Compare Pandas & Golden Cities by Travel China Guide

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing  - the former Sheraton

You will be met at Beijing airport and taken to check in at the hotel. You may make your own plans for the remainder of the day. Our guide will offer the orientation of the following day on escorted tours and dining arrangements.  

Day 2: Beijing

Meals: Western buffet breakfast and A la carte welcome lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, all nationals on the tour attend a short orientation session for mix and mingle. Set off to the first stop, at the Tiananmen Square and then the Forbidden City. There is much to see. Our guide will take you one step further with first hand knowledge.

At noon, you will dine on an a la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very popular restaurant. There are great menu selections including Peking Roast Duck.

After that you will approach the Temple of Heaven. It is a former place of worship surrounded by a park. Then you will go to see a traditional Chinese Kung Fu Show in the evening.

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The buffet style breakfast with variety of food is served at the hotel from 06:30. We suggest you have a hearty breakfast today as you are going to mount the great wall and lunch is not included. After about two hours driving, you will reach the Mutianyu Great Wall, the most popular section. To keep your strength for a great hike on the wall, we arrange the round-trip cable car for you. To add spice on the exciting occasion, we toast you with a bottle of red wine.

On the way back to town, you will be driven through 2008 Olympic site dominated by the large Bird's Nest. You can also get a photo opportunity with it as backdrop. Then a featured local market is scheduled. You will enjoy some free time there to relax.

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

Meals: Western buffet breakfast and A la carte lunch

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

On the last day of Beijing visit you get to see the Summer Palace and the traditional Hutongs. Summer Palace is one of the places where you find refuge from the bustling city center. Narrow alleys connect traditional courtyard residences called Hutongs. A rickshaw ride through those old hutongs is an eye-opening experience. Also a particular arrangement for you is to try your hand at Chinese Paper Cutting, one of China's most popular folk arts.

We will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a quality local restaurant. Enough of Beijing, and you are off to the ancient imperial capital, Xi'an, where you will be met at the airport and brought to the hotel.

Day 5: Xi'an

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch and Dumpling dinner

The Terracotta Army is a must when visiting Xi'an. The museum consists of three main excavation pits and one exhibition hall. The figures in the museum include warriors, horses, chariots, weapons and so on. It is estimated that the first Emperor of Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC) constructed such a large army format aimed to protect his mausoleum. Till now, the excavation work is still ongoing.

Then pay a home visit. You will socialize with the host family members and join them for lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price). Proceed to Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda after lunch. This evening, dine on the local special dumpling dinner with the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

Friendly Tips

Since the theater is usually not open in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec, we will not arrange the show and dumpling dinner for tours starting during the periods. Clients will enjoy free time to relax.

Day 6: Xi'an

Meals: Western buffet breakfast and A la carte lunch

In the morning, we will first head to the City Wall Park, a popular venue for local people to relax and take part in various activities. A Tai Chi practice will be arranged for you here. Then go on a visit to the City Wall. Originally built as a military defense system, it consists of walls, gate towers, suspension bridges and city moats. Nowadays, it has become one of the landmarks of this ancient capital city.

After an a la carte lunch at a nice local restaurant, you will be driven to Shaanxi History Museum, an admirable place for visitors to appreciate the cultural treasures. Later, continue to the Muslim Street. It has been a prosperous commercial street since ancient times, and now it becomes more and more popular among tourists with its distinctive features. Going across the bustling street, you will reach the tranquil Great Mosque, which is one of the most famous mosques in China. It was first built during the mid-seventy century when Islam was introduced to Northwestern China by Arabic merchants and travelers.

Day 7: Xi'an - Chengdu

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza

A morning high-speed train will take you from Xian to Chengdu in about 4 hours. Our guide will meet you at the railway station and help you check in at the hotel. Relax during the rest of the day.

Day 8: Chengdu

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

The Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding cannot be bypassed when one visits Chengdu. We show you the panda center in the morning when pandas are the most active. You will sure be entertained. After that, we will take you to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys. You might have your own lunch there to taste some popular Sichuan food.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Jinsha Site Museum, which supports dating Chengdu city settlement back to 611 BC. Its heritage reflects on everyday life. People in Chengdu have the reputation for their carefree lifestyle, so the last stop today is to have a tea break and take a glimpse on the locals' living style in Renmin Park.

Day 9: Chengdu - Shanghai

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Century Park Shanghai

Today you will be taking a flight to your last scheduled destination: Shanghai. Expect to be met and taken to the hotel for check-in. The rest time of the day is free for you to explore the city.

Day 10: Shanghai

Meals: Western buffet breakfast and A la carte farewell lunch

If Chinese history, culture and art, is right up your alley, then Shanghai Museum is the most informative. Then off to the Yu Garden, which is a classical Chinese garden. It includes trees, flowers, and also ponds, bridges, rocks, pavilions, and halls. If you are hunting for small gifts or souvenirs for families or friends, the nearby lively Yu Bazaar is good place.

You will be at the a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant.

You will spend the afternoon to discover the Former French Concession, take in the Bund area and have a one-hour cruise tour on the Huangpu River. Bon voyage at the hotel lobby from Travel China Guide.

Day 11: Departure from Shanghai

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today's transfer from hotel to airport is not included in the package as the flights' time of group members are different. You need to find your own way to the airport for your homeward flight. The most convenient way is to take a taxi. It costs around CNY150 per cab to Pudong Airport and CNY200 to Hongqiao Airport. We hope you have a nice trip home.