Explore China‘s Hidden Gems
Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai
Day 1: Arriving in Beijing, my first glimpse of the imperial capital
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport from worldwide destinations. Complete visa-free transit procedures (must present connecting flight ticket to a third country and passport). Proceed to your hotel via Airport Express or ride-hailing service.
Evening: Stroll along Qianmen Street, home to numerous time-honored restaurants and shops. Enjoy dinner here to acclimate to the surroundings.
Dinner: Consider Beijing roast duck at renowned establishments like Quanjude or Sijiminfu.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 2: Beijing: Imperial Grandeur Along the Central Axis
Morning: Visit Tiananmen Square. Then enter the Palace Museum. Follow the central axis to experience the grandeur and splendor of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Afternoon: Exit through the Palace Museum's Shenwu Gate and ascend to the Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park—an ideal vantage point for panoramic views of the Forbidden City. Afterward, stroll through the Shichahai area to immerse yourself in the authentic local life of old Beijing.
Evening: Savor an authentic Old Beijing hotpot lamb dinner.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 3: Beijing Great Wall
Morning: Badaling Great Wall. Depart from downtown Beijing early in the morning and take the earliest high-speed train to Badaling. To conserve energy and see more scenery, we recommend taking the cable car up the mountain and walking down. Aim to finish the tour around noon.
Lunch: Enjoy farmhouse cuisine at a restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall.
Evening: Return to the city center for a scenic drive past the Bird's Nest and Water Cube at night.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 4: Imperial Gardens of Beijing
Morning (09:00-12:00): Visit the Summer Palace (advance booking required), focusing on Wanshou Mountain, Kunming Lake, and the Long Corridor.
Lunch: Xiaodiao Litan or Najiaguan near the Summer Palace.
Afternoon (13:30-16:00): Tour the Temple of Heaven (advance booking required), admire the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, and experience the singing and dancing activities of the elderly in the park.
Evening: Enjoy a Peking Opera or acrobatic performance (guide can arrange advance tickets).
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 5: Beijing → Chengdu
Morning: Fly to Chengdu (Reference Flight: CA4112, 08:55-11:55). Guide assists with departure in Beijing; Chengdu guide meets at arrival.
Afternoon: Check into hotel and rest at leisure.
Evening: Explore Jinli Ancient Street, take photos with the giant panda mural on the building, and sample local snacks (such as Longchaoshou dumplings and Dandan noodles).
Transportation: Airplane, private vehicle.
Day 6: National Treasure Pandas and the Slow Life in the City
Morning (7:30-10:30): Arrive early! Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (advance booking required). Watch pandas feeding and tour the cub villa.
Lunch: Dine at Chen Mapo Tofu or Long Chaoshou flagship restaurant.
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Explore Kuan Zhai Alley, then enjoy tea at Heming Tea House in Renmin Park and experience "ear cleaning."
Evening: Dinner at Xiaolongkan or Shu Daxia hotpot restaurant.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 7: Millennia of Water Conservancy and Taoist Sacred Mountains
All Day (08:00-18:30): Take the high-speed rail to Dujiangyan (approx. 30-minute ride). Visit the irrigation project (advance booking required).
Afternoon: Tour the front mountain of Mount Qingcheng (advance booking required) to experience Taoist culture. Return to Chengdu by high-speed rail.
Lunch: Farmhouse cuisine at the foot of Mount Qingcheng.
Transportation: High-speed rail, private vehicle to the high-speed rail station.
Day 8: The awe-inspiring sight of the Leshan Giant Buddha
All Day (08:00-19:00): Take the high-speed train to Leshan (approx. 1-hour journey).
Board a boat (tickets booked in advance) to view the full panorama of the Leshan Giant Buddha.
In the afternoon, optionally visit Mount Emei (if time and stamina permit).
Lunch: Leshan specialty—stir-fried beef with peanuts.
Evening: Return to Chengdu and watch a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance (Shufeng Yayun or Furong Guocui; guide will book tickets in advance).
Day 9: Chengdu → Chongqing
Morning: Take the high-speed train to Chongqing (reference train: G8701, 08:00-09:38). Guide meets at station.
Afternoon: Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town.
Evening: Head to Hongyadong to view night scenery and take photos on Qiansimen Bridge.
Dinner: Enjoy at Dongzi Lao Hot Pot or Zhou Shixiong Hot Pot.
Transportation: High-speed train, private vehicle.
Day 10: Marvels of the Mountain City and Stone Carving Art
Full Day (08:30-18:30): Travel to Wulong (approx. 2.5-hour drive).
Visit the Three Natural Bridges and Fairy Mountain (advance booking required).
Lunch: Wulong mutton hotpot.
Evening: Enjoy panoramic views of Chongqing from the One Tree Hill Observatory.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Day 11: Chongqing → Zhangjiajie
Schedule: High-speed rail/bullet train to Zhangjiajie.
(Note: Prepare for arrival in the Fairyland Landscapes of Zhangjiajie.)
Day 12: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Full Day: Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (all-inclusive ticket, including eco-friendly shuttle).
Enter through the Landmark Gate and take the eco-shuttle to Bailong Elevator, ascending instantly into a fairyland.
