Overview
Most school trip groups in China see the artefacts themselves. This itinerary, however, pairs each cultural relic with the venue where it is best understood. A full day is dedicated to the Terracotta Warriors, followed by a visit the next morning to a provincial-level historical collection in Xi’an. Before it becomes a photograph, the Mutianyu Great Wall is simply a line running across the mountain ridge. The Dujiangyan irrigation system still fulfils the purpose for which it was built in the 3rd century BCE. Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai each host a national or municipal-level collection; museum access times are confirmed in writing according to the departure date. In Xi’an, you will notice that students stop asking ‘What is this?’ and start asking ‘How do we know that?’.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Share your travel dates, number of students, and accompanying staff with us. We guarantee an initial response within four hours and a clear quote within one working day. For this route, we also proactively inform you about credit recognition for groups of 40, insurance policies, and booking caps—before you even have to ask.
Why you'll love this trip
- Four cities, one theme. The Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, a morning with the pandas, and collections from three museums weave together twelve days of historical connections.
- 12 days: from an underground army to a canal that still nourishes Chengdu today. Understand the evidence.
- Devote a full day to the Terracotta Army rather than just the morning: this allows plenty of time for the group to move beyond merely taking photos, starting instead to distinguish generals from crossbowmen through their armour and hairstyles.
- The Palace Museum entry slot for the group will be confirmed in line with the booking order, followed by a tour along the central axis; details on batched entry and security arrangements for the 40-person group will be provided in writing in advance.
- Standing on the ridge of Mutianyu, the guide frames the Great Wall as a series of decisions: why the beacon towers stand where they do, what the passes below were used for, and why the sightlines stretch out in such a particular way.
- Watch the Dujiangyan irrigation system divert the river; its design dates back to the 3rd century BC and it still nurtures the fields surrounding Chengdu today.
- Head to the Chengdu Panda Base in the morning, when pandas are typically active rather than napping in the tree branches.
- Arriving in Shanghai, walk along the Bund that evening to watch historic buildings and the Puxi skyline light up across the river; group return arrangements are subject to the written order.
Things to do
Itinerary
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 3
· Arrive in Beijing, rest first
Following airport pickup, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Sightseeing in Beijing commences tomorrow.
· One axis through the palace
The square first, then the gate, then five centuries in a straight line. This is the day the scale of the place lands.
· A line drawn along a ridge
Walk along the ridge to view the Great Wall's watchtowers and passes, then have lunch at the foot of the mountain.
Xi'an · Day 4 - Day 5
· The reading room, then the train
Visit the National Museum of China and the Temple of Heaven first, then travel to Xi'an by high-speed rail.
· A Full Day at the Terracotta Army
Spend a full day at the Terracotta Army, moving from the grand scale of the pits to the intricate details of the warriors’ armour and hairstyles.
Chengdu · Day 6 - Day 9
· From the Shaanxi History Museum to Chengdu
In the morning, visit the Shaanxi History Museum, then take a high-speed train to Chengdu.
· The morning animals, the working monastery
Start the morning watching pandas, then visit Wenshu Monastery at a leisurely pace on foot.
· Evidence that never stopped working
A day return from Chengdu to a waterwork from the 3rd century BC. Today the class watches an old thing do its job.
· A Day in Chengdu
Staying in Chengdu today; specific activities and costs will be itemised in your written order according to your departure date.
Shanghai · Day 10 - Day 12
· Two banks, one river
Fly to Shanghai and enjoy the views of both banks of the Huangpu River from the Bund at night.
· The garden and the collection
A classical garden in the morning, the municipal collection in the afternoon. The last reading room of the trip.
· Plane trees, then the airport
The quietest morning of the twelve, then home. The last streets are the ones people live on.
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Intercity transportThree intercity legs: Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail on day four, Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed rail on day six, Chengdu to Shanghai by air on day ten. The class of seat or cabin for each order is stated in writing in the quote
- Day return to DujiangyanThe day-eight round trip from Chengdu to the Dujiangyan irrigation works, by intercity rail or private coach, with the mode stated in the written confirmation for each departure
- Vehicle and transfersAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed sightseeing in all four cities, plus station and airport transfers; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day twelve. Vehicle size is determined by the confirmed number of travellers.
