China, by Hand | LyrikTrip

Overview

Most first journeys to China run Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. This one adds the chapter between them: Shanxi, one of China's richest regions for surviving old architecture, with timber temples, merchant courtyards and a walled city you sleep inside. The route reads in order: the imperial capital, the wood and money of Shanxi, the first emperor's underground army, then the south, where the streets turn to water. In each region, something is made by your own hands: cloisonne in Beijing, lacquer in Pingyao, a crossbow model in Xi'an and a woodblock print in Shanghai. At home, you can explain how every one was made.

LyrikTrip travel designers

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and who's coming. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day.

Why you'll love this trip

Four regions, four crafts. The Forbidden City, timber temples, Pingyao's walls, the Terracotta Warriors and the Bund.

Cross Tian'anmen Square and walk the Forbidden City end to end, then fire your own cloisonné enamel.
Ride a cable car up to Mutianyu and a toboggan back down, then sit down to a farmhouse lunch.
Step into Shanxi, one of China's richest regions for surviving timber temples and painted clay figures.
Sleep inside the Ming and Qing walls of Pingyao, in the city where draft banking took root.
Meet the Terracotta Warriors formation by formation, then build a Qin crossbow model by hand.
Pull a woodblock print off the blocks yourself in Shanghai, then take a boat ride under old bridges.

Things to do

Iron Flower, When the Season Permits, Taiyuan

Optional Crafts in the Water Town, Zhujiajiao

Active

Craft

Night

Craft

Wellness

Night

Cycling

Food

Craft

Water

Optional

Active

Craft

Night

Craft

Wellness

Night

Cycling

Food

Craft

Water

Optional

Active

Craft

Night

Craft

Wellness

Night

Cycling

Food

Craft

Water

Optional

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Day 1 · Beijing: arrival

Landing day. Nothing is scheduled except rest.

Meet and transfer At Beijing Capital or Daxing airport, your driver waits at arrivals and a private vehicle takes you into the city: the ring roads slide past your window, your first measure of the capital's scale.

The evening is yours Check in and let the long flight go; your guide will confirm tomorrow's start time depending on how you feel.

Day 2 · Beijing: the palace, end to end

A straight walk through the old capital's heart. By evening, the lanes narrow to daily life.

Tiananmen Square You begin on the square at the ceremonial heart of Beijing, monuments around you and the palace gate ahead.

The Forbidden City, south to north The palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, walked the long way: ceremonial courtyards, imperial halls, the residential quarters, the garden, and out through the north gate, with your guide reading court life and the buildings' symbolism as you go.

Jingshan, looking back From the hilltop pavilion you turn around and see your whole morning at once: the roofs you walked under, laid out along Beijing's central axis in one straight line.

Hutong afternoon You walk down lanes lined with courtyard houses and see how neighbourhoods grew around temples, markets, wells and family compounds; the day holds no workshop on purpose: time to look is the point.

Day 3 · Beijing: Mutianyu · cloisonné

The wall in the morning, wire and enamel by evening. The first thing you make in China.

Up at Mutianyu About an hour and a half from the city centre, the cable car or chairlift lifts you to the ridge; you walk between restored watchtowers over forested mountains while your guide explains how towers, passes and terrain worked as one system, and the route flexes to your pace.

The toboggan down You ride the mountain toboggan down the slope, brake lever in hand, the wall shrinking above you. It follows the weather and the area's daily operations; when it pauses, an authorised alternative descent is arranged.

Farmhouse lunch At the foot of the wall, home-style northern dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Included.

Olympic Park On the way back, a stop for exterior views of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube: Beijing's Olympic chapter, two buildings long.

Cloisonné in your hands The day ends at a cloisonné session: metal shaping, wire inlay, enamel colouring, firing and polishing, then a simple piece finished by you under professional guidance. You'll catch yourself holding your breath as the copper wire takes its first curve.

High-speed rail

Taiyuan · Day 4 - Day 6

Day 4 · Beijing: Temple of Heaven · west by rail

The emperors' last stop before heaven, then a museum of everything. The evening train enters Shanxi.

