Day 1: Arrival in Beijing – Welcome to China

Arrive in Beijing, where your private English-speaking guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your 4★ hotel in the heart of the city. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring Beijing’s lively streets. From bustling night markets to serene city parks, the capital’s first impressions are unforgettable.

Overnight in Beijing

Hotel: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing    

Room: Deluxe Room

Day 2: Beijing’s Imperial Treasures – Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

Step into the heart of Chinese history today. Begin in Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares, before entering the Forbidden City, home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With your guide’s insight, the courtyards and intricate halls come alive with stories of power and tradition. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests, and watch locals practicing tai chi in the surrounding park.

Overnight in Beijing

Hotel: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing    

Day 3: The Great Wall & Ming Tombs – Icons of China

Leave the city behind for one of the world’s greatest engineering feats: the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Ride the cable car up and stroll along its ancient ramparts, surrounded by sweeping mountain scenery. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Ming Tombs, where emperors of the dynasty rest in ornate mausoleums along the Sacred Way. Return to Beijing in the evening with lasting memories of these legendary sites.

Overnight in Beijing

Hotel: Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing    

Day 4: Summer Palace & High-Speed Train to Xi’an

After breakfast, visit the Summer Palace, a lakeside retreat of emperors and a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design. Wander through pavilions, bridges, and courtyards, and if the weather allows, take a short boat ride on Kunming Lake. Later, transfer to the station and board a first-class high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, your local guide will escort you to your boutique hotel.

Overnight in Xi’an

Hotel: Eastern House Boutique Hotel    

Day 5: Terracotta Warriors, Great Mosque & Muslim Quarter

Today’s highlight is the Terracotta Warriors — thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. Each face is unique, a detail that amazes visitors to this day. Afterward, visit the Great Mosque, an architectural blend of Chinese and Islamic styles, and end the day in the Muslim Quarter, famous for its vibrant food stalls and lively atmosphere.

Overnight in Xi’an

Hotel: Eastern House Boutique Hotel    

Day 6: Xi’an City Wall & Train to Chengdu

Explore the impressive Xi’an City Wall, one of the best-preserved in China. Walk or cycle along its broad path for panoramic views of the city. Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist landmark, and enjoy a calligraphy experience, learning one of China’s oldest art forms. In the afternoon, transfer to the station for your high-speed train to Chengdu, where your guide will meet you on arrival.

Overnight in Chengdu 

Hotel: Xizang Hotel Chengdu   

Day 7: Pandas & Chengdu’s Slow Life

Start the day at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, arriving early to see these beloved animals at their most playful during feeding time. Afterward, visit Wenshu Temple, where monks chant in incense-filled halls. Pause to sip traditional Chinese tea at a local teahouse — a true Chengdu ritual — before wandering through Jinli Old Street, filled with artisan shops and colourful lanterns.

Overnight in Chengdu

Day 8: Flight to Shanghai – Gateway to the Future

Enjoy some free time in Chengdu before transferring to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city. Your guide will be waiting to escort you to your hotel near the Bund, where the glittering skyline awaits.

Overnight in Shanghai

Hotel: Golden Tulip New Asia Hotel, The Bund   

Begin at the Shanghai Museum, home to priceless ancient bronzes, jade, and paintings. Step into the elegance of the Yu Garden, a classical Ming dynasty retreat, before walking through the leafy boulevards of the Former French Concession. In the afternoon, admire the historic grandeur of the Bund, then ride up the Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of one of the world’s most futuristic skylines.

Overnight in Shanghai

Hotel: Golden Tulip New Asia Hotel, The Bund   

Day 10: Farewell to China

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight home. Leave with incredible memories of imperial dynasties, pandas, warriors, and skylines — the very best of China.

Meals: Breakfast