Cultural and Natural China Tour
15-Day Private Tour: Shanghai–Kaifeng–Zhengzhou–Kunming–Zhangjiajie - Hangzhou
Experience the best of China with our 15-day tour of Shanghai, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Kunming, Zhangjiajie, and Hangzhou. Explore ancient cultural sites, marvel at stunning landscapes, and unwind in picturesque cities. Discover the wonders of China in this unforgettable journey.
The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Send us details of your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Enjoy a Peaceful Boat Ride Through Zhujiajiao Water Town

Marvel at the Famous Hallelujah Mountain in the Movie "Avatar"

Explore the Stone Forest of Kunming

Witness the Famous West Lake of Hangzhou

Why Choose Us

Your Wellbeing is Our Priority.
- 1-to-1 travel expert
- Vaccinated guides
- Private Rides

Your Trip is Perfectly Planned.
- Less crowded
- Exclusive Exciting Experiences

Your Booking is Risk-Free.
- No cancellation fee (up to 22 days before departure)
- Free changes
Finish Your Booking in as Quick as 1 Day
1. Tell us your dream travel idea
2. Work out your unique plan with 1 to 1 expert advice
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Magical Adventure
Wow this tour was honestly the best tourI have ever taken! Our guide Simon Yao was simply superb! His English was excellent and he was very easy to talk to. He was personable and friendly but not overpowering or overbearing. Very knowledgeable about history. Thankfully the weather was good so we were not super hot !Finally at the wall we were amazed by it's beauty and grandeur. It really is something and pictures don't do it justice. more
Nov 2023,
Annika M
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Excellent two day visit to Great Wall
Our guide ‘Mark’ was incredible. So friendly, knowledgable and funny. The itinerary was perfect, we got to see two different parts of the Great Wall (one of which at night which was magical) and our hotel stay in Gubei was wonderful. Highly recommend to anybody visiting Beijing more
Nov 2023,
James_Wolstenholme
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Great day out with Mark, thanks China Highlights!
We did a 1 day private tour with China Highlights to see Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Communication was great throughout - from trip planning/booking with Roger and from our guide Mark who contacted us the day before to confirm meet up time/location. Avoided a lot of the queues and definitely learned quite a bit of history from our guide Mark…thanks again! No language barriers/issues…highly recommended. more
Nov 2023,
ykeezy
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China Three (3) Cities Tours
To the tour guides, Ethan, Jason and Tony, you guys have made my visit an awesome and memorable experience. All the tour guides spoke english and communicated very effectively. They are knowledgeable about all the sites visited including, Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, Panda Breeding and Research Center, Leshan Giant Buddha, Hallelujah Mountains, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge, and Tianmen Mountain. The tour guides ensured I got the most out of my time I stayed in the various cities Beijing, Chengdu and Zhangjiajie. more
Nov 2023,
Kadar
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13 days in China
We booked a 13 day’s tour of China with China Highlights. Our travel advisor, Ms Leah Zhou organised an itinerary that suited what we wanted. She was really helpful and patient will all our needs. Leah helped us organised our 30th Wedding Anniversary Dinner and my 60th Birthday celebration?? in Beijing. For this to be possible, she had to liaise with our guide in Beijing. The flowers and cake were a real surprise. My husband and I, were really touched at the good service provided by China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou. Thank you China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou for your constant care of your customers. I will certainly recommend China Highlights to my friends. more
Nov 2023,
Eda Adams
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Perfect Beijing experience
Covering all major sights our exploration of Beijing and surroundings was flawless guided by Lily, along with her knowledgeable and balanced information on Chinas culture and history. In particular, Lily was able to adjust the tour according to personal preferences, e.g. focus on photography, as well as suggesting additional activities like an impressive authentic artistic show. I highly recommend China Highlights as China tour operator and Lily Liu as excellent guide regarding the Beijing area. more
Nov 2023,
Perfect Beijing experience
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Anne and Bob’s tour of Beijing
We did the China Highlights tour of Beijing with our excellent guide Mark and his driver. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Beijing highlights including the Lama Temple, the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Lama Temple. The Summer Palace with the boat ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony were memorable also and the Mutianyu Great Wall was a highlight. We were impressed with Mark as a guide. He knew his history and he was kind and thoughtful. He took us to some excellent restaurants and we were introduced to some beautiful food. We enjoyed his company and will always remember him. more
Nov 2023,
BendigoBob
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Amazing Beijing Tour with Risa!
Risa gave us a wonderful tour of the city! She thoroughly explained the cultuaral importance of each exhibit while also educating us on the Chinese culture. Appreciated having this wonderful Beijing trip with Risa:) more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M.
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Amazing Beijing Tour With Risa!
