China’s Great Walls & Glass Bridges: A Two-Week Adventure
Ready for the ultimate China’s Great Walls & Glass Bridges two-week adventure? You’ll kick off in Shanghai – soak up the futuristic skyline, historic Bund, and hidden gems of the French Concession. Then hop a bullet train to Anhui’s Huangshan to hike misty peaks and explore centuries-old villages. Next, unwind on Hangzhou’s legendary West Lake before flying to Zhangjiajie’s jaw-dropping sandstone pillars and iconic glass-bottom bridge. Finally, wrap up in Guangzhou, feasting on real Cantonese dim sum and cruising the Pearl River under city lights. With private guides, high-speed trains, domestic flights, and handpicked hotels, you’ll experience China’s top sights in total comfort.
Tour Highlights
- Pedal past tree-lined boulevards and chic cafés in Shanghai’s storied French Concession.
- Climb Huang Shan’s mist-cloaked peaks by cable car and winding mountain trail for panoramic vistas.
- Step into living history at UNESCO villages Chengkan, Xidi and Pingshan, with their classic Anhui architecture.
- Marvel at Zhangjiajie’s towering sandstone pillars and the emerald valleys of Wulingyuan.
- Dare to walk the famous glass-bottom bridge, then glide up Tianmen Mountain on an exhilarating cable car ride.
What’s included
What’s not included
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1
Transfer & Check-in: Meet your guide at Pudong Airport for a private car transfer to your hotel. (Or ride the Maglev into the city, then transfer.)
Leisure Time: Relax, unpack, and explore the neighborhood on foot.
Insider Tip: In the evening, stroll along Nanjing Road for street snacks and city lights.
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2
Morning Tour: Private cycling through the leafy French Concession’s Art-Deco villas, then into the alleys of the Old Town to observe daily life.
Afternoon Suggestions:
Visit Jade Buddha Temple’s working monastery.
Wander the Bund’s colonial promenade.
Explore Yu Gardens or Fuxing Park.
(Optional) Pop into the Propaganda Poster Art Centre.
Highlight: Pedal past charming lane-houses and hidden cafés.
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3
Train Ride: Four-and-a-half-hour high-speed journey to Huangshan.
Free Afternoon: Roam Tunxi Ancient Street—traditional pharmacies, souvenir stalls, and two small museums (Ming-Qing furniture, ceramics, calligraphy).
Add-On: Sample local Mao Feng tea at a riverside teahouse.
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4
Cable Car Up: Ride to the mountaintop of this UNESCO-listed peak.
Summit Hike: Follow paved trails past “Sea of Clouds” viewpoints and granite peaks.
Sunset Option: Weather permitting, watch from Bright Summit or Lion Peak.
Overnight: Simple guesthouse on the mountain—wake for sunrise.
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Sunrise Watch: Early breakfast, then sunrise viewing at Dawn Pavilion.
Morning Hike: Explore more summit trails.
Transfer to Chengkan: Admire Sui-Tang and Ming-Qing architecture—white walls, gray tiles, ancestral halls, memorial arches.
Evening: Overnight in a rustic guesthouse at nearby Bishan village.
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Xidi Village: UNESCO “Ancient Village in Southern Anhui”—living museum of wooden carvings and courtyard homes.
Pingshan Village: Huzhou architecture amid foothill streams and faded Mao slogans.
Cultural Insight: Watch villagers grinding soybeans or weaving bamboo.
Add-On: Try locally-made tofu pudding from a village stall.
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Morning Transfer: High-speed train to Hangzhou (approx. 3 hrs).
Hu Xueyan Residence: Tour Southeast-Asian mahogany halls and private gardens.
Hu Qing Yu Tang Pharmacy: See herbs prepared behind Qing-era counters; visit the on-site museum.
Evening Option: Attend the “Impression West Lake” light-and-water show.
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West Lake Stroll: Walk Su Causeway, admire pavilions and poets’ memorials.
Boat Cruise: Leisurely ride across the lake.
Fly to Zhangjiajie: Private transfer to airport; guide meets you on arrival.
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Morning Adventure: Walk the world’s highest glass-bottom bridge and cliffside stairway through the Grand Canyon.
Afternoon at Baofeng Lake: Boat ride amid karst pinnacles—learn the legends behind their names.
Highlight: Thrilling views from the glass bridge.
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Transfer: Drive to your guesthouse near Wulingyuan.
