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14-Day China Classics Tour with Panda Encounters

Customisable Itinerary
4.9 • 2 travellers have booked with Jessy F.

Trip Overview

Experience the wonders of China as you journey from Beijing’s iconic Tiananmen Square and the imperial majesty of the Forbidden City to a rickshaw ride through historic Hutongs and panoramic views atop the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Relax with a boat ride at the Summer Palace and practice Tai Chi at the Temple of Heaven. In Xi’an, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, explore the lively Muslim Quarter, and enjoy a cooking class with a local family. Travel by high-speed train to Chengdu to visit the panda research base and the ancient Sanxingdui Museum. Cruise along the scenic Li River in Guilin, cycle through Yangshuo’s countryside, and finish in vibrant Shanghai with time to explore at your own pace.
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Cycling
Food & Drink
Adventure

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Beijing

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Arrival in Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, where your private guide will meet you at the airport. The drive to your hotel in the city center takes about an hour. During the transfer, your guide will give you a short introduction to Beijing. Once you reach your hotel, check in and settle into your room, you have the rest of the day free.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 2

Discover Beijing’s Forbidden City and Hutongs

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Discover Beijing’s Forbidden City and Hutongs

Start your visit in Beijing at Tiananmen Square, a well-known city landmark. Close by is the Forbidden City, where 24 emperors lived for around 500 years. A guide will take you through the palace and explain its history. Afterward, ride a rickshaw through the narrow Hutongs with their traditional courtyards. Visit a local home to observe daily life and learn how people live in this historic area.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tiananmen Square

    Forbidden City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 3

The Great Wall Hiking

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The Great Wall Hiking

Travel about two hours from the city to reach the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which is accessible for all visitors. Use the cable car for the trip up and down, and walk along the wall to see the views. Afterward, return to Beijing to visit the Summer Palace, the largest imperial garden in China. End the day with a calm boat ride on Kunming Lake, offering a quiet and pleasant experience.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mutianyu Great Wall

    Summer Palace

    Kunming Lake

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

Day 4

Train to Xi’an after Tai Chi at Temple of Heaven

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Train to Xi’an after Tai Chi at Temple of Heaven

Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, a former site where emperors prayed for harvests. Now, it serves as a park where locals gather, and you have the chance to participate in a Tai Chi session with an instructor. After your visit, you will be transferred to the train station where you will catch a highspeed train to Xi’an. When you arrive, your private guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel.

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    Accommodation

    Eastern House

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Temple of Heaven

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel to Beijing Railway Station

    Train from Beijing to Xi'An

    Private Driver from Xi'an Railway Station to Eastern House

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Beijing

    Xi'an

Day 5

Explore Terracotta Warriors and Muslim Quarter

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Explore Terracotta Warriors and Muslim Quarter

The day focuses on visiting the Terracotta Warriors, a collection of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots made more than two thousand years ago. Each figure is carved with different features, showing details from the Qin dynasty. After exploring the site, you will return to Xi’an. There, you can walk through the busy Muslim Quarter, experience the lively street scenes, and try a variety of local snacks popular with visitors and residents alike.

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    Accommodation

    Eastern House

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Terracotta Army

    Muslim Street Xi'an

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Xi'an

Day 6

Cook with Locals and Learn Chinese Calligraphy

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Cook with Locals and Learn Chinese Calligraphy

Begin your day with a local family in Xi’an to learn about the city’s food culture. Visit a market, meet vendors, and practice making dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and other regional dishes. In the afternoon, visit Gao’s Grand Courtyard, a historic mansion that highlights local heritage. Participate in a Chinese calligraphy session led by a local artist, and watch a shadow puppet performance suitable for all ages. This experience provides a clear look at Xi’an’s traditions.

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    Accommodation

    Eastern House

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Local Cooking Class

    Gao's Grand Courtyard

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Xi'an

    Chengdu

Day 7

Train to Chengdu and Relax with Local Tea

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Train to Chengdu and Relax with Local Tea

Travel to Chengdu by high-speed train. When you arrive, visit Wenshu Temple, which is the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple in the city. Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea, following a local tradition. Afterwards, walk along Jinli Street, where you can browse traditional shops and try local snacks. This area is known for its lively atmosphere and historical significance, making it a popular place to experience the culture and daily life of Chengdu.

