17 Nights
Through 7 cities, 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Private Touring
With our expert English speaking travel concierges; at your own pace
5-Star Service
Hand picked luxury & boutique hotels, restaurants and ammenities
All inclusive & tailored
Flights, hotels, tickets, tranfers, most meals and customization included
The Vertigo Collection is your all inclusive 17-night itinerary through China’s most awe-inspiring heights.
Designed to send your gaze climbing skyward—sizing up sheer gorges, glass bridges, and cliffside temples—before dropping your jaw to the lantern-lit alleys and neon constellations of China’s greatest cities. At every turn, the view transforms—from the clouds above to the vibrant life unfolding far below.
Navigate Chongqing’s stacked cityscape and bask in its neon glory from every angle.
Enjoy tea within Suzhou’s gardens, once the creative incubators of poets, scholars, and painters.
Explore the interplay of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism through the carved stone narratives of the Dazu Rock Carvings.
Follow Himalayan waters as they shift from the mineral-blue calm of Blue Moon Valley to the roaring depths of Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang
Foreground, middleground, background—every artist knows these invisible threads that draw the eye. In Blue Moon Valley, they form a tapestry so precise it feels unreal. Its milky turquoise waters, tinted by copper ions from the distant Himalayas, seem painted rather than natural. Perhaps it’s the rarefied mountain air—where reality thins, and the line between what’s seen and imagined begins to dissolve.
Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou
Guided by the quiet logic of feng shui, Suzhou’s classical gardens blend water, stone and fauna into timeless vignettes; artful dialogues between built form and nature. From every angle, you’ll find a microcosm of intention—where every corridor frames a scene, every koi pond’s reflection recalls a verse, and the stillness invites you to linger, just as poets did centuries before.
Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-La
Juniper smoke meanders through prayer flags, rising over gold-tipped roofs before vanishing on the wind—like memories too distant to hold. Monks move past in quiet cadence, measured as metronomes. With patient eyes and a still mind, one begins to sense it—the quiet pulse of devotion that lives in every rafter, every mural, every curling wisp of smoke.
Luohan Temple, Chongqing
Tucked within Chongqing’s maze of concrete and altitude, Luohan Temple offers a moment of stillness in a city that rarely pauses. Its black walls and quiet courtyards feel almost hidden—wedged between high-rises and suspended walkways. Step inside, and the city softens. Step back out, and Chongqing resumes its vertical charge—stacked, tangled, defiant. Here, even serenity has to fight for space.
The Bund, Shanghai
The Bund is Shanghai’s most iconic stretch—a promenade where 19th-century colonial buildings stand watch over the Huangpu River, their stone faces weathered but unbowed. Across the water, futuristic towers pierce the sky, casting reflections that ripple through time. Walk the waterfront at dusk as lights flicker to life. Step into a hidden jazz lounge, or ascend to a rooftop bar where old and new Shanghai blur into one.
Lijiang & Shangri-LA
A UNESCO-listed town perched at 2,400 metres, where cobbled lanes and ancient architecture meet snow peaks and deep gorges. Long associated with the myth of Shangri-La, it unfolds as a quiet Himalayan dream of prayer flags, vast grasslands, and timeless spiritual calm.
Day 1
Settle into the Old Town, a maze of cobbled lanes and traditional Naxi courtyard homes.
Day 2
Visit Black Dragon Pool, offering classic views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in still waters. Spend the afternoon at Shuhe Old Town, known for its quieter streets and preserved heritage.
Day 3
Take the cable car up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a towering presence on the horizon. Continue to Blue Moon Valley, where milky turquoise waters flow through pale limestone terraces.
Day 4
Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge to view the dramatic cliffs and the Jinsha River far below. Arrive in Shangri-La County. Visit the Songzanlin Monastery. Explore the Old Town, known for its prayer wheels, hillside alleys, and plateau views.
Chongqing
Carved into cliffs above the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, Chongqing is a layered metropolis where streets overlap and buildings rise from the hillsides. Long a gateway between China’s heartland and its western frontiers, verticality here is not a feature—it is the city’s essence.
Day 5
Settle into your hotel after the flight from Lijiang. Visit Jiefangbei square; the city's iconic central landmark.
Day 6
Visit some of Chongqing's urban highlights including Shibati, White Elephant Community and Luohan Temple. Spend the afternoon in Ciqikou Ancient Town, a preserved neighborhood with narrow lanes and local snacks.