- HotelsAccommodation for 11 nights, including hotel breakfast: Beijing (3 nights), Xi'an (2 nights), Chengdu (4 nights), and Shanghai (2 nights). Specific hotels, room types, and categories are subject to the written booking confirmation.
- GuideCity-by-city guided tours and group return arrangements for the arrival night in Shanghai will be confirmed item by item in accordance with the written booking.
- Tickets and experiences, BeijingTiananmen Square · Forbidden City (group entry time slot confirmed at booking) · Mutianyu Great Wall (admission ticket and ascent method confirmed at booking) · Temple of Heaven · National Museum of China (group entry time slot confirmed at booking). For departures in December, please refer to the special notes regarding the ascent method.
- Tickets and experiences, Xi'anThe Terracotta Army, a full day on site · the Shaanxi History Museum
- Tickets and experiences, Chengdu and DujiangyanThe Chengdu panda base in the morning · Wenshu Monastery · the Dujiangyan irrigation works
- Tickets and experiences, ShanghaiNight views of The Bund and the Pudong skyline · Yu Garden and the Old City streets · Shanghai Museum (group booking arrangements subject to order confirmation) · Stroll down Wukang Road in the former French Concession
- Meals11 hotel breakfasts from Day 2 to Day 12. A farmhouse lunch at the foot of the Great Wall on Day 3 and a Shaanxi noodle lunch on Day 5, as per the itinerary; whether these two lunches are included in the price is subject to the written booking confirmation.
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance. The insurance package that a sending institution requires of a student group is separate: see Special Notes
Not Included
- International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and processing for travellers who need a Chinese visa, including all US travellers on this route
- MealsLunch and dinner are at the group's own expense unless otherwise specified in the written order. Whether lunch is included in the price on Days 3 and 5 will depend on the written order in each case.
- Day nine in ChengduSpecific activities on Day 9 vary by departure date; activities not listed in your written order are not included by default.
- Institutional documentationAcademic credit recognition, safety plans, invoicing formats and the insurance package a sending institution requires: see Special Notes
- Optional add-onsNone on this route at present. Any add-on requested is priced separately when it is chosen and is never added into the base plan
- PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room supplement including the leader's room supplement, personal spending
Special Notes
Group bookings, travel dates, and school document requirements will affect specific arrangements; please confirm each item in your written order.
- Documents Required for School Groups — This route is open for booking. If your school or sending organisation requires credit recognition, designated insurance, a safety plan, uniform accommodation standards, or a specific invoice format, please provide these requirements in writing when requesting a quote. The available documents, scope of insurance, and fees are subject to the written order.
- Group booking for 40 people — Group entry time slots and party size requirements for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, the Shanghai Museum, and the Chengdu Panda Base must be verified based on the specific date. If split entry is required, detailed arrangements will be confirmed in writing prior to booking.
- Inter-city Transport & Sightseeing Schedule — High-speed rail is used on Days 4 and 6, and a domestic flight on Day 10; transfers will take up part of the day. Specific schedules, entry time slots, and corresponding itineraries are subject to the written booking confirmation.
- Day nine — On Day 9, you will remain in Chengdu, with the fourth night continuing at the same local hotel. Specific daily activities, guide services, and transportation arrangements and fees are subject to the written booking; activities not listed are not included by default.
- December departures and the Mutianyu lift — Muyuan cable car and open-gondola operations vary by season. The mode of ascent is subject to the scenic area's current operational status and the written booking.
- Departure dates — no departures between October 1 and October 7, the national holiday week, when crowds at the Terracotta Army peak and group reservation slots for 40 people are hardest to secure. Dates are also set so that day two never falls on a Monday, when the Forbidden City closes; if the requested dates would put it there, days two and three swap places.
- Security screening at the square — Security screening is required to enter Tiananmen Square; groups should allow time for queues and passage. Entry times for the Square and the Forbidden City are confirmed in the booking, and on-site arrangements may be adjusted according to security conditions.
- The Bund on the arrival evening — On the evening of your arrival in Shanghai, you may enjoy the night views of both banks of the Huangpu River along the Bund. The meeting point, guide accompaniment, and hotel return arrangements will be confirmed in writing via your order.
- Visa window — the 30-day visa-free policy currently runs through December 31, 2026. Because this is a 12-day plan, departures on or before December 20, 2026 finish inside that window; later departure dates are quoted only after the official renewal is announced.