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    Accommodation

    Xizang Hotel Chengdu

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    Activities

    Wenshu Yuan Monastery

    Jinli Road

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Xi'An to Chengdu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Xi'an

    Chengdu

Day 8

Panda Visit and Sanxingdui Museum Journey

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Panda Visit and Sanxingdui Museum Journey

Start your day at the panda research base, where pandas are most active and feeding in the morning. Visiting early improves your chances of seeing them move and eat. In the afternoon, visit the Sanxingdui Museum. The museum displays bronze, jade, gold, and pottery artifacts. These exhibits provide insight into the ancient Shu people and their culture. This schedule allows you to see pandas at their liveliest and learn about regional history in one day.

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    Accommodation

    Xizang Hotel Chengdu

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

    Guanghan Sanxingdui Museum

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Chengdu

    Deyang

Day 9

Flight to Guilin

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Flight to Guilin

Begin the day by going to the airport with your guide and driver for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, a local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel, stopping at Reed Flute Cave along the way. The cave features unique rock formations and spacious chambers. After checking in at your hotel, you can take a walk around Banyan Lake and Cedar Lake, where tree-lined paths and calm water offer a relaxing atmosphere.

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    Accommodation

    Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Reed Flute Cave

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from 256-1 Ren Min Bei Lu to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

    Plane from Chengdu to Guilin

    Private Driver from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport to Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Chengdu

    Guilin

Day 10

Scenic Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

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Scenic Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

The day begins with a four-hour cruise on the Li River, traveling from Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo. The boat passes through valleys and limestone peaks, offering changing views along the way. After arriving in Yangshuo, check in at your hotel and take some time to rest. Later, visit a nearby workshop where local artists make hand-painted fans. Watch the process and have the chance to create your own fan under their guidance.

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    Accommodation

    Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Guilin to Yangshuo County

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Guilin

Day 11

Yangshuo Countryside Tour Before Shanghai Flight

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Yangshuo Countryside Tour Before Shanghai Flight

Yangshuo’s countryside is known for its quiet beauty and attracts many visitors. You can explore the area by cycling along paths that pass rice fields, rivers, villages, and limestone hills. If cycling isn’t your preference, you can take a scenic drive with your guide and driver instead. After seeing the countryside, you will go to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

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    Accommodation

    Sunrise On The Bund Hotel5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cycling around Yangshuo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Yangshuo County to Shanghai

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Guilin

    Shanghai

Day 12

Shanghai Culture Highlights

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Shanghai Culture Highlights

Walk along the Bund to see Shanghai’s modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. Visit Yu Garden for classical architecture and detailed carvings. Stop at a local silk workshop to learn about silk-making. Walk from Fuxing Park to Bugaoli to experience busy streets and explore lesser-known areas of the city. End your day at the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center, where a large collection of posters illustrates key moments in China’s recent history.

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    Accommodation

    Sunrise On The Bund Hotel5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    The Bund

    Yu Garden

    Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Shanghai

Day 13

Leisure Day in Shanghai

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Leisure Day in Shanghai

You can spend the day relaxing at your hotel or exploring the city on your own. Options include visiting the Shanghai Natural History Museum, spending time at Disney World, or taking a short trip to the nearby water town of Xitang. Each choice offers a different experience, whether you prefer learning about history, enjoying amusement park attractions, or seeing traditional scenery. You are free to plan your day according to your interests and pace.

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    Accommodation

    Sunrise On The Bund Hotel5 star

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    Activities

    Shanghai

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Shanghai

Day 14

Departure from Shanghai

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Departure from Shanghai

Today marks the end of your trip in China. At the scheduled time, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to the airport. From there, you will catch your flight home. Safe travels as you return, and thank you for visiting China with us.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sunrise On The Bund Hotel Luxury to Shanghai Pudong International Airport

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Shanghai

Share With Your Partners

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

What’s included?

  • 13 nights accommodation
  • 19 activities
  • 13 breakfasts and 2 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

Inclusions:
 Entrance fees for the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
 Flights as listed in the itinerary: Chengdu - Guilin, Guilin – Shanghai, airport tax and fuel fee included.
 Trains as listed in the itinerary: Beijing – Xi’an, Xi’an – Chengdu.
 13 nights 4-star accommodation.
 English-speaking guides for sightseeing as listed in the itinerary.
 Meals: 13 breakfasts and 2 lunches.
 One bottle of drinking water per person per day.
 Private transfers between airport, hotels, and sightseeing sites while taking the sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary

Exclusions:
 International flight.
 Visa application & visa fee.
 Gratuities to the guides and drivers.
 Travel insurance.
 Personal expenses or any other item not listed in the itinerary.
 Excess baggage charge for flight.
 Optional activities either recommended by tour guides or out of your own
interests.