Private China Tour to Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai

China’s big sights arrive in quick succession on this 11-day private tour: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, Zhangjiajie’s pillar-like peaks and Shanghai’s Bund. I like the contrast between imperial capitals and Zhangjiajie’s dramatic outdoor scenery, and I like that private guides and drivers take care of the transfers between major stops.

The tradeoff is the pace. You change cities several times, take flights and a high-speed train, and have little unplanned time. At $2,999 per person, the package covers hotels, many meals, guides, drivers and listed domestic transport, but international airfare, visa fees and gratuities are extra.

Five details to weigh before booking

• Three headline Beijing sights in one day: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven share a schedule with a rickshaw ride through Shichahai’s hutongs.
• The Great Wall stop is at Badaling: Plan for three hours there, followed by the Ming Tombs and a brief photo stop at the Bird’s Nest.
• Zhangjiajie gets three full sightseeing days: The itinerary includes the national park, Bailong Elevator, Grand Canyon glass bridge, Golden Whip Brook and Tianmen Mountain.
• Private means only your party joins the tour: A minimum of two people per booking is required, and guides and drivers meet you for transfers and sightseeing.
• The quoted price includes substantial logistics: Twin-share hotel accommodation, 10 breakfasts, six lunches, domestic transport listed in the package, and two bottles of water per person per day are included.

Beijing opens with palaces, alleys and a long day

Your guide meets you at Beijing Capital Airport after you collect your luggage and clear customs. A driver takes you to the hotel and helps with check-in. The first day is deliberately light, with the airport transfer and hotel arrival taking about an hour, which is welcome after an international flight.

The next day packs in several sides of Beijing. Tiananmen Square gives you a sense of the scale of the capital’s central civic space, but the visit is short, about 30 minutes. The main event is the Forbidden City, where three hours allow time to explore its halls and pavilions and hear how the imperial court worked.

From there, the tour turns to Shichahai’s hutongs, the narrow traditional lanes of old Beijing. A roughly 40-minute rickshaw ride is included within a 90-minute visit. It offers a change from grand monuments, though it is still a guided introduction rather than a long stretch of free wandering.

The Temple of Heaven rounds out the day. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties came here for ceremonies honoring Heaven; now the complex is also a public park. Allow about 90 minutes. The sequence is rewarding, but expect a full sightseeing day, with little downtime between major sites.

Badaling and the Ming Tombs make a demanding day trip

Day three takes you to Badaling, where three hours are set aside for the Great Wall. The Wall’s ridgelines are the main draw, and time on site matters: the path rises and falls, so this is not simply a flat stroll from one photo stop to another. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be ready for an active visit.

Badaling is a convenient, well-known section, but it can feel more developed and busy than more remote Wall locations. This tour prioritizes a familiar major sight and a manageable visit rather than a quieter, less accessible stretch.

The next stop is the Ming Tombs, burial grounds for 13 Ming emperors. The route focuses on the Sacred Way and Dingling Tomb, with about an hour there. On the drive back, you pause for around 20 minutes at the Bird’s Nest National Stadium for photos. Admission is not included for that stop, so treat it as a look from outside unless you choose to arrange entry separately.

Summer Palace, then a high-speed train to Xi’an

The Summer Palace gets about two hours on day four. Its gardens and buildings offer a gentler change of pace after the Wall and palace visits. The grounds are extensive, so two hours gives you a useful introduction, not time to see every corner.

Afterward, a transfer takes you to the railway station for the high-speed train to Xi’an. The listed transfer and rail portion takes about five hours, followed by a pickup by your Xi’an guide and driver and a ride to the hotel. This is one of several travel-heavy days, so keep your plans for the evening modest.

The Terracotta Army and Xi’an’s old quarters

Day five begins with the Terracotta Army, a four-hour visit to the museum’s three excavated pits, where you can see ranks of clay warriors and ancient weapons. The scale is the point: these figures were made to accompany Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, into the afterlife. The tour includes admission, and lunch is provided.

Back in the city, you visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum for about an hour. The brick pagoda has survived several earthquakes, and the nearby museum gives useful context for the city’s long role as a capital and crossroads. This is a shorter stop than the Terracotta Army, but it rounds out the day with a more local city landmark.

On day six, start at Xi’an’s City Wall, one of China’s most complete surviving urban fortifications. Two hours are set aside for the wall and City Wall Park, where you can watch everyday local activity as well as inspect the old defenses. The Great Mosque follows, with an hour to see its Islamic architectural features.

You then get an hour in the Muslim Quarter, including a snack tour at a popular restaurant. This is a good chance to try local food, though the brief visit is more of a tasting stop than an unhurried meal. In the afternoon, Han Yangling Museum adds a different archaeological perspective: its excavation areas show the burial site of Emperor Jingdi and the Han dynasty.

