14-Day China: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Guangzhou

Q: Q: How difficult is this multi-city itinerary?

A: This tour is rated Moderate to Strenuous overall, mainly because of the full days on Tianmen Mountain and in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which involve sustained walking, steps, and cable cars for the steepest sections. Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Guangzhou days involve mostly flat city walking, though the Great Wall at Badaling does include a fair amount of stair climbing.

Q: Q: What is the best time of year for this 5-city route?

A: April and October are the two months that work well across all five cities on this route. Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an are best in spring and autumn, Zhangjiajie is good from April through November, and Guangzhou is best avoided from May through September due to heat, humidity, and typhoon risk — leaving April and October as the cleanest shared windows.

Q: Q: Do I need a visa to visit China for this tour?

A: Most foreign nationals need a Chinese visa to visit mainland China, and visa fees are not included in the tour price. Some nationalities can use China's short-term transit visa-free policy in certain circumstances, but this is a separate arrangement from a full tourist visa — check current requirements for your passport well before travelling.

Q: Q: How are the flights between the five cities arranged?

A: Domestic flights connect Beijing to Shanghai (roughly 2 hours), Shanghai to Xi'an (roughly 2.5 hours), Xi'an to Zhangjiajie (roughly 2 hours), and Zhangjiajie to Guangzhou (roughly 1.5 hours), and are included in the tour price along with airport transfers on each end.

Q: Q: Some travel days include sightseeing right after a flight — how demanding is that?

A: A few days on this itinerary combine a flight with same-day sightseeing, most notably the arrival day in Xi'an, which includes the Shaanxi History Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and an evening in Datang Everbright City after the flight from Shanghai. These days move at a brisker pace than the rest of the tour; travellers who prefer a slower pace on arrival days should mention this to their travel consultant, as some sightseeing could be moved to a later day.

Q: Q: Is Yuyin Mountain House far from central Guangzhou?

A: Yuyin Mountain House is located in Panyu District, roughly 17 km (about 40 minutes to an hour by car) from central Guangzhou, and is reached by private vehicle as part of the Day 13 itinerary alongside Shamian Island and Beijing Road.

Transportation
Domestic Flights & Private Car
Accomodation
4-Star Hotels
Maximum Altitude
~1,518 m
Departure from
Beijing
Best season
Apr & Oct
Tour type
Culture & Nature
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast
Language
English
Fitness level
Moderate to Strenuous
Group Size
15 travellers

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

This 14-day China tour sweeps across five cities, from Beijing’s imperial landmarks to Shanghai’s riverfront skyline, Xi’an’s ancient capital, the sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie, and the Lingnan heritage streets of Guangzhou. Domestic flights connect each city, with private vehicle transport and an English-speaking guide throughout.

Three days in Beijing open with an arrival evening around Wangfujing, followed by a full day at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, then Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Yonghe Temple (the Lama Temple) before a flight to Shanghai.

Shanghai brings an evening at the Bund and a walk down Nanjing Road on arrival, followed by a day combining the canal town of Zhujiajiao, Yu Garden, and the Lujiazui financial district, before a flight continues to Xi’an. There, the Shaanxi History Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Tang-dynasty-themed Datang Everbright City district lead into a full day with the Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, and the evening “Song of Everlasting Regret” outdoor performance.

A further flight reaches Zhangjiajie, where an arrival visit to Huanglong Cave and the illuminated 72 Strange Buildings complex is followed by two full days: Tianmen Mountain, with its Glass Skywalk, and an evening Tianmen Fox Fairy performance, then a full day inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with the evening Charming Xiangxi cultural show.

The tour concludes with a flight to Guangzhou for three days: Yongqingfang’s restored Lingnan streets, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and views from the Canton Tower; the classical garden of Yuyin Mountain House in Panyu District, Shamian Island’s colonial-era architecture, and Beijing Road; before departure.

Accommodation is in 4-star hotels throughout, with daily hotel breakfast included.

Highlights

Walk the Great Wall at Badaling
Explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Cruise past the illuminated Bund and stroll Nanjing Road in Shanghai
Meet the Terracotta Warriors and watch the Song of Everlasting Regret in Xi'an
Cross Tianmen Mountain's Glass Skywalk in Zhangjiajie
Wander the restored Lingnan streets of Yongqingfang and Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou

Day 01 :

Beijing — Arrival & Wangfujing

After an airport transfer to your hotel, the afternoon eases into the trip with a walk around Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, a gentle introduction to Beijing.

