18-Day China Discovery Private Tour from Shanghai to Shenzhen: Hangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing and Guangzhou

What you'll experience

Highlights

18 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Arrive in Shanghai

   Welcome to Shanghai! To ensure your arrival is stress-free, your private tour guide will meet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel in a private car. Your luggage and hotel check-in will be taken care of.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Sunrise On The Bund (****)
2. 2

   Day 2 — Shanghai | Sky-High Views & Old-Meets-New Adventures

   Head to the Shanghai Tower (118th floor) for breathtaking skyline views, then check out the massive tuned mass damper (126th floor) - a giant "shock absorber" that keeps this 632m tower steady.
   Stroll along North Bund, spotting iconic spots like the Postal Museum, Waibaidu Bridge, and the futuristic "Little Egg" concert hall. See how 19th-century buildings chat with 21st-century architecture on the bank of the Huangpu River.
   Continue to walk along the Bund to admire colonial-era buildings facing off against Pudong's neon-lit skyscrapers.
   Wrap up with an XR game experience that teleports you to the Terracotta Army's Qin Dynasty-no time machine needed.
   End the day in Yu Garden, a classical Ming Dynasty garden with lanterns, ponds, and rockeries – pure old-China charm.

   

   Shanghai Tower

   

   The Bund

   

   Yu Garden

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Sunrise On The Bund (****)
3. 3

   Day 3 — Shanghai - Hangzhou | The Root of Shanghai Spirit

   Explore Xuhui District and learn about Xu Guangqi, a renowned historical figure from Shanghai. Visit the Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall, Xu Guangqi Academy, Xujiahui Park, and Xujiahui Catholic Church. In this urban neighborhood where history, culture, and modern entertainment blend together, follow the historical thread from a pioneer of science to a modern cultural hub, and experience the open, inclusive, and diverse spirit that defines Shanghai's culture.
   In the afternoon, take a high‑speed train to Hangzhou.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hangzhou West Lake Zhongwei Xiangyi Hotel (*****)
4. 4

   Day 4 — Hangzhou | Tradition & Science

   In the morning, hop on a boat ride on West Lake, the most iconic "postcard view" in China, with willow trees and misty waters.
   Breathe in the century-old herbal scents of Huqingyu Hall Chinese Medicine Museum, where TCM history and wisdom come alive. In the TCM Technology Hall, an AI-powered diagnosis reads your face, tongue and pulse to create a personalized health report. Shape your own moxa stick by hand, feel the warmth of this ancient healing art, then relax into precise robotic moxibustion - where tradition meets modern technology to care for your well-being.
   Step into the Wensan Future Technology Center, where tomorrow comes alive. Explore breakthroughs from Hangzhou's tech giants - Alibaba, Unitree Robotics, Deepseek, BrainCo, and more - through dazzling displays and hands-on experiences. It's a high-energy playground of innovation, imagination, and the digital age.

   

   West Lake

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hangzhou West Lake Zhongwei Xiangyi Hotel (*****)
5. 5

   Day 5 — Beijing | History and Fashion in Hutong

   Take a bullet train to Beijing in the morning.
   In the afternoon, wander through Beijing's hutongs (old alleys). Pop into a local family's home to see how Beijingers live in the old days. Peek into hidden art installations inside ancient temples where history meets modern creativity.

   

   Hutongs

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Peace Hotel Beijing (Forbidden city) (****)
6. 6

   Day 6 — Beijing | Imperial Wonders

   In the morning, enjoy an e-bike ride to cruise Beijing's central axis-the ancient blueprint of China's imperial capital.
   Visit the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the world's largest ancient wooden palace complex that home to emperors for 500 years. Besides admiring the splendid palaces on the central axis, your guide will take you off the touristy route to explore some spots that are related to some famous figures from the two dynasties. The stories about them will make the Forbidden City come alive for you.

   

   Forbidden City

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Peace Hotel Beijing (Forbidden city) (****)
7. 7

   Day 7 — Beijing | Great Wall & High-Tech Snacks

   Start your journey at the Temple of Heaven, a dignified complex of religious buildings, symbolizing the relationship between Earth and Heaven. There you will see local people doing morning exercise in their unique ways.
   Take a cable car to the Great Wall. At the top, order a drone-delivered burger or drinks, because even ancient wonders get modern upgrades.
   Note:
   1. The drone delivery service will be temporarily suspended during strong winds, rain, or other extreme weather conditions to ensure safety. In such cases, you will still have a chance to experience this in Shenzhen. 
   2. Badaling Great Wall is the only section where you can experience drone delivery. However, this section tends to be​ very crowded during the summer vacation (July and August), so we suggest skipping​ this experience and trying it in Shenzhen instead.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Peace Hotel Beijing (Forbidden city) (****)
8. 8

