4-Week Itinerary in China

4 weeks in China is long enough to explore China's rich cultural and historical heritage, ancient sites, iconic landmarks, as well as some of the best natural beauty. You could also take the chance to experience different ethnic minorities' cultures and traditions and try a variety of cuisines.

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Best Places to Visit in a 4-week China Tour

To plan a 4-week tour in China, you could have 5–7 cities on your itinerary to experience the rich breadth of culture and history in this fascinating country. For most first-timers,Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghaiare the top destinations in China, which would take you about 2 weeks to cover in reasonable depth.

For a further 2 weeks, you could add other places according to your interests, such as Yunnan for natural beauty, Tibet for roof-of-the-world culture and scenery, or northwest China including Xinjiang for the Silk Road.

• BeijingandXi'anwere capitals of many of the most significant dynasties, making them rich in historical and cultural relics, including many of China's top attractions — the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and many more.
• Shanghaiis one of the biggest and most developed cities in China. You can see the collision of Republic-era rapid-rise and China's modernity in Shanghai.
• Guilinis the celebrated encapsulation of China's natural beauty, where you can also experience South China's countryside lifestyle.

Besides these top four cities, you may want to choose from these popular special interest destinations:Chengdu, Yunnan, Silk Road areas, Tibet, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chongqing, the Yangtze, and more.

Chengdu, the hometown of pandas, is a must-visit place for panda lovers and is especially loved by families.

Yunnan, a beautiful place to experience Chinese minority life and culture, is where you can see breathtaking mountain-and-village views.

Tibetis the "holiest" place in China. It is also many travelers' dream or a bucket-list destinations, where you can see stunning plateau scenery and experience the striking reverence of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Huangshan, Hangzhou, and Suzhouare close to Shanghai. You can easily take an hour's bullet train to explore the Yangtze Delta area's best scenery and culture. Below are three sample itineraries that all cover the star destinations in China (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, and Chengdu) plus other themed areas:

• 1. Exploration in Southwest China (Tibet and Yunnan scenery and culture)
• 2. Relaxation on the Yangtze (a charming cruise and delta-area delights)
• 3. Discovery West-to-East (enchanting Silk Road to cutting-edge Hong Kong)

For more places and trip ideas, contact our travel consultants who'lltailor-make a China tourfor you.

1. A Classic 4-Week China Tour Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

In this itinerary, we combine seven bucket-list destinations: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Tibet, Yunnan, and Shanghai. It is a tour that combines China's beautiful natural scenery with its long history and culture.You will see numerous iconic historical and cultural relics, such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and Potala Palace, as well as breathtaking landscapes including river-and-karst-hill views, snowy mountains, and plateau scenery.It is a classic itinerary for first-timers and families.

Days 1–4: Beijing

花2天时间to visit the highlights indowntown Beijing, including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. Of the many cultural activities, we recommend a kung fu show or acrobatics show at night.

Spend another day to explore theGreat Wall of China.If you would be traveling with kids or seniors, we suggest you visit a less-crowded and easy-walking section: Mutianyu.If hiking is your thing, we can arrange the favorite hikers' route from the Jinshanling section to Simatai section, where you could enjoy a beautiful sunset on a clear day. You can even have a romantic picnic dinner at the Great Wall with our special arrangements.

For an enchanting experience, you could try our Great Wall night tour at the Simatai section to experience romantic momentswhile the Great Wall is bathed in starlight. Simatai is the only section open at night.

If you are interested in authentic Beijinger life, we can arrange ahutong tour, when you can visit a local family and take a rickshaw ride, and wander around the community with local markets and parks.

Days 5–7: Xi'an

Our family clients are making clay warriors.

