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Overview
The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, giant pandas and the riverbanks of Shanghai weave through this first journey to China. Accommodation is three nights each in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu, and two nights in Shanghai; arrival day is reserved for rest, and the order of sightseeing and transfers for the three inter-city moves will be confirmed according to actual schedules. Chengdu also includes a day trip to Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng: watch the Min River flow into the Chengdu Plain from the spillway, then visit a Taoist temple in the mountains.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers, and passport country of issue. Transport, venue bookings, and service details will be confirmed item by item in the written itinerary and quotation.
Why you'll love this trip
- The classics, connected. The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, pandas and a Taoist mountain, with English-speaking guides in each city.
- 12 days from a buried army to a rush-hour ferry. See the China still working.
- Walk straight through the Forbidden City, exit via the North Gate, and climb Jingshan directly opposite: from the pavilion at the summit, the sea of golden rooftops unfolds below, while the city’s central axis stretches out in both directions.
- Cycling along the Xi’an City Wall: old-town lanes within, modern districts without; ride distance and rental arrangements are confirmed by travel date.
- Standing by the railing above the terracotta pit, begin to discern the ranks: armour and topknots set apart generals, crossbowmen and infantry, transforming the crowd into more than just a multitude.
- Dedicate the entire day to the Mutianyu Great Wall: after climbing onto the city wall, follow the ridgeline towards the watchtowers; return to Beijing, with no other attractions scheduled.
- After the panda base, head to People's Park for tea, with the afternoon reserved for rest; seating and costs are subject to the quote.
- Watch the Minjiang River split in Dujiangyan, then visit Taoist temples at Mount Qingcheng; a day trip from Chengdu with no luggage handling.
- Cross the Huangpu River aboard the very ferries used by Shanghai locals for their daily commutes. Then stand on the bank to view a striking contrast: a century of historic architecture on one side and the towering skyscrapers of Pudong on the other.
Things to do
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Heritage
Viewpoint
Great Wall
Landmark
Museum
Culture
Heritage
Cycling
City
Pagoda
Nature
City
Heritage
Heritage
City
Culture
Heritage
Museum
Riverfront
City
CityHeritageViewpointGreat WallLandmarkMuseumCultureHeritageCyclingCityPagodaNatureCityHeritageHeritageCityCultureHeritageMuseumRiverfrontCityCityHeritageViewpointGreat WallLandmarkMuseumCultureHeritageCyclingCityPagodaNatureCityHeritageHeritageCityCultureHeritageMuseumRiverfrontCityCityItinerary
Arrivals
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4
· Arrival in Beijing
Airport transfer based on confirmed flight details; rest upon arrival.
· Forbidden City and Jingshan
Exit the Palace from the north gate, then climb Jingshan to look back along the central axis.
· Mutianyu Great Wall
Travel to Mutianyu by car; dedicate the entire day to the walls and ridges.
· Visit three Beijing landmarks, then travel to Xi’an
The visiting sequence for the Square, the National Museum, and the Temple of Heaven will be confirmed based on reservation time slots and high-speed rail schedules.
High-speed rail
Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7
· Terracotta Warriors Pit
Journey beyond Xi'an's city limits to explore the queues and varied figures in the Terracotta Warriors pits, then return to the urban centre.
· Xi'an City Wall & Huofang
Spend the day exploring the old city's lanes along the ancient city walls, then head to the Muslim Quarter in the evening past the Bell and Drum Towers.
· Giant Wild Goose Pagoda & High-Speed Train to Chengdu
Before leaving Xi'an, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, then take a high-speed train through the Qinling Mountains to Chengdu.
High-speed rail
Chengdu · Day 8 - Day 10
· Giant Panda Breeding Base and People's Park
Morning with the pandas, afternoon tea at a People's Park teahouse.
· Dujiangyan & Qingcheng Mountain
Depart from Chengdu to witness the Min River diverging at Dujiangyan; return to your original hotel that evening.
· Chengdu Alleys & Flight to Shanghai
Explore the historic Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li, confirm Sichuan opera viewing dates, then fly to Shanghai.
Flight
Shanghai · Day 11 - Day 12
· Yu Garden, Museum, and the Bund
Explore gardens and museum collections by day, then enjoy the views along the Bund and the Huangpu River at night.
· Wukang Road, Ferry & Departure
Time your walk and river crossing according to your outbound flight, then head to the airport.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
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.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
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.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
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.
Shanghai
Atour S Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Centre Aegean
Located in the Aegean Sea Shopping Park at the intersection of Zhongguo Road and Hongjing Road in the Golden Business District of Hongqiao Town, with direct access to Longbai Xincun Station on Metro Line 10.
