Grand China Journey
18-Day Hong Kong, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Xi’an, Beijing & Shanghai
"Zhangjiajie is truly an otherworldly paradise on Earth, a must-visit in one's lifetime, with breathtaking scenery in every direction."
— Verified Traveler Review
Tour Guarantees & Service Standards
Relaxed itinerary focused on sights & culture without mandatory shop visits.
Clean, air-conditioned transport and licensed local guide for your party.
Pacing, hotel tiers, and daily activities customized to your exact wishes.
Your personal travel specialist supports you around the clock while in China.
🎬 Tour Highlights & Authentic Moments
✦ TikTok Video Reel📍 Real China Moments
18-Day Hong Kong, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Xi’an, Beijing & Shanghai Highlights
Discover authentic scenery, local culture, and genuine guest experiences captured on this China journey.
Journey Overview
Discover this journey your way
A private 18-day journey through Hong Kong · Guilin · Changsha · Zhangjiajie · Xi’an · Beijing · Shanghai, with flexible planning and local support.
Adjust dates, hotels and daily rhythm around your interests.
Travel with destination specialists and experienced local guides.
Receive confirmed inclusions and a personalised quotation before booking.
Start with a free inquiry; payment is arranged only after confirmation.
Route Plan
Itinerary at a Glance
Hong Kong · Guilin · Changsha · Zhangjiajie · Xi'an · Beijing · Shanghai
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Hong Kong → Guilin | High-speed rail arrival, East-West Alley & Sun and Moon Pagodas |
| Day 2 | Guilin | Elephant Trunk Hill & Two Rivers and Four Lakes |
| Day 3 | Guilin → Changsha | Li River cruise & Solitary Beauty Peak |
| Day 4 | Changsha → Zhangjiajie | Flexible Changsha morning & rail transfer |
| Day 5 | Zhangjiajie | Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator & Ten-Mile Gallery |
| Day 6 | Zhangjiajie | Grand Canyon Glass Bridge & Huanglong Cave |
| Day 7 | Zhangjiajie | Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave & Seventy-Two Strange Towers |
| Day 8 | Zhangjiajie → Xi'an | Transfer to Xi'an |
| Day 9 | Xi'an | Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace & cultural performance |
| Day 10 | Xi'an | Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an City Wall & Big Wild Goose Pagoda |
| Day 11 | Xi'an → Beijing | Archaeological museum & high-speed rail |
| Day 12 | Beijing | Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven |
| Day 13 | Beijing | Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace |
| Day 14 | Beijing | Badaling Great Wall & Olympic Park |
| Day 15 | Beijing → Shanghai | Lama Temple, Prince Gong's Mansion & Shichahai |
| Day 16 | Shanghai | Free day |
| Day 17 | Shanghai | The Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road & Yu Garden |
| Day 18 | Shanghai → Departure | Shanghai Natural History Museum & departure transfer |
This is an original, flexible website itinerary adapted from the client-provided Trip.com reference route. Exact transport, hotels, admission arrangements and operating hours are confirmed in the personalised proposal.
Day 1Hong Kong → Guilin
Highlights: High-speed rail arrival, East-West Alley & Sun and Moon Pagodas
Travel by high-speed rail from Hong Kong to Guilin, meet your local team and settle into the city.
EveningEast-West Alley and Sun and Moon Pagodas
Stroll through traditional lanes and enjoy the illuminated lakeside pagodas after dark.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 2Guilin
Highlights: Elephant Trunk Hill & Two Rivers and Four Lakes
See Guilin's signature Elephant Trunk Hill, then explore the connected lakes, bridges and waterfront gardens that define the city centre.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 3Guilin → Changsha
Highlights: Li River cruise & Solitary Beauty Peak
Cruise through the classic Li River karst landscape, visit Solitary Beauty Peak and Jingjiang Prince City, then continue by rail to Changsha.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 4Changsha → Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Flexible Changsha morning & rail transfer
Enjoy an unhurried morning in Changsha before travelling by high-speed rail to Zhangjiajie, where your local team will meet you for the transfer to Wulingyuan.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 5Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator & Ten-Mile Gallery
Spend a full day among Zhangjiajie's sandstone peaks, combining Yuanjiajie's Avatar scenery, the Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain and Ten-Mile Gallery.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 6Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Grand Canyon Glass Bridge & Huanglong Cave
Cross the celebrated glass bridge above Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, then explore the underground chambers and limestone formations of Huanglong Cave.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 7Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave & Seventy-Two Strange Towers
Ascend Tianmen Mountain by cableway, follow the dramatic cliffside route to Tianmen Cave and finish with an evening view of the illuminated Seventy-Two Strange Towers.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 8Zhangjiajie → Xi'an
Highlights: Transfer to Xi'an
Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling to Xi'an. Meet your local team on arrival and transfer to the hotel for a restful evening.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 9Xi'an
Highlights: Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace & cultural performance
Discover the Terracotta Army and the Qin imperial story, continue to Huaqing Palace, and optionally enjoy an evening cultural performance.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 10Xi'an
Highlights: Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an City Wall & Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Explore Shaanxi's long history through museum collections, walk or cycle on the Ming City Wall and experience the lively evening atmosphere near Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 11Xi'an → Beijing
Highlights: Archaeological museum & high-speed rail
Visit a specialist archaeological museum and browse the Muslim Quarter before taking high-speed rail to Beijing.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 12Beijing
Highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Walk across Tiananmen Square, explore the palace halls and courtyards of the Forbidden City, then visit the Temple of Heaven's imperial ceremonial architecture.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 13Beijing
Highlights: Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace
Spend the day comparing two imperial garden traditions: the lakeside Summer Palace and the evocative ruins and parkland of the Old Summer Palace.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 14Beijing
Highlights: Badaling Great Wall & Olympic Park
Travel to the Badaling section of the Great Wall for sweeping mountain views, then return to Beijing for exterior views of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 15Beijing → Shanghai
Highlights: Lama Temple, Prince Gong's Mansion & Shichahai
Visit the Lama Temple and Prince Gong's Mansion, walk through the lakeside hutong area of Shichahai, then take high-speed rail to Shanghai.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 16Shanghai
Highlights: Free day
Keep this day flexible for rest, independent exploration, shopping or a personalised excursion selected with your travel specialist.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 17Shanghai
Highlights: The Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road & Yu Garden
Experience Shanghai's classic waterfront and modern skyline, walk Nanjing Road, explore Yu Garden and consider an evening Huangpu River cruise.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
Day 18Shanghai → Departure
Highlights: Shanghai Natural History Museum & departure transfer
Visit Shanghai Natural History Museum when timing permits, then transfer to the airport or railway station for departure.
📷 Scenic Spots & Highlights of the Day
What is Included
Price Inclusions & Exclusions
✓ What Is Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle & professional driver
- Licensed English-speaking local tour guide
- All entrance tickets & cable car fees listed in itinerary
- Hand-picked 4-star / 5-star hotel accommodation & daily breakfasts
- High-speed train tickets between cities
- 24/7 emergency support & local travel insurance
✕ What Is Excluded
- International flights & passport / visa fees
- Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, shopping)
- Optional activities & meals not mentioned
- Tips & gratuities for guide and driver (discretionary)
Before You Travel
Trip Notes
The published route is a starting point. We can adjust the pace and experiences after your inquiry.
Transport, guides, tickets and inclusions are listed clearly in your final proposal.
Opening hours and local conditions may require sensible day-to-day adjustments.
Stay Your Way
Accommodation
Accommodation is selected after we understand your preferred comfort level, location and budget. Your proposal will name each recommended hotel, room type and included meals before you confirm.
