Details
Arrive in Beijing
Upon arrival, your private guide will be waiting outside the airport Arrivals Hall, holding a welcome sign with your name. You’ll then be transferred by private vehicle to your carefully selected hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from your flight. If you feel up to it, you may head out on your own to get a first impression of the city—your guide will be happy to offer suggestions.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Beijing Daxing International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing City Trip
Your private China tour begins at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest central city square and a historic site for major national events. From here, your guide will lead you north through Tiananmen Gate into the magnificent Forbidden City, an imperial palace complex built nearly 600 years ago.
Once strictly off-limits to ordinary citizens, the Forbidden City was the center of imperial power, where court officials gathered before dawn to attend daily meetings with the emperor. Today, this vast palace is open to the public as a museum, offering insight into the lives of emperors and their families, as well as showcasing the grandeur of traditional Chinese architecture and priceless cultural relics.
After lunch, continue to the Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple), Beijing’s best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist monastery, known for its harmonious blend of Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan architectural styles.
Your final stop is the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once held solemn ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also serves as a popular park where locals gather for leisure and exercise, blending history with everyday life.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Tiananmen Square
Beijing City Trip
This morning, travel to the Mutianyu Great Wall, renowned for its impressive scenery and well-preserved structure. A round-trip cable car is included for a comfortable ascent and descent. Walking along the wall as it winds over mountain ridges offers unforgettable views and a powerful sense of history—comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
In the afternoon, return to downtown Beijing with a brief photo stop at the Bird’s Nest (Olympic National Stadium). Continue on to Shichahai, a historic lakeside area. Enjoy a 40-minute rickshaw ride through traditional hutongs, following the lakeshore and narrow alleys once traveled by old Beijingers. You’ll then visit a well-preserved siheyuan courtyard home and chat with the host to learn about everyday life in modern Beijing.
Afterward, your guide can drop you at the nearby bar street if you wish to explore on your own, or escort you back to your hotel for a well-earned rest.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Mutianyu Great Wall
Beijing Hutong
Beijing to Xi’an by Train
This morning, your guide will accompany you to the Summer Palace, once the imperial family’s elegant retreat. Renowned for its refined landscapes and masterful design, the garden blends architectural styles from across China and offers some of Beijing’s most scenic views.
After the visit, you’ll be transferred to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Xi’an, traveling at up to 350 km/h (217 mph). The journey takes approximately 4.5–5.5 hours, and we’ll aim to book the fastest option with fewer stops. You may wish to bring snacks, fruit, or something to read or watch for a comfortable ride.
Upon arrival in Xi’an, your local guide and driver will meet you at the station and escort you to your hotel.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Summer Palace
Ancient city xian at dusk, traditional bell tower
Xi’an City Exploration
Today begins with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army, created to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC) in the afterlife. The site contains more than 9,000 life-size warriors, horses, and chariots, each with unique facial expressions and postures. The remarkable realism reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Qin Dynasty, with figures assembled from individually molded and carved body parts.
Afterward, return to the city to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the largest surviving square brick pagoda in China. Built over 1,300 years ago, it remains elegant and well preserved. Located within Da Ci’en Temple, the pagoda is closely associated with the monk Xuanzang, who translated Buddhist scriptures here after returning from India. Your guide will share the fascinating history behind the temple and its royal origins.
The final stop is Great Tang All Day Mall (Grand Tang Ever Bright City), a lively Tang Dynasty–themed cultural district just south of the pagoda. Known for its impressive architecture and vibrant atmosphere, it is especially popular for photos—your guide will assist you in trying on traditional Han Chinese attire, a favorite experience among both locals and visitors.
At the end of the tour, you may return to the hotel with your guide or stay longer to enjoy the area on your own. The hotel is nearby, and your guide will explain how to get back easily.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Xi‘an Terracotta Army Museum
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi’an to Chengdu by Train
This morning, begin at City Wall Park, a popular spot for locals—especially seniors—to relax and exercise. Here, you’ll observe everyday life in Xi’an and may even join residents practicing tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art known for promoting balance and calm.
