Are you looking for a suitable China travel itinerary, which matches your vacation time?
Here, we offer the top 10 China travel itineraries including lengths of 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and more. Read on to find which is best for you.

We are pleased to inform you that China has officially announced the resumption of all kinds of visas, including tourist visas (L Visa), from March 15th, 2023. If you possess a 10-year China Visa obtained before COVID-19, and it remains valid, you can enter China without applying for a new one.
China Highlights takes pride in being the most highly-rated China travel agency on TA with over 10,000 reviews and winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence year-on-year. Despite the pandemic, we have maintained healthy business operations in China and served more than 4,000 China expats with customized travel services from 2020 to 2022.
We would be honored to tailor-make your flexible private China tour. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time to discuss your travel plans.
1. 1-Week in China (Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai)
Spending 1 week in China has a basic itinerary. You can choose three representative cities to help you learn about the country. Our 1-week China travel itinerary is suitable for first-time travelers in China.

Beijing is the first choice. It is the best gateway for foreign tourists to learn about China. Hike on the Great Wall, which is the symbol of the Chinese nation. Explore the Forbidden City — the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace complex. Appreciate the imperial garden at the Summer Palace, which was originally used as a summer retreat for the imperial court.
As the ancient capital city of 13 dynasties, Xi’an is a place to learn about Chinese history and civilization. Discover the secrets of the Terracotta Army, which was buried with China's first emperor.
Experience China’s development in Shanghai. Visit the Shanghai Tower — the tallest building in China. Walk along the Bund to see different types of buildings and listen to their stories.
2. 10-Day China Itinerary (Beijing–Xi’an–Guilin–Shanghai)

10 days in China will give you a relaxing traveling pace. You can choose several different types of cities, such as historical cities and scenic cities. Our 10-day China itinerary is designed for first-time travelers in China.
Immerse yourself in Chinese history and culture in Beijing and Xi’an. Appreciate the stunning night view on the Great Wall. Learn about the stories of the Chinese emperors who lived in the Forbidden City. Visit the Terracotta Army and the ancient city wall.
The picturesque scenery and relaxing countryside lifestyle in Guilin will amaze you. Walk along the Longji Rice Terraces accompanied by the breeze and the sound of birds singing. Take a cruise along the Li River to see graceful bamboo groves, rice paddies, and lumbering water buffalo in the river. Explore a local market in Yangshuo to learn about the real countryside life in China.
In Shanghai, you will experience China's economic development via an in-depth Bund culture discovery tour, which is in sharp contrast to the relaxed ambience in Guilin.




