Warriors and Panda Bears: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu & Shanghai
From imperial splendour to giant pandas and glittering skylines, trace the full arc of Chinese civilisation in one unforgettable journey.
This private China tour connects four of the country's most storied cities across ten days, guiding you from the imperial grandeur of Beijing through the ancient Silk Road capital of Xi'an, on to panda-filled Chengdu, and finally to the cosmopolitan energy of Shanghai. Expertly paced and graded very easy, this itinerary suits first-time visitors as well as seasoned travellers seeking depth over distance. Private transport and professional local guides accompany every step, so your focus stays on discovery rather than logistics.
Beijing opens the journey with layers of history that few cities can match. Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City form one of the world's great civic tableaux, while the Huanghuacheng Great Wall offers scenic lake views far from the crowds. The narrow hutongs of the old city and the contemporary energy of the 798 Art District round out the capital's remarkable range.
Xi'an presents a different chapter of Chinese history, one anchored by the Ming-era city walls, the vibrant Muslim Quarter, and the UNESCO-protected Terracotta Warriors site. The army of 8,000 life-size soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses that was built to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang remains among the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made. The city's deep Silk Road heritage is still palpable in the scents drifting from its food stalls and in the centuries-old lanes of its Muslim community.
Chengdu and Shanghai complete the arc. Chengdu, UNESCO's first City of Gastronomy, offers mornings among giant pandas at the breeding research base and afternoons in tranquil teahouses and historic alleyways. Shanghai closes the tour with the Bund's neoclassical waterfront, the layered architecture of the former French Concession, and the quiet revelations of a hidden propaganda poster museum that charts decades of modern Chinese history.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the Forbidden City, the imperial palace complex where Ming and Qing emperors ruled for over 500 years behind towering red walls.
Stand before the Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an, a vast underground army of 8,000 individually crafted soldiers built to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum.
Visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in the early morning and observe giant pandas feeding and climbing in a habitat designed to mirror their natural environment.
Stroll the Bund in Shanghai, a riverfront promenade lined with neoclassical European facades that speak to the city's complex 19th- and 20th-century history.
Explore Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, one of the world's oldest Islamic communities, where Persian and Arab traders settled along the Silk Road over 1,300 years ago.
Walk sections of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, where the ancient fortification descends dramatically into two reservoir lakes formed by 20th-century dams.
Discover the 798 Art District in Beijing, a decommissioned East German-built factory complex transformed since the 1990s into China's most prominent contemporary art hub.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive in Beijing and settle in before three full days covering Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Huanghuacheng Great Wall with its lake panoramas, the Temple of Heaven, a hutong neighbourhood walk, the Miaoying Temple White Stupa, and the 798 Art District.
Travel to Xi'an by high-speed train and spend two days exploring the intact Ming-era city walls, the atmospheric Muslim Quarter, the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors site, and the Xi'an Museum.
High-speed rail brings you to Chengdu for visits to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Kuanzhai Alley, People's Park, and the Sichuan Museum, with time to experience the city's celebrated teahouse culture.
Fly into Shanghai for two days that take in the Bund, the propaganda poster museum, Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and a walk through the boutique-lined streets of the former French Concession.
A leisurely breakfast at the hotel precedes your transfer to Shanghai airport for the return flight home.
What Is Included
Included
- 9 nights hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private airport and station transfers throughout
- Professional English-speaking local guides in each city
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City entrance fees
- Huanghuacheng Great Wall entrance fee
- Temple of Heaven entrance fee
- Terracotta Warriors Museum entrance fee
- Xi'an City Wall entrance fee
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base entrance fee
- Sichuan Museum entrance fee
- Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple and French Concession guided walk
- Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum entrance fee
- 2nd class high-speed train Beijing to Xi'an
- 2nd class high-speed train Xi'an to Chengdu
- Flight Chengdu to Shanghai (economy class)
- Lunches as specified in itinerary
- Dinners as specified in itinerary
Not Included
- International flights to Beijing and from Shanghai
- China tourist visa and associated fees
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners not specified as included
- Bike or e-bike rental on Xi'an City Wall
- Personal spending and gratuities
- Halal street food and snacks in Xi'an Muslim Quarter
- Airport surcharge if Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is used
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes beyond operator control
Important Information
Ready to Experience China?
Secure your place on this private ten-day journey through Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Places are limited and availability changes frequently.
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