13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi’an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai

This 13-day suggested itinerary covers different elements of China: the historical heritage sites, natural scenery, unique culture, and adorable giant pandas. It makes an ideal tour for first-time visitors who are panda fans or those traveling with children.

The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Send us details of your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.

Day 1Beijing Arrival
Your private guide will be ready to meet and greet you at the arrivals hall. A comfortable private car with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check-in.

Day 2 The Forbidden City and Hutong Alleyways
breakfast and lunch

For your first impression of China, be impressed with the magnificence of Beijing. Wander through Tian’anmen Square, the largest city square in the world, and arrive at the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace in the world. With the help of your private guide, have a little adventure in the previous home to emperors: find some interesting places you would never find by yourself and hide away from the noise of the tour groups.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the centuries-old hutong alleyways to get a taste of the locals’ lifestyle. The best way to experience the hutongs is to simply wander around the alleys, either on foot or on a rickshaw.

Day 3  The Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall
breakfast and lunch

Freshen up in the morning and start your day at the Temple of Heaven, which was the place where emperors prayed for a good harvest. Interact with the locals and join them to experience their healthy lifestyle.

Then continue to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, which is the section ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. Walk leisurely through the watchtowers, enjoying a superb view of the wall snaking across the mountains.

Day 4 The Summer Palace and a Flight to Xi’an
breakfast & lunch

Walk around the tranquil Summer Palace at a leisurely pace, and enjoy the 300-year-old royal garden. Take a pleasant boat ride on the lake and have a stroll in the long corridors to view the exquisite paintings on the ceilings. Immerse yourself in traditional Chinese architecture.

Enjoy the some Beijing Rroast Duck for lunch. Watch the exquisite cutting skills of the chef, taste crispy duck skin, and learn how to eat it in the correct way.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. Your Xi’an guide will be waiting for you and will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 5 The Terracotta Army and a Traditional Cave Dwelling
breakfast & lunch

Everything in Xi’an is about history. The Terracotta Army, with each figure being unique, has guarded Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb since 210 BC. Have a silent conversation with the warriors and listen to their stories spanning over 2,000 years.

Then discover a local craftsman’s cave dwelling and learn how to make clay warriors with your own hands.

After lunch, return to the city area and visit the 600-year-old ancient city wall. Walking along Xi’an City Wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.

Day 6 Xi’an City Highlights and a High-Speed Train to Chengdu
breakfast & lunch

Discover more ancient history at Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.

After lunch, hop onto a high-speed train for a 4-hour journey to Chengdu and experience the technological development of China.

Day 7  One-Day Panda Keeper Program
breakfast & lunch

Chengdu is the only place in the world where you can get close to giant pandas. Rather than just taking a glance at them in a zoo, you will get very close to these cuddly creatures and learn more about them during the Panda Keeper Program in Dujiangyan Panda Base.

Under the guidance of an English-speaking member of staff, you will clean the panda enclosures, feed a panda by hand, watch panda movies, and make cakes for them. Have a simple Chinese lunch with the staff in their canteen. This highest-rated experience will provide you with the memory of a lifetime.

Day 8 Chengdu Dine and Wine Experience and a High-Speed Train to Chongqing
breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Sichuan cuisine and rice wine are the most popular kinds in China. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is the best place to taste them.

Start your day at Jinli Old Street where you can taste authentic local snacks. Try some famous foods, such as bean jelly in chili sauce, sweet potato noodles, and Sichuan-style wontons. If you are brave enough, try a rabbit’s head in chili sauce.

Then, visit the Rice Wine Museum, a restoration of an ancient Chinese brewery cellar. Guided by a bilingual expert, you will have the opportunity to find out how the ancient brewery works, before enjoying two complimentary glasses of rice wine.

After the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to the railway station so you can catch the high-speed train to Chongqing. Your guide in Chongqing will arrange dinner for you and help you to check-in for a Yangtze River cruise that departs at 9pm.

Day 9Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozhai
breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Enjoy a leisurely morning watching the scenery of riverbanks passing by. In the afternoon, have a short visit to Shibaozhai – a magnificent red pavilion providing a walkway to the top of a solitary hill – and see the spectacular views of the surrounding area. An optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City awaits those who are interested in mystical matters.

A welcome banquet and party ends the day, while you glide along the glistening river.

Day 10Yangtze River Cruise: Gorges and Shennong Stream
breakfast, lunch, and dinner

You’ll pass through Qutang and Wu Gorge, two of the magnificent three gorges, during the morning, so be ready with a camera. The majesty of nature presents itself to you as you sit back and relax.

The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Shennong Stream, which has rushing waterfalls and an ancient plank path leading to suspended coffins in a cliff.

In the evening, the ship’s crew will give a performance for your entertainment.

Day 11The Three Gorges Dam and a Flight to Shanghai
breakfast and lunch

The Three Gorges Dam is the highlight of the day, and a visit to the top of the dam gives you some great photo opportunities. The vast ship locks are a wonder of engineering, but seeing is believing. You will learn more about the world’s biggest hydroelectric project firsthand.

After arriving in Yichang, enjoy a quick lunch and you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

Day 12  Shanghai Highlights with Bund Discovery
breakfast and lunch

Do more than just take one or two selfies on the Bund. Travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s during our In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour.

Go into some of the old Bund buildings and listen to their stories. See the room that Albert Einstein stayed in.

Yu Garden presents exquisite examples of traditional landscaping, and Shanghai Old Street will show you the historical lifestyle of the Shanghainese.

Enjoy lunch and ascend the tallest building in China — Shanghai Tower. From this building, which is the highest outside of Dubai, you will not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai but will also see the future of China.

Day 13Shanghai Departure
breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Your private car, driver, and guide will transport you to the airport and take you all the way to the security gate for your convenience. Relax all the way to the airplane with us.