Walk through Beijing’s palace courtyards and along the Great Wall
All journeysCULTURE · PRIVATE JOURNEY
From Imperial Palaces to Hong Kong Harbour
Twelve days from Beijing’s palace courtyards to the Li River and Hong Kong’s harbourEvery journey can be tailored to you.
Your dates, route, pace, stays and experiences.Tailor this journeyTHE JOURNEY
Walk through Beijing’s palace courtyards, meet Xi’an’s clay soldiers and follow Shanghai’s riverfront before travelling south to the Li River and Hong Kong. This twelve-day route is a starting point for a journey shaped around you.
China reveals itself at different scales along this route: in the details of a palace courtyard, the garden rooms of Shanghai and the limestone hills beside the Li River. In Hong Kong, a view from the Peak gives way to market lanes and life along the harbour. An open afternoon leaves you time to explore for yourself. We connect the cities through private planning and tailor the details to your interests.
Why this journey
Meet the Terracotta Army and explore the streets of Xi’an
Follow Shanghai’s garden paths and the riverfront along the Bund
Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo among limestone hills
Ride the Peak Tram and see Aberdeen Harbour by sampan, with a free afternoon in Hong Kong
DAY BY DAY
Your day-by-day journey.
Use this itinerary as a starting point. We can adjust the route, time in each place and experiences with you while planning your trip.
Beijing
Welcome to Beijing
Your local host meets you on arrival and accompanies the start of your journey with a private transfer to your hotel. Settle in, with the rest of the day arranged around your arrival.
Getting around
HOW YOU MOVE
The road is part of the story.
Connections chosen for comfort, timing and the rhythm of the route.
03 TRANSPORT DETAILS
Your party, your vehiclePrivate transfers and city touring As listed in your daily itineraryYour private vehicle links each day’s hotel, station or airport with the touring stops in your itinerary.
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Local drivers and guides coordinate the meeting points around your confirmed schedule. We match vehicle capacity to your party and luggage; the make and model may vary.
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Reserved second-class seatingChina by high-speed rail The rail connections in your itineraryTravel between the cities on your route by daytime high-speed train, with station transfers arranged for you.
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Once tickets are released, we confirm your train numbers, stations and departure times. Keep the identification used for your booking within reach. The photographs show representative trains and cabins.
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Economy flights and airport transfersOnward connections by air The flight connections in your itineraryThe flights listed in your route, including applicable taxes, are set out in your tailored proposal.
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Your proposal confirms where you will fly. At ticketing, we confirm the airline, airports, baggage allowance and timings. The photographs give a sense of the flight experience and do not specify a carrier.
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SLEEP
A soft landing, every night.
Places to settle in, chosen for comfort, character and a genuine sense of place.
01 STAY DETAIL
Hotels selected around your routeThoughtfully located stays Your overnight destinationsSettle into comfortable hotels at each stop, with breakfast on the mornings listed in your itinerary.
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We agree hotel names, room categories and bedding with you in your private proposal. Each day identifies your overnight city. The photographs show hotel spaces in China as examples; the exact property and room are confirmed separately.
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EAT
The journey, told at the table.
Restaurants, markets and local tables that give each place its flavour.
01 DINING DETAIL
Meals mapped to each dayBreakfasts and regional tables Along your journeyBegin the day with hotel breakfast and enjoy the lunches marked in your plan, leaving other meals open for your own discoveries.
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The food photographs introduce regional dishes rather than a fixed menu. Duck dinners, banquets and evening shows are optional unless added to your proposal. Tell us your dietary preferences before confirmation so we can check the menus.
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THE FINE PRINT, MADE CLEAR
What’s taken care of.
Included
11 hotel nights with 11 breakfasts
6 lunches as marked in the daily plan
Private local guiding, listed sightseeing admissions and private ground transfers
Second-class rail: Beijing–Xi’an; Guilin–Hong Kong
Economy flights with applicable taxes: Xi’an–Shanghai; Shanghai–Guilin
Li River cruise, with private return transfer from Yangshuo to Guilin
Hong Kong half-day tour with one-way Peak Tram and Aberdeen sampan ride
Applicable service charges and government taxes
Not included
International flights
Visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
Tips for guides and drivers
Unlisted meals, optional dinners, shows and excursions
Before you go
Documents & entry
- Travel documents matching the identification used for transport reservations
Entry and visa requirements depend on nationality and the wider travel plan. ChinaHue can provide itinerary documents, but travellers should confirm current rules before departure.
Insurance & safety
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended and is not included in the route.
Local support and activity-specific briefings are provided throughout the journey.
Accessibility & families
Share mobility requirements before booking so walking routes, vehicle access and hotel choices can be reviewed.
Children travel with a responsible adult; age-appropriate pacing and vehicle seating can be discussed during tailoring.
What to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather layer and sun protection
- Reusable water bottle
- Passport used for ticket reservations
MAKE IT YOURS
Your dates,
your pace.
