China is a charming travel destination with a long history, rich culture, fabulous landscapes, and delicious food. With 19 days in China, you could have a deep travel experience covering 5–7 cities. Below are some of the tour options that we recommend based on our 25 years in the business.
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1. A Classic 19-Day China Tour Itinerary for First-Timers
For most first-time travelers to China, we recommend combining China’s historical and cultural cities with beautiful natural wonders to create a variety of life-long memories.The top 4 must-visit destinations in China are Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai, which would take you about 10 days to visit. For the other 9 days, we recommend “panda-ville” Chengdu in the west and Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) to explore classical eastern China.
Days 1–4: Beijing
![Beijing Forbidden City](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
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![Tour Review](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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This hiking was amazing
This hiking was amazing. Organization was perfect since the beginning. Kimmi was answering all our questions rapidly and effectively. Once in China we found really a good team The driver and the tour guide Oliver accompanied us all the trip and they took a good care of us. They adapted to our needs always happy and smiling. Good work China Highlights! more
Jun 2023, Virginia Tapia Hompanera
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An excellent 2 days in Beijing with guide Lily
We had a great experience with China Highlights and our tour guide for the two days in Beijing, Liu Yuan (Lily), was excellent. She is friendly, professional and very knowledgeable about the Forbidden Palace, Temple of Heaven, The Great Wall and the Summer Palace. These are the places we visited with her. She is patient and didn't rush us at all. She adapted the tour activities and schedule to accommodate our interests and side trips such as Bei Hai Park. She is also very helpful: she took the extra time to walk us to the pizza restaurant in a mall which we would not have found on our own. We appreciate everything Lily did for us and highly recommend her. more
Jun 2023, Flamenco64
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I booked on short notice and Roger was…
I booked on short notice and Roger was very quick in responding and planning the shedule to our wishes. Our guide was very friendly and we got along great and our driver very polite. Unfortunately due to a lot of traffic our shedule was affected but we were not hurried and could enjoy our 2 destination Greta wall and the Summer Palace. I would recommend booking with China Highlights! more
Jun 2023, Clemens
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Great Wall China
It has been a unique experience from start to finish. Our tour guide Oliver made it possible, very prepared and always up to the task, always very responsible and capable of keeping our interest at all times. Thank you Oliver for this very special and unforgettable experience. more
Jun 2023, Maytee
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Great experience in Bejing with Jack
We had an amazing experience with China Highlights and our Bejing Guide Jack. We travelled through China for two weeks with two small kids (3-5) and all the China Highlights Guides and Drivers went out of their way to make this a memorable experience. Jack and our driver Mr. Lee in Bejing were amazing and we had a wonderful time here. The kids loved the great wall and the topoganing down, the face painting and the rikscha ride - and we loved all the sights. Jack and Mr. Lee were very patient with us and the kids and we managed to see everything in a relaxed fashion. We can highly recommend China Highlights and Jack and Mr. Lee. more
Jun 2023, Leo
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Best Tour Company
Olivia was our guide throughout the tour.During the actual tour, Olivia was exceptional and provided us with great insights into the sights and history as well as stories about Chinese culture and experiences (I now have to visit more places in China!). Her restaurant recommendations were amazing and I will definitely trust her to find great food options. She even showed us to our train gate at the end! more
Jun 2023, Pranam P
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3 day tour of Beijing with Tom
We had a 3 day tour of Beijing with our amazing tour guide Tom. He is super knowledgeable, and we learned a lot from him about the interesting history of everything we saw. He also took great care of us and made sure we had everything we needed to be comfortable. I highly recommend Tom! more
Jun 2023, Raghav
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Great wall with kids
We visited The Great Wall in Mutianyu and the Changling Tomb. We had a good buffet lunch and had some interesting conversation about local life. Recommend Linda from China Highlights as a guide in Beijing. It was really hot on the wall, so better be earlier. more
Jun 2023, XX
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Best Tour in China
Ivy is the best tour guide we ever have , very knowledgeable and take good care of us throughout our trip in Beijing . She is always early and love her arrangement for the entire trip . Will not hesitate to chose China Hightlights again . more
Jun 2023, Jade
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Excellent Service
I organise a group tour for U.K. nurses to China and communicated with Roger who’s been very efficient, helpful and accommodating. Good service and reliable. Guided us through the process accordingly and has given us different options that suit our budget and need.The company has different tour options from high end to reasonable choices of tour packages. Excellent English speaking skills too! Highly recommended! more
Jun 2023, RALPH DEOCAMPO
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Roger Li is a valuable asset to your company
我住在加州,是指你的薪酬any by a friend in Beijing for a group of 4, private tour to Beijing and the Great Wall in 9/2023. After I submitted my inquiry online, on 5/27, I received a reply from Roger Li within 24 hours. And it was the weekend. I was very impressed. Roger has been very helpful and patient in assisting me in planning this trip since 5/27. He is extremely responsive and detailed. I am very grateful to have been assigned to such a responsible young man. I am looking forward to a safe and pleasant trip with your company’s arrangement in 9/2023. more
Jun 2023, Huey Lee
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My experiences have been great!
