Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Arrival in Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing after an overnight flight. Depending on when your plane touches down, the afternoon and evening are open for you to wander around the city at your own pace and get a feel for local life.
- Day 3
Beijing
Christmas morning starts at the Great Wall, where you'll walk sections of this 4,000-mile structure and take in the surrounding landscape. After that, you'll stop at a jade factory to learn about the stone's significance in Chinese culture. The afternoon takes you to the Summer Palace where you can walk through the traditional gardens. By evening, you'll sit down for a special Christmas dinner with Peking Duck.
- Meals
- Dinner (Christmas meal including Peking Duck)
Included Activities
- Walk on the Great Wall of China
- Visit jade factory
- Explore Summer Palace and traditional Chinese gardens
- Christmas dinner with Peking Duck
Landmarks Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 4
Beijing
Start at Tiananmen Square and head toward the Forbidden City, an enormous complex representing centuries of imperial rule. You'll enter through the Gate of Supreme Harmony and explore the thousands of rooms and historical treasures inside. Later, you'll visit the Temple of Heaven. The evening wraps up with a Chinese acrobatics performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll across Tiananmen Square
- Visit the Forbidden City and Gate of Supreme Harmony
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Chinese acrobatics performance
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Gate of Supreme Harmony Temple of Heaven - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
You'll board the bullet train headed to Xian, one of China's four great ancient capitals and where the Silk Road began. After arriving, you can take a leisurely walk on the 14th-century city walls that surround Xian's old town. Tonight includes a traditional meal of Shui Jiao dumplings and a Tang Dynasty dancing performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings feast with Tang Dynasty dancing performance)
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Xian
- Stroll on 14th-century city walls of Xian
- Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings feast
- Tang Dynasty dancing performance
Landmarks Xian City Walls - Day 6
Xian
This morning you'll see the Terracotta Army, the life-sized warriors and horses standing in their original formations from China's first emperor. You'll then visit a workshop where artisans use ancient methods to recreate terracotta pieces. The afternoon takes you through the Muslim Quarter, where you can check out food stalls and historic mosques. Your evening is free to relax or join an optional tour of Xian's lit-up streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View the Terracotta Army
- Visit terracotta warrior craftsmen workshop
- Explore Muslim Quarter
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Xian's illuminated streets
Landmarks Terracotta Army Muslim Quarter - Day 7
Xian to Chengdu
Start with the Little Wild Goose Pagoda in the morning, then head to the Xian Museum to see exhibits and artifacts that tell the city's history. After lunch, you'll take the bullet train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Little Wild Goose Pagoda
- Visit Xian Museum
- Bullet train journey to Chengdu
Landmarks Little Wild Goose Pagoda Xian Museum - Day 8
Chengdu to Leshan and back
You'll travel to Leshan to see the Grand Buddha, a massive stone-carved Buddhist statue from the Tang Dynasty and a UNESCO site. A boat ride along the river gives you a different view of this colossal figure. On the way back to Chengdu, you'll stop in Huanglongxi, a charming old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Buddha at Leshan
- Boat excursion along the river at Leshan
- Visit old town of Huanglongxi
Landmarks Grand Buddha of Leshan Huanglongxi - Day 9
Chengdu
The day begins at the Panda Conservation Centre where you'll watch giant pandas and red pandas eating bamboo, resting, and playing around. Staff will explain their biology and the work being done to protect this endangered species. Later, you'll see the Dujiangyan Irrigation project, an ancient engineering feat. A New Year's dinner inspired by Sichuan cuisine is planned for tonight, with an optional face changing show at the Sichuan Opera.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (New Year's meal inspired by local Sichuan cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Conservation Centre
- Explore Dujiangyan Irrigation project
- New Year's meal with local Sichuan cuisine
Optional Activities
- Optional face changing show performance at Sichuan Opera
Landmarks Panda Conservation Centre Dujiangyan Irrigation Project - Day 10
Chengdu
You'll spend New Year's Day exploring Chengdu on your own terms. Your National Escort will be available to offer suggestions and help you find the best local experiences in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Chengdu at own pace with National Escort support
- Day 11
Departure
You'll fly back to the UK, arriving home the same day or the following day depending on flight times and time zones.