From there, you head to the airport for the flight to Zhangjiajie. The guide and driver meet you on arrival and take you to the hotel. It is a busy day, with several stops before an airport transfer, so the private vehicle and coordinated pickups are especially useful.

Zhangjiajie’s stone pillars and the Bailong Elevator

Day seven is devoted to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with about eight hours for the outing. The route includes the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie, known for the Southern Sky Column, a formation associated with the film Avatar. The elevator and park shuttle help cover ground in this large scenic area, but expect a long day on foot as you move among viewpoints.

The park’s stone pillars are the star, and the scale of the formations is best appreciated from several angles. Weather can affect visibility, so keep expectations flexible. The schedule gives you a full day in the park, but it does not guarantee clear skies or a particular view.

Day eight pairs the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Golden Whip Brook. The canyon visit takes about four hours and includes the famous glass bridge, a striking way to look across the gorge. If heights unsettle you, this may be the part of the tour that gives you pause. The bridge is only one element of a canyon visit that also includes mountains, caves and water.

After a short break, you enter the park from the East Gate and take a scenic vehicle to Shuirao Simen. From there, the plan is a three-hour walk along Golden Whip Brook, described as a 7.5-kilometer route. It is a welcome change from elevators and high viewpoints, but it still calls for comfortable shoes and enough energy for a substantial walk.

Day nine brings Tianmen Mountain, the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. The visit lasts about five hours and includes the natural opening known as Tianmen Cave. If you feel energetic, you can try the famous 999 stairs; the wording makes clear that this is an option, not a requirement. After the mountain visit, you take an evening flight to Shanghai and transfer to your hotel.

Shanghai trades mountain air for gardens and river views

The Shanghai portion starts with the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where displays explain the city’s growth from a small fishing village into a major metropolis. Models, photos and planning exhibits help you read the modern city around you. Two hours are scheduled, which gives the visit room to be more than a quick glance.

Yu Garden follows. This private garden is more than 400 years old, and its carefully arranged buildings and spaces offer a quieter counterpoint to Shanghai’s scale. You also pass through Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden. A private transfer takes you onward after lunch, which is listed as à la carte.

A Huangpu River cruise gives you views of both sides of the city: historic Chinese and Western-style buildings along the Bund, as well as modern skyscrapers. The cruise takes about two hours, followed by an hour of free time at the Bund. I like this pairing because the river puts the city’s contrasts in one frame, while the extra time lets you explore on foot.

The final stop is Tianzifang, a cultural street in old lanes, for about 40 minutes. It is a short visit, so treat it as a taste of the area rather than a long browse. On day 11, your driver and guide take you from the hotel to the airport for your homeward flight.

What the $2,999 price covers, and what it does not

The $2,999 per-person price is for an 11-day private trip, based on twin-share hotel accommodation. It includes 10 breakfasts, six lunches, professional guides, experienced drivers, air-conditioned vehicles and two bottles of water per person per day. One-way economy airfare for the Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai legs is included.

The itinerary also includes a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an. Check the exact transport arrangements and what is covered when booking, since the included transport list specifies airfares separately. International airfare and China visa fees are not included, and gratuities for guides and drivers are recommended but extra.

This package’s value lies in coordination as much as admission tickets. You visit four very different destinations, and private pickups reduce the strain of managing station and airport transfers on your own. In exchange, you follow a tight schedule with several early starts and travel days. The trip has a 4.9 rating from 12 ratings and a 100% recommendation figure, a positive signal, though the small number of ratings is worth keeping in perspective.

Breakfast is included every day except the arrival day, and six lunches are covered. Dinner is not listed as included, so budget for evening meals. A vegetarian option is available if you advise the operator at booking.

Who should choose this itinerary

I’d consider this tour if you want to see China’s major sights in a single trip and value having a private guide and driver at each destination. It suits people who are comfortable with long sightseeing days, frequent hotel changes and domestic flights, and who want an organized route more than a slow, independent stay in one city.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a relaxed pace, lots of free time or a deep stay in each place. The tour is not suitable for people over 80, and a minimum of two people is required per booking. The package is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check dates, passport details and travel plans carefully before paying.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 11 days, beginning with airport pickup in Beijing and ending with a transfer to the Shanghai airport.

Which cities does the tour visit?

The route covers Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai.

Are the Great Wall and Terracotta Army included?

Yes. Admission to Badaling Great Wall and the Terracotta Army museum is included.

Is the Zhangjiajie glass bridge part of the trip?

Yes. The itinerary includes a visit to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where the glass bridge is a featured attraction.

Which meals are included?

The package includes 10 breakfasts and six lunches. Dinner is not listed as included, and a vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

What is not included in the price?

International airfare, China visa fees and gratuities for guides and drivers are not included.