Founder Lead Journey
Five Cities, Five Faces of China
15 DAYS | SHANGHAI · CHONGQING · CHENGDU · XI’AN · BEIJING
Small Group (6 to 10)
From Shanghai's global skyline to Chongqing's remarkable mountain city, Chengdu's relaxed way of life and rich culinary traditions, Xi'an's ancient origins, and Beijing's blend of imperial heritage — experience five distinct faces of China and the remarkable depth and diversity of the country today.
Upcoming Departure: May 23, 2027
Journey Highlights
A CITY BUILT IN THREE DIMENSIONS
Experience Chongqing
Explore a city unlike anywhere else in China, where mountains and rivers have shaped layers of streets, bridges, towers and transit. See the city's famous monorail disappear through a building, navigate its extraordinary vertical streets and end the day over hotpot in one of Chongqing's former air-raid shelters.
FROM ANCIENT EMPIRES TO THE GREAT WALL
China's defining landmarks
Stand before Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, step inside Beijing's Forbidden City and walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu — experiencing three extraordinary landmarks that bring different chapters of China's imperial past into view.
PANDAS, TEA & THE FLAVORS OF SICHUAN
Experience Chengdu's rhythm
Meet China's giant pandas, spend time over tea in People's Park and explore the flavors that define Sichuan cuisine — including a closer look at the traditional production of doubanjiang, one of the region's essential ingredients.
BEYOND THE LANDMARKS
Traditions you can experience for yourself
Experience the drama and artistry of Sichuan face-changing (变脸), carve your own traditional Chinese seal in Beijing, and encounter local traditions along the way — experiences that take you beyond the landmarks and closer to the culture behind them.
Have a question about this journey? Start a Conversation with your Journeys East host →
Our Stays on this journey
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Shanghai | Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
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Chongqing | InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City
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Chengdu | The St. Regis Chengdu
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Xi’an | The Ritz-Carlton, Xi’an
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Beijing | The Peninsula Beijing
Hotels shown are currently planned for this journey and are subject to availability at the time of booking. If a change is required, Journeys East will select a property of a comparable standard and location.
Departures and Pricing
May 23 to June 6, 2027
15 days | Shanghai Arrival → Beijing Departure
Personally hosted by
Marcus & Jeff, Journeys East Co-Founders
$12,495
per guest, double occupancy
Solo occupancy +$2,495
Founder’s journey rate. Future departures expected from $13,995 per guest
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES
Bilingual, bicultural Journeys East host throughout the journey
Expert local guides
Meals throughout the journey, except where time is intentionally left open to dine independently
Private airport transfers on arrival and departure days
Private ground transportation throughout the journey
Premium intercity transportation, including first-class high-speed rail
All sightseeing, experiences and entrance fees described in the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
International airfare to and from China
China visa and passport fees if applicable
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses and optional activities
Itinerary
Shanghai, The Journey Begins
DAY 1 · Arrival and Welcome
Arrive in Shanghai, where private transportation takes you to your hotel. Take time to settle in before joining your Journeys East host and fellow travelers for a welcome toast — a relaxed beginning to the journey ahead.
Highlights: Private arrival transfer · Welcome toast
▶︎ SHANGHAI 上海
DAY 2 · Tradition, Influence & Transformation
Discover the many layers of Shanghai, from the classical gardens and lanes of the Old Town to the tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession and Wukang Road. Along the way, experience the architecture, neighborhoods and local life that reveal the influences that have shaped the city, with a taste of traditional Shanghainese cuisine along the way.
Highlights: Yu Garden · Old Town · Former French Concession · Wukang Road · Taste traditional Shanghainese xiaolongbao
DAY 3 · The Shanghai of Today
Begin along the historic Bund before crossing into Pudong, where Shanghai’s extraordinary transformation comes fully into view. Explore the city’s modern landmarks and ascend Shanghai Tower for a new perspective from above. This evening, experience contemporary Chinese dining against the backdrop of Shanghai’s illuminated skyline.
