PRIVATE TOUR · 23 DAYS

China's Grand East–West Arc: 23 Days, 10 Cities

Imperial capitals, sandstone mountains, alpine lakes and Jiangnan water towns, linked without backtracking.

BeijingLuoyangXi'anZhangjiajieChongqingChengduHangzhouHuangshanSuzhouShanghai

10 stops · 10 regional chapters

Trip length23 days
PaceComfortable, multi-region
TransfersHigh-speed rail and flights
Plan with an advisor

READ THE ROUTE

Read the geography, then choose a chapter

The map establishes the cross-province scale. Each regional image stays with its own chapter below, so geography and visual evidence never stand in for one another.

Route map34 province-level paths with 10 numbered route points representing 10 stops.

THE FULL 23 DAYS

Let every day read as its own travel story

The complete summary always stays in view. Open one day for its source-backed order, any available day image and adjustment notes. Only one day opens at a time.

Current reading dayChapter rangeImages follow the paragraph they explain
Days 1–3

Beijing · Imperial Beijing

Great Wall, palace and hutongs.

History

Badaling Great Wall and North Eighth Tower at 888 metres; Bird's Nest and Water Cube night views; Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The day pairs imperial frontier scale with Olympic modernity.

Walk Badaling toward North Eighth Tower.

Return from the wall and rest.

See both Olympic venues lit after dark.

Why this orderOld and new define Beijing.

What can changeAsk about a quieter wall section if needed.

Days 4–6

Luoyang · Ancient Luoyang

Shaolin, Longmen and Sui-Tang palace city.

Temples

Days 7–8

Xi'an · The buried army

Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace.

Archaeology

Days 9–11

Zhangjiajie · Sandstone peaks

National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain.

Mountains

Day 12

Chongqing · The vertical city

Tianmen Mountain transfer and Hongya Cave.

Night views

Days 13–16

Sichuan (Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou) · Alpine water, pandas and tea

Chengdu, Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou connect food, pandas and alpine water.

Pandas

Day 17

Hangzhou · West Lake threshold

A free arrival evening by the lake city.

Water

Days 18–19

Huangshan · West Lake to cloud peaks

West Lake and Huangshan's granite peaks.

Mountain

Days 20–21

Suzhou · Jiangnan water towns and gardens

Nanxun, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove and Pingjiang Road.

Gardens

Days 22–23

Shanghai · The modern close

Yu Garden, skyline landmarks, Bund lights and departure.

Skyline

PRACTICAL

Know these before you leave

Visa window

Entry and visa guidance is not provided in the source; confirm current requirements before booking.

Altitude and pace

Reservations, weather, physical demand and other restrictions are not provided in the source. Confirm transport, park access and entry rules before booking.

How the route can flex

The source does not specify customization options; ask an advisor to adjust pace and free evenings.

A HUMAN NEXT STEP

Ask about this 23-day route

Share your dates and pace; an advisor can shape the flexible parts without changing the source route's direction.

Plan with an advisor