AriaTravel
AriaTravel
China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Small group Fixed departures 14 days · 6 stops

China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life

A 14-day small-group journey through China’s imperial landmarks, modern skylines, natural scenery, and vibrant local life.

View departures English-speaking tour · Party size 2–12 guests
Route
Beijing → Shanghai → Hangzhou → Chongqing → Chengdu → Guangzhou
Duration
13 Nights, 14 Days
Party size
2–12 guests
Language
English
1

Journey overview

A shared journey · a fixed itinerary

A 14-day small-group journey through China’s imperial landmarks, modern skylines, natural scenery, and vibrant local life.

This 14-day journey explores China's most distinctive cities — from Beijing's imperial landmarks to Shanghai's skyline, Hangzhou's poetic West Lake, Chongqing's mountain-city drama, Chengdu's panda conservation, and Guangzhou's Lingnan heritage. Designed for international travelers seeking a balanced introduction to culture, landscapes and urban life across six cities.

2

Trip Route & highlights

  1. Days 1–4

    Beijing

    • Jingshan Park
    • Lama Temple
    • Shichahai Lake
    • Bird's Nest and Water Cube
    • Mutianyu Great Wall (with round‑trip cable car)
    • Liangma River
  2. Day 5

    Shanghai

    • Yu Garden
    • Nanjing Road
    • Shanghai Tower
  3. Days 6–7

    Hangzhou

    • West Lake
    • Lingyin Temple
    • Qinghefang Ancient Street
  4. Days 8–9

    Chongqing

    • Eling Park
    • Liziba Station
    • Hongyadong
  5. Days 10–11

    Chengdu

    • People's Park
    • Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
    • Dujiangyan Irrigation System
  6. Days 12–14

    Guangzhou

    • Canton Tower
    • Haixinsha Island
    • Pearl River
    • Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
    • Yongqing Fang
    • Cantonese Opera Art Museum
    • Enning Road
    • Lychee Bay
    • Liwan Lake Park
3

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing Beijing

Beijing Central Axis Night View — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Accommodation: Beijing

Meet the local team on arrival and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest or explore nearby at your own pace.

Day 2 Imperial Beijing Beijing

Forbidden City — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Jingshan Park — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Lama Temple — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Shichahai Lake — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then continue to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view over the palace complex. Later, visit the Lama Temple and walk around Shichahai and the nearby hutongs.

Day 3 Mutianyu Great Wall Beijing

Birds Nest And Water Cube — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Liangma River — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Mutianyu Great Wall — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Beijing

Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (with round‑trip cable car) and enjoy time on the wall. On returning to the city, stop at the Bird's Nest and Water Cube for exterior views, followed by an evening walk along the Liangma River.

Day 4 Beijing highlights and transfer to Shanghai Beijing to Shanghai

Summer Palace — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Shanghai

Visit the Summer Palace and stroll through its landscaped grounds. Afterwards, transfer to the airport or railway station for the onward journey. The exact transport service is subject to final booking.

Continue to Shanghai by the confirmed rail or air service. On arrival, meet the local team and transfer to the hotel. Exact timings and transport mode are subject to operational confirmation.

Day 5 Shanghai highlights and transfer to Hangzhou Shanghai to Hangzhou

Nanjing Road — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Shanghai Tower — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
The Bund — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Yu Garden — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Hangzhou

Start your day in Yu Garden, continue to Shanghai Tower. Later, walk along Nanjing Road. End the day with a slow walk on The Bund. After the visit, you will be transferred to train station for your trip to Hangzhou. On arrival, your local team will meet you and take you to your hotel.

Day 6 West Lake and Lingyin Temple Hangzhou

Feilai Peak Grottoes — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Lingyin Temple — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Longjing Tea Village — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Qinghefang Ancient Street — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
West Lake — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Hangzhou

Begin your day at West Lake, then visit Lingyin Temple, one of China's oldest Buddhist temples, and nearby Feilai Peak with ancient stone carvings. Continue to Longjing Tea Village, surrounded by tea terraces and misty hills, known for West Lake Longjing tea. End the day at Qinghefang Ancient Street, where old buildings, local snacks, and traditional shops reflect the city's history.

Day 7 Hangzhou highlights and transfer to Chongqing Hangzhou to Chongqing

China National Silk Museum — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Xixi National Wetland Park — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Chongqing

Start at Xixi National Wetland Park, visit the China National Silk Museum, the largest silk-themed museum in China. Explore the history of the Silk Road, discover traditional silk-making techniques, and learn about the important role silk played in cultural exchanges between China and the world.

