Luxury Tour of China: Iconic Sights & Wonders
Signature China
Shanghai — Beijing — Xian — Guilin — Hong Kong
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Interest
Heritage & Culture · Modern Cities
Places Where You'll Stay
Shanghai (3 nights)
Day 1-3
Beijing (3 nights)
Day 4-6
Xi'an (2 nights)
Day 7-8
Guilin (2 nights)
Day 9-10
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Day 11-14
Tracing China’s Story from Heritage to Horizon
Discover China through its defining sights and cities on this 13-day privately guided journey, designed for travelers who value elegance, clarity, and ease. Thoughtfully curated, the route links imperial capitals, celebrated landmarks, and modern global cities—offering a panoramic view of China that feels polished, fluid, and complete.
China’s modern energy comes into focus where heritage and ambition meet. Along Shanghai’s Bund, Art Deco façades frame a forest of glass and steel, while Yu Garden’s pavilions and storybook bridges offer a quieter counterpoint. Delicate soup dumplings, Tianzifang’s studios and cafés, and a step back in time in Zhujiajiao—stone bridges and canal-lined lanes—reveal how tradition endures within a global city. Evenings culminate in spectacle, as ERA Acrobatics transforms motion, music, and light into a breathtaking finale.
Imperial scale and ceremony shape the journey’s historical core. Stone ramparts trace the mountain ridges at Mutianyu’s Great Wall, vermilion courtyards unfold within the Forbidden City, and willow-lined lakes at the Summer Palace invite unhurried wandering. Farther west, ancient city walls encircle Xi’an, where the Han Yangling Mausoleum’s miniature relics humanize empire before the silent formation of the Terracotta Army—an eternal guard, perfectly still and endlessly moving. Evenings may bring lacquered Peking Duck or a quiet stroll through hutongs.
The south turns lyrical as mist-draped karst rise above the Li River. Days unfold between cruising jade-green waters, wandering Yangshuo’s West Street, ascending Ruyi Peak’s glass walkways, or cycling past rice paddies toward Moon Hill. The journey concludes in Hong Kong with a Star Ferry crossing, Peak Tram harbor views, Central’s gleam, and a Kowloon night food tour—from Mak’s wonton noodles to Temple Street favorites.
Expertly guided throughout, Signature China reveals the country as a cohesive whole—iconic, layered, and deeply memorable.
What makes this tour unique
Why Choose This Tour
- For Travelers Seeking China’s Most Complete Introduction – Ideal for those who want the country’s defining cities, landscapes, and landmarks experienced within one cohesive, expertly structured journey.
- For First-Time Visitors Who Want Confidence and Clarity – Designed for travelers who value a route that makes China feel navigable and intentional, pairing breadth with a sense of flow.
- For Those Drawn to Icons With Dimension – Best for travelers who want headline sights enriched by cultural texture, local flavor, and moments that reveal the country beyond its monuments.
- For Travelers Who Prefer a Polished Pace – A strong fit for those who want to see widely without feeling hurried, balancing grand historical settings with lyrical scenery and contemporary city energy.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- Economy Class Airfares between Shanghai / Beijing – Xian / Guilin
- First / Business* Class High Speed Train Tickets between Beijing / Xian – Guilin / Hong Kong
- 13 nights deluxe & luxury hotels of your choice
- Hotel breakfasts daily
- Select lunches and dinners as specified per itinerary
- Private Tour: Sightseeing & Transfers by private car, driver and expert guides at your service
- Carefree travel with 24/7 Support
*Premium package features business class trains
TOUR ITINERARY:
Days 1–3: Shanghai – Modern Energy Meets Timeless Charm
Where East meets West, Shanghai is a city of contrasts — ancient gardens and old lanes set against a skyline of steel and glass. From the Bund’s stately riverfront to the art-filled alleys of Tianzifang, every corner reveals a new facet of its character. These first days invite you to experience both its glittering modernity and enduring traditions.