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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Amazing Great Wall tour with Helen
We did the great wall tour from Jiankou to Mutianyu with Helen.The tour was very well organized from the begining until the end.The treckking through the great wall was amazing and challenging. Helen took very good care of us and took as many stops as we needed to rest, drink water,have a snack or take pictures. She also explained us many things about the great wall and helped us with all our questions. After the long walk Helen took us to a local restaurant where the food was delicious! She managed everything perfectly so could have all the food ready when we got to the restaurant. Very recommended experience! more
May 2023,
Marta
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Great tours!
I had an amazing two trips on the Great Wall and the Forbidden City with the guide Ivy during my stay in China. She was very helpful and answered all of our questions with an enthusiastic approach. I have nothing to say but to highly recommend the trips they offer on the Great Wall hiking/camping and also the in-depth Forbidden City tour! Thank you Ivy and China Highlights. more
May 2023,
Serhat Altay
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Amazing First Time to Beijing with China Highlights
Tom, my private tour guide was there when I landed and accompanied me all the way through to sending me off at the airport after check-in at the end of my trip. Zhao the driver, who also did all the driving during my trip, was calm, confident and knowledgeable in taking us around. Both Tom and Zhao were punctual too. The Great Wall of China Hike I wanted to do started in a very remote, unrestored part of the wall. This would not had been possible without Tom problem solving many issues we had on the way up and I could not have done this on my own a a foreigner. It was well worth the effort and probably the highlight of my trip.The remainder of the tour around Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Kingdom and The Temple of Heaven was paired with a detailed commentary by Tom of which I learnt a lot. more
May 2023,
Munsie
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Beijing - city of surprises
A fantastic guide was waiting for us - Jack, who told all the stories with passion and commitment. He also fulfilled those wishes that were not in the plan. I highly recommend visiting Beijing with this guide. more
May 2023,
Joanna i Piotr Kuzebscy
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Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot…
Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot of fun to spend time with during my first visit to Beijing. It was a wonderful intensive three days. more
May 2023,
Pam S.
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Great weather and a good trip out with Lily!
Many thanks to my guide Lily for customising the trip to make it as efficient and enjoyable as possible. She arranged to start an hour earlier to beat the crowd and I got to enjoy the Great Wall before the crowd streamed in and while the weather was cool. I requested to switch the next attraction to visit from Temple of Heaven to Ming Tomb and she not only accommodated the prompt request, but made all the necessary arrangements even before the trip coordinator managed to reply! Kudos! Our driver was jovial and friendly, always on top of traffic conditions and took detours to beat slow moving traffic. Hassle free day and I wouldn’t have been able to cover the two attractions so easily and comfortably without them! more
May 2023,
Meibao
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This was our first time traveling to Beijing
This was our first time traveling to China, so we really wanted to experience some of the major historical sights of Beijing together with a tour guide. Our itinerary was very carefully planned out according to our interests and tailored to our needs. First, we went camping on the Great Wall and hiked from Jiankou to Mutianyu, and the next day we got an in-depth tour of the Forbidden City as well as a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a taiji experience in the gardens. Our tour guide, Ivy, was truly wonderful in preparing and organizing our personalized itinerary. She is very friendly and knowledgeable, and she was always able and willing to answer all of our questions. Ivy provided us with a truly amazing first visit to China and I would warmly recommend China Highlights for everyone who wishes to travel to China and I would especially recommend Ivy as a tour guide for your trips! more
May 2023,
Annalina Wheeler
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Tom is the BEST tour guide EVER!
Just had the most AMAZING tour with Tom. He was beyond knowledgeable, so generous with his time and made me feel so at ease which was super important as I am travelling by myself. Thank you Tom for the best day-you have totally made my China trip a fabulous experience, one I will never forget! more
May 2023,
SHARRYN HINCHLIFFFE
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Superb service and wonderful time in Beijing
Superb service from Jack who were with us for 4 wonderful days in Beijing. Jack was clearly knowledgeable about the history and able to deliver insight information to us about places. He was also kind and accommodating to my mother who has bad knees. Both China Highlights and Jack were flexible about the itinerary to ensure that we enjoy the best of Beijing. We'll definitely use China Highlights' services again for our next trip to China. more
May 2023,
Chani
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Amazing Trip
First time booking a trip with China Highlights and was fortunate to have Sunny as my private tour guide. We went to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, then arrived and walked around Gubei Water Town, and then visited the Simatai portion of the Great Wall at night. Was a very enjoyable trip as we were able to see a night time drone show in the sky, ride a private boat through the canals of the Gubei Water Town, and eat a delicious lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Sunny is super knowledgeable when it comes to the history of the Great Wall and took the time to explain various interesting facts and stories which made the trip very meaningful. The driver we had was also a very nice man who was always on time and eager to help. Was an unforgettable experience and would highly recommend Sunny and China Highlights :) more
May 2023,
Allen C
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Tour to the great wall from the airport
My guide Tom was ver kind and knowlegable, he explained everything to me about the great wall and even went out of his way to help me the next day at Bejings downtown! amazing service!!! thank you so much Tom! more
May 2023,
Fer Villasefior
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Great tour, fantastic guide!
This tour was fantastic! I loved hearing about the history of the Forbidden City and admiring the views at the Great Wall. William was a fantastic tour guide. We were a group of families with several young children, and he was very accommodating and flexible with timing and arrangements. I totally recommend this tour and William as a guide! more
May 2023,
Ryan Corless
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Four excellent sightseeing days in Beijing
We had wonderful four days in Beijing. The entire trip was tailored exactly to our wishes. From experiencing local food, to exploring the major sites of the city up to hiking the great wall of China. Additionally, we had two amazing guides Ina and Fan taking care of all the tickets and coordination required. Also, they could not only tell us everything about the sights we visited and give us an insight to local customs and traditions, but they did so in perfect German. The chauffeur service from Mr Chang was also excellent, getting us from A to B without any hazzle. The past couple of days were one of the most carefree trips we have had so far. more
May 2023,
Katha
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Great tour from William
Great tour organized by China highlights, our tour guide was William - his knowledge was impressive, his English was great and he was always on time. We did the four day tour including the wall and forbidden city - would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an English tour guide. more
Apr 2023,
Lawrence
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Beijing 2 day private tour
The tour itself was great, private driver to and from, my guide Ivy was great English speaking guide. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about her country. Was a great time exploring the Great Wall of china and then my second day did a city tour (forbidden city, hutong tour, summer palace). Felt extremely safe, and was confident having an English guide. Thank you china highlights. (Provide them what you want and they’ll make it happen). Prices are reasonable as I looked at a few places but for private tour, my own schedule, and confidence of getting around safely you can’t go wrong. more
Apr 2023,
Mark
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Very enjoyable
Everything was to the vest standard, the history all very well explained by the Tour Guide in Beijing, Ivy. Really enjoyed it, and appreciated the time. more
Apr 2023,
Jonathan
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Amazing Beijing Experience
I had an amazing time in Beijing and glad Tom was my tour guide. He went above and beyond and I’m truly grateful. Tom did all that he could to ensure my stay in Beijing for two days was pleasant and thanks to him, I say that it was. The driver was also nice and courteous, I called him Jon. The company is blessed to have a good tour guide like Tom on their team so if you are planning to come down to Beijing, make sure you ask for Tom. Thank you Christy and Kimmy for replying all my emails with questions that I had. more
Apr 2023,
Pedro V
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Great experience
We had a great experience with China Highlights and Roger was highly efficient and helpful planning our itinerary exactly how we needed. more
Apr 2023,
Brenda Sarmanho
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Excellent service and tour guide!!
Excellent service and communication from the travel agent Roger Li and amazing tour and experience of Great Wall of China from our tour guide Amber. Highly recommended! more
Apr 2023,
Evangelos Athanasopoulos
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Maggie was such a tremendous help for…
Maggie was such a tremendous help for our recent Beijing trip. Very prompt and helpful in helping us plan and adjust/amend to our requests. more
Apr 2023,
Hi
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3. 2-Week China Itinerary (Beijing–Xi’an–Chengdu–Shanghai)

