Private, tailor-made journey
Classic China · Culture & Landscapes
16–18 days
Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Zhangjiajie → Guilin → Yangshuo → Shanghai
Summary
Imperial cities, mountain landscapes and everyday life, brought together in one journey.
Overview
A first journey through China can take many forms. This route brings together the places you may have long imagined with experiences that help you get to know them: a hutong walk in Beijing, tea in Chengdu, a village path in Yangshuo and an evening beside the Bund. Travel from imperial capitals to mountain forests and river landscapes, finishing in Shanghai. We can adjust the route and time in each place around what interests you most.
Highlights
Explore the Forbidden City, Great Wall and Beijing’s hutongs.
Discover the Terracotta Warriors and the historic streets of Xi’an.
Meet giant pandas and make time for Chengdu’s teahouses and Sichuan food.
Walk among Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillars and forest landscapes.
Cycle, raft and explore villages around Yangshuo, then visit the Longji rice terraces.
See Shanghai through the Bund, historic neighbourhoods and contemporary architecture.
Itinerary
Beijing
Begin in the capital, where palaces, temples and old alleyways sit alongside a modern city. Explore imperial history, walk through the hutongs and make time for a Peking duck meal.
Experiences to consider: Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutong walks, Temple of Heaven, Peking duck.
Suggested stay: A central five-star hotel or a boutique hutong hotel.
Xi’an
Discover the Terracotta Warriors and the legacy of an ancient capital. The City Wall, Muslim Quarter and Tang-inspired cultural experiences offer different ways into the city’s history.
Experiences to consider: Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Tang culture.
Suggested stay: A boutique hotel near the City Wall.
Chengdu
Settle into Chengdu’s relaxed rhythm through teahouses, neighbourhood walks and Sichuan cuisine. Panda viewing and a visit to Sanxingdui add wildlife and archaeology to this part of the journey.
Experiences to consider: Panda Base, teahouses, Sichuan cuisine, neighbourhood walks, Sanxingdui.
Suggested stay: A lifestyle hotel near Taikoo Li.
Zhangjiajie
Follow forest paths and viewpoints through a landscape of sandstone pillars. Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and Tianmen Mountain bring different perspectives on this mountainous region.
Experiences to consider: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain, forest hiking.
Suggested stay: A scenic resort near Wulingyuan.
Guilin
Enter a landscape of rivers and limestone peaks. Riverside walks, karst viewpoints and local food offer a gentle introduction before you continue into the countryside.
Experiences to consider: Riverside walks, karst viewpoints, local cuisine.
Suggested stay: A riverside five-star hotel.
Yangshuo
Spend time among rice fields, villages and limestone hills. Explore by bicycle, enjoy a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River or simply leave room to take in the scenery.
Experiences to consider: Yulong River, cycling, bamboo rafting, Rice terrace hiking, local villages, sunrise and sunset viewpoints.
Suggested stay: A countryside boutique resort or a river-view hotel.
Shanghai
Finish in a city of historic streets and contemporary skylines. Explore the Bund, the former French Concession and local neighbourhoods, with time to look at the architecture that connects the city’s past and present.
Experiences to consider: The Bund, former French Concession, neighbourhood walks, contemporary architecture.
Suggested stay: A five-star hotel near the Bund.
