11-Day China Family Tour
Family Happiness
A journey to China is truly an adventure, bejeweled by this ancient oriental kingdom’s history, cultures, lifestyles, and landscapes. We will help you spend quality time with your children, and help you all to discover more while experiencing China in a fun way. This 11-Day China Family Tour will let you have a time travel into the history and also plunge to the future. It includes exclusive and family-friendly activities and hotels.
The detailed itinerary below is just for inspiration. Every day can be and should be tailor-made, as your family vacation deserves to be unique. You can read our tips for tailor-making your tour to help you start, and talk to your 1-to-1 travel advisor to personalize your journey.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Beijing’s imperial treasures — Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall at Mutianyu, and Summer Palace.
- Family-friendly hands-on experiences: calligraphy, dumpling-making, farming in Yangshuo, countryside biking.
- Witness China’s ancient marvels: Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Cruise along the Li River and immerse in Guilin’s breathtaking karst landscapes.
- Discover Shanghai’s modern icons: Yu Garden, the Bund, Shanghai Tower, plus a customized half-day “icing-on-the-cake” experience.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Days & Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Days 1–4 · Beijing | Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Hutong family visit & calligraphy, Great Wall Mutianyu with toboggan ride, Summer Palace |
| Days 5–6 · Xi’an | Terracotta Army, Ancient City Wall biking, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, History Museum, local dumpling-making |
| Days 7–9 · Guilin & Yangshuo | Reed Flute Cave, Li River Cruise, Daxu Ancient Town, countryside biking, farming experience with local family |
| Days 10–11 · Shanghai | Yu Garden, Bund heritage walk, Shanghai Tower, customized “icing-on-the-cake” half-day experience, departure transfer |
Tour “Wow” Points
🏯 Discover the Mythical Animals in the Forbidden City
Visit the Forbidden City with a family-friendly twist. Kids can spot the mythical animals on palace roofs while hearing stories of emperors and legends. Your guide makes history fun and interactive, turning this UNESCO site into a lively learning playground for children and parents alike.
🧗 Walk on the Great Wall and Slide Down from It
At Mutianyu Great Wall, families enjoy a quieter climb with sweeping views. Children love riding the chair lift up and the toboggan slide down, combining history with adventure. It’s the most family-friendly Great Wall experience, mixing culture with fun.
🎨 Be Like an Imperial-Era Chinese Child in the Hutongs
Explore Beijing’s hutongs, where families step into a local courtyard home. Kids can try calligraphy or a Chinese yo-yo, while parents enjoy traditional snacks. This hands-on visit transforms the alleys into an immersive cultural workshop.
🥋 Practice Family Morning Exercise in the Temple of Heaven
At the Temple of Heaven, join locals in a morning Tai Chi session. Children copy the slow movements, while parents experience authentic Beijing lifestyle. It’s a healthy, interactive way to connect with Chinese traditions.
🏺 Make Your Own Terracotta Warrior in Xi’an
After visiting the Terracotta Army, families create their own clay warrior in a local cave dwelling. Kids shape and paint figures, while learning Qin dynasty history in a playful way. A unique, hands-on souvenir makes the experience truly memorable.
🥟 Learn to Make Dumplings with a Local Family
Step into a local home to join a dumpling-making workshop. Children help roll and fold wrappers, while parents share stories with the host family. It’s a warm cultural exchange and a highlight of your family tour in China.
🚴 Bike Around the Picturesque Countryside of Yangshuo
Ride bicycles through Yangshuo’s karst landscape, past rice fields and riverside villages. Families can choose gentle routes or use e-bikes for kids. The scenery and relaxed pace make it one of the most scenic family adventures in China.
🌾 Experience Farming and Snack-Making with Locals
Join villagers in Yangshuo for seasonal farm activities like planting or harvesting rice. Kids can also try making a simple countryside snack. This heartwarming activity connects families with authentic rural life in China.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 – Beijing | Arrival
When you arrive in Beijing, your private driver and English-speaking local guide will greet you at the airport. Transfer comfortably to your family-friendly hotel and enjoy a worry-free check-in.
Hotel options:
- Novotel Beijing Peace (4-star, central location, family rooms)
- Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town (5-star, family suites)
Day 2 – Beijing | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City & Hutong Experience
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Start at Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest city square, then step into the Forbidden City, exploring both iconic halls and kid-friendly spots like the Archery Pavilion and the Hall of Clocks and Watches. Children can play an interactive game about the “nine sons of the dragon.”
In the afternoon, explore Beijing’s historic hutongs by rickshaw. Visit a local family courtyard, learn Chinese calligraphy, and let kids try a Chinese yo-yo.
Tailor-Made Tip: In summer, enjoy the Water Cube Water Park with exciting slides.
