Peaks & Skylines
15-Day Private China Itinerary
Discover a different side of China through a journey that pairs its most dynamic cities with unforgettable experiences on foot. From the Great Wall and the tea hills of Hangzhou to Chongqing’s mountain trails and the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge, this signature itinerary is designed for travellers seeking meaningful discovery at every step.
Your Journey at a Glance
Everything you need to know at a glance. Detailed pricing and practical travel information are provided further down the page.
Journey Overview
- Duration: 15 Days • 14 Nights
- Travel Style: Hiking • Nature • Urban Exploration
- Ideal For: Active travellers seeking to discover China through rewarding walks, vibrant cities and spectacular mountain landscapes.
- Best Time: April–May • September–October
- Itinerary: Beijing (3) → Shanghai & Hangzhou (2) → Chongqing (3) → Lijiang (2) → Tiger Leaping Gorge (2) → Baoshan Stone Village & departure (3)
Route Map
Journey Information
- From €5,200 per person (based on two guests sharing. Lower per-person pricing available for larger private groups)
- Private departures available year-round
- Small group departures also available
- Fully customizable itinerary
- Flexible international arrival & departure airports
The Signature Experience: China on Foot
Crafted around the idea of discovering China on foot, Summits & Skylines blends rewarding hikes with immersive cultural exploration. From the wild Great Wall and the tea hills of Hangzhou to Chongqing’s mountain trails, the remote Stone Village of Baoshan and the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge, walking becomes the common thread connecting every stage of the journey.
Days 1–2 | Beijing
A Capital of Timeless Heritage
As China’s capital for over seven centuries, Beijing offers one of the world’s richest encounters with imperial history and cultural heritage. Its monumental palaces, ancient temples and traditional neighbourhoods reveal the depth of Chinese civilisation.
Explore the magnificent Forbidden City, once the centre of imperial power, and admire the architectural harmony of the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed sacred rituals to honour the heavens.
Continue to the tranquil gardens and lakes of the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of imperial landscape design that reflects the elegance and refinement of China’s royal past.
Beyond its grand monuments, discover a more intimate side of Beijing through the winding lanes of the historic hutongs, where traditional courtyard homes and everyday local life preserve the character of old Beijing.
Days 3 | Great Wall Hiking
Between Wild Ramparts and Timeless Landscapes
👣 10–12 km 🕒 5–6 hrs 🔵 Moderate
The Gubeikou–Jinshanling route offers an authentic encounter with the Great Wall. The combination of architecture, terrain and silence creates one of China’s most rewarding walking experiences.
Starting from Gubeikou, one of the Great Wall’s most strategically important passes, follow quieter sections where weathered watchtowers and unrestored ramparts create a true sense of discovery.
The trail continues through forested hills before reaching with the beautifully preserved Jinshanling section, where the Great Wall winds dramatically across ridgelines like a stone dragon above the surrounding valleys.
This hike offers a unique connection with history, allowing travellers to experience the Great Wall not only as a landmark, but as a living story unfolding across time and landscape.
Day 4 | Shanghai
China’s Gateway to the Future
Few cities embody China’s extraordinary transformation as vividly as Shanghai. Rising along the Huangpu River, this global metropolis tells the story of a nation’s rapid evolution, where historic neighbourhoods and bold visions of the future exist side by side.
Begin along the Bund, where grand waterfront buildings reveal Shanghai’s journey from historic port city to global metropolis. Across the river, Pudong showcases a different chapter of this evolution, with a futuristic skyline that has become one of the defining symbols of modern China.
Beyond the city’s famous skyline, Shanghai’s character emerges through the ancient halls of Jing’an Temple, tree-lined boulevards, traditional shikumen lanes and hidden courtyards that reveal the city’s more intimate side.
Together, these contrasting layers create a city of remarkable depth, where heritage, innovation and cosmopolitan energy converge, offering a fascinating introduction to the many faces of contemporary China.
Day 5 | Hangzhou Tea Hills Trail
Between Bamboo Forests and Ancient Tea Landscapes
👣 10–12 km 🕒 3.5–4.5 hrs 🟢Easy
The Hangzhou Tea Hills Trail offers an immersive journey through the landscapes that have shaped the cultural identity of Jiangnan. The combination of mountain paths, flowing streams and centuries-old tea plantations creates an incredibly charming hiking atmosphere.
Starting from the tranquil waterways of Jiuxi, follow shaded trails through forests and streams before reaching Longjing Village, where traditional tea terraces and local tea houses reveal the heritage behind China’s most celebrated green tea.
