📌 Program Overview
This 12-day / 11-night China Ancient Capitals & Zhangjiajie private tour is designed for travelers who want China’s classic history route plus dramatic mountain scenery in one itinerary.
The route starts in Beijing with imperial landmarks and the Great Wall, continues to Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors and ancient capital culture, then travels to Zhangjiajie for sandstone peaks, Tianmen Mountain, and canyon scenery before ending in Shanghai with old-city culture, skyline views, and the Bund.
This sample itinerary includes selected hotels, breakfasts, private English-speaking guides, local vehicles, listed tickets, intercity support, and airport or railway transfers.
✨ Tour Highlights
• Visit Beijing’s Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Hill, and the Great Wall
• Explore Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, and Tang-style cultural areas
• Experience Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, famous for sandstone pillars and mountain viewpoints
• Visit Tianmen Mountain, cableway routes, cliffside paths, and glass walkway areas if open
• End in Shanghai with Yu Garden, the Bund, skyline views, Huangpu River atmosphere, and city life
👥 Who This Tour Is For
This tour is suitable for first-time China travelers who want the classic Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai route with an added nature highlight in Zhangjiajie.
Because the route includes palace areas, the Great Wall, old streets, scenic shuttles, cableways, mountain paths, steps, and travel days, it works best for travelers who can handle moderate walking.
🧩 Customization Notes
This sample itinerary can be customized based on arrival city, departure city, hotel level, room arrangement, group size, walking ability, meals, and pace.
Zhangjiajie sightseeing depends on weather, scenic transport, cableway operation, crowd levels, and walking ability. Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, and Grand Canyon can be reordered for safety and comfort.
🗓️ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing. Meet your driver or guide and transfer to your selected hotel. If arrival time allows, enjoy a light local walk or dinner arrangement. Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Hill and Temple of Heaven
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, subject to reservation availability and official rules. Continue to Jingshan Hill for a palace-area view if weather allows, then visit the Temple of Heaven or adjust the order based on ticket timing. Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 3: Great Wall and Beijing Cultural Stop
Travel by private vehicle to the Great Wall, usually Mutianyu or another suitable section. Scenic transport can be included if confirmed. In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, a hutong area, or another Beijing cultural stop. Stay overnight in Beijing.
Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an, City Wall and Muslim Quarter
Transfer to the airport or railway station and travel to Xi’an by high-speed train or domestic flight. After arrival, meet your Xi’an guide or driver and transfer to your hotel. If timing allows, visit Xi’an City Wall, Bell and Drum Tower area, or Muslim Quarter. Stay overnight in Xi’an.
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an Ancient Capital Culture
Visit the Terracotta Warriors with your private guide. Continue with Lishan Garden, Qin culture area, Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, Tang-style district, or another Xi’an highlight. Stay overnight in Xi’an.
Day 6: Xi’an to Zhangjiajie
Travel from Xi’an to Zhangjiajie by flight, rail connection, or combined transport. After arrival, meet your Zhangjiajie guide or driver and transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Zhangjiajie.
Day 7: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with your guide. The route may include Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, scenic viewpoints, or official shuttle routes according to weather and queues. Stay overnight in Zhangjiajie.
Day 8: Tianmen Mountain
Visit Tianmen Mountain, subject to cableway, shuttle, and local operation. Explore Tianmen Cave, cliffside walkways, glass walkway sections, or viewpoints if open and suitable. Stay overnight in Zhangjiajie.
Day 9: Grand Canyon or Flexible Zhangjiajie Visit, Then Travel to Shanghai
If timing and transport allow, visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon or another scenic area. Transfer to the airport or railway station and travel to Shanghai. Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 10: Shanghai Old City, Skyline and the Bund
Visit Yu Garden and the old-city bazaar area. Continue to a city viewpoint such as Shanghai Tower or Oriental Pearl Tower if included. In the evening, enjoy the Bund, Nanjing Road, Huangpu River atmosphere, or a river cruise if confirmed. Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 11: Shanghai Water Town or Local Culture
Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, Wukang Road, Jing’an Temple, a museum area, or another Shanghai stop according to preference. A boat ride, café stop, or shopping time can be added if confirmed. Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Day 12: Shanghai Departure
Transfer to Shanghai airport, railway station, cruise terminal, hotel, or another confirmed final drop-off point. If departure is late, a short visit can be added with a revised quote.
