China by Private Jet

A world capital that is home to over 20 million souls, Beijing is China’s political nerve center. Settle in and prepare for private access to extraordinary people and places, thanks to A&K’s longstanding connections throughout the country.

Partake in a privately led tai chi lesson taught by a master instructor at the Temple of Heaven, a stunning example of classical Ming period architecture. Take in history-laden Tiananmen Square before exploring the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City. Gather for a special welcome dinner.

Encounter local daily life firsthand as you ride by pedicab through a hutong, a vast yet intimate neighborhood of small, winding alleyways. Ride a cable car to the top of the well-preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China to take in sweeping views. Make an on-site champagne toast to this wonder of the world before returning to Beijing.

Fly over the vast open deserts of western China to the small city of Dunhuang, once one of the most important oasis cities along the Silk Road. Here, some 1,000 caves were carved and painted by Buddhist Monks. Imagine yourself a silk road trader as you ride a Bactrian camel among the towering Mingsha Sand Dunes. Continue to Crescent Moon Lake, at a verdant oasis surrounded by sand.

Explore the wonders of the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with statues and wall paintings that span 1,000 years of Buddhist art. Situated along the Silk Route, these caves resided at the crossroads of trade, religion and culture. Join an archaeologist, who grants access to a cave normally closed to the public. Tonight, absorb the Ancient Sound of Dunhuang, an inspired theater that brings to life the art, music and dance of the ancient Dunhuang civilization using modern technology and elaborate stagecraft.

Trace the path of the Silk Road trade route by private jet, flying first to Jiayuguan. Here explore the final battlement at the western end of the Great Wall. Constructed during the zenith of the Ming dynasty’s power (1368-1644), the massive fortress accommodated thousands of frontier troops that controlled travel to and from the Middle Kingdom. Fly on to Xi’an, a modern city cloaked in over 3,000 years of history. Once the eastern terminus on the Great Silk Road, Xi’an has become a melting pot of central Asian and Chinese influences. Take in a noodle-throwing demonstration, followed by dinner.

Accompanied by a scholar, visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Warriors, the life-size army created during the Qin Dynasty to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife. More than 8,000 remarkably crafted soldiers are spread throughout three dig pits, each revealing a unique face. Meet one of the farmers that rediscovered the site in the 1970s and then visit the old city’s Muslim Quarter, with its teeming markets and beautiful 14th-century Great Mosque, which blends classic Chinese temple architecture and central Asian embellishments.

Fly south to UNESCO-listed Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, renowned for its mesmerizing natural beauty formed by eons of wind and water erosion. Here, nearly 3,000 stone pillars stand in the floating mist, their shapes suggesting people and animals. There are caves set within the mountains and underground, as well as clear lakes, winding streams, dense forests, and bands of monkeys roaming the woods. Ascend to the top of stunning Tianmen Mountain by aerial gondola for wonderful views of the lush surrounding landscapes.

Discover the lyrical Wulingyuan scenic area, long a favorite inspiration for Chinese scroll painters. Behold its extraordinary gorges, sandstone pillars and towering peaks clad in sub-tropical forest. In the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, ride on the thousand-foot glass Bailong Elevator and take a scenic train ride in Ten Mile Gallery, to fully absorb the strangely pinnacled local landscape that helped inspire the look of the film Avatar.

Visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to walk, if you dare, across the pedestrian suspension bridge that spans it, its glass-paneled deck offering views of the river flowing nearly 1,000 feet below. Fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai and settle into your hotel located on the city’s historic Bund. Embark on a private evening cruise on the Huangpu River, taking in the city’s stunning skyline.

Explore the French Concession Area with a local historian. Savor lunch at a local restaurant and stroll the streets of Old Town and visit the 16th-century Yu Garden, with its pavilions and ponds. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Gather for a festive farewell dinner.

After breakfast, take your private transport to the airport for your departing flight.