The trail continues upwards along the Shili Langdang ridge, where panoramic views open across the surrounding hills, before descending through Wuyun Mountain and the peaceful Yunqi Bamboo Path, a landscape of ancient trees, temples and towering bamboo forests.
This hike offers a unique connection with Hangzhou’s natural and cultural heritage, allowing travellers to experience the landscapes and timeless rhythms that have inspired generations of poets and artists.
Days 6–7 | Chongqing
China’s Mountain Metropolis
Built between mountains and rivers, Chongqing is China’s most extraordinary urban landscapes. Here, steep hillsides, towering skyscrapers and layered streets create a city where every journey becomes a change of perspective.
Discover the unique rhythm of this “8D city” through its vertical neighbourhoods and gravity-defying architecture: from the elevated platforms of Kuixinglou to the White Elephant Residence, a landmark of everyday life suspended above the city.
Ride the Yangtze River Cableway for sweeping views across the river and Chongqing’s dramatic skyline, then wander through the illuminated terraces of Hongya Cave, where traditional architecture meets a futuristic urban landscape.
Beyond its spectacular views, Chongqing reveals another side through its hidden wartime bunkers, once built as shelters and now transformed into restaurants, cafés and vibrant spaces of daily life. Here, even a simple bowl of hot pot is served with history.
Day 8 | Nanshan Mountain Hiking
Ancient Trails Above China’s Mountain Metropolis
Unlike a traditional hiking destination, Nanshan is a vast network of mountain trails overlooking Chongqing. Rather than following a single fixed route, we tailor the experience to your interests and fitness level, choosing from gentle historic walks to demanding full-day traverses.
– Choose the best route for you –
Huangge Ancient Trail Loop
👣 6 km · 🕒 2–3 hrs · 🟢 Easy
A gentle introduction to Nanshan, this historic stone path winds through camphor forests, traditional mountain neighbourhoods and centuries-old Taoist heritage. The route reaches Laojundong Temple, where panoramic views over Chongqing’s skyline and the meeting point of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers reveal the unique relationship between the city and its surrounding mountains.
Xiangsi Tower Sunset Hike
👣 5–6 km · 🕒 2.5–3 hrs · 🔵 Moderate
This scenic route follows shaded trails to Xiangsi Tower, one of Chongqing’s most celebrated viewpoints. A short final climb leads to an open rocky overlook, where sweeping panoramas reveal the Yuzhong Peninsula, the Yangtze River and the city’s dramatic skyline. Arriving in the late afternoon, travellers can watch the sunset give way to Chongqing’s glittering nightscape. It offers an unforgettable perspective on China’s Mountain City.
Nanshan Twelve Peaks Traverse
👣 20–25 km · 🕒 9–12 hrs · 🔴🔴 Very Challenging
The ultimate Nanshan adventure, this demanding traverse connects twelve peaks across Chongqing’s forested ridgelines. Known among local hikers as the city’s “graduation hike”, it follows steep ascents, rocky paths and hidden mountain trails. The route offers experienced hikers a rare sense of wilderness just beyond the city, revealing a rugged landscape few visitors ever discover.
Days 9–10 | Northwest Yunnan
Nestled beneath the snow-capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, northwest Yunnan is a land where ancient towns, mountain villages and living traditions remain deeply intertwined. Home to the Naxi people and other ethnic minorities, the region preserves a rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of trade, craftsmanship and cultural exchange along the ancient Tea Horse Road.
LIJIANG
Beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang is celebrated for its intricate network of canals, stone bridges and traditional Naxi architecture. Wander through its lively old town, discover hidden courtyards and artisan workshops, and enjoy spectacular views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rising above the rooftops.
BAISHA
The Birthplace of Naxi Culture
Smaller and more tranquil than neighbouring Lijiang, Baisha preserves the authentic character of an ancient Naxi settlement. Explore its peaceful lanes, centuries-old houses and remarkable murals, while gaining a deeper insight into the traditions, craftsmanship and cultural heritage that continue to define this remarkable corner of Yunnan.
Days 11–12 | Tiger Leaping Gorge
👣 22 km · 🕒 8–10 hrs · 🔵🔴 Moderate–Challenging
Follow one of China’s most celebrated hiking trails as it winds high above the roaring Jinsha River, between the towering peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Following ancient Naxi footpaths, the route traverses dramatic cliffs, mountain forests and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the immense scale of one of the world’s deepest river gorges alpine valleys, forests and mountain scenery.
