11-Day Private China Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Zhangjiajie – Shanghai – Suzhou

Be picked up at the Beijing Capital Airport & transfer to the hotel located in the downtown Beijing (just transportation).

After checking in, relax and explore Beijing at your own pace. Unwind in your room or take a casual stroll nearby to feel the city's vibe.

In the evening, enjoy Beijing's lively nightlife. Older guests may love traditional tea‑house shows like opera and acrobatics, while younger travelers can visit cool bars and cafes. Top night spots include Panjiayuan Antique Market, Wangfujing, Houhai and Niujie, perfect for local snacks and night views.

Pick‑up from your hotel between 7:30 am and 8:00 am.

First, visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares. Admire its grand open layout and iconic landmarks, perfect for capturing impressive photos of Beijing's political and cultural heart.

Next, explore the Forbidden City, the spectacular former imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wander through well‑preserved palaces, courtyards and ancient architecture that once housed emperors, nobles and royal treasures.

At noon, we will take you to a nearby local restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, head to traditional Beijing hutongs near Shichahai Lake. Walk along narrow, historic alleyways lined with old courtyard homes, experiencing authentic local daily life and old‑Beijing charm.

We then travel 30 minutes by vehicle to the Lama Temple, Beijing's largest and best‑preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple. Discover golden‑roofed halls, fine Buddhist art and peaceful religious atmosphere unique to Tibetan culture.

*For an optional evening experience, upgrade your day with a famous Peking Roast Duck dinner followed by an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre. Please let us know in advance if you wish to add this special activity.

Pick‑up from your hotel (recommended tour start time: 7:30 am – 8:00 am).

Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall (1.5‑2 hours' drive).This is one of the most famous and well‑preserved sections of the Great Wall. Round‑trip cable car is included for your convenience. Take the cable car up to the wall to enjoy stunning mountain views, then spend 1‑2 hours leisurely hiking along different segments, exploring ancient watchtowers and admiring the magnificent architecture of this legendary landmark. After your exploration, ride the cable car back down the mountain.

Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall, featuring authentic Chinese dishes and fresh local flavors.

On the way back toward downtown after lunch, we first head to the Summer Palace, a former imperial summer retreat and one of China's best‑preserved royal gardens. Wander around its vast lake, elegant pavilions and winding corridors to experience traditional Chinese imperial garden culture.

After the Summer Palace visit, we will make a short photo stop to view the iconic Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), the famous venues built for the Beijing Olympics before sending you back to your hotel.

Temple of Heaven: China's largest ancient imperial sacrificial complex. Today, it serves as a popular public park where locals gather for daily leisure activities including singing, dancing, and practicing Tai Chi in its spacious, well‑preserved grounds.

Pearl Market: Browse a wide selection of fine pearls, handcrafted souvenirs, fashion bags, footwear and accessories. It is an ideal place to shop for special gifts for family and friends back home.

We will transfer you to Beijing West Railway Station to board an afternoon high‑speed bullet train bound for Xi'an. The journey takes approximately 4 hours.

Upon arrival at Xi'an North Railway Station, your local private driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel in downtown Xi'an.

Pick up at your hotel (recommend start the tour at 8:00am).

Travel to the Terracotta Army, one of the world's most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the greatest archaeological treasure of ancient China. Wander through the massive pit halls to view thousands of life-sized pottery warriors and horses with distinct facial features. You will be amazed by the magnificent imperial scale and incredible ancient craftsmanship.

Enjoy a delicious local lunch featuring authentic Xi'an flavors at a nearby restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Big Goose Pogoda, a landmark Tang-dynasty Buddhist architecture. Stroll around the peaceful square and garden to appreciate the classic ancient architectural style and profound Buddhist culture.

Then, explore the bustling Muslim Quarter, the most famous old street in Xi'an. Wander the traditional alleys, taste classic local snacks, and browse various traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

Optional evening activity: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. Upgrade your tour with a wonderful. Experience the elegant traditional royal performance and authentic ancient Chang'an culture. Please inform us in advance if you would like to join this show.

Your private tour begins with hotel pickup at 8:00 am.

Today you'll continue to explore Xi'an City Wall—one of China's largest and best-preserved ancient city walls, built in the Ming Dynasty. You can walk or cycle along the wall to enjoy panoramic views of old Xi'an and soak up the historical charm of ancient Chang'an.

After lunch at a local restaurant nearby, we visit the historic Bell Tower, a well-preserved ancient landmark and the symbol of Xi'an. Walking on the wall and overlooking the entire city is truly impressive.

In the afternoon,we will transfer you to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to board a direct afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie. The flight takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Upon landing in Zhangjiajie, your wonderful one‑day Xi'an sightseeing tour will be successfully concluded.

