· Traverse China's north-south geographical divide, visiting 8 core cities in one trip: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Changsha, Huangshan and Shanghai, connecting four major cultural regions: ancient northern capitals, southwestern secret lands, Hunan-Chu heartland and Jiangnan water towns
· In-depth exploration of 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including 2 mixed heritage sites): Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Army, Dujiangyan, Leshan Giant Buddha, Emei Mountain, Huangshan, Hongcun Village and Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan, covering all types of cultural, natural and mixed heritage
· Immersive intangible cultural heritage and folk experiences: Make traditional northern dumplings by hand, wander old Beijing hutongs, visit Huizhou ancient villages and experience the authentic daily life of Sichuan and Chongqing
· Seamless high-speed rail connections throughout the journey, with intercity travel time ≤4.5 hours per day, avoiding long-distance bus rides; optimal combination of cable cars and sightseeing buses within scenic areas to save energy for sightseeing
· Scientific itinerary design: 6-8 hours of core sightseeing per day, with ample rest and free time reserved, balancing in-depth exploration and comfortable experience
· Premium accommodation in prime locations: High-end hotels within Beijing's 2nd Ring Road near subway stations, Huizhou-style boutique guesthouses in Hongcun, and summit hotels in Huangshan, all within walking distance to scenic spots or business districts
· Comprehensive coverage of authentic local cuisine: 3-5 must-try specialties and locally recommended restaurants marked for each city, avoiding tourist traps
· Perfect blend of classics and modern attractions: Features both thousand-year-old historical sites and popular landmarks like Hongyadong, Liziba Station and Shanghai Disneyland
· Arrangement: Meet & greet at the airport, private transfer to downtown hotel
· Accommodation: High-end hotel inside Beijing’s 2nd Ring Road (near subway for convenient transportation)
· Tips: Adjust to jet lag, enjoy free activities, and prepare items for the next day
· Introduction: The largest existing ancient sacrificial complex in China, used by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven and pray for good harvests
· Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Site; perfect architectural symmetry, acoustic wonders (Echo Wall, Three Echo Stones)
· Duration: 2 hours
· Recommended food: Zhajiangmian (soybean paste noodles), Mendin roubing (stuffed meat pie), Baodu (tripe hot pot), Ai Wo Wo (steamed rice cake with sweet fillings)
· Recommended restaurants: Hongyuan Nanmen Shabu-shabu (Temple of Heaven Branch), Haiwanju
· The Palace Museum
o Introduction: Imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the world's largest and best-preserved wooden architectural complex
o Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the pinnacle of ancient Chinese palace architecture
o Duration: 3 hours
· Jingshan Park
o Introduction: The highest point north of the Forbidden City; Wanchun Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing's central axis
o Highlights: Best photo spot for the Forbidden City panorama
o Duration: 1 hour
· Dinner recommendation: Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant (Forbidden City Branch); signature dishes: Peking duck, Beile barbecue, imperial snacks
· Mutianyu Great Wall
o Introduction: The most well-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall, with 96% vegetation coverage, continuous winding walls and dense watchtowers
o Highlights: Fewer tourists, stunning natural scenery; cable car and toboggan available
o Duration: 4 hours
· Olympic Park
o Introduction: Core venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, featuring the Bird's Nest and Water Cube
o Highlights: Experience modern Chinese architecture and Olympic spirit
o Duration: 2 hours
· Braised chicken with chestnuts, fried pepper sprouts, farm-style stews
· Quanjude Roast Duck, Huguosi Snacks (pea cake, lvdaguo, sugar baked cake)
· Shichahai
o Introduction: The best-preserved water area in old Beijing, surrounded by traditional hutongs and historic mansions
o Highlights: Wander old Beijing hutongs and experience authentic local life
o Duration: 1.5 hours
· Cultural Experience: Dumpling Making
o Tradition: Dumplings symbolize reunion and prosperity, an essential food for Chinese festivals
o Activity: Make dumplings from scratch (kneading dough, preparing fillings, wrapping and boiling)
