Hong Kong Cocktails, Shanghai Style, Xi’an Warriors, and Beijing Palaces✨

Written By Krista Nannery

Hong Kong from above…

China is back. After years of travel restrictions, the world’s most dynamic country is rolling out the red carpet again. And if you think it’s all skyscrapers and pandas, think again. China is where ultra-modern cities collide with dynasties past, where you can eat street food for $2 or Michelin-starred banquets for $200, and where history stretches back thousands of years.

I love China. In 2018, I spent a month riding the rails across the country, zipping from Shanghai to the Three Gorges Dam (where I took a river cruise down the Yangtze), then over to Chongqing, Chengdu, and Xi’an. I also of course had to spend time in Hong Kong, one of my all-time favorite cities and the best trip my mom and I ever took together. I’ve been to China so many times now, I’ve lost count. I’m truly obsessed.

For this itinerary, I put together a four-city hit list that blends the best of China: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing. Each one brings its own flavor, literally and figuratively. Here’s why they’re worth your time, your appetite, and your bucket list.

Can I help you plan your next trip to China? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

🧭 Hong Kong: Where East Meets West

Hong Kong hums with energy. One moment you’re sipping rooftop cocktails overlooking Victoria Harbour, the next you’re wandering quiet alleys filled with incense smoke from tiny temples. It’s one of those cities where the ride on a Star Ferry can feel as iconic as a Michelin-starred dinner. (My mother once proclaimed the Star Ferry her favorite ferry in the entire world.)

Where to Stay (Virtuoso picks):

  • Rosewood Hong Kong – Sleek, dramatic, and anchored right on Victoria Harbour. The Rosewood feels like a private club for the design-obsessed. Ask me about their Manor Club access — it’s next-level.

  • The Peninsula Hong Kong – The grand dame. If you’ve dreamed of old-school glamour with Rolls Royce transfers, this is it. Afternoon tea here is practically a rite of passage.

Signature Dishes to Try:

  • Dim Sum – Think beyond dumplings: char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) and siu mai (shrimp dumplings) are the must-orders.

  • Roast Goose – Juicy, crispy-skinned, lacquered to perfection — served at old-school spots like Yung Kee.

Best Tours/Experiences:

  • Take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak at sunset for jaw-dropping skyline views.

  • Private foodie tour of Sham Shui Po: hole-in-the-wall bakeries, noodle shops, and local markets where tourists rarely venture.

  • Evening junk boat cruise across Victoria Harbour — cliché, yes, but magical.

Shanghai

🏙 Shanghai: Future Meets Tradition

If Hong Kong is East-meets-West, Shanghai is pure adrenaline. It’s all soaring towers, glittering lights, and a skyline straight out of science fiction. Yet just a few blocks away, you’ll find lilong (lane houses), Buddhist temples, and food stalls serving soup dumplings that will ruin you for all others.

Where to Stay (Virtuoso picks):

  • The Peninsula Shanghai – Sitting right on the Bund with knockout views of the skyline. Rooms are huge, and the rooftop Sir Elly’s bar is reason enough to book.

  • Amanyangyun – Aman never does ordinary. This one features 2,000-year-old camphor trees and restored Ming and Qing dynasty villas relocated from Jiangxi province. It’s a cultural immersion, not just a stay.

Signature Dishes to Try:

  • Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) – Pork or crab, these delicate pockets of hot broth are reason alone to visit.

  • Red-Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou) – Rich, sweet, soy-sauce glazed — Mao’s favorite dish, and still beloved in Shanghai homes.

Best Tours/Experiences:

  • Stroll the Bund at night when the towers of Pudong light up like a sci-fi movie.

  • Guided food crawl through Old Town: learn how soup dumplings are folded, sample scallion pancakes straight off the griddle.

  • Private art tour in M50, the city’s contemporary art district, with an artist-led studio visit.

