China can feel overwhelming the first time: 1.4 billion people, a huge map and thousands of years of history. How do you plan a luxury trip that covers the essentials without turning into a marathon? You let someone who has done it plan it for you.
What's the best 10-day luxury itinerary for China? Three days in Shanghai with a day trip to Hangzhou, three in Beijing for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu, two in Chengdu for pandas and hot pot, and two in Lijiang, Yunnan. Stay at The Peninsula, Aman at Summer Palace, The Temple House and Banyan Tree Lijiang.
Key facts
- Route: Shanghai (3 days), Beijing (3), Chengdu (2), Yunnan (2).
- Getting around: bullet trains and domestic flights. Shanghai to Hangzhou is under an hour by train, and Shanghai to Beijing about 4.5 hours.
- Budget (planning estimate, as of October 2026): $10,300 to $16,500 per person at the luxury tier.
- Before you go: set up WeChat and Alipay. Most of China pays by phone.
This 10-day plan mixes the icons with quieter discoveries, and leaves room to rest.
Day 1-3: Shanghai: The Future City
Photo: Ricky Richard / Unsplash
Hotel: The Peninsula Shanghai
Day 1: Arrive, with a hotel car transfer. Afternoon walk along The Bund. Evening cocktails at Sir Elly's Terrace with Pudong skyline views. Dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund by Paul Pairet.
Day 2: Morning visit to the Yu Garden (arrive at 8 AM to avoid crowds). Afternoon shopping on Nanjing Road and the French Concession's boutiques. Evening: Fu He Hui for a calm vegetarian tasting menu (book ahead).
Day 3: Day trip to Hangzhou by bullet train (under an hour). A West Lake boat ride and lunch at Longjing Manor overlooking the tea fields. Back to Shanghai for a nightcap on The Bund.
If you'd rather trade the skyline for quiet, swap The Peninsula for Amanyangyun, an Aman with a MICHELIN Key, built around centuries-old houses and camphor trees on the edge of the city.
Photo: Courtesy of Aman
Photo: Courtesy of Aman
Day 4-6: Beijing: The Imperial Capital
Photo: Rafik Wahba / Unsplash
Hotel: Aman at Summer Palace
Day 4: Bullet train to Beijing (about 4.5 hours, or a 2-hour flight). Check in at Aman. Afternoon private tour of the Summer Palace gardens, right next door. Sunset dinner at the hotel's Chinese restaurant.
Day 5: Morning private tour of the Forbidden City (hire a guide, because the history is too rich to take in alone). Afternoon at the 798 Art District for contemporary Chinese art. Evening: Peking duck at Da Dong.
Day 6: Great Wall at Mutianyu, usually calmer than Badaling, with a cable car and beautiful mountain views. Book a private guide and picnic lunch. Evening: TRB Hutong for fine dining inside an old temple.
In UNESCO's words, "The Great Wall of the Ming is, not only because of the ambitious character of the undertaking but also the perfection of its construction, an absolute masterpiece." (Source: UNESCO World Heritage List, The Great Wall)
Want other options for your Shanghai and Beijing nights? Here are my 8 favorite luxury hotels in both cities.
Day 7-8: Chengdu: Spice and Soul
Photo: Theodor Lundqvist / Unsplash
Hotel: The Temple House
Day 7: Fly to Chengdu (3 hours). Afternoon visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Arrive early, when the pandas are most active. Evening: Hot pot at Shu Jiuxiang with a local guide to help with the spice levels.
Day 8: Morning tea ceremony at a traditional teahouse in People's Park. Afternoon visit to Leshan Giant Buddha (2-hour drive, worth it). Evening: Sichuan opera with face-changing performance.
Day 9-10: Yunnan: The Hidden Kingdom
Photo: Noppon Meenuch / Unsplash
Hotel: Banyan Tree Lijiang
Day 9: Fly to Lijiang from Chengdu. Explore the UNESCO Old Town of Lijiang at golden hour. Evening dinner overlooking Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Day 10: Morning drive to the Tiger Leaping Gorge viewpoint, about two hours away. Afternoon Pu'er tea tasting at a family estate. Transfer to Lijiang airport for departure.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Luxury Tier, Estimates as of October 2026)
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights (international + domestic) | $2,500 - $4,000 |
| Hotels (10 nights) | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| Dining | $1,500 - $2,500 |
| Activities & guides | $800 - $1,200 |
| Internal transport | $500 - $800 |
| Total | $10,300 - $16,500 |
These are our planning estimates, not quotes. Your real number depends on dates, rooms and flights.
Claire's Pro Tips
- Set up WeChat and Alipay before you go. Most of China pays by phone
- Bring business cards, a small courtesy that's still appreciated
- Let us book internal flights and trains, since China's rail and air networks are huge
- Tipping isn't customary in most of China. Many luxury hotels add a service charge, and guides are the usual exception
Hungry already? My food lover's guide to China has every table on this route. You deserve a first trip to China that feels easy.
Claire B. Soares, 6X Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
Itinerary
Itinerary
Itinerary