17-Day Ultimate Luxury Escapes: China’s Imperial & Modern Grandeur
China is a land of vast contrasts, where thousand-year-old traditions meet a futuristic skyline that defies gravity. On this 17-day journey, you won't just see China; you will experience it through a lens of absolute luxury, moving between historical capitals and vibrant metropolises with the ease of first-class transport and exclusive private access.
From the secluded sections of the Great Wall to the mist-covered karst mountains of Yangshuo, every detail has been curated for the discerning traveler. Expect five-star sanctuary hotels, private chauffeured transfers, and culinary journeys that range from traditional imperial banquets to cutting-edge molecular gastronomy.
Day 1: Beijing, China - The Imperial Arrival
VIP Arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport
Enjoy a seamless transition with a VIP meet-and-greet service that whisks you through customs to your waiting luxury sedan.
Check-in at The Waldorf Astoria Beijing
Unpack in your multi-story hutong villa or a contemporary suite in the heart of the city’s prestigious Wangfujing district.
Traditional Tea Ceremony
Experience a private tea tasting session in the hotel's courtyard, learning the nuanced art of Chinese Oolong and Pu-erh.
Welcome Dinner: Peking Duck Feast
Indulge in a signature wood-fired duck dinner at the Michelin-starred 1949-Duck de Chine.
Day 2: Beijing, China - Forbidden Secrets
Private Tour: The Forbidden City
Enter via the VIP gate for a curated tour of the Palace Museum, including access to restricted areas like the Emperor’s private study.
Lunch Overlooking Jingshan Park
Dine at TRB Hutong, where modern European cuisine meets historical architecture in a converted 600-year-old temple.
The Summer Palace by Private Boat
Glide across Kunming Lake on a traditional wooden boat for a majestic view of the Longevity Hill and the Marble Boat.
Red Theatre Kung Fu Show
Enjoy VIP seating for a spectacular performance of 'The Legend of Kung Fu' featuring world-class martial artists.
Day 3: Beijing, China - The Great Wall in Style
Mutianyu Great Wall Helicopter Tour
Take to the skies for a 20-minute aerial view of the serpentine wall winding through the rugged mountains.
Private Gourmet Picnic on the Wall
Enjoy a champagne brunch served by white-glove staff on a secluded watchtower far from the tourist crowds.
Distillery Visit & Tasting
Visit a boutique craft distillery in the Beijing countryside to sample premium Baijiu blends.
Relaxation at the Spa
Return to the city for a signature Tui Na massage to rejuvenate your muscles after the morning's walk.
Day 4: Xi'an, China - High-Speed to the Ancient Capital
First-Class High-Speed Rail
Board the sleek 'Fuxing' train for a 4.5-hour journey to Xi'an, enjoying spacious lie-flat seats and meal service.
Arrival & Check-in
Transfer to The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an, a masterpiece of modern design located in the high-tech development zone.
Ancient City Wall Cycling
Ride a bicycle (or take a private golf cart) atop the massive 14th-century city walls during the golden hour.
Muslim Quarter Foodie Safari
Join a local expert for a private tasting tour of the vibrant night market, sampling hand-pulled noodles and lamb skewers.
Day 5: Xi'an, China - The Terracotta Army
Terracotta Warriors Private Viewing
Explore the three main pits with a resident archaeologist to understand the immense scale of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.
Farm-to-Table Lunch
Enjoy a lunch featuring local Shaanxi specialties at a high-end organic farm near the mausoleum site.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Learn the art of Chinese calligraphy in a private workshop located within the tranquil temple grounds.
Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Experience the music and dance of China's golden age while enjoying a traditional dumpling banquet at the Tang Dynasty Palace.
Day 6: Xi'an, China - Heritage & Relaxation
Shaanxi History Museum VIP
View the Tang Dynasty murals and gold treasures in a private viewing room with a senior curator.
Biang Biang Noodle Masterclass
Try your hand at making the famous wide noodles under the guidance of a master chef.
Great Mosque & Backstreets
Visit the oldest and best-preserved mosque in China, featuring a unique fusion of Chinese and Islamic architecture.
Fine Dining at Xian Kitchen
Savor a sophisticated dinner that reimagines Silk Road flavors with global techniques.
Day 7: Chengdu, China - Journey to the Panda Province
Short Flight to Chengdu
A quick domestic flight brings you to the capital of Sichuan, the land of abundance and giant pandas.
Check-in at The Temple House
Enter through a historic Qing Dynasty courtyard into one of China's most stylish boutique hotels.
Jinli Ancient Street
Wander through the lantern-lit alleys and browse artisan shops selling delicate蜀绣 (Shu embroidery).
Sichuan Hotpot Experience
Dine at a luxury hotpot venue like Shoo Loong Kan, where you can customize your level of spice.
Day 8: Chengdu, China - Giant Pandas & Greenery
Panda Base Private Visit
Arrive early at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the pandas at their most active during breakfast.
Vegetarian Fine Dining
Enjoy a multi-course vegetarian lunch at Wuhou Temple's exclusive dining room.
Wenshu Monastery Tea House
Relax like a local in a bustling tea house, sipping Jasmine tea and observing the slow pace of life.
Sichuan Opera & Face Changing
Enjoy front-row seats at the Shu Feng Ya Yun Opera House for a display of fire-breathing and magical mask changes.
Day 9: Chengdu, China - Taoist Retreat
Mount Qingcheng Excursion
Take a private car to this UNESCO site, the birthplace of Taoism, and take the cable car up for breathtaking mountain vistas.