o Duration: 1 hour
· Nanmen Shabu-shabu, Yaoji Fried Liver, Lao Beijing yogurt
· Transport: Beijing West Railway Station → Xi'an North Railway Station, ~4.5 hours
· Introduction: Cross the North China Plain, pass through Hebei and Henan provinces, and enjoy views of farmland and the Yellow River
· Arrangement: Meet & greet at the station, private transfer to downtown Xi'an hotel
· Introduction: The Eighth Wonder of the World, with nearly 8,000 life-sized pottery warriors and horses unearthed
· Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sculpture; must-see: Pit 1, Pit 2 and Bronze Chariots
· Duration: 3 hours
· Opening hours: 08:30–18:00
· Biangbiang noodles, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), liangpi (cold skin noodles), pomegranate juice
· Introduction: The largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China, 13.74 km in circumference; cycling and walking available
· Highlights: Overlook Xi'an's old town and experience the layout of the ancient capital
· Duration: 2 hours
· Dinner recommendation: Muslim Quarter / Yongxingfang; signature dishes: lamb paomo, zengao, persimmon cakes, sour soup dumplings
· Introduction: Translation center for Master Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty; a landmark of Xi'an and the core area of the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City
· Highlights: Experience Tang Dynasty Buddhist culture and the prosperity of ancient Chang'an
· Duration: 2 hours
· Ziwulu Zhangji roujiamo, Hulu chicken
· Transport: Xi'an North Railway Station → Chengdu East Railway Station, ~3.5 hours
· Arrangement: Meet & greet at the station, private transfer to downtown Chengdu hotel
· Evening: Free time – visit Kuanzhai Alley or Jinli Ancient Street
· Introduction: The world's largest panda research and breeding base, offering close-up views of giant pandas
· Highlights: Early morning is the best time to see active pandas
· Duration: 3 hours
· Opening hours: 07:30–18:00
· Chengdu hot pot, dandan noodles, Zhong dumplings, Long wontons
· Introduction: Built by Li Bing and his son during the Warring States Period; the oldest functioning irrigation project in the world
· Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage Site; ancient Chinese wisdom, panoramic views of the Minjiang River
· Duration: 3 hours
· Dinner recommendation: Shudaxia Hot Pot, Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant
· Introduction: Relics of the mysterious ancient Shu civilization; national treasures include bronze sacred trees, large bronze standing figures and gold masks
· Highlights: Rewrites the history of ancient China; visually stunning artifacts
· Duration: 3 hours
· Guanghan wrapped rabbit, golden noodles, cold rice cake
· Transport: Chengdu East Railway Station → Emei Mountain Station, ~1 hour
· Arrangement: Transfer to hotel at the foot of Emei Mountain, acclimatize to altitude
· Introduction: One of China's Four Great Buddhist Mountains, the bodhimanda of Samantabhadra; UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site
· Schedule: Sightseeing bus → Leidongping → cable car → Golden Summit (Ten Directions Samantabhadra Statue, Huazang Temple) → hike down
· Duration: Full day
· Tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes; bring a light jacket (cool at the summit)
· Emei snow bud tea, tofu pudding, yeerba, bacon
· Introduction: A 71-meter Maitreya Buddha statue carved into a cliff at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu rivers; the largest stone Buddha in the world
· History: Built from 713 to 803 AD (Tang Dynasty), taking approximately 90 years to complete; UNESCO World Heritage Site
· Location: Shizhong District, Leshan City, Sichuan Province; 40 km east of Emei Mountain
· Duration: 3 hours
· Options: Hike to view the Buddha up close or take a boat for a full panoramic view
· Leshan sweet-skinned duck, qiaojiao beef, tofu pudding, boboji
· Transport: Leshan Station → Chongqing West Railway Station, ~1.5 hours
· Introduction: Chongqing is a unique mountain, river and fog city with rich tourism resources
· Introduction: Iconic attraction of Chongqing; stilt houses built into the mountainside; night views resemble scenes from Spirited Away
· Location: No. 88 Binjiang Road, Chaotianmen Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
· Duration: 2 hours
· Chongqing hot pot, maoxuewang, sour spicy noodles, Shancheng small tangyuan
· Ciqikou Ancient Town
o Introduction: Founded in the Song Dynasty; famous for porcelain production; well-preserved ancient streets
o Duration: 1.5 hours
· Bai Mansion