DAY 1
The Legendary 28 Bends
👣 12 km · 🕒 5–6 hrs · 🔴 Challenging
Beginning in Qiaotou, the trail climbs steadily through forests and mountain villages before tackling the famous 28 Bends, the trek’s most demanding ascent. Beyond the climb, ancient Naxi footpaths traverse high above the Jinsha River, leading to breathtaking viewpoints and a welcoming mountainside guesthouse overlooking the gorge.
DAY 2
Waterfalls & Canyon Views
👣 10 km · 🕒 3–4 hrs · 🔵 Moderate
Setting off from the guesthouse, the trail continues along dramatic cliffside paths through forests and ever-changing canyon scenery. As the route gradually descends towards Tina’s Guesthouse, the views open across the immense gorge, offering a final perspective of the Jinsha River and the towering peaks surrounding this legendary landscape.
Days 13–15 | Baoshan Stone Village & Departure
Hidden deep within the mountains of northwest Yunnan, life unfolds at a slower pace above the dramatic Jinsha River. Baoshan Stone Village and its ancient mountain trails offer a rare opportunity to experience a living cultural landscape shaped by history and the surrounding mountains.
BAOSHAN STONE VILLAGE
Life over the Jinsha River
Perched atop a colossal mushroom-shaped granite monolith, home to only a handful of Naxi families, this remarkable settlement has preserved its stone houses, narrow lanes and centuries-old way of life, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. Spend the day wandering through the village’s quiet alleys, where every corner offers a glimpse into a slower rhythm that has endured for generations. Far more than a scenic stop, Baoshan offers a rare opportunity to experience a living mountain community where history, culture and landscape continue to exist in remarkable harmony, making it one of northwest Yunnan’s most unforgettable destinations.
YANKE ANCIENT TRAIL
👣 5–6 km · 🕒 2.5–3 hrs · 🔴 Challenging
To appreciate the village’s spectacular setting, follow a section of the historic Yanke Ancient Trail, one of the path composing the ancient Tea-Horse Road, to the Livestock Gate*. This hike reveals dramatic views of the granite outcrop and the most spectacular views over the Jinsha River, offering a unique perspective on how this extraordinary settlement has remained naturally protected for centuries.
* Beyond the Livestock Gate, sections of the original Yanke Ancient Trail have been damaged by landslides. For safety reasons, the hike concludes here, after reaching the trail’s most scenic viewpoints overlooking the Jinsha River Valley.
Ready to Make It Your Own?
Every Ink Voyages itinerary is designed as a starting point rather than a fixed tour. Whether you’d like to spend more time in a particular destination, include additional experiences or adjust the pace of your journey, we’ll tailor every aspect to suit your interests and travel style.
Journey Overview
What’s Included & Pricing
Every Ink Voyages journey is individually tailored to your preferences. The information below is therefore intended as a general guide. The final inclusions and pricing will be confirmed in your personalised Travel Services Contract, prepared specifically for your itinerary.
Starting from
€5,200 per person
Based on two guests sharing. Lower per-person pricing available for larger private groups. Final pricing may vary depending on your travel dates and preferences.
Transportation
The journey combines China’s efficient high-speed rail network, domestic flights and private transfers to create a seamless travel experience between destinations.
- Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Private transportation for all sightseeing and transfers throughout your journey
- Domestic high-speed train tickets (Standard Class)
- Domestic flights (Economy Class), including applicable taxes
Guiding & Experiences
- English-speaking guides and dedicated local support throughout your journey.
- All entrance fees and experiences included in your final itinerary
Accommodation
- Carefully selected accommodation chosen for its comfort, quality and value. Premium accommodation upgrades are available upon request.
- Daily breakfast
Travel Support
- Assistance with setting up the essential Chinese mobile apps before your journey
- Dedicated support from the Ink Voyages team before and throughout your trip, ensuring help is always just a message away.
What’s Not Included
As every Ink Voyages journey is tailored to your preferences, the items below should be considered a general guide. Any exclusions applicable to your itinerary will be clearly specified in your personalized Travel Services Contract.
- Chinese tourist visa (where required for your nationality – see our Tips & Tools | Visa Guidelines)
- International flights and applicable taxes
- Fuel costs and road tolls (for self-drive itineraries only)
- Optional excursions or activities not included in your final itinerary
- Meals and beverages not specifically included
- Personal expenses
- Travel and medical insurance (see our Tips & Tools | Travel Insurance)
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (entirely at your discretion)
- Any products or services not expressly listed under “What’s Included”
