Overview

The 10-Day Customized China Tour is a private, family-paced journey through four very different cities — Shanghai (上海), Shantou (汕头), Xi'an (西安) and Beijing (北京) — built around your interests rather than a fixed group schedule. It suits couples, families and small private groups who want flexibility.

Highlights span modern and ancient China: Shanghai's Bund (a 1.5 km riverside promenade of 52 colonial buildings from 1844–1943) and Lujiazui skyline; Xi'an's Terracotta Army (UNESCO 1987, about 8,000 warriors) and 13.7 km Ming City Wall; Beijing's Forbidden City (UNESCO 1987, 720,000 m² with 980 buildings); and Shantou's Chaoshan food culture on the southeast coast.

Routing runs south-to-north with internal flights bridging the long distances, so you trade a circle route for a clean line and avoid backtracking. Daily plans stay adjustable — add a cooking class in Shantou or an extra Great Wall morning in Beijing as time allows.

Highlights

  • The Bund, Shanghai — A 1.5 km Huangpu River promenade lined with 52 neoclassical buildings from the 1844–1943 foreign concessions.
  • Lujiazui Skyline — Pudong's financial district across the river features the 632 m Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building.
  • Terracotta Army, Xi'an — The UNESCO site guards Qin Shi Huang's tomb with about 8,000 life-size warriors found in 1974.
  • Xi'an City Wall — This 13.7 km Ming wall (1370) is China's most intact ancient wall and rents bikes for a full loop.
  • Forbidden City, Beijing — The 720,000 m² Ming palace (UNESCO 1987) holds 980 surviving wooden buildings from 1420.
  • Great Wall at Mutianyu — A restored 2,250 m section near Beijing, first built in the 6th century and rebuilt under the Ming.
  • Shantou Chaoshan Food — The coastal city is the home of Teochew cuisine, famous for beef hotpot and delicate soups.
  • Shantou Old Town — The 1860 treaty-port quarter still shows arcaded shophouses and the Overseas Chinese preserve.
  • Temple of Heaven, Beijing — The 1420 imperial altar (UNESCO 1998) covers 273 hectares where emperors prayed for harvests.
  • Summer Palace, Beijing — A 290-hectare imperial garden (UNESCO 1998) centered on Kunming Lake west of the city.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Shanghai – Check-in & Settle In

Afternoon — Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where your English-speaking guide and vehicle welcome you. You are transferred to your hotel for check-in and a chance to freshen up.

Evening — Settle In
Enjoy free time to rest and acclimate to Shanghai at your own pace after the journey.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Shanghai.

Accommodation: Shanghai Gicheon Hotel, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Pudong Shangri-la Shanghai, Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Riverside

Day 2Shanghai Disneyland – Magical Full Day

Full Day — Shanghai Disneyland
Spend a full day at Shanghai Disneyland, which opened in 2016 as Disney's first theme park in mainland China. Explore eight themed lands — including Treasure Cove and Toy Story Land — and enjoy thrilling rides, live shows, and character meet-and-greets for all ages.

Meals
Lunch and dinner are on your own; the resort offers a wide range of dining options.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Shanghai.

Accommodation: Shanghai Gicheon Hotel, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Pudong Shangri-la Shanghai, Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Riverside
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3Shanghai Culture – Yuyuan Garden, Museum & The Bund

Morning — Yuyuan Garden
Visit Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden built in the Ming Dynasty (completed in 1577) in Shanghai's old town. Its pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and carved halls show the art of southern garden design, beside the lively Yuyuan Bazaar.

Midday — Shanghai Museum
Explore the Shanghai Museum, home to over one million artifacts including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings that trace China's 5,000-year history. Its rounded building on People's Square is itself a city landmark.

Evening — The Bund
Stroll The Bund, Shanghai's iconic waterfront along the Huangpu River, where colonial-era buildings from the early 1900s face the futuristic skyline of Pudong. An optional acrobatics show can be arranged.

Meals
Lunch and dinner are included, featuring local Shanghainese cuisine.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Shanghai.