Temple of Heaven The complex where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests; you walk the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar while your guide connects the architecture to astronomy, ritual and the old ideas of heaven and earth.

National Museum of China One building holding the broad sweep of Chinese civilization: archaeology, ceramics, sculpture, calligraphy; a good place to load the backstory before Shanxi and Xi'an.

Rail into Shanxi The high-speed train carries you west from Beijing to Taiyuan; the local team meets you at the station and you are checked in by evening.

Day 5 · Taiyuan: temple timber · a county town

Shanxi begins with wood. By night, a county town at street level.

Dou Dafu Temple A historic shrine in a quiet setting, and your first lesson in northern temple architecture: timber framing, roof structures, courtyards, and how a religious building sits within its landscape.

Taiyuan Ancient County Town A restored district laid out on the traditional plan of a northern county town; you walk its gates, streets and courtyards, and from a gate tower the main street runs straight away beneath you.

Iron Flower, if the season permits When your dates fall within the official performance season, an Iron Flower evening can be arranged: molten iron struck into the air, a shower of sparks against the night sky; on other dates the evening stays free in the old streets.

Day 6 · Taiyuan: Jinci

Old springs, old cypresses, older wood. Learn how China built before concrete.

Jinci Temple One of Shanxi's most important architectural complexes, set among old trees, springs and gardens, with structures from different historical periods standing side by side; you visit the Hall of the Holy Mother, the ancient cypresses and the Never-Aging Spring while your guide reads the timber joints, the roof lines and the celebrated painted figures. Under the oldest beams, you'll find yourself lowering your voice, though nobody asked you to.

Painted sculpture, close-up This afternoon goes to a museum or exhibition of Shanxi clay and painted sculpture: the forms, colours and workmanship of temple figures, and how they were made, preserved and set into religious buildings. This half day is built for looking, not for a fixed workshop: more time with the art itself.

Private vehicle

Pingyao · Day 7

Day 7 · To Pingyao: a merchant's fortune · a walled city

What Shanxi's merchants did with their money. Tonight you sleep inside their walled city.

Qiao Family Compound A grand residence built by one of Shanxi's prominent merchant families: courtyard after courtyard, halls and passageways, with brick, wood and stone carving dense on the lintels; this is what a trading fortune looked like when it came home.

Pingyao Ancient City A UNESCO World Heritage Site with its walls, streets and Ming and Qing architecture remarkably intact; you walk the city wall, the former county government office and Rishengchang, one of China's earliest draft banks, while your guide traces how Shanxi merchants ran commercial networks across the country.

A night inside the walls Check in at a boutique or traditional courtyard stay in or near the old city; the evening is yours in the lit streets, with the wall closing the town in around you.

High-speed rail

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Day 8 · Pingyao: lacquer · rail to Xi'an

Lacquer goes on in layers, and patience comes included. Then the fast train to the Qin heartland.

The lacquer workshop Pingyao's polished lacquerware takes its shine from repetition: coat after coat over a wooden base, decoration, then the final polish. The craftsperson steadies your first strokes, and your piece takes shape more slowly than hers: that is the lesson. By the time your train pulls out, it rides dry and wrapped in your bag. Months from now, when someone asks about China, you won't reach for your phone first: you'll set a small lacquered piece on the table.

A Pingyao lunch A local table before the drive to the station. Included.

Rail to Xi'an The high-speed train takes you southwest into Shaanxi; your Xi'an guide meets you at the station and escorts you to the hotel.

Day 9 · Xi'an: the Qin by day, the Tang by night

The buried army in the morning, Chang'an's music after dark. In between, a crossbow in your hands.

The Terracotta Warriors East of the city, you look down into the excavation pits at the underground army raised for Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China: rank readable in the armour, role readable in the stance, formations drawn up soldier by soldier below you.

A Shaanxi lunch A local meal near the site. Included.

The Qin crossbow, in your hands With professional guidance you assemble a small model based on the ancient design, and see how standardised parts let one army arm itself at scale.

Chinese medicine, introduced Pulse observation and a consultation at a traditional medicine centre, with selected wellness practices following your preference and condition.

