SIGNATURE CHINA JOURNEY
CHINA JOURNEY 01

18-Day Classic China Tour with Yunnan

ROUTE Shanghai · Guilin · Kunming · Dali · Lijiang · Shangri-La · Chengdu · Xi'an · Beijing
Catch the core of China's cultural heritage in the ancient capital cities, experience unique ethnic customs, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of south China. This tour could be the first choice for travelers who are ke...
FROM US$3,500 / person
China private tour
ROUTE
Shanghai · Guilin · Kunming · Dali · Lijiang · Shangri-La · Chengdu · Xi'an · Beijing ↗
01 / 04
THE JOURNEY UPCOMING
DURATION 18 Days
DESTINATIONS 9 Cities
✦ Private journey · No shopping · Local expertise since 1993
◌ PLAN THIS JOURNEY Talk to our travel team ↗
THE JOURNEY

Nine cities.
One extraordinary China.

Travel from Shanghai to Beijing through the landscapes and cultures that define China — from Guilin and Yangshuo's karst scenery to the ancient towns of Yunnan, Chengdu's giant pandas and Xi'an's historic heritage.

This 18-day private China journey connects Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing. Experience the Li River and karst landscapes, explore Yunnan's ancient towns and diverse cultures, meet giant pandas in Chengdu, discover the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and finish among Beijing's imperial landmarks and the Great Wall.

DURATION
18 Days
DESTINATIONS
9 Cities
DOMESTIC TRANSFERS
8 Transfers
TRAVEL STYLE
Private Journey
LANDSCAPES
10 PLACES

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

SIGNATURE ACTIVITIES
CURATED FOR THIS JOURNEY
01 Shanghai — The Bund, Yu Garden & Modern Skyline
02 Guilin — Karst Mountains & Li River Landscapes
03 Yangshuo — Peaceful Countryside & Riverside Scenery
04 Kunming — Stone Forest & Spring City
05 Dali — Ancient Town & Erhai Lake
06 Lijiang — Old Town & Naxi Culture
07 Shangri-La — Tibetan Culture & Highland Landscapes
08 Chengdu — Giant Pandas & Sichuan Cuisine
09 Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Heritage
10 Beijing — Forbidden City, Hutongs & Great Wall
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

Beyond the landmarks. Into the story.

From Shanghai's modern skyline and Guilin's karst landscapes to Yunnan's ancient towns, Chengdu's giant pandas, Xi'an's ancient heritage and Beijing's imperial landmarks.

The Bund and Shanghai skyline on a private China tour
01
Shanghai

The Bund & Shanghai Skyline

Explore the Bund, Yu Garden and Shanghai's striking modern skyline where historic China meets the future.

Guilin karst mountains and Li River landscape
Guilin

Karst Landscapes

Discover dramatic limestone peaks, tranquil rivers and the distinctive landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo.

Stone Forest and natural scenery near Kunming
Kunming

Stone Forest

Experience Kunming's mild climate, extraordinary Stone Forest and relaxed local atmosphere.

Dali ancient town and Erhai Lake scenery
Dali

Ancient Town & Erhai Lake

Wander through Dali's historic streets, enjoy views of Erhai Lake and discover Bai cultural traditions.

Lijiang Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town

Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, discover Naxi culture and admire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Shangri-La Tibetan culture and highland landscape
Shangri-La

Tibetan Highlands

Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture, highland landscapes, ancient towns and peaceful monasteries.

