Day 1: Beijing
• Fly in to Beijing Capital Airport where you will meet your local driver who will take you to your accommodation. (1.5 hours)
Day 2: Beijing
• Morning: Explore Beijing’s winding Hutong streets on a rickshaw tour. This old area of the city has survived China’s tumultuous history, remaining as a capsule of traditional Chinese living. Visit a local family’s courtyard and enjoy a Hutong style family meal.
• Afternoon: Learn about China’s imperial history at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then take in the panoramic view of historic Beijing from Jingshan Park.
• Evening: Dine in true Beijing style and try a Peking roast duck banquet.
Day 3: Beijing
• Morning: Enjoy a morning of peace and tranquillity, beginning with a Tai Chi lesson in the park. Afterwards, continue to see the Temple of Heaven to see classic imperial Chinese architecture and get a taste of Chinese park life. Experience a Chinese tea ceremony in a teahouse in the corner of the park.
• Afternoon: In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace and stroll through its sprawling grounds. OPTIONAL: Take a boat across its lake.
• Evening: Free time.
Day 4: Beijing
• Morning/Afternoon: Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall to spend a day visiting China’s most iconic landmark. OPTIONAL: Take a cable car to the top and, if you’re looking to add some fun, a toboggan ride to the bottom!
• Evening: Watch a stunning acrobatic performance.
Day 5: Xi’an
• Morning: Transfer to the train station and take a bullet train from Beijing to Xi’an.
• Afternoon: Meet your local guide in Xi’an and transfer to your accommodation. Visit the Drum and Bell Towers followed by a tour of the city’s Muslim Quarter; learn about the city’s cultural make-up whilst passing through its bustling markets.
• Evening: Enjoy traditional Hui Muslim food for dinner.
Day 6: Xi’an
• Morning: Drive outside the city (1.5 hours) to go deeper into China’s ancient past by paying a visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors – over 8000 statues which lay hidden underground for over 2000 years. After the visit make your own clay warriors at a model factory.
• Afternoon: Take a bike ride around the top of Xi’an’s ancient City Walls.
• Evening: Watch the city’s fountain light-show.
Day 7: Xi’an
• Morning: Pay a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built 8th century AD, where you will learn the ancient art of calligraphy.
• Afternoon: Take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu.
• Evening: Free time.
Day 8: Chengdu
• Morning: Visit the Chengdu Giant Pandas Research Centre where you can see pandas from babies up to adults in an imitated natural environment.
• Afternoon: Drive to the Leshan Giant Buddha the biggest stone buddha in the world and UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
• Evening: Try Chengdu’s famous Hot Pot for dinner.
Day 9: Chengdu
• Morning: Start the day with a cooking class and enjoy the food you have prepared for lunch.
• Afternoon: Visit the Chengdu Museum and later walk along Chengdu’s Jinli Old Street to take in some ancient Chinese charm and try local specialties.
• Evening: Free time.
Day 10: Shanghai
• Morning: Take a flight from Chengdu to Shanghai.
• Afternoon: Meet your local guide and transfer to your accommodation. Afterwards, take a walking tour of the city’s attractions: People’s Square, Nanjing Road, and the Bund.
• Evening: Enjoy an evening cruise on the Huangpu river for a breathtaking view of the Shanghai skyline.
Day 11: Shanghai
• Morning: Explore Yu Yuan Gardens and Bazaar to look for gifts and try local delicacies. For lunch, try Shanghai’s famous xiao long bao dumplings.
• Afternoon: Take a tour of Shanghai’s financial district, Lujiazui, and head to the top of the Pearl TV Tower for a view of the whole city.
• Evening: Free time.
Day 12: Shanghai
• It’s time to end your adventure and return home! Take a transfer from your accommodation to Shanghai Pudong Airport.