📷 Wangfujing Pedestrian Street — Day 1 Alt text (EN): Wangfujing shopping street Beijing China evening lights Search prompt: Wangfujing pedestrian street Beijing China night lights shops

Day 02 :

Beijing — Great Wall at Badaling

A full day is spent at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the most accessible and best-restored sections near Beijing.

📷 Great Wall at Badaling — Day 2 Alt text (EN): Great Wall Badaling section mountains Beijing China Search prompt: Great Wall of China Badaling section mountain ridge Beijing

Day 03 :

Beijing — Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Yonghe Temple

The day covers Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace, before continuing to Yonghe Temple, a working Tibetan Buddhist temple also known as the Lama Temple.

📷 Forbidden City — Day 3 Alt text (EN): Forbidden City palace rooftops Beijing China Search prompt: Forbidden City Palace Museum rooftops Beijing China

📷 Tiananmen Square — Day 3 Alt text (EN): Tiananmen Square Beijing China landmark Search prompt: Tiananmen Square Beijing China gate landmark

📷 Yonghe Temple — Day 3 Alt text (EN): Yonghe Lama Temple golden roof Beijing China Search prompt: Yonghe Temple Lama Temple golden roof Beijing China

Day 04 :

Beijing to Shanghai — The Bund & Nanjing Road

A flight of roughly 2 hours reaches Shanghai. The evening brings a walk along the illuminated Bund waterfront, followed by Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.

📷 The Bund at night — Day 4 Alt text (EN): The Bund waterfront skyline Shanghai China night Search prompt: The Bund Shanghai China skyline night waterfront

📷 Nanjing Road — Day 4 Alt text (EN): Nanjing Road pedestrian street shops Shanghai China night Search prompt: Nanjing Road pedestrian shopping street Shanghai China night

Day 05 :

Shanghai — Zhujiajiao, Yu Garden & Lujiazui

The day begins with a trip to Zhujiajiao, a Ming and Qing dynasty canal town with stone bridges, before returning to the city for Yu Garden, a Ming-dynasty classical garden, and an afternoon in the Lujiazui financial district.

📷 Zhujiajiao Water Town — Day 5 Alt text (EN): Zhujiajiao water town canal stone bridge China Search prompt: Zhujiajiao ancient water town canal stone bridge Shanghai China

📷 Yu Garden — Day 5 Alt text (EN): Yu Garden classical pavilion pond Shanghai China Search prompt: Yu Garden classical pavilion pond Shanghai China Ming dynasty

📷 Lujiazui skyline — Day 5 Alt text (EN): Lujiazui financial district skyline towers Shanghai China Search prompt: Lujiazui financial district skyline Shanghai China towers

Day 06 :

Shanghai to Xi'an — History Museum, Wild Goose Pagoda & Datang Everbright City

A flight of roughly 2.5 hours reaches Xi'an. The day continues to the Shaanxi History Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and an evening in Datang Everbright City, a pedestrian district of Tang-dynasty-styled architecture.

📷 Shaanxi History Museum — Day 6 Alt text (EN): Shaanxi History Museum artefacts exhibit Xi'an China Search prompt: Shaanxi History Museum exhibition hall Xi'an China

📷 Big Wild Goose Pagoda — Day 6 Alt text (EN): Big Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an China Search prompt: Big Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an China Tang dynasty tower

📷 Datang Everbright City — Day 6 Alt text (EN): Datang Everbright City illuminated street Xi'an China night Search prompt: Datang Everbright City Tang style architecture Xi'an China night

Day 07 :

Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace & Song of Everlasting Regret

The Terracotta Warriors, the life-sized clay army guarding the tomb of China's first emperor, headline the day, followed by Huaqing Palace, a Tang-dynasty imperial bathing complex, and an evening performance of "Song of Everlasting Regret," an outdoor light-and-dance show staged at the palace.

📷 Terracotta Warriors — Day 7 Alt text (EN): Terracotta Warriors army pit Xi'an China Search prompt: Terracotta Warriors army excavation pit Xi'an China

📷 Huaqing Palace — Day 7 Alt text (EN): Huaqing Palace hot springs pavilion Xi'an China Search prompt: Huaqing Palace pavilion garden Xi'an China Tang dynasty

📷 Song of Everlasting Regret performance — Day 7 Alt text (EN): outdoor night performance stage lights Huaqing Palace Xi'an China Search prompt: Song of Everlasting Regret outdoor show Huaqing Palace Xi'an China

Day 08 :

Xi'an to Zhangjiajie — Huanglong Cave & 72 Strange Buildings

A flight of roughly 2 hours reaches Zhangjiajie. The day continues to Huanglong Cave, a large stalactite and stalagmite cave system, and the illuminated 72 Strange Buildings complex in the evening.

