Beijing, Xi'an & Chengdu 9-Day China Holiday

Overview

On Day 9, travel from Beijing to Xi'an and Chengdu: climb Jingshan along the Forbidden City’s central axis and walk the Mutianyu Great Wall; in Xi'an, visit the Terracotta Warriors and ascend the city wall; finally, in Chengdu, tour the Panda Base and relax in a teahouse at People’s Park. Two high-speed rail journeys connect the final sightseeing days in Beijing and Xi'an; specific train numbers are confirmed according to your booking and travel dates.

— LyrikTrip Travel Designer

Please provide your travel dates, number of guests, and departing flight from Chengdu. We will then verify venue bookings, high-speed rail schedules, and hotel arrangements, and supply a written itinerary and quote.

Why you'll love this trip

Classic three-city journey. Explore the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, pandas, and ride a bike along the city walls, with an English-speaking guide in each city.
From the Forbidden City in Beijing to Xi’an’s city walls, then to Chengdu’s teahouses, nine days tie three cities together.

Walk the central axis through the Forbidden City and exit via the north gate. Then ascend Jingshan Hill to look back at the golden roofs beneath which you stood just twenty minutes ago.
Take a cable car or open-air chairlift up to the Mutianyu Great Wall, moving from one watchtower to the next; the cost of both transport options is included in your price.
Stand beside the Terracotta Warriors' pit and learn to distinguish generals from archers by their armour and hair buns.
Cycle atop Xi'an's city walls; bicycle fees are included in the price. One side is the ancient city, the other is the modern district, with the moat below.
In the morning, head to the Chengdu Panda Base to observe the giant pandas on the premises; actual activities are subject to same-day availability.
At a teahouse in People's Park, sink into a bamboo chair as your gaiwan tea is refilled just as you sit—after that, there is no further schedule.
Watch a Sichuan opera face-changing performance at a community theatre in Chengdu; seating and backstage tours are confirmed according to the day's performance schedule.

Things to do

Bell and Drum Towers Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night View, Xi'an

Community Sichuan opera & face-changing, Chengdu

Landmark

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Transfer

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

City

Stage

Landmark

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Transfer

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

City

Stage

Landmark

Heritage

Viewpoint

Great Wall

Culture

Museum

Transfer

Heritage

Cycling

Pagoda

City

Nature

City

Stage

Itinerary

Arrivals

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Day 1 · Arrive on land, and start tomorrow

Your driver meets the flight, whatever hour it lands. The nine days begin tomorrow, on the axis.

Airport pickup Your driver and vehicle wait for the flight number on your confirmation, and the run into the city is yours to sleep through.

Beijing through the window Ring roads first, then poplars and lit shopfronts along a city street; the country you flew this far for shows up before you have opened a bag.

Evening Nothing is scheduled. Your guide is reachable, and a place near the hotel is recommended and booked for you if you want dinner, on your account.

Day 2 · One line through the palace

The palace on foot, in one line. Then the hill that shows you what you just walked.

The Forbidden City Advance booking is required to enter the Forbidden City; your specific entry time will be listed on your itinerary confirmation. Once inside, follow the central axis past the grand halls where court affairs were conducted to the imperial apartments and the Imperial Garden behind them. Stand in a courtyard and look back to see layers of doorways opening up along the axis.

Out of the north gate You leave through Shenwu Gate, the palace's north gate, and Jingshan is across the street. The order matters: the shape you could not see from inside is waiting on the other side of the road.

Jingshan Park About fifteen minutes uphill on foot, no cable car, with benches where you want them. From the hilltop pavilion the roofs run in rank below you and the Beijing Central Axis, on the UNESCO list since 2024, goes straight through them, north and south. You'll go quiet up there for a moment, because the line does not stop at the palace: it keeps going until the city runs out.

Lunch Lunch can be recommended and booked by your guide at your own expense.

Day 3 · Mutianyu Great Wall, Full Day

The whole day heads north for one thing. Walk the line an empire drew across its mountains.

Drive out to Mutianyu The journey north takes up a good part of the morning, which is why nothing else is scheduled for today; the private vehicle stays with you from your hotel door and back to it.

Up to the ridge The climbing is done for you. The site runs an aerial cable car and an open chairlift up the hill; both fares are in your price, and your guide tells you at the morning briefing which line is operating. You step off onto restored wall with watchtowers stepping away along the ridge in both directions.

