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2-Week China Highlights Tour: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an & Beijing
Discover China in 14 days on a private journey from Shanghai to Beijing, connecting the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou’s classical gardens, Hangzhou’s West Lake, Guilin’s karst landscapes, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, and the Great Wall in northern China.
Travel with your private guide and driver, enjoying a smooth pace through China’s history, culture, rivers, gardens, mountains, and city life.
14 Days / Private Tour
Travel from Shanghai to Beijing on a classic 2-week private China journey.
Top Experiences
See the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Li River, Suzhou gardens, and West Lake.
Guided Journey
Enjoy a private guide, driver, smooth transfers, and flexible daily pacing.
Best For
Perfect for first-time visitors, couples, families, and culture lovers.
What Makes This Journey Different
A Hong Kong–registered travel group
Backed by a Hong Kong group, with local teams across China.
Secure payments
Pay safely by Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, PayPal, or bank transfer.
24/7 support
Real human assistance before, during, and after your journey in China.
Custom experiences
Activities and pacing tailored to your interests and travel style.
Your 14-Day China Route at a Glance
A well-paced private journey from Shanghai to Beijing, connecting the Yangtze River Delta, Suzhou’s classical gardens and canals, Hangzhou’s West Lake, Guilin’s karst landscapes, Xi’an’s ancient wonders, and Beijing’s imperial highlights.
| Days | Destination | What You’ll Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Shanghai | Begin your 2-week China tour in Shanghai, where colonial streets, old neighborhoods, Yu Garden, and the futuristic skyline reveal the contrast between historic and modern China. |
| 3 | Suzhou | Travel to Suzhou, one of Eastern China’s most beautiful cultural cities. Walk through UNESCO-listed classical gardens, explore old canal streets, and discover the city’s silk heritage and Grand Canal charm. |
| 4–5 | Hangzhou | Slow down by West Lake, visit peaceful temples, enjoy a boat ride, and step into China’s tea culture at a local plantation. Hangzhou adds a softer, more poetic side to your China itinerary. |
| 6–8 | Guilin & Yangshuo | See the dramatic landscapes of Southern China: Longji Rice Terraces, the Li River cruise, limestone peaks, village roads, and countryside views that make Guilin one of China’s most iconic scenic destinations. |
| 9–10 | Xi’an | Discover China’s ancient capital through the Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, and lively local food streets. Xi’an brings thousands of years of history into one unforgettable stop. |
| 11–14 | Beijing | End your private China tour in Beijing with the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs, and the Great Wall — the perfect finale to a classic 14-day China highlights journey. |
A Seamless 14-Day China Highlights Journey
Travel from Shanghai to Beijing on a private 2-week China tour covering Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an, and Beijing. This well-paced route combines classical gardens, West Lake, Li River scenery, the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall into one complete first-time China experience.
Domestic Flights for Longer Distances
High-Speed Trains for Shorter Routes
Signature Experiences of This 14-Day China Tour
This journey is not only about visiting China’s famous landmarks. It is designed to help you understand the stories, tastes, landscapes, and daily life behind each destination — from imperial Beijing and ancient Xi’an to poetic Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, and modern Shanghai.
Walk into the Hidden Stories of the Forbidden City
Go beyond the main sightseeing route in the Forbidden City. Your guide will bring the royal halls, courtyards, and family stories to life, helping you understand how China’s emperors once lived and ruled.
Stand on the Great Wall with Time to Breathe
Visit a beautiful and less crowded section of the Great Wall near Beijing. Walk at your own pace, take photos, and enjoy the mountain views without feeling rushed by a large group.
Meet the Terracotta Warriors Beyond the Museum
See the world-famous Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and learn why each soldier has a different face. You will also discover local stories behind this ancient wonder, making the visit more vivid than a simple museum tour.
Drift Through Guilin’s Painted Landscape
Cruise along the Li River and watch limestone peaks, villages, bamboo groves, and riverside scenery unfold like a Chinese ink painting. This is one of the most unforgettable natural highlights in southern China.