We were very kindly received in Beijing by our tour guide Risa. She gave us a very thorough tour of the city and showed us wonderful places, while also explaining the important history/culture of China! Very beautiful city filled with many things to do and full of culture! This was very well planned and made it very easy for us to visit the city and foreigners:) Thank you Risa! more
Nov 2023,
Angelica M
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Do Beijing like a local
They organised my trip very quickly and efficiently. On the day, Anna was very friendly to me, my mum and my baby. Very accommodating to our needs. The car was immaculately clean and very comfortable. We visited everything we initially wanted and more. Also, Anna took us to the best meal we had in China. It makes a difference to have a local choosing the dishes! more
Nov 2023,
Natali A
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Must-see Beijing sights in two days
Going on the guided tour gave me the opportunity to visit the main 'must-see' Beijing attractions in two days' time. Although I prefer to travel on my own, it simply would not have been possible for me to arrange tickets and figure out logistics to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall with such a compressed schedule and short notice. My guide, Lucy, was very knowledgeable about Chinese history and cheerfully accompanied me through two grueling days. Traffic in and around Beijing is bad, and the sights are notnin walking distance from one another. Our driver, Li Li Mon, patiently fought the traffic allowing me to snooze in between the long more
Nov 2023,
Marcis J
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China Highlights - Great Wall Mutianyu
I arranged a private tour with China Highlights to see the Great Wall, as I had a few hours to spare near Beijing. I was promptly collected, taken to the wall via comfortable car and escorted all the way by my allocated tour guide Jack. The day was highly memorable and thoroughly enjoyable, we walked 20 watchtowers across the Wall and then took the luge back down. The knowledge and history of the Great Wall was shared and Jack’s English was great. Fantastic day, thanks for your great hospitality, Jack! more
Nov 2023,
Daniel White
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Great Day in China!
The experience was great! Amazing learning about history and culture.Thanks for everything Lucy! more
Nov 2023,
Evandro S
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Unforgetable experience
It was the best experience foi my whole life. Thanks a thousand to Lucy for all her assistente and knowledge regarding China. If you are planing to know China as native perspective do not think twice Luci is the best. more
Nov 2023,
Evandro F
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Amazing experience in Beijing
Spent 3 days in Beijing under China Highlights! Our tour guide Jennifer spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable in Chinese history. Not only was she friendly, she was always on hand to help me with my heavy luggage. She also recommended us very good chinese restaurants for lunch and dinner. She went beyond her call of duties to make sure we had a enjoyable time in Beijing. China highlights also surprised me with a birthday cake on my birthday. Kimi Huang who was my consultant was ever ready to answer all my queries promptly. Thank you for making our trip a memorable one. more
Nov 2023,
Delltravellor
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Great Experience on Beijing Day Visit with tour guide Lucy Yubo
She took me on a side excursion to see the next door park where locals exercise and she took me yo some shops also to get hat and gloves for the cold. Our last stop was 978 Art Center which was super interesting. My day was relaxing, fun, and very special as I feel I learned something much about both China’s past and present. I highly recommend booking a tour to see Beijing in this way. more
Nov 2023,
Nancy H
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Memorable Beijing & Gubei with China Highlights
Jack as the tour guide is a good story teller. He is inquisitive. He knows when to leave us alone exploring the sights and pick out interest again with the historical facts and stories.Then, we explored Jinshanling that provides a balanced view between reconstructed and ruined walls. Finally, we explored the Forbidden City and The Summer Palace. In between, we enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisines which were delicious. more
Nov 2023,
Dian W
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Beijing 2 day tour
Spent 2 days in Beijing with Ethan as my guide and had a fantastic experience. Ethan is very knowledgeable, easy company and takes excellent photographs. The organisation was excellent as well including the driver for the tour as well the airport pick up. more
Nov 2023,
Tam
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My very first trip to Beijing
My guide Jack was excellent- very knowledgeable, organised, kind, helpful, and great English speaker. So I learned a lot about the fascinating history of China while enjoying breathtaking sceneries and monuments. more
Nov 2023,
Amanda Barbosa
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Two-Day Customized Beijing Trip
Our family had a two-day tour in Beijing, which Kimi customized for us. We went to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Qianmen Street, and the Temple of Heaven on the first day, and the Summer Palace and the Great Wall on the second day. Everything went perfectly thanks to our tour guide, Lucy. She was punctual, polite, respectful, knowledgeable, and good at English. The driver was also so nice. Highly recommend! more
Nov 2023,
Sukjoon L
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at the arrival hall in Shanghai. A comfortable private car with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check-in.
Discover the evolution of Shanghai, starting at the historic Bund. Follow your guide through hidden alleys, witnessing locals adapting to urban housing stress. Relish Shanghai snacks at a Michelin-starred restaurant and experience authentic takeout customs.

