10-Day Private China Escape:Modern Skyline,Avatar Peaks&Mountain City Wonders(Shanghai,Zhangjiajie,Chongqing)

Welcome to Shanghai,China's most futuristic metropolis.Your private driver will meet you at the airport or railway station and escort you to your comfortable 4+star hotel.If you arrive early,the rest of the day is yours to explore.We suggest a leisurely stroll along The Bund,where historic colonial buildings face the dazzling Pudong skyline.Then wander onto Nanjing Road,China's busiest pedestrian street,and sample local bites like shengjianbao(pan-fried pork buns)or xiaolongbao(soup dumplings)from a hole-in-the-wall shop.Rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

After breakfast,your guide and driver will pick you up.Start at Yu Garden,a classical Ming-era garden hidden inside Shanghai's old city.Walk through the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar–taste a pumpkin cake and watch a sugar painter create edible art.Then head to Nanjing Road for some window shopping and people-watching.Next,walk to The Bund for daytime views of the iconic skyline.As dusk falls,board a Huangpu River cruise.Glide past the illuminated Pearl Tower,Shanghai Tower,and the colonial-era customs house.The city lights reflecting on the water create a magical end to your first full day.

Today your guide takes you outside the city center.First,visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town,a 1,700-year-old"Venice of Shanghai."Walk across the historic Fangsheng Bridge,wander along canals lined with Ming and Qing dynasty houses,and take a short gondola-style boat ride.Try a sticky rice dumpling(zongzi)from a street vendor.Return to the city to see the quirky 1,000 Trees–a terraced hillside of concrete columns covered in thousands of trees,looking like something from a sci-fi film.Then stroll along Sinan Road,a leafy boulevard of French colonial villas.End the day in Lujiazui,Shanghai's financial district.You may choose to ascend Shanghai Tower(optional,own expense)–the second-tallest building in the world–for a breathtaking view of the entire city skyline.

After breakfast,your driver transfers you to Shanghai airport for a flight(approx.2.5 hours)to Zhangjiajie,the land of towering sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar.Upon arrival,your Zhangjiajie driver greets you and takes you to your hotel.The evening is free–but don't miss the 72 Strange Buildings(Qishi'er Qilou)light show(view from outside).This whimsical cluster of tilted,colorful structures looks like something from a Dr.Seuss book.When lit up at night,it's a photographer's dream.Grab dinner at a nearby street food stall–try Tujia bacon skewers,grilled tofu with chili sauce,and a bowl of sour and spicy noodles.

Today your guide and driver take you into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.Ride the Bailong Elevator(Hundred Dragons Elevator)–a glass lift built onto a vertical cliff.In seconds you shoot up 330 meters,emerging onto a jaw-dropping view of hundreds of sandstone pillars piercing the clouds.Explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area,including the famous"Hallelujah Mountain"(Southern Sky Column)that inspired Avatar.Walk the narrow bridge between peaks.Then head to Tianzi Mountain(Son of Heaven Mountain),where the"sea of peaks"looks like an army of stone generals.Your guide shares local Tujia legends.For lunch,enjoy Tujia bacon with wild vegetables at a mountaintop eatery.Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

After breakfast,your guide takes you to Tianmen Mountain National Park.Board the world's longest high-mountain cable car(7,455 meters)–a thrilling 30-minute ride from the city to the mountaintop,passing over cliffs and forests.Walk the glass skywalk jutting out over a sheer drop(don't look down unless you dare!).Then take the multi-stage escalator down to Tianmen Cave(Heaven's Gate),the world's highest natural arch carved into the cliff.Climb down the famous 999 steps(or take the escalator back).Your guide will point out the best photo spots.Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

After breakfast,your driver transfers you to Zhangjiajie station for a high-speed train to Chongqing(approx.4-5 hours).Upon arrival,your Chongqing driver meets you and escorts you to your hotel.The evening is free.We suggest you head to Jiefangbei CBD to see the neon-lit skyscrapers,then find a hole-in-the-wall hotpot joint.Chongqing is the birthplace of spicy hotpot–order a bubbling pot of red chili oil,dip thin slices of beef and tripe,and cool your mouth with a local beer.For a milder option,try Chongqing xiaomian(spicy noodles)from a street cart.

After breakfast,your guide and driver pick you up.Start at Liziba Station,famous for its light rail train that runs straight through a residential building–watch from the viewing platform as the train disappears into the 19th floor.Next,climb the 18 Steps(Shiba Ti)–a restored historic staircase connecting the upper and lower city.Try dingding candy(crunchy malt sweet)from a street vendor.Then visit Kuixinglou–a massive elevated square that feels like a floating platform high above the river.As night falls,head to Hongya Cave–a cliffside complex of traditional stilted houses that looks exactly like the bathhouse from Spirited Away.Golden lights reflect on the river.For dinner,enjoy another round of Chongqing hotpot or try sour and spicy noodles from a food stall inside Hongya Cave.

Today your guide takes you deeper into Chongqing's history and unique geography.Start at Ciqikou Ancient Town(Porcelain Village),a thousand-year-old riverside town.Stroll stone alleys lined with spice shops and sizzling food stalls.Sample Chen's Mahua(sesame crisps),chicken offal skewers,and a bowl of suanlafen(sour and spicy jelly noodles).Then head to Longmenhao and Xiahouli–two restored old town areas on the south bank of the Yangtze.Walk along the historic Longmenhao Old Street,see preserved Republican-era buildings,and enjoy panoramic views of the Chongqing skyline from across the river.Finally,ride the Yangtze River Cable Car soaring over the muddy Yangtze–locals still commute this way.The sunset view from the cable car is unforgettable.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning.Do some last-minute souvenir shopping–maybe Chongqing hotpot base paste or local tea leaves–or simply sip a cup of coffee at a riverside café.Your private driver will pick you up at the agreed time and escort you to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport or the railway station for your departure flight or train.We look forward to welcoming you again to China.Safe travels!