Accommodation: Shanghai Gicheon Hotel, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Pudong Shangri-la Shanghai, Sheraton Shanghai Pudong Riverside
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Shanghai → Shantou – Fly to East Guangdong

Morning — Flight from Shanghai to Shantou
Your guide and driver will transfer you to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport for your flight to Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, the gateway to eastern Guangdong. Relax and enjoy the short journey south.

Afternoon — Arrival in Shantou
Arrive in Shantou, where your local guide and vehicle meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Settle in and get your first impressions of this coastal Chaoshan city.

Evening — Chaoshan Cuisine
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, tasting Shantou's famous Chaoshan beef hot pot or rice noodles, dishes celebrated across China for their freshness and delicate flavor.

Meals
Dinner included.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Shantou.

Accommodation: Shantou Zhugang Days Wyndham Hotel, Shantou Marriott Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5Shantou – Island, Ancient Town & University

Morning — Nan'ao Island
Explore Nan'ao Island, Guangdong's only island county, with clear coastal waters, fishing villages, and the historic Qing'ao Fort built during the Qing Dynasty to guard the coast. The island offers a peaceful contrast to the mainland city.

Afternoon — Shantou Ancient Town & Shantou University
Wander the Ming-Qing era streets and traditional shops of Shantou Ancient Town, and visit the Shantou Museum to learn about local history. Later tour Shantou University, established in 1981 and known for its modern architecture and green campus, founded with support from the Li Ka-shing Foundation.

Evening — Flexible Evening
The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps sampling the city's renowned local seafood.

Meals
Lunch and dinner included.

Accommodation: Shantou Zhugang Days Wyndham Hotel, Shantou Marriott Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6Shantou → Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors Await

Morning — Flight from Shantou to Xi'an
Your guide and driver will transfer you from the hotel to Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport for your flight to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, linking the coastal south with the ancient capital.

Afternoon — Arrival & check-in
Arrive in Xi'an, where your English-speaking guide and private van meet you and transfer you to your Xi'an hotel for check-in.

Evening — Local dinner
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant to sample Xi'an cuisine on your first evening in the city.

Meals
Lunch and dinner are included.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Xi'an.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Xi'an, The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an, Canopy by Hilton Xi'an Qujiang, HUALUXE Hotels and Resords Xi'an Tanghua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors & Tang Dynasty Night

Morning — Terracotta Warriors
Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221–206 BC). Over 8,000 life-sized warriors, horses, and chariots were buried here, each figure uniquely crafted, discovered by farmers in 1974.

Midday — Xi'an City Wall
Explore the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, the most complete and best-preserved ancient city fortification in China, dating to 1370 AD (Ming Dynasty) and stretching 13.7 km in a rectangle. Rent a bike to cycle along the top for panoramic views of the old city.

Afternoon — Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Head to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7th-century Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda built to house scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang, set in a spacious square with musical fountains.

Evening — Datang Everbright City
Wander Datang Everbright City, a 2.1 km pedestrian boulevard south of the pagoda lit with Tang-style lanterns, street performances, and local snacks. An optional Tang Dynasty dinner and music show can be arranged.

Meals
Lunch and dinner are included (an optional Tang Dynasty dinner show is available at extra cost).

Accommodation
Your hotel in Xi'an.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Xi'an, The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an, Canopy by Hilton Xi'an Qujiang, HUALUXE Hotels and Resords Xi'an Tanghua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8Xi’an → Beijing – High-Speed Rail to the Capital

Morning — High-speed rail to Beijing
Board a Fuxing (Harmony) high-speed train from Xi'an North Railway Station to Beijing West Railway Station. The trip crosses central China at speeds up to 300 km/h, a smooth way to travel between the ancient capital and the modern one.

Afternoon — Summer Palace
Arrive in Beijing and visit the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), a Qing Dynasty imperial garden and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built around Kunming Lake with Longevity Hill, its highlights include the 728-meter Long Corridor painted with more than 14,000 scenes and the marble Marble Boat.