Send your preferred dates and party details. We will confirm hotels, transport schedules, pricing and any pace adjustments in a private proposal.
Tell us what you need. We reply within one business day and can create a private proposal for your account.
Payment, commitment & arrangements
Your tailored proposal and booking agreement define the payment schedule and confirm your commitment.
Ticketing and supplier bookings begin only after the payment condition in your signed proposal is met.
Your final proposal shows the complete price, taxes and statutory charges before any payment is requested.
The deposit is 30% and the balance is due 45 days before departure.
Cancellation & refund schedule
Cancellation fees vary by days before departure and confirmed supplier costs.
Self-service cancellation closes 15 days before departure · Asia/Shanghai · policy 2026.1.
Not automatically refundable: Confirmed supplier charges · Issued air and rail tickets
Booking terms
Final services are confirmed in your proposal and booking agreement.
24/7 support
Your local support contact is provided before travel.
FROM THE ROAD
See the journey in motion.
Photography, short stories and longer films—all in one place.Photo credits
- Photo: Hong Kong Harbour Night 2019-06-11.jpg by Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.jpg by Lloyd Tudor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Qin Terracotta Army, Pit 1 09.jpg by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. · CC0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Yangshuo-Li-River-2019-Luka-Peternel.jpg by Luka Peternel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Huangpu Bund 2.jpg by EditQ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Skyline of Beijing CBD from the southeast (20210907094201).jpg by N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Tiananmen Gate and the Chinese flag seen across a public square by Conor Murphy · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Tiananmen Gate seen from the open square in central Beijing by Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Tiananmen Gate seen across Chang’an Avenue from Tiananmen Square by EditQ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Elevated view across Tiananmen Square from Tiananmen Gate by EditQ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A grand hall and stone terraces inside Beijing's Forbidden City by Conor Murphy · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Imperial halls and stone terraces inside the Forbidden City by Vincent Guth · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Forbidden City corner tower reflected in the moat at sunset by Kallgan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Imperial roofs and terraces beside the Hall of Central Harmony in the Forbidden City by Reinhold Möller (Ermell) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven by William Ducret · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests beneath a clear Beijing sky by Victor He · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven by Lloyd Tudor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Wide panorama of the Temple of Heaven complex and courtyard by Maros Mraz; edit by Thegreenj · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: 20200110 Temple of Heaven-11.jpg by Balon Greyjoy · CC0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Great Wall crossing rugged mountains beneath a clear blue sky by Christian Weinberg · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Great Wall winding along green mountain ridges by William Olivieri · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Great Wall winding over green mountain ridges near Beijing by sgbirch · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Great Wall ramparts and watchtowers at Mutianyu near Beijing by Velatrix · CC0 1.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Kunming Lake and distant hills at Beijing's Summer Palace by Francisco Delgado · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Kunming Lake and lakeside pavilions at the Summer Palace by kit sanchez · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Decorated courtyard and painted architecture at the Summer Palace by Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Longevity Hill and palace buildings across Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace by xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Kunming Lake of Summer Palace (20240706140421).jpg by HoweyYuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A narrow brick hutong lane leading to a red courtyard door by Eean Chen · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A rickshaw moving through a narrow Beijing hutong lane by Hongjin Wang · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Grey-brick residential lane in a Beijing hutong neighbourhood by Luu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Quiet residential hutong with grey walls and courtyard entrances in Beijing by Geoff McKim · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Beijing hutong Wudaoying 2.jpg by Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Rows of excavated Terracotta Army figures in Xi'an by Denis Pan · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A wide view across rows of excavated Terracotta Army figures by Aaron Greenwood · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Wide overview of Pit 1 and rows of excavated Terracotta Army figures by Jean-Marie Hullot (Jmhullot) · CC BY 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Terracotta warriors arranged in formation inside Pit 1 in Xi’an by Joe Hart · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Xi'an Bell Tower illuminated after dark by Jun Huang · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Xi’an’s Bell Tower illuminated amid city traffic at night by Toxic Smoker · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Upward view of the painted eaves and roof of Xi’an Bell Tower by Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Full-width daytime view of Xi’an Drum Tower from the square by Wang Zhongyin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Traditional gateway and courtyard at the Great Mosque in Xi'an by Siddhesh Mangela · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Evening crowds and food stalls in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter by Kunal Kalra · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Market lane in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter with shops and a sign for the Great Mosque by Qianeal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Food stalls and cooks on Xi’an’s Muslim food street by Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Bell Tower during Sunset in Xi'an, Jun 21 2023.jpg by A Chinese ID · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Xi'an City Wall and gate towers at sunset by Yux Xiang · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A Xi’an City Wall gate tower with red flags by li xiang · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Stone ramparts and gate architecture at Yongning Gate on Xi’an City Wall by YikyuenG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Broad view along Xi’an City Wall with a gate tower and modern buildings by H2v5o68z · CC0 1.