A journey to make your own
Cross six iconic cities in 15 days — the Great Wall, giant pandas, the Terracotta Warriors and Zhangjiajie's Avatar mountains — all linked by high-speed rail.
Private journey · 15 days · GT-086
Walk the Great Wall, meet giant pandas, stand before the Terracotta Warriors, and explore Zhangjiajie's Avatar mountains — a private 15-day journey across six iconic Chinese cities, linked by high-speed rail.
A journey to make your own
Walk the Great Wall, meet giant pandas, stand before the Terracotta Warriors, and explore Zhangjiajie's Avatar mountains — a private 15-day journey across six iconic Chinese cities, linked by high-speed rail.
Cross six iconic cities in 15 days — the Great Wall, giant pandas, the Terracotta Warriors and Zhangjiajie's Avatar mountains — all linked by high-speed rail.
The journey, day by day
A starting route, with space to change the pace, add a night or follow a particular interest.
Arrive in Beijing and enjoy a private airport transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your international flight.
Begin with a photo stop at Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of China, then explore the majestic Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of imperial halls and treasures. Ascend Jingshan Park for the best panoramic view over the golden rooftops, and end the day wandering Wangfujing Street for local snacks and shopping.
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a beautifully preserved stretch with stunning mountain scenery — ideal for first-time visitors seeking the iconic photo. On the way back, stop at Olympic Park to admire the striking Bird's Nest and Water Cube from the 2008 Games.
Spend the morning at the Temple of Heaven, the Ming-dynasty masterpiece where emperors prayed for good harvests. In the afternoon, board the high-speed train to Xi'an — a smooth five-hour ride — and check in at your hotel on arrival.
Come face to face with the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors & Horses, thousands of life-sized soldiers guarding Emperor Qin's tomb. Later, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of the ancient Silk Road, and stroll through Grand Tang Everbright City as Tang-themed performances light up the night.
Walk or cycle atop the Ancient City Wall, one of the world's oldest and best-preserved fortifications, then dive into the Muslim Quarter for its famous street food and vibrant atmosphere. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Chengdu and check in.
Explore the heritage of the Three Kingdoms at Wuhou Shrine and stroll Jinli Ancient Street, with its traditional handicrafts, Sichuan Opera performances and local snacks. Continue to Kuanzhai Alley and People's Park, where tea at the historic Heming Teahouse reveals Chengdu's slow-living culture. In the evening, enjoy the magical face-changing show — an intangible heritage in which performers switch colourful masks in an instant to show each character's personality.
Spend the morning at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Base, meeting China's beloved giant pandas at one of the world's most important conservation centres. Afterwards, board the express train to Chongqing — just 1 to 1.5 hours away — and check in at your hotel on arrival, with the evening free to catch a first glimpse of the mountain city's lights.
Capture the viral scene of the Liziba Monorail passing straight through a residential building, then cross the Yangtze by aerial cableway for panoramic city views. Explore the terraced lanes of the Shibati Traditional Stairs District and relax in Riverside Park, before ending the night at Hongyadong — one of China's most photogenic spots, glowing with lanterns and cliffside architecture.
Ride the high-speed rail to Zhangjiajie, where your local guide meets you at the station and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to settle in and relax after the journey, with dinner arranged at the hotel or a local restaurant.
Spend a full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its surreal sandstone pillars. See the "Avatar Mountains" of Yuanjiajie, ride the world's highest outdoor glass elevator at Bailong, take the cable car up Tianzi Mountain for breathtaking panoramas, and finish with a mini-train ride through the peaks of Ten-Mile Gallery.
Enjoy a serene morning boat ride on Baofeng Lake, an emerald pool ringed by steep karst cliffs and mountain songs. In the afternoon, ascend Tianmen Mountain on one of the world's longest high-altitude cableways, walk the glass skywalk clinging to the cliff edge, and pass through Tianmen Cave — the massive natural arch known as Heaven's Gate.
Spend the morning at leisure in Zhangjiajie, then transfer to the station for the long, comfortable bullet-train ride to Shanghai — about seven and a half hours — arriving in China's dazzling global metropolis by evening.
Explore the Ming-dynasty Yu Garden with its pavilions, ponds and rockeries, followed by the nearby Old Town Bazaar. Wander the shikumen alleys of Tianzifang's boutiques and art studios, then walk the Bund in detail — colonial-era architecture facing Pudong's futuristic skyline — and stroll Nanjing Road, China's most famous shopping street.
Enjoy a final breakfast before your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight — the end of a 15-day journey through six of China's greatest cities.
The details that make a difference
Your proposal confirms the hotel names, room arrangements and availability. Style examples illustrate the kind of stay to discuss.
Tell us the style of stay you enjoy, and we’ll suggest the right bases for your route.
Make it your journey
Share a date or a season. Your planner will confirm availability and the arrangements that suit your group.
The final services and total are confirmed in your written proposal.
Ask about this journey4★ hotel accommodation throughout
Daily breakfast at hotels
Air-conditioned private transport in each city
All entrance fees listed in the itinerary
Professional English-speaking local guides
High-speed trains:Beijing → Xi’an →Chengdu → Chongqing → Zhangjiajie→Shanghai (2nd Class Tickets)
China visa fees
International airfare & airport taxes
Meals not specified
Optional tours or personal expenses
Early check-in / late check-out
Tips for guides, drivers, and porters
No published feedback is available for this route yet. Talk to our team about the details that matter to you.
All traveller storiesBeijing · Shanghai
A six-day private journey linking China's political capital with its commercial hub.
Beijing · Xi'an
A six-day private tour pairing the imperial capitals of Beijing and Xi'an.
Kunming · Dali · Lijiang
A seven-day private tour through Yunnan's central highlands, taking in Kunming, Dali and Lijiang.
Tell us where you’d like to go, who’s coming and what matters to you.