01
Overview
Most first journeys to China are built for one pair of legs. This one is built for three generations of them. Fourteen days, six cities, and a rhythm that repeats. Beijing takes two full days for the palace and the wall. Xi'an gives a whole day to the buried army and puts nothing after it. Chengdu holds three nights with an afternoon that has no plan in it at all. The karst river country gets three nights in one bed. Shanghai is where you fly home from. Every climb has a cable car. Every third day is an easy one. The two long travel days are cleared of sightseeing on purpose, so nobody arrives at dinner already finished. Two weeks in, you'll notice the family has stopped splitting up into the fast ones and the slow ones.
— LyrikTrip travel designers
Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us the ages in your party and the dates you are looking at, and we build the pace around the person who walks slowest, not the person who walks fastest. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day. On this route we will also tell you plainly where the family room situation stands before you commit to anything.
Why you'll love this trip
- Six cities, one family pace. The Great Wall by cable car, the Terracotta Warriors, pandas and a teahouse, with English-speaking guides city by city.
- 14 days from the Forbidden City to a rice valley in the karst. See China together.
- Walk into the palace that ran China for five centuries with your entry slot already booked, so the morning starts on time instead of in a queue.
- Put all three generations on the Great Wall in the same morning: the cable car does the climbing, and the way down is a toboggan run.
- Stand in front of an estimated eight thousand clay soldiers, then go up onto the wall that still rings the old city of Xi'an.
- Spend a morning with the pandas while they are still awake, then an entire afternoon in a park teahouse where the only rule is that your cup keeps getting refilled.
- Take the Yulong River valley seated, at the pace of whoever in your party walks slowest: rice fields, farmhouses and limestone towers going past the window.
- Finish in a classical garden in the middle of Shanghai's old town, an hour of pavilions and rockeries before the airport.
- Unpack three times, not six: three nights in Beijing, three in Chengdu and three in the river valley, with the two long travel days cleared of everything else.
Things to do
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Itinerary
Arrivals
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3
· You land, and that is the day
Nothing is scheduled on arrival day. Get three generations onto Beijing time first.
· The palace, then a pair of shoes
The country's front door, walked once and properly. The day ends with something small enough to carry home.
· Everybody gets up there
The wall, with the climb taken out. Three generations on the same stretch of it, on the same morning.
High-speed rail
Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5
· A slow morning by the lakes, then the train south
The first easy day: one flat walk, one afternoon train. Beijing lets go of you gently.
· One army, all day
One site and nothing after it. This is the day the trip slows down to look properly.
High-speed rail
Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 8
· Up on the wall, then through the mountains
A morning on top of the old city, an afternoon crossing the range that splits the country.
· Pandas awake, then nowhere to be
The morning is the reason the children agreed to come. The afternoon is the reason the grandparents will remember Chengdu.
· Buy it, cook it, then watch a face change
The second easy day, and the one where the family works with its hands.
Flight
Guilin · Day 9
· A travel day, and only that
Chengdu to Guilin by air, with nothing else asked of anyone.
Private vehicle
Yangshuo · Day 10 - Day 12
· Out of the city, into the valleys
The Guilin morning is the one part of this plan still being set. The afternoon is the road into the karst.
· The valley, taken seated
One valley, one day, no walking required of anyone. This is the day the pace stops being a compromise.
· The easy day we keep open
The third easy day, and the one still being finalised. Your guide and your vehicle are with you for all of it.
Flight
Shanghai · Day 13 - Day 14
· Out of the valley, into Shanghai
The second full travel day, cleared in the same way as the first.
· One garden, then home
A short last morning on purpose, so the trip ends sitting down rather than running.
Departures
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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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is situated on the banks of the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and convenient access to Guilin's attractions.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is situated near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable accommodation and convenient amenities for both business and leisure travellers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Xi'an
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is situated on the banks of the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and convenient access to Guilin's attractions.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is situated near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable accommodation and convenient amenities for both business and leisure travellers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Xi'an
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
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.
Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel is situated on the banks of the Li River, offering comfortable rooms and convenient access to Guilin's attractions.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
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.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Elite Garden
Located in central Yangshuo near West Street and the Li River, Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel is a comfortable four-star hotel offering convenient access to the area’s main attractions.
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.
Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin
China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel Guilin is situated near Guilin Railway Station, offering comfortable accommodation and convenient amenities for both business and leisure travellers.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Xi'an
Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Xi'an: five-star luxury near the Terracotta Warriors, 35 minutes from the airport.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring in all six cities; Beijing airport pickup on day 1 and Shanghai airport drop-off on day 14; hotel and station transfers at both ends of both trains; hotel and airport transfers at both ends of both flights; the road transfer into Yangshuo and back to the airport
- Trains and flightsBeijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail, Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed rail, Chengdu to Guilin by air, Guilin to Shanghai by air. All four are included in your base price; the cabin class for your party is stated in writing in your quote.
- Hotels13 nights with breakfast at your chosen level: four-star, five-star or quality boutique, as named in your written confirmation
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day, in every city
- Beijing tickets and experiencesThe Forbidden City with the timed reservation booked by us; Mutianyu Great Wall cable car up; the toboggan down; the hutong and Shichahai walk; the cloth-shoe workshop, with the finished pair going home with you
- Xi'an ticketsThe Terracotta Warriors museum; admission up to the top of the Xi'an City Wall
- Chengdu tickets and experiencesPanda base morning admission; your teahouse seat in People's Park for as long as you sit; the community Sichuan opera visit with a look backstage; the market visit with the instructor and the Sichuan cooking class
- Yangshuo touringThe Yulong River valley on day 11, taken seated and paced to the slowest walker in the party
- Shanghai ticketsYu Garden and the old city
- Meals13 hotel breakfasts, day 2 through day 14. Two lunches are arranged for you, the farmhouse lunch below the Great Wall and the Shaanxi noodle lunch; your quote states in writing whether each of those two sits inside your base price
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance; the scope and the sum insured are stated in your written confirmation
Not Included
- International flightsYour flights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and processing for guests who require a Chinese visa, including US passports
- MealsBeyond the 13 breakfasts and the two arranged lunches: lunches and dinners are recommended and booked by your guide, on your account
- Guilin ticketed sitesNo ticketed Guilin site is included in the base price. If one is arranged for your day 10 morning, its ticket price will be stated in writing in your quote.
- River boats and raftsBamboo rafts and river cruises on any stretch of water in Yangshuo are separate tickets and are not included in this plan.
- Wall-top hire in Xi'anIf bicycles or an electric cart are the settled way across the wall top for your dates, the hire is priced separately
- Optional add-onsQuoted separately when you choose them; nothing optional is added by default
- PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending
Special Notes
Several things on this route depend on your dates, the season, or a decision we have yet to make. Here they are, told straight.
- The pace is the design — Six cities in fourteen days is the ceiling for a party of three generations, and the plan is built to that ceiling. Three easy days fall on day 4, day 8 and day 12, one in every three. The two long travel days on day 9 and day 13 carry no sightseeing at all. If you want fewer cities and a slower line, ask us: we have three-city and four-city versions of this family route.
- Connecting and family rooms — we do not yet have a bookable connecting or family room type confirmed in these six cities, so this document promises none. We are securing one in each city with our partners, and we open dates on this route once each of them is confirmed in writing. Until then we take no booking and no deposit on this line, and we will tell you so rather than take your money.
- The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays — your arrival date is set so that day 2 never falls on a Monday. If the dates you want would put it there, day 2 and day 3 swap and the wall goes first.
- The national holiday week — we take no arrivals between October 1 and October 8. The Terracotta Warriors site runs at its heaviest visitor load of the year in that week and we have no crowd arrangement in place that would make it worth your day.