- US passports — the US is not on the 30-day visa-free list, and 12 days is longer than the 10-day visa-free transit policy allows, so every US traveller on this route holds a Chinese tourist or business visa, including a ten-year multiple-entry one. First-time applicants attend a consulate appointment in person, so allow several weeks. We confirm visa status before any payment. Travellers already in China under the 10-day transit policy cannot join this trip: 12 days is longer than that policy permits, and we say so rather than work around it.
- Confirmation and changes — Each order explicitly states the confirmation deadline, amendment and refund terms. Changes to dates may affect a domestic flight, two high-speed rail segments and museum bookings; all are handled in accordance with the terms specified in the order.
Is Twelve Days Your Length?
Fewer than 12 days?
Fewer than 12 days?
The four cities come apart cleanly: Beijing and Xi'an stand on their own as a shorter evidence pairing, and the Chengdu stretch can shorten. Tell us your dates and how many students are coming, and we cut days rather than cut the day at the Terracotta Army.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private itinerary; minimum of 1 guest. Group sizes and venue entry batches to be confirmed in the order details.
- Pace
- Four cities in 12 days: Beijing 3 nights, Xi'an 2, Chengdu 4, Shanghai 2, with one day return from Chengdu to the Dujiangyan irrigation works
- Effort
- Some sections include steps; the mode of ascent at Mutianyu will depend on park operations and written order confirmation.
- Ports
- Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day twelve
- Visas
- UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for stays days; so do Australian and New Zealand ones. Checked order by order against your dates. US passports need a Chinese visa for this route
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking local guides throughout, city by city
- Reservations
- Entry arrangements for the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum are requested based on the departure date and the guest list, and are detailed on the confirmation letter.
- Payment
- This route accepts bookings for a minimum of one guest. Pay a 10% deposit (minimum USD 399) to secure your dates, with the balance due 14 days before departure. Specific payment and change terms are subject to the written order.
- Season
- Selling window October to December 2026. No departures October 1 to 7; December departures have the way up at Mutianyu stated per order
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.
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
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That is the question holding this route closed. The Forbidden City, the National Museum of China and the Shanghai Museum all take group reservations, and we make those bookings rather than leaving them to a phone number that does not work abroad. What we do not yet have on file is each institution's ceiling for a single slot at 40 people, plus the morning slot at the panda base. We are checking those order by order, and we do not open bookings until they are on file. If a ceiling turns out to be lower than 40, the party enters in two slots instead of one, and we tell you how that day is staffed before you commit rather than at the door.
Not yet what a sending institution needs, and we will not pretend otherwise. Five items are open. Two are the academic credit recognition and the three insurance policies institutions typically require. The other three are the safety plan, a single rooming standard across all four cities and compliant invoicing. Travel accident insurance is included on this route; the institutional package is not, and neither are the other four items. Until all five are settled we take no orders and no deposits. Tell us which of the five your institution treats as non-negotiable, and we will tell you where that one stands.
Because the second half of the day is where the learning happens. In the first 90 minutes a group photographs the pits. After that the sorting method is in hand: armour for rank and hairstyle for role. Students start telling one figure from another and arguing about it. In the newer excavation areas they can also see where the original paint survived. A morning gets you the picture. A day gets you the reading. It is also why the route avoids the national holiday week, when crowds here peak.
On day nine you are buying a fourth night in one Chengdu hotel, a guide and a vehicle for the full day, and a plan that is confirmed for your departure and written into your confirmation before you book. We keep it that way because the options for that day rest on ticket availability and English interpretation resources that we have not verified for this selling season, and we do not sell a day we cannot yet name. Whatever it turns out to be, it is named in writing before you commit and priced only once it is named. The rest of the 12 days is unaffected.
Most groups on this route do not. UK, most European and Canadian passports enter visa-free for stays days; so do Australian and New Zealand ones. Before anyone pays we check your 12 days plus any extra days in China against that window. The current policy runs through December 31, 2026, so departures on or before December 20, 2026 finish inside it. US passports are different: the US is not on that list, and 12 days is longer than the 10-day visa-free transit policy allows, so US travelers hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, applied for in person the first time. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if the dates do not fit, we say so instead of selling.