China Itinerary

A carefully paced 18-day journey connecting China's modern cities, dramatic landscapes, ancient heritage and the cultural diversity of Yunnan.
Shanghai Arrival — Shanghai
Welcome to Shanghai! Your private guide will meet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel in a comfortable private car with an experienced driver.
HIGHLIGHT
Private airport transfer
EXPERIENCE
Personal Guide & Hotel Check-in
TIME Arrival & Transfer
Shanghai | Shanghai Highlights — Shanghai
Explore the classical beauty of Yu Garden and the lively Yuyuan Market before enjoying panoramic city views from Shanghai World Financial Center. End the day with a stroll along the iconic Bund waterfront.
HIGHLIGHT
Yu Garden & The Bund
EXPERIENCE
Shanghai Skyline & Old Quarter
TIME Full day
Shanghai to Guilin | Daxu Ancient Town & Elephant Trunk Hill — Guilin
Fly from Shanghai to Guilin and visit historic Daxu Ancient Town, once a prosperous riverside trading town. Continue to Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's iconic natural landmark overlooking the Li River.
HIGHLIGHT
Daxu Ancient Town
EXPERIENCE
Elephant Trunk Hill
TIME Morning Flight · Afternoon Sightseeing
Guilin to Yangshuo | Li River Cruise — Yangshuo
Enjoy a scenic four-star cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, surrounded by spectacular karst peaks and peaceful countryside. After disembarking, explore the lively shops, restaurants and cultural atmosphere of Yangshuo West Street.
HIGHLIGHT
Li River Cruise
EXPERIENCE
Karst Landscapes & West Street
TIME Full Day
Yangshuo to Kunming | Explore the Countryside — Kunming
Experience authentic rural life by visiting an elderly couple in their traditional home. Cross the Li River by ferry, travel by local motorbike taxi to a village market, and take a high-speed train to Kunming in the afternoon.
HIGHLIGHT
Local Village Life
EXPERIENCE
Ferry Ride & Local Market
TIME Morning Countryside · Afternoon Train
Kunming | Stone Forest & Yuantong Temple — Kunming
Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, and gain insight into Tibetan spirituality through a unique interaction with local monks. Continue to Pudacuo National Park to discover pristine forests, alpine landscapes and beautiful lakes.
HIGHLIGHT
Songzanlin Lamasery
EXPERIENCE
Tibetan Monastery & Pudacuo National Park
TIME Full day
Kunming to Dali | Xizhou & Erhai Lake — Dali
Take a bullet train to Dali and discover the traditional homes, architecture and customs of the Bai people in Xizhou Village. Continue with a relaxing cruise on the peaceful waters of Erhai Lake.
HIGHLIGHT
Xizhou Village
EXPERIENCE
Bai Culture & Erhai Lake Cruise
TIME Morning Train · Afternoon Sightseeing
Dali to Lijiang | The Flavors of Dali — Lijiang
Explore Dali's authentic flavors at a lively farmers' market before wandering through the historic streets of Dali Old Town. Experience the traditional Three-Course Tea ritual and enjoy an authentic Bai lunch before traveling to Lijiang.
HIGHLIGHT
Dali Old Town
EXPERIENCE
Bai Cuisine & Three-Course Tea
TIME Morning–afternoon
Lijiang | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Naxi Culture — Lijiang
Ride a cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and admire its dramatic alpine landscapes. Visit a Naxi Dongba shaman in Baisha Village before exploring Dayan Ancient Town and lively Sifang Street.
HIGHLIGHT
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
EXPERIENCE
Naxi Dongba Culture & Dayan Ancient Town
TIME Full Day
Lijiang to Shangri-La | Tiger Leaping Gorge — Shangri-La
Travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La and stop at the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the Jinsha River rushes through a dramatic mountain valley. Continue to Shangri-La and take time to rest and adapt to the high altitude.
HIGHLIGHT
Tiger Leaping Gorge
EXPERIENCE
Jinsha River & Tibetan Highlands
TIME Morning–Afternoon
Shangri-La | Songzanlin Lamasery & Pudacuo — Shangri-La
Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, Yunnan's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery, and learn about Tibetan culture and spirituality through a unique visit to a lama dormitory. Explore the pristine landscapes of Pudacuo National Park before flying to Chengdu in the evening.
HIGHLIGHT
Songzanlin Lamasery
EXPERIENCE
Tibetan Culture & Pudacuo National Park
TIME Morning–Afternoon · Evening Flight
Chengdu | Sichuan Cuisine Cooking — Chengdu
Experience Chengdu's relaxed local lifestyle at People's Park, where you may see square dancing, mahjong and other everyday activities. In the afternoon, learn to cook three classic Sichuan dishes alongside an experienced chef.
HIGHLIGHT
Sichuan Cuisine Cooking
EXPERIENCE
People's Park & Local Life
TIME Morning–Evening
Chengdu to Xi'an | Pandas & Sichuan Opera — Xi'an
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early in the morning to see the pandas at their most active. After lunch, step backstage at a Sichuan Opera to see how performers prepare their makeup before taking a high-speed train to Xi'an.
HIGHLIGHT
Giant Panda Research Base
EXPERIENCE
Sichuan Opera Backstage
TIME Morning · Afternoon · Evening Train
Xi'an | Terracotta Army & Traditional Cave Dwelling — Xi'an
Explore the Terracotta Army Museum and uncover the story of China's ancient underground army. Visit a local craftsman's traditional cave dwelling and learn how to make a miniature terracotta warrior before exploring the historic Xi'an City Wall.
HIGHLIGHT
Terracotta Army
EXPERIENCE
Cave Dwelling & Mini Terracotta Warrior
TIME Morning–afternoon
Xi'an to Beijing | Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum — Beijing
Explore the historic Small Wild Goose Pagoda and nearby Xi'an Museum, discovering the city's long history through ancient architecture and cultural relics. After lunch, take a high-speed train to Beijing.
HIGHLIGHT
Private Departure Transfer
EXPERIENCE
Free Time in Guiyang
TIME Morning · Departure
Beijing | Forbidden City & Summer Palace — Beijing
Explore Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, once the imperial palace at the heart of China's royal history. Continue to the Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved royal park, known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage.
HIGHLIGHT
Forbidden City
EXPERIENCE
Tian'anmen Square & Summer Palace
TIME Full Day
Beijing | Great Wall & Temple of Heaven — Beijing
Walk along the less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and enjoy spectacular mountain views. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once prayed for good harvests, and observe locals enjoying their leisure time.
HIGHLIGHT
Mutianyu Great Wall
EXPERIENCE
Temple of Heaven & Local Life
TIME Morning–Afternoon
Beijing Departure — Beijing
Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to the airport. Your guide and driver will assist you throughout the departure process and accompany you to the security checkpoint before saying goodbye.
HIGHLIGHT
Private Airport Transfer
EXPERIENCE
Departure Assistance
TIME Morning · Departure
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
International 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 focus on experiencing China.

01

Local Expertise

Travel with a team that knows China from the inside — its destinations, culture, logistics and the details that make a journey feel effortless.

LOCAL 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.

18 DAYS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know before you go.

A few practical answers about accommodation, transportation, inclusions and the details of your 18-day China journey.
STILL PLANNING? Have a question about this journey?
TALK TO SUNDA
READY TO TRAVEL

18 days. One extraordinary China.

Experience China from modern Shanghai to Guilin's karst landscapes, Yunnan's ancient towns and highlands, Chengdu's giant pandas, Xi'an's ancient heritage and Beijing's iconic landmarks.

18 DAYS COMPLETE JOURNEY
9 CITIES CHINA HIGHLIGHTS
01 JOURNEY PRIVATE TRAVEL
FROM
$ 3,500 PER PERSON
INCLUDED Essential journey services
Four-Star Comfort Hotels Guide Service Private Transportation Attraction Tickets Domestic Transportation Domestic Insurance

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