10-Day Classic China Tour: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai & Guilin
This is the tour every first-time visitor to China asks for — the Golden Triangle plus Guilin. Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, the Bund, and the karst peaks of the Li River, connected by high-speed rail with private transfers throughout. One family, one group, no strangers. This is China’s greatest hits, done properly.
Tour Highlights
- Mutianyu Great Wall — the most beautiful, least crowded section, with cable car and toboggan
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square — 600 years of imperial Beijing, skip-the-line entry arranged
- Terracotta Warriors (Xi’an) — 8,000 life-size warriors guarding Emperor Qin’s tomb for 2,200 years
- Shanghai’s Bund & Yu Garden — colonial architecture skyline and classic Ming dynasty garden
- Li River cruise (Guilin) — the iconic karst landscape that appears on the ¥20 note
- High-speed rail connections — Beijing to Xi’an, Xi’an to Shanghai, Shanghai to Guilin
- Peking duck dinner — carved at your table in Beijing
- Zero shopping stops — our written guarantee
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing
Airport pickup and transfer to your 4-star hotel. Free time to recover from the flight. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 2 – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Hutong Dinner
Morning: Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Afternoon: the Forbidden City with skip-the-line entry. Evening: Peking duck carved at your table at a time-honored restaurant. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 3 – Mutianyu Great Wall & Temple of Heaven
Full morning at Mutianyu — cable car up, walk the watchtowers, toboggan down. Afternoon: Temple of Heaven park, where locals practice tai chi among ancient pines. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 4 – Summer Palace & High-Speed Rail to Xi’an
Morning: Summer Palace — the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake. Afternoon: high-speed rail to Xi’an (4.5 hours, first class). Evening: welcome dinner of Shaanxi cuisine. Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 5 – Terracotta Warriors & City Wall
Morning: the Terracotta Army — your guide explains Pit 1, 2 and 3, and the story of the farmer’s discovery in 1974. Afternoon: cycle the Ancient City Wall (14 km around the old town) or stroll the Muslim Quarter food street. Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 6 – Big Wild Goose Pagoda & High-Speed Rail to Shanghai
Morning: Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang dynasty heritage area. Afternoon: high-speed rail to Shanghai (6 hours). Overnight in Shanghai.
Day 7 – The Bund, Yu Garden & Old Shanghai
Morning: the Bund — the colonial waterfront facing the Pudong skyline — and Nanjing Road. Afternoon: Yu Garden, the classic Ming dynasty garden, and the old town bazaar. Evening: optional Huangpu River night cruise. Overnight in Shanghai.
Day 8 – Flight to Guilin & Li River Cruise
Morning flight to Guilin, then the famous Li River cruise from Zhujiang to Yangshuo — the karst landscape on the ¥20 banknote. Evening: Yangshuo West Street. Overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 9 – Yangshuo Countryside & Return to Guilin
Morning: cycle or electric-bike the Yangshuo countryside — rice paddies, karst peaks and local villages. Afternoon: return to Guilin, visit the Reed Flute Cave or Elephant Trunk Hill. Overnight in Guilin.
Day 10 – Departure from Guilin
Airport transfer for your flight home. Extendable to Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan or the Silk Road.
What’s Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
- English-speaking guide (licensed guide available on request)
- 4-star hotel accommodation with breakfast
- First-class high-speed rail tickets (Beijing-Xi’an, Xi’an-Shanghai)
- Domestic flight Shanghai-Guilin
- All entrance tickets, cable cars and the Li River cruise as per itinerary
- Zero shopping stops — guaranteed
Why Book with ShenYou?
We are a licensed Shenzhen-based travel agency specializing in private, family-friendly China tours. One family, one group — you never share a vehicle or guide with strangers. Every itinerary is customized around your dates, pace and interests. This classic route is our most requested itinerary, refined over hundreds of trips.
Pricing
Prices start from USD 1,650 per person (2 people sharing, 4-star hotels, including rail and flight). Final quote depends on group size, season and hotel choice. Message us on WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this route too rushed?
No — it’s paced for first-timers: 3 nights Beijing, 2 nights Xi’an, 2 nights Shanghai, 2 nights Guilin/Yangshuo. We can extend any city.
Why high-speed rail instead of flights?
Rail is faster door-to-door, more comfortable, and the stations are central. Beijing-Xi’an is 4.5 hours; Xi’an-Shanghai about 6 hours, in first-class seats.
Is the Li River cruise included?
Yes — the full Zhujiang-to-Yangshuo cruise is included, with a private guide at both ends.
Is there any shopping stop?
Never. Zero shopping stops is our written guarantee.
Can we add Chengdu, Zhangjiajie or Yunnan?
Yes — all connect easily by rail or flight. Ask us for a 14-16 day extended version.