Day 3 – Beijing | Temple of Heaven & Great Wall at Mutianyu
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Begin with a Tai Chi family class at the Temple of Heaven. Then drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a less-crowded and highly rated section. Families often choose to ascend by chair lift and descend by toboggan for fun.
Tailor-Made Tip: Night visit at Simatai Great Wall for a unique illuminated hike, or try a multi-hour wild Great Wall trekking experience.
Day 4 – Beijing to Xi’an | Summer Palace & High-Speed Train
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Spend a relaxed morning at the Summer Palace, a UNESCO site with imperial gardens, pavilions, and boat rides. In the afternoon, board the high-speed train (6 hours) to Xi’an, traveling comfortably across China’s landscapes.
Hotel options:
- West Capital International Hotel (4-star)
- Wyndham Grand Xi’an South (5-star)
Day 5 – Xi’an | Terracotta Warriors & City Wall Biking
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Start the day biking atop the Xi’an Ancient City Wall for panoramic city views. Then visit the Terracotta Army, the life-sized underground army built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Children can also make their own mini Terracotta Warrior inside a traditional cave dwelling.
Day 6 – Xi’an to Guilin | Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Museum Visit
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an iconic Silk Road landmark, and then the Shaanxi History Museum, home to over 300,000 relics. In the afternoon, fly to Guilin, famous for its karst scenery.
Hotel options:
- Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (4-star)
- Shangri-La Guilin (5-star, with family facilities)
Day 7 – Guilin | Reed Flute Cave & Pebble Art Experience
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Explore the Reed Flute Cave, filled with stalactites illuminated by colorful lights. In the afternoon, create a Chinese landscape painting with pebbles from the Li River, then visit Daxu Ancient Town to discover its history as a trade port.
Tailor-Made Tip: Arrange a Chinese language crash course or brush painting workshop for kids.
Day 8 – Guilin to Yangshuo | Li River Cruise & Family Farming
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy a 4-hour Li River cruise, gliding through breathtaking karst peaks. Arrive in Yangshuo, where your family can join a local farming experience: plant, plough, sow, or harvest crops alongside villagers.
Hotel options:
- Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (4-star, eco-friendly riverside stay)
- Yangshuo Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel (5-star, luxury family suites)
Tailor-Made Tip: If you prefer, opt for cooking classes, tai chi, or rock climbing instead of farming.
Day 9 – Yangshuo to Shanghai | Countryside Biking & Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Cycle through Yangshuo’s countryside, past rice paddies, karst peaks, and lively local markets. A 10–15 km bike ride takes 1–2 hours and is family-friendly, with options for electric bikes or buggies for younger kids. Fly to Shanghai in the evening.
Hotel options:
- Sunrise On The Bund (4-star)
- Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai (5-star boutique)
Day 10 – Shanghai | Yu Garden, the Bund & Shanghai Tower
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Stroll through Yu Garden, a classical Chinese landscape garden, then walk along the Bund, admiring colonial-era architecture. Ascend to the top of the Shanghai Tower, the tallest in China, for panoramic city views.
Half-Day Customized Experience: Tailor your Shanghai finale — relax in a teahouse, explore art districts, go shopping, or join a cultural workshop.
Day 11 – Shanghai | Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport for your departure. Say goodbye to China after this unforgettable 11-day family adventure blending history, nature, and kid-friendly activities.
Trip Notes
- Tailor-Make Options — Extend to Luoyang (Kung Fu), Chengdu (pandas), Hong Kong, Zhangjiajie, Suzhou, Yangtze River Cruise.
- Accommodation — Wide range: boutique hotels, 3–5 star, family rooms or interconnecting rooms available.
- Transportation — Flights between main cities, high-speed trains recommended for <6h journeys.
- Family Facilities — Car seats, strollers, cribs available on request (limited).
- Meals — Local Chinese lunches included; all dietary needs (vegetarian, halal, kosher, gluten-free, Western) can be catered.
Why Choose This Tour
- Specially designed for families with children, balancing history, fun, and interaction.
- Hands-on activities that create lasting memories: crafts, calligraphy, cooking, biking, farming.
- Stress-free with private guides, drivers, and family-friendly hotels.
- Flexible, tailor-made options with 24/7 travel support.
- Trusted by travelers with excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.
Price Includes:
- Private air-conditioned car with ample space
- English-speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- Flights/trains between itinerary cities
- 24/7 helpline support during your journey
💰 From USD 2,570 per adult / USD 1,949 per child (2–11 years old)
(Based on a private tour for a family of 4 with 1 child below 12 years old. Price varies depending on travel date, number of people, and hotel choice.)The more people, the bigger the discount — up to 40% off.
