SIGNATURE CHINA JOURNEY
CHINA JOURNEY 01

12-Day China Classic Tour

ROUTE Beijing → Xi'an → Guilin → Shanghai
A thoughtfully designed private journey through China's most iconic cities, combining cultural depth, local experiences and seamless private travel.
FROM US$1,800 / person
China private tour
ROUTE
Beijing → Xi'an → Guilin → Shanghai ↗
01 / 04
THE JOURNEY Private Journey
DURATION 12 Days
DESTINATIONS 4 Cities
DEPARTURE Flexible
✦ Private guide · Handpicked hotels · Local support
◌ PLAN THIS JOURNEY Talk to our travel team ↗
THE JOURNEY

4 cities.
One extraordinary China.

Discover China's imperial history, ancient wonders, dramatic karst landscapes and modern energy in one carefully designed 12-day journey.

Travel from Beijing's imperial landmarks and Xi'an's ancient heritage to the karst landscapes of Guilin and the cosmopolitan energy of Shanghai, bringing together four of China's most distinctive destinations.

DURATION
12 Days
DESTINATIONS
4 Cities
DOMESTIC TRANSFERS
3 Transfers
TRAVEL STYLE
Private Journey
LANDSCAPES
4 PLACES

This private journey connects carefully selected destinations, each offering a distinct side of China.

Beijing Xi’an Guilin Shanghai
SIGNATURE ACTIVITIES
CURATED FOR THIS JOURNEY
01 Explore the Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
02 Walk along the Great Wall of China
03 Discover the Terracotta Warriors
04 Explore Xi'an's Ancient City Wall
05 Experience Shanghai's modern skyline
06 Cruise the Li River through Guilin's karst landscape
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

Beyond the landmarks. Into the story.

Handpicked experiences that reveal the real China — its history, culture, landscapes and modern character.

Beijing Forbidden City and imperial landmarks
01
BEIJING

Beijing – Imperial China

Explore the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the historic heart of China's imperial capital.

Great Wall of China near Beijing
BEIJING

Great Wall – A Timeless Wonder

Walk along one of China's most iconic landmarks and take in sweeping mountain views from the Great Wall.

Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
XI'AN

Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors

Discover the remarkable Terracotta Army and explore the ancient heritage of Xi'an, a historic gateway of the Silk Road.

Xi'an Ancient City Wall and historic city
XI'AN

Xi’an – Ancient City Heritage

Explore Xi'an's historic city wall, Muslim Quarter and vibrant local culture.

Li River cruise and karst mountains in Guilin
GUILIN

Li River Cruise & Yangshuo

Cruise along the spectacular Li River surrounded by karst mountains, bamboo groves and traditional countryside scenery.

The Bund and Shanghai skyline at night
SHANGHAI

Shanghai After Dark

Experience Shanghai's iconic skyline, the Bund and the atmospheric streets of one of China's most dynamic cities.

