- 4.9/5 853 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 14 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Luxury
About This Trip
Experience the ultimate luxury journey through China, exploring iconic landmarks while enjoying stays in top-tier hotels featuring sophisticated design and lavish amenities. Begin in Beijing, the bustling capital, and marvel at the grandeur of the Great Wall and the imperial splendor of the Forbidden City. In Xi’an, be captivated by the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, an extraordinary archaeological treasure. Continue to Chengdu to meet the lovable giant pandas in their natural habitat. Set sail along the Yangtze River, waking each day to ever-changing landscapes from the comfort of your luxury cruise ship. Conclude your journey in cosmopolitan Shanghai, where you can soak in the city’s cultural richness and charm while strolling the Bund and exploring the classical beauty of Yu Garden.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 4
Beijing
Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Peking Roast Duck
5 - 7
Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Street, Local Family Visit
8 - 9
Chengdu
Giant Panda Breeding Base, Sanxingdui Museum, Face Changing Opera, Local Teahouse
10 - 12
Yangtze River Cruise
Fengdu Ghost City, Three Gorges Dam, Wu Gorge, Goddess Creek
13 - 14
Shanghai
The Bund, Yu Garden, Fuxing Park
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing – Welcome to China
Step into historic China! Upon your arrival in Beijing, your professional guide and experienced driver will warmly greet you and transfer you safely to your hotel.
For the next few nights, enjoy a stay at The Opposite House, a masterpiece by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, featuring sleek lines, modern design, and refined craftsmanship. Unwind by playing music on the B&O Bluetooth speaker while soaking in the oak bathtub, letting the soothing scent of Bamford shower products melt away your travel fatigue.
Accommodation: The Peninsula Beijing – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
- Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing – Explore the Forbidden City
Meet your guide and begin exploring China’s bustling capital at Tiananmen Square. Continue to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace that symbolized supreme authority for over five centuries. Admire its grand architecture and gain insight into the life of ancient Chinese emperors.
Next, stroll through the serene Jingshan Park and ascend to Wanchun Pavilion, located along Beijing’s central axis, to enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the magnificent palace complex below.
Accommodation: The Peninsula Beijing – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Beijing
- Day 3: Beijing – Temple of Heaven & Mutianyu Great Wall
Begin the day at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed sacred rituals to honor the heavens. Admire its classical architecture and absorb the serene, reverent atmosphere.
Next, travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and take a cable car to the top. As you ascend, the Wall gradually emerges from the lush greenery, revealing its impressive grandeur. Conclude your visit with a refined afternoon tea on the Wall, sipping wine as the sunset casts a golden glow over the legendary ramparts winding through the mountains.
Accommodation: The Commune By The Great Wall – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing – Leisure Morning & Peking Duck Experience
Enjoy a relaxed morning at your own pace. The hotel, tucked amidst lush greenery, feels like an art gallery, with vibrant encaustic tiles adding color and character. From the terrace, take in views of the Great Wall while listening to the gentle rustle of the wind.
In the afternoon, return to the city to savor the renowned Peking Roast Duck at Dadong Restaurant. Watch the chef expertly carve the duck and enjoy the perfect combination of flavors and aromas with every bite.
In the evening, unwind with a drink at the Union Bar in your hotel. Try a Golden Darius Sour and soak in the modern, cozy atmosphere as you relax.
Accommodation: The Peninsula Beijing – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Beijing
- Day 5: Beijing to Xi’an – Business-Class Bullet Train Journey
This morning, depart Beijing and travel to Xi’an aboard a high-speed train. Settle into a comfortable business-class seat, relax in the spacious cabin, admire the passing landscapes, or enjoy a restful nap during the smooth ride.
After roughly four hours, arrive in Xi’an, where your private driver will escort you to the Tanghua Huayi Hotel. Designed in traditional style, this elegant retreat evokes the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, featuring a serene courtyard with arched bridges, tranquil ponds, and ancient trees that create a refined garden atmosphere.
Accommodation: Tanghua Huayi Hotel – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Xi’an – Terracotta Army & Muslim Quarter Walk
Begin another fascinating day with a visit to the legendary Terracotta Warriors. Accompanied by your expert guide, delve into the secrets of this vast imperial mausoleum built more than 2,000 years ago and learn the stories behind its creation.
Later, return to the city center and wander through the lively Muslim Street, where you can taste regional snacks and observe the everyday rhythms of the local Muslim community.
Accommodation: Tanghua Huayi Hotel – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Xi’an
- Day 7: Xi’an to Chengdu – Home Visit & Hands-On Cooking
This morning, enjoy an authentic cultural experience by spending time with a local Xi’an family. Learn to prepare traditional dumplings and other homemade specialties, then share a freshly cooked lunch together. If time permits, your guide will accompany you to a neighborhood market to select fresh ingredients.