Tower to tower You walk the connected stretch while your guide reads the wall out loud: the beacon towers that carried a signal faster than a horse, the pass below that this section was built to close, and the sightlines that made both work.

Back down The descent method and associated fees are subject to the quotation and confirmation. Lunch can be recommended and booked by the guide, at your own expense.

Day 4 · The square, the altar, the museum, the train

Three stops on one axis, then the afternoon train west. You leave Beijing carrying the backstory for Xi'an.

Tiananmen Square Security screening is required before entering Tiananmen Square; please allow time for the queue. Your guide will accompany you through the check.

Temple of Heaven The Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound stand on one line. Your guide gives you the grammar in a sentence, round for heaven and square for earth, and after that you read the buildings yourself: the ramps, the tiers, the numbers of the stones.

National Museum of China Then head east to the National Museum of China, adjacent to Tiananmen Square, to view bronzeware, ceramics, sculpture, and calligraphy—a fitting prelude to tomorrow’s Terracotta Warriors visit. Specific visiting hours are subject to your travel confirmation.

Afternoon train to Xi'an A vehicle will transfer you to the Beijing railway station. Upon arrival in Xi'an, your driver and local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Please note that specific train schedules, ticket classes, and arrival times are subject to the final quote and travel confirmation.

High-Speed Rail

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Day 5 · The buried army

One site, one day, on purpose. Meet the men who were made to keep an emperor company.

Terracotta Warriors Pit Stand above the terracotta pits and observe the warriors arranged in military formation. Note the differences in their armour, headwear, and postures; your guide will help you identify the various troop types.

Remnant Painted Murals In the newer excavation areas, look at the folds and the hair rather than the faces, and traces of the original paint are still there. You'll lose track of how long you have been at one railing, moving along a single row.

Crowds and timing This site attracts very large crowds during peak season, so the time of your visit is set in advance for your order and written into your confirmation, rather than left to the day. The site's shuttle carts are not included; the walking route between the pits is short.

Lunch Hand-pulled noodles are what Shaanxi is known for, and your guide will point you towards them on your account.

Day 6 · On the wall, then under the towers

Cycle or stroll the ancient city wall first, then head to the Bell and Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter as evening falls. One city, two perspectives.

Xi'an City Wall by bike Cycling and bicycle rental are both included in the itinerary's included items. Once you climb the wall, you can choose to ride for a stretch or walk; the old town is on one side, the new city on the other, with the moat and gatehouse at your feet. The exact duration of the cycling session is subject to the quotation.

Bell and Drum Tower area After dark the two towers that once kept the city's time stand lit in the middle of the old town, one for the bell at dawn and one for the drum at dusk.

The Muslim Quarter after dark In the evening, join your guide on a walk through the Muslim Quarter to watch street vendors preparing skewered meats and hand-pulled noodles; select your dishes and snacks at your leisure, with costs settled individually.

Day 7 · Under the pagoda, then south

A slow morning at the foot of a brick tower. Then the mountains that separate northern China from the south.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda The pagoda Xi'an puts on its own postcards, with temple grounds, squares and gardens spread around its base. The morning is level walking with plenty of places to sit, which is the point of putting it before a train. Climbing the pagoda is ticketed separately and is not included; from below you get the shape anyway.

Afternoon train to Chengdu Your vehicle runs you to the station and your guide hands you over. The line goes south through the mountains that divide northern China from the southern half, and the country outside your window changes while you are still sitting down.

Into Chengdu A driver and your Sichuan guide meet the train and take you to the hotel. Nothing is scheduled for the evening; dinner is recommended and booked if you want it, on your account.

High-Speed Rail

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 9

Day 8 · See the pandas first, then relax on a bamboo chair

Pandas while they are awake. Then a chair, for as long as you want it.

Chengdu Panda Base Go in the morning, as that is when the pandas are generally active; later in the day you would mostly be watching them sleep. Allow about three hours on flat, shaded paths, with your guide reading the enclosures for you: who is related to whom, who came back from where. The base runs sightseeing carts inside, which are not included in your price; the walking route between the enclosures works without them.

People's Park teahouse Sit down at a tea house in People's Park, with a gaiwan pot per person; the tea and refills are included in the itinerary. Under the shade of the trees, some people play cards while ear-cleaning masters work nearby. Ear-cleaning and any extra snacks you order are at your own expense, so feel free to linger here for a slow afternoon.

After the Tea House There are no fixed activities scheduled after the tea house, so you can relax at your own pace in the park or explore the nearby neighbourhoods.