Chengdu
The Temple House
Boutique luxury hotel set within a restored Qing-dynasty courtyard near Taikoo Li, boasting one of Chengdu's most striking design statements.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Intercity transportFour segments: Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail on day four · Xi'an to Chengdu by high-speed rail on day seven · Chengdu to Dujiangyan and back by high-speed rail on day nine · Chengdu to Shanghai by air on day ten. Your quote states in writing the seat class of each rail segment and the cabin of the flight for your order
- Car & TransfersCar and driver services cover sightseeing in four cities, round-trip trips to Mutianyu, and station and airport transfers; the day-of transport methods and transfer details for Dujiangyan will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
- Hotels11 nights of accommodation with 11 hotel breakfasts: 3 nights in Beijing · 3 nights in Xi'an · 3 nights in Chengdu · 2 nights in Shanghai. Specific hotels, room types, and rates will be confirmed in writing based on travel dates.
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on every touring day in each of the four cities, including the Muslim Quarter evening in Xi'an and the whole Bund evening in Shanghai
- Tickets and experiences, BeijingThe Forbidden City · Jingshan Park · Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car or chairlift ascent · Tian'anmen Square · Temple of Heaven · the National Museum of China
- Tickets and experiences, Xi'anTerracotta Army · Xi'an City Wall · Giant Wild Goose Pagoda · Bell and Drum Tower District and Huimin Street Night Tour. City Wall cycling and bike rental to be confirmed based on weather and written quote.
- Tickets and experiences, ChengduChengdu Panda Base · People’s Park Teahouses · Kuanzhai Alley and Taikoo Li · Community Opera Performance. The arrangements and fees for teahouse seats, backstage tours, and close-up face-changing demonstrations will be confirmed in writing according to your travel date.
- Tickets and experiences, DujiangyanTour of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Qingcheng Mountain Taoist temples. Confirm interactions with Taoist priests and tai chi experience in writing based on your travel date.
- Tickets and experiences, ShanghaiYu Garden with the old city · Shanghai Museum · the Bund and the Pudong skyline in the evening, guide accompanied · the former French Concession and Wukang Road on foot · the Huangpu River commuter ferry crossing
- Meals11 hotel breakfasts, days two through twelve, one per morning
Not Included
- International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasIf a visa is required, application procedures and costs are the guest's responsibility; eligibility is determined by passport type and travel dates.
- Lunches and dinnersLunch and dinner are not included in the current meal list. Your guide can recommend restaurants; reservation services and associated fees will be confirmed in a written quote, and meal costs are at the guest’s expense.
- Climbing the Bell Tower or the Drum TowerThe Xi'an evening is the quarter on foot. Admission to climb either tower sits outside the base price and can be added on request
- In-museum spendingAudio guides and hired human guides inside the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China and Shanghai Museum; the photography and refreshment stands on the Xi'an city wall
- Optional add-onsPriced separately at the time of choosing and never added into the base plan: climbing the Bell Tower or the Drum Tower in Xi'an · extra nights in Shanghai after day twelve
- PersonalGratuities for guides and drivers · single-room or extra-room supplement · laundry · shopping · all personal expenses
Special Notes
This itinerary can be booked based on your travel date. Specific arrangements for transportation, reservations, and certain experiences are subject to the written itinerary and quotation.
- Itinerary Confirmed by Date — This route is available to book. Please provide your travel dates and number of guests; detailed quotations for transport, accommodation, venue reservations, and other services will be confirmed in writing prior to payment.
- Departure dates — Public holidays, venue opening days and booking availability may affect specific itineraries. Once your travel dates are confirmed, we will verify the opening schedules for sites such as the Forbidden City and finalise the visit order in your written itinerary.
- Timed reservations — Advance booking slots, reservation responsibilities, and admission fees for the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, and the Shanghai Museum are specified item-by-item in the quotation; if a slot is unavailable on the requested dates, we will first consult with you to agree on a revised itinerary.
- November and December departures — Return transport from Mutianyu is subject to winter operating schedules, and the cycling tour around the Xi'an city wall is entirely outdoors and exposed to the elements. For departures in November or December, we will check the opening status of both activities according to your specific dates and confirm the arrangements in a written itinerary before you make payment.
- In-park shuttles — named one by one so that none is read in by implication. Three site shuttles: the Terracotta Warriors, the panda base and Dujiangyan. Two more at Mount Qingcheng: the cableway and the lake boat. Whether each is operating in your month, and whether it sits inside your price, is stated in writing in your quote. The one ascent transport already inside your price on this route is the Mutianyu cable car or chairlift.
- The two personal encounters — Backend visits to Chengdu Sichuan opera, close-up face-changing demonstrations, interactions with Taoist monks at Mount Qingcheng, and tai chi experiences all require confirmation of reception arrangements and fees for specific dates; before confirmation, no commitments are made regarding personnel, duration, or time slots.