Step into Minority Village Life at Longji Rice Terraces
Walk through the Longji Rice Terraces and visit a local ethnic minority family in a traditional wooden house. Learn about mountain village life and enjoy the peaceful scenery shaped by generations of farmers.
Understand Chinese Aesthetics in Suzhou’s Classical Gardens
Explore Suzhou’s UNESCO-listed classical gardens, where water, rocks, plants, windows, and pavilions are arranged like living poetry. Your guide will help you see why Suzhou is known as one of China’s most elegant cultural cities.
Follow the Canals and Silk Heritage of Suzhou
Walk along Suzhou’s historic canal streets and discover the city’s long connection with silk production, the Grand Canal, and old Jiangnan life. This experience adds a softer and more local side to your China journey.
Relax by West Lake Like a Hangzhou Local
Enjoy a boat ride on West Lake and listen to the legends behind its bridges, pagodas, and willow-lined banks. Hangzhou offers a calm and romantic contrast to China’s ancient capitals and modern cities.
Taste Fresh Longjing Tea in a Tea Plantation
Visit a green tea village near Hangzhou and learn how Longjing tea is grown, picked, and prepared. It is a relaxing cultural experience that connects nature, local life, and Chinese tea traditions.
Capture China in Hanfu or Local Cultural Dress
Dress in traditional-style Chinese clothing for memorable photos in a garden, ancient street, or cultural site. It is a fun and beautiful way to connect with China’s history while creating personal travel memories.
See China’s Icons Without Feeling Rushed
This private 2-week China tour combines the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Li River, West Lake, Suzhou gardens, and Shanghai skyline in a smooth, well-paced journey.
Detailed 14-Day China Itinerary from Shanghai to Beijing
Here is a suggested 2-week Shanghai to Beijing itinerary for travelers who want to see China’s major cities, popular attractions, historical sites, rivers, lakes, gardens, temples, and cultural experiences in one smooth private journey. The route starts in eastern China, continues through the Yangtze River Delta and southern China, then moves to Xi’an in northwest China and ends in Beijing in northern China.
Day 1 – Arrive in Shanghai
Welcome to Shanghai, one of China’s most rapidly developed major cities and a convenient gateway to eastern China. Your private guide will meet you at the airport and assist with luggage, transfer, and hotel check-in.
After arrival, relax at your hotel or take a short walk nearby. This easy first day helps you recover from your flight and prepare for your private 14-day China tour.
Day 2 – Shanghai | Old Streets, Yu Garden and the Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start your journey in Shanghai, a Chinese city where east and west, old and new, history and modern life meet.
Visit Yu Garden, a classical garden in the old city area, then explore nearby streets with traditional shops, local snacks, and simplified Chinese signs all around you. Continue to the Bund, where historical buildings face the futuristic skyline of Pudong across the Huangpu River.
Your guide will explain how Shanghai grew from a port city into one of China’s most important commercial centers. You will see riverside views, old neighborhoods, modern towers, and local daily life instead of only following a standard sightseeing route.
Day 3 – Shanghai to Suzhou | Classical Gardens, Canals and Folk Culture
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel to Suzhou, a popular tourist destination in Jiangsu Province. Suzhou is situated near Shanghai, Lake Tai, and the Yangtze River Delta, making it easy to reach from Shanghai by private transfer or high-speed train.
Suzhou is known for its rivers, canals, lakes, silk production, historical sites, traditional arts, and classical gardens. The Grand Canal runs through the city and has played an important role in Suzhou’s trade, transportation, and cultural history.
Visit the Master of the Nets Garden, one of the finest examples of Chinese classical garden design. Your guide will explain how water, rocks, plants, windows, pavilions, and narrow paths create a poetic space that feels much larger than its actual size.
Later, visit a local folk museum to see Chinese furniture, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, daily-life objects, and traditional craftsmanship. This experience helps you understand Suzhou not only as a beautiful garden city, but also as a cultural center dating back through the Song, Ming dynasty, and Qing dynasty periods.
