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Overview
Shanghai opens on the Huangpu, Yangshuo slows the route to river pace, and Foshan closes it with lion dance, Wing Chun and morning tea. One flight and one rail leg link the three chapters.
LyrikTrip travel designers
Why you'll love this trip
- Best for: private travellers, couples and families, first-time visitors seeking southern China
- Three cities, one week, and water running through all of it.
- Watch Pudong's towers light up across the river from the Bund at dusk.
- Walk Yu Garden by morning, then let the Former French Concession turn the city's volume down.
- Ride the quiet lanes along the Yulong River the day you leave Shanghai, with peaks in every direction.
- Give the Li River a whole day, sunrise from Xianggong Hill and a raft past Nine-Horse Fresco Hill.
- Catch a lion dance under the eaves of Foshan Ancestral Temple, then strike a Wing Chun pose yourself.
- Finish on a slow morning of bamboo steamers and refilled pots in a Foshan teahouse.
Things to do
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Itinerary
Arrivals
Shanghai · Day 1 - Day 2
· Shanghai: arrival and the two banks
Land, check in, walk to the river. The first lesson of Shanghai is taught at night.
· Shanghai: gardens, museums, tree-lined streets
The old city, then the collections. By afternoon, Shanghai drops its voice.
Flight
Yangshuo · Day 3 - Day 4
· To Yangshuo: rice fields by evening
A flight south, then two wheels. By dinner, the skyline is a day behind you.
· One river, dawn to dusk
Up before the sky. One river gets your whole day.
High-speed rail
Foshan · Day 5 - Day 6
· Into the delta
A fast train out of the karst. The delta decides the afternoon.
· Foshan: the arts the temple kept
Lion dance before lunch, your own stance after. Foshan keeps its culture in working order.
High-speed rail
Guangzhou · Day 7
· Morning tea, one last skyline
Breakfast is the main event today. Then one last skyline on the way out.
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 Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel
A characterful Yangshuo stay with a countryside feel, suited to travellers who prefer charm over a standard city hotel.
Shanghai
Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai
Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Guangzhou
Vaperse Hotel
Vaperse Hotel. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
Shanghai
Rezen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Rezen Meili Hotel: classic European style in central Shanghai, steps from People's Square, the Bund and Nanjing Road.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
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.
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.
Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
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 Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel
A characterful Yangshuo stay with a countryside feel, suited to travellers who prefer charm over a standard city hotel.
Shanghai
Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai
Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Guangzhou
Vaperse Hotel
Vaperse Hotel. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
Shanghai
Rezen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Rezen Meili Hotel: classic European style in central Shanghai, steps from People's Square, the Bund and Nanjing Road.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
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.
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.
Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
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 Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel
A characterful Yangshuo stay with a countryside feel, suited to travellers who prefer charm over a standard city hotel.
Shanghai
Artyzen Habitat Taopu Shanghai
Lifestyle hotel in Shanghai’s Taopu area with modern design and comfort.
Foshan
Aiwei Wuxi Hotel Foshan Zumiao
Guangzhou
Vaperse Hotel
Vaperse Hotel. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A peaceful riverside retreat for travellers who want Yangshuo's karst scenery to feel close, quiet and unhurried.
Shanghai
Rezen Meili Hotel (Shanghai City Centre, The Bund)
Rezen Meili Hotel: classic European style in central Shanghai, steps from People's Square, the Bund and Nanjing Road.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel
Pullman Shanghai Zhongganghui Hotel, in Dapuqiao near Tianzifang, steps from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Guangzhou
Conrad Guangzhou
A curated hotel option in Guangzhou, used as the shared route hotel resource.
Foshan
Foshan Marriott Hotel
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.
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.
Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou
Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. A selected stay in Guangzhou.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Internal legsShanghai to Guilin flight and Yangshuo to Guangzhou high-speed rail ticket
- HotelsSix nights with daily breakfast
- ExperiencesLi River bamboo raft, Yulong River cycling, seasonal Diejiao dragon-boat programme or Aion Smart Factory, Wing Chun, riverside afternoon tea and Cantonese morning tea
Not Included
- Long-haulInternational flights
- MealsMeals not specifically listed as included
Special Notes
Some programmes depend on seasons, weather or operator calendars.
- Day 5 programme — Diejiao follows the confirmed May-June community calendar; outside that season Aion follows its reception calendar.
- Xianggong Hill — Sunrise light depends on the weather; the river day continues in all conditions.
Is Seven Days Your Length?
Tell us your dates and who is coming. We will keep the three-water shape and adjust the pace around it.
Keep the full week
Best when you want Shanghai, Yangshuo and Foshan without rushing the river day.
Shorter on days
We can trim the Shanghai opening or Foshan close, but the Yangshuo river day should stay whole.
Good to Know
- Language
- English-speaking guides in every city
- 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.
- Ports
- Shanghai In · Guangzhou Out
- Gateway markets
- Lead country marker: GB. Gateway markets from inventory: UK, WEU, CA, ANZ. United States transit-window fit is strongest for this route.
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.
It depends on your dates. Diejiao follows the confirmed community calendar in May and June; outside those months, Aion takes the slot on its reception calendar.
The light depends on the morning's weather. The Li River bend, Xingping, bamboo raft and riverside tea remain in the day.
Breakfasts, riverside afternoon tea and Cantonese morning tea are included. Other meals remain flexible and are paid locally.
Light to moderate, with city walking, relaxed cycling and a short pre-dawn stair climb. There is no high-altitude overnight.