It’s not enough to just go sightseeing as part of a 2-week itinerary. Fun and cultural activities should be added. Our 2-week China travel itinerary focuses more on cultural experiences. If you have a deep interest in Chinese culture and language, or are planning a family trip, you will enjoy it.
In Beijing, visit the Temple of Confucius and Beijing Imperial Academy to learn about China's traditional education system. Learn about five gigantic Chinese characters on a hillside by the Great Wall. Practice tai chi with a local master to learn about Chinese culture and its traditional health science.
Visit an ancient academy in Xi’an to learn about China’s traditional national costume and try on the traditional dress of the Han Chinese people, imagining what life was like in ancient times.
See cute pandas at a breeding research base in Chengdu and go to Chengdu's last remaining farmers' market where you can try using Chinese to purchase some special delicacies from the locals.
Discover how Shanghai impacts China and how China impacts the world by exploring the Bund, which witnessed the golden age of Shanghai in the 1920s, taking a ferry across the Huangpu River, and ascending Shanghai’s tallest building — the Shanghai Tower.
Get more ideas on our 2 Weeks in China: 3 Top Itinerary Ideas for Couples and Families
4. 3-Week China Itinerary (Beijing–Silk Road–Shanghai)

Three weeks allows you to experience a more colorful China. After a 4-Day Beijing Highlights and Great Wall Night Tour, you can travel to West China, where you can feel a sense of exploration and freshness.
You will see many relics along the Silk Road. Discover the secrets of the Terracotta Army in Xi’an. Appreciate the Rainbow Mountains in the Zhangye National Geopark — a special landform in West China. Marvel at the Mogao Caves and desert scenery in Dunhuang.
Explore the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe in Turpan. Visit Erdaoqiao Market — the biggest bazaar in Urumqi. Explore Kashgar Old City, which was made from yellow mud bricks and stands on a small hill.
Then begin a 5-day relaxing and comfortable tour in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou to see elegant classic gardens and tranquil water towns.
5. 5-Day Yangtze Delta Itinerary(Shanghai–Hangzhou–Suzhou)

