Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
China – Beijing – Zhangjiajie – Xi’an – Lijiang City – Tacheng – Zhongdian – Shanghai
100% customisable for you
The day of your far-flung foray to China has arrived. Head to the airport, breeze through security and settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before departure. Your flight to Beijing, the country’s sprawling capital, connects through mainland Europe and takes just under 17 hours. Time to slip those neck pillows on, put your seat back and crack open a good book.
After landing the following morning, clear customs and meet your private driver to transfer to your centrally located hotel. Then, check in, drop your bags and divvy up the sides of the bed.
This afternoon is free for you to do as you please. If you’re raring to go, stretch your legs on a wander around the neighbourhood. But if you’re tired from all your travels, simply indulge in some R&R at your hotel and make it an early one tonight.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning – sampling both Western and local dishes – before hitting the streets for your first full day in the city.
Accompanied by a local guide, start by heading to Tiananmen Square. Visit the mausoleum of Chairman Mao here before venturing into the Forbidden City to learn about the lavish lifestyles of the Chinese emperors who once called this place home.
Clued up on the opulent R&R of the former royals, cross the street to scale Jingshan Hill. This feng shui defence against evil spirits was built using soil excavated from the Forbidden City’s moat. Be sure to snap some photos once you reach the top.
Next stop: the hutongs. This labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards makes up the heart of the city. Sample some delicious local street food and watch craftsmen at work before meeting a local who breeds fighting crickets (yes, really).
Today, you’re meeting an icon. Reunite with your private driver this morning to venture two and a half hours out of Beijing towards Jinshanling, where you’ll access the Great Wall of China.
Needing little introduction, this 5,000-mile-long stretch of fortifications is arguably the most impressive man-made wonder on Earth (and it’s officially one of the New Seven Wonders of the World).
After reaching the Great Wall via a gondola, set off on a gentle walk of the ramparts. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the daily lives of the imperial troops who were stationed here, keeping watch over the barbarian lands beyond.
Return to Beijing this afternoon for some well-earned downtime before turning your thoughts towards dinner tonight – our Concierge will be on hand with restaurant recommendations.
Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before grabbing your cameras and hitting the streets of Beijing. Today is yours to soak up as much of China’s captivating capital as possible.
Since you’ve already dedicated a day to the old parts of the city, today you could ask our Concierge to give you a hitlist of the best spots to see in Beijing’s modern districts. But if you simply want to relax and possibly indulge in a spot of retail therapy, the Chinese capital is sure to deliver on that front too.
Having racked up quite the step count, give Beijing a fitting send-off this evening by dining in one of the swankiest spots in town. Bring out the top-shelf booze.
Another day, another early start. Set off promptly this morning to meet your private guide and embark on a visit to the ornate Temple of Heaven.
Once the site of ritual and sacrifice, where rulers would pray for good harvests, this imperial complex is now home to ancient engineering marvels. Wander through the curved walls while your guide points out the subtle divine motifs that have been cleverly incorporated to ward off evil.
You’ll also have time for a spot of good old-fashioned people watching. Many locals gather in the park surrounding the temple for everything from practicing tai chi and throwing frisbees to rowdy bouts of ‘Fight the Landlord’ – a revolutionary-era card game.
This afternoon, leave the city and head to the airport for the two-hour-and-30-minute flight to Zhangjiajie. When you arrive, you’ll be met by a private driver and transferred to your next hotel. Time for a mouth-watering meal and a good night’s sleep.
Try to free up some space on your camera roll this morning, because there are bound to be plenty of photo-ops today. After tucking into breakfast overlooking the lush landscapes of Zhangjiajie, meet your private guide to delve deeper.
Start with a visit to the Yellow Stone Village. Tucked away deep in the heart of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, this mountainous region boasts truly spectacular views. Hop in a cable car to climb to the top and gaze out at the overhanging cliffs, jagged karsts and misty summits surrounding the village.
Then, head to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and its world-famous Glass Bridge, a 1,400ft-long, fully transparent walkway suspended 980ft above the canyon floor. We hope you’re feeling brave.
Having essentially walked on air, continue exploring with a hike to see the canyon’s other natural wonders, including ‘A Strip of Sky’ – the 2,290ft-long, 300ft deep gorge.
Round off the day with a well-deserved dinner and drink back at your hotel.