I have been working with China Highlights for different trips in the past few years. My experiences have been great. This year I work with Roger Li to plan a 11-day tour in 2024 with a group of 7. Roger Li has been responsive and patient. We are excited about our China adventure next year. more
Jun 2023, Ying W
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Planning a Tour
I have been working with China Highlights to plan a 6 day tour. Our group has changed its mind a few times. Roger Li has been great at working with us and our changing agenda. He is very responsive. I am truly looking forward to our China adventure more
Jun 2023, Cathy
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I had a great experience with a private…
我有一个伟大的经验与Ro私人旅行ger Li. We went to Gubei Water Town and Roger climbed the Great Wall at Simatai with me all the way up, which was much more than I could expect. Roger is very kind and knowledgeable. I asked him for the real China food experience and Roger on the spot improvised a very special visit to a local family restaurant where through Roger’s excellent interpretor skills I could have wonderful conversations with the family and 2 other guests. All food was made fresh, veggies came from their own garden - and I ate a rare mountain plant salad. Superb day thanks to Roger. more
Jun 2023, Dianne
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China Highlights - Ivy, exceptional tour experience
Our family recently had the pleasure of embarking on a tour in Beijing led by Ivy, and we must say it was an amazing experience. Ivy possesses a remarkable talent for guiding and enlightening her guestsFrom the moment our tour began, Ivy's passion for her craft shone through. Her enthusiasm was infectious. It was clear that Ivy not only possessed an immense knowledge of the tour's subject matter but also had a genuine love for sharing it with others.Another standout quality of Ivy was her impeccable organizational skills. The tour ran seamlessly, with every detail carefully planned and executed. From coordinating transportation to ensuring timely breaks, Ivy's attention to detail was commendable. Her efforts created a stress-free experience for the guests, allowing us to focus solely on the exploration and enjoyment of the tour. Thanks Ivy for giving us an unforgettable experience and such great first impression of a beautiful China. more
Jun 2023, YH Loh
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My advisor Mr Roger Li
My advisor Mr Roger Li was very accurate precise and knowledgeable . You can trust him in every aspect.good job! more
Jun 2023, FILIPPO AND PAOLA SCEVOLA
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Great Wall and Summer Palace
We have just spent a wonderful day touring the Great Wall and Summer Palace in Beijing. We were all blown away by the Wall (including our children who are not easily impressed!) and loved the scenery, the history and the toboggan slide down! The grounds of the Sumner Palace are beautiful. Our guide, Jack, was so helpful, patient and full of interesting information and patiently answered all our questions. A fantastic day out! more
Jun 2023, Kate Newberry
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Fantastic time in Beijing with Olivia as our guide
Olivia was our tour guide in Beijing.We saw so many amazing things, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu). She was so delightful and informative. Really added to our experience. We ate at some wonderful restaurants, including a delicious luncheon of Peking duck. It was my daughter's birthday and we were surprised by a lovely birthday cake too. Great recommendations for our free time too. more
Jun 2023, Pamela B
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wonderful guide Tom
我决定和我的妻子一起旅行China. After we visited Shanghai, we went to Beijing by train. There we were met by the guide Tom. We stayed in the hotel and the next day we started the tour according to the plan. historical and cultural objects, for events that took place in those periods of history. The Great Wall is a pride of the Chinese people and it was a dream to visit it. Thank you Tom, thank you to the company China Highlights. I would recommend this company and the guide Tom to everyone. . more
