China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
A city-focused China journey through iconic landmarks and local daily rhythms
Overview
Trip Highlights
Beijing Central Axis Night View · Forbidden City · Jingshan Park · Lama Temple · Shichahai Lake · Great Wall · Bird’s Nest and Water Cube · Liangma River · Temple of Heaven · Anfu Road · Yu Garden · Maglev Train · Shanghai Tower · Nanjing Road · The Bund · Xixi National Wetland Park · West Lake · Longjing Tea Village · Feilai Peak · Wen’er Vegetable Market · Chongqing hotpot · Eling Park · Liziba Station · Jiefangbei · Hongyadong · Mount Qingcheng · Dujiangyan Irrigation System · People’s Park · Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding · Kuanzhai Alley · Taikoo Li · Canton Tower · Haixinsha Island · Pearl River · Chen Clan Ancestral Hall · Yongqing Fang · Cantonese Opera Art Museum · Liwan Lake Park · Guangzhou Night Views
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing. After your journey, your China tour begins in a easy way.
Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may rest in your room or take a short walk nearby to get a first look at the city.
Beijing City Tour
Start your day at Tiananmen Square. Then walk through the Meridian Gate into the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of 24 emperors. Later, go up to Jingshan Park for a wide view over the palace roofs.
In the afternoon, visit the Lama Temple and take part in the simple ritual of incense offering. End the day at Shichahai Lake. Walk around the lakeside and nearby hutongs as the sun goes down.
Great Wall Tour
Today you will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. Walk along the wall and enjoy the mountain views.
After that, you will visit the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, known for representing the spirit of modern China and its grand Olympic history.
In the evening, take a walk along the Liangma River. The area is calm and lively at the same time, with bars and lights along the water.
Beijing To Shanghai
In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven. You may also join local people practicing Tai Chi in the park.
After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your trip to Shanghai. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. After arriving today, you can take a leisurely stroll along Anfu Road with your guide.
Shanghai City Tour
Start your day in Yu Garden, a classic Ming Dynasty garden in the old city.
Then try the Maglev Train, one of the fastest trains in the world. Continue to Shanghai Tower and go up to the observation deck for a city view.
In the evening, walk along Nanjing Road. End the day with a slow walk on The Bund, where old buildings face the modern skyline across the river.
Shanghai To Hangzhou
Upon arrival in Hangzhou, your guide will meet you and begin your journey.
Start at Xixi National Wetland Park, China’s first national wetland park. Explore quiet waterways, reed fields, and old villages by boat and electric cart.
Continue to Wensan Digital Life Block to experience cutting-edge innovation through interactive tech exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations.
Hangzhou City Tour
Begin your day at West Lake, Hangzhou’s most iconic landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue to Longjing Tea Village, surrounded by tea terraces and misty hills, known for West Lake Longjing tea.
Then visit Lingyin Temple, one of China’s oldest Buddhist temples, and nearby Feilai Peak with ancient stone carvings.
End the day at Qinghefang Ancient Street, where old buildings, local snacks, and traditional shops reflect the city’s history.
Hangzhou To Chongqing
After breakfast, visit Wen’er Vegetable Market, a local market filled with fresh produce and street food.
After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
In the evening, you may try Chongqing hotpot, ask your guide for recommendation.
In the night, we recommend visiting Chongqing’s Jiujie (Nine Street) , where a large number of clubs, bars, and live houses are gathered. Here, you can experience the authentic nightlife of Chongqing.
Note: Please drink responsibly and in moderation to avoid affecting the next day’s itinerary.
Chongqing City Tour
Begin your day at Eling Park for views of the city skyline. Visit Liziba Station(note:you may have a chance to eat a subway first time!) to see the monorail passing through a building.
Continue to Jiefangbei, the city center of Chongqing.
End the day at Hongyadong, a riverside area with traditional-style buildings and night views.
Chongqing To Chengdu
Early this morning, you will take a high-speed train to Chengdu.
Meet your guide then go to Mount Qingcheng , followed by Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient water project still in use today.
In the evening, you will visit the famous Jinli Ancient Street to explore local specialty snacks.
Chengdu City Tour
Start the day with tea at People’s Park, experiencing local daily life.
Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see pandas up close.
Continue to Kuanzhai Alley, where traditional streets meet modern cafés and shops.
End the day at Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road, a mix of historic buildings and modern shopping areas.
Chengdu To Guangzhou
After breakfast, you will take a flight to Guangzhou. Upon arrival in Guangzhou, your guide will meet you and take you to Huadu 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.
Guangzhou City Tour
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.
Guangzhou Departure
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.
What's Included & Excluded
- Hotel Accommodation: based on twin share with western style breakfast
- Guide Service: excellent English-speaking tour guide service
- Vehicle Service: air-conditioning coach with experienced drivers
- 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
- International Airfare
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal expenses
- Entry Visa
- Optional Activities
- Payment processing fees
Add-on Options
| Add-on | Description |
|---|---|
| Lunch and Dinner | If you would like to explore more local cuisine, feel free to ask us—we will be happy to recommend the most authentic and distinctive local dishes. |
| Pedicab Tour of Shichahai | In-depth Pedicab Tour of Shichahai: visit Yinding Bridge, enjoy the night view of Houhai, listen to hutong stories, and immerse yourself in old Beijing culture. |
| Huangpu River Night Cruise | A Huangpu River Night Cruise is one of the best ways to experience Shanghai after dark.As you sail along the Huangpu River, you can enjoy stunning views of both the historic Bund and the modern skyline of Lujiazui, all beautifully illuminated at night. The city lights create a vibrant and memorable atmosphere, perfect for photos. |
Hotels
Choose Your Hotel Style
We book accommodation tailored to your preferences and budget:
- Comfort (3-star) — Well-located, great-value hotels
- Premium (4-star) — Spacious rooms with quality amenities
- Luxury (5-star, local brands) — Top Chinese hospitality with distinctive character
- Luxury (5-star, international) — Marriott, Hilton, Shangri-La and other global names
Frequently Asked Questions
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Customize This Private Tour
This is a fully private tour — every route, pace, hotel level and meal can be reshaped around your dates, group size and interests.
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