FIVE DESTINATIONS · ONE JOURNEY

A wider window on China

Five distinct chapters, from ancient capitals and Sichuan life to mountains and Shanghai’s riverfront.

Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Zhangjiajie → Shanghai

11 days / 10 nightsPrivate journeyAn in-depth first visit

Shanghai skyline illuminated across the Huangpu River at night · Photo credit

A ROUTE THAT CAN BECOME YOURS

Imagine the days ahead.

This is a suggested itinerary. Arrival times, reservations, weather and your preferred pace shape the final plan.

11 days · explore one day at a time

01Day 1 · Arrive, settle in and find an old streetBeijing

A soft landing leaves more energy for the days ahead.

Morning: Arrive and connect with your planned transfer and check-in. Talk through reservations, walking preferences and any food requirements before setting out.
Afternoon: If time and energy allow, wander around Qianmen and Dashilan for a first look at old commercial streets and small shops. After a long flight, resting is equally welcome.
Evening: Choose local noodles, home-style dishes or an optional roast-duck dinner. Ask your planner for suggestions suited to your tastes and budget.

02Day 2 · Palace courtyards and an imperial skylineBeijing

Give the Forbidden City time, rather than rushing between landmarks.

Morning: Follow your confirmed reservation into the Forbidden City from the Meridian Gate. Explore the main courtyards and the story of palace life without trying to cover every gallery.
Afternoon: Pause for lunch and a rest. If walking conditions and energy suit, visit Jingshan for a rooftop view of the palace, or choose a gentler park stroll.
Evening: Spend the evening independently around Wangfujing or near your hotel. Keep dinner unhurried after a full day of history.

03Day 3 · A day in the hills at MutianyuBeijing → Mutianyu → Beijing

Step away from the city for a more expansive view of the Great Wall.

Morning: Travel to Mutianyu and choose an appropriate walking section with your planner. Discuss an optional cable-car route before starting, especially when travelling with children or less confident walkers.
Afternoon: Walk the open section at a comfortable pace, stopping for photographs and breaks. Return to Beijing without adding another major attraction far from the route.
Evening: Have dinner independently and enjoy a quiet evening. This is a good day to leave optional nightlife off the programme.

04Day 4 · Take the train to a first look at Xi’anBeijing → Xi’an

Give the move between cities and the arrival walk their own space.

Morning: After breakfast, head to the confirmed station for your high-speed train to Xi’an. The departure and seat class follow your written proposal.
Afternoon: Meet the planned transfer, check in and rest. If time allows, choose a short walk around the city wall or the Bell and Drum Tower area.
Evening: Try noodles or local snacks independently, choosing according to your tastes. Keep the evening relaxed rather than adding several attractions.

05Day 5 · Terracotta stories, then onward to ChengduXi’an → Chengdu

One major cultural visit and an intercity journey make this a full day.

Morning: Visit the Terracotta Army at your reserved time, focusing on the principal exhibition areas and their details. Leave enough time to return towards the station.
Afternoon: Have lunch and connect with the train to Chengdu. The exact departure must work with your museum reservation and transfer arrangements.
Evening: Arrive, check in and choose a simple independent dinner. Leave additional night sightseeing off the programme.

06Day 6 · Pandas in the morning, tea-house life laterChengdu

Stay in one city today and enjoy a little of its everyday rhythm.

Morning: Visit Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Research Base according to your reservation, with time to observe, walk and rest. Individual animals and interactions are not guaranteed.
Afternoon: Return for lunch and a walk around People’s Park. If you wish, pay separately for a cup of covered-bowl tea and take a seat.
Evening: Choose Sichuan food, noodles or a non-spicy meal independently. A short walk around Wenshu Monastery’s neighbourhood is optional if you still have energy.

07Day 7 · From Sichuan towards Hunan’s mountain countryChengdu → Zhangjiajie

Allow proper space for the longer move between destinations.

Morning: Pack and take the confirmed high-speed rail connection towards Zhangjiajie. Keep time for food and rest during the journey instead of adding a major morning visit.
Afternoon: Meet your transfer, travel to the agreed accommodation area and check in. An early arrival leaves room only for a gentle local walk or rest.
Evening: Have dinner independently, discuss the following day’s park route and walking preferences, then enjoy a quiet evening.

08Day 8 · A whole day among the sandstone peaksZhangjiajie National Forest Park

The moments spent looking are as valuable as the distance covered.

Morning: Enter the forest park according to reservations and official arrangements. Follow a suitable route towards Yuanjiajie, with viewpoints and walking sections chosen for your group.
Afternoon: Pause for lunch, then continue towards selected areas such as Tianzi Mountain if energy and internal transfers allow. Follow one sensible route rather than every attraction.
Evening: Return to rest and choose dinner independently. Confirm the next day’s airport transfer with your planner.

09Day 9 · Fly to Shanghai and turn a new pageZhangjiajie → Shanghai

Let the flight connect the mountain chapter with the riverfront city.

Morning: Check out and leave for the airport according to the confirmed domestic flight. A later departure leaves time for rest or a short nearby independent outing.
Afternoon: Fly to Shanghai, connect with your transfer and check in. A late arrival means no fixed sightseeing programme.
Evening: If you arrive early and feel rested, enjoy a first Bund riverside view. Otherwise choose dinner near your hotel and relax.

10Day 10 · Garden paths and Shanghai neighbourhoodsShanghai

See traditional and everyday Shanghai at a pace that leaves room to linger.

Morning: Plan a Yuyuan Garden visit, pausing among the pavilions, ponds and garden paths. Reservation or opening constraints may mean exploring the surrounding old-city area instead.
Afternoon: After lunch and a break, choose a manageable neighbourhood walk around Wukang Road or Hengshan Road, with time for a café rather than several distant districts.
Evening: Choose local Shanghai food independently, return to the river or discuss an optional performance. Finish the day in your own way.

11Day 11 · One last Shanghai morning, then onwardShanghai → Departure

End with enough space to enjoy the memories you are taking home.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast and organise luggage around your departure time. A late flight may allow a short neighbourhood walk or souvenir browsing near the accommodation.
Afternoon: Connect with the agreed airport or station, allowing for city traffic and departure formalities. Avoid adding a last-minute excursion outside the city.
Evening: Travel home or continue your journey. Discuss extra nights, luggage storage or changed transfers with your planner in advance.

This suggested programme can be adapted around transport, reservations, operating conditions and your group’s pace. Meals, experiences and internal transport follow the services itemised in your written quote.

A CLEARER START TO YOUR BUDGET

What the starting price means

The pricing basis

From US$1,698 per adult for a private party of 6 adults, sharing twin/double rooms. Arrival and departure days count towards the trip length. Children, single rooms and other party sizes require a separate quote.

Service scope

The route uses three intercity high-speed rail journeys and a Zhangjiajie–Shanghai domestic flight. Your written quote itemises transport, hotels, admission tickets, guiding and meals. International flights are excluded.

Costs to confirm separately

International flights, visas, lunches and dinners, personal spending, single-room supplements, optional experiences and any service not listed in the written quote are excluded. Peak dates and limited availability may change the price.

Confirming your quote

We prepare a written quote for your dates, party and preferences, specifying hotels, room types, trains or flights, tickets, guiding language and cancellation terms. Confirm the complete proposal, total price and availability before payment.