10 Days China Tour of Beijing-Xian-Chengdu-Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (no meal )

   Welcome to our 10-day China private tour! Upon your arrival at Beijing airport/train station, our local driver and guide will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in.

   You have the rest of the day to unwind at your leisure. Should you wish to explore the nearby areas, don't hesitate to seek practical recommendations from your tour guide.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing History Tour
   Travel Through Time to Explore Royal Lifestyle Hundreds of Years Ago

   At 08:00, our English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from the downtown hotel. Start today's tour with the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China's history. You can just wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then, follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China's long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   

   After lunch, move on to Summer Palace, the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, etc. In addition, you can take the option of a boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake (optional).

   Beijing Hutongs are full of history which attracts many worldwide tourists! Taking a rickshaw to ride along the ancient alleys, you will learn more about the background information of the Hutongs, experience authentic old Beijing life, and witness the blending of tradition and modernity.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Day Tour
   World Heritage Sites and the Great Wall Hiking

   Today, get up early to enjoy the nice morning time in the Temple of Heaven, and see how local people spend their morning time in the square. Famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture, and magnificent decoration, this grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests.

   Next, move on to today's highlights - the famous world heritage Mutianyu Great Wall, the most scenic part of the Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty in 1368 and stretches for 5,400 meters. If pure hiking is too much for you, there are also options for cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles (optional).

   After the Great Wall hiking tour, end today's itinerary with an exterior visit to the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Walking around the outside of the building to appreciate the unique design and take some pictures would be perfect.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed Train
   Xi'an Highlights & Authentic Local Snacks

   After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to Beijing! Your driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drive to the train station for your high-speed train to Xi'an. Upon arrival, our local English-speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate.

   After lunch, your private China tour in Xian begins with Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in the Tang Dynasty, 652 A.D.

   After that, move on to Bell and Drum Tower Square, which is located in the very center of the city and is considered the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will come to the Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, and various noodles, and purchase some Terracotta Warriors imitations as souvenirs.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

   

5. Day 5: Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
   Dig into Profound Historic Heritages of the Ancient City

   In the morning, visit the world's heritage Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which was found by local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. The museum includes Pit 1 (the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will explore the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and the history of their owner: the First Emperor of Qin who was also the first emperor of China.

   

   After that, continue your Xian tour to the Ancient City Wall. It is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for military defense in ancient times. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall (optional).

   Next, take a nice stroll down Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street. This quaint street lined with many shops selling the four basic items for Chinese calligraphy (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper) is different from any other streets in Xian. Then, explore the Yongxingfang Food Street, an amazing place to sample some delicious local food and see how the local people relax.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

   

6. Day 6: Xi'an to Chengdu by High-Speed Train
   Explore the Mysterious Jinsha Culture Dating Back to 3,000 Years Ago

   Taking the morning high-speed train to Chengdu, the hometown of the giant panda. Upon arrival at Chengdu East Train Station, our local English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up at the exit gate and transfer you to the hotel.

   After lunch, your China tour in Chengdu takes you to the Jinsha Site Museum, an excellent place to learn about Chengdu's history. There are thousands of cultural relics that date back to 3000 years ago. You will appreciate the precious artifacts such as the golden sun bird disc, golden mask, bronze standing figure, and stone tiger, and get to know the stories behind them.

   Later, transfer to explore the local food and culture in Kuanzhai Alley, which has a long history and dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Strolling along the streets, you still can see many well-preserved Qing Dynasty buildings. In addition to appreciating the traditional architecture, you can savor some local delicacies. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu will surprise you with its delicious food.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

   

7. Day 7: Chengdu Panda Tour
   Call on Giant Pandas & Experience Local Relaxing Lifestyle

   Start today with the exciting Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, well-known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas. Here, you can watch them eating bamboo, playing with each other, and of course, sleeping. Your tour guide will navigate you through the huge area, share some information about the pandas, and help you take amazing photos.

   

   In the afternoon, continue your visit to Wenshu Temple which was built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618) with a long history. It is a good place to learn Buddhism. You can have a nice stroll around the pleasant garden and take photos of the wonderful ancient architecture.

   Later, enjoy some relaxing time in Renmin Park. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea in a nice tea house and watch local people while away the time with various activities such as playing cards, practicing Tai Chi, playing mahjong, and napping.

   Last, explore the bustling Jinli Pedestrian Street, a must-see place in Chengdu. Meandering through the street gives people the feeling of traveling back in time. Enjoy shopping, people-watching, and tasting some yummy food that you never saw before.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

   

8. Day 8: Chengdu to Shanghai Tour by Flight
   Admire China's Largest Stone Buddha Carved on Cliff

   Today, drive about 2 hours to the amazing Giant Buddha in Leshan. Regarded as the tallest stone Buddha in the world, the Leshan Giant Buddha was carved out of a cliff face 1,300 years ago. When you look up at it from its toes, it's hard to imagine how ancient Chinese people built this massive statue. You can climb up the stairs to the top of the mountain to enjoy the wonderful scenery.

   

   Friendly Tips: There are 2 ways to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, one is climbing up the mountain, and one is taking a cruise along the river to take far view of it. Climbing up the mountain was included in the package as most tourists said this way is better. Taking a cruise is optional. If you would like to take a cruise instead of climbing up the mountain, or if you want to try both these 2 ways, just ask your tour guide for assistance.

   After that, drive back to Chengdu for an evening flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, the local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate holding a welcome board with your name, and drive to the downtown hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

9. Day 9: Shanghai Day Tour
   City Highlights with A Blend of Ancient and Modern Wonders

   Today is full of the must-see sights in Shanghai city! The first site will be the famous Yuyuan Garden, a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. It was originally built by Pan Yunduan in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty for his parents to enjoy their old age in peace.

   Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market, where you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chops with rice cakes.

   After that, move to visit the Shanghai Museum (closed every Monday). The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings, and calligraphy works. Finish the exploration of history, and stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square now is most famous for its match-making corner where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   

   Your China private tour in Shanghai continues to the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. Here you will see many old beautiful European-style buildings that look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

   The next stop will be the Shanghai World Financial Center. You will go up to the 100th floor to have a marvelous panoramic view of the Huangpu River. Walking on the 55-meter-long transparent sightseeing corridor will be an exciting experience.

   Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into a British settlement and Shanghai's financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of the amazing skyline.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

10. Day 10: Shanghai Departure
    Take A Full Relaxation in An Ancient Water Town

    Today you will enjoy and relax in one of the most famous Water Towns in China - Zhujiajiao Water Town.

    Dubbed "the Venice of Shanghai", Zhuajiajiao Water Town has a history of more than 1,700 years. Walking around the ancient water town, you will feel like traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties with elegant stone bridges across the rivers and plenty of old buildings around you. Stroll around the streets to see as many things as possible. You can optionally have a relaxing gondola ride to truly experience the charm of the water town.

    Friendly Tips: Taking a boat cruise along the river is available and excluded. If you would like to take a cruise, please feel free to ask your tour guide for assistance (optional).

    After lunch, transfer you to Shanghai airport/train station for your departure. Your 10-day Beijing Xian Chengdu Shanghai tour ends here. Have a smooth journey.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: N/A