10 Days • 9 Nights
Pandas & Warriors: Chengdu, Xi'an & Beijing
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll cuddle up close to giant pandas at a leading research base, walk the Great Wall, meet the Terracotta Warriors, and finish among the skyscrapers of Shanghai. Rickshaw rides, dumpling banquets and a spicy Sichuan feast keep everyone happy along the way.
With family-friendly hotels, private guides and the key experiences arranged, it is China made easy and unforgettable for all ages.
Trip Highlights
- Giant pandas at the Chengdu research base
- A walk on a scenic stretch of the Great Wall
- The Forbidden City and a hutong rickshaw ride
- The Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an
- A spicy Sichuan hotpot experience in Chengdu
- The Bund skyline in Shanghai
- A Peking duck dinner and a dumpling banquet
- High-speed trains and flights included
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 10-day journey.
Arrive in the capital and settle in, with a welcome dinner tonight.
Walk a scenic stretch of the Great Wall, with a hutong rickshaw ride and a Peking duck dinner the whole family will love.
The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, with games and tai chi in the park.
High-speed train to Xi'an and an evening at the Muslim Quarter for street snacks.
The Terracotta Army and a cycle atop the Ming city wall, with a dumpling banquet tonight.
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, for an afternoon meeting giant pandas at the research base as they munch bamboo and tumble in the trees.
A relaxed day in Chengdu — the People's Park tea houses, the Jinli old street, and a fiery Sichuan hotpot experience tonight.
Fly to Shanghai and settle in along the dazzling Bund.
Yu Garden and the Old City, the Bund and the Pudong skyline, with a rooftop view the kids will love.
A final breakfast before your transfer to the airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver in each city
- 3 nights Beijing, 2 nights Xi'an, 2 nights Chengdu, 2 nights Shanghai
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a Peking duck dinner and a dumpling banquet
- A Great Wall excursion, the Forbidden City and a hutong ride
- The Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an city wall
- The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
- Shanghai city touring and the Bund
- High-speed trains and the Xi'an-Chengdu and Chengdu-Shanghai flights
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from China
- China visa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Additional domestic flights beyond those stated
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a China tourist (L) visa arranged in advance, though visa-free transit and regional schemes exist for some passports. We can advise, and your passport should be valid at least six months
- The Great Firewall: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many Western sites are blocked in China. Install a reputable VPN and download offline maps before you arrive
- Currency & payments: The currency is the Chinese yuan (RMB). China is largely cashless via WeChat Pay and Alipay; set these up if you can, and carry some cash as a backup
- Language: English is not widely spoken outside hotels, which is exactly why your guide and private driver make all the difference
- Getting around: China's high-speed trains are superb and some legs use domestic flights, all arranged for you with seat reservations
- Altitude: Tibet (Lhasa 3,650m) and Shangri-La sit high; we build in gentle acclimatisation, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor
- Best seasons: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal nationwide; summer is hot and can be rainy, and the far north is bitterly cold in winter
- Etiquette: Tipping was not traditional but is now expected for guides and drivers on tours. A little patience and a smile go a long way
- Health: Drink bottled or boiled water only, and carry hand sanitiser. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: Buy a local SIM or an eSIM for data, and bring a universal adapter (China uses types A, C and I at 220V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Peking duck dinner or a dumpling banquet. Other meals are left free so you can explore China's incredible regional food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver in each city, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground.
Do I need a visa for China?
Most visitors need a China tourist visa arranged in advance, though some passports qualify for visa-free transit. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
Will my phone work in China?
Roaming works but Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall, so install a VPN before you travel. A local SIM or eSIM gives you reliable data.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather and clearest skies. Summer is hot and busier; winter is cold in the north but quiet and atmospheric.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, cities and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Yangtze cruise, Tibet or Hong Kong. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
By China's excellent high-speed trains and, for longer hops, domestic flights — all included and arranged with reservations.
Can the children get close to the pandas?
You see the pandas up close from viewing areas at the research base, at their most active in the morning. Hands-on 'panda keeper' programs can sometimes be arranged separately on request.
Is this trip good for younger kids?
Yes — the pandas, Great Wall, warriors and Shanghai skyline are a hit with all ages, and the pace is kept comfortable with flights on the longer hops.
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