacts from the site and telling the story of its discovery, excavation, and ongoing restoration. Leaving the Terracotta Army site, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, with its magnificent display of archaeological findings dating back to prehistoric times, with emphasis on the city's Golden Era, when it was literally “the center of the world”. Proceed to the Muslim Quarter. The Muslims settled in Xian during the glory days of the Silk Road, which connected East and West for trading purposes. Originating in Central Asia, the Muslims arrived to trade in the exotic goods they brought to the then capital of the Chinese Empire. Over time, a huge community of Muslims became assimilated into the population and has recreated its traditional way of life. They brought with them their delicious food, their clothes and customs, and built a beautiful Mosque at the heart of the once cosmopolitan capital. Roam the colorful market and visit the Great Mosque, a blend of Chinese and Muslim architecture. In the evening, transfer to Xian airport for the flight to the next destination on this China private tour- Guilin. Arrive in Guilin, meet the local guide, and transfer to the hotel.

Hotel
Breakfast

Longsheng

Famous for its wonderful scenery, rivers, and karst peaks covered in lush greenery, Guilin has long been considered the most beautiful place in China. Actually, the region’s beauty is so renowned that an old Chinese scholar once said, “It is better to see Guilin once than to be an angel in heaven”. Leave the hotel and drive to Reed Flute Cave, which sheltered locals from aerial bombardment during World War II and features an amazing display of stalactites. From there, drive to Longsheng. The Dragon Ridgeback Mountain features one of the world’s largest manmade phenomena. In the mountain’s endless slopes, the local peasants have carved with their bare hands thousands and thousands of terraces to capture water streaming down the mountain and use it for crop cultivation. The region is also known for its diverse ethnic groups. Hike along the terraces and visit minority villages along the way. Then proceed to Ping’an, a traditional Zhuang minority village featuring traditional Zhuang architecture. From the car park, take a 40-minute walk through the village’s narrow roads, amidst ancient buildings, to the hotel located on a hill overlooking the beautifully carved terraces.

Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Longsheng (2)

Spend an entire day walking along rice terraces, stopping at beautiful viewpoints scattered around Ping’an, and pause with local farmers as they cultivate their rice paddies and vegetable plots. Visit a nearby minority village, less known to most travelers to the region, and enjoy a traditional lunch. Return in the afternoon to enjoy the magnificent vista of the sun setting over the terraces, and spend a second day in this secluded, tranquil location, away from the hustle and bustle of big Chinese cities.

Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner

Yangshuo

Depart Longsheng and take the beautiful ride along fields and rural areas towards Yangshuo, which is the true jewel in the crown of the Guilin region. Before arriving in Yangshuo, take a walk up to Xianggong Hill, which is rightfully considered one of the best viewpoints over Guilin's typical karst landscapes. The magnificent bird’s view over this region is an apt prologue for a trip through this region. Continue driving to Fuli old town. After touring through the old town’s streets, embark on a boat ride over the Li (Crystal) River. Disembark the boat and take the time to climb the 800 steps in a mountain path leading to the top of Moon Hill for an outstanding view over the rocky surroundings. In the evening, enjoy the splendid “Yangshuo Impressions” performance, directed by the same director responsible for the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony in 2008. See hundreds of actors performing in the world’s largest outdoor theater, with the waters of the Li River serving as their stage. This breathtaking show is not to be missed.

Hotel
Breakfast

Yulong River

Begin the day with a Tai Chi session led by a local master at Yangshuo Park. Here, join local residents who come to celebrate the connection between body and mind as they practice this ancient martial art. Then take a guided tour through the colorful, fresh produce market with a local chef to get an idea of what locals grow and eat. Leave the market and head to Chaolong Village for a Chinese cooking class. In the afternoon, take a slow Bamboo Raft ride down the picturesque Yulong River. From the place of disembarkation, it is a short way to the Banyan Tree. It is said that this formidable banyan was planted during the Jin Dynasty era and is famous for its age and towering beauty. Back in Yangshu, a stroll through West Street, the main street, which in the evenings becomes lively and vibrant with travelers from all over the world gathering in the shops and cafes scattered along it.