Day 1 (Welcome to China!): Arrive in Shanghai, you’ll be met at the airport by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
Day 2 (The City Highlights): Discover Old Town’s winding lanes and Yu Garden, a Ming-era masterpiece. Continue to the Shanghai Museum, home to treasures spanning China’s dynasties. Enjoy a lunch of Shanghai’s famed soup dumplings before exploring Tianzifang, a lively maze of art galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Cap off the day with the ERA Acrobatics show, a breathtaking spectacle where athleticism, music, and light converge into one dazzling finale. (B,L)
Day 3 (Travel Back in Time to an Ancient Water Village): This morning, journey to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao, a living museum of stone bridges, narrow lanes, and canals that have endured since the 11th century. Wander through the bustling markets brimming with local color and glimpse the rhythms of countryside life woven into this timeless setting. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day free at leisure. (B)
Discover More of Shanghai
Grand, storied, and steeped in ceremony, Beijing is where the weight of history rests gently on your shoulders, yet the city hums ...
Enhance your Shanghai Experience with add-ons
Take a sunset cruise on the Huangpu River
Visit Suzhou's classical gardens
Add a day trip to Hangzhou's iconic West Lake
Days 4–6: Beijing – Imperial Splendor and Living Traditions
Beijing tells the story of dynasties through its grand palaces, sacred temples, and ancient alleyways. From the sweeping stones of the Great Wall to the quiet rhythm of the hutongs, it’s a city where history breathes in every space. These three days reveal its imperial grandeur and intimate traditions.
Day 4 (Ride the High Speed Train to Beijing): Fly or ride the ultra-fast high-speed train north to Beijing, where imperial grandeur meets modern bustle. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for the next three nights. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure—perhaps strolling through nearby Wangfujing or simply relaxing after your journey. This evening, savor an iconic Beijing specialty — crisp, fragrant Peking Duck — at one of the city’s famed restaurants. (B,D)
Day 5 (Imperial Palaces & Temples): Explore Beijing’s most revered landmarks: Tiananmen Square, the monumental gateway to the nation’s history; the Forbidden City, a vast imperial complex once reserved for emperors; and either the Temple of Heaven or the Summer Palace, both masterpieces of Ming-era design. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a leisurely stroll along Qianmen’s vibrant pedestrian street before returning to your hotel for time to relax—perhaps with a cocktail or afternoon tea. (B,L)
Day 6 (Hike the Great Wall of China): Ride a cable car up to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where ancient ramparts wind across green ridges. Return to Beijing for lunch, then wander the narrow hutong lanes, lined with centuries-old courtyard homes and traditional shops, offering glimpses of everyday life little changed over generations. (B,L)
Discover More of Beijing
Grand, storied, and steeped in ceremony, Beijing is where the weight of history rests gently on your shoulders, yet the city hums with the vitality of the present. ...
Enhance your Beijing Experience with add-ons
Try your hand at dumpling-making
Enjoy tea tasting at a local tea house
Extend your stay: hike remote sections of the Great Wall, then stay in Gubei water village (2 days)
Days 7–8: Xi’an – Echoes of the Silk Road
Once the starting point of the Silk Road and China’s capital for 13 dynasties, Xi’an is a living museum of the nation’s history — from its imposing city walls to the legendary Terracotta Army. Its monuments offer a vivid link to China’s storied past.
Day 7 (From Beijing to Xian):This morning, board a high-speed train to Xi’an, watching the countryside rush past at up to 300 km/h. On arrival, visit the Han Yangling Mausoleum, resting place of Emperor Liu Qi, and walk atop the ancient City Wall. In the evening, stroll through Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a lively promenade of Tang-style architecture, street performances, and open-air markets. Check in for your two-night stay. (B)
Day 8 (See the Terracotta Army): Stand before the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army — more than 7,000 life-sized warriors and horses guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang for over two millennia. Return to the city for lunch, then visit the elegant Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, savor Shaanxi’s famous hot pot, followed by a colorful Tang Dynasty cultural performance.(B,L,D)
Discover More of Xi'an
Storied, enduring, and endlessly fascinating, Xi’an is where China’s history comes to stand beside you. Once the starting point of the Silk Road...
Enhance your Xian Experience with add-ons
Try your hand at Biángbiáng (hand-pulled) noodle-making
Visit Huaqing Palace: one of the Four Great Royal Gardens in China
Extend your stay: Hike Mount Huashan
Days 9–10: Guilin & Yangshuo – Poetic Peaks and Countryside Charm
In southern China, the serene beauty of Guilin and Yangshuo has inspired poets and painters for centuries. Here, jade-green rivers wind past limestone peaks, and rice paddies stretch to the horizon.
