China’s Grand Cities
Private journey designed by youFrom the imperial grandeur of Beijing to Shanghai’s glittering skyline, China’s cities are a thrilling mix of old and new. Uncover ancient palaces, delicious cuisine and fascinating local culture on this urban adventure.
13 days
suggested length
Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct
best time to go
$13,995
price from
Soaring skylines and ancient palaces, street food markets and time-honored tea ceremonies: China’s cities are unforgettable experiences, a series of supersized duels between the historic and modern. Explore some of China’s most iconic, emblematic cities on this adventure from Beijing to Shanghai, with nights spent in luxurious urban hotels. A&K’s experts will tailor your journey to your tastes, pairing you with English-speaking guides to make the most of this fascinating country, with experiences ranging from tours of iconic ancient monuments to a behind-the-scenes look at an innovative panda conservation centre.
Stroll across centuries of history on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, one of the best-preserved and least-visited stretches
Uncover the secrets of Beijing’s dynastic past with guided tours of the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
Be awed by the thousands of clay soldiers and horses that make up Xi’an’s iconic Terracotta Army
Meet China’s adorable national mascots with a guided tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre
Drift past the soaring karst peaks and lush forests of Yangshuo on a gentle river raft cruise
Lose yourself in Shanghai, the shining megacity full of contemporary art and historic waterside culture
Designed by Us, Tailored to You
This Tailormade Journey is just the beginning of a beautiful adventure, ready to be customized by you. Choose the hotels you want to stay in, enhance your journey with extra experiences, and tell us where else you want to go.
Customize your itinerary further by viewing and adding to your wishlist.
Beijing, China
Ancient might in the modern metropolis
Big, bold, bewildering: no adjective is too grand for the Chinese capital. It is a living, breathing timeline on the rushing banks of the Hai, where red lanterns flicker in the narrow alleys of hutong districts, the scents of Pekinese cuisine waft over busy markets, and each skyscraper looms larger than the last, a foil to the grand imperial palaces that sprawl with a stolid, almost haunting majesty below.
Your A&K Experiences: Unfurl the grand tapestry of China’s past on a private guided tour: the Forbidden City is a symbol of the nation, the former home of 24 emperors. Delve into the history of the Ming dynasty at the vast Temple of Heaven, before discovering the tangled lanes of a traditional hutong neighbourhood.
Your Hotel:
Xi'an, China
Ancient glory on the storied Silk Route
Stashed away like plundered gold, Xi’an is the China of your imagination. This grand city was once the final knot at the end of the Silk Route, its streets a raucous mix of faiths and fortunes. Times have changed, of course, but Xi’an still bristles with mystique: tour its 14th-century city walls or climb its square pagodas, but leave the most awe-inspiring sight of them all for last: the Terracotta Army, a highlight of any visit to this ancient place.
Your A&K Experiences: Explore Xi’an’s ancient sites on a full-day, guided tour, including a visit of the Terracotta Warriors, built in the second century to guide the first Chinese emperor to the afterlife, as well as the Great Mosque, which more closely resembles a grand Buddhist temple.
Your Hotel:
Chengdu, China
Close encounters with giant pandas
For many travellers, Chengdu means one thing: pandas. But Sichuan’s capital promises much more. A bubbling hotpot of local culture, this is a city of ornate bridges and rambling old teahouses creaking with age, where afternoons can be spent playing chess beneath the trees of the People’s Park, and the evenings browsing the night markets for a fiery introduction into Sichuanese cuisine.
Your A&K Experiences: Meet China’s most famous mascots on a guided tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center. Learn more about the history of panda conservation, and meet some of the adorable, 100-plus giant and red pandas currently in the center’s care.
Your Hotel:
Yangshuo, China
Dreamlike landscapes and mighty rivers
The iconic scenery of Yangshuo feels both familiar and like something from another world; this ethereal region is one of mighty, jade-green karst stacks, towering over glassy rivers. All along its waterways, a buzzing nightlife scene has emerged in the lively towns and villages, where rooftop bars clink glasses until the small hours, the illuminated peaks brooding in the distance.
Your A&K Experiences: Head deeper into Yangshuo’s stirring landscapes: explore tranquil farm villages by bike, before taking to a tributary of the Li River on a bamboo raft and watching the region’s soaring karst peaks ripple past on the water’s surface.
Your Hotel:
Shanghai, China
Evolution of an eastern icon
Gone are the days of a quiet, mysterious trading post on the East China Sea: Shanghai is the future, a glittering, global metropolis whose space-age buildings speak volumes of its sky-high ambitions. But beyond the gleaming malls and towering five-stars of China’s largest city, the old Shanghai still flaunts her jewels: the architectural gems of the Bund waterfront, wooden teahouses, curved-roof pavilions and beautiful gardens with lotus-strewn ponds.
Your A&K Experiences: Step away from Shanghai’s futuristic bustle on a guided tour of Zhujiajiao, nicknamed the ‘Venice of Shanghai’. In this peaceful town of gently winding waterways, glide past ancient houses and beneath bridges on a private boat ride, watching life tick by as it has for centuries.
Your Hotel:
Enhance Your Journey with Add-On Experiences
Catch all the amazing add-on experiences available for your entire trip. Whether you missed something earlier or want to see everything in one place, here’s your opportunity to make sure you don`t miss out on any incredible experiences.
Johannesburg, South Africa 
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Johannesburg, South Africa
Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most extraordinary places to see wildlife – and increasingly, one of the most popular. Sarah Marshall swims against the tide of overtourism, and aboard an Ecoventura expedition yacht discovers a way to experience the islands more responsibly, without the crowds.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most extraordinary places to see wildlife – and increasingly, one of the most popular. Sarah Marshall swims against the tide of overtourism, and aboard an Ecoventura expedition yacht discovers a way to experience the islands more responsibly, without the crowds.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most extraordinary places to see wildlife – and increasingly, one of the most popular. Sarah Marshall swims against the tide of overtourism, and aboard an Ecoventura expedition yacht discovers a way to experience the islands more responsibly, without the crowds.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most extraordinary places to see wildlife – and increasingly, one of the most popular. Sarah Marshall swims against the tide of overtourism, and aboard an Ecoventura expedition yacht discovers a way to experience the islands more responsibly, without the crowds.
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
Tailormade Journeys
The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 DAYS - Limited to 18 guests
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A fine wisp of sand in the Indian Ocean, Benguerra is a luxury vision of castaway beauty, a far-flung paradise guarded by palm trees. Days melt away here, either spent sailing on traditional dhow boats or diving along coral reefs.
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