China Highlights,Asia Highlights, andGlobal Highlightscollaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Great way to see the city Private tour with China highlights made seeing Xi'an super easy. We saved a lot of time with a private driver, and our guide Jenny took really good care of us, sending instructions for where to meet once getting off the train and made everything feel really safe and easy. She also accommodated a number of last minute changes to our itinerary without batting an eye. She was very patient, knowledgeable and friendly. It was great having a guide who grew up locally in the area to show us around (which is not always the case, from my previous experiences elsewhere). Would definitely recommend! more Sep 2023, Stephanie N

默文就是我们所说的一个完美的导游! 默文就是我们所说的一个完美的导游!她我s extremely informative all the way through. She knows hers stuff and she is also enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and very willing to help. The whole day was perfect. A great amount of walking and a lots of physical activity ( hiking) and she was all smiling, accommodating and keeping us informative. She was absolutely the best tour guide we've ever encountered in China. Her English is perfect! Everything was so well organized. Her knowledge of the local culture and history is impressive. Fantastic more Sep 2023, pdaroundthewrorld

Wonderful experience! Our tour guide was Mervyn, and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of Xi'an and the silk road, and we learned so many things we didn't know before. The Muslim quarter is a must-see, with so many streets of food. Terracotta warriors were breathtaking. We did a Hanfu experience and enjoyed walking the city at night in our tang Dynasty outfits. We wish we spent more than 2 days here as there's so much to do. Definitely recommend this tour and will be visiting again! more Sep 2023, Laura A

Two days in Xi’an What an amazing few days in Xi’an! Our guide Jenny was first class - very knowledgeable and very helpful, she went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience like ordering us coffees & food and booking dinners for us. The highlight was of course visiting the Terracotta Warriors, but we also really enjoyed visiting a local family to make dumplings. Can’t recommend this trip and Jenny enough! more Sep 2023, Marvin K

Terracotta Warriois and Xi'an City Wall by bike: highly recomended! We had an amazing experience in Xi'an thanks to China Highlights private day-tour. Our guide, Rocky, organized the day schedule perfectly to make sure we enjoyed in the morning a cool ride on Xi'an City Walls, and then to head to Terracotta Warriors in the afternoon to avoid much crowd. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at local restaurant, where Rocky helped us to order typical dishes. We would highly recommend it as everything was great: Rocky was very fluent in English and so knowledgeable, car was comfortable and we felt very safe with the driver. more Sep 2023, Caterina

Viaje a Xian y Josefina como guía Hicimos un viaje por varias ciudades chinas, entre ellas Xian. Cuando llegamos a la estación de tren nos estaba esperando Josefina, una guía excepcional, hablando un perfecto espa?ol y con una eficiencia y simpatía que nos encantó. Nos llevó al hotel y nos instaló y sus explicaciones fueron abundantes durante las visitas a los guerreros de Terracota, el barrio musulmán, la Gran Mezquita, las murallas y las Torres del Tambor y la Campana así como la Gran Pagoda del Ganso Salvaje y en fin cualquier rincón o lugar al que nos llevó fue una maravillosa experiencia, incluida una impagable clase de como hacer figuras de Terracota que Josefina estuvo filmando pacientemente. Además de todo eso, su cercanía como persona nos hizo sentirnos muy a gusto con ella. Le agradecemos desde aquí todo su trabajo y, especialmente, su detalle personal final. Gracias por todo Josefina. more 2023年8月,Eco C

Great day tour! We had a great day with our China Highlights tour guide, Jenny, who was so knowledgeable about Xi’An and the Terracotta Warriors. We really enjoyed learning from Jenny and hearing all about life in China! more Aug 2023, Great day tour!

A great guide in Xian We (a family of 4 ) visited Xian. It was such a different world for us. Fortunately our guide Susan was great. She would answer all our questions and also taught us about history in such a way that we never got bored. She even give us fans with the chinese emperors written on them so we would catch up with history all the time. I totally recommend the Xian experience with Susan more Aug 2023, A great guide in Xian

Amazing time in Xian I had an amazing time visiting Xian for two days. Rocky from China Highlights was a wonderful tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about all the historical facts of the Terracota Warriors, The Great Mosque, The Big Goose Pagoda and the Guangren Temple. Even though the places were extremely crowded due to the summer holidays, everything went smoothly as Rocky was well-prepared and organized. He made sure to find a Restaurant that offered vegetarian options and even got me delicious peaches to try. Thanks, Rocky for making my trip to Xian memorable and fun. more Aug 2023, appachu k