In the afternoon, travel by high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, check in to the Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel, designed by acclaimed French designer Bruno Moinard and set within the historic Kuanzhai Alley area. As you enter, a distinctive birdcage-inspired corridor welcomes you, blending bamboo, blue bricks, and white walls to create a serene space that reflects classic Chinese architectural elegance.
Accommodation: Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Chengdu
- Day 8: Chengdu – Giant Pandas & Traditional Teahouse Experience
Begin the day early with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can observe these adorable animals at their most active—eating bamboo, playing, or tumbling after one another. Afterwards, continue to Wenshu Yuan Monastery, a tranquil Buddhist temple known for its red walls, lush bamboo groves, and dignified golden Buddha statues. Here, you may join local worshippers in lighting incense and offering prayers for good fortune.
Later, enjoy an elegant tea experience at Wuxiang Animitta Teahouse. Surrounded by refined Chinese floral arrangements and beautifully set tea tables, the space reflects a calm Zen aesthetic. Relax in a private room as a tea master carefully prepares traditional tea, accompanied by delicate Chinese dim sum. Through the window, verdant greenery creates a soothing and refreshing atmosphere.
Accommodation: Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Chengdu
- Day 9: Chengdu to Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise Embarkation
Begin the day with a visit to the Sanxingdui Museum, where you will be amazed by the remarkable artifacts of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Admire iconic treasures such as the Bronze Sacred Tree and the towering bronze statue, and observe the careful restoration work at the cultural relic conservation center, where specialists preserve these priceless historical objects.
Next, return to Chengdu to enjoy a captivating Sichuan Opera performance featuring the famous Face-Changing art. This energetic show combines martial arts, traditional dance, and folk performance, offering a vivid introduction to the city’s rich and lively cultural heritage.
In the afternoon, travel by train to Chongqing and board your luxury Yangtze River cruise aboard the Century Glory. As the ship departs from Chongqing’s brilliantly illuminated riverside, relax in the Observation Lounge with a pre-dinner cocktail and admire the dazzling city lights reflected on the water.
Accommodation: Century Glory – Luxury 5-Star Cruise Ship
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise – Visit to Fengdu Ghost City
After enjoying a buffet breakfast on board, disembark for an excursion to Fengdu Ghost Town. As you walk along the stone pathways lined with expressive statues, your guide will introduce you to traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife, including sites such as the Bridge of Helplessness, the Eighteen Levels of Hell, and the figures of Black and White Impermanence. Experience the site’s deep historical atmosphere and its mysterious, otherworldly character.
In the evening, return to the ship and relax at your leisure. You may choose to work out in the fitness center, unwind in the indoor swimming pool, or indulge in a soothing spa massage while cruising along the Yangtze River.
Accommodation: Century Glory – Luxury 5-Star Cruise Ship
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise – Wu Gorge & Goddess Stream Excursion
In the morning, step onto the deck to admire ever-changing scenery as the cruise sails through the dramatic Qutang Gorge and the elegant Wu Gorge, two of the Yangtze River’s famed Three Gorges.
Later in the afternoon, take a smaller boat to explore the scenic Goddess Creek. Drift along its emerald waters, framed by steep, forested mountains on both sides. The tranquil landscape offers countless photo opportunities, so be sure to capture the stunning natural beauty.
Accommodation: Century Glory – Luxury 5-Star Cruise Ship
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- Yangtze River Cruise
- Day 12: Yangtze Cruise Conclusion – Three Gorges Dam & Flight to Shanghai
Conclude your river journey with a visit to the impressive Three Gorges Dam spanning the Yangtze River. After the tour, disembark and transfer to Yichang Airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most modern and dynamic metropolis.
For the next few nights, you will stay at the Banyan Tree Shanghai on The Bund. To fully appreciate the city’s dazzling night scenery, head to the hotel’s TOPS Bar. From here, enjoy sweeping views of the Bund and the glittering skyline of Lujiazui across the river, where towering skyscrapers and neon lights create a vibrant, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Sip a cocktail and soak in the unforgettable panorama.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree Shanghai on The Bund – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Shanghai
- Day 13: Shanghai City Highlights – The Bund & Yu Garden
Step into Shanghai’s rich heritage while admiring its striking modern transformation. Begin your day along the Bund, where your guide will share fascinating stories behind the grand colonial-era architecture lining the waterfront. Continue to the historic Yu Garden, a 400-year-old classical garden showcasing the refined beauty and design principles of traditional Chinese landscaping.
Later, enjoy a leisurely walk from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli, offering a glimpse into everyday local life. Watch residents dancing in the park, wander through narrow lanes, and sample tasty street snacks at neighborhood markets. In the afternoon, unwind at your own pace—perhaps indulging in a relaxing spa treatment back at the hotel.
Accommodation: Banyan Tree Shanghai on The Bund – Luxury 5-Star Hotel
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- Shanghai
- Day 14: Departure from Shanghai
It’s time to conclude your journey through China. Enjoy some free time in the morning to relax or do any last-minute sightseeing and shopping before your private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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