Sample 12-day itinerary with pandas, food and history. The classic Beijing and Xi’an highlights, then three nights in Chengdu for giant pandas, teahouses and Sichuan cooking before finishing in Shanghai. A good fit for families and travellers who care about food as much as sights.
At a glance
- Route: Beijing (3 nights) · Xi’an (2 nights) · Chengdu (3 nights) · Shanghai (3 nights)
- Best for: families, food lovers, travellers on a second visit to Asia
- Best season: March to June and September to November
- Pace: moderate, with two lighter days
- Hotels: central 4-star or 5-star hotels
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing. Private transfer to the hotel and a quiet first evening.
Day 2 · Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum and the hutongs. A morning in the Forbidden City, then an afternoon in Beijing’s old lanes with a family-style lunch.
Day 3 · The Great Wall at Mutianyu. About 1.5 hours’ drive each way, with a cable car up to the wall. Peking duck for dinner.
Day 4 · High-speed train to Xi’an. About 4.5 to 6 hours. Evening walk and street food in the Muslim Quarter.
Day 5 · The Terracotta Army and the City Wall. The excavation pits in the morning, a bicycle ride on the City Wall later in the day.
Day 6 · High-speed train to Chengdu. About 3 to 4 hours. Settle in with a Sichuan dinner; tell your guide how much spice you like.
Day 7 · Giant pandas and teahouses. Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early, when the pandas are most active. In the afternoon, sit in a People’s Park teahouse and stroll Kuanzhai Alley.
Day 8 · A day out from Chengdu. Choose the Leshan Giant Buddha, the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system, or a Sichuan cooking class in the city.
Day 9 · Fly to Shanghai. About 3 hours. Evening on the Bund.
Day 10 · Old and new Shanghai. Yu Garden and the old town, then the former French Concession.
Day 11 · A free day or a canal town. Rest, or take a day trip to Zhujiajiao.
Day 12 · Depart. Private transfer to the airport.
Getting between cities
- Beijing to Xi’an: high-speed train, about 4.5 to 6 hours
- Xi’an to Chengdu: high-speed train, about 3 to 4 hours
- Chengdu to Shanghai: domestic flight, about 3 hours
Included in the sample quote
- 11 nights in hotels with daily breakfast
- Private guide and vehicle on touring days, and private transfers
- High-speed train tickets and the domestic flight in economy class
- Entrance tickets for the visits named above
- Four lunches and the Peking duck dinner
Not included
- International flights, visas and travel insurance
- Meals and drinks not listed, optional activities and tips
Adjust it for your group
Panda volunteer and close-up programmes are limited and change often, so we confirm what is available when you book. Families with younger children can drop Day 8 for a free day, and food lovers can add a market visit and cooking class in Xi’an as well.
Prices
Travelling yourself? Send us your dates and group size for a price based on your hotel choice. Travel agencies can request net rates by group size and hotel level.