Highlights: The Bund · Pudong · Shanghai Tower · Contemporary Chinese dining
▶︎ CHONGQING 重庆
Chongqing, A city shaped by the land
DAY 4 · Welcome to the Mountain City
Fly to Chongqing and settle into one of China’s most distinctive cities, built dramatically across steep hills and between two great rivers. This evening, ease into the city with a panoramic view around sunset, watching Chongqing’s layered skyline transform as night falls.
Highlights: Arrival in Chongqing · Panoramic city views at sunset
DAY 5 · A City Built in Three Dimensions
Explore how Chongqing's dramatic geography has shaped the way people live and move through the city. See the famous monorail going through a building at Liziba, navigate layered streets where ground level can suddenly be many stories above the streets below, and experience the spectacle of Hongya Cave.
Along the way, discover how the city's geography and history have shaped its character before ending the day over Chongqing hotpot in a former air-raid shelter — a distinctive setting for one of the city's defining food traditions.
Highlights: Hongya Cave · Chongqing's layered city · Hotpot in a former air-raid shelter
▶︎ CHENGDU 成都
Chengdu, Flavor, tradition & everyday life
DAY 6 · The Flavors of Sichuan
Travel by high-speed rail to Chengdu and begin discovering Sichuan through one of its defining flavors. Visit a traditional producer of doubanjiang, the fermented broad-bean and chili paste at the heart of countless Sichuan dishes. See how it's made, taste it for yourself and later experience how this humble ingredient transforms the food on the table.
Highlights: High-speed rail· Doubanjiang (Soy bean paste) experience · Sichuan cuisine
DAY 7 · The Chengdu Way of Life
Slow down to Chengdu's rhythm in People's Park, where locals gather to exercise, practice tai chi, dance, socialize and linger over tea. Join them for a cup before exploring more of Sichuan's distinctive traditions and Shu culture. This evening, experience the drama and artistry of Sichuan's famous face-changing performance.
Highlights: People's Park · Chengdu Tea Culture · Shu Culture & Traditions · Sichuan Face-Changing Performance
DAY 8 · Pandas & Ancient Ingenuity
Meet some of China’s most famous residents — giant pandas and red pandas — and learn more about the work to protect these remarkable species. Continue to Dujiangyan, where more than 2,000 years ago people learned to harness the natural flow of the river to control flooding and bring water to the surrounding plains — without dams. Explore this remarkable landscape and the surrounding ancient town before returning to Chengdu.
Highlights: Giant & Red Pandas · Dujiangyan Ancient Water System
▶︎ XI'AN 西安
Xi'an, Ancient China & Its Legacy
DAY 9 · Into China's Ancient Capital
Travel by high-speed rail to Xi’an, one of China’s great ancient capitals. Begin exploring the city at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before gathering over a traditional dumpling banquet. This evening, enjoy a performance inspired by the music, dance and grandeur of the Tang Dynasty — a first glimpse into the history that shaped Xi’an.
Highlights: Big Wild Goose Pagoda · Dumpling Banquet · Tang Dynasty Performance
DAY 10 · An Army for the Afterlife
Stand before one of the world’s great archaeological discoveries: thousands of life-size Terracotta Warriors created more than two millennia ago for China’s first emperor. Back in Xi’an, walk along the ancient city wall before exploring the lively Muslim Quarter, where centuries of cultural exchange can still be experienced through its streets, traditions and food today.
Highlights: Terracotta Warriors · Ancient City Wall · Muslim Quarter
▶︎ BEIJING 北京
Beijing, Imperial heritage & modern China
DAY 11 · Welcome to the Capital
Travel by high-speed rail to Beijing and settle into the final chapter of the journey. After arrival, slow the pace with a traditional foot massage and time to recharge before an easy evening over the flavors of northern China.