Leap out of bed bright and early this morning to embark on another exploration of Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly landscapes. After breakfast, meet your guide and head to the Golden Whip Stream – yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
Flowing through the middle of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, this gentle rivulet is famous for its pristine waters – the stream’s name was coined by poets struck by the glinting water as it caught the morning light.
Continue your exploration by heading to Yuanjiajie this afternoon, an elevated realm famous for being the real-life inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar.
Suitably starstruck, take in the surrounding sandstone pillars and see the First Bridge of the World (a natural stone arch made by millennia of erosion) before levelling up....
To round out your second day in this misty realm, bite into an energizing snack and prepare to scale Tianzi Mountain. At the top, the views are vast, so keep your cameras to hand.
You’ve scaled one mountain, why not another? Fuel up on a bountiful breakfast this morning to prepare for your hike of Tianmen – the first recorded mountain in Zhangjiajie.
The cloud-piercing 4,980ft summit has been the subject of legend for centuries. Immerse yourself in its misty mystique by delving into some of the best spots, including the Tianmen Cave, the 999-step staircase and the transparent glass skywalk (yes, another one).
Having ended your time in Zhangjiajie on a high note – literally – return to your hotel this afternoon to check out and head to the airport to catch the one-and-a-half-hour flight to Xi’an.
When you arrive, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you away into the city centre, where you’ll settle in for the next two nights. Time for a welcome drink.
Rome has the Colosseum, Greece has the Parthenon and Xi’an has the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army. It’s only natural, then, that you start your stay here with this emblematic icon. After breakfast, meet your private guide who’ll drive you an hour out of the city.
Discovered in 1974 but built over 2,200 years ago, the Terracotta Army consists of roughly 8,000 soldiers belonging to China’s fearsome first emperor. They were erected to guard his tomb for eternity. Spooky, right?
Having come face-to-face with these ancient guardians, return to Xi’an this afternoon for a hands-on cooking class. Stroll through a spice market to collect ingredients before learning how to craft biang biang noodles (thick, extra-wide noodles) from scratch in a traditional courtyard.
Once you’ve added some niche know-how to your repertoire, you’ll – of course – be able to sit down and taste the fruits of your labour. Dig in.
The name of the game today: cultural immersion in Xi’an. Rise, shine and dine on a delicious breakfast this morning before meeting your local guide and setting your sights on the city’s Muslim Quarter.
When Islam came to China 1,300 years ago, its followers settled in a busy commercial area called Chang’an. After centuries of prosperity, that same area is one of the most bustling parts of the city today. Full of neon and aromatic spices, it’s a real feast for the senses.
Continue sightseeing with a visit to the Great Mosque, before heading to the city walls – the best preserved in China. Enjoy a walk atop the fortifications, keeping your head on a swivel to take in the panorama of the ancient city within and the modern metropolis outside.
Well-acquainted with Xi’an, bid the city farewell this afternoon as you hop on a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Lijiang City, where you’ll check in for three nights.
Over the next few days, the areas in and around Lijiang City are yours to discover. Kick off with a guided visit to the surrounding rural villages.
Start in Baisha Village, located just north of the city. This Naxi settlement is built of stone and wood at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – what a name. Untouched by mass tourism, expect to see wooden carts, narrow streets and cows being driven up the roads.
Having explored Baisha, head to Yi Village to meet a local Shaman. Then, enjoy a truly singular experience by attending ‘A Spectacle Written in Sky and Snow’ – an open-air show where 500 real farmers, herders and villagers from 10 ethnic minorities perform with the mountain as their backdrop.
The rest of your time is free to explore Lijiang City. Charmingly dubbed ‘Venice of the East’, this UNESCO-listed gem is full of traditional dwellings, tea houses, colourful markets and winding alleys.
Luxuriate over a leisurely breakfast this morning before checking out and meeting your private driver to transfer to Tacheng, a journey which takes roughly four and a half hours.
Along the way, stop in Shingu Old Town. Once a bustling market town, it sits along the Ancient Tea Horse Caravan Trail. Here, you can stroll along the streets and barter with locals at the fresh produce market, keeping an eye out for delicacies like wild honey and rainbow trout – contrary to their name, they’re simply two-toned.
Then, hop back in the car and continue to the small village of Tacheng. Check in for two nights, drop your bags, freshen up and kick back with a cocktail this evening to celebrate the next leg of your trip.
