China Highlights Tour with Suzhou, Hangzhou and Guilin

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China Highlights Tour with Suzhou, Hangzhou and Guilin

★★★★★

4.9/5 821 Latest reviews

Tour Code: ODY-CN-019

Destination: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin, Xi’an, Beijing

Duration

14 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

About This Trip

Explore the most iconic highlights of China on this 14-day itinerary. Hit Shanghai’s most popular sites, such as the Bund, Shanghai Museum, and Jade Buddha Temple. From the Lingering Garden in Suzhou to the Ancient Town of Tongli to the West Lake in Hangzhou, you’ll experience the unique charm of Jiangnan. Then, you’ll take a domestic flight to Guilin for the stunning Longji Rice Terraces and enjoy a leisure cruise along the Li River. Continue to Xi’an to see the famous Terracotta Army. In the capital of Beijing, you’ll see the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and Hutongs.

Itinerary Summary

DAY	PLACE	HIGHLIGHTS
1 – 2	Shanghai	The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Former French Concession, Dumplings & Mini Wontons Cooking Class
3 – 4	Suzhou	Lingering Garden, Tongli Water Town, Suzhou Canal Hand-rowed Boat Tour, Pan Gate, No.1 Silk Factory
5	Hangzhou	West Lake Boat Trip, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak
6 – 8	Guilin	Longji Rice Terraces, Li River Cruise
9 – 11	Xi’an	Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Street, Local Home Visit
12 – 14	Beijing	Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs

Itinerary

Upon your arrival in Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or step out to explore this amazing metropolis on your own.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, begin your day with a leisurely walk along the Bund, where grand colonial-era buildings stand in striking contrast to the futuristic skyline of Pudong across the river. Continue on to the Jade Buddha Temple, a peaceful sanctuary filled with the scent of incense, where the highlight is a serene Buddha statue carved entirely from pure white jade. Next, wander through the tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession, where elegant villas, art-deco apartments, and quaint cafés create a charming old-world atmosphere.

For lunch, you’ll have the chance to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at making small wontons – delicate parcels of flavor enjoyed as a beloved comfort food by locals.

Step into the Shanghai Museum for an art history journey through the Middle Kingdom, with collections dating back as far as the 20th century B.C. From bronzes and ceramics to ancient calligraphy and painting, the galleries offer a vivid window into China’s millennia-old cultural heritage.

Optional: Shanghai Acrobatics Show is famous in the world. If you’re interested in, consider enjoying it as your optional night activity.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, you will be met and transferred to the railway station for the high-speed train to Suzhou (about 0.5 h, no guide service on the train).

Start with the Lingering Garden (Liuyuan), a classical masterpiece known for its clever layout and elegant balance, where winding corridors, pavilions, and rockeries unfold like scenes in a painting. Then head to Pan Gate, with its ancient stone gate and old city wall. Continue with a cruise on the 2,400-year-old Grand Canal, passing stone bridges and riverside houses that reveal the rhythm of local life. Lastly, drop by No.1 Silk Factory to discover the traditional process of silk making.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

In the morning, drive to water town of Tongli (about 20-minute drive from Suzhou), there you will pay a visit to the Tuisi Garden, Pearl Pagoda, Triple Bridge, Ming and Qing Dynasty Street.

Drive back to Suzhou railway station for the train to Hangzhou. Upon your arrival at Hangzhou railway station, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out into this beautiful city for an adventure on your own.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Get ready to dive into the charm of Hangzhou! Begin your city tour with Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, where ancient Buddhist halls sit beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, creating a scene of quiet grandeur. Next, enjoy a tranquil boat ride on the iconic West Lake, where willow branches sweep the water and distant pagodas rise from the mist. Continue to the Flower Pond, alive with shimmering koi weaving among lotus leaves.

Step inside the former residence of Hu Xueyan, a splendid Qing-dynasty mansion full of intricate details. Finally, at Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, shelves of herbs and the fragrance of medicine in the air bring centuries of healing tradition vividly to life.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

You will be free on this day until your personal guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Guilin.

Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After a rest, you will explore the fabulous Reed Flute Cave, where colorful lights illuminate stalactites and stalagmites that form natural palaces underground.

Optional: In the evening, stroll through the Shijiayuan Night Market, a lively spot filled with sizzling street food, fragrant snacks, and the buzz of local life. It’s the perfect chance to taste authentic Guilin flavors.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

On this day, you will take an excursion to the scenic Longji Terraced Fields. You will trek along quiet field paths, see authentic country views, visit the minority village of Yao People, admire at their colorful clothes, wooden residences and taste some homemade delicacies. Be transferred back to Guilin after the excursion.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today’s highlight is the Li River cruise. Starting at Zhujiang Pier, you’ll cruise down the picturesque Li River. En route, stunning limestone karst scenery, pastoral views of thriving groves, rice paddies, water buffaloes and working farmers will add pleasure to your journey.

After disembarkation in the early afternoon, you’ll first transfer to your hotel in Yangshuo. After a short break, take a countryside tour (by bike or by car, 1-2 hours) and continue enjoying the laid-back ambiance.

Optional: If you’d like more activities, an optional night show of Impression Sanjie Liu is highly recommended.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

You will be free to explore the beautiful town until your guide escorts you to the airport for your afternoon flight to Xi’an. Upon arriving in Xi’an, your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the centuries-old Big Wild Goose Pagoda before taking you to your hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Marvel at the thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots that have guarded Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb for over 2,000 years.

Drive back to the city and stroll through the local Muslim community to experience the vibrant culture and daily life of Xi’an’s Muslim. Along the way, savor local specialties such as savory lamb skewers, crispy sesame cakes, and the famous biangbiang noodles, each offering an authentic taste of the city’s rich culinary tradition.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Spend the morning with a local Xi’an family, where you’ll be welcomed into their home for a warm cultural exchange. Try your hand at making hand-pulled noodles or dumplings, and learn the secrets of preparing a few homestyle dishes in a relaxed kitchen setting. Later in the day, bid farewell to Xi’an as you board the train bound for Beijing. Upon arrival, your local guide will be waiting at the station to greet you and escort you to your hotel.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square. Passing through the iconic Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, famous for its grand royal buildings, exquisite ornaments and priceless treasures.

In the afternoon, you will take a pedicab to explore hutongs, the disappearing ancient alleys of Old Beijing, and then ramble about along the Houhai Bar Street.

Optional: A recommended night show for you is the thrilling Chinese Kung Fu Show which brings you the charm of Chinese martial art.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning you will marvel the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where you can enjoy watching the locals playing and doing their morning exercises.

No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you will tour the magnificent Great Wall, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Walking on the venerable ramparts, you will be amazed at the unbelievable constructions and appalling landscape that surrounds the wall.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Enjoy your free time in Beijing to relax, shop, or take a last stroll through the city at your own pace. You might explore the streets near your hotel, grab some souvenirs, or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere of China’s capital one last time. Later, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight back home, marking the end of a memorable journey.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

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Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

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Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
James T.
Verified · TripAdvisor
u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
Greenfly
Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
Ludovic V.
Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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China Highlights Tour with Suzhou, Hangzhou and Guilin

About This Trip

Itinerary Summary

Itinerary

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