A Tang evening Music and dance in the Tang style with a dumpling banquet: the colours, costumes and ceremony of Chang'an, the capital this city used to be.

Day 10 · Xi'an: the wall by bike · Sajinqiao

Ride the rampart, then follow the charcoal smoke. The afternoon is left empty on purpose.

City Wall by bike Enter through the South Gate and ascend one of the most complete city walls in China; ride the broad rampart with the old city within the parapet and the new city beyond, going as far as takes your fancy, or walking a stretch instead.

Sajinqiao A neighbourhood of food stalls, small restaurants and Muslim culinary traditions; your guide orders with you, stall by stall: roujiamo, crisp-baked bread packed with slow-braised pork, hand-pulled noodles, lamb dishes, cold noodles. What you eat is charged to your account.

An open afternoon Rest, shopping, or nothing at all; extra visits can be arranged around your interests and the time left.

Flight

Shanghai · Day 11 - Day 12

Day 11 · Fly to Shanghai: gardens, woodblocks, the Bund

Fly south into a softer China. By night, two skylines face each other across a river.

The flight south A private transfer to Xi'an Xianyang airport and a domestic flight to Shanghai; your Shanghai guide meets you on arrival, and the order of the afternoon follows your actual landing time.

Yu Garden A classical garden in the historic old town: pavilions, rockeries, ponds and covered corridors, with your guide walking you through how Jiangnan gardens are put together.

Woodblock watermark printing From Shanghai's long-established art and publishing heritage: outlines, colours, water and pressure pass through one carved block after another until a painting's tones reappear on paper, and you pull a simple print yourself: the fourth thing you have made in China.

The Bund after dark You walk beside the Huangpu River with the stone facades of the historic waterfront on one side and the lit towers of Pudong across the water: two eras of the city's architecture, facing each other.

Day 12 · Zhujiajiao: water town · departure

This last morning travels by water. Then the airport, with your bag a little heavier.

Zhujiajiao by water A boat carries you through the old waterways, then you walk the lanes: stone bridges, riverside houses, and the story of how canals once carried this region's trade and daily life. Somewhere between two stone bridges, you'll stop rehearsing what to tell people at home: the things in your bag already say it.

A Jiangnan lunch Regional flavours at a local table. Included.

One last making, time permitting When the departure schedule leaves room, bamboo weaving or indigo blue calico printing can be added in or around the town, quoted separately.

Onward A private transfer to Pudong or Hongqiao airport, or the railway station, with time to spare.

Departures

Free PDF

Read it on your own time

We'll send this itinerary guide to your inbox for free.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Hotels

These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.

Shanghai

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel (Shanghai International Resort)

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel: a luxury garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, with free shuttle service to both.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Taiyuan

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport)

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Pingyao

Chengruihan Hotel Pingyao

Xi'an

Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an

A comfortable serviced-apartment option in Xi'an, suited to travellers who like extra space and a more residential feel.

Shanghai

Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai

Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.

Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Pingyao

Water Hotel Pingyao

Taiyuan

Sunshine International Hotel

Sunshine International Hotel. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Atour S Hotel in Hongqiao: steps from Aegean Place and Metro Line 10, six km from the National Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Taiyuan

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store)

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Shanghai

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel (Shanghai International Resort)

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel: a luxury garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, with free shuttle service to both.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Taiyuan

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport)

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Pingyao

Chengruihan Hotel Pingyao

Xi'an

Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an

A comfortable serviced-apartment option in Xi'an, suited to travellers who like extra space and a more residential feel.

Shanghai

Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai

Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.

Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Pingyao

Water Hotel Pingyao

Taiyuan

Sunshine International Hotel

Sunshine International Hotel. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Atour S Hotel in Hongqiao: steps from Aegean Place and Metro Line 10, six km from the National Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Taiyuan

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store)

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Shanghai

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel (Shanghai International Resort)

Shanghai Royal Garden Hotel: a luxury garden hotel near Pudong Airport and Disneyland, with free shuttle service to both.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Taiyuan

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport)

LANLI Hotel (Taiyuan South Station Wusu Airport). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Pingyao

Chengruihan Hotel Pingyao

Xi'an

Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an

A comfortable serviced-apartment option in Xi'an, suited to travellers who like extra space and a more residential feel.