📷 Huanglong Cave — Day 8 Alt text (EN): Huanglong Cave stalactite formations Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Huanglong Cave stalactite stalagmite formations Zhangjiajie China

📷 72 Strange Buildings — Day 8 Alt text (EN): 72 Strange Buildings illuminated night complex Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: 72 Strange Buildings night complex Zhangjiajie China illuminated

Day 09 :

Zhangjiajie — Tianmen Mountain & Tianmen Fox Fairy

The full day is dedicated to Tianmen Mountain, crossing the cliff-face Glass Skywalk and the Ghost Valley Plank Road before reaching Tianmen Cave. In the evening, the Tianmen Fox Fairy performance takes place at the base of the mountain.

📷 Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk — Day 9 Alt text (EN): glass skywalk cliff face Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: glass cliff walkway Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie China transparent floor

📷 Tianmen Cave — Day 9 Alt text (EN): Tianmen Cave natural arch stone cliff Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Tianmen Cave natural arch stone mountain steps Zhangjiajie China

📷 Tianmen Fox Fairy performance — Day 9 Alt text (EN): outdoor stage performance colorful costume Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Tianmen Fox Fairy outdoor theatre performance stage lights Zhangjiajie China

Day 10 :

Zhangjiajie — National Forest Park & Charming Xiangxi

A full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park takes in the Avatar-inspired sandstone pillars of Yuanjiajie. In the evening, the Charming Xiangxi show presents a Tujia and Miao cultural performance.

📷 Avatar Hallelujah Mountain Yuanjiajie — Day 10 Alt text (EN): floating sandstone pillar mountain Zhangjiajie China mist Search prompt: Avatar Hallelujah Mountain floating sandstone pillar Zhangjiajie China

📷 Charming Xiangxi performance — Day 10 Alt text (EN): Tujia ethnic dance performance stage Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Tujia Miao ethnic dance performance stage Zhangjiajie China

Day 11 :

Zhangjiajie to Guangzhou — Arrival

A flight of roughly 1.5 hours reaches Guangzhou, followed by a transfer to the hotel to settle in ahead of three days exploring the city's Lingnan heritage.

📷 Guangzhou city skyline — Day 11 Alt text (EN): Guangzhou city skyline Pearl River China evening Search prompt: Guangzhou city skyline Pearl River China night

Day 12 :

Guangzhou — Yongqingfang, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall & Canton Tower

Yongqingfang, a restored Lingnan heritage street, opens the day, followed by the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a 19th-century Lingnan ancestral hall renowned for its intricate carvings, and views from the Canton Tower.

📷 Yongqingfang — Day 12 Alt text (EN): Yongqingfang restored heritage street Guangzhou China Search prompt: Yongqingfang Lingnan heritage street Guangzhou China restored

📷 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall — Day 12 Alt text (EN): Chen Clan Ancestral Hall carved architecture Guangzhou China Search prompt: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall carved roof Guangzhou China

📷 Canton Tower — Day 12 Alt text (EN): Canton Tower Guangzhou China skyline night Search prompt: Canton Tower Guangzhou China skyline night

Day 13 :

Guangzhou — Yuyin Mountain House, Shamian Island & Beijing Road

The day travels to Yuyin Mountain House, a Qing-dynasty classical garden in Panyu District and one of Guangdong's Four Great Gardens, before returning to the city for Shamian Island's colonial-era architecture and Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.

📷 Yuyin Mountain House — Day 13 Alt text (EN): Yuyin Mountain House classical garden pond Guangzhou China Search prompt: Yuyin Mountain House classical garden pavilion Guangzhou China

📷 Shamian Island — Day 13 Alt text (EN): Shamian Island colonial architecture tree-lined street Guangzhou China Search prompt: Shamian Island colonial buildings tree-lined street Guangzhou China

📷 Beijing Road — Day 13 Alt text (EN): Beijing Road pedestrian street excavated ruins Guangzhou China Search prompt: Beijing Road pedestrian street Guangzhou China historic

Day 14 :

Guangzhou — Departure

The tour concludes with a private transfer to the airport for departure.