📦 Inclusions & Exclusions
✅ Included
✅ Selected hotel accommodation for 11 nights
✅ Hotel breakfasts as listed in the itinerary
✅ Private English-speaking guide during sightseeing in each city
✅ Local private vehicle service for sightseeing and transfers according to the itinerary
✅ Airport, railway station, hotel, or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off as confirmed
✅ Listed attraction ticket arrangements as confirmed
✅ Great Wall scenic transport if included in the final quote
✅ Zhangjiajie scenic shuttles, cableways, elevators, or mountain transport if included
✅ Huangpu River cruise, water town boat, or skyline viewpoint if included in the final quote
✅ Intercity transport planning support
✅ Intercity transport segments if clearly included in the final quote
✅ No shopping stops or group merging during sightseeing
❌ Not Included
❌ International flights
❌ Domestic transport tickets unless clearly included in the final quote
❌ China visa fees or personal visa-related costs
❌ Lunches and dinners unless clearly included in the final quote
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Optional activities not listed as included
❌ Extra hotel room charges, upgrades, or extra bed fees
❌ Extra Zhangjiajie scenic areas, glass bridge access, shows, or night activities unless confirmed
❌ Drinks, snacks, laundry, porterage, tips, and travel insurance unless arranged separately
❌ Any service not clearly listed as included
💰 Price / Quote Information
Approximate starting price: from USD 2,999 per person.
This reference price is based on about 4 travelers sharing 2 standard rooms. It includes selected hotels, guide service, local vehicles, listed visits, basic tickets, transfer support, and sample intercity planning.
The actual price may vary depending on dates, hotels, rooms, group size, transport schedules, train or flight prices, Zhangjiajie tickets, scenic transport, vehicles, meals, pickup/drop-off, and route adjustments.
Please send travel dates, number of travelers, room requirements, arrival and departure cities, luggage details, preferred hotel level, walking ability, Zhangjiajie activity preference, and special interests.
🏨 Hotel Notes
The standard route usually includes 3 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi’an, 3 nights in Zhangjiajie, and 3 nights in Shanghai.
Hotel names, room types, breakfasts, and availability will be confirmed after travel dates and room requirements are provided. Zhangjiajie hotel location should match the scenic route and transfer schedule.
🚆 Transport Notes
Intercity travel can use high-speed train, domestic flight, private transfer, or a combination.
Beijing to Xi’an is usually convenient by train or flight. Xi’an to Zhangjiajie and Zhangjiajie to Shanghai require schedule-based flight or rail planning.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
• This is a private tour with one group per booking
• Private English-speaking guide service is included during sightseeing in each city
• Passport information is required for hotel check-in, trains, flights, and some attraction reservations
• Please bring the original passport used for booking during the trip
• Forbidden City and major attractions require advance reservation and may have closures or ticket limits
• Zhangjiajie uses official scenic shuttles, cableways, elevators, and controlled scenic transport inside many areas
• Zhangjiajie visibility, glass walkways, Grand Canyon, and mountain routes may be affected by fog, rain, wind, maintenance, or local rules
• The Great Wall and Zhangjiajie involve steps, slopes, outdoor walking, and weather exposure
• Shanghai skyline views and river cruises may be affected by weather, maintenance, crowd control, or local operation
• The itinerary may be adjusted due to traffic, tickets, weather, transport, hotels, scenic operation, or local rules
📍 Pickup / Drop-off Information
The standard route starts with pickup in Beijing and ends with drop-off in Shanghai.
Pickup can usually be arranged from Beijing airports, railway stations, hotels, or another confirmed Beijing location. Drop-off can usually be arranged at Shanghai airports, railway stations, cruise terminal, hotels, or another confirmed Shanghai location.
Please provide passport names, passport numbers, arrival/departure details, hotel preferences, luggage information, and emergency contact details.
