The Soul of the Middle Kingdom
This 14-day adventure is a journey of contrasts, allowing you to marvel at the towering skylines of Guangzhou and Shanghai before delving into the nation's long history at the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and with the legendary Terracotta Warriors—all while admiring the otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie and delighting in each city's unique cuisine.
What's more, this tour can be easily adjusted to suit your individual needs. Send us your inquiry, and we'll create a personalized itinerary for you.
Suggested 14-Day Itinerary
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
1-2 Guangzhou |
Canton Tower, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Xiguan Foodie |
3-4 Shanghai |
The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Tower, Zhujiajiao Water Town |
5-7 Beijing |
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Beijing Roast Duck, Hutong Visit |
8-9 Xi'an |
Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, Qin Relics Handling, Xi'an Museum, Muslim Quarter |
10-13 Zhangjiajie |
The Hallelujah Mountain, Tianzi Peak, Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain, Yellow Dragon Cave |
14 Guangzhou |
Departure |
China's Cultural & Natural Highlights Tour

Tour 'Wow' Points
Delve Into Chinese History
Walk the historic halls of the Forbidden City and witness the breathtaking Terracotta Warriors to truly immerse yourself in the nation's history.


Witness Natural Wonders
Discover China's natural wonders in the spectacular landscapes of Zhangjiajie.


Dine on Unique Cuisine
Experience the best of Chinese cuisine as you taste the famous Beijing roast duck and enjoy a feast of Guangzhou snacks.


Observe Rapid Evolution
Experience China's blend of old and new by exploring the cityscapes of Guangzhou and Shanghai, as well as its ancient traditions.


Special Discovery Experiences With China Highlights
Witness the first restored Terracotta Warriors and handle the Qin Dynasty relics.

