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China · Beijing Private

China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes

A bold China route linking viral cities, dramatic landscapes, and cultural contrasts

Duration 10 Nights, 11 Days
Tour code ARIA-CN-2608
Route Beijing – Zhangjiajie – Chongqing & Shanghai
Tour type Private
Feature Urban exploration, Cinematic Landscapes
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Overview

Through this 8-day journey, we invite you to experience some of the most iconic sides of China—both past and present.You will explore Beijing’s landmark sites such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and wander through traditional hutongs to discover everyday local life.In Zhangjiajie, you will witness the surreal sandstone peaks that inspired the world of Avatar.In Chongqing, you will marvel at the city’s magical “8D” architecture and explore how this cyberpunk-like metropolis integrates everyday life with extraordinary vertical urban design.In Shanghai, you will experience China’s contemporary style, where historic architecture is reimagined into a vibrant modern cityscape.
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Highlights

Day 1-4 BeijingDay 5-6 ZhangjiajieDay 7-9 ChongqingDay 10-11 ShanghaiEling ParkLiziba StationJiefangbeiHongyadong
Beijing Central Axis Night ViewForbidden CityJingshan ParkLama TempleShichahai LakeGreat WallBird’s Nest and Water CubeLiangma RiverTemple of HeavenBailong ElevatorTianzi MountainTen-Mile GalleryZhangjiajie Grand CanyonBaofeng LakeFenghuang Ancient TownCiqikou Ancient TownChongqing hotpotEling ParkLiziba StationJiefangbeiHongyadongAnfu RoadYu GardenMaglev TrainShanghai TowerNanjing RoadThe BundShanghai City Views
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Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Beijing Arrival

Beijing

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.

Stay: Beijing
Day 2

Beijing City Tour

Beijing

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.

Meals: B Stay: Beijing
Forbidden City — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Jingshan Park — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Lama Temple — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Shichahai Lake — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 3

Great Wall Excursion

Beijing

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.

Meals: B Stay: Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Birds Nest And Water Cube — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Liangma River — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 4

Beijing To Zhangjiajie

Beijing

Spend your final morning at the Temple of Heaven, where you will join locals for a Tai Chi experience and explore this historic imperial site.

After the visit, your guide will escort you to the airport for your next destination. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to begin the next part of your journey.

Meals: B Stay: Zhangjiajie
Temple Of Heaven — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 5

Zhangjiajie Nature Tour

Zhangjiajie

Today your guide will take you to Wulingyuan Scenic Area to begin the day’s journey.Take the Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift, up to the peaks of Wulingyuan.

Explore Yuanjiajie, where tall sandstone pillars rise through the mist and inspired the film Avatar.Continue to Tianzi Mountain to see the “West Sea Stone Forest,” a wide landscape of rock formations above the clouds. Then ride through the Ten-Mile Gallery by sightseeing train. The valley looks like a moving Chinese ink painting.

After the visit, return to Zhangjiajie by private transfer.

Meals: B Stay: Zhangjiajie
Day 6

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon And Fenghuang Ancient Town

Zhangjiajie

Today your guide will take you to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.

Walk across the Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass bridge, standing 300 meters above the canyon. Enjoy wide views of cliffs and valleys below. Continue to Baofeng Lake.

Afterwards, travel to Fenghuang Ancient Town. In the evening, explore Fenghuang Ancient Town at your own pace. Walk along the river and see traditional stilt houses with night lights.

Tonight you will stay in Fenghuang Ancient Town and enjoy its quiet night scenery.

Meals: B Stay: Fenghuang Ancient Town
Anfu Road — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 7

Zhangjiajie To Chongqing

Chongqing

You will take a high-speed train to Chongqing. Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, a lively old riverside town known for its traditional architecture, local snacks, and bustling streets.

In the evening, you may try Chongqing hotpot, one of the city’s most famous local dishes. Enjoy a rich, spicy broth with fresh meats, vegetables, and local specialties. Your guide can also recommend the best local spots for an authentic experience.

Meals: B Stay: Chongqing
Bailong Elevator 1024x683 — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Tianzi Mountain — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Ten Mile Gallery — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Yu Garden — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Maglev Train — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Shanghai Tower — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Nanjing Road — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
The Bund — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 8

Chongqing City Tour

Chongqing
Meals: B Stay: Chongqing
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Chongqing Hotpot — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 9

Chongqing To Shanghai

Chongqing

Meet your guide at the hotel and travel to Jinfo Mountain for a scenic visit. Explore its natural landscapes with round-trip cable car, shuttle bus, and sightseeing bus on the West Slope.

After the visit, your guide will take you to the airport for your flight 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.

Meals: B Stay: Shanghai
Eling Park — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Liziba Station — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Jiefangbei — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Hongyadong — China’s Viral Cities and Epic Landscapes
Day 10

Shanghai City Tour

Shanghai

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.

Meals: B Stay: Shanghai
Day 11

Shanghai Departure

Shanghai

Today is your last day in Shanghai. The day is free for you to relax or take a final walk in the city.

When ready, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport. End of your trip.

Meals: B
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What's Included & Excluded

Included
  • 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
  • Internet Access:wifi in hotels
  • 24/7 On-Call Support
Excluded
  • International Airfare
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Personal expenses
  • Entry Visa
  • Optional Activities
  • Payment processing fees
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Add-on Options

Add-on Description
Chongqing 1949 Theater Step into one of Chongqing’s most acclaimed immersive theatrical productions and journey back to the city’s wartime past, when it served as China’s wartime capital. Through powerful performances, cinematic sound design, and dynamic stage transitions, witness moving stories of resilience, sacrifice, and resistance unfold in a deeply engaging historical experience.
Banquet of Ba Kingdom Step into an immersive cultural banquet inspired by ancient Ba civilization, where the aesthetics of the Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties come alive through a spectacular fusion of dining, music, and performance. Set within a grand palace-style setting, this 90-minute experience blends traditional Chinese ritual, refined cuisine, and captivating song-and-dance performances into a multisensory journey through history. As elaborate staging, ceremonial dining customs, and beautifully presented dishes unfold alongside live performances, guests are invited to savor both the flavors and grandeur of a timeless imperial feast.
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.
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.
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Hotels

Hotel can make reservations based on your needs. You can choose your hotel; we offer

Hotel

Budget-friendly and clean 3-star hotels

Hotel

Comfortable and tidy 4-star hotels

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Luxurious local 5-star hotels

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High-end international 5-star hotels

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in this private tour?
This private tour can include an English-speaking guide, private vehicle service, planned sightseeing arrangements, and support before and during the trip. Entrance tickets, meals, hotels, and transfers can be arranged based on the final itinerary and quotation.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. This is a private tour, so the route, pace, hotel level, meal arrangements, and add-on experiences can be adjusted around your travel dates, interests, and comfort.
Are hotels included?
Hotel arrangements can be included or quoted separately according to your preference. We can help arrange clean 3-star hotels, comfortable 4-star hotels, local 5-star hotels, or high-end international options.
How do I book this tour?
Send us your travel dates, group size, hotel preference, and any special interests. We will confirm the route, adjust the itinerary if needed, and provide a tailored quotation before booking.
How can I pay for the tour?
We accept most common payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, WeChat Pay, Alipay, PayPal, and other available options depending on your location.
Can meals be customized according to personal needs?
Yes. Meals can be customized according to your needs. If you have special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, Muslim-friendly, or halal meals, we can coordinate suitable arrangements in advance.
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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.

Tell us a little and a real China specialist replies within 24 hours. No obligation.

Get a free itinerary

A tailored plan from a real expert — reply within 24 hours.