Xi’an Tour China Highlights Carol Wang put me in touch with Jenny. An amazing a very knowledgable guide. She gave great insight into the history and culture of Xi’an. She also knew the neighborhoods and all the shortcuts to use. A great to experience I won’t forget. If you’re with Jenny you’re in good hands! more Aug 2023, Anthony L

Jasmine B Quelle expérience inoubliable avons-nous vécue à Xian accompagné admirablement par Fanny ! Par la visite du quartier musulman, armée des soldats en terre cuite, la ville et ses remparts, un spectacle grandiose, etc., Fanny à toujours su nous emmener aux endroits parfaits pour notre famille. Avant d’arriver, j’avais peur que cette ville soit sans intérêt pour mon plus jeune enfant, mais Fanny et China Highlights ont proposé des activités variées pour toute la famille et Fanny savait comment naviguer dans les foules avec notre poussette et fut d’une aide précieuse avec les enfants ! Elle nous a aussi beaucoup aidé à mieux comprendre la ville et son histoire. C'était toujours intéressant de l'écouter. Le logement à Somerset Xindicheng était parfait aussi ! Merci pour tout ! Nous en garderons un mémorable souvenir. more Aug 2023, Jasmine B

We worked with Kimmi Huang at China… All the drivers and guides in each city were excellent and really enhanced our experience.we had Jennifer in .Beijing, Mervyn in Xi’an, Chase in Guilin and Kris in Shanghai. If we travel in this region again, will definitely use China Highlights, thanks for an unforgettable trip! more Aug 2023, Rita Arment

Wonderful two weeks in China My mom and I visited China for two weeks using China Highlights and had Jennifer (Beijing), Mervyn (Xi'an), Chase (Guilin / Yangshou County), and Kris (Shanghai) as our guides. Our guides were knowledgeable about their local regions and very friendly. Each guide went above and beyond to make our experience memorable and special! Thank you, China Highlights! more Aug 2023, Annie

Great historical and cultural experience! Mervyn from China Highlights was very adaptable and friendly during our travels to Xi’an. She was knowledgeable about the Terracotta warriors and told the history in a captivating way. An overwhelming amount of people at the warriors when we visited, but Mervyn directed us expertly. She also gave us great recommendations of places to see and try around our hotel. more Aug 2023, Annie A

Amazing 2 days in Xian with Jenny We spent 2 days of our 2 week tour of China in Xian. Jenny was our tour guide and she did an amazing job at making the 2 days very special. In the two days we visited the Terracotta warriors, visited the muslim quarter, Xians old city walls, Tried our hands at both making our own terracotta soldiers and had fun trying to made dumplings. Jenny was incredibly good at her job, knew so much about the history of China/Xian, the terracotta worriers, the muslim quarter and was very happy to share all her knowledge with us. She was also very aware of our needs, ensured we hit the various stops at the right time of day to try and manage the heat. Jenny also found some amazing lunch spots for us and ensured we ate the local delicacies. Super memorable few days in Xian and we will for sure be back. Thank you Jenny for making our time with you so special and memorable!! more Aug 2023, Sandra

Due ottimi giorni a Xi’An Due giorni tra le strade di Xi’An, ai guerrieri di terracotta, alla Pagoda dell’oca selvatica e al quartiere musulmano. Jenny, la nostra guida, è stata amichevole, flessibile, ci ha dato tutte le informazioni per capire la storia della zona, ci ha dato molte dritte anche per muoverci in autonomia e ci ha anche guidato tra le specialità culinarie della zona (consigliato il “banchetto di dumpling” e lo street food nel quartiere musulmano). Fantastico! Vale senza dubbio la pena muoversi con un esperto della zona, per apprezzare appieno il tempo nella regione. more Aug 2023, Maverick G