Highlights: Traditional Foot Massage · Northern Chinese Dinner
DAY 12 · At the Heart of Imperial China
Step into Beijing's imperial past at the Temple of Heaven before exploring the Forbidden City, once the center of power for generations of Chinese emperors. With stories and context bringing its vast halls and courtyards to life, discover the rituals, treasures and people behind the monumental architecture. Tonight, gather over one of Beijing's defining traditions: Peking duck.
Highlights: Temple of Heaven · Forbidden City · Imperial treasures · Peking duck
DAY 13 · The Great Wall & Old Beijing
Leave the city for Mutianyu, where the Great Wall winds across the mountains outside Beijing. Walk its ramparts and watchtowers with time to appreciate the scale of one of China's defining landmarks.
Back in the city, trade monumental China for something more personal: explore the lanes of old Beijing and learn the traditional art of seal carving, creating your own Chinese seal to take home.
Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall · Old Beijing hutongs · Traditional seal carving
DAY 14 · Beijing Today
Spend the morning exploring the Beijing of today at Olympic Green, including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, while looking at how the 2008 Olympics helped reshape the capital and the way China presented itself to the world. The afternoon is deliberately left open — time to shop, explore on your own, return to a favorite place or simply slow down before coming together for a farewell dinner.
Highlights: Olympic Green · Bird’s Nest & Water Cube · Farewell Dinner
DAY 15 · Until Next Time
Enjoy breakfast and a final morning before private transportation to the airport for your journey home.
Highlights: Breakfast · Private airport transfer
Upcoming Departures: May 23, 2027 | Join this journey
Have a question about this journey? Start a Conversation
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This journey is led throughout by Journeys East founders Marcus and Jeff. As bilingual, bicultural hosts, they travel with the group from beginning to end, providing continuity, cultural context and personal support throughout the journey.
Local guides and specialists join us along the way where their expertise adds depth, while Marcus and Jeff remain with the group throughout.
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Journeys East journeys are intentionally small, with a maximum of 10 guests. Keeping the group small allows us to move more naturally, dine together around one table and provide a more personal level of attention throughout the journey.
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We take it from there.
On the published arrival day, Journeys East will welcome you at the designated gateway airport and arrange your private transfer to the hotel. From arrival through departure, transportation, hotels, included dining and experiences, and the details in between are thoughtfully arranged for you.
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Your journey includes five-star accommodations, private ground transportation, premium intercity transportation, arrival and departure airport transfers, included dining and selected beverages, sightseeing and cultural experiences, admissions, local guides and specialists where appropriate, and your bilingual Journeys East hosts throughout. Gratuities for your Journeys East hosts, local guides, drivers and included services are also included.
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International airfare to and from China is not included, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline, cabin, routing and schedule that work best for you. Once you arrive at the designated gateway airport on the published arrival day, Journeys East takes care of the journey from there.
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No. We do not pair guests who do not know one another simply to share a room. Guests traveling solo may reserve their own room for the published solo occupancy supplement. Friends or family traveling together are, of course, welcome to share.
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The journey is designed at a thoughtful light-to-moderate pace, with private transportation connecting most activities and time to properly experience each destination. Some sightseeing days involve longer periods of walking, and visits such as the Great Wall include stairs, inclines and uneven surfaces. We provide more detailed activity information before departure and are happy to discuss individual mobility considerations before booking.
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Visa requirements depend on your passport and may change over time. China currently offers visa-free entry to travelers from a number of countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many European countries.
We recommend checking the latest entry requirements published by the Chinese government to determine whether a visa is required for your journey. Journeys East will also provide general guidance and supporting journey documentation where appropriate to help make the process as straightforward as possible.
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We begin with a conversation so we can get to know you, answer your questions and make sure the journey is a good fit. Once invited to book, a 25% deposit per guest confirms your reservation, with the remaining balance due 90 days before departure.
For eligible bookings made more than 90 days before departure, we provide a 48-hour courtesy cancellation period with a full refund. After that period, cancellation charges are 25% of the journey price 91+ days before departure, 50% from 90–31 days, and 100% within 30 days of
departure.
Full booking terms are available in our Terms & Conditions