9-Day Authentic Nature & Wonders Visa-Free China Tour: Beijing, Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains & Shanghai
9 Days
Daily Tour
15 people
English
About this tour
Discover the cinematic soul of real China in 2026 with our private 9-day visa-free China tour, blending Beijing’s ancient imperial depth, Zhangjiajie’s surreal Avatar floating mountains, and Shanghai’s modern-natural contrast. Designed for 240-hour transit (55+ nations), this 9-day journey prioritizes meaningful nature immersion: offbeat trails, minority harmony at Baofeng Lake, glass skywalks, and unhurried local moments.
We tailor every detail for genuine exploration – private English guides with insider stories, cable cars & hikes at your pace, high-speed connections, and sustainable choices. Perfect for nature photographers, adventure seekers, or travelers craving authentic Zhangjiajie Avatar experiences beyond the crowds.
Optional Add-Ons
- Zhujiajiao Water Town day trip (if late departure).
- Night shows (Western Hunan or Tianmen Fox Fairy).
- Extend for more slow hikes or panda add-on in Chengdu.
Practical Tips for 2026 Visa-Free Travelers
- Eligibility: Check Visa-free China 2026. Zhangjiajie supports 240-hour transit.
- Nature Prep: Comfortable shoes for hikes, weather layers for mist/mountains.
Highlights
- Visa-Free Flow: Seamless multi-city with major ports (Beijing, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai) fitting 240-hour policies.
- Avatar Magic Up Close: Yuanjiajie Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi mist platforms, Yangjiajie quirky formations – inspired by the movie, but real & personal.
- Nature Thrills: World's highest glass bridge at Grand Canyon, Tianmen Mountain's heavenly road & cave, Baofeng Lake crystal cruise with Tujia songs.
- Beijing Balance: Forbidden City hidden corners, Mutianyu Wall off-peak hikes, hutong local life.
- Shanghai Serenity: Yuyuan Garden tranquility, Bund riverside glow with insider vibes.
Included/Excluded
- Private English-speaking guide & driver for insider insights.
- All domestic flights/transfers.
- Economy/Comfortable/Deluxe hotels with breakfast.
- Entrances, cable cars, elevators, glass bridge.
- Meals as listed (real local flavors).
- Visa-free policy support & seamless logistics.
- International flights.
- Visa fees (if not eligible).
- Personal expenses, tips.
- Optional shows (e.g., Tianmen Fox Fairy €50).
- Travel insurance (recommended).
Itinerary
With a sunny smile, your private guide will be on time and waiting for you at the arrival hall. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) & experienced driver are ready and will transfer you to the hotel. Get the first impression of China.
You will first visit Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning. Then, have lunch in a local restaurant.
Later, you will get on a rickshaw and the rider will take you into the beating heart of Beijing: the hutongs (old alleyways). Follow up by spending some quality time with a local family in a hutong.
In the morning, take a relaxing visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors used to worship God.
Later, visit the Mutianyu Great Wall (2.5 hours’ drive from downtown Beijing). This is a less-crowded section of the Great Wall. A cable car takes you up to a good spot, where you can have an easy walk along the wall.
You can return either by cable car, walking down or tobogganing down. Tobogganing down is actually the most popular.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to visit Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, initially built in 1888, is also known as the Royal Garden Museum. The long gallery, where there are over 8000 paintings about ancient Chinese stories, is the must-see in the Summer Palace.
After a fair well lunch with your Beijing tour guide at the charming traditional Chinese restaurant, later on be transferred to the airport, in just a few hours you’ll be in Zhangjiajie, meeting your local Zhangjiajie tour guide.
Wake up and have breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Wulingyuan Entrance.
Morning: Take Bailong Elevator up to explore Yuanjiajie, where the Avatar Mountain locates.
Yuanjiajie: It is also called AVATAR Mountain for the movie AVATAR is filmed here. Located in the northwest part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie is a naturally formed platform mountain, surrounded by higher summits which are divided by deep valleys. You will enjoy Hallelujah Mountain, NO.1 Bridge in the world and so on.
Afternoon: Go to visit Tianzi Mountain and Yangjiajie.
After the trip, take Yangjiajie cable car down.
Tianzi Mountain: It is known for 4 natural spectacles – the clouds of mist that circle the peaks of the mountain, the amazing views of the rising sun, the moonlit nights and snowcapped winter peaks. They include more than 80 natural platforms to take in the magnificent scenery.
After the trip, be driven back to your hotel.
Transfer to visit Baofeng Lake.
Baofeng Lake: It is the masterpiece of nature and human beings’ wisdom. It is 85 meters above the ground and attains an altitude of 585 meters. With an average depth of 72 meters. All the water is from rainfall and spring without any pollutant. It is pure just like a big crystal among Bao feng mountain Range.When you cruise, you can hear authentic song from Tujia minority people. You can fully understand the harmony and peace between human beings and nature.
Transfer to visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and the Glass Bridge
It takes about 45 minutes from Zhangjiajie City to Zhangjiajie Great Canyon.
You will explore the main attractions in Zhangjiajie Great Canyon: One-Line-Sky, Family Portrait, The Millennial Ancient Rattan, Chuangwang Pavilion, the Southern Red Flag Canal, Zhuaxian Spring, Rotten Ship Rock, The Bandit Hole, the World’s Highest See-through Skywalk Bridge and so on.
The trip is finished at approximately 17:00 pm. Then be transferred to downtown Zhangjiajie and check in hotel.
Your tour guide and driver will pick you up from the lobby of your Zhangjiajie hotel and transfer you to Tianmenshan National Forest Park Cable Car Station. Then, take the cable car uphill to explore Tianmen Mountain.
Tianmen mountain: It is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie, with the sea level of 1518M, it is praised to be the soul of Zhangjiajie. Your guide will take you to explore the best scenic spots such as Heavenly bus road, The Glass Walkway, Tianmen Cave and so on.
The trip is finished at approximately 16:00 pm.
After the trip, be driven and drop you off to Zhangjiajie airport for your flight to Shanghai.
Today worlds collide, starting at the history exhibition (under the TV tower) watch Shanghai literally rise, at nearly 500m it’s a breathtaking panoramic view from the Oriental Peal TV Tower. Lunch is arranged at Old Shanghai. After lunch, take a relaxing walk to ancient Yuyuan Garden, followed by the Bund, a must-see colonial waterfront area.
Your car, driver and our guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, they will help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate.
Good to Know:
You may want to add Zhujiajiao Water Town for your last day of the tour, if your flight takes off in the evening or later.
Durations
Languages
Frequently asked questions
Yes, multi-city ideal for 240-hour.
Fully – add slow days or more hidden spots.
Yes, Yuanjiajie Hallelujah peaks are the real inspiration.