Jun 2023, Fatmir B
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Sanya and Gubei Water Town
My second trip, was at Gubei Water Town. Again my private car and my guide Tom were wonderful. Tom was very helpful when I was on the great Wall of China, always lending me a helping hand and warning me when the terrain was uneven. Excellent scheduling of events, e.g. from the Great Wall I saw a drone show and a water fountain show. Both perfectly timed for amazing views. Tom was helpful in selecting places to eat and was knowledgeable. I would strongly recommend both tour guides Tom and Valerie. more
Jun 2023, Alaa Elmoursi
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In Beijing, spend 2 days to explore the iconic attractions — the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. To save time and get a better knowledge of the Forbidden City, our guide would find the best way for you to visit and lead you to some off-the-beaten-track areas of interest.
One day is needed to visitthe Great Wall.For a better experience, our guide would usually take you to the less-crowded and fully-restoredMutianyu Great Wallsection. If you would like to hike on the Great Wall, our guide would typically arrange a hiking trip from Jinshanling to Simatai — two adjacent Great Wall sections. At Jinshanling, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset on a clear day surrounded by well-preserved watchtowers and wall remnants joining them. You could even a have a picnic on the Great Wall.
For a special experience and a less-crowded environment, we recommend you take anight tour at Simatai, the only section open at night. When the weather’s clear, you could enjoy romantic moments when the Great Wall is soaked in starlight.
Families with teenagers, we recommend you spend a day having a Chinese cultural experience to learn more about Chinese culture. Do tai chi exercises in the morning with a master and join a Chinese calligraphy course, for example.
Days 5–6: Xi’an
![Xian terracotta warriors](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
In Xi’an, most visitors spend a day with theTerracotta Warriors, Xi’an’s must-visit attraction. To help you get a better understanding of the Terracotta Army’s history and how it was made two thousand years ago, our private guide would take you to a local business that makes terracotta warriors in the original way. There you can make a unique warrior with your own hands and bring it home as a souvenir.
The other day in Xi’an could be a relaxing one, though still filled with history and culture.Riding a bike on the medieval City Wall, and head over to the Muslim Quarter to taste local cuisine and snacks in the markets.
Days 7–8: Chengdu
![Chengdu panda reserve](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
In Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas, join our one-day Panda Keeper Program tour to get close to those adorable animals in the Panda Reserve. Our guide will help you get the most out of your time as a volunteer, cleaning the panda enclosures, making their favorite cakes, and seeing how they are fed in the program.
Chengdu is famed for its cuisine. Try Sichuan cuisine (hot pot) and enjoy some free time in a traditional teahouse. If you are interested in Chinese cooking, we can arrange a food tour or cooking class in Chengdu to help you learn some basic skills and knowledge.
Days 9–11: Guilin
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Renowned for its beautiful karst landscapes, Guilin is one of the top destinations for China first-timers. In Guilin, spend a day on a Li River cruise from Guilin city toYangshuoto enjoy the breathtaking river-and-mountain views.
In Yangshuo, we can arrange a biking tour to explore the beautiful paddy fields in the countryside. Visit a local farmer’s house and experience their life and farming activities,such as feeding water buffaloes, planting, or harvesting according to the season.
If you are visiting Guilin in autumn, then spend a day atLongji Terraced Fields查看金大米层和雄厚ce interesting minority traditions.