Another great trip with China Highlights (and Jacob)! This, our second leg of our three week China Highlights tour, occurred in Xi’An and surrounding area (Muslim quarter and mosque, 14 km bicycle ride on top of the city wall, Terracotta army (got there before the open and had first row views!), Big and Small Wild Goose pagodas and Hangyangling Tomb) with Jiang Jiang (Jacob). He is an excellent, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive guide who had lots of excellent restaurant, local shadow puppet theatre and song recommendations. It was fun to be with joyful and enthusiastic Jacob and his use of a tablet to show us exactly where we were, were going and to illustrate his explanations was also greatly appreciated. Thank you Jason! more Aug 2023, Axel Rudolph

Xi'an Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter I visited Xi'an with China Highlights. Jenny was an amazing tour guide! We visited the Terracotta Soldiers and she knew everything there was to know about them. She also knew the best times and places to get a good view at them in the busy museum. We also took a scenic tour of the Muslim Quarter. Jenny was incredibly welcoming, helpful and funny. I am vegetarian, and so the lunch spot was a brilliant choice- not far from the museum- I had delicious biang biang noodles and also lychee black tea. more Aug 2023, Stuart

My favorite stop in China We traveled three weeks throughout China and Xi'an was my favorite place--the history, the noodles, and mostly the people! Our tour guide, Mervin, was a master of navigating the busy tour crowds and ensuring that we got to fully enjoy and appreciate the richness and uniqueness of the area. Our first stop was the Terra Cotta Soldiers and was simply a wonder! Mervin was patient with us and explained the context, construction, and preservation of the soldiers and answered our questions. She is deeply connected to the area and it was incredible to hear her perspectives and family stories. It made for such a special and memorable visit. After the soldiers, we biked the city walls, ate snacks in the Muslim quarter, and feasted at delicious local restaurants that Mervin reserved. more Jul 2023, Kaila W

Fantastic City, Fantastic Guide! We had a fantastic time in Xi’An and this was all down to our fantastic guide, Mervvyn. She was very caring, understanding and flexible. Not only that, but she had a vast knowledge of the rich history in Xi’An and shared the information in a brilliant way. We were so lucky to have such a great guide! The hotel that was organised by Maggie was excellent and we really enjoyed our stay there. Thanks so much again to you both, Maggie and Mervvyn! more Jul 2023, Máirtín P

Xi'an is well-known for its long history as capital of many dynasties. Visit the famousTerracotta Warriorsfor a day. To help you get a better understanding of this star attraction, we arrange ahand-crafted clay-warriors activitywhen you can make your own terracotta warrior and bring it home as a souvenir. Family travelers with teenagers, you're suggested to take acycling tour along Xi'an City Wall和体验当地的生活Muslim Quarter.

Days 8–10: Chengdu

Our family clients are making cakes for pandas.

In Chengdu, join aone-day Panda Keeper Programto get a closer to these adorable animals and their daily lives in Chengdu Panda Reserve. Rather than just watching them at a distance, you canclean the panda enclosures, make their favorite cakes, and see how they are fed in the preservation program.

Take some time to taste delicious Sichuan cuisine (hot pot) and enjoy some leisurely free time in a traditional teahouse. If you are interested in Chinese cooking, we can arrange a food tour or cooking class in Chengdu to help you learn some basic skills.

Days 11–15: Tibet (Lhasa, Shigatse)

In Lhasa, pay a visit to the world-famousPotala Palace, a holy place for Tibetan Buddhists.With the assistance of our private guide, you can explore the Potala in the best way, taking photos from all the nicest angles.Spend some time to visitBarkhor Streetand see pilgrims doing their prostrating obeisances and Buddhists making a kora (sacred circuit) by turning the prayer wheels.

If you want to experience authentic rural life in Tibet andlive as a Tibetan nomad for a day, we can arrange a village-in-the-hills visit. Experience local life and activities, such as horse-riding, milking yaks, printing prayer flags, and so on.

InShigatse, spend a day to visit some beautiful monasteries scattered amongst stunning mountain views. If you are interested in hiking at Mount Everest, we can arrange a short hiking trip near Everest Base Camp.