China Itinerary

A carefully paced journey connecting China's imperial heritage, ancient civilizations, dramatic karst landscapes and modern cities.
Arrival in Beijing — Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel.
ARRIVAL
Beijing
TRANSFER
Private vehicle
STAY Beijing
Temple of Heaven & Forbidden City — Beijing
Begin your journey at the Temple of Heaven, a magnificent religious complex symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. Watch local residents practice their unique morning exercises and experience the relaxed rhythm of daily life in Beijing. Then walk across Tiananmen Square and explore the mysterious Forbidden City. As the world's largest imperial palace complex, it offers countless fascinating stories beyond the standard tourist route.
HIGHLIGHT
Temple of Heaven
LANDMARK
Forbidden City
EXPERIENCE Local Morning Life
Summer Palace & Beijing Hutongs —  Beijing
Visit the Summer Palace in the morning, the magnificent imperial retreat once used by China's emperors. Your guide will explore both the palace and lake areas with you, with an optional traditional dragon boat ride offering beautiful views of the surrounding royal buildings. Later, head into Beijing's old hutong neighborhoods. Visit a local family's home to discover the area's history from a resident's perspective, then sample traditional snacks and desserts once enjoyed by the imperial court.
HIGHLIGHT
Summer Palace
EXPERIENCE
Beijing Hutong Home Visit
FOOD Traditional Snacks & Imperial Desserts
Great Wall Day & Night Experience — Beijing
After breakfast, travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and hear fascinating stories about this world-famous wonder while exploring one of its most walkable sections. In the afternoon, continue to Simatai and stroll through the charming Gubei Water Town at the foot of the Great Wall, with an optional hot spring experience. After dark, take a cable car to the Simatai section and admire the spectacular illuminated Great Wall at night, a completely different experience from visiting during the day.
HIGHLIGHT
Mutianyu Great Wall
EXPERIENCE
Simatai Night Tour
RELAX Gubei Water Town & Hot Spring
Summer Palace & High-Speed Train to Xi'an — Beijing → Xi'an
After breakfast, return to Beijing's city area to visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of traditional Chinese imperial garden design. After lunch, board a high-speed train to Xi'an and enjoy a comfortable journey through China's modern railway network.
HIGHLIGHT
Summer Palace
EXPERIENCE
Imperial Garden
TRANSPORT High-Speed Train to Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors & Ancient City Wall — Xi'an
Take a shuttle into the Terracotta Warriors Museum and witness three remarkable excavation pits showcasing the immense military power of Qin Shi Huang's army. Your guide will explain how the warriors were created and preserved, highlighting their craftsmanship, durability and once-brilliant colors. Meet some of the earliest restored warriors and discover their restoration stories, with an opportunity to learn more about Qin-era artifacts at a cultural heritage conservation laboratory. In the afternoon, explore Xi'an's ancient City Wall, which has protected the inner city for around 600 years. Walk along the wall or rent a bicycle for a panoramic view of the city.
HIGHLIGHT
Terracotta Warriors Museum
EXPERIENCE
Restoration & Conservation
ACTIVITY Xi'an City Wall Cycling
Xi'an Highlights & Flight to Guilin — Xi'an → Guilin
Discover more of Xi'an and China's ancient history at the Shaanxi History Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Then explore the atmospheric lanes of the Muslim Quarter and sample authentic local Muslim cuisine. In the afternoon, fly from Xi'an to Guilin and begin the next chapter of your China adventure.
HISTORY
Shaanxi History Museum
FOOD
Muslim Quarter
TRANSPORT Flight to Guilin
Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Culture — Guilin
Start your day with a journey to the spectacular Longji Rice Terraces, where mountains rise above layers of carefully cultivated fields. Depending on the season, sunlight reflecting across the flooded terraces or golden rice fields creates unforgettable scenery. Meet members of the Zhuang community, learn about their traditional wooden homes and taste local specialties such as bamboo rice and oil tea. Gather around a traditional kitchen fire and make bamboo rice together with your hosts.
HIGHLIGHT
Longji Rice Terraces
CULTURE
Zhuang Minority Village
EXPERIENCE Bamboo Rice Making
Li River Cruise & Yangshuo — Guilin → Yangshuo
Enjoy an unforgettable cruise along the Li River surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks. Along the way, admire bamboo groves, farmers working in the rice fields and water buffalo grazing along the riverbanks. Disembark in Yangshuo around 1:30 PM and explore the famous West Street before continuing to your comfortable countryside hotel for a relaxing afternoon at leisure.
HIGHLIGHT
Li River Cruise
SCENERY
Karst Mountains & Rural Landscapes
DESTINATION Yangshuo West Street
Rural Life & Flight to Shanghai — Yangshuo → Shanghai
Drive south of Yangshuo to explore peaceful villages and experience authentic rural life. Meet local villagers working in the rice fields and visit an elderly couple who still live in a traditional home, learning about their lifestyle and philosophy of life. Continue through the countryside to an ancient ferry crossing on the Li River, where historic buildings reveal the area's former role in river transportation. Cross the river by ferry and ride a local motorized tricycle to a traditional market, where your guide will introduce everyday foods and essential local products. In the afternoon, fly to the modern metropolis of Shanghai.
EXPERIENCE
Traditional Village Life
CULTURE
Local Family Visit
TRANSPORT Flight to Shanghai
Shanghai Highlights & Bund Cultural Discovery — Shanghai
Go beyond the usual photo stops and discover the Bund through an in-depth cultural experience that takes you back to the glamorous 1920s. Explore the stories behind Shanghai's historic waterfront and discover how the Bund became one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Then ascend Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building, for spectacular panoramic views and a glimpse into the future of modern China.
HIGHLIGHT
The Bund
EXPERIENCE
1920s Shanghai
PANORAMA Shanghai Tower
Departure from Shanghai — Shanghai
As your China adventure comes to an end, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight home. Enjoy a smooth departure with private airport transfer and assistance from your guide.
TRANSFER
Private Airport Transfer
AIRPORT
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
DEPARTURE Flight Home
WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything
taken care of.

From carefully selected accommodation to domestic transportation and attraction tickets, the essential elements of your China journey are arranged for you.

01

HOTELS

Carefully selected accommodations in convenient locations, chosen to complement the journey.

02

GUIDE

Experienced English-speaking local guides who provide context, assistance and local insight.

03

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

Comfortable private vehicles with professional drivers for your scheduled journey.

04

TICKETS

Entrance tickets and scheduled reservations included according to the itinerary.

05

DOMESTIC TRANSPORTATION

Internal travel such as high-speed trains and domestic flights, where included in the itinerary.

GOOD TO KNOW

The following items remain outside the package so you can keep flexibility over your international travel and personal choices.

International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Meals (unless specified)
Tips
Personal expenses
WHY SUNDA TRAVEL

China, handled beautifully.

A great journey is not only about where you go. It is about how effortlessly everything comes together.

From arrival to departure, our local team coordinates the essential details so you can spend more time experiencing China.

01

Local Expertise

Travel with a team that understands China from the inside — its cities, culture, logistics and the experiences that make each destination special.

KNOWLEDGE
02

Seamless Connections

From high-speed rail to domestic flights and private transfers, every connection is carefully coordinated so your journey flows naturally from one destination to the next.

SMART LOGISTICS
03

Comfortable Stays

Stay in carefully selected four-star hotels in convenient locations, with breakfast included to give you a comfortable start to every day.

HANDPICKED STAYS
04

Support Along the Way

With professional guides, arranged transportation and a local team behind your journey, you have reliable support whenever you need it.

LOCAL SUPPORT
SUNDA TRAVEL
ONE LOCAL TEAM

One carefully coordinated journey, designed around your experience of China.

12 DAYS
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Questions, answered.

A few practical answers about accommodation, transportation, inclusions and the details of your 12-day China Classic journey.
STILL PLANNING? Have a question about this journey?
TALK TO SUNDA
READY TO TRAVEL

12 days. One extraordinary China.

Discover China through Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai—from imperial landmarks and ancient civilizations to tranquil karst landscapes along the Li River and the vibrant modern skyline of Shanghai.

12 DAYS COMPLETE JOURNEY
04 CITIES CHINA HIGHLIGHTS
01 JOURNEY PRIVATE TRAVEL
FROM
$ 1,800 PER PERSON
INCLUDED Essential journey services
Four-Star Comfort Hotels Guide Service Private Transportation Attraction Tickets Domestic Transportation Domestic Insurance

International flights, visa, international insurance, lunch and dinner, guide and driver tips, and personal expenses are not included.