Day 9 · Alleys, Sichuan Opera & the Airport

The last day stays in the city until the afternoon. You leave with one thing still unexplained.

Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li Start with Kuan Alley, Zha Alley, and Jing Alley to explore the courtyards and street-facing shops; then head to Taikoo Li for the open-air blocks around Daci Temple. Both spots are lively, so the itinerary schedules them as two consecutive stops.

Community Sichuan opera A neighbourhood theatre, not a hotel ballroom. You go backstage before the house opens: trunks, paint, headdresses, and someone gluing a beard while he talks to you. Then you sit close enough to see the performer's eyes when the face changes, and you still will not see how it happens.

Airport drop-off The day’s sightseeing is scheduled until the afternoon, making it suitable for flights departing from Chengdu in the evening or at night. Your driver will transfer you from the theatre to the airport; the exact pick-up time will be determined by your flight and the travel confirmation document.

Departures

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Hotels

These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Beijing

Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Beijing

Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Beijing

Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.

Beijing

Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station

Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.

Beijing

Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast

International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.

Chengdu

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua

With its superior location, it is a desirable place to stay in Chengdu.

Xi'an

Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel

Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.

Beijing

DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road

International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.

Included / Excluded

What's Included

Private vehicleAll listed tours across the three cities include air-conditioned private vehicles, with all-day round-trip transfers to the Mutianyu Great Wall; airport pickup on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 9; hotel and station transfers at both ends of the two rail segments.
Intercity railThe current package includes high-speed rail for Day 4 from Beijing to Xi'an and Day 7 from Xi'an to Chengdu; specific train numbers, seat classes, and transfers at both ends are confirmed in the written booking confirmation.
Hotels8 nights at your chosen level, four-star, five-star or quality boutique, breakfast included: Beijing 3 · Xi'an 3 · Chengdu 2
GuideLicensed English-speaking local guide on every touring day in each of the three cities, including the whole evening walk in Xi'an on day six
Timed reservationsThe Forbidden City and the National Museum of China both require a timed booking that is difficult to make on a non-Chinese mobile number. We make both bookings for you
Tickets & experiences, BeijingTiananmen Square with your guide through the security check · the Forbidden City, out north through Shenwu Gate · Jingshan Park with the hilltop pavilion view · Mutianyu Great Wall admission with the uphill cable car · Temple of Heaven · the National Museum of China
Mutianyu uphill segmentAscent to Mutianyu may include cable car or chairlift, subject to daily operational availability; descent method and associated fees are confirmed via written order.
Tickets & experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Warriors museum · Xi'an City Wall admission plus the bike rental for riding on top · the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and its surrounding cultural area · the evening walk through the Bell and Drum Tower area and the Muslim Quarter, guide accompanied
Tickets & experiences, ChengduChengdu Panda Base, teahouses in People's Park, Kuanzhai Alley, and Taikoo Li, along with community Sichuan opera performances, are scheduled according to the itinerary; teahouse seating, performance tickets, and backstage visits are subject to written order confirmation.
Meals8 hotel breakfasts, days two through nine
InsuranceTravel accident insurance; the scope and the sum insured are stated in your written confirmation

Not Included

International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Chengdu
VisasVisa fees and processing procedures; to determine whether a visa is required, please check official policy based on your passport, itinerary, and travel dates.
Lunches and dinnersEvery lunch and dinner across the nine days: your guide recommends and books, on your account. Street food and shopping in the Muslim Quarter, in Kuanzhai Alley and on any other market street are on your account too
In-park transport and add-on ticketsTransportation, slides, and add-on items requiring separate tickets (such as climbing the Great Wild Goose Pagoda) are not included in the base price, except for the Muddy Valley uphill section. The descent method and corresponding fees for Muddy Valley are subject to the quotation and confirmation.
In-venue servicesEar cleaning in the teahouse, additionally ordered food, and other on-site services at self-pay rates
Domestic connecting flightsAny domestic flight added to reach a different departure gateway: priced separately at the time of choosing
PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room supplement, personal expenses, anything not included in the listed itinerary

Special Notes

A few things on this route follow the calendar, the season or an operator's confirmation. Here they are, told straight.