- December and the toboggan — Winter operating conditions for the Mutianyu toboggan are not yet confirmed with the site. For any December departure, your quote states in writing that the descent is by cable car if the toboggan is not running that day. The cable car up is unaffected.
- Visa window for 2026 — the current 30-day visa-free policy runs through December 31, 2026. Because this is a 14-day plan, arrivals on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside the window. For arrivals after that date we quote once the official renewal is announced, rather than assuming it.
- Three parts still being set — the day 10 Guilin morning, the day 12 arrangement in Yangshuo, and the way your party covers the Xi'an wall top. None of them is in your base price while it is unsettled, and each is named in writing in your quote before you commit.
- Shanghai is one night — this route trades Shanghai for three unbroken nights in the river valley, so the city gets a garden and a flight out. If Shanghai proper is what your family wants, tell us and we will point you at a route built the other way around.
- Water in Yangshuo — No bamboo raft and no river cruise on any stretch is part of this plan, in any season. If you would like one added, we price it separately once conditions for your dates are verified.
- Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and a comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Fourteen Days Your Length?
Fourteen days is a long time. Can it be shorter?
Fourteen days is a lot. Can it be shorter?
Each city block stands on its own, so we cut cities rather than the pace. Tell us how many days you have and who is in the party, and we shape it from there.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- Pace
- Set by the slowest walker in the party; three easy days on days 4, 8 and 12; two travel days with no sightseeing
- Ports
- Arrival in Beijing, departure from Shanghai; airport pickup on day 1 and airport drop-off on day 14 are included
- Internal travel
- Two high-speed rail legs and two flights, all four included in your base price, with transfers at both ends of each
- Visas
- British, European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, and Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. US passports need a Chinese visa for a trip of this length; we check visa status before any payment
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking guide on every touring day
- Payment
- From 1 guest. A 10% deposit (minimum $399) locks your dates. The balance is due 14 days before departure. "Or similar" never means a quiet downgrade
- Flexibility
- Cities can be cut and the order kept; the confirmation deadline and the change and refund conditions for your dates are listed in writing with your quote
- Season
- October to December: Beijing and Xi'an turn cold and dry, Chengdu stays mild and grey, the river valley is cool with low water
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
E
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
C
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
L
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
M
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
R
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.
This is the question the plan was built around. Six cities in fourteen days is the ceiling for a three-generation party, and this plan is built deliberately to that ceiling: three easy days on day 4, day 8 and day 12; two long travel days that carry no sightseeing; a cable car on every climb; a river valley day done seated in the vehicle. Tell us the real limits before you book, not after. If they are tighter than this, we cut cities rather than push anyone through.
Not promised on this route yet, and we would rather say so now. We are securing a bookable connecting or family room type in each of the six cities, and this line opens for dates only once all six are confirmed in writing. Until then we take no deposit here. What you can count on today is the room tier you choose, breakfast for all 13 nights, and hotels named in your confirmation.
Two of the fourteen days are museum days, and both have an exit built in. Day 2 ends at a workbench where they make a pair of shoes to take home. Day 5 holds one site only, so the clay army gets a proper look and then the day stops. The rest of the trip is a cable car and a toboggan run, pandas before nap time, then a wok and a stage.
Deliberately, very little. Day 9 is Chengdu to Guilin by air and day 13 is Yangshuo to Shanghai by air, with road transfers at each end. Breakfast is unhurried, bags get packed without a countdown, and both flights are included in your base price with transfers at both ends. Everyone arrives able to eat dinner sitting upright.
We check before you pay. British, European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for days, and Australian and New Zealand passports do the same. We then confirm that your 14 days plus any extra days in China fit inside that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so arrivals on or before December 18, 2026 finish inside it. US passports need a Chinese visa for a trip this long: it is applied for in person at a consulate with fingerprints taken, so we tell you the current processing period first and confirm the visa is in hand before any payment.
