10 Days China Essence Tour With Chengdu Pandas

Itinerary

• Day 1:Beijing, Arrival

  Begin your fantastic vacation from Beijing, the capital of China.

  After landing at the airport, take a taxi or our valued private transfer to your downtown hotel. Have the remainder of the day at leisure to recover from the jet lag or do some exploration on your own around the accommodation.

  Accommodation: Sunworld Hotel or similar (4-star)

  • Beijing

• Day 2:Forbidden City & Hutongs

  

  The Forbidden City

  Kick off the day from the remarkable Tiananmen Square in the center of the city. Then, step into the nearby Forbidden City, home to emperors of the feudal Ming and Qing Dynasties. Rambling around this superb imperial palace complex, admire the magnificent wooden architecture, and listen to the most talked-about stories of the royal families.

  After the palace visit, walk into the heart of Beijing‘s old neighborhoods. Explore former residences and traditional courtyard homes once inhabited by influential historical figures and enjoy a traditional drink while taking in a brief but engaging performance of Peking Opera.

  Accommodation: Sunworld Hotel or similar (4-star)

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  • Beijing

• Day 3:Beijing: Great Wall & Olympic Venues

  

  The Bird's Nest

  After breakfast, travel for around two hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Take a cable car up and hike along this formidable ancient structure to take in epic views and imagine defending the realm in centuries past.

  Late in the afternoon, on the way back to your hotel, view the Olympic Bird Nest and Water Cube from the outside and visit a pearl store nearby.

  Accommodation: Sunworld Hotel or similar (4-star)

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  • Beijing

• Day 4:Beijing - Xi'an

  Your morning begins with a visit to a lively food market, where locals pick up fresh produce, enjoy traditional breakfast snacks, and socialize in the early hours.

  Afterward, discover the Temple of Heaven, another architectural masterpiece from the Ming Dynasty (about 600 years ago). Follow your guide to admire its elegant structures and see locals enjoying their morning exercises like tai chi and other traditional games.

  Afterward, be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xi'an. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and proceed to the hotel for check-in.

  Accommodation: Eastern House Boutique Hotel or similar (4-star)

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  • Xi'an

• Day 5:Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors

  

  The Terracotta Warriors

  Dedicate today to the world-renowned Terracotta Army. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built a large army of over 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses to protect him in his afterlife. Although buried underground for more than 2,200 years, they still look alive with vivid expressions on their faces.

  For the rest of the day, get back to the city center and take some time to hang out around the bustling Muslim Street, lined with shops selling interesting local delicacies, snacks, and souvenirs.

  Accommodation: Eastern House Boutique Hotel or similar (4-star)

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  • Xi'an

• Day 6:Xi'an - Chengdu

  Leave Xi'an behind for Chengdu by high-speed train. Upon arrival, about four hours later, a local guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. If you still have energy, find your way to the Wide and Narrow Alley or Jinli Pedestrian to do some exploration. Both of them, packed with traditional-style buildings selling various mouthwatering specialties, are ideal places to kill time.

  Accommodation: Dorsett Chengdu or similar (4-star)

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  • Chengdu

• Day 7:Chengdu: Pandas, Hotpot & Tea

  

  Wenshu Monastery in Chengdu

  Wake up early today for a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. At around 8:30 am, when pandas are more active, you will have more chances to see them eating or playing with each other.

  For lunch, enjoy authentic Sichuan hot pot. After that, get back to the downtown and visit the ancient Wenshu Temple. Wander around its stately Chinese architecture to absorb the peaceful atmosphere here and then sit in the teahouse at the back of the complex, sipping a cup of local tea while observing local life.

  Accommodation: Dorsett Chengdu or similar (4-star)

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  • Chengdu

• Day 8:Chengdu - Shanghai, by Airplane

  Have some free time in the morning until your guide escorts you to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. On arrival, another guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. Settle in and have a good rest.

  Accommodation: Central Hotel Shanghai or similar (4-star)

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  • Shanghai

• Day 9:A Journey Through Shanghai's History, Culture, and Food

  

  The Bund

  Experience the harmonious coexistence of ancient and modern Shanghai through a full-day tour today. Stroll along the waterfront avenue of the Bund featuring colonial-era buildings of different Western architectural styles, contrasting futuristic skyscrapers on the other side of the river.

  Walking into the classical Yu Garden, you will soak up a relaxing atmosphere with a beautiful landscape of pagodas, pavilions, rockeries, fountains, ancient trees, and precious flowers. After a stopover at a silk workshop, unwind in the peaceful surroundings of Fuxing Park, where locals practice tai chi and play chess under shady trees. From there, set off on a walking tour through Bugaoli, a tucked-away residential block filled with charming alleyways, old lane houses, and nostalgic stories of everyday life. Sample time-honored local treats along the way.

  In the afternoon, delve into Chinese art and history at the Shanghai Museum, home to thousands of cultural treasures spanning ancient bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and more.

  Accommodation: Central Hotel Shanghai or similar (4-star)

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  • Shanghai

• Day 10:Shanghai, Departure

  Time to say goodbye to China. Make your way to the airport and board your homebound flight.

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