Days 12–13: Hangzhou
![Hangzhou west lake](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Hangzhou is best known for its picturesqueWest Lake, which is surrounded by elegant gardens, temples, and historical buildings. Our guide would arrange a boat tour of the lake, a visit to famous Leifeng Pagoda, or a stroll through the gardens of nearby Guozhuang Village.
Days 14–15: Suzhou
![Suzhou gardens](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
在苏州,人们惊叹于它的美丽的花园ns, classical Chinese architecture, and historical canals. Our guide would take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site — the Classical Gardens of Suzhou — to appreciate beautiful combinations of art and nature. Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, and Master of the Nets Garden are some of the most famous ones.
If you are interested in Chinese silk products, Suzhou is the right place for you. We can arrange a short visit to the Silk Museum, where you could see the process of silk-making or purchase souvenirs made of silk.
Days 16–17: Huangshan (The Yellow Mountains)
![Huangshan (The Yellow Mountains)](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Known for its unique and beautiful scenery, Huangshan deserves two days.Take a cable car to view the abundant breathtaking views of imaginatively-named rocks and trees.To help you experience local life there, we recommend visiting Bishan Village and staying in a typical Hui-style inn (where you could enjoy quiet moments with your partner). In the morning, have a walk around its idyllic countryside to breathe the fresh air and enjoy the picturesque village views.
Days 18–19: Shanghai
![Shanghai the Bund](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
As the last stop on this trip, Shanghai offers a vast choice of entertaining activities to wind down. Shanghai’s must-visit attraction and locale is the Bund, which offers incredible views of the contrasting city skylines.
Join our in-depth culture discovery tour for more stories and secrets behind the old buildings ofthe Bund. Our local guide would help you get a better understanding of Shanghai’s impressive modernity and flourishing history.
In your last days in China, make full use of your time to relax fully or do activities you are interested in, such as shopping, visiting museums, drinking coffee on top of the skyscrapers, or just having a rest in a top Chinese spa treatment hall.
2. A 19-Day China Tour Itinerary with Holy Tibet
If Tibet is your dreamland or bucket-list trip destination, then you may like this itinerary, which combines five of the top China destinations with more-adventurous Tibet.
- Days 1–4: Beijing
- Days 5–6: Xi’an
- Days 7–10: Tibet
- Days 11–12: Chengdu
- Days 13–16: Guilin
- Days 17–19: Hong Kong
It will take you about 4 to 5 days to explore the highlights of Tibet, includingLhasa and Lake Yamdrok. More days would be needed if you are interested in visiting Everest Base Camp. See our classic 8-day Tibet Tour.
InLhasa, the capital of Tibet, our private guide would introduce you to the best ways to explore and get to know the Potala Palace. Spend some leisurely time wandering around Barkhor Street — see devout Buddhists praying and experience the buzz of local Tibetan life. If you are interested in rural Tibetan life in remote areas, we can arrange a visit to a Tibetan village in the hills.
There, live the life of a Tibetan nomad for a day. Take part in their daily activities, including horse riding, milking yaks, printing prayer flags, and other things that the nomads do.
It's important to remember that visiting Tibet requires a travel permit, which can only be applied for by an approved travel agency. Also, some areas are restricted for foreign travelers and require additional permits, which we could also obtain.
In Hong Kong, the last stop on this itinerary, we could arrange some relaxing activities to help you have a rest after this long trip. You could take the Peak Tram up the iconic Victoria Peak to enjoy the breathtaking views of the city skyline.
If you are traveling with kids, you could visitHong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, where you can view spectacular fireworks shows, parades, and live performances.
3. A 19-Day China Tour Itinerary with Picturesque Yunnan
If you are interested in China’s diversified minority culture and natural sightseeing, then you will like this itinerary, which combine the top destinations and the picturesque Yunnan.
- Days 1–4: Beijing (as above)
- Days 5–7: Xi’an (as above)
- ays 8–9: Chengdu (as above)
- Days 10–16: Yunnan
- Days 17–19: Shanghai (as above)
As one of the popular travel destinations in China,Yunnanis renowned for its picturesque landscape and diversified minority culture. The top places to visit in Yunnan are including Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-la.