Full-Day Exploration: Granite pillars, subtropical forests and streams that inspired “Avatar”’s Hallelujah Mountains.
Optional Hike: Eling Ridge or Ten-Mile Gallery trail.
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Free Day: Swim, cycle or relax at your guesthouse.
Add-On: Book a local tea ceremony demonstration.
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Cable Car Ride: 30 min ascent over city rooftops and terraces to Tianmen summit.
Tianmen Cave: Mini-bus up to the famous “Heaven’s Gate” arch.
Evening Flight: Transfer to Guangzhou; private car to your hotel.
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Shamian Island: Wander tree-lined streets and colonial villas.
Dim Sum Lunch: Sample traditional “small plates” at a local teahouse.
Pearl River Cruise: Evening boat trip to see the city light up.
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Transfer to Airport: Private car delivers you in time for your flight home.
Farewell Gift: Enjoy complimentary local pastries (e.g., egg tarts) before you go.
What our clients say about us
Peter
20 March 2025 ★★★★★We had a wonderful 12-day trip across Thailand, beautifully arranged by Mr. Stephen from Absolute Asia. Every detail was taken care of, from comfortable stays to fully organized vegetarian meals throughout the journey. Our itinerary covered Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, then we spent five blissful days in Koh Samui. There, we relaxed on palm-fringed beaches, explored Ang Thong Marine Park by boat, and savored fresh tropical fruits at sunset. A big shoutout to our lovely guide, Mr Krit who made the experience even more special with him warmth and knowledge. We’re heading home with unforgettable memories of Thailand’s hospitality and charm. Thank you, Absolute Asia Tours.
Gari
22 May 2024 ★★★★★Our recent trip to China and Mongolia was a great success. Overall we found Absolute Asia Tours services to be excellent throughout the two weeks we were in Asia. For us, Mongolia was definitely the highlight. We thoroughly enjoyed or local guides and drives and they were unfailingly knowledgeable, helpful and amusing. Their languages skills were excellent and we felt that we recieved real insight into this fascinating country. We were intinially drawn to the idea of this trip by the reports of the world class fihing and we were absolutely not disappointed. The fishing guide was first rate and we caught more fish than we could have hoped for - more than 25 each day - with the added bonus of being the only other people in sight for miles arround. AAT created a private ger camp for us on the Onon River and we enjoyed delicious food prepared by our chef in a beautiful unspoled atmosphere. They alo arranged for us to visit a nomadic family and spend time with them at home and organized a dinner with an anthropologist with expert knowledge of the region. AAT fullfilled their promise to tkae us to us to one of the world's best fishing destinations in comfort and style. We would be happy to travel with AAT again and will definitely recommend them to our friends.
Cherry
16 May 2024 ★★★★★We've had two "A+" experience with Absolute Asia Tours. It is a pleasure to work with an organization where I feel confident that what you say will happen, happens. This was true with our complicated China itinerary six years ago, and was true with our recent itinerary in Vietnam. your on the ground guides and logistics were top - notch, and I would recommend you to anyone to visit Asia.
James
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Absolute Asia tours gave us a wonderful tour of Southeast Asia (working with sister-agency My Way Travel based in Vietnam). For our Siem Reap/Angkor Wat journey, our party of two had a private driver and guide named Jak, who was a cheerful and knowledgeable companion, explaining the history, culture, architecture and religious significance of the sites while keeping it always fun. We moved efficiently from site to site, and finished with a boat tour of the fishing village on stilts at Kampong Pluk on the Tonle Sap Lake. During most of our trip we stayed at top-notch locally-owned hotels, but in Siem Reap we were at the excellent local Hyatt hotel. Absolute Asia and My Way Travel our outstanding local providers, less expensive than name-brand group tours, and customized to our interests and schedule.
Hope
2 January 2024 ★★★★★We had an awesome time on cycling tour with AAT! It was incredible, filled with good vibes, laughs & a fantastic way to explore Vietnam & Cambodia. Tony our guide made it special by introducing us to locals and showing us the real charm of these countries. The whole tour was well-organized & the way they took care of us awesome. It's an unforgettable trip and I'll definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Southeast Asia.
Nas
1 January 2024 ★★★★★My group of six completed a 30 day cycling tour in Asia with AAT. We traveled form Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Saigon to Siem Reap. Every day we pedaled through stunning countryside views, passing villages, fields & limestone karsts. Our guide Tony was fantastic-interesting, friendly & personable. This experience stood out as the highlight of our Asia trip.