Day 4 – Suzhou to Hangzhou | Grand Canal Heritage and West Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Before leaving Suzhou, enjoy more of the city’s canal atmosphere. Suzhou is often associated with rivers and minor canals that cross the city from east to west and north to south. Stone bridges, old houses, and waterside lanes show why Suzhou is sometimes compared with canal cities in Japan and Europe, while still keeping its own Chinese character.
Then take a high-speed train to Hangzhou, another major city in the Yangtze River Delta region. Hangzhou is located southwest of Shanghai and is famous for West Lake, temples, tea culture, gardens, and peaceful scenery.
Upon arrival, enjoy a rowing boat ride on West Lake. The lake is surrounded by hills, causeways, pagodas, temples, trees, and old stories. Your guide will share the cultural meaning of West Lake and explain why it has inspired Chinese poets, scholars, and artists for centuries.
Day 5 – Hangzhou | Longjing Tea, Silk Culture and Umbrella Painting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive to Meijiawu Tea Village, one of the best-known origins of Longjing green tea. Walk through the tea fields, learn how tea leaves are picked, and see how local tea farmers process tea by hand.
Continue to the China National Silk Museum, where you can learn about silk production, weaving, dyeing, clothing, and the long history of Chinese silk. Silk culture connects Hangzhou and Suzhou closely, as both cities have been important silk centers in eastern China.
End the day with an oil-paper umbrella painting experience. A local artist will guide you to paint your own umbrella using traditional brushes and colors. It is a meaningful handmade souvenir and a gentle way to connect with Chinese arts.
Day 6 – Hangzhou to Guilin | Fly to Southern China
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a flight from Hangzhou to Guilin in southern China. Guilin is famous for rivers, caves, limestone hills, countryside villages, and karst scenery.
After arrival, visit Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave with stalactites, stone pillars, and colorful rock formations. It is a good introduction to Guilin’s natural geography before your Li River and Yangshuo journey begins.
Day 7 – Guilin | Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Life
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel to the Longji Rice Terraces, where rice fields curve around the mountains like ribbons. The area is surrounded by hills, rivers, forests, and traditional wooden houses.
The Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities have lived in this region for generations. Visit a local family, learn about their lifestyle, and try making bamboo-tube rice, a traditional mountain dish cooked inside fresh bamboo.
This day combines scenery, food, culture, and local interaction, giving you a deeper look at life outside China’s major cities.
Day 8 – Guilin to Yangshuo | Li River Cruise and Countryside
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Along the river, you will see limestone peaks, bamboo groves, rice fields, villages, farmers, water buffaloes, and fishing boats.
After arriving in Yangshuo, explore the countryside with your guide. You may enjoy a gentle bike ride or a relaxed walk through village roads, fields, and karst mountains.
Yangshuo is one of China’s most beautiful countryside destinations and a highlight for travelers who love nature, rivers, photography, and peaceful landscapes.
Day 9 – Yangshuo to Xi’an | Ancient City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer to Guilin airport for your flight to Xi’an, an ancient capital in northwest China.
After arrival, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist site dating back to the Tang dynasty. Then explore the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city walls in present-day China.
You can walk or cycle along the wall for city views. Xi’an connects your journey with Chinese history, ancient temples, Silk Road culture, and the long story of China’s capital cities.
Day 10 – Xi’an | Terracotta Warriors and Hanfu Experience
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Visit the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries. Your guide will share stories about the warriors, the first emperor, and the craftsmanship behind this underground army.
Afterward, enjoy a hands-on workshop and make your own miniature warrior. You may also try a Hanfu experience, wearing traditional Chinese-style clothing for memorable photos.
This day brings ancient history to life and makes Xi’an more interactive than a standard museum visit.
Day 11 – Xi’an to Beijing | High-Speed Train and Summer Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Beijing, traveling from northwest China toward northern China. The journey covers a long distance comfortably and shows China’s modern transportation system.
Upon arrival, visit the Summer Palace, a former royal garden with lakes, pavilions, bridges, temples, and long corridors. It is one of Beijing’s most beautiful imperial sites and a peaceful introduction to China’s capital.