After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

Day 8 Chongqing city experience Chongqing

Eling Park — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Hongyadong — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Jiefangbei — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Liziba Station — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Chongqing

Visit Eling Park and Liziba Station, then continue to Jiefangbei. In the evening, you may try Chongqing hotpot, ask your guide for recommendation. End the day at Hongyadong, a riverside area with traditional-style buildings and night views.

Day 9 Chongqing highlights and transfer to Chengdu Chongqing to Chengdu

Ciqikou Ancient Town — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Shibati Traditional Scenic Area — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Chengdu

After breakfast, visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, a historic riverside neighborhood known for its traditional streets, old-style buildings, and local snacks.

Continue to Shibati Traditional Scenic Area, a restored hillside district that showcases Chongqing's unique mountain-city culture through historic architecture, local shops, and everyday life.

After the visit, transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

Day 10 Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Chengdu

Dujiangyan Irrigation System — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Mount Qingcheng — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Chengdu

Travel to Mount Qingcheng and continue to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. The mountain section will be adjusted to fitness, weather and operating conditions.

Day 11 Chengdu highlights and transfer to Guangzhou Chengdu to Guangzhou

Peoples Park — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Research Base Of Giant Panda Breeding — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Guangzhou

Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early in the day, then stop at People's Park to experience the city's relaxed local life. Transfer onward after the visit. Continue to Guangzhou by the confirmed rail or air service. On arrival, meet the local team and transfer to the hotel. Exact timings and transport mode are subject to operational confirmation.

Day 12 Modern Guangzhou and Pearl River Guangzhou

Canton Tower — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Haixinsha Island — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Huacheng Square — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Pearl River — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Guangzhou

Start the day at Huacheng Square for a view of Canton Tower. Continue to Haixinsha Island for a riverside walk along the Pearl River. In the evening, enjoy walking around Pearl River to see the city lights.

Day 13 Modern Guangzhou and Pearl River Guangzhou

Cantonese Opera Art Museum — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Liwan Lake Park — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Yongqing Fang — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B/LAccommodation: Guangzhou

In Guangzhou, experiencing the local Yum Cha culture is an essential part of the journey. It can be seen as a Cantonese-style brunch, combining leisure and delicious food in one experience. Continue to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, known for its traditional carvings and architecture. Walk through Yongqing Fang, a restored historic area with shops and cafés. Visit Cantonese Opera Art Museum, then stroll along Enning Road. Continue to Lychee Bay and end at Liwan Lake Park.

Day 14 Lingnan heritage and departure Guangzhou

Haixinsha Night View — China Urban Discovery: Heritage, Landscapes & Local Life
Meals: B

It is time to end your Guangzhou journey. Enjoy your final moments at your own pace. When ready, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport for departure.

4

What’s included

✓ Included

  • Hotel Accommodation: Based on twin share with western style breakfast. Properties are conveniently located close to the city centre, rated 4-star. A room with one king-size bed can also be arranged upon request.
  • Guide Service: excellent English-speaking tour guide service
  • Meet-and-greet service with a name sign at the airport or train station.
  • Vehicle Service: Air-conditioned coach with experienced drivers, ensuring ample luggage space for your comfort. (1) Free airport & train station pick-up for arrivals from 08:00 to 22:00. (2) Free airport & train station drop-off for departures from 09:00 to 23:00.
  • Domestic Transportation: Internal Air/high-speed train (Economy Class)
  • Entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 24/7 On-Call Support
  • Daily lunches as indicated in the itinerary
  • Insurance

✕ Not included

  • International Airfare
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Personal expenses
  • Entry Visa
  • Optional Activities
  • Payment and refund processing fees
  • Single Room Supplement
5

Good to know

Enquiry and confirmation

This page accepts enquiries only. Our sales team checks availability, explains any displayed price and confirms the next steps personally.

Changes to attractions

If any scheduled attraction is closed or unavailable during the trip, we will arrange a suitable alternative attraction whenever possible.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation fees are calculated from the date Aria Travel receives the written cancellation request.

If the cancellation is made between 45 and 30 days before the scheduled departure date 10% of tour price
If the cancellation is made between 29 and 15 days before the scheduled departure date 30% of tour price
If the cancellation is made between 14 and 7 days before the scheduled departure date 50% of tour price
If the cancellation is made 6 days or less before the scheduled departure date, including the departure date 100% of tour price
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