Five days in China may be a little hurried. So our 5-day itinerary includes three important cities that are close to each other in the Yangtze River Delta from where you can experience China's classic beauty. There is no need for a visa with this itinerary.
In Shanghai, visit Yu Garden to see its exquisite layout and beautiful scenery. Walk around the former French Concession precinct to learn about Shanghai’s history.
In Hangzhou, enjoy a quiet boat trip on West Lake. Visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation to learn about the process of making tea.
Visit Tongli Water Town — a quiet and classic Chinese town in Suzhou. Take a boat trip along the canal to see the old town and wander through alleys to appreciate its ancient architecture.
6. 4-Day In-Depth Panda Tour in Chengdu

Chengdu is home to giant pandas. A trip to China without seeing pandas is incomplete.
A 4-Day In-Depth Panda Tour will impress you. Hike in Dengsheng Gorge to explore the habitat of wild pandas. Visit at night to see what the cute pandas do at night without tourists and noises to distract them. Be a one-day panda keeper, which includes cleaning the enclosure, weighing and cleaning bamboo, and making panda cakes.
7. 4-Day Yangtze Cruise

This itinerary is completely comfortable and leisurely.
A cruise traveling slowly along the Yangtze River between Yichang and Chongqing will let you enjoy the magnificent Three Gorges scenery while drinking a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Appreciate sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights on the sundeck. Learn how to play Chinese mahjong, a popular Chinese recreational activity. Take part in Chinese painting lessons and traditional Chinese medicine lessons.
You can also take some shore excursions. Visit Fengdu Ghost City, which is linked with the ghost culture, the Three Gorges Dam, which is the largest dam in the world, and Shennong Stream, where you can see rushing waterfalls.
8. 6 Days in Guizhou: Ethnic Culture

You can experience the centuries-old ethnic civilization and world-leading technical miracles in Guizhou.
Wander along the flagstone pavements and enjoy a peaceful time under the shade of ancient trees in Qingyan Ancient Town. Get ready for a special welcoming ceremony from the Miao people — drinking their homemade rice wine at the village’s entrance. Learn how to make paper from wood pulp and how to make a fine batik in the village.
Pay a visit to FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), the world's largest aperture, and learn more about it at the museum.
9. 8 Days in Tibet: Highland Scenery and Religion

If you have more time in China, start a tour to Tibet. The fresh air, mysterious Tibetan culture, and breathtaking scenery will bring you great peace of mind.
You can admire the Potala Palace, which is the symbol of Tibet. Visit the Jokhang Temple and take part in a special local prayer ritual, going clockwise around it with prayer wheels. Take a stroll along Barkhor Street and see some Tibetan handicrafts. Appreciate the beautiful scenery at Yamdrok Lake, which shines turquoise in the sunlight.
10. 8 Days in Yunnan: Nature and Ancient Towns

If you can't get used to the altitude sickness in Tibet but want to experience the pure beauty of nature, then go to Yunnan. There is similar natural beauty there that makes you feel peaceful and close to nature, and it has well-preserved ancient towns and villages.
Visit the Stone Forest in Kunming, where you can see various shapes of limestone and the Naxi people’s colorful embroidery and minority dances. Wander along the lakeside of Erhai in Dali, bathed in the breeze and appreciating the crystal-clear water sparkling in the sunlight. Take a stroll in the Old Town of Lijiang and see handicrafts made of silver, leather, and textiles.
Explore an Authentic China with Us

We have escorted 10,000 customers traveling across China every year since 1998. We aim to create your own unique trip, which will show you an authentic China in an insightful way.
Tell us your interests and needs in our Create My Trip service. Our travel adviser will tailor-make a professional and satisfying China travel itinerary for you. You can check our Top 10 China Tours for reference.