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Xi'an Bell Tower (9912211844).jpg by Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China · CC0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Traditional pavilion, rockery and pond inside Shanghai's Yu Garden by Allan N · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Traditional Yu Garden roofs framed by Shanghai’s modern skyline by Timothée Gidenne · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Pond and stone walkway beside Tingtao Pavilion in Yu Garden by Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Stone bridge, rockery and bonsai planting inside Yu Garden by King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Traditional shopfronts and tiled roofs along Yuyuan Old Street by Roméo A. · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Traditional roofs in Shanghai’s Old City with modern towers beyond by Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Pedestrians on a rainy market street in Shanghai’s Old City by Peter K Burian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Love the architecture of Old Shanghai! (36305072871).jpg by shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Shanghai's Lujiazui skyline reflected across the Huangpu River by Freeman Zhou · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Shanghai’s skyline rising across the Huangpu River from the Bund by Vince Russell · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Elevated blue-hour view of the Bund and Huangpu River in Shanghai by Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: The Bund across the Huangpu River with a cargo vessel in the foreground by Reinhold Möller (Ermell) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Shanghai - Skyline Sunset 0057.jpg by Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Hill Fuboshan in Guilin.jpg by 松照庵 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Guilin 2006 19-51.jpg by G41rn8 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: General Fubo, Guilin (20354614576).jpg by Thomas Bächinger from Illnau, Switzerland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Flickr - archer10 (Dennis) - China-7822.jpg by Dennis G. Jarvis · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Sun and Moon Pagodas Guilin November 2017 HDR.jpg by King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Guilin (48278561562).jpg by Luca Boldrini · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Guilin Li River.jpg by xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Guilin (579528340).jpg by Jocelyn Saurini from Las Vegas, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Guilin 2006 19-14.jpg by G41rn8 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: What appears to be a delta on the Li River (35689566570).jpg by shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Vista del Puerto de Victoria desde Sky100, Hong Kong, 2013-08-09, DD 10.JPG by Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Skyline and Victoria Harbour at dusk, view from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, China - 香港,中国 (16215094838).jpg by Romain Pontida · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Hong Kong Skyline viewed from Victoria Peak.jpg by Haydn Hsin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Hong Kong island and Victoria Harbour.jpg by PrzemekJaczewski · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Hong Kong Skyline view from the peak 2017.jpg by Simeon W from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Stanley Market View1 201007.jpg by WiNG · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Stanley Market 28-06-2023.jpg by LN9267 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Stanley, Hong Kong (2052831082).jpg by yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Street Market in Stanley hong kong.JPG by Fahad Faisal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Гонконг - panoramio (10).jpg by Андрей Бобровский · CC BY 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Hong Kong - panoramio (32).jpg by fading · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter near Sham Wan.jpg by Ceeseven · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Aberdeen HONG KONG - panoramio.jpg by Joe Man · CC BY 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Duck ling ship hong kong.jpg by Arne Müseler (www.arne-mueseler.com) · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Vista del Puerto de Victoria desde Sky100, Hong Kong, 2013-08-09, DD 02.JPG by Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A driver loading a traveller’s suitcase into the rear of a private car by Holiday Extras · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Modern black minivan travelling on a broad urban roadway by Lee Salem · Pexels License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Professional driver holding the steering wheel inside a clean vehicle by Tim Samuel · Pexels License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Spacious pale-leather rear passenger seats inside a modern vehicle by Ammy K · Pexels License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Second-class seating inside a Chinese CR400AF high-speed train by N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: White-and-red CR400AF Fuxing high-speed train exterior running on open track by N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: China Railway high-speed train stopped beside a station platform in early-morning light by Kristoffer Trolle · CC BY 2.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Rows of second-class seats inside a CR400AF-B Fuxing high-speed train by XiaYZ2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: An aircraft wing seen through a window above a bright cloud deck by Maksim Shutov · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Natural-colour view down an aircraft economy cabin with passengers seated by Daniel Frese · Pexels License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Passenger aircraft on a sunlit airport apron with ground-service equipment by El Jundi · Pexels License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Travellers waiting at an airport gate with passenger aircraft visible outside by Bennie Bates · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Twin-bed guest room inside Beijing Hotel by N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Central courtyard with monumental stone figures at Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel Xi’an by Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Lobby interior at Radisson Blu New World Hotel Shanghai by Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Chandelier-lit interior entrance in Block B of the Beijing Hotel complex by Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: A Chinese breakfast spread with noodles, toppings and chopsticks by Frank Zhang · Unsplash License · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Sliced Peking duck with pancakes, scallions, cucumber and sauce by Anagoria · CC BY 3.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Close-up of a Xi’an roujiamo filled with seasoned meat by KQuhen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Shanghai xiaolongbao in a bamboo steamer with one dumpling on a spoon by Robigasp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.
- Photo: Historic exterior façade of Beijing Hotel in central Beijing by Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; displayed with responsive cropping.

