Shanghai · Hangzhou · Huangshan · Xi’an · Chengdu · Lijiang · Dali · Zhangjiajie · Beijing
The China Spectrum
Discover the China beyond the familiar.
China
The China Spectrum
Discover the China beyond the familiar.
This 20-day journey connects Shanghai, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Xi’an, Chengdu, Lijiang, Dali, Zhangjiajie and Beijing. Follow the proposed route below and tell us your preferred dates, interests and pace.
When
Your preferred datesSubject to availability
Price
Request a quoteTailored to your journey
How long
20 days / 19 nightsProposed programme
This is a proposed itinerary. Dates, accommodation, transport, visits and included services will be confirmed in your personalised quote.
View journey route · Shanghai → Hangzhou → Huangshan → Xi’an → Chengdu → Lijiang → Dali → Zhangjiajie → Beijing
Shanghai
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 1–3
Day 1
Arrival in China
Your first glimpse of contemporary China
- Arrive in Shanghai
- Private airport transfer
- Hotel check-in
- The Bund
- Huangpu River night view
- First introduction to China
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 2
Old Shanghai
Discover the architecture, stories and everyday life of old Shanghai
- Yu Garden
- Old City of Shanghai
- City God Temple area
- Former French Concession
- Tree-lined streets and historic neighborhoods
- Shanghai cuisine
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Day 3
Contemporary Shanghai
Discover China's global city
- Lujiazui skyline
- Shanghai's modern architecture
- The Bund
- Contemporary art and design
- Local dining experience
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Hangzhou
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 4–5
Day 4
From Megacity to Classical China
Shanghai → Hangzhou
- Morning exploration in Shanghai
- High-speed rail to Hangzhou
- West Lake
- Lakeside walk
- Longjing tea experience
- Stay: Hangzhou Experience: From China's megacity to its classical landscapes
Getting around: High-speed rail + private transfer
Day 5
The Art of Living
Discover how nature, tea and everyday life come together in Chinese culture
- Lingyin Temple
- Longjing Tea Village
- Tea culture experience
- West Lake
- Traditional Hangzhou cuisine
- Sunset by West Lake
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Huangshan
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Day 6
Day 6
Ancient Villages & Mountains
Hangzhou → Huangshan
- Travel to Huangshan
- Hongcun Ancient Village
- Huizhou architecture
- Historic villages
- Local cultural exploration
- Stay: Huangshan Experience: Ancient villages shaped by mountains, water and tradition
Getting around: Private transfer / high-speed rail
Xi’an
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 7–9
Day 7
Into the Mountains
Huangshan → Xi’an
- Huangshan Scenic Area
- Strange Pines
- Granite peaks
- Sea of Clouds
- Mountain experience
- Travel onward to Xi'an
- Stay: Xi'an Experience: Chinese landscape aesthetics
Getting around: Private transfer + domestic flight / rail
Day 8
The Birth of Empire
Step into the world of China's first unified empire
- Terracotta Warriors
- Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum area
- Qin civilization
- Private guided experience
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 9
Silk Road & Tang China
Discover China's ancient connection with the wider world
- Xi'an Ancient City Wall
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- Tang Dynasty cultural experience
- Local food exploration
- Evening city experience
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Chengdu
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 10–12
Day 10
From Empire to Living China
Xi’an → Chengdu
- Morning exploration
- High-speed rail to Chengdu
- Traditional teahouse
- People's Park
- Chengdu evening
- Stay: Chengdu Experience: From imperial history to everyday Chinese life
Getting around: High-speed rail + private transfer
Day 11
Pandas & Tea
Discover the relaxed rhythm of Chengdu life
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- People's Park
- Traditional teahouse
- Local tea culture
- Neighborhood exploration
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Day 12
Taste & Performance
Food, performance and living culture
- Local market
- Sichuan cuisine experience
- Sichuan hotpot
- Sichuan Opera
- Face-changing performance
Getting around: Private transfer + walking
Lijiang
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 13–14
Day 13
Into Southwest China
Chengdu → Lijiang
- Domestic flight to Lijiang
- Lijiang Old Town
- Naxi culture
- Evening exploration
- Stay: Lijiang Experience: Discover the cultural diversity of Southwest China
Getting around: Domestic flight + private transfer
Day 14
Mountains & Naxi Culture
Mountain landscapes and ethnic heritage
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Blue Moon Valley
- Naxi cultural experience
- Shuhe Ancient Town
Getting around: Private transfer
Dali
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 15–16
Day 15
Ancient Roads & Lake Country
Lijiang → Dali
- Private transfer to Dali
- Dali Ancient Town
- Cangshan Mountain
- Erhai Lake
- Stay: Dali Experience: From Lijiang's mountain culture to the landscapes around Erhai Lake
Getting around: Private transfer
Day 16
Life Around Erhai
Community, tradition and nature in everyday life
- Erhai Lake
- Bai ethnic villages
- Bai cultural experience
- Local crafts
- Regional cuisine
- Lakeside sunset
Getting around: Private transfer + cycling / walking
Zhangjiajie
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 17–18
Day 17
From Southwest Landscapes to the Wild
Dali → Zhangjiajie
- Morning exploration
- Domestic flight / connecting flight to Zhangjiajie
- Transfer to Wulingyuan
- Mountain surroundings
- Stay: Zhangjiajie Experience: A dramatic transition from Southwest China's landscapes to the wild
Getting around: Domestic flight + private transfer
Day 18
The Wild Side of China
Enter a landscape that feels almost otherworldly
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Yuanjiajie
- Tianzi Mountain
- Dramatic sandstone peaks
- Mountain trails
Getting around: Private transfer + park transportation + walking
Beijing
Explore the proposed experiences for this stage of your journey.
Days 19–20
Day 19
From Nature Back to Empire
Zhangjiajie → Beijing
- Morning nature exploration
- Domestic flight to Beijing
- Hutong exploration
- Traditional courtyard dinner
- Stay: Beijing Experience: From China's wild landscapes back to its imperial capital
Getting around: Domestic flight + private transfer
Day 20
The Final Chapter
Look back across the many worlds of China
- Forbidden City
- Jingshan Park
- Tiananmen area
- Beijing Hutongs
- Final Chinese dinner
Good to know
Your stay
The proposed programme is 20 days and 19 nights. Hotels, room categories and the final night-by-night arrangements are to be confirmed.
Your programme
The activities listed above follow the proposed itinerary. Exact timing, hosts, visits, performance schedules and transport arrangements are subject to confirmation.
Your quote
Ask us to confirm the price, accommodation, guiding, admissions, meals and transport included in your quote. International flights, visas and insurance should be discussed during planning.
Planning your departure
Please tell us your onward plans, particularly where the final day includes an evening or farewell programme. We can discuss departure timing or an additional night if needed.
Photography combines the WanderBao image collection with clearly labelled AI test illustrations. Some photographs provide regional or thematic context rather than depicting a confirmed visit.
Let us shape your journey
Tell us your dates, number of travellers and the experiences that interest you.
Start planninginfo@wanderbao.com