Departure calendar — When travelling during public holidays, please verify venue capacity, transport options, and passenger volume in advance. The specific itinerary sequence is subject to the written programme.
Mondays — Palace Museum opening hours and booking availability are subject to your travel dates; if the museum is closed, we will confirm any adjustments to your Beijing itinerary with you.
Terracotta crowds — Entry time slots for the Terracotta Army are booked according to your travel date; during the busy season, please allow extra time for security checks and admission.
December departures — The Great Wall cable car and Xi'an City Wall bicycle hire may be subject to weather and operational schedules; please confirm the specific arrangements before your trip.
Final day timing — touring runs through the afternoon of day nine, so this plan is built for an evening or night departure out of Chengdu. If your flight leaves early, we re-time the day before your order is taken, or drop the last afternoon and say plainly that we have dropped it.
Getting home from Chengdu — The itinerary begins in Beijing and concludes in Chengdu. International flights in and out of China are not included; if you wish to connect via another city from Chengdu, alternative options can be arranged based on actual flight dates and quoted separately.
Visa window — Entry and visa exemption requirements may vary by passport, length of stay, and travel dates, so please verify official policies before booking and departure.
US passports — Passengers holding a US passport should also verify the relevant entry requirements for their specific itinerary and allow sufficient time for any visa application that may be required.
Group — Private itinerary, exclusively for your group. Minimum booking of 1 guest; final group size and vehicle arrangements are subject to the quote.
Confirmation and changes — Please refer to your written order for confirmation deadlines, change and refund terms. When rescheduling, please re-verify high-speed rail tickets, venue bookings and hotel arrangements.

Is Nine Days Your Length?

Fewer than nine days?

The three cities come apart cleanly: Beijing and Xi'an stand on their own, and Chengdu can go. We cut a city rather than cut the nights, because a shortened Xi'an would put you at the pits and the wall on the same day. Tell us your dates and who is coming.

Good to Know

Group: A private itinerary for your group only. From 1 guest; specific group size and vehicle arrangements are subject to the quotation.
Pace: 9 days across 3 cities: 3 nights in Beijing, 3 in Xi'an, and 2 in Chengdu. Days 4 and 7 are intercity high-speed rail travel days; specific train services and sightseeing pace will be arranged according to your booking.
Effort: Moderate. The longest walk is the Forbidden City on day two; the Great Wall climb is done by the site's cable car or open chairlift; Jingshan is a short walk uphill with no cable car
Cities of Arrival & Departure: Arrive in Beijing and depart from Chengdu; airport transfer on Day 1 and Day 9.
Connections: International flights are arranged by the guest. If you need to add a domestic connecting leg departing from Chengdu, pricing will be provided separately based on the specific flights.
Visas: Check official visa and visa-free policies against your passport, entry method, duration of stay and travel dates.
Language: Licensed English-speaking local guides in all three cities
Payment: This route is available for booking; deposit, balance, amendments and refund conditions are subject to the written quotation and order terms.
Season: Check opening hours for the venue, Great Wall cable car, and city wall bicycle rental on your travel dates; plan ahead for public holidays.

Your Private Concierge Service

Jenny

China Private Travel Route Consultant

“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”

Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.

20+

Years

300+

Trips Designed

24/7

On-Trip Care

Step 01

Tell us what excites you

Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.

24h

First concept delivered

Step 02

We design it around you

Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.

100%

Private, never off-the-shelf

Step 03

Lock it in with 30%

When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.

30%

Deposit to confirm

Step 04

Travel. We handle the rest.

Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.

24/7

Support throughout your journey

Cancellation terms agreed in writing

English-speaking concierge

Secure payment via Stripe

Guest Reviews

4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews

Emily Carter

🇺🇸 Seattle, USA

Perfect for couples

“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”

May 2026

Claire Brooks

🇬🇧 London, UK

Great for families

“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”

Apr 2026

Laura Bennett

🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada

Alisa made the whole experience easy

“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”

Mar 2026

Mark Henderson

🇺🇸 Denver, USA

Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly

“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”

Feb 2026

Rebecca Miller

🇺🇸 Boston, USA

Really listened to what we wanted

“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”

Jan 2026

China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.

Do this before you fly

VPN & Internet Access

What's blocked

Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.

Download before you leave

It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.

Hotel Wi-Fi tip

Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.

Good news

WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.

Your concierge sets this up on Day 1

Paying in China

China is cashless

Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.

International cards now work

Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.

Carry some cash

We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.

Booking this trip

Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.

We handle the paperwork

Visa & Entry

Do you need a visa?

Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.

240-hour visa-free transit

Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.

Processing time

Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.

What we provide

Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.

Our responsibility, always

Safety & Practical Tips

Is China safe?