InKunming, spend a day to visit the Stone Forest, which is a geological wonder with towering limestone formations that resemble trees, animals, and other shapes.
Spend two days inLijiang, which is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang Old Town. You can see many ancient buildings, canals, and old streets. Another famous attraction in Lijiang is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where you can see beautiful mountain ranges and stunning views.
Spend another two days to exploreDali’s breathtaking landscapes, including Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain.
InShangri-la, spend two days to explore this beautiful county. Take part in our village tour to visit a local family to experience Tibetan culture and life. Try to wear the traditional Tibetan dress and enjoy a starry night with a bonfire on the grassland.
4. A 19-Day China Tour Itinerary with a Yangtze Cruise: Best for Retired Couples
If you are looking for a more-relaxed and romantic trip after retired, then this itinerary would be good for you. We select from the best star-rated Yangtze cruise ships as well as lining up some delightful destinations in this trip to help you create romantic memories in China.
- Days 1–4: Beijing (see above for details)
- Days 5–8: Xi’an (as above)
- Days 9–11: Chengdu (as above)
- Days 12–17: Chongqing and a Yangtze Cruise
- Days 18–19: Shanghai(as above)
InChongqing, spend a day to explore some of the top attractions in the city and have a hot pot dinner. The second day, you will take aYangtze Cruiseship from Chongqing to Yichang. During the trip , you will see the breathtaking engineering of theThree Gorges Damand learn about Chinese customs and traditions, as ships provide onboard activities, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons, and a Chinese medicine workshop.
5. A 19-Day China Itinerary with a Silk Road Adventure
If you are interested in Silk Road history and culture, then this itinerary will be good for you. In this itinerary, you will visit the top destinations and the silk road cities of China.
- Days 1–5: Beijing (see itinerary 1 above)
- Days 6–8: Xi’an (as above)
- Days 9–10: Zhangye
- Days 11–13: Dunhuang
- Days 14–19: Xinjiang (Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar)
InZhangye, which is home to the Rainbow Mountains, you will have a chance to take a camel ride along the ancient trade route that connected China to the West to experience ancient Silk Road trade life.
In the city ofDunhuang, you will visitMogao Caves, where you would see a stunning array of ancient Buddhist art, including murals, statues, and colorful frescoes. Our guide could lead you to visit some that are not open to the general public.
InXinjiang,参观cityTurpan, Urumqi, and Kashgarto learn more about Uygur culture, by seeing the traditional music and dance performances, as well as visit bustling bazaars and markets. You'll also have the opportunity to try a variety of Xinjiang cuisine, such as Uighur and Kazakh dishes.
Cost for 19- Day Tour in China
The cost for a China tour during peak season is quite different from the off season. Prices in the peak season can be 50 to 100% higher than the low seasons.
For example, the flight price from the U.S. or Europe to China varies a lot depending on the travel time and airline you use, which is usually from around US$1,200 to US$3,000 for an economy round trip.
The peak travel timesin China are on the first weeks of May and October (China’s two golden weeks), summer holidays, and Christmas and New year holidays.
For most visitors who book a private tour with us in China,the average cost per day is about US$220–350 per person, including flights/trains within China, 4- or 5- star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.
Thus, a 19-day tour for two people would cost about US$8,400–13,300. A tour for a family of four may cost US$11,800–18,600 (kids under 10 get 30–50% off). Your international flights are not included in this price.
How to Travel around China
It is convenient travel through the whole country by flights or high-speed trains in China. Most of the tourist cities are connected by high-speed rails and airports.
If you book a tour with us, we will arrange the suitable travel routes according to your preferences, seamlessly booking the flight/train tickets you need.
Tour China with Us
Whether you're interested in history, culture, or natural beauty, there's something for everyone in China. Let's create your dream trip! All our tours can be customized. Justcontact us.
- 11-Day Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai— the TOP itinerary for first-timers
- 12-Day Panda Keeper and Classic Wonders— the above plus pandas
- 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Highlights Tour— the classic Golden Triangle itinerary