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China · Beijing Private

China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life

A city-focused China journey through iconic landmarks and local daily rhythms

Duration 13 Nights, 14 Days
Tour code ARIA-CN-2607
Route Beijing – Shanghai – Hangzhou – Chongqing – Chengdu – Guangzhou
Tour type Private
Feature Viral Cityscapes, Local Life, Historic Heritage
1

Overview

On this 14-day journey, you will travel across China from north to south, and from east to west, experiencing ancient heritage, modern transformation, breathtaking urban scenery, local daily life, and rich cultural traditions.You will explore Beijing’s landmark sites such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, then continue to Shanghai’s contemporary skyline, Hangzhou’s West Lake and wetland scenery, Chongqing’s dramatic 8D cityscape, Chengdu’s relaxed tea-house and panda culture, and Guangzhou’s Cantonese lifestyle.This itinerary is designed for travelers who want to understand modern China through iconic cities, local neighborhoods, food markets, riverside skylines, historic sites, and everyday life.
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Highlights

Day 1-4 BeijingDay 5-6 ShanghaiDay 7-8 HangzhouDay 9-10 ChongqingDay 11-12 ChengduDay 13-14 Guangzhou
Beijing Central Axis Night ViewForbidden CityJingshan ParkLama TempleShichahai LakeGreat WallBird’s Nest and Water CubeLiangma RiverTemple of HeavenAnfu RoadYu GardenMaglev TrainShanghai TowerNanjing RoadThe BundXixi National Wetland ParkWest LakeLongjing Tea VillageFeilai PeakWen’er Vegetable MarketChongqing hotpotEling ParkLiziba StationJiefangbeiHongyadongMount QingchengDujiangyan Irrigation SystemPeople’s ParkResearch Base of Giant Panda BreedingKuanzhai AlleyTaikoo LiCanton TowerHaixinsha IslandPearl RiverChen Clan Ancestral HallYongqing FangCantonese Opera Art MuseumLiwan Lake ParkGuangzhou Night 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 Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Jingshan Park — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Lama Temple — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Shichahai Lake — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 3

Great Wall Tour

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 Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Birds Nest And Water Cube — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Liangma River — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 4

Beijing To Shanghai

Beijing

In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven. You may also join local people practicing Tai Chi in the park.

After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your trip 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
Temple Of Heaven — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 5

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 6

Shanghai To Hangzhou

Shanghai

Upon arrival in Hangzhou, your guide will meet you and begin your journey.

Start at Xixi National Wetland Park, China’s first national wetland park. Explore quiet waterways, reed fields, and old villages by boat and electric cart.

Continue to Wensan Digital Life Block to experience cutting-edge innovation through interactive tech exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations.

Meals: B Stay: Hangzhou
Anfu Road — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Xixi National Wetland Park — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 7

Hangzhou City Tour

Hangzhou

Begin your day at West Lake, Hangzhou’s most iconic landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to Longjing Tea Village, surrounded by tea terraces and misty hills, known for West Lake Longjing tea.

Then visit Lingyin Temple, one of China’s oldest Buddhist temples, and nearby Feilai Peak with ancient stone carvings.

End the day at Qinghefang Ancient Street, where old buildings, local snacks, and traditional shops reflect the city’s history.

Meals: B Stay: Hangzhou
Yu Garden — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Maglev Train — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Shanghai Tower — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Nanjing Road — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
The Bund — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
West Lake — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Longjing Tea Village — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Feilai Peak — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 8

Hangzhou To Chongqing

Hangzhou

After breakfast, visit Wen’er Vegetable Market, a local market filled with fresh produce and street food.

After the visit, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

In the evening, you may try Chongqing hotpot, ask your guide for recommendation.

In the night, we recommend visiting Chongqing’s Jiujie (Nine Street) , where a large number of clubs, bars, and live houses are gathered. Here, you can experience the authentic nightlife of Chongqing.

Note: Please drink responsibly and in moderation to avoid affecting the next day’s itinerary.

Meals: B Stay: Chongqing
Wener Vegetable Market — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Chongqing Hotpot — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 9

Chongqing City Tour

Chongqing

Begin your day at Eling Park for views of the city skyline. Visit Liziba Station(note:you may have a chance to eat a subway first time!) to see the monorail passing through a building.

Continue to Jiefangbei, the city center of Chongqing.

End the day at Hongyadong, a riverside area with traditional-style buildings and night views.

Meals: B Stay: Chongqing
Eling Park — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Liziba Station — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Jiefangbei — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Hongyadong — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 10

Chongqing To Chengdu

Chongqing

Early this morning, you will take a high-speed train to Chengdu.

Meet your guide then go to Mount Qingcheng , followed by Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient water project still in use today.

In the evening, you will visit the famous Jinli Ancient Street to explore local specialty snacks.

Meals: B Stay: Chengdu
Mount Qingcheng — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Dujiangyan Irrigation System — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 11

Chengdu City Tour

Chengdu

Start the day with tea at People’s Park, experiencing local daily life.

Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see pandas up close.

Continue to Kuanzhai Alley, where traditional streets meet modern cafés and shops.

End the day at Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road, a mix of historic buildings and modern shopping areas.

Meals: B Stay: Chengdu
Peoples Park — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Research Base Of Giant Panda Breeding — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Kuanzhai Alley — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Taikoo Li — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 12

Chengdu To Guangzhou

Chengdu

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Guangzhou. Upon arrival in Guangzhou, your guide will meet you and take you to Huadu Square for a view of Canton Tower.

Continue to Haixinsha Island for a riverside walk along the Pearl River.

In the evening, enjoy walking around Pearl River to see the city lights.

Meals: B Stay: Guangzhou
Canton Tower — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Haixinsha Island — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Pearl River — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 13

Guangzhou City Tour

Guangzhou

In Guangzhou, experiencing the local Yum Cha culture is an essential part of the journey. It can be seen as a Cantonese-style brunch, combining leisure and delicious food in one experience.

Continue to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, known for its traditional carvings and architecture.

Walk through Yongqing Fang, a restored historic area with shops and cafés.

Visit Cantonese Opera Art Museum, then stroll along Enning Road.

Continue to Lychee Bay and end at Liwan Lake Park.

Meals: B Stay: Guangzhou
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Yongqing Fang — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Cantonese Opera Art Museum — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Liwan Lake Park — China’s Iconic Cities and the Pulse of Local Life
Day 14

Guangzhou Departure

Guangzhou

It is time to end your Guangzhou journey. Enjoy your final moments at your own pace. When ready, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport for departure.

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
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 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
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.
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.
Huangpu River Night Cruise A Huangpu River Night Cruise is one of the best ways to experience Shanghai after dark.As you sail along the Huangpu River, you can enjoy stunning views of both the historic Bund and the modern skyline of Lujiazui, all beautifully illuminated at night. The city lights create a vibrant and memorable atmosphere, perfect for photos.
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Hotels

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

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Budget-friendly and clean 3-star hotels

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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.

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