The Terracotta warriors outside Xi’an

🐉 Xi’an: Ancient Heart of China

Xi’an doesn’t have Shanghai’s skyscrapers or Hong Kong’s skyline — and that’s the point. This is where China’s Silk Road began and where emperors once ruled. The Terracotta Army, with its thousands of clay soldiers, is the obvious headliner, but the city’s food scene is the unsung hero.

Where to Stay:

  • Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an – Built in 1953 for visiting dignitaries, this Art Deco gem feels timeless. Service is impeccable.

  • Hyatt Regency Xi’an – On the shores of Qujiang Lake, it’s modern, polished, and great for families who want space and views. (This is not a Virtuoso property but as a Hyatt Prive advisor, one of Hyatt’s top-selling advisors, I can apply similar amenities to your stay.)

Signature Dishes to Try:

  • Biangbiang Noodles – Wide, hand-pulled noodles topped with chili, garlic, and meat. The name itself has 56 strokes in Chinese — possibly the most complicated character you’ll ever see.

  • Roujiamo – Often called the “Chinese hamburger,” this is flatbread stuffed with slow-cooked, spiced pork. Unpretentious, delicious, and addictive.

Best Tours/Experiences:

  • Private archeologist-led tour of the Terracotta Army — don’t just “see” it, understand it.

  • Evening food tour of the Muslim Quarter: cumin lamb skewers, flatbreads, and pomegranate juice. (Are you sensing a theme here with the food tours? It’s because Chinese food is so regional and has so many varieties!)

  • Bike ride on top of Xi’an’s massive city walls — a rare chance to circle a city the way guards once did.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

🏯 Beijing: Imperial Icons

Beijing is big, sprawling, and at times overwhelming. But it’s also home to the “greatest hits” — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven. It’s where dynasties left their mark and where you can walk through history in the morning, then sip cocktails in a glass tower that night.

Where to Stay (Virtuoso picks):

  • Aman Summer Palace – You actually enter through a secret back door to the Summer Palace grounds. It feels like time travel — the rooms are former palace buildings.

  • Rosewood Beijing – Modern, stylish, and a magnet for Beijing’s elite. Their Sense spa is one of the city’s best.

Signature Dishes to Try:

  • Peking Duck – Crisp skin, tender meat, pancakes, hoisin sauce. Quanjude and Da Dong are legendary, but I can arrange a private duck carving in a quieter setting.

  • Zhajiangmian – Noodles topped with savory soybean paste, like China’s answer to Bolognese.

Best Tours/Experiences:

  • Early morning private visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu — fewer crowds, plus Champagne if you want to toast the view.

  • Forbidden City with a private historian — the stories bring the palaces alive.

  • Tai chi class at the Temple of Heaven — peaceful, centering, and unforgettable.

Why These Four Cities Work Together

The beauty of stringing these cities together is the contrast:

  • Hong Kong gives you cosmopolitan flair and luxury living.

  • Shanghai dazzles with its futuristic energy.

  • Xi’an grounds you in China’s ancient past.

  • Beijing ties it all together with imperial grandeur.

Logistically, it works — direct flights connect all four — or high speed trains! — and I can stitch them into a seamless 10–14 day itinerary. You’ll sample China’s diversity without biting off more than you can chew.

🥢 Final Thoughts

China is not the kind of place you “dabble” in. It deserves a proper, well-orchestrated journey — and frankly, one that skips the guesswork. With my connections, you’ll stay in Virtuoso hotels (with perks like daily breakfast, upgrades, and resort credits), enjoy private guides who speak fluent English and know all the insider tips and experiences, and eat meals you’ll still be talking about five years later.

So — are you ready to discover China? Let’s put Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing on your 2025 calendar. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for college, and have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My background and 20 year career in the investment management industry have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation to anyone looking to plan their next trip.

Ways I Can Help You

Krista Nannery
Next

Why Your Next Long Weekend Should Be This Destination