China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.

Emergency numbers

Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.

Health & medications

Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.

Language

English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.

Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

Nine days for Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu. Is that too fast? 9

It is compact, and it is built to stay that way rather than to hide it. Three cities, three hotels, and both intercity moves are afternoon trains, so no day starts at an airport before dawn. Beijing gets three nights and Xi'an three, which is what the two of them need; Chengdu gets two, and one of those afternoons is a teahouse with nothing after it. The trade is real and we name it: there is no fourth city and no coastal stop on this plan.

Do we need a visa?

Most guests on this route do not. UK and European passports enter visa-free for stays days, and so do Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ones. We check your nine days plus any extra days in China against that window before you pay. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so an entry on or before December 23, 2026 finishes inside it. US passports are different. The US is not on that list, so US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa. The fee and the appointment are their own, and we confirm visa status before any payment. This route is not sold on the ten-day visa-free transit policy this season.

Can we fly directly home from Chengdu?

From the UK and western Europe, yes: Chengdu has direct long-haul service to your markets. From the Nordic countries, central Europe, Ireland and North America it is thin, so most guests connect. We do not include international tickets, so where there is no direct service the connection flies on your own ticket and your airline arranges it. If you would rather we add a domestic leg out of Chengdu to reach another gateway, we price it separately when you choose it and check the connecting time against your own flight. One thing to settle early either way: day nine tours through the afternoon, so tell us your departure time before you book.

A whole afternoon in a teahouse. Isn't that half a day wasted?

It is the one afternoon we will argue for. Chengdu's teahouses are where the city actually spends its time, and an hour there reads as a stop on the way somewhere; three hours reads as the thing itself. Your tea and the refills are included, your guide stays or steps away as you prefer, and the park sits twenty minutes' walk from the shopping streets if part of your group wants to go and come back. If you would still rather be moving, say so when we talk: we can put the opera on that afternoon instead and leave day nine lighter before your flight.

Why aren't lunches and dinners included?

This is deliberate, and it saves you money on this particular route. Two of your nine days are built around eating on the street, the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an and the lanes in Chengdu, where a set menu paid in advance would be the worst way to eat. Your guide recommends and books each day around what you feel like, and you pay at the table. All eight hotel breakfasts are included.

Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City

Jingshan Park

Mutianyu Great Wall

Temple of Heaven

National Museum of China

Two intercity rail journeys

Terracotta Warriors

Cycling the Xi'an City Wall

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Bell and Drum Towers Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night View

Chengdu Panda Base

Tea house in People’s Park

Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

Community Sichuan opera & face-changing

01. Tiananmen Square

02. Forbidden City

03. Jingshan Park

04. Mutianyu Great Wall

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Two intercity rail journeys

08. Terracotta Warriors

09. Cycling the Xi'an City Wall

10. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

11. Bell and Drum Towers Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night View

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea house in People’s Park

14. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

15. Community Sichuan opera & face-changing

01. Tiananmen Square

02. Forbidden City

03. Jingshan Park

04. Mutianyu Great Wall

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Two intercity rail journeys

08. Terracotta Warriors

09. Cycling the Xi'an City Wall

10. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

11. Bell and Drum Towers Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night View

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea house in People’s Park

14. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

15. Community Sichuan opera & face-changing

01. Tiananmen Square

02. Forbidden City

03. Jingshan Park

04. Mutianyu Great Wall

05. Temple of Heaven

06. National Museum of China

07. Two intercity rail journeys

08. Terracotta Warriors

09. Cycling the Xi'an City Wall

10. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

11. Bell and Drum Towers Quarter and Muslim Quarter Night View

12. Chengdu Panda Base

13. Tea house in People’s Park

14. Kuanzhai Alley & Taikoo Li

15. Community Sichuan opera & face-changing

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4Collapse

Day 1 · Arrive on land, and start tomorrow

Day 2 · One line through the palace

Day 3 · Mutianyu Great Wall, Full Day

Day 4 · The square, the altar, the museum, the train

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7Collapse

Day 5 · The buried army

Day 6 · On the wall, then under the towers

Day 7 · Under the pagoda, then south

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 9Collapse

Day 8 · See the pandas first, then relax on a bamboo chair

Day 9 · Alleys, Sichuan Opera & the Airport

Read it on your own time

Answers to all your trip questions

Something specific in mind?

What's Included

Not Included

Special Notes

Is Nine Days Your Length?

Fewer than nine days?

Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4

Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7

Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 9