- Rail and flight schedules — Rail segments from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chengdu, and the Chengdu–Dujiangyan round trip, as well as the Chengdu–Shanghai flight, are all verified for service availability and seat or cabin class on the travel date and then recorded on the confirmation sheet.
- Shanghai Museum branch — The itinerary states Shanghai Museum. The specific branch visited on day eleven is being finalised, and your quotation specifies the branch in writing.
- Bicycle hire on the city wall — The inclusion of cycling on the city wall, rental duration, and any overtime fees will be specified in the quote for your travel date. Should the weather be unsuitable for cycling, this can be adjusted to a guided walk along the wall.
- Security screening at the square — Security checks at the entrance to Tiananmen Square may affect the day's itinerary pace; Day 4 also includes a plan to visit the National Museum of China and the Temple of Heaven, followed by a train trip to Xi'an, so booking times and train schedules must be confirmed.
- Visa window — Entry and visa-exemption requirements may vary depending on your passport, travel dates, and length of stay. Please verify the latest conditions with official channels before booking. We will also confirm your itinerary against applicable requirements before providing a quote.
- US passports — Guests holding US passports should verify their entry eligibility based on their individual visa status and itinerary; if a visa is required, please allow sufficient time for the application. Please refer to official Chinese authorities for specific requirements.
- Confirmation and changes — Please confirm the deadline, payment milestones, and amendment and refund terms; the written quote and confirmation for your travel dates shall prevail. Rescheduling may affect transport and venue bookings.
Is Twelve Days Your Length?
Fewer than twelve days?
Fewer than twelve days?
The four cities separate neatly. Beijing and Xi'an stand alone as a six-day pair, Chengdu can be added, and Shanghai can be reduced to a departure city. Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we'll cut cities rather than cutting the pace.
Good to Know
- Group
- Arrangements depend on your group; the number of guests and specific service details will be confirmed in the quotation.
- Pace
- 12 days, 4 cities: 3 nights in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu, and 2 nights in Shanghai. No tours on the arrival day; days 4, 7 and 10 include inter-city transfers.
- Effort
- Mutanu Great Wall and Xi'an City Wall involve extended outdoor walking segments; mountain access to the Great Wall, cycling on the city wall, and weather-based alternative arrangements are confirmed according to travel dates.
- Ports
- Beijing in, Shanghai out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day twelve
- Visas
- Entry requirements vary by passport, travel dates and duration of stay; please refer to official sources for the most up-to-date information.
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking local guides on every touring day, city by city
- Meals
- The current itinerary includes 11 hotel breakfasts. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense; restaurant recommendations or bookings will be confirmed per order.
- Payment
- This route is available for booking; the deposit, final payment dates, and cancellation or amendment terms are subject to the written quotation and confirmation.
- Season
- Departure dates, transport to Mutianyu, and cycling on the Xi'an City Wall are all confirmed individually based on season and travel date.
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
E
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
C
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
L
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
M
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
R
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.
For these four, yes, and that is why there are four rather than seven. Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu get three nights each and Shanghai gets two, so you sleep in the same bed for three nights running three times over. The moves between them are half-days on high-speed rail or one flight, not full travel days, which is what buys the arrival day with nothing on it and the easy day in Chengdu.
Because it is the day that makes the other eleven hold together. The wall, the palace and the soldiers are all things that stopped: nobody defends that wall, nobody lives in that palace, nobody commands those figures. The channel at Dujiangyan was cut in the third century BC and it is still dividing the river and still watering the plain you rode past on the way in. It is also a rail day trip out and back, so your Chengdu room and your bags stay where they are.
Not yet, and we would rather say that than take your money. The remaining items have to be settled: and how the October and December departures are handled. Until both are settled we take no orders and no deposits. Send us your dates now and we will write to you the day it opens, with a price for those dates.
It is a quieter time, and two things on this route depend on the weather. The winter operating rules for the Mutianyu ascent transport are not yet on file with us, and the wall-top cycling in Xi'an is the longest unsheltered stretch here. We cannot guarantee either against a cold snap, because nobody can. What we do is confirm both arrangements for your exact dates and include them in your quote before you pay, so you know what you are buying: if the ascent is not running, you get the alternative in writing first, and the Xi'an day keeps the wall with the riding time set around the weather.
Most guests on this route do not. UK · French · German · Dutch · Belgian · Italian · Spanish · Portuguese · Greek · Nordic · Central European · Irish · Canadian · Australian · New Zealand passports enter visa-free for stays days, and before you pay 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 transit policy allows. US guests hold a Chinese tourist or business visa, with the fee and the appointment their own. We confirm visa status before any payment, and if your dates do not fit, we tell you instead of selling.