Cross the Huangpu River on a public ferry to reach Pudong New Area, where modern Shanghai thrives. Ascend Shanghai Tower for incredible city views or choose another towering structure.
Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, showcasing precious statues from Burma. Marvel at the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall's forward-looking displays, including a grand city model. Unearth Shanghai's captivating blend of culture, history, and future aspirations on this unforgettable journey.
Step back in time as you cruise along the river through Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. This fan-shaped water town boasts centuries of history, featuring beautiful examples of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture and 36 ancient stone bridges that have retained their original allure.
Explore four must-see attractions during your visit, including the ancient pharmacy Tongtianhe, the historic Post Office, the serene Yuanjin Temple, and the exquisite Kezhi Garden. Marvel at the intricate details and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of this captivating destination.
Discover the allure of Daxianggguo Temple, one of China's most famous Buddhist temples. Its rich history spanning several centuries has generated numerous legends, dramas, and fictions, making it renowned both in China and internationally. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories of Xiang Couple, Mother Buddha, and Lu Zhishen pulling out a tree, adding to the temple's legendary allure.
Explore the iconic Kaifeng Iron Pagoda, a magnificent 13-story pagoda with a remarkable history of 1000 years. Regarded as the Beautiful Pagoda under the heavens, it stands as a symbol of Kaifeng City and captivates visitors with its architectural beauty and cultural significance.
Visit the Dragon Pavilion, named after the tablet "Huang Di Wan Sui" (Long Live the Emperor) housed within. This exquisite pavilion holds great historical significance. Today, the surrounding Longting (Dragon Pavilion) Park has grown into Kaifeng's premier scenic attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. It's a must-visit spot in Kaifeng, allowing you to delve into the city's captivating heritage and create lasting memories.
Explore Kaifeng's Western Shore Theme Park, a sprawling historical cultural theme park spanning almost 400,000 square meters. Inspired by Zhang Zeduan's renowned painting, "The MILLENNIUM CITY PARK," this park vividly brings to life the social life and architecture of the Northern Song Dynasty. Don't miss the museum dedicated to the city's Jewish history.

Visit the Memorial to Lord Bao, an impressive temple commemorating the famous official from the Song Dynasty. It stands out for its scale, extensive materials, and influence, located next to Yanqing Temple and Lord Bao Lake.
Experience Kaifeng Hall, the court of administration and justice during the Song Dynasty. This reconstructed complex covers 10 acres and comprises 50 buildings, including the Major Hall, Plum Hall, and a Taoist Temple. Witness captivating performances and learn about the legendary Lord Bao's pursuit of justice.
Explore the magnificent Yang Family Compound, a masterpiece of architecture built by Song dynasty military officials. Located on the northern bank of the Lake of Yang Family in Kaifeng City, it spans 2.6 hectares and features distinct eastern, western, and middle yards.
Stroll down the enchanting Song Dynasty Imperial Street in Kaifeng City's northern section of Zhongshan Street. Immerse yourself in the history and vibrant atmosphere of this ancient street.
Discover the treasures of Kaifeng Museum, spanning 16,000 square meters with 13 exhibition halls. The museum showcases over 50,000 exquisite pieces, including pottery, porcelain, and Chinese paintings.
Experience the awe-inspiring majesty of the Yellow River, considered the cradle of Chinese culture. Explore the Yellow River Scenery Area and be captivated by the grandeur and vastness of China's mother river.

Discover the revered Native Place of Emperor Huangdi, a site that holds great significance in ancient Chinese history. Visit this sacred place, just a short drive from Zhengzhou, and delve into the rich cultural heritage of this legendary emperor. Immerse yourself in history as you explore one of Zhengzhou's top ten tourist attractions.
Located 90 km southeast of Kunming, the Stone Forest is a stunning natural phenomenon shaped over millions of years. Explore the karst landscapes and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Sani people. Their colorful embroidery and traditional dances against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery will leave a lasting impression.