Hotel
Breakfast

Shanghai

Check-out the hotel and drive via the highway directly to Guilin airport for the late morning flight to the city of Shanghai, China’s fastest growing metropolis, and probably the place that best tells the story of the emergence of China as a world super-power, rising from a mere fishing village in the 12th century into today’s status of the world’s most populated city. Arrive in Shanghai, meet the local guide, and transfer to Yu Yuan Garden and the surrounding Chinese market. Perfectly maintained to the present day, the gardens were built by a Chinese mandarin in the 16th century in honor of his beloved parents. With their six very distinctive areas, these gardens are a true marvel and a great escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. From here, take Nanjing Road. With more than 600 shops extending over 5.5 km, this is probably Asia’s busiest trading street, visited daily by more than 1.5 million people, locals and tourists alike, looking for a good bargain, and here one can see the best of the Chinese trading and bargaining customs as they take place. Then proceed to the Bund. Since the middle of the 19th century, this street has played a major role in opening up China to the rest of the world. Built on the bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund served as the main trading area for merchants from all over the world who came to Shanghai to buy exotic goods and take them back to their native countries. It is still a bustling street that offers a great view of the magnificent historic buildings along the river and of the city’s modern skyline across the river. Wrap up the day with a relaxing cruise on the Huang Pu River, from which hundreds of thousands of lights are seen, making Shanghai the ‘Vegas of the East’.

Hotel
Breakfast

The day would be dedicated to exploring Pudong- the newly developed part of town. This is the beating heart of Shanghai’s fast-growing economy. Crossing below the Huang Pu River, the city’s lifeline, in the somewhat psychedelic Shanghai Tourist Tunnel, a very unique experience of lights and music. Then go on to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which rises 468 meters above the city. With its unique design, the tower has become the city’s own trademark. Here visit the Shanghai History Museum- a magnificent display of wax characters and ancient models telling the story of the development the city has seen in the last two centuries. Climb atop Jinmao Tower in the heart of Pudong District. The Jinmao, an 88-story building, is a prominent landmark in the city. Take one of the world’s fastest elevators to the viewing platform at the tower’s top for a view over the city from high above, offering an unparalleled vista over the impressive high risers that make Shanghai’s skyline, and make the city a bustling financial center. In the afternoon, stop by Kejiguan Market, a great place to get Chinese souvenirs and good-priced knockoffs of international brands. Continue to visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum. This impressively designed building lies right at the heart of the city. It features a scaled model of the entire city of Shanghai, along with smaller displays of the city’s development history. With its unique history as a multi-national city for decades, this is a great place to learn about the different roles Shanghai has played over the years. End the day attending a breathtaking traditional Chinese Acrobatics Show, featuring stunning displays of strength and stamina by the young acrobats. Then, revert to the hotel for a last night in China.

Hotel
Breakfast

Yellow Mountain

Leave Shanghai by bullet train for Tunxi. Upon arrival, take the one-hour drive to the foot of the Yellow Mountain. The Mountain, Huangshan in Chinese, is considered one of the most scenic mountains in China due to its needle-like peaks and uniquely shaped pine trees. Take a cable car up the mountain. From the upper cable car station, take a walk along a scenic trail to the hotel for the night. En route, pause at different viewpoints for marvelous views of the mountain’s dramatic scenery, and enjoy the mesmerizing sunset over its peaks.

