This 9-day itinerary covers the most famous historical cities in China: Beijing and Xian, and you can also see the lovely giant pandas in Chengdu.
Welcome to majestic Beijing! To ensure your arrival is stress-free, your driver will meet you at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International Airport, holding a sign with your name on it and then transfer you to the Sunworld Hotel.
Hotel: Sunworld Hotel, Beijing or Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel
Free-time Ideas
Unlike other travel agencies choose hotel in remote area, we choose hotel in the famous Wangfujing Street, which is the very center of Beijing. It is very convenient to walk around and do some shopping.
Breakfast & lunch
In the morning we meet in the hotel lobby and you have the opportunity to meet other travelers. We will go to the Tian’anmen Square, where the most important national ceremonies are held, surrounded by many historical buildings. From the square, you can walk to the Forbidden City. Inside this imperial palace, we will explore its fascinating halls, pavilions with golden roofs and high red walls. After we exit the Forbidden City, we will enter another attraction – Jingshan Park where we will see local Chinese residents taking exercise, singing or dancing, and we will climb the hill inside the park. When we reach the top of the hill, we will enjoy the bird view of the whole Forbidden City and Beijing central city, which is a highlight of today. At noon, we will have lunch at a very nice restaurant where you can have menu-ordered delicious Chinese dishes. In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors came to worship the heavens in hope of good harvests. In the evening you will be entertained by a wonderful Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater.
The Forbidden City
Kung fu Show
Breakfast & lunch
Today we will hike on the Badaling Great Wall, the most highlighted sight in Beijing. Please be prepared with your shoes since you will climb on the steps of the great wall. To reach the top of the great wall you can choose to hike on foot or take the cable car(optional with extra charge). You will never forget the view on the great wall, one of the seven wonders in the world. At noon, we will have lunch in the nice restaurant of Jade Museum. After lunch, we will visit the Sacred Road. Along the sacred road there are many stone statues of people and animals on both sides. These are the loyal guarders of the royal graveyard. On the way back to the downtown Beijing, we will stop by the Olympic Stadiums, you can take photos of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.
Cable car (optional) is a good way to go up and down the Great Wall.
Badaling Great Wall
Breakfast & lunch
In the morning we will visit the beautiful Summer Palace – the largest imperial garden in China. Walk along the elegant Promenade, see stone boat, visit Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. You will also enjoy the scenery on a boat across the Kunming Lake. After Summer Palace, we will visit Panda House inside Beijing Zoo, where we will see lovely pandas. Then drive to hutong area, visit a local Beijing family and learn how to make a dumpling and cooking skills, you may try to make a dumpling by yourself and have dumplings as your lunch. After lunch we will enjoy a rickshaw Hutong tour where you will visit Shichahai, Yinding Bridge, Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street, etc. allowing you to experience the essence of Beijing and its old culture.
After the tour, transfer to the railway station for your overnight soft sleeper train to Xian.
accomodation: on the train
Summer Palace
Beijing Hutong
Breakfast & lunch & dumpling dinner
In the morning, Upon your arrival at Xian, pick you up and transfer to local hotel. then drive to Terra-cotta Warriors, which is the most important attraction in Xian. There are three excavated pits exhibiting amazing Qin dynasty warriors and horses figures. At noon we will have lunch at a well-known restaurant. After lunch, we will visit Xian Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner and a splendid Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Since the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is closed in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec, guests traveling in this period will have a free night by themselves instead of the show and dinner.
Terra-cotta Warriors
Hotel: Ramada Bell Tower Hotel,Xia
Breakfast & lunch
In the morning we will visit the ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls in the world. Then visit the Great Mosque, a nice place of serenity amid the bustling city. Surrounding the mosque is a Muslim bazaar for souvenirs and local snacks.
Optional Activities: Bicycle ride on the city wall.
Xian City Wall
Great Mosque of Xian
Breakfast
A morning high-speed train will take you to Chengdu in about 3-4 hours. We meet you at the railway station and help you check in at the hotel. You will be free at leisure in the afternoon.
Free-time ideas:
If you are free to explore the city, you can go to the Jinli Old Street, where you can walk around and taste authentic local snacks.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
Breakfast & lunch
Today you will pay a visit to the lovely giant pandas in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding . Giant Panda only inhabits in China, so it is regarded as the national treasure.
After that, you will proceed to visit Jinsha Site Museum. Covering an area of 5 square kilometers, it is the historical remains of the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1700BC-221BC) focusing on the cultural relics' exhibit and the sacrificial site. Then our guide will escort you to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys for a glimpse on local living style..
Broad and Narrow Alleys
Giant Panda Breeding Center
Breakfast
After breakfast, please check out the hotel before 12:00 and find your own way to the airport for your flight. You can take a taxi to Chengdu airport directly, at costing about CNY100. Wish you a pleasant journey!
For your reference, we also offer extension private tours after this 9 days China itinerary. There are many highlights and famous sites in Sichuan worth your visiting, such as Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt. Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong. Please drop us an email freely to let us know your preference, and we will be glad to be helpful with your vacation to China.
City | 4-Star Hotel |
Beijing | Sunworld Hotel, Beijing or Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel |
Xian | Ramada Bell Tower Hotel, Xian |
Chengdu | Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza |
Note: The hotel package price is based on two persons sharing one room. If you have odd number of travelers, you have two options: 1. one room will have three persons with an extra bed. 2. Pay single room supplement to have an extra room for the one person.