Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive at Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Once you're settled, the afternoon and evening are open for exploring on your own. Head to the Bund to see the historic waterfront, wander through old neighborhoods, or check out Yu Garden if you're interested in traditional Chinese landscapes.
Optional Activities
- Explore historic neighborhoods of Shanghai
- Visit the Bund
- Visit Yu Garden
Landmarks/POIs The Bund Yu Garden 
- Day 2
Shanghai to Beijing
After breakfast, you have the morning to walk around Shanghai before heading to the airport for your 3-4 p.m. flight to Beijing. When you land, meet your guide and the group at 6 p.m. for a quick orientation and questions. That evening, explore Beijing's nightlife on your own, whether that's grabbing dinner and drinks around Houhai Lake, checking out the CBD skyline, or taking a quiet walk through Temple of Heaven Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with guide and fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Explore Houhai Lake area
- Explore Beijing's CBD area and modern skyline
- Visit Temple of Heaven Park in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Houhai Lake Temple of Heaven Park - Day 3
Beijing
Start with breakfast, then head to Tiananmen Square to see Chairman Mao's tomb from the outside and the various monuments around it. Next, spend time walking through the Forbidden City with its hundreds of buildings and thousands of chambers to discover. In the afternoon, wander the hutongs and their traditional courtyards and narrow streets. Later, stroll down Wangfujing Pedestrian Street for shopping. Wrap up the day with Peking roast duck for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Peking roast duck dinner, typically enjoyed wrapped in thin pancakes, with spring onions and hoisin sauce)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Forbidden City tour
- Explore Beijing's hutongs
- Wangfujing Pedestrian Street stroll
- Peking roast duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Wangfujing Pedestrian Street - Day 4
Huanghuacheng
Today you're heading out to the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, called the Yellow Flower Great Wall for the yellow wildflowers that show up seasonally. Part of this section actually sits partially underwater, which makes it different from other areas. You'll hike along the wall and take in the views and some historical context. Later this evening, catch a Chinese acrobatic show with impressive gravity-defying stunts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic hike along Huanghuacheng Great Wall
- Chinese acrobatic performance
Landmarks/POIs Huanghuacheng Great Wall - Day 5
Beijing to Luoyang
After breakfast, head to the railway station for a 2nd class high-speed train to Luoyang, which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. Once you arrive, meet your local guide and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you'll visit the Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the caves sit right along the Yi River cliffs. These caves hold the world's biggest collection of celestial art and statues from over 1,400 years and 10 dynasties. Finish by walking Old City Shizi Street, a food street where you can try local specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- High-speed train Beijing to Luoyang
- Longmen Caves visit
Optional Activities
- Stroll and sample foods at Old City Shizi Street
Landmarks/POIs Longmen Caves Yi River 
- Day 6
Shaolin
Start your morning at Xiyuan Park where locals gather to dance and sing, which gives you a real feel for community life here. From there, head to the Shaolin Monastery, known as the birthplace of Chinese martial arts. You'll watch a Kung Fu performance and see the incredible skills these martial artists have. Dinner is at a local restaurant serving Luoyang cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant featuring Luoyang cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Xiyuan Park
- Shaolin Monastery visit
- Kung Fu performance at Shaolin
Landmarks/POIs Xiyuan Park Shaolin Monastery - Day 7
Luoyang to Xi'an
Catch an early train to Xi'an for a quick scenic ride. When you get there, rent a bike and ride along the Xi'an City Wall, one of China's oldest and best-preserved walls. Then explore the Muslim Quarter with its lamb skewers and spice smells. Stop at the Gao Family courtyard for a 15-minute shadow puppetry show, a traditional art form from this province. You'll also visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi'an Museum. In the evening, make dumplings from scratch and enjoy them with a drink.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dumpling-making experience with dinner, accompanied by a refreshing drink)
Included Activities
- Bike ride on Xi'an City Wall
- Muslim Quarter exploration
- Shadow puppetry show at Gao Family courtyard
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda visit
- Xi'an Museum visit
- Dumpling-making experience and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Xi'an City Wall Muslim Quarter Gao Family Courtyard Small Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an Museum 
- Day 8
Xi'an to Chengdu
Visit the Terracotta Army and Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 8,000 life-size soldiers, 100 chariots, and 600 horses from the Qin Dynasty, each one different. Stop at a Terracotta Warrior Factory to see how they're made using methods from the Qin period. After lunch at a local restaurant, board a 2nd class high-speed train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, which is known for giant pandas and spicy food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Terracotta Army and Warriors tour
- Terracotta Warrior Factory visit
- High-speed train Xi'an to Chengdu
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army and Warriors 
- Day 9
Chengdu
After breakfast, head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see these endangered animals and learn about them. Make sure to check out the panda nursery to see baby pandas. Then visit the Wenshu Monastery (built in 1697) and its teahouse for fine green tea and vegetarian food. Walk through ancient Jinli Street and its food stalls. Stop by the peaceful Wuhou Memorial Temple surrounded by gardens. Finish with a Chengdu hotpot dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hotpot dinner, featuring unique combination of spiciness and numbing flavors)
Included Activities
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding visit
- Wenshu Monastery visit
- Jinli Street exploration
- Wuhou Memorial Temple visit
- Hotpot dinner
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Wenshu Monastery Jinli Street Wuhou Memorial Temple 
- Day 10
Leshan
Travel to the Great Buddha of Leshan near Chengdu, a huge statue carved right into the red sandstone on Lingyun Hill where three rivers meet. The Buddha is massive: 8-meter feet, 7-meter ears, 28-meter shoulder span, and a 5.6-meter nose. Take a boat ride on the Minjiang River to see it from the water. After lunch, you can optionally visit the ancient town of Huanglongxi with its quiet streets, traditional buildings, and busy market stalls. Spend your evening relaxing, exploring Chengdu, trying local food, or catching a Sichuan Opera show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Great Buddha of Leshan visit
- Boat ride on Minjiang River
Optional Activities
- Stop at ancient town of Huanglongxi
- Attend Sichuan Opera performance at Shufengyayun Theatre
Landmarks/POIs Great Buddha of Leshan Lingyun Hill Minjiang River Huanglongxi 
- Day 11
Chengdu Departure
Your trip ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel by noon and make your own way to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