Shanghai

Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai

Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.

Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan

Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Shanghai

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel

Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Pingyao

Water Hotel Pingyao

Taiyuan

Sunshine International Hotel

Sunshine International Hotel. A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Shanghai

Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean

Atour S Hotel in Hongqiao: steps from Aegean Place and Metro Line 10, six km from the National Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Xi'an

Shangri-La Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.

Taiyuan

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store)

Lavande Hotel (Taiyuan Provincial Government Maoye World Store). A selected stay in Taiyuan.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehiclesAir-conditioned private vehicles for all listed sightseeing, airport and station transfers, fuel, tolls, parking and the driver's service allowance.
Inter-city legsSecond-class high-speed rail into Shanxi and on to Xi'an; one-way economy flight from Xi'an to Shanghai with standard checked baggage under the airline's policy.
Hotels11 nights in selected four-star, five-star or featured boutique stays, breakfast daily.
GuidesProfessional English-speaking guide service throughout the scheduled programme.
Tickets and experiencesListed attractions plus Mutianyu ascent and toboggan, cloisonné, Pingyao lacquerware, Qin crossbow model, Chinese medicine introduction, Tang performance, Xi'an city-wall bikes and Shanghai woodblock printing.
MealsFive regional meals, farmhouse lunch below the Great Wall, Pingyao lunch, Shaanxi lunch, Tang dumpling banquet and Jiangnan lunch in Zhujiajiao.

Not Included

Long-haulInternational flights to Beijing and departure travel from Shanghai.
MealsBeyond the five included meals and daily breakfast, lunches and dinners stay flexible and are on your account.
Optional itemsBamboo weaving and indigo calico printing in the water town, and the Iron Flower ticket unless confirmed in the final quotation.
PersonalVisas, gratuities, single supplement, personal spending and extra costs from events beyond reasonable control.

Special Notes

A few things on this route depend on weather, seasons or operators.

Iron Flower — Seasonal and arranged only when dates match a confirmed performance and available tickets; otherwise the Taiyuan evening stays free.
Mutianyu toboggan — Subject to weather, safety rules and daily operations; an authorised alternative descent is used when it pauses.
Day 11 order — The Shanghai afternoon follows the confirmed flight and actual arrival time.
Day 12 timing — An earlier departure may shorten Zhujiajiao or the optional craft session.
Hotels and services — Named in the confirmation; or similar means the same class and comparable location.

Is Twelve Days Your Length?

Tell us your dates and who's coming; the length can be shaped around you.

Have the full window?

Read the capital, Shanxi's timber and banking history, the Qin chapter and Jiangnan water in order.

Shorter on days?

Remove a region rather than rushing the rest.

Travelling with kids or older parents?

Cable cars do the climbing, cycling can become walking and workshops finish with simple pieces.

Good to Know

Group: Private; from 1 guest, no minimum.
Arrival: Day 1 is a landing day with only transfer and rest.
Language: English-speaking guides throughout.
Shopping Policy: No shopping stops or commission detours on the route; your time is dedicated solely to the places listed here.
Tailoring: Fully flexible. Days, stops, and pace can be added, removed, or swapped. We'll reshape the plan together before you confirm and pay.
Payment: A 10% deposit, minimum $399, locks dates and resources; the balance is due 14 days before departure.
Flexibility: Walking, cycling and workshop pacing adapt to the group.
Ports: Beijing in, Shanghai out.
Gateway markets: Lead country marker: GB. Gateway markets from inventory: UK, WEU, NCEU, CA. Gateway match is strongest for Beijing in and Shanghai out.
Advance booking: The Iron Flower evening, the Shanxi painted-sculpture museum and the Pingyao lacquer workshop are each reserved 7 days ahead; your travel designer books them once your dates are confirmed

Your Private Concierge Service

Jenny

China Private Travel Route Consultant

“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”

Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”

Jan 2026

China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.

Do this before you fly

VPN & Internet Access

What's blocked

Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.

Download before you leave

It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.

Hotel Wi-Fi tip

Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.

Good news

WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

Paying in China

China is cashless

Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.

