NatureGreat Wall Hiking: Jinshanling to Simatai
Two days on the wildest restored stretch of the Wall, with a night in a village at its foot.
SignaturePrivate journey
China Classic: Beijing, Xi'an, Yunnan & Shanghai
The essential first China journey: imperial palaces, the Terracotta Army, Yunnan's old towns and Shanghai's skyline in fifteen unhurried days.
The journey
China Classic: Beijing, Xi'an, Yunnan & Shanghai
If you have two weeks and want to understand the shape of China, this is the route. We begin in Beijing with the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, take the bullet train to Xi'an for the Terracotta Army, fly south to Yunnan's old towns, and finish in Shanghai.
Days are paced so the icons do not blur into one another. There is time for a hutong breakfast, a cycle on Xi'an's city wall, a Naxi cooking class and an afternoon in Shanghai's lane houses. All internal flights and trains are included.
- Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Forbidden City and hutong life
- Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
- Lijiang and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Shanghai's Bund and French Concession
Day by day
The shape of the days.
Day 01Arrive in Beijing
Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. A gentle orientation walk and a Peking duck dinner.
Day 02The Great Wall
Leave early for a quiet stretch of the Great Wall, walk the watchtowers, then lunch in a village below the wall.
Day 03Forbidden City & hutongs
Enter the Forbidden City at opening time, then spend the afternoon in the hutongs — a family dumpling lunch and a bicycle ride.
Day 04Temple of Heaven, fly to Xi'an
Morning with Beijing's retirees in the Temple of Heaven park, then an afternoon flight to Xi'an.
Day 05Terracotta Warriors
A full morning at the Terracotta Army with a specialist guide, then the ancient city wall at sunset.
Day 06Xi'an to Kunming
Fly south to Kunming, the 'Spring City'. Afternoon at the Stone Forest and a Yunnan dinner.
Day 07Kunming to Dali
Drive to Dali, cruise on Erhai Lake and explore the old town and Three Pagodas.
Day 08Dali to Lijiang
Continue to Lijiang. Afternoon in the Naxi old town and Black Dragon Pool.
Day 09Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Cable car to Yak Meadow, visit Baisha village and its murals, then a Naxi cooking class.
Day 10Lijiang at leisure
A free day for a tea house, a market or a gentle walk. Your guide is on call.
Day 11Fly to Shanghai
Morning flight to Shanghai. Afternoon in the former French Concession and an evening on the Bund.
Day 12Shanghai's old and new
Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple and a walk through the lane houses of Jing'an.
Day 13Water town day
Day trip to Suzhou's classical gardens and a canal-side lunch.
Day 14Shanghai at leisure
A free day for shopping, museums or a final bowl of noodles.
Day 15Departure
Private transfer to Pudong or Hongqiao for your international flight.
Included
What is part of the journey.
Included
- Private English-speaking guide and driver throughout
- Hand-picked hotels with daily breakfast
- Internal flights and high-speed rail as listed
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- Airport, station and hotel transfers
- Visa invitation letter and current entry guidance
- Alipay / WeChat Pay setup before you arrive
- 24/7 support from our team in China
Not included
- International flights
- China visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (required for all guests)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal spending, drinks and gratuities
Good to know
The practical details.
AccommodationBoutique four- and five-star hotels with character
Group sizePrivate journey · 2–8 travellers
Activity levelEasy to moderate
Best time to travelMarch–May · September–November
This journey runs on your dates. We will check lodge and flight availability before confirming anything.
Traveller notes
After the journey.
“Thank you again for the tour. It was very well organised and we had a great time. The guides were knowledgeable and well informed, and nothing felt rushed. We will definitely use Efind Tours again.”
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