Day 12 – Beijing | Temple of Heaven and Mutianyu Great Wall
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Today, the surrounding park is full of local life, with people practicing tai chi, dancing, singing, and playing traditional games.
Then visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, a beautiful and less crowded section of the Great Wall in northern China. Take a cable car up, walk between watchtowers, and enjoy mountain views.
With a private guide, you can walk at your own pace and avoid the rushed feeling of a large group tour.
Day 13 – Beijing | Forbidden City, Hutongs and Peking Duck
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Forbidden City, the grand imperial palace of the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty. Instead of only following the crowded central route, your guide will take you through selected halls, courtyards, and quieter corners to reveal stories of emperors, royal families, and palace life.
Later, visit Beijing’s hutongs and meet a local family to understand traditional daily life. In the evening, enjoy a classic Peking duck dinner, a perfect final-night experience in China’s capital city.
Day 14 – Depart from Beijing
Your private guide and driver will transfer you to the airport according to your flight schedule. They will assist with luggage and check-in to make your departure smooth and worry-free.
Your 2-week China tour ends with memories of Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xi’an, and Beijing — from eastern China’s gardens and canals to southern China’s rivers and northern China’s imperial history.
Hotel Options & Location
We select clean, quiet, and well-located hotels to keep transfers short and rest quality high. Exact hotel names are confirmed after booking and tailored to your style.
- 4-star comfort in the best locations (standard).
- 5-star / star hotel upgrades or boutique hotels on request.
- Family rooms or connecting rooms available (subject to availability).
Tip: Share your preferences (location, breakfast, gym/pool, quiet rooms) and we’ll recommend the best match.
Tour Price & Inclusions
From US$4,329
per person
Tour Code:CN-2W-CLASSIC-14D
- Indicative price for a private tour (2 adults) with well-located 4-star hotels.
- Price includes basic travel insurance and a complimentary translation device for easy local interaction.
- Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, room type, and hotel level (boutique / star hotel upgrades on request).
- Domestic flights and/or high-speed train tickets are arranged based on the confirmed itinerary.
Comfort-first private touring
Private guide & driver in each city — flexible pace.
Designed around you
We tailor sights, timing, and hotel level to you.
Clear pricing, no surprises
Inclusions confirmed before you book.
What’s Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver for all scheduled transfers
English-speaking local guide for all included sightseeing
All entrance tickets and activities listed in the confirmed itinerary
Domestic flights and/or high speed train tickets between itinerary cities (as per plan)
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast (4-star standard; boutique hotels / star hotel upgrades optional)
Government taxes and service charges
24/7 support while you are traveling
What’s Not Included
International flights to and from China
China visa fees (if applicable)
Meals not specified in the itinerary (many lunches are included; dinners often flexible)
Personal expenses and optional experiences
Booking & Payment Details
- Deposit: 20% to confirm your booking. The deposit is refundable within 48 hours after confirmation if plans change.
- Balance: Due 15–20 days before arrival, or upon confirmation for late bookings.
- Payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, PayPal, or bank transfer.
- Changes: Free minor itinerary adjustments up to 14 days before the trip starts.
- Cancellation: Flexible cancellation policy. Specific terms will be confirmed based on travel dates and hotel selection.
Customize Your Journey (Optional)
This is a fully flexible private tour. Let us know how you’d like to adjust the itinerary — our travel specialists will take care of every detail.
Popular customization options include:
Adjusting the travel pace or adding rest time
Extending the journey or adding nearby destinations
Upgrading hotel standards or choosing scenic stays
Accommodating dietary preferences and special requests
Simply share your ideas, and we’ll tailor the journey to match your travel style.
Visa-Free & Travel Tips
- Visa-Free Entry to China — check if your passport is eligible.
- How to Visit China Without a Visa — 144-hour transit options.
- eSIM & Mobile Payments in China — WeChat Pay, Alipay and bank cards.
- China Weather by Month — plan around seasons and festivals.
