Why we built this route
Most first-time visitors want the icons, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, and they are right to. But a trip that is only famous cities can feel like a checklist. So we built the route we wish more travellers took: Beijing and Xi’an for the history, then Zhangjiajie for the wow that almost no first-timer expects. Ten days is the honest minimum to do all three well without living on trains. Private guides throughout, no group buses, no shopping detours.
A compact first-time China itinerary covering imperial Beijing, ancient Xi’an and the dramatic Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie.
Best For
- First-time China visitors with around 10 days
- Travelers who want history plus nature
- Guests who do not need to include Shanghai
- Families or couples who prefer a strong but not too long itinerary
Suggested Route
- Arrive in Beijing
- Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Hutong experience
- Great Wall private day trip
- Temple of Heaven, fly or train to Xi’an
- Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an City Wall
- Xi’an local culture, transfer to Zhangjiajie
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Tianzi Mountain and Golden Whip Stream
- Tianmen Mountain
- Departure or connect to Shanghai / Guangzhou / Hong Kong
Why Choose 10 Days?
Ten days is a strong short China highlights route. It avoids overloading the trip with too many cities while still giving first-time visitors a clear China experience.
Request a Custom Version of This Tour
Getting between cities – we handle all of it
China is big, and the long-distance legs are the part travellers worry about most. You never have to book a Chinese train or domestic flight yourself, or work out which station is which. We buy every ticket, time it to your sightseeing, and your guide hands you off at one end while the next guide meets you at the other.
- Your cities are linked by high-speed train or domestic flight – we choose whichever gives you the best timing and the shortest travel day, and we book it for you.
- Every ticket is bought, timed to your sightseeing, and re-confirmed by us. You just show your passport at the gate – no Chinese booking apps, no station guesswork.
- Guide-to-guide handover: your guide sees you onto the train or plane, and the next city’s guide is already waiting when you arrive.
What our guests say
Real guests, real words – translated from their original Chinese and Cantonese reviews. We never invent a review.
“We experienced Zhangjiajie in drizzle, mist and sunshine – and loved every minute. Special thanks to our guide A-Jing: professional, attentive, and he timed everything so well that whenever we were tired, he had already built in a rest stop. We will absolutely be telling our friends to visit.”
“An absolute joy – excellent value, and the guide service was thoughtful at every turn. Even the shuttle to the high-speed rail station was already included, so we never once needed a taxi. No surprises, no hidden costs.”
“Shiny looked after us so thoughtfully – everything perfectly arranged, and the commentary at every stop detailed and heartfelt. Our driver was first-rate too: steady, precise, always putting safety first. I will recommend them to my friends without hesitation.”
🔒 Only a ~US$100 per-person deposit to book – balance before you travel. Pay safely via PayPal, card (Stripe) or Wise, with full buyer protection. Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure.
Make it unforgettable – optional add-ons
Your private trip is yours to shape. Tell us when you enquire and we fold any of these into your itinerary and quote – no pressure, no fixed packages.
- Cultural experiences from $80 per person – Tujia home cooking, Miao embroidery, or a mountain-teahouse tea ceremony.
- Travel photography – a professional Hanfu / ethnic-costume photoshoot among the peaks; upgrade to Premium or Royal, add a drone session (+$200) or a family portrait (+$150).
- Slow it down – extra rest days, a private sunrise viewpoint, or a quiet local village most tours never reach.
Add Travel Photography & Local Culture to Any Tour
Every private China tour can include a few local experience stops and photography-friendly timing — at no extra tour cost. Tell us what interests you, and we adjust the pace and route.
📷 Travel Photography Moments
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — best viewpoint timing for golden-hour shots
- Tianmen Mountain — cliff walk and Heaven’s Gate wide-angle frames
- Fenghuang Ancient Town — riverside evening portraits with lantern reflections
- Great Wall at Mutianyu — less crowded, better photo angles
- Your guide can pause for photos, suggest angles, and avoid rushed group-tour timing
Photos above on this page are real guest moments from recent private tours. Your guide helps capture yours.
🎮 Local Culture & Food Experiences
- Tujia home-cooking experience — learn to cook Xiangxi-style dishes with a local family near Zhangjiajie
- Miao embroidery workshop — try traditional Miao textile art in Fenghuang or a nearby village
- Tea tasting in a mountain teahouse — taste Wuling Mountain teas away from souvenir shops
- Local market walk + cooking class — shop for ingredients, then cook together
- Riverside evening in Fenghuang — lantern-lit walk, Miao costume photos, street food
All culture stops are optional, private, and paced around your group. No forced shopping. No bus groups.
What’s Usually Included
- Private itinerary planning and route adjustment
- English-speaking local guide service on arranged sightseeing days
- Private vehicle transfers where listed in the final proposal
- Hotel suggestions or booking support if included in your package
- Local coordination support during the tour
What’s Usually Not Included
- International flights
- China visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses, optional activities and tips
- Meals, flights, trains, hotels or tickets not listed as included
Hotel Level & Price Guide
All our tours are private and customized — final pricing depends on your travel dates, group size, hotel preference and included services. The table below gives a practical reference range per person (USD) for a 10-day Beijing, Xi’an and Zhangjiajie private tour with 2 travelers sharing a room.
| Hotel Level | Example Hotels | Guide Price (USD pp) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget 3-Star | Clean, well-located local hotels in each city | $1,980 – $2,480 | Travelers who prioritize sightseeing and route coverage over hotel luxury |
| Comfort 4-Star | Holiday Inn, Mercure, Pullman or similar across cities | $2,480 – $3,080 | Most travelers — good balance of quality and value across three cities |
| Luxury 5-Star | Crowne Plaza, Sofitel, InterContinental or similar | $3,080 – $3,880 | Couples, seniors and travelers who prefer premium comfort throughout |
What affects the final price? Travel season, number of travelers, hotel star level, guide coverage days, private vehicle type, domestic flights or trains, and attraction tickets. Send your travel month and group size — we will return a clear quote within 24 hours.
Tour FAQ
Can this tour be customized?
Yes. The route, pace, hotels, guide coverage and special interests can be adjusted.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this page is designed for private China tour planning, not a fixed group tour.
How do I get the final price?
Send your travel month, group size, hotel preference and must-see places through the inquiry form.