It's important to remember that visiting Tibet requires a travel permit, which can only be applied for by a travel agency.Some areas may be restricted for foreign travelers. If you book a tour with us, we would handle all the procedures and maximize your time.

Days 16–20: Yunnan (Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-la)

Known for its breathtaking natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and ethnic diversity, Yunnan deserves several of your days for a visit.

InKunming, spend a day to visit the top attractions, including the Stone Forest, a geological wonder with towering limestone formations that resemble trees, animals, and other shapes.

丽江和大理are renowned for their UNESCO World Heritage sites and breathtaking landscapes. You will see many ancient buildings, canals, old streets, and beautiful mountain ranges, and stunning natural views that are great for taking in with a biking or hiking tour.

In Shangri-La, we can arrange a village tour, visiting a local family to experience Tibetan culture and daily life. Try on traditional Tibetan dress and enjoy a starry night with a bonfire on the grassland.

Days 21–25: Guilin

Guilinis the best place to see southern China's painting-perfect natural beauty and countryside charm. Spend a day to explore Guilin's city attractions, including the lake-lined city center and Elephant Trunk Hill. Then takea cruise boat from Guilin to Yangshuo to see a gallery of "living river-and-mountain paintings".

For travelers with teenagers, we recommend you take acycling tour between the paddy fields in the idyllic countryside or visit a villageto experience local farmers' life. We can also arrange other activities, including a cooking class, rock-climbing, hiking, and cave-exploring according to your interests.

If you are interested in Chinese ethnic culture, spend a day tour or more at theLongji Terraced Fields, where you can see awesome vistas of terraced paddy fields and experience the life of Zhuang and Yao minority groups.

Days 26–28: Shanghai

InShanghai外滩,城市的天空提供了令人难以置信的观点line and is a must-visit for any first-time traveler. On our in-depth culture discovery tour, our private guide would take you walking around the old buildings of the Bund to help you get a better understanding of Shanghai's impressive modernity and flourishing history.

Besides the city sightseeing, Shanghai has no shortage of leisurely activities, such as tasting local cuisine, going shopping, visiting museums, drinking coffee at the tops of the skyscrapers, or just having a rest in a top Chinese spa treatment hall.

2. A 4-Week China Tour Itinerary with a Yangtze Cruise: Best for Retired Couples

If you are a retired couple, or anyone looking for a more-relaxed and romantic trip, then this itinerary would be good for you. We select from the best star-rated Yangtze cruise ships as well as lining up some delightful destinations in this trip to help you create romantic memories in China.

• Days 1–5: Beijing (see above for details)
• Days 6–9: Xi'an (as above)
• Days 10–12: Chengdu (as above)
• Days 12–17: Chongqing and a Yangtze Cruise
• Days 18–20: Shanghai(as above)
• Days 21–22: Hangzhou
• Days 23–24: Suzhou
• Days 25–28: Huangshan

InChongqing花一天时间探索和ta“山城”ste its spicy hot pot. Then take a Yangtze Cruise ship from Chongqing to Yichang, to appreciate the gorgeous gorges, lush green river valleys, and the breathtaking engineering of the Three Gorges Dam. You'll visit some cultural attractions along the river too, such as 2,000-year-old Fengdu Ghost City and White Emperor City, as land excursions.

During the cruise, you'll have the chance to learn about Chinese customs and traditions, as ships provide onboard activities, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons, and a Chinese medicine workshop.

From Shanghai, you can easily take a bullet train to visit nearby cities likeHangzhou, Suzhou, and Huangshan.

BothHangzhou and Suzhou offer a variety of relaxing activities:boating on ancient canals, perusing imperial-era gardens, biking around West Lake, visiting historical monuments, exploring museums, enjoying local food, and shopping at traditional markets.