Day 7
Marvel at the UNESCO heritage Dazu Rock Carvings, where Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian beliefs are carved into cliff faces. Spend the afternoon to your liking.
Day 8
Immerse yourself in Wulong Karst for a walk through the Three Natural Bridges, towering stone arches set above dense valleys.
Day 9
Head to a destination of your own choice. Enjoy your final evening in Chongqing with a scenic river cruise overlooking Hongya Cave.
Zhangjiajie
Geology turns surreal as thousands of sandstone pillars rise like stone sentinels from the forest, their jagged forms drifting through mist—sculpted slowly by time and weather.
Day 10
Cruise around Baofeng Lake by boat – emerald waters, karst cliffs, quiet serenity. Rest for tomorrow's big day out.
Day 11
Explore the Wulingyuan National Park your way. Yuanjiajie Scenic Area – Hallelujah Mountains, Avatar film spots, Bailong Elevator. Ten mile gallery scenic train ride.
Day 12
Transfer to Tianmen Mountain cable car (longest in the world). Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Gate), cliff-hugging walkways, glass skywalk. Stay for a special sunset lightshow.
Shanghai & Suzhou
Shanghai rises in steel and glass, yet its roots trace the Bund’s stately façades. From sky-high decks to cobbled lanes and old tea houses, past and future meet—East and West still facing one another across the river.
Day 13
Scope out Shanghai from the Tower observation deck, spotting the city’s districts from 600m up. Settle into your hotel.
Day 14
Visit the serene Yu Garden and lively Yuyuan Old Street. Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower. Take an evening Huangpu River cruise with fine dining.
Day 15
Visit the sleepy canals of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Explore on your own in the afternoon.
Day 16
Visit Suzhou's UNESCO Heritage gardens and relax at a teahouse within. Learn about traditional Chinese architectural principles like Feng Shui. Enjoy a hazy afternoon in Tiger Hill, home to an ancient pagoda, exquisite Bonsai garden, and numerous cultural relics.
Guangzhou
Relax in Guangzhou before your flight back home. Say goodbye to China with a farewell Cantonese dinner with seafood and dim sum.
Accomodation
Our 5-star stays are hand-selected against strict criteria:
Prime central locations
High service standards with English-speaking staff
Refined interior design
Standout appeal
Should our preferred option be unavailable, an alternative of equal calibre will be arranged.
Banyan Tree Lijiang
Mountain View Suite King
Culinary Highlights
Dining is yours to personalise. Whether you’re chasing a signature local dish or a specific restaurant, we’ll steer you toward genuinely authentic options and arrange reservations where requested (specialty dining costs not included).
Chongqing — Mala Hot Pot
Chongqing hot pot is ferocious: chilli oil, Sichuan peppercorns, rolling heat. Thin-sliced beef, tripe, lotus root and tofu are cooked tableside, numbing your lips as the Yangtze steams outside. It’s chaotic, social, and unapologetically intense — like Chongqing itself.
Choose a yin–yang hot pot — one side blisteringly authentic, the other mercifully mild — so you can brag about eating like a local without torching your taste buds.
Suzhou — Sweet-Sour Mandarin Fish
Deboned, cross-cut, and flash-fried until it fans like a pinecone, then finished with a light sweet-sour sauce. Crisp outside, delicate inside, this dish reflects Suzhou’s gardens and canals — precise, elegant, and quietly theatrical. A culinary expression of control rather than excess.
Pricing
Dates
2026 – 2027 Tour available year round except the following dates:
- Feb 1 — Feb 28
- May 1 — May 5
- Jun 5 — Jul 15
- Oct 1 — Oct 7
Why are these dates unavailable?
Peak Travel Period Policy
At Rulai, we and our guests place a high value on peace of mind, flow, and experiential quality when travelling. China operates on a tightly structured national calendar, with limited discretionary leave outside its major public holidays. As a result, domestic travel demand concentrates into a handful of fixed periods each year, during which large portions of the population travel simultaneously.
During these peak windows, crowd density, transport congestion, and service strain reach levels that make it impossible for us to deliver the standard of experience we consider acceptable. In such conditions, even premium accommodations and private arrangements are affected. For this reason, Rulai does not operate tours during select peak periods in China’s calendar. This decision is deliberate and non-negotiable, made to protect the integrity of our itineraries and the experience of our guests.