Day 9 (Journey to the Countryside): Fly to Guilin, a city long celebrated for its poetic landscapes. Time permitting, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, the city’s emblem where the Li River carves a natural arch into the limestone, or explore the Reed Flute Cave, a glittering subterranean world of stalactites illuminated in soft hues. Conclude the day with dinner before an overnight stay in Guilin. (B,D)
Day 10 (Tranquil Rivers, Stunning Karst Towers & Verdant Rice Fields): Your countryside escape begins with a cruise along the Li River, where mist-draped karst peaks rise like an ancient scroll painting, fishermen glide by on bamboo rafts, and water buffalo graze in emerald fields—a timeless tableau that has inspired artists for generations. Arrive in Yangshuo and stroll the lively lanes of West Street before ascending by cable car to Ruyi Peak, where a vast sea of karst mountains stretches above misty valleys and winding rivers. Walk scenic trails with suspension bridges and glass-bottom walkways, offering breathtaking bird’s-eye views of Yangshuo’s dramatic landscapes. Return to Guilin in the afternoon. (B,L)
Note: For active travelers, you may replace Ruyi Peak with a bicycle tour around the countryside and hike Moon Hill for sweeping panoramas of Yangshuo’s limestone towers.
Discover More of Guilin
Poetic, serene, and almost otherworldly, Guilin is the China of painted scrolls — a land where jade-green rivers...
Enhance your Guilin Experience with add-ons
Try your hand at calligraphy or water-painting at a local artisan studio
See the awe-inspiring Impressions of Sanjie Liu Water Show
Extend your stay at mountain retreat in Yangshuo
Extend your trip: see Longsheng's Dragon Rice Terraces and stay in mountain lodge
Days 11–13: Hong Kong – City of Contrasts
Hong Kong is a city of cinematic skylines, bustling markets, and quiet pockets of tradition. From the Star Ferry’s timeless crossing to the panoramic sweep of Victoria Peak, it reveals itself in moments of both spectacle and subtlety.
Day 11 (From Tranquil Countryside to Big City Fun): Whisk to Hong Kong by high-speed train, where soaring glass towers stand alongside traditional markets. Transfer by private car to your hotel for the next three nights. (B)
Day 12 (Feel the Vibes): Begin with a Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, then explore the gleaming towers of Central. Ride the historic Peak Tram for sweeping harbor views, visit a bustling wet market, and—time permitting—hop aboard a double-decker tram before returning by MTR. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. (B)
Day 13 (Hong Kong Your Way): Spend the day at leisure to shop, dine, or explore Hong Kong at your own pace. In the evening, embark on a Kowloon night food tour: taste Michelin-recommended wonton noodles at Mak’s, sample street favorites at Temple Street, browse Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, and end on lively Women’s Street with Hong Kong’s signature curry fish balls. (B,D)
Discover More of Hong Kong
Where soaring skyscrapers meet jade-green peaks, Hong Kong is a city of dazzling contrasts. By day, glide across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry, wander vibrant street markets, or ascend Victoria Peak...
Day 14: Farewell Hong Kong
Transfer to the airport for your journey home, carrying with you the sights, flavors, and stories of China — from ancient walls and jade rivers to tantalizing street eats and timeless traditions. (B)
PRICE CHART:
| 2026/27 Price Chart (Prices valid through March 31, 2027) | ||||
Hotel Package | Twin Sharing | Single Supplement | ||
| LS | HS | LS | HS | |
| Deluxe | 8,875 | 9,325 | 2,125 | 2,545 |
| Premium | 11,675 | 12,275 | 4,075 | 4,625 |
High Season (HS): April – October Low Season (LS): November – March | ||||
| Tour requires minimum of 2 passengers to operate | ||||
- Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
- Price includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotel taxes & service charges
- Price excludes personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to guides and drivers
- Holiday surcharges Golden Weeks in May & October, Christmas holiday period and Chinese New Year ( Feb. 17-27, 2026)
- China visa required for entry. Not included in package. Passport must NOT expire within 6 months from end of trip.
- All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation
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