o Introduction: Former warlord villa; an important revolutionary historical site
o Duration: 1 hour
· Chen's fried dough twists, chicken giblets, old hot pot
· Liziba Station
o Introduction: Famous for the "light rail passing through a building" internet-famous scene
o Duration: 0.5 hours
· Three Gorges Museum
o Introduction: National first-class museum; displays Bayu culture, Three Gorges history and anti-Japanese war culture
o Duration: 2 hours
· Yangtze River Cableway
o Introduction: China's first large round-trip passenger cableway; 1,166 meters long; offers panoramic views of the Yangtze River
o History: Opened in 1987
o Duration: 0.5 hours
· Jiefangbei
o Introduction: China's only monument to the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression; downtown business center
o History: Built in 1947
o Duration: 1 hour
· Haoyoulai sour spicy noodles, Huashi pea noodles, Chongqing small noodles
· Transport: Chongqing West Railway Station → Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, ~3 hours
· Introduction: Zhangjiajie is famous for its "three thousand peaks, eight hundred streams" karst landscapes; UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
· Jinbian Stream
o Introduction: A quiet canyon in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with clear water and lush trees
· Bailong Elevator
o Introduction: The world's highest outdoor elevator, connecting major scenic areas
· Introduction: China's first national forest park; UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
· Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City
· Duration: Full day
· Sanxiaguo, bacon, kudzu root powder, rock ear stewed chicken
· Introduction: Famous for steep cliffs, Tianmen Cave, glass walkway and winding mountain road
· History: Named after a Tujia chieftain in the early Ming Dynasty
· Location: 8 km south of Zhangjiajie urban area
· Schedule: Cable car up → glass walkway → Tianmen Cave → mountain road down
· Duration: Full day
· Tips: Shoe covers required for the glass walkway; caution for those afraid of heights
· Tujia bacon, she rice, rice tea
· Transport: Zhangjiajie West Railway Station → Changsha South Railway Station, ~2 hours
· Introduction: Changsha is the birthplace of Huxiang culture and the cradle of modern Chinese revolution
· Orange Isle
o Introduction: 5A scenic area in the Xiangjiang River; famous for the statue of young Mao Zedong
· Taiping Street
o Introduction: The best-preserved historical and cultural block in Changsha
· Pozi Street
o Introduction: Famous food street for authentic Hunan cuisine
· Duration: 3 hours
· Changsha rice noodles, sugar oil cakes, stinky tofu
· Huguangguan snacks, chopped chili fish head, spicy crayfish, Yangyuxing noodles
· Introduction: Yuelu Mountain is a key scenic area; Yuelu Academy (one of China's Four Great Ancient Academies); Aiwan Pavilion (one of China's Four Great Pavilions)
· History: Yuelu Academy founded in 976 AD (Song Dynasty)
· Location: West bank of the Xiangjiang River, Changsha
· Duration: 3 hours
· Chayan Yuese milk tea, stinky tofu, stir-fried yellow beef
· Transport: Changsha South Railway Station → Huangshan North Railway Station, ~3 hours
· Introduction: Huangshan is known as "the most fantastic mountain under heaven"; UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site
· Introduction: Ancient Huizhou village; UNESCO World Heritage Site; resembles a traditional Chinese ink wash painting
· Location: Hongcun, Yi County, Huangshan City; 60 km north of Huangshan City
· Duration: 2 hours
· Huizhou stinky mandarin fish, mao tofu, Huangshan sesame cakes, braised bamboo shoots
· Introduction: 40 km long and 30 km wide; famous for its strange pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds and hot springs
· History: Listed as UNESCO mixed heritage in 1990
· Schedule: Yungu cable car up → Shixin Peak → Bright Summit → West Sea Grand Canyon → sunset viewing
· Duration: Full day
· Tips: Travel light; bring water and snacks; wear non-slip hiking shoes
· Huangshan small sesame cakes, instant noodles, self-heating meals
· Introduction: Golden sunrise piercing through clouds, with mountain peaks resembling fairy islands; one of China's most magnificent natural wonders
· Viewing spots: Bright Summit, Lion Peak, Danxia Peak
· Duration: 2 hours
· Relax, organize photos, walk around the summit
· Simple meals, snacks, hot drinks
· Transport: Huangshan North Railway Station → Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, ~3 hours
· Introduction: Shanghai is China's economic center and an international metropolis
· City God Temple