International cards now work

Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.

Carry some cash

We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.

Booking this trip

Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.

We handle the paperwork

Visa & Entry

Do you need a visa?

Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.

240-hour visa-free transit

Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.

Processing time

Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.

What we provide

Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.

Our responsibility, always

Safety & Practical Tips

Is China safe?

China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.

Emergency numbers

Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.

Health & medications

Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.

Language

English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

We've never heard of Shanxi. Why give it three days?

Shanxi boasts a rich concentration of surviving old architecture, including a walled city where you can stay, merchant courtyards and the region's main lacquer workshop.

What if the Iron Flower isn't on?

It follows an official seasonal calendar and cannot be guaranteed. When dates do not match, the Taiyuan evening remains free and the rest of Shanxi is unchanged.

How physically demanding is this route?

Moderate and adjustable. The Mutianyu ascent uses a cable car or chairlift, the Xi'an ride can shorten or become a walk, and there is no high altitude.

We've never done crafts. Will the workshops work for us?

No prior experience is required. Each session proceeds step by step under professional guidance and concludes with a simple piece.

Mutianyu, Up and Down

Cloisonné Workshop

Iron Flower, When the Season Permits

Pingyao Polished Lacquerware

The Qin Crossbow, Assembled

Chinese Medicine, Introduced

A Tang Evening

Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

Sajinqiao Food Walk

Woodblock Watermark Printing

Zhujiajiao by Boat

Optional Crafts in the Water Town

01. Mutianyu, Up and Down

02. Cloisonné Workshop

03. Iron Flower, When the Season Permits

04. Pingyao Polished Lacquerware

05. The Qin Crossbow, Assembled

06. Chinese Medicine, Introduced

07. A Tang Evening

08. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

09. Sajinqiao Food Walk

10. Woodblock Watermark Printing

11. Zhujiajiao by Boat

12. Optional Crafts in the Water Town

01. Mutianyu, Up and Down

02. Cloisonné Workshop

03. Iron Flower, When the Season Permits

04. Pingyao Polished Lacquerware

05. The Qin Crossbow, Assembled

06. Chinese Medicine, Introduced

07. A Tang Evening

08. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

09. Sajinqiao Food Walk

10. Woodblock Watermark Printing

11. Zhujiajiao by Boat

12. Optional Crafts in the Water Town

01. Mutianyu, Up and Down

02. Cloisonné Workshop

03. Iron Flower, When the Season Permits

04. Pingyao Polished Lacquerware

05. The Qin Crossbow, Assembled

06. Chinese Medicine, Introduced

07. A Tang Evening

08. Xi'an Ancient City Wall Cycling

09. Sajinqiao Food Walk

10. Woodblock Watermark Printing

11. Zhujiajiao by Boat

12. Optional Crafts in the Water Town

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3Collapse

Day 1 · Beijing: arrival

Day 2 · Beijing: the palace, end to end

Day 3 · Beijing: Mutianyu · cloisonné

Taiyuan · Day 4 - Day 6Collapse

Day 4 · Beijing: Temple of Heaven · west by rail

Day 5 · Taiyuan: temple timber · a county town

Day 6 · Taiyuan: Jinci

Pingyao · Day 7Collapse

Day 7 · To Pingyao: a merchant's fortune · a walled city

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10Collapse

Day 8 · Pingyao: lacquer · rail to Xi'an

Day 9 · Xi'an: the Qin by day, the Tang by night

Day 10 · Xi'an: the wall by bike · Sajinqiao

Shanghai · Day 11 - Day 12Collapse

Day 11 · Fly to Shanghai: gardens, woodblocks, the Bund

Day 12 · Zhujiajiao: water town · departure

Read it on your own time

Answers to all your trip questions

Something specific in mind?

What's Included

Not Included

Special Notes

Is Twelve Days Your Length?

Have the full window?

Shorter on days?

Travelling with kids or older parents?

Jenny

Tell us what excites you

We design it around you

Lock it in with 30%

Travel. We handle the rest.

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3

Taiyuan · Day 4 - Day 6

Pingyao · Day 7

Xi'an · Day 8 - Day 10

Shanghai · Day 11 - Day 12