After arriving in Zhangjiajie, you can embrace a leisurely self‑guided city walk at your own pace. Perfectly combining primitive natural charm and vibrant mountain‑city vitality, Zhangjiajie features plenty of pedestrian‑friendly streets, ideal for casual sightseeing, street photography and experiencing the authentic local lifestyle.

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, we'll head out to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the heart of this iconic destination.

Ride the world‑famous glass‑paneled Bailong Elevator up the mountainside to reach Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Take a scenic hike to the legendary Pillar of Southern Sky — the real‑world inspiration for the floating Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar. Continue to the Platform of Forgetfulness for sweeping, jaw‑dropping views of the surrounding peaks, then cross the famous First Bridge Under Heaven.

Following lunch (at your own expense), hop on the park shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain. Marvel at dramatic natural formations such as Imperial Writing Brush Peaks and Xihai Stone Forest, set amid distinctive quartz‑sandstone mountain spires. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxed stroll along Golden Whip Stream, where crystal‑clear waters wind past towering peaks and lush vegetation, creating a magical, otherworldly atmosphere straight out of a fairy tale.

We'll then transfer back to your downtown hotel for an overnight stay. 

Note: Should you have spare leisure time this evening, a self-guided visit to 72 Qilou Folk Town is highly recommended.The scenic spot shines brightest after dark: magnificent Tujia stilt buildings are decorated with dazzling lighting and immersive light shows. Guests may wander the lively night market, sample local snacks and enjoy authentic live Tujia folk performances.

After a breakfast at your hotel, we'll embark on a 40-minute bus journey to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Stroll across the world-famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, recognized as the highest and longest glass bridge on Earth. This breathtaking attraction is not suitable for visitors who fear heights. Suspended between two steep mountain cliffs, the bridge measures 375 meters in length and 6 meters in width, towering 300 meters above the valley floor.

After exploring the glass bridge, we'll head back to downtown Zhangjiajie to visit Tianmen Mountain. Challenge yourself on the exhilarating cliffside skywalk, ascend the iconic 999-step Heavenly Stairway, and take the park shuttle bus down the legendary Tongtian Road, which features 99 sharp winding curves. Afterwards, visit a local sandstone painting gallery to appreciate this distinctive local art style.

You will have some free leisure time in the city before your airport transfer. Finally, board your scheduled flight to Shanghai, concluding your wonderful and memorable Zhangjiajie tour.

Note: Zhangjiajie has peak and off-peak seasons. Long cable car queues are expected at Tianmen Mountain in peak season. To ensure smooth sightseeing and on-time drop-off for your next destination, we suggest visiting only Tianmen Mountain.

We start our day at Yu Garden & Bazaar, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty classical Chinese garden nested amid bustling traditional market alleys. Wander antique pavilions and handicraft shops before stopping for a delicious local Shanghai lunch nearby.

After lunch, we pay a visit to serene Jade Buddha Temple, an ancient Buddhist site famous for its rare jade Buddha sculptures and quiet landscaped courtyards.

Next, take a relaxed walking tour across the Former French Concession. Stroll tree-canopied avenues past vintage European villas and cozy boutique cafés to experience the nostalgic vibe of old Shanghai.

Late afternoon brings us to Shanghai Tower. Catch the ultra-fast elevator to the observation deck for sweeping panoramic vistas of the Huangpu River and the sprawling cityscape.

We wrap up the itinerary with a casual walk along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, which leads directly to the Bund to appreciate the landmark riverside architecture and glittering Pudong skyline.

Travel Tips

This is a flexible city walk without fixed time arrangement. You can stop freely for photography, snacks and rest. 

After an early breakfast, we depart for a full-day excursion to Suzhou, one of China's most celebrated classical garden cities, just a 1‑hour drive from Shanghai.

Our first stop is the enchanting Tongli Water Town, a UNESCO-listed ancient town dating back over 1,000 years. Wander along narrow cobblestone lanes flanked by whitewashed Ming and Qing dynasty residences, cross ornate arched stone bridges over glassy canals, and soak up the timeless charm of traditional Jiangnan life.

Next, we visit the Master of Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan), one of Suzhou's most exquisite and intimate classical Chinese gardens. Admire the masterful arrangement of pavilions, rockeries, lotus ponds and winding corridors — a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated as a pinnacle of Song Dynasty garden artistry.

In the late afternoon, we transfer back to Shanghai for your final overnight stay. Enjoy a leisurely dinner on your own at one of Shanghai's many renowned restaurants.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your departure flight. 

This concludes your pleasant journey.

Note: If you have extra time in Shanghai, we highly recommend visiting the nearby water towns. Featuring ancient canals, historic stone bridges and traditional Jiangnan-style architecture, these scenic towns offer a completely different landscape and cultural atmosphere compared to modern downtown Shanghai. It is well worth a visit to discover the unique, poetic lifestyle of traditional water towns in East China. If you wish to explore these water towns or other cities in China, please feel free to contact us anytime!