Discover Kunming's largest temple with over 1,200 years of history. Join the list of distinguished Buddhist temples in China and witness its grandeur. Don't miss the notable ceremony held here in 1956 to welcome and consecrate the Buddha's tooth.
Located 37km west of downtown Kunming near Dianchi Lake, the Dragon Gate in Western Hill is an incredible complex of grottoes, sculptures, corridors, and pavilions. Carved between 1781 and 1835 by a Taoist monk and his team, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
Take the Xishan Chairlift for stunning views as it connects Xvguang Pavilion and Yingxi Pavilion. This 20-minute ride offers a chance to admire the Taoist Grottoes at the Dragon Gate. Use the chairlift for a quicker and easier way down the hill.

At Kunming Old House Restaurant, located near the Bird and Flower Market, you can enjoy authentic Yunnan cuisine. The main building, dating back to 1852, exemplifies the courtyard design of the era. Experience the flavors of Yunnan in this historic setting.
In Zhangjiajie, you will visit the National Forest Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the unique pillar-like formations shaped by erosion over time. Explore the park's vast forest-covered area, including Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Jinbian Stream, and Wulongzhai.

Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting nearby villages inhabited by Tujia, Bai, Miao, and Hui people. Please note that accommodations and meals in mountain areas like Zhangjiajie and Huangshan are simple. Adjust your expectations accordingly for the best experience. Get ready to be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Today, our guide will lead you to visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which is a stunning natural attraction that has recently been developed into a wonderland for visitors. It offers a combination of majestic mountains, flowing streams, intriguing caves, towering cliffs, and lush forests. One of the highlights of this scenic area is the world's longest and highest glass bridge. Imagine the thrill of walking on this bridge, suspended 300 meters above the ground! It's definitely an experience you wouldn't want to miss during your tour.

If walking on the glass bridge isn't your cup of tea, don't worry. We have an alternative route that allows you to still enjoy the attraction without stepping on the glass bridge. However, if you decide to take on the adventure, please note that for safety reasons, carrying a camera on the bridge is not allowed. You can, however, bring your cellphone or GoPro to capture those unforgettable moments.
Visit the Tianmen Mountain, the awe-inspiring heart of Zhangjiajie! As the highest peak in the area, this majestic mountain offers unrivaled views of ancient trees, stunning karst formations, and scenic roads carved into cliff sides. Hop on the world's longest cable car ride, a thrilling 30-minute journey from the city center, and ascend to the mountain's summit.

At 1430 meters above ground, you'll find the renowned Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway, a remarkable observation platform that extends from a sheer cliff. This narrow 1.6-meter-wide, 60-meter-long glass walkway offers brave souls not only breathtaking views of the mountains below but also the exhilaration of treading nervously above such heights. Some have even likened this experience to the famous 'skywalk' at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
Don't miss the chance to explore this remarkable natural wonder in China. Savor the beauty and thrill of Tianmen Mountain, an experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Explore the mesmerizing West Lake, an iconic symbol of Hangzhou and a place of tranquility. Stroll along the tree-lined walkways, admire the picturesque views, and don't miss Fairy Island to witness the breathtaking Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, one of the Ten Best Views of West Lake.

Immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance of Lingyin Temple, one of China's most esteemed Buddhist temples. Marvel at the magnificent pagodas and Buddhist grottoes that adorn the temple grounds. Explore the legendary Feilai Feng (Flying Peak), where numerous enchanting Buddha images are intricately carved. Visit the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall of the Great Sage, Hall of the Medicine Buddha, Sutra Library, and the Hall of the Five Hundred Arhats.
Immerse yourself in Hangzhou's vibrant tea culture and tantalizing cuisine on this unforgettable day. We'll start at Meijiawu Tea Village, the birthplace of West Lake Dragon Well tea. Learn the art of tea picking from a local farmer and witness the intricate process of stir-frying tea leaves. Master the art of brewing a perfect cup of tea before bidding farewell to the village.
Next, we'll drive to Zhi Wei Guan Restaurant, renowned for its fusion of traditional and modern recipes. Indulge in their famous specialties like Zuiji, a dish of chicken preserved in alcohol, and savor the internationally acclaimed fried cod and West Lake fish. Don't miss the lotus roots with sweet glutinous rice, a favorite among food lovers seeking authentic Hangzhou cuisine.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cht-cx-8
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.