Routes that actually work
Four trips we'd take ourselves, with the transport legs, realistic costs, and — because it's us — a plain statement of who each one is not for. Every one of these is bookable through the concierge as-is or customised.
Beijing + Chongli
The first-timer flagship: capital sights + Olympic groomers
≈ $850–1,000 pp excl. flights · Dec–Feb (Jan for coldest, driest snow)
Harbin Ice Festival + Jilin Powder
The Northeast double: the world's biggest ice festival + real mountains
≈ $1,300–1,550 pp excl. flights · Jan (festival peak + coldest snow) — pack for −25 °C
Altay Powder Expedition
China's real powder: Urumqi warm-up, Hemu village, Jikepulin
≈ $1,450–1,750 pp excl. flights · Dec–Feb for deep winter; late Nov and Mar for value
Chengdu: Pandas + Xiling
Real pandas + a snow mountain — the family/novelty crowd-pleaser
≈ $600–750 pp excl. flights · Late Dec–Feb (Xiling's short season; check conditions before the drive)
We book these exact trips
Pick a route, tell us your dates — the Full Concierge ($349) books every leg at local prices, or the Itinerary Plan ($149) customises it and hands you the playbook.