Experience local life with a stroll through Beijing Hutong.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Amazing time in Beijing
![]() Tom has been an amazing guide during our trip to Beijing. He explained us a lot about all the attractions we have visited, giving details about the history behind.Always on time, always flexible to accomodate our needs and requests. He gave us a lot of great suggestions about what to do in the free time and about restaurants.Has been a real pleasure to have him as guide, hope everyone can have someone like him during their time in Beijing. more
Aug 2025, giulio
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Experienced and knowledgeable private guide
![]() Mark is a knowledgeable private guide with good English skills. He always had a story or tips to share at each location we visited. Also he and Mr Joe the driver were very flexible. We were there leading up to a military parade and so some locations were restricted around Tiananmen Square and so they worked late to help us navigate the situation and accomplish our goal to see the square. more
Aug 2025, taylor kevin
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Best Experience Ever! (Thanks Bruce!)
![]() We had the chance for traveling to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) and we really enjoyed the experience.Bruce was our guide and was absolutely helpful and supportive.And also a great photographer! more
Aug 2025, giorgiocY8586FY
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
Welcome to Guangzhou! Your journey begins with a warm greeting from your knowledgeable tour guide at the Baiyun Airport, followed by a seamless transfer to the hotel.
Appreciate the traditional Guangdong-style architecture and decoration at Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. It is especially known for its display of delicate craftsmanship and folk art, including historical figures, carvings and cast iron.
Walk through the historic Shamian Island, a former British and French trading center on the Pearl River, now a vibrant and fashionable destination with well-preserved colonial architecture.
Explore Xiguan on a Guided Foodie Tour to sample authentic Cantonese specialties and explore Yongqingfang's culture, including a visit to Bruce Lee's Ancestral Home.
Ascend the Canton Tower to the 108th-floor Star Observation Deck. This highest indoor viewpoint offers unparalleled, breathtaking 360-degree vistas of Guangzhou.
After meeting your guide and driver, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, where a local guide will meet you upon arrival.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Zhujiajiao Water Town. As you walk its ancient bridges and winding waterways, and enjoy a boat ride, you'll feel miles away from the surrounding metropolis.
Ascend to the top of the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai's tallest building, via the world's fastest elevator. From there, you'll get a bird's-eye view of the city and see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower below.
Step into Yu Garden, a peaceful classical oasis surrounded by towering buildings, to discover the intriguing history of its original owner, including the famous story of the dragon wall that almost sealed his fate.
Stroll through the Former French Concession to admire its stylish, century-old buildings and hear the stories of their colonial past.
Walk along the Bund and learn about Shanghai's rise as your guide leads you into historic buildings to see old artifacts and hear captivating stories of the past.
Head to Nanjing Road, one of the city's busiest pedestrian streets, alive with local snacks and the non-stop buzz of shoppers and sightseers.
Spend a relaxing morning until it's time to head to Hongqiao Train Station. Your guide and driver will provide a private transfer for your high-speed train journey to Beijing.
Welcome to Beijing, the imperial city where centuries of history await your discovery. Upon arrival, your dedicated guide will be ready to greet you and provide a seamless transfer to your hotel, allowing you to settle in and prepare for the journey ahead.
Witness the grandeur of Tian'anmen Square and the magnificent Tian'anmen Gate, standing as testaments to China's imperial past.
Step into the Forbidden City, the magnificent imperial palace where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once reigned. Uncover fascinating stories of their lives and legacies.
Indulge in a Beijing roast duck lunch at a celebrated, time-honored restaurant, a true institution of this iconic dish.
Go with your guide to an old hutong with a local family visit. This provides a unique perspective on the area's history and is a frequent highlight.
Witness the splendor of the Temple of Heaven, taking in the iconic Circular Mound Altar, the acoustically fascinating Echo Wall, and the awe-inspiring Imperial Vault of Heaven.
Transfer to the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall and experience its breathtaking views and beautifully restored fortifications firsthand.
Soar to a panoramic vantage point via cable car and from there, hike along the iconic section between the 14th and 23rd watchtowers, often lauded as the most scenic and rewarding stretch of the wall, offering breathtaking views.
Stroll through the Summer Palace, once a summer retreat for emperors. Wander along the world's longest corridor and take a leisurely boat ride on Kunming Lake, enjoying a relaxing morning.
Enjoy a comfortable transfer to Beijing West Train Station, where you'll board a high-speed train for your journey to Xi'an.
Your journey to Xi'an continues with a warm welcome from your local guide, who will provide a comfortable and direct transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a private ride with your guide to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.
Enter the Terracotta Warriors Museum via a tram, and witness three captivating pits that display the concealed power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's extensive military force.
Hop on a tram through Lishan Garden to explore its unique features: the Pit of Hundred Entertainers, the Pit of Civil Officials, and the Bronze Chariot and Horse Museum.
Get an up-close view of the first restored Terracotta Warriors, learn their restoration story, handle authentic Qin Dynasty relics, and participate in a hands-on restoration experience.
Experience breathtaking panoramic views of Xi'an from the Ancient City Wall. This impressive defensive structure, boasting towering walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers, is a testament to China's well-preserved ancient military engineering.
Wander through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where the tantalizing aromas of street food mingle with the bustling sounds of local markets. Leisurely explore, savor delectable local snacks(at your expense), and immerse yourself in the community's rich culture.
Discover the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 43-meter-tall architectural marvel built during the Tang Dynasty, and explore its intricate design within the Jianfu Temple complex.
Explore the breadth of Xi'an's history at the Xi'an Museum, where a rich assortment of artifacts from multiple dynasties is displayed, including pottery, calligraphy and paintings.
Following the tour, you'll be transferred to the airport for an afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie. Our guide and driver will meet you at arrivals and transfer you to the Zhangjiajie hotel.
Discover Tianzi Mountain's iconic sceneries such as Yubi Peak and Tianzi Pavilion with cable car & shuttle bus rides. Enjoy an impressive view of thousands of peaks spread out beneath you from the summit.
Take the world's highest elevator, the Bailong Lift, and ascend to the breathtaking Yuanjiajie Scenic Area in just 2 minutes.
Marvel at the world-renowned 'World's No.1 Bridge' and stand in awe of the otherworldly Hallelujah Mountain(Nantian Yizhu), before returning to your hotel.
Venture through 'A Strip of Sky', a pathway so narrow that it accommodates only one person.
Ascend the 'Sky Ladder', a wooden walkway and steps carved into cliffs, for breathtaking panoramic views.
Experience the Glass Bridge, the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, offering a thrilling 300-meter-high walk. If you'd rather not cross the bridge, other paths are available.
Explore Yellow Dragon Cave, admire towering stalagmites, and cruise through the underground river (home to rare creatures).
Ascend Tianmen Mountain on the world's longest cableway. Enjoy panoramic views through the glass-bottomed sections as you travel 1,400 meters to the peak.
Thrill yourself as you walk the 60-meter glass skywalk, suspended 1,430 meters above the breathtaking valley.
Enjoy the scenic escalator rides to visit the breathtaking Tianmen Cave, a towering natural wonder that showcases the immense power of nature.
Explore the scenic Golden Whip Stream, known for its lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.
Enjoy a leisurely morning until your guide arrives to take you to the train station for Guangzhou.
Your Guangzhou guide will meet you at the train station and escort you to Baiyun Airport for your flight home.
Hotel Selection
—The Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.





Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English-speaking local guides listed
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- Flights/trains tickets between itinerary cities
- A 24/7 helpline is available throughout your trip
Tour code: cht-gd-2