Hotel
Breakfast

Huangshan

With a very early morning call, go to a viewing platform to enjoy the sunrise over the mountain. The sunrise of Huangshan is famed for the ‘sea of clouds’- the layer of clouds that lies low below the mountain peaks, creating an illusion that these peaks are rising from beneath the sea. Seeing the ‘sea of clouds’ is one of the highlights of any China private tour! Return to the hotel for breakfast, then take a few more hours’ hike along the trails carved into the mountain to enjoy the unique landscape so typical of Huangshan. Around noon, take the cable car ‘back to earth’ and drive to Hongcun, an ancient village that is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved, uniquely designed buildings. The village is said to be shaped like a water buffalo around Nanhu Lake. The lake’s water then flows through manmade canals to each of the village’s houses. The houses are exquisitely carved with symbols typical of the time of construction. Today, of the 158 houses dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, some 140 are preserved in excellent condition. Walk through the village streets, which served as the location for the famous “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” movie. Late in the afternoon, take the train to the train station for the bullet train ride back to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai late in the evening and take an evening tour of Tianzifang, which has transformed from a legacy residential and industrial zone into an artsy area with bars, cafés, craft shops, design studios, galleries, and boutiques. It is ardently supported by crowds of yuppies, trend setters, designers, and expatriates, who fall for the temptation of old Shikumen houses (stone-framed-door houses) and lanes with infinite novelties.

Hotel
Breakfast

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

After breakfast, leave the hotel and drive back to Shanghai Airport, this time to say farewell and take the international departing flight out of China.

Breakfast

Dates & Pricing

Rates for this China private tour are quoted in US Dollars.

Note: China private tour rates are valid all year round, but are not valid for trips that occur (in whole or in part) during Chinese national holidays:
New Year (1-3 Jan 2025)
Chinese Spring Festival (28 Jan-03 Feb 2025)
Qingming Festival (4-6 Apr 2025)
Labor Day Holiday (1-3 May 2025)
Dragon Boat Festival (30 May-02 Jun 2025)
Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day (1-8 Oct 2025)

Trips@Asia reserves the right to change China private tour prices and programs due to changes in flight schedules, changes in airfares, and other local circumstances.
Prices are based on twin share occupancy.Rates for private groups of 2 travelers and above:
2 travelers- US$3,905/ person
4 travelers- US$3,1625/ person

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
16 Sept 2026 - 29 Sept 2026	available	$ 2,960	Per Person (For a group of 6 or more) $981 Single Room Supplement

Additional Information

Inclusions

2 domestic flights: Xian/Guilin/Shanghai by economy class
3 bullet train rides: Beijing-Xian Shanghai-Tunxi-Shanghai by 1st class seats
Accommodation at select hotels including breakfast
Transfer by private A/C vehicle
Meals as indicated in the program
English speaking guide for each area as per program
Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned on the program
All shows as per program

Exclusions

International travel to Beijing and from Shanghai
Travel insurance
PCR/COVID tests, or any tests that might be required for international or domestic travel
Expenses that might incur due to the results of COVID tests before, during or after the tour
Chinese tourist visa
Excess luggage
Gratuities
Expenses of personal nature (food and drinks beyond those provided, laundry, etc.)
Anything not clearly mentioned in the program

Accommodation

Beijing- Park Plaza 4-star
Xian- Grand Noble Hotel 4-star
Guilin - Jolie Vue Boutique 4-star
Longsheng- Baike Hotel 4-star
Yangshuo- Green Lotus Hotel 5-star
Huangshan- Xihai Hotel 4-star
Shanghai - Central Hotel 4-star

Note: Note: the listed hotels are tentative. The final hotel list shall be confirmed upon booking and deposit payment.

Is this trip right for you?

You want a comprehensive China experience. This route covers China's essential cities, landscapes, and cultural icons in one journey.

You enjoy cultural depth. Palaces, temples, musuems, minority villages, and traditional arts are central to the trip.

You are comfortable with an active itinerary. Expect walking, light hiking, stairs, and full sightseeing days.

You appreciate scenic variety. Cities, mountains, rivers, rice terraces, and countryside all feature prominently.

You prefer comfort with character. Hotels are well-located and comfortable, with occasional rural stays that favor atmosphere over luxury.

You want a first or definitive refurn visit to China. This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a rich, well-rounded introduction without rushing through highlights.