Why we built this route
This route is for travellers who would rather see China deeply than quickly. Fifteen days means no rushing: the great cities and the Avatar mountains with genuine rest days built in, so you arrive at each place with energy instead of exhaustion. It is the trip we design for families, for senior travellers, and for anyone who has learned that the best journeys are not the most crowded ones. Fully private, fully tailored, zero shopping stops.
15-Day Ultimate China Private Tour
Beijing – Xi’an – Zhangjiajie – Shanghai. A private China itinerary for travellers who want the classic highlights plus Zhangjiajie’s dramatic mountain scenery.
Who This Tour Is For
- First-time visitors who want to see China’s iconic history, culture, nature and city life.
- Families who prefer a private vehicle, flexible pacing and easier logistics.
- Couples who want a comfortable China journey without joining a large group.
- Senior travellers who need careful planning, clear communication and reduced travel stress.
Four Core Benefits
Private, Customized & Protected
No fixed group schedule. Your itinerary can be adjusted around your interests, travel pace and hotel preferences.
Professional English-Speaking Guides
Local guides help you understand the sites, communicate smoothly and avoid unnecessary confusion during the trip.
Comfortable Private Vehicles
Private transfers help reduce waiting time, luggage stress and complicated transport connections.
Deposit + Balance Payment
Deposit + balance: Pay 10–20% to confirm your booking. Sign the formal tour contract on arrival in China, then pay the remaining balance.
Suggested 15-Day Itinerary
Days 1-4: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and explore China’s imperial highlights: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Hutong neighborhoods and the Great Wall. The schedule can be adjusted for jet lag and walking comfort.
Days 5-7: Xi’an
Visit the Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter and local cultural sites. Xi’an is ideal for travellers who want a deeper view of China’s ancient history.
Days 8-11: Zhangjiajie
Experience Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream, Tianmen Mountain and optional Glass Bridge. This is the natural highlight of the route.
Days 12-15: Shanghai
End the trip in Shanghai with the Bund, Yu Garden, local neighborhoods, modern skyline views and optional day trips to nearby water towns.
What Can Be Customized?
- Hotel level: 3-star, 4-star, 5-star or boutique luxury
- Travel pace: relaxed, balanced or packed
- Dining style: local food, Western-friendly, vegetarian-friendly or family-friendly
- Extra destinations: Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, Hong Kong or Fenghuang Ancient Town
- Special needs: senior-friendly pacing, children’s activities, photography time or anniversary arrangements
FAQ
Is this a fixed group tour?
No. This is designed as a private China tour. The final route can be adjusted based on your dates, interests and comfort level.
Can the tour be senior-friendly?
Yes. We can reduce hotel changes, avoid overly long walking days and arrange private transfers where possible.
How do I get a quote?
Send your travel month, group size, preferred hotel level and must-see destinations through the inquiry page.
Like this itinerary? Let our English-speaking China travel specialist customize it for you within 2 hours.
Customize This Tour
Request a Custom Version of This Tour
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 10-20% deposit (of your trip cost) to book – you pay the balance after you arrive in China and sign your formal tour contract. Your deposit is fully secured and you receive a written receipt for every payment. Free cancellation up to 30 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 & Miao ethnic-costume photoshoot among the peaks.
- 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
- Domestic inter-city flights and high-speed trains between the four cities — not part of the land price; we book every ticket for you and itemise the fares in your quote
- China visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses, optional activities and tips
- Meals, 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 15-day Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai private tour with 2 travellers sharing a room.
| Hotel Level | Example Hotels | Guide Price (USD pp) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget 3-Star | Clean, well-located local hotels in each city | $2,980 – $3,880 | Travellers who want full route coverage at a lower price point |
| Comfort 4-Star | Holiday Inn, Mercure, Pullman or similar across all cities | $3,880 – $4,880 | Most travellers — solid comfort across a two-week private journey |
| Luxury 5-Star | Crowne Plaza, Sofitel, InterContinental, Shangri-La or similar | $4,880 – $6,280 | Couples, seniors and travellers who want premium comfort throughout a longer trip |
What affects the final price? Travel season, number of cities, number of travellers, hotel star level, guide coverage days, private vehicle type, domestic flights or trains, and attraction tickets. The 15-day route covers four cities with multiple internal transfers — send your travel month and group size for a detailed quote.
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.