Start Planning Your 14-Day China Highlights Tour
Tell us your travel dates, arrival city, hotel preference, and pace. We’ll customize a smooth private journey through Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an, and Beijing — covering gardens, West Lake, the Li River, Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.
- Reply within 24 hours
- Private tour only
- No forced shopping
Good to Know Before Your 14-Day China Tour
Planning a first trip to China can feel overwhelming, especially when the route includes Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an, and Beijing. These answers explain the route, transportation, weather, culture, geography, and travel experience before booking.
Is 14 days enough for Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an and Beijing?
Yes. A 14-day China tour is a good length for first-time visitors who want to see major cities, popular attractions, historical sites, gardens, rivers, lakes, temples, and natural scenery without rushing too much.
This itinerary starts in Shanghai, continues through Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Xi’an, and ends in Beijing. It gives you a balanced view of eastern China, southern China, northwest China, and northern China.
Why is Suzhou included in this 2-week China itinerary?
Suzhou is one of China’s most important cultural cities and a popular tourist destination in Jiangsu Province. It is situated near Shanghai, Lake Tai, and the Yangtze River Delta, making it easy to include between Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Suzhou is famous for classical gardens, rivers, canals, silk production, old streets, folk arts, and historical sites. The Grand Canal also runs through the city, adding strong cultural and transportation history to the journey.
What should I know about Suzhou before visiting?
Suzhou is not just a garden city. It has long been a cultural, artistic, and commercial center in eastern China. The city developed around rivers, canals, and lakes, and its history includes silk production, Chinese arts, garden design, temples, and old neighborhoods.
Some travelers read about Suzhou through geography subsections, administrative divisions, county-level areas, sq mi statistics, pinyin names, universities, and industrial zones. For travelers, however, the most meaningful parts are the classical gardens, canal streets, silk heritage, Grand Canal history, and relaxed Jiangnan lifestyle.
What is the best season for this China tour?
Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons. March is good for early spring scenery, while September and November are popular for cooler weather, clearer skies, and pleasant walking conditions.
Because the tour crosses several regions, weather differs by city. Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Guilin generally have a humid subtropical climate, while Xi’an and Beijing are drier. Before departure, you can check daily maximum C/F, daily minimum C/F, daily mean C/F, mean daily maximum C, mean daily minimum C, average precipitation days, average snowy days, record high C/F, record low C/F, and 1991–2020 normals and extremes for each destination.
How do we travel between the cities?
This tour uses a smart mix of high-speed trains, domestic flights, and private transfers. Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou are connected by high-speed train in the Yangtze River Delta region. Hangzhou to Guilin and Guilin to Xi’an are usually arranged by flight. Xi’an to Beijing can be arranged by high-speed train.
Private guide and driver services are included for airport transfers, railway station transfers, hotel pickup, and sightseeing, so the route remains smooth and comfortable.
What cultural experiences are included?
This private China tour includes more than sightseeing. You can experience Suzhou classical garden culture, canal streets, silk heritage, Hangzhou tea culture, West Lake boating, Longji minority village life, bamboo-tube rice making, Terracotta Warrior craftsmanship, Hanfu photos, Beijing hutongs, and Peking duck.
The route combines Chinese history, traditional arts, local food, temples, rivers, gardens, and daily life, making it richer than a standard city tour.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. This 14-day private China tour can be customized according to your travel dates, arrival city, departure city, hotel level, mobility, food preferences, and interests.
You can spend more time in Shanghai, add more Suzhou gardens, visit Nanjing, slow down in Yangshuo, add more temples in Xi’an, choose another Great Wall section near Beijing, or adjust the route from east to west, south to north, or Beijing to Shanghai. The goal is to make the journey personal, comfortable, and easy to follow.
Is this tour only about famous landmarks?
No. This tour includes famous landmarks, but it is also designed to show the character of each region. Shanghai shows modern China, Suzhou shows gardens and canals, Hangzhou shows lakes and tea culture, Guilin shows rivers and southern China scenery, Xi’an shows ancient capital history, and Beijing shows imperial China.
Together, these destinations help travelers understand China through geography, history, culture, transportation, food, arts, architecture, and local life.
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