- 4.9/5 1785 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
This 10-day journey is thoughtfully designed for first-time travelers to China, bringing together the country’s most iconic destinations and experiences in one seamless itinerary. Traveling through Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Chengdu, you will explore China’s rich history, vibrant culture, and modern charm. Walk along the Great Wall, uncover imperial secrets inside the Forbidden City, and stand before the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors. Along the way, savor authentic local cuisine and enjoy a close encounter with China’s beloved Giant Pandas in Chengdu. This comprehensive tour offers a perfect introduction to China, combining history, culture, cuisine, and unforgettable experiences.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 4
Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
5 - 6
Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Small Wild Goose Pagoda
7
Chengdu
Giant Panda Breeding Base, Chengdu City Tour
8 - 10
Shanghai
The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Former French Concession
Itinerary
- Day 1: Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your local guide and escorted to your hotel. During the transfer, your guide will share helpful insights about Beijing and outline the upcoming itinerary. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace. Your centrally located hotel offers easy access to the city’s main attractions on foot.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing’s Cultural & Historical Highlights
Today is dedicated to discovering China’s imperial past as you explore the Forbidden City, the former residence of emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. This magnificent palace complex offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient royal life and traditions.
Your guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drive you to the Forbidden City. Before entering, you will stop at Tiananmen Square, one of China’s most important historical landmarks. With your knowledgeable guide, learn about the palace’s detailed architecture and decorative symbols, which make the history engaging and easy to appreciate.
Later in the day, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once performed rituals and prayed for good harvests. Today, this impressive site is also a popular gathering place for locals who come here to exercise, relax, and enjoy daily activities.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall Visit
This morning, depart Beijing by private transfer and enjoy a scenic drive of about two hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. This recommended stretch spans approximately 1.4 miles and is lined with 22 watchtowers and fortifications.
Take a cable car up to the wall and walk along its ancient pathways while admiring sweeping views of the rolling mountains and the Great Wall as it winds across the landscape. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant nearby before continuing to the Ming Imperial Tombs, following the historic Sacred Way lined with stone statues.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an by High-Speed Train
After breakfast at your hotel, visit the Summer Palace, the former imperial garden of the Qing dynasty in northwest Beijing. Famous for its beautiful landscape design, the palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. If conditions allow, you may also enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Kunming Lake.
Following the visit, you’ll be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed train journey to Xi’an, taking around five hours. On arrival, your local guide will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel.
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- Xi’an
- Day 5: Terracotta Army in Xi’an
Today’s main attraction is the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974, these life-size figures are one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures. As you step into the exhibition hall, the vast scale of the army is truly impressive. While the warriors may look similar from a distance, a closer view reveals that each one has unique facial expressions, hairstyles, and details.
Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll learn about the fascinating history and purpose of the Terracotta Army. Later, visit the Great Mosque, one of the largest and most important Islamic mosques in China. Your day ends in the lively Muslim Quarter, where you can experience local Muslim culture and sample a variety of traditional street foods.
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Bullet Train Transfer: Xi’an to Chengdu
This morning, visit Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, one of the largest and best-preserved city walls in China. For a more active experience, you may choose to cycle along its historic ramparts. Next, head to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, where you can participate in a traditional Chinese calligraphy class.
Later, you will be transferred to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in the city center for check-in.
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- Chengdu
- Day 7: See Giant Pandas in Chengdu
Start your day early with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, when the crowds are minimal and the pandas are most lively. Watch as these adorable creatures enjoy breakfast, climb trees, and playfully roll around their enclosures.
Next, explore Wenshu Temple, a serene Buddhist site where you can experience traditional Chinese tea in a local tea house and soak in the city’s relaxed rhythm. Before heading back to your hotel, take a final stroll through the charming Jinli Old Street, famous for its traditional architecture and vibrant local culture.
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- Chengdu
- Day 8: Chengdu–Shanghai Flight Journey
Take some leisure time in the morning before your private transfer to the airport for your flight to the bustling city of Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.
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- Shanghai
- Day 9: Discover Shanghai’s Iconic Attractions
Start your day in Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, home to an impressive collection of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and sculptures. Delve into the richness of China’s artistic heritage before heading to the historic Yu Garden, a classical garden built during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century.
Next, wander through the leafy streets of the Former French Concession, where colonial architecture blends with modern urban life, giving a glimpse of Shanghai’s unique character. Continue to the iconic Bund, a waterfront area that reflects the city’s 1920s charm and historical grandeur. Conclude your day by ascending the Shanghai Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline along the Huangpu River.
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- Shanghai
- Day 10: Homeward Bound
Take some leisure time this morning before your guide and driver transfer you to the airport for your flight home. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore more of the city, please inform us, and our travel specialists will be happy to customize your itinerary to suit your preferences.
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Accommodation Options
The hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
Beijing 3 Nights
- 4.0
Top Choice
Beijing Novotel Peace Hotel
Address: 3 Jinyu lane, Wangfujing, Beijing, China
- 4.0
Top Choice
The Regent Beijing
Address: 99# Jinbao Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- 4.0
Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
Address: 97 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- 4.0
Fairmont Beijing
Address: 8 Yong An Dong Li, Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Xi'an 2 Nights
- 4.0
Top Choice
Grand Noble Hotel Xian
Address: No. 334 East Street, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China
- 4.0
Top Choice
Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Address: 300 m West of Fen Lane, South Street, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China
- 5.0
Hilton Xi'an
Address: No.199 Dongxin Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
Chengdu 2 Nights
- 4.0
Top Choice
Xizang Hotel Chengdu
Address: No. 10 North Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- 4.0
Top Choice
Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
Address: 231 Zhiquanduan, East Avenue, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, China
- 5.0
Dorsett Chengdu
Address: 168 Xi Yulong Street, Chengdu 610041, China
Shanghai 2 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
Maxx by Steigenberger on the Bund Shanghai
Address: 1 East Jinling Road, Shanghai, China
- 4.0
Top Choice
Hengshan Garden Hotel
Address: 516 Hengshan Road, Xuhui and Minhang, Shanghai, China
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