   Day 8 — Beijing - Tianjin | Smart Ports & Colonial Charm

   Enjoy a day tour to Tianjin. Visit the world's first smart zero-carbon port, where giant cranes move containers automatically, powered entirely by wind and solar energy.
   Stroll through Wudadao Historic District, where Gothic mansions and 1920s shops mix with local snacks-a taste of old Tianjin's international flair.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Peace Hotel Beijing (Forbidden city) (****)
9. 9

   Day 9 — Beijing - Chengdu

   Take a flight from Beijing to Chengdu in the morning. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: VOCO Chengdu (*****)
10. 10

    Day 10 — Chengdu | City Fun and Community Vibes

    Explore a traditional Sichuan courtyard community. See a free elderly cafeteria, a Sichuan embroidery workshop, a tea house, and a community center-this is how locals balance tradition and modern care.
    Enjoy a food hunt on a foodie street loved by the locals. Try the most authentic Sichuan cuisine, which is a popular style of cooking in China.
    Hit East Suburb Memory Park, a hip arts district where young creatives thrive.
    Sneak backstage at a Sichuan opera theater to watch actors apply their famous face-changing makeup, then catch a mind-blowing performance.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: VOCO Chengdu (*****)
11. 11

    Day 11 — Chengdu - Chongqing | Panda Experience

    Visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center, about 10 kilometers (six miles) north of central Chengdu. It is best to go early in the morning to see the pandas feeding when they are most active during the day.
    Take a bullet train to Chongqing, China's "mountain city" with crazy elevations, in the afternoon.

    

    Chengdu Panda Breeding Center

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing (****)
12. 12

    Day 12 — Chongqing | 8D Magical City

    Have a relaxing walk to experience Chongqing's lifestyle. Take some interesting pictures in front of old walls painted with classical and modern artwork. Young people might be attracted to shops selling products with distinctive designs that embody local cultural creativity.
    Get up close to the iconic Liziba Station, glide across the Yangtze River on the cableway, and experience the city's mind-bending 8D layout at Kuixing Tower.
    As night falls, enjoy an authentic riverside hotpot dinner with glowing views of Hongya Cave and Qiansimen Bridge, then stroll the waterfront to capture the city's most viral night scenes, from shimmering skyline reflections to cinematic views dubbed "Chongqing's own La La Land. On Saturdays, the evening may end with the dazzling Charming Chongqingdrone light show.

    

    Liziba Station

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing (****)
13. 13

    Day 13 — Chongqing - Guangzhou | Trade History

    Fly to Guangzhou, China's "Millennium Merchant City." Visit the Thirteen Hongs Museum to learn how this port fueled global trade for centuries.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: VOCO Guangzhou (*****)
14. 14

    Day 14 — Guangzhou | Textile Power

    Play "fashion tycoon" in Guangzhou's massive textile district. Tour fabric markets, design studios, factories, and wholesale shops - see how 10,000 T-shirts go from idea to store shelves in record time.
    Alternative tour for today: Visit XPENG's Smart EV "Dark Factory"(at an extra cost)

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: VOCO Guangzhou (*****)
15. 15

    Day 15 — Guangzhou - Shenzhen | Dim Sum & Family Temple

    Sip authentic Cantonese dim sum in a 100-year-old tea house, then visit Chen Clan Ancestral Hall - a stunning temple showing how family values shape local life.
    In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Shenzhen, China's "Silicon Valley."

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hyatt Place Shenzhen (****)
16. 16

    Day 16 — Shenzhen | Reform & Startup Spirit

    Visit Fisherman's Village, where fishermen became millionaires after China's 1978 economic reforms. Explore the Reform & Opening-Up Museum and hike up Lianhua Mountain for city views.
    Check out Shenzhen's coolest subway station ("Shenzhen Eye"), then dive into Huaqiangbei Electronics Market - where tinkerers build drones, robots, and gadgets in tiny stalls.

    

    Fisherman's Village

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hyatt Place Shenzhen (****)
17. 17

    Day 17 — Shenzhen | Drones, Self-Driving & Future Visions

    Tour the DJI HQ ("Sky City") - the world's top drone maker.
    Then enjoy a self-driving ride to the flagship shop of DJI. See how their gadgets help farmers, rescuers, and filmmakers.
    Watch a drone delivery demo in a park (yes, they bring your food by air). Then explore MixC World mall for giant art-tech installations,blending creativity and science.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hyatt Place Shenzhen (****)
18. 18

    Day 18 — Shenzhen Departure | Home with New Stories

    Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
    After 18 days of skyscrapers, pandas, ancient temples, robot interaction, and drone meals, you'll leave with a totally fresh view of China - not just a tech giant, but a country where history, innovation, and daily life dance together in unexpected ways.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Tour operator