o Introduction: Grand southern-style architecture built in the Ming Dynasty
· Yu Garden
o Introduction: Famous classical Jiangnan garden; built in 1559 (Ming Dynasty)
· Location: Old Town, Huangpu District, Shanghai
· Duration: 2 hours
· Shanghai shengjian (pan-fried buns), xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings), fresh meat mooncakes
· Nanjing Road: Century-old commercial street
· The Bund: Historical and cultural block with colonial-style buildings
· Huangpu River Cruise: Night views of Lujiazui and the Bund skyline
· Duration: 3 hours
· Shanghai cuisine, Nanxiang xiaolongbao, crab roe tofu, kao fu
· Introduction: The first Disney resort in mainland China; opened June 16, 2016; features 6 themed lands
· Location: Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai; 12 km east of city center
· Schedule: Full day of rides, parade and fireworks show
· Duration: Full day
· Themed restaurants, burgers, pizza, Chinese set meals
· Introduction: Housed in the 2010 Expo "Oriental Crown"; a national key art museum
· History: Reopened in October 2012
· Location: No. 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area
· Duration: 2 hours
· Shanghai cuisine, Xiaoyang shengjian, duck blood vermicelli soup
· Introduction: Composed of 11 spheres; 5A scenic area; offers panoramic views of Shanghai
· History: Opened November 18, 1994
· Location: No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area
· Duration: 2 hours
· Explore Shanghai at your own pace: shopping, photo spots, souvenirs, cafes
· Recommended areas: Lujiazui, Jing'an Temple, Wukang Road, Tianzifang
· Private transfer to airport / railway station on schedule; end of the 22-day wonderful tour
· Transportation: All intercity second-class high-speed rail tickets; airport/train station transfer services; designated sightseeing buses and cable cars/ropeways within scenic areas (Mutianyu Great Wall round-trip cable car, Emei Mountain sightseeing bus + Golden Summit round-trip ropeway, Huangshan Yungu upward ropeway, Tianmen Mountain round-trip ropeway + environmental protection bus, Bailong Elevator one-way, Yangtze River Cableway one-way)
· Accommodation: 21 nights of selected accommodation (high-end hotel within Beijing's 2nd Ring Road, downtown hotels in Xi'an/Chengdu/Chongqing/Changsha/Shanghai, resort hotel at the foot of Emei Mountain, Huizhou-style boutique guesthouse in Hongcun, summit hotel in Huangshan)
· Tickets: First-entry tickets to all listed scenic spots (The Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Sanxingdui, Leshan Giant Buddha, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, Huangshan, Hongcun Village, Shanghai Disneyland one-day ticket, etc.)
· Experiences: Dumpling making cultural experience fee and materials
· Meals: Daily hotel breakfast
· Service: Professional local Chinese-speaking tour guide service throughout the itinerary
· Meals: All lunches and dinners during the itinerary (recommended restaurants and specialties are listed for your free choice)
· Transportation: Non-designated transportation within scenic areas (Xi'an City Wall bicycles, Leshan Giant Buddha boat cruise, Huangshan West Sea Grand Canyon sightseeing cable car, Disneyland FastPass, Shanghai Huangpu River cruise, etc.)
· Personal expenses: Hotel laundry, hairdressing, telephone, pay TV, drinks, tobacco and alcohol and other personal consumption; all shopping and other self-paid items during the itinerary
· Insurance: Travel personal accident insurance and aviation insurance (recommended to purchase separately)
· Others: Additional expenses caused by force majeure such as traffic delays, weather and natural disasters; all other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
Note: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. Only recommended dining options are listed in the itinerary.
As specialists in China’s iconic destinations, we craft authentic, well-planned trips that let you experience the country’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.
Every itinerary is customized to your interests, pace, and travel style for a truly unique journey.
Our knowledgeable guides provide authentic insights into China’s culture, history, and hidden gems.
We handle every detail — from private transfers to handpicked accommodations — for a smooth, stress-free trip.
Engage in local workshops, festivals, and hands-on experiences for a deeper connection with China.
Address:
Room 1104, 11th Floor, Building 8, No. 1 Courtyard, Tianxing Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, China
Email:
Support:yajoontour@gmail.com
Cooperate: yajoontour@gmail.com