Grand China — 16-Day Private China Tour
Between Floating Mountains and Cyberpunk Metropolis — Beijing · Xi'an · Guilin · Yangshuo · Fenghuang · Zhangjiajie · Chongqing · Shanghai
16 days, 15 nights, and no shopping stops. Our most complete private route: the imperial capitals, the Li River karst, an ancient riverside town, the Avatar mountains of Zhangjiajie, the neon megacity of Chongqing, and the Bund — eight destinations, one uninterrupted journey, no shopping stops.
Fully inclusive, itemised
Entrance fees, hotels, the meals in the itinerary, private transport, domestic flights and high-speed rail, and an English-speaking guide are all in the published plan. There is no per-day optional upsell list to work through on the ground.
Private, at your pace
Published as a private route for couples, families and small groups of any size. A private departure of two is the norm, not a special request — the same local guide in that city, the same private vehicle.
A local expert in each region
Every city on the route has its own licensed English-speaking guide — the Xi'an guide lives in Xi'an. Multilingual guides are available on request for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese or Korean.
Start planning is free
Send us your dates, group size and what you would like to change. We reply with a full draft itinerary and a line-by-line price within 24 hours, and nothing is charged until you decide.
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days, 15 nights, and a deliberate rhythm: busy days alternate with lighter ones so the trip does not become a blur of monuments.
Day 1 — Arrive in Beijing
Beijing. Private airport reception and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free — we suggest Wangfujing, the CBD, or a walk along Houhai to shake off the flight.
Day 2 — Beijing — The Imperial Capital
Beijing. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and a peaceful walk through Beihai Park, one of China's oldest imperial gardens.
Day 3 — Beijing — The Great Wall
Beijing. The elegant Summer Palace on Kunming Lake, then the Great Wall at Mutianyu — a spectacular, less-crowded section surrounded by green hills.
Day 4 — Beijing to Xi'an by Overnight Train
Beijing. Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven, then board the overnight soft-sleeper train to Xi'an.
Day 5 — Xi'an — The Ancient Silk Road Hub
Xi'an. Arrive Xi'an, free morning, then the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the light-and-fountain show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda square.
Day 6 — Xi'an — The Terracotta Army
Xi'an. The Muslim Quarter for street food, the Terracotta Army, and a pottery workshop (not a shopping stop) where you make a small warrior yourself.
Day 7 — Xi'an to Guilin by Flight
Guilin. Flight to Guilin, transfer to the hotel, then a free evening along Shanhu Lake and the night markets.
Day 8 — Guilin to Yangshuo — Li River Cruise
Yangshuo. The classic four-hour Li River cruise past karst peaks and the 20-Yuan landscape, then the Paradise Scenic Area.
Day 9 — Yangshuo to Fenghuang by High-Speed Rail
Fenghuang. A scenic six-hour rail journey to Fenghuang Ancient Town, founded in 1704 along the Tuojiang River.
Day 10 — Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie. Fenghuang's stilt houses and alleys, the Fenghuang Giant Panda Garden, and the Aizhai Suspension Bridge, then on to Zhangjiajie.
Day 11 — Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie. The Avatar mountains: the Avatar Platform, Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain and Golden Whip Stream — a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Day 12 — Tianmen Mountain to Chongqing
Chongqing. Tianmen Mountain, then a high-speed rail to the "cyberpunk" mountain city of Chongqing and its river-mist skyline.
Day 13 — Chongqing City Exploration
Chongqing. The monorail through a residential building, the Yangtze river cable car, and the Ming-and-Qing lanes of Ciqikou Ancient Town.
Day 14 — Chongqing to Shanghai by Flight
Shanghai. Flight to Shanghai and a free afternoon — the Bund, Xintiandi, or the colonial skyline across the Huangpu River.
Day 15 — Shanghai City Highlights
Shanghai. The Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and a Huangpu River cruise under the illuminated skyline.
Day 16 — Depart Shanghai
Shanghai. Private transfer to the airport for your return flight.
What is included
Included in the price
- All scheduled attraction entrance fees (first-gate)
- 15 nights in Ctrip 4-diamond hotels (twin room, single supplement applies)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Licensed English-speaking local guides in every destination (other languages on request)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and chauffeur
- Door-to-door airport and railway station transfers
- Domestic flights and high-speed rail as listed in the itinerary
- Scenic-area transport (cable car, shuttle bus, elevator) and shows where listed
- Medical and baggage insurance; 24/7 dedicated operations support
Not included
- International flights to and from China
- China visa fees and travel documentation
- Meals not explicitly stated in the itinerary, personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities marked optional in the day programme
- Single room supplement
- A 3% tax on the total cost
Who this tour suits
This is our grand tour — built for travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy who want the whole arc of China in one coherent trip rather than a collection of separate stops.
If you are a senior traveller or need a slower pace, tell us and we will adjust the driving days, the walking load and the hotel floor for you. Any of our other routes — Grand China, Imperial Capitals, Pandas & Buddha, Jade Dragon & Erhai, Harbin Ice & Snow, Li River & Skyline, or Peaks & Neon — can be added to this one.
Frequently asked questions
How is this tour priced?
Can the itinerary be changed?
How do we book and pay?
Do you help with China visas?
Is the trip really shopping-free?
Can you do a private trip just for us?
Credentials you can check, not claims you have to trust
We are not going to publish reviews we cannot verify. What we can do is show you the paperwork, and tell you exactly what it is and whose it is.
China Tourism Association — Important Partner
Outstanding Service Team 2024–2025
CATS Top 20 Travel Agency Brands
CATS Director Company
How this works: Wander China is the retail brand. The licensed legal entity behind every booking is Aba Prefecture Kalong Travel Service Co., Ltd. — so the association and award records above sit with the company that actually holds the tourism licence, the contracts and the insurance, not with a brand name.
The team behind your trip
We are a small company on purpose. Our core management averages more than 15 years in China's inbound travel industry, and the names below are the people who sign off on your itinerary, not a stock photo.
Richard Zheng
Handles international partner development and tailored solutions for overseas travellers, and stays with each enquiry until the departure date.
Huabin Bao
Coordinates end-to-end inbound service execution, itinerary changes and day-of-travel logistics for international guests.
Operations Desk
Licensed guides, private vehicles and a dedicated operations contact reachable around the clock throughout your trip.
Related tours
Imperial Capitals — 7 days
Pandas & Buddha — 7 days
Jade Dragon & Erhai — 7 days
Get your tailor-made version of this tour
Tell us your dates, group size and what you would like changed. We reply with a full draft itinerary and a line-by-line price within 24 hours, and nothing is charged until you decide.
Prefer to talk? WhatsApp +86 180 8188 7981 (Richard) or call +86 180 8188 7981.
Ask about this itinerary
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a written day-by-day plan and a line-by-line price within 24 hours — nothing is charged until you approve it.