Monastery Lunch
Enjoy a simple yet delicious meal prepared by the monks using fresh mountain herbs.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Visit this 2,000-year-old engineering marvel that still prevents flooding in the Chengdu plains today.
Modern Sichuan Fusion
Dine at Tivano for an Italian-Sichuan fusion dinner that is consistently ranked among the best in the city.
Day 10: Yangshuo, China - Mist-Covered Peaks
Flight to Guilin
Transfer to Guilin Airport and meet your private chauffeur for the scenic drive to the riverside town of Yangshuo.
Banyan Tree Yangshuo Check-in
Settle into your villa with a private terrace overlooking the dramatic karst limestone peaks.
Bamboo Raft Drift
Experience a traditional (but private) bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River as the sun begins to set.
Impression Sanjie Liu Show
Watch a massive outdoor performance staged on the Li River with over 600 local actors and stunning light effects.
Day 11: Yangshuo, China - Li River Luxury
Luxury Li River Cruise
Board a premium, private river craft for a 4-hour cruise through the heart of the Guilin scenery, passing the '20 Yuan Note' peak.
Lunch in Xingping
Dine on local 'Beer Fish' at a high-end restaurant in the ancient village of Xingping.
Cormorant Fishing Demonstration
Watch a private demonstration of this ancient fishing technique by local masters on the riverbank.
Riverside Fine Dining
Enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner on the banks of the Li River at your resort.
Day 12: Yangshuo, China - Rural Elegance
Countryside Private Car Tour
Explore the surrounding villages, seeing ancient banyan trees and limestone caves without the hiking stress.
Organic Cooking Class
Pick fresh ingredients from a local garden and learn to cook traditional Southern Chinese dishes with a private chef.
Afternoon Spa Treatment
Indulge in a signature spa treatment at the Banyan Tree, utilizing local aromatic oils and herbs.
Moon Hill Farewell Dinner
Dine at a restaurant with a panoramic view of the iconic Moon Hill archway.
Day 13: Shanghai, China - The Pearl of the Orient
Flight to Shanghai
Fly from Guilin to Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong, landing in the most cosmopolitan city in the world.
The Peninsula Shanghai Check-in
Enjoy panoramic views of the Bund and the Pudong skyline from one of the city's most storied hotels.
Bund Sunset Walk
Stroll along the historic waterfront with an architectural expert to learn about the colonial-era buildings.
Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund
Dine at this chic French eatery known for its creative menu and stunning view of the Lujiazui towers.
Day 14: Shanghai, China - Art Deco & Glamour
French Concession Private Tour
Explore the leafy avenues and hidden villas of the former French Concession in a vintage sidecar motorcycle.
Lunch at Yong Foo Elite
Dine at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant housed in a former consulate building with a lush private garden.
Propaganda Poster Art Centre
Visit this unique underground museum to see a rare collection of posters from the mid-20th century.
Shanghai Jazz Scene
Enjoy a night of live music and cocktails at the legendary Old Jazz Bar at the Peace Hotel.
Day 15: Shanghai, China - Traditions & High Tea
Yu Garden & Old Town
Explore the classical 16th-century garden and the surrounding bazaar with a private guide.
Xiao Long Bao Lunch
Savor world-famous soup dumplings at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant with skip-the-line VIP access.
Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont
Indulge in a classic afternoon tea service at the Fairmont Peace Hotel, a pinnacle of Art Deco elegance.
ERA Intersection of Time
Witness a high-tech acrobatic show that tells the story of China's evolution through light, sound, and movement.
Day 16: Shanghai, China - The Future Skyline
Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
Ascend the world's second-tallest building for a 360-degree view of the sprawling metropolis.
Dim Sum at Hakkasan
Enjoy a sophisticated dim sum lunch at the Bund’s most fashionable Chinese dining destination.
M50 Art District
Visit the contemporary art hub of Shanghai to browse galleries and meet local avant-garde artists.
Grand Finale Dinner: Ultraviolet
If you have secured a booking, experience the 20-course sensory journey at Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet.
Day 17: Shanghai, China - Departure
Morning Maglev Experience
Take the world's fastest commercial train to the airport, reaching speeds of 431 km/h.
Duty-Free Shopping
Browse high-end boutiques at Pudong International Airport for last-minute Chinese silk and tea.
Lounge Relaxation
Relax in the First Class lounge before your departing flight home.
Departure
End of your 17-day luxury journey through the Middle Kingdom.
Best Time to Visit China
The best time to visit China is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). During these periods, the weather is mild across most of the country, and the landscape is either in full bloom or vibrant with autumn colors. Beijing and Xi'an are best in October when the humidity has dropped, while Yangshuo is stunning in April despite the occasional mist.
Currency & Money
The official currency is the Renminbi (RMB), also known as Yuan (CNY). China is largely a cashless society; while luxury hotels and high-end malls accept international credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, most local transactions occur via mobile payment apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay. It is highly recommended to set up a 'Tour Pass' on Alipay before arrival. Tipping is not traditionally required in China, but in high-end luxury settings and for private guides, a small gratuity is often appreciated.
Getting Around China
For intercity travel, China’s high-speed rail network is world-class, offering Business Class cabins that rival international first-class airline seats. For longer distances, domestic flights are frequent and reliable. Within cities, private chauffeured cars are the preferred method of transport for luxury travelers, as they offer door-to-door service and bypass the complexities of local public transit.
