Journey Through China

(20 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beijing, Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian, Hangzhou, Shanghai

This comprehensive tour is the ultimate luxury journey through mainland China.

Begin with in-depth private touring of Beijing, China’s centuries-old capital. Tour imperial masterpieces such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Travel by rickshaw down the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighborhood. See lesser-known temples, and venture to a little-visited hilltop for panoramic views over the rooftops of the Forbidden City. Dine on traditional specialties at favorite family-run restaurants, and enjoy reservations at private clubs and Beijing’s most acclaimed restaurants. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city’s burgeoning contemporary art scene.

Next, take a private excursion to one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall. Continue to the Commune by the Great Wall for one night surrounded by architecture designed by 12 of Asia’s leading contemporary architects.

Next, fly to the ancient capital of Xian, a major stop on the Silk Road. See the famed Terracotta Warriors and the massive city walls. Explore the lively Muslim Quarter. Visit the important Big and Small Goose Pagodas. Tour the impressive Shaanxi Provincial History Museum and the Forest of Stelae, a fascinating library of tall stone tablets.

Next, fly to Guilin, home to some of China's most breathtaking scenery. Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo— China’s most beautiful river journey—passing through a storied landscape of limestone peaks and rice paddies. From Yangshuo, take a motorized rickshaw tour along the backroads of this picturesque region, exploring local villages with your private guide and driver.

Continue to Yunnan Province. Begin in Kunming, the 'City of Eternal Spring' and gateway to the culturally diverse southwestern province of Yunnan; Chinese, Tibetan, Laotian, Burmese, Vietnamese, Indian and local hill tribe minorities converge here. Continue north to Dali and Lijiang to visit hill tribe markets, villages and temples, and to attend a traditional Naxi music performance. Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, a deep canyon channeling the headwaters of the Yangtze River, en route to Zhongdian, a high mountain town on the Tibetan border. Explore the rugged hills, the Songzanlin Monastery and the surrounding Tibetan community before flying back to Kunming.

Continue to serene Hangzhou and enjoy private touring around beautiful West Lake, local tea plantations, Buddhist caves and other cultural highlights. Also spend a day enjoying the Ming architecture and canals in Xitang, a nearby water town.

Conclude in Shanghai and experience the unbridled energy of China’s most stylish and modern city. During private touring, learn about Shanghai’s history through the architecture of the Bund, the French Concession, Pudong and other districts. Tour some of China’s best museums, including the Shanghai Museum. Your guide will also take you to Shanghai’s old town to sample local culinary specialties and have tea at the city’s oldest teahouse. Also visit up-and-coming neighborhoods filled with art galleries, design shops and stylish new restaurants.