Next, head up to the Ancient City Wall, one of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks. Cycling along the wall is a favorite activity and takes about two hours to complete a full loop. If you’d like to try it, your guide will help arrange a bike rental on the spot.
Continue to the Great Mosque, followed by a walk through the lively Muslim Quarter, famous for its street food and local atmosphere. Lunch will be arranged at a well-known restaurant in the area, where you’ll sample popular local dishes such as hot oil noodles, fried dumplings, and the famous Xi’an-style “Chinese hamburger.”
In the afternoon, travel by high-speed train to Chengdu (about 4 hours). Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
ancient tower at dusk in xian city wall ,China
Xian city wall
Chengdu City Exploration
This morning’s highlight is a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you’ll see these beloved animals at their most active. Mornings are the best time to visit, as the pandas are busy eating, playing, and interacting after a good night’s rest.
Afterward, enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Xiaojiahe Community, experiencing daily life just as locals do. Visit a neighborhood vegetable market, where residents shop for fresh produce, meat, seafood, and spices. With your guide’s help, you can ask about prices and gain insight into everyday life and living costs in China.
Next, take a short walk to the Xiaojia River, a favorite gathering place for locals. Here, people play mahjong or cards, drink tea, and chat with friends. You’re welcome to join them and soak in Chengdu’s famously slow-paced lifestyle. As a special touch, you’ll enjoy a cup of coffee served in a traditional Chinese lidded tea bowl—savor it slowly and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. This experience is especially popular with senior travelers seeking an authentic glimpse of local life.
Chengdu, however, is more than pandas and leisure. The city is deeply connected to the mysterious ancient Shu Civilization, which thrived over 4,000 years ago. Archaeological discoveries at the Sanxingdui site—such as advanced bronze artifacts made using techniques still not fully understood today—continue to puzzle scientists and fuel fascinating questions about early human innovation and possible ancient connections.
At the end of the day, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Panda
Chengdu to Shanghai by Flight
Today, bid farewell to Chengdu as you are escorted to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. After about 2.5 hours, you’ll be warmly greeted by your Shanghai guide at the Arrivals Hall.
Begin your Shanghai visit at the Bund, located along the west bank of the Huangpu River. Once the city’s most prosperous area in the early 20th century, it still features an impressive collection of historic Western-style buildings.
Next, enjoy a one-hour Huangpu River cruise, offering a striking contrast between old and new Shanghai—the colonial-era architecture of the Bund on one side and the modern skyscrapers of Pudong on the other.
After the cruise, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay and some well-deserved rest.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Shanghai City
Beautiful modern city scenery at night in Shanghai,
Shanghai City Trip
After breakfast, your guide will take you to the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s top four museums, renowned for its outstanding collection of more than 120,000 ancient artworks. Continue to Yu Garden, a classical garden in the heart of the city, where elegant pavilions, rockeries, and ponds create a peaceful atmosphere that feels naturally harmonious.
After strolling through Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden, you’ll transfer by private vehicle to a well-regarded local restaurant.
A farewell à la carte lunch (valued at CNY 150 per person and included) will be served, featuring fresh Shanghai and Cantonese specialties, with dishes selected to suit your tastes.
In the afternoon, explore Zhujiajiao Water Town, often called the “Oriental Venice.” With its canals, stone bridges, and riverside houses, this historic town offers a charming contrast to modern Shanghai and preserves the atmosphere of old China.
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: Hotels will be arranged according to demand
Zhujiajiao water town
Shanghai Bund
Departure from Shanghai
According to your flight schedule, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport on time. If you’d like to experience the Maglev train to Pudong Airport, this can also be arranged. We wish you a pleasant journey home!
Meals: Customized to your needs
Accommodation: /
Fee Description
Private Tour
Tour Type: Private tour with an English-speaking guide, flexible and customizable
Transportation: Air-conditioned private car with an experienced driver
Hotels: 5-star luxury or 4-star comfortable hotels, open to your choice
Meals: Customized to your needs