We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Periods Not Served
February (Full Month)
The entire month of February is blocked due to the overlap of Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) and winter school holidays. This is China’s most travel-intensive period of the year, with widespread closures, reduced service availability, and extreme congestion nationwide.
Applies to 2026 and 2027.
Labour Day Holiday
1 May – 5 May
Labour Day forms one of China’s major travel “Golden Week” periods, generating a sharp surge in domestic tourism, inflated pricing, and limited availability across key destinations.
Early to Mid-June (Post-Gaokao Period)
In early June, China’s national university entrance examinations (Gaokao) conclude, triggering a large-scale release of students into graduation travel. This period coincides with the lead-in to summer school holidays and results in a sudden nationwide spike in domestic tourism, particularly among younger travellers.
National Day Golden Week
1 October – 7 October
National Day marks the single largest annual travel event in China. Hundreds of millions travel simultaneously during this week, placing extraordinary pressure on transport networks, accommodation, and attractions. Crowd levels and logistical constraints during this period are incompatible with the experience standards Rulai upholds.
Recommended dates:
- Late March to April — pleasant Spring weather
- Mid October to November — idyllic Autumn colours
- Christmas season to February — for snow lovers
The Vertigo Collection
VIP Pack-
All inclusions from standard package plus:
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Business class flights to China
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$1000 CNY contingency cash
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Return transfers to your airport
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Unlimited eSIMs & activation service
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Payment service setup (WeChat Pay & Alipay)
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1 all-inclusive spa experience
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3 professional photography sessions
The Vertigo Collection
Standard Package-
Economy flights to China & internal air
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Highest class rail transport
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5 star hotel stays
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Airport meet & greet with transfers
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English speaking expert guides
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All entrance fees & taxes
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Most meals included, with select free-dining moments
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No gratuities & zero tipping policy
What happens after you book
Step 1 — Payment Confirmation
Once your bank transfer is completed, simply send us a screenshot of the transaction.
We will acknowledge receipt and issue a payment confirmation, securing your place on The Vertigo Collection.
Step 2 — Immediate Onboarding (Within 24 Hours)
Within the next 24 hours, preparation begins.
You’ll receive:
Clear, step-by-step guidance on setting up WeChat Pay, Alipay, and mobile connectivity in China (Rulai Signature VIP Pack benefit)
A complimentary eSIM code (Rulai Signature VIP Pack benefit)
A short but essential guest survey covering personal details, dietary requirements, and travel preferences
This allows us to fine-tune logistics well before departure.
Step 3 — Extended Backend Briefing (30 Days Before Departure)
Thirty days prior to travel, you’ll receive a comprehensive extended briefing pack, including:
A detailed, day-by-day itinerary with critical operational context inlcuding flight details, rail times
What to pack (and what not to)
Practical information that removes uncertainty and reduces decision fatigue
At the same time, contingency CNY cash is dispatched to your nominated address
(Rulai Signature VIP Pack benefit).
Step 4 — Final Confirmations (Within 7 Days of Departure)
In the final week before departure:
Airport transfer confirmations are issued
(Rulai Signature VIP Pack benefit)Connect with your guide via text before you land
Bonus: Countdown Series emails
In the lead-up to departure, a deliberate three-part email series is released at 50, 21, and 7 days out — combining subtle reminders with curated off-itinerary experiences and essential travel intelligence.
Cancellation Policy
Rulai Cancellation & Refund Policy
Rulai operates on a limited-capacity, high-commitment model. Cancellations impact supplier contracts, logistics, and the experience of other guests. The policy below is firm, transparent, and non-negotiable.
Rulai Signature VIP Pack Benefit
Guests who pay the full tour cost upfront receive an exclusive benefit from the VIP pack:
• Fully refundable within 30 days of purchase, provided cancellation occurs more than 75 days prior to departure.
This benefit does not apply to partial payments or payment plans.
Standard Cancellation Terms (All Guests)
Refunds are calculated based on the number of days before tour departure, not the date of booking.
• More than 75 days before departure: 75% refund
• 61–75 days before departure: 50% refund
• 31–60 days before departure: 25% refund
• 30 days or fewer before departure: No refund
• No-show or failure to join tour: No refund