Tour the core area of Yuanjiajie, including the “Hallelujah Mountain” from Avatar and the majestic First Bridge Under Heaven.
Proceed to Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, visiting He Long Park, Imperial Brush Peak, and Fairy Presenting Flowers.
Descend via Tianzi Mountain Cableway, admiring the peak forest vistas from the gondola.
Transportation: Private vehicle, scenic area shuttle bus, Bailong Elevator (one-way ¥65), Tianzi Mountain Cableway (one-way ¥72).
Meals: Lunch at Tianzi Mountain Fast Food Center within the scenic area; dinner in Wulingyuan.
Day 13: Tianmen Mountain → Furong Town
Morning: Visit Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (separate tickets required).
Recommended Route A (cable car up, road down) includes: Tianmen Mountain Cable Car (A 7.5-kilometer journey from city center to summit), Glass Walkway (Experience thrills along the cliff edge), and Tianmen Cave (Up-close view of the world's tallest natural mountain-piercing cave).
Afternoon: Descend around 2:00 PM. Transfer by private vehicle to Furong Town—the “Millennium Ancient Town Hanging on a Waterfall” (approx. 1.5–2 hours drive).
Evening: Check into a homestay beside the waterfall. Explore the ancient town at night, where the illuminated waterfall creates a particularly spectacular scene—truly a “town suspended on a waterfall.”
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Meals: Lunch in Zhangjiajie city; dinner in Furong Town, where rice tofu is recommended.
Day 14: Furong Town → Fenghuang Ancient Town
Morning: Experience the tranquility of Furong Town once more in the morning light. Then, transfer by private vehicle to China's most beautiful small town—Fenghuang Ancient Town (approximately 1-1.5 hours by car).
Afternoon: Upon arrival, check into a riverside guesthouse. Begin exploring the ancient town: Stroll along the stepping stones and stone-paved streets beside the Tuo River. Recommended: Take a boat ride on the Tuo River to view the stilted houses from the water (ticket usually included in the ancient town pass).
Evening: The highlight of the itinerary. Admire Phoenix's dazzling nightscape, relax at a bar, or watch locals release river lanterns along the riverbank, immersing yourself in the ancient town's romantic and leisurely atmosphere.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Meals: Lunch in Phoenix Ancient Town; dinner within the ancient town, where you can try the Xiangxi specialty blood rice cake duck.
Day 15: Zhangjiajie → Shanghai
Morning: Take the high-speed train to Shanghai (reference train: G469/G472; exact schedule subject to actual booking). Guide meets at station.
Afternoon: Check into hotel.
Evening: Stroll along the Bund to admire the architectural showcase of the World Expo buildings and Lujiazui night views.
Dinner: Dine at M on the Bund or Mr & Mrs Bund along the Bund.
Transportation: High-speed train, private vehicle.
Day 16: Shanghai City Highlights & Return Journey
Morning (09:00-12:00): Visit Yuyuan Garden and City God Temple (advance booking required) to experience traditional charm. Proceed to Shanghai Museum (advance booking required, time permitting).
Lunch: Savor xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant near Yuyuan Garden.
Afternoon: Depending on flight schedule, final shopping on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, then transfer by private vehicle to Shanghai Pudong International Airport to conclude the journey.
Transportation: Private vehicle.
Tips
Pre-Departure Preparation:
- Passport and Visa: Ensure your passport remains valid for at least six months. Verify your Chinese visa is properly processed and securely stored.
- Payment Methods: Cash is king! Exchange some Chinese yuan (RMB) in advance. Small shops and street vendors primarily accept cash. We recommend obtaining a credit or debit card with the UnionPay logo, or setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay on your phone and linking it to an international credit card. This is highly convenient in major cities and large shopping malls.
- Internet Access: Purchase a local Chinese SIM card or rent a mobile Wi-Fi device in advance. This will greatly facilitate using maps, translation apps, and social media.
- Mobile Apps: Download these in advance: “Alipay,” “WeChat,” “Google Translate,” and a “VPN” (if you need access to Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
- Packing Essentials: Bring comfortable walking shoes! Traveling in China involves a lot of walking. Pack seasonally appropriate clothing and bring a power adapter.
During your stay in China:
- Follow your tour guide's instructions: Stay close to your guide, especially at crowded attractions. They will handle all ticketing, transportation, and language issues. Write down your guide's phone number and hotel address card in case you get separated.
- Stay patient: China is a populous country, and attractions or stations can get extremely crowded. Please remain patient and courteous.
- Try Local Cuisine: Be adventurous with Chinese food! However, note that street food hygiene standards may vary. Opt for clean, well-frequented restaurants. Drinking bottled water is the safest choice.
- Restroom Tips: Be prepared—many public restrooms (especially at tourist sites) feature squat toilets and may lack toilet paper. Carry a small pack of tissues and hand sanitizer.
- Cultural etiquette: Avoid loud conversations in public spaces. Haggling is acceptable when shopping, but not in fixed-price stores.
Most importantly: Relax and keep an open mind! China is a fascinating and diverse country—embrace this cultural adventure!