Evening — Hotel check-in
Transfer to your Beijing hotel for check-in and a rest after the journey.

Meals
Dinner is included.

Accommodation
Your hotel in Beijing.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Beijing, Regent Beijing, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, The Peninsula Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9Beijing – Great Wall & Hutong Charm

Morning — Mutianyu Great Wall
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a well-preserved Ming Dynasty stretch known for stunning mountain scenery and fewer crowds than other sections. You can ride a cable car up and walk along the ramparts with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

Afternoon — Hutong Tour by Rickshaw
Return to Beijing for a hutong tour, exploring traditional alleyways by rickshaw (three-wheeled cart) and visiting a local family to learn about daily life. These narrow lanes preserve the layout of old Beijing, with courtyard homes (siheyuan) dating back centuries.

Evening — Optional Kung Fu Show & Dinner
An optional evening Kung Fu show is available, or simply enjoy dinner and a relaxed evening. A traditional Beijing-style meal is included.

Meals
Lunch and dinner included.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Beijing, Regent Beijing, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, The Peninsula Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Beijing – Icons & Departure to USA

Morning — Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Visit Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square and the symbolic heart of Beijing. Continue into the Forbidden City, the former Ming and Qing imperial palace (1420–1912) with thousands of preserved buildings, then see the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

Afternoon — Transfer to the Airport
Transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport for your departure flight home. Your guide and driver will ensure a smooth, timely arrival for your onward journey.

Meals
Lunch included.

Accommodation
Not included (departure day).

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Beijing, Regent Beijing, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, The Peninsula Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Booking Price

Group Size Adult(Age:8-80) Price/p.p Child(Age:4-7) Price/p.p Infant(Age:0-3) Price/p.p
2 PAX from $4666 / /
4 PAX from $3417 / /
6 PAX from $3001 / /
8 PAX from $2793 / /
10 PAX from $2561 / /
20 PAX from $2530 / /
30 PAX from $2381 / /

Includes

  • Private transportation through out the itinerary. Linkedtours will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight or train info.

  • Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

  • All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary.

  • Economy class domestic flights and first class express train listed in the itinerary.

  • Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request).

  • Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

  • Travel and health insurance when travelling with us.

  • Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

  • 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

  • A tour manager included if the number of tourists exceeds 10 people.


Excludes

  • International and domestic flights not indicated.

  • Food, Lunch or dinner not specified in the itinerary.

  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers.

  • Any personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned.


Trip Notes

Most travelers need a Chinese visa; Canada, Australia and the UK get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026, Singapore and Malaysia get mutual 30-day visa-free, and 57 countries qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket.

  • Best season: April–May and September–October offer mild weather across all four cities; avoid the July–August heat.
  • Fitness level: Easy; mostly coach and walking tours, with optional Wall cable car for those who prefer not to climb.
  • Dress code: Casual and layered; modest dress for temples, and comfortable shoes for wall and Forbidden City days.
  • Payment: Mobile pay (Alipay/WeChat Pay) is standard; carry some RMB cash and a Visa/Mastercard for hotels.
  • Booking lead time: Plan 1–2 months ahead so internal flights and a private guide can be locked in.
  • Children/elderly: Family-friendly and adjustable; seniors and kids are fine with the cable-car Wall option and rest days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can this tour be changed after booking?

A: Yes — as a tailored private tour, daily plans can be adjusted (add a class, swap a site) up to a set point before departure.

Q: Do I need a visa for this multi-city trip?

A: Most visitors need a Chinese visa; check if your nationality gets 30-day visa-free entry or qualifies for 240-hour transit before you fly.

Q: Is the tour suitable for young children and grandparents?

A: Yes — the pace is flexible and sightseeing is easy, with cable-car and rest options that suit both kids and older travelers.

Q: What is the best season for this route?

A: Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are best, with comfortable temperatures across Shanghai, Shantou, Xi'an and Beijing.

Quick Inquiry Tailoring is available based on your requirements.
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