After all the natural wonders and cultural curiosities you’ve seen so far, it’s time for a dose of wildlife. Tuck into a delicious breakfast this morning before heading to Tacheng National Park.
Suspended in the canopy, you’ll find one of China's strangest, rarest and – in our humble opinion – most adorable animals: the snub-nosed monkey. Accompanied by a local conservationist, delve into the forest to catch a glimpse of these endangered primates.
After (hopefully) spotting some monkeys, head to Hada village to visit a local family. Here, you can hear about life in rural China over steaming cups of tea before learning how to make two staples of the local diet: soy milk and tofu.
Last, but certainly not least, enter Dharma Cave. At this holy pilgrimage site, your guide will explain the origins of local legends before taking you to see the astonishing view of the mountains and the Jinsha River.
Bid a fond farewell to Tacheng and its furry friends this morning as you grab your bags and meet your private driver to set off on the four-hour drive to Zhongdian (renamed Shangri-La in 2001 to boost tourism).
While you’re on the road, stop in the traditional Tibetan settlement of Nixi Village to learn about local crafts, the most famous being black pottery. You can also watch local craftsmen knead, fashion and fire their products.
After another stint on the road, turn off at Napahai Lake. 10,700ft above sea level, the landscape here is populated by yaks, sheep and horses. There are also great birdwatching opportunities here in the summer. Eyes peeled…
When you pull into Zhongdian this afternoon, settle in for two nights at your next home away from home, before enjoying a delicious dinner and then sinking into bed.
Dine on a delicious breakfast this morning. Then, meet your guide to head to Songzanlin Monastery, known as Little Potala for its resemblance to the palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet.
After wandering through billowing clouds of incense and clusters of red-robed locals, head to Pudacuo National Park – it's time for fresh air and open spaces.
The first national park to be established in China, Pudacuo is home to 20% of the country’s flora and over 30% of its fauna, including over 100 endangered species.
Having immersed yourself in a wonderfully wild landscape, switch tack this evening to delight in the warmth of Tibetan hospitality at a special dinner. Fun fact: the food is designed for high altitudes.
Indulge in a slow start this morning before checking out and meeting your private driver to transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to Shanghai. The journey takes about five-and-a-half hours, so be sure to stock up on snacks before boarding.
After landing, grab your bags and meet your next private driver to roll into the centre of the city, where you’ll stay for the final three nights of your far-flung China adventure.
Take it slow this evening with a cocktail in your hotel before reaching out to our Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations. Food comas pending...
This morning, meet your guide to head to Fuxing Park – a vestige of Shanghai’s French colonial era. Once a private Ming Dynasty Park, it’s now the beating heart of the city.
Afterwards, head to the former French Concession, another area steeped in European charm. This enclave was the domain of China’s rich and powerful, from revolutionaries to movie stars. Time to relive the glamour of pre-World War II Shanghai.
Then, visit the Tianzifang Arts Area. This labyrinth of alleyways is filled with boutique shops, cafes and galleries. Espresso in hand, stroll the streets and soak up the city’s bohemian ambience. Word to the wise: this is also an opportunity to nab some stellar souvenirs.
This evening, prepare for excitement as you head to an ERA2 Acrobatics Show. Famous for their death-defying routines and unbelievable feats of strength, these acrobats, contortionists and stuntmen are sensational. Ever seen seven motorcyclists in a spherical cage? Well, tonight’s the night.
Today is yours to explore the buzzing streets of Shanghai at your own pace. If you’re at a loss for where to start this morning, simply ask our Concierge for some pointers.
This evening is sadly your last night of the holiday. But on the bright side, Shanghai is home to 26 million discerning diners, so the quality of the food is next level. Once again, if it’s simply too much to choose from, you have a clued-up Concierge on hand to lead you to the cream of the crop. Let’s tuck in.
Like all great adventures, your far-flung foray to China comes to an end today. After one last hotel breakfast, grab your bags, check out and meet your private driver for the transfer to the airport. Your return flight connects through mainland Europe and takes around 15 hours. Eye masks on and seats back.
Arrive in the UK late this evening, ready to fall into bed, dreaming of snub-nosed monkeys and dare-devil gymnasts – hopefully not in the same setting...
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