At your final station,Huangshan, you would be treated to abundant breathtaking views of imaginatively-named rocks and trees accessed by the Yellow Mountains' ancient stone paths as well as elegant pavilions and charming local villages. To help you experience local life there, we recommend you stay in a village hotel, where you can take part in many activities, such as farming, cooking the regional cuisine, and learning more about local culture.

2-Week Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – ShanghaiLand of Pandas

A 4-Week China Itinerary with a Silk Road Adventure

This itinerary is full of adventure, as you'll have the chance to visit a wide variety of historical and cultural sites and witness a range of stunning Gobi Desert landscapes.Experience camel riding in the desert, trek to remote mountain villages, see towering snow-capped mountains, and visit the awe-inspiring Jiayuguan fortifications at the western end of the Great Wall.

You'll be able to witness traditional music and dance performances, as well as visit bustling bazaars and markets. You'll also have the opportunity to try a variety of Chinese cuisine along the Silk Road, as well as the unique cuisine of the region, such as Uighur and Kazakh dishes.Here are some brief itinerary details for a suggested 4-week China tour with the Silk Road:

• Days 1–5: Beijing (see itinerary 1 above)
• Days 6–8: Xi'an (as above)
• Days 9–10: Zhangye
• Days 11–12: Dunhuang
• Days 13–18: Xinjiang (Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar)
• Days 19–21: Chengdu (as above)
• Days 21–25: Guilin (as above)
• Days 26–28: Hong Kong

InZhangye, you would visit the 'Color Palette Overturned by God' —Zhangye's National Geological Park, which is home to theRainbow Mountains. Then take a camel ride along the ancient trade route that connected China to the West to experience ancient Silk Road trade life.

In the city ofDunhuang, you would see a stunning array of ancient Buddhist art, including murals, statues, and colorful frescoes at the famous Mogao Caves. If you would like to see some special caves, our guide could lead you to visit some that are not open to the general public. See how Buddhism came to China on the Ancient Silk Road and a pristine desert oasis in Dunhuang.

In Turpan, a city with rich history and diverse culture, which is known for its grapes, melons, and other delicious fruits. It is also home to stunning natural attractions like theFlaming Mountains and the Grape Valley.

Spend some days in the capital city of Xinjiang,Urumqi古老的城市,Kashgarto learn more about Uygur culture by visiting Xinjiang Regional Museum, Grand Bazaar, and Kashgar Bazaar, where you can buy handwoven carpets, spices, jewelry, and other unique souvenirs to bring home.

Hong Kongis a more-scenic alternative to Shanghai as a departure city. Its skyscraper-lined mountains and beautiful bays complement this adventure-themed itinerary of contrasts.HK could be included on any of the above 4-week tours and/or Shanghai.Don't forget to contact us for a customized version of any of the above itineraries.

21-Day China and Silk Road TourChina Classic Wonders and Silk Road Tour

Cost for 4-Week Tour of China

The cost for a China tour varies greatly between peak time and off season. Prices can go up by 50 to 100% in the peak seasons!For example, the flight price from the U.S. or Europe to China varies a lot depending on the travel time and airline you use, which is usually from around US$1,200 to US$3,000 for an economy round trip.

The peak travel times in China are on the first weeks of May and October(China's two golden weeks), summer holidays, and Christmas and New year holidays. For most visitors who book a private tour with us in China, the average cost per day isabout US$220–350 per person, including flights/trains within China, 4- or 5- star hotels, lunches, attractions, guides, and private transport.

Thus,a 28-day tour for two people would cost about US$12,320–19,600. A tour for a family of four may cost US$17,300–27,400 (kids under 10 get 30–50% off). Your international flights are not included in this price.

如何to Travel around China

It is convenient to travel around the whole of China by flights or high-speed trains. All the larger tourist cities are connected by high-speed rail and airports. If you book a tour with us, we will arrange the most suitable routes and travel options according to your preferences, seamlessly booking the flight/train tickets you need.

3-Week Must-See Places China Tour Including Holy TibetA Grand Exploration of China

Tour China with Us

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or natural beauty, there's something for everyone in China. Let's create your dream trip! All our tours can be customized. Justcontact us.

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