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Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
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Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!
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Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
7-Day China Iconic Tour: Chengdu → Xi’an → Beijing → Shanghai
Embark on a 7-day China odyssey across Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing and Shanghai, getting up close to giant pandas, marveling at the Leshan Giant Buddha and Terracotta Army, hiking the Great Wall and soaking up Shanghai’s iconic skyline for an unforgettable mix of wildlife, heritage and urban charm.
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Itinerary Quick Look
Day 1: Chengdu | Pandas & City Charms (Lunch Included)
Morning: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Meet at the downtown Chengdu hotel lobby and take an air-conditioned car to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Observe pandas of all ages—fluffy newborns, playful juveniles and adults munching bamboo. Learn about their life cycles while wandering through research labs, museums, playgrounds and lakeside paths. Take photos of these endangered national treasures at will.
Midday: Wenshu Yuan Monastery & Wuhou Memorial Temple
Return to the city after the panda visit. The guide will point out Chengdu’s key landmarks and shopping areas, with the itinerary adjustable based on personal interests. First visit Wenshu Yuan Monastery, the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It houses over 500 pieces of celebrity paintings and calligraphy from the Tang Dynasty, along with bronze, wooden and stone statues and sacred Buddhist relics. Stroll the courtyards, watch locals burn incense and pray, and learn about Chinese Buddhist stories. Then head to Wuhou Memorial Temple, built in the 6th century to honor Shu Emperor Liu Bei and Prime Minister Zhuge Liang. Explore its main halls and Liu Bei’s Tomb while hearing Three Kingdoms histories and stories.
Afternoon: Kuanzhai Alley & Renmin Park
Wander through Kuanzhai Alley, a lively block with traditional Chinese architecture, to experience local folk culture and daily life. Visit Well Alley, the most vibrant area with trendy shops and cozy cafes. Enjoy a spicy Sichuan hot pot for lunch. Later, stroll Chengdu Renmin Park—join locals for square dancing or singing, or sit for a cup of tea to enjoy Chengdu’s slow-paced lifestyle.
Evening: Optional Sichuan Opera & Flexible Alternatives
Opt for the Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera experience—a 1-hour show with free tea and front-row seats to watch iconic Changing Faces, Fire Spitting and Rolling Light performances. For those who have visited the above spots, alternatives include Jinli Pedestrian Street, Chengdu Museum, Qingyang Palace, Sichuan Museum, Songxianqiao Curio Art City, local markets or relaxing massages. Return to the hotel after the tour.
Day 2: Chengdu → Leshan | Giant Buddha Adventure (Lunch Included)
Morning: Drive to Leshan Giant Buddha
Take a 2.5-hour private drive to the Leshan Giant Buddha, enjoying peaceful countryside views along the way. The Buddha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—carving began in 713 during the Tang Dynasty and took over 90 years to complete, involving thousands of workers. It is a famous subject in Chinese poetry and stories.
Midday: Lingyun Temple & Buddha Close-Up
First stop at Lingyun Temple, located behind the Buddha’s head. Marvel at the 1,020 twisted buns forming the Buddha’s hair, admire the temple’s intricate sculptures and wall designs, and enjoy panoramic views of three converging rivers. Walk 30 minutes down to the Buddha’s feet to admire its 71-meter height and take photos of this sacred landmark.
Afternoon: Wuyou Temple or River Cruise & Return to Chengdu
Visit Wuyou Temple on the Buddha’s right side, featuring terra-cotta sculptures and calligraphic paintings, to learn more about Buddhism through a leisurely stroll. If the temple has long lines, switch to a river cruise for a stunning panoramic view of the Buddha from the water. Enjoy a local lunch, then return to the Chengdu hotel.
Day 3: Chengdu → Xi’an | High-Speed Train & Terracotta Warriors
Morning: High-Speed Train to Xi’an & Terracotta Warriors Tour
Be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the train station for a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, head directly to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The site was discovered by four local farmers drilling a well in 1974. Explore three main exhibition pits holding thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, each with a unique face, while learning about the site’s history and stories.
Afternoon: Xi’an City Wall & Muslim Quarter (Optional)
Enjoy a local lunch first. If time permits, visit the Xi’an City Wall—a 600-year-old historic landmark—and walk on top for city views. Optionally, explore the Xi’an Muslim Quarter, a bustling area with snack stalls, souvenir shops and lively crowds to taste local treats. Transfer to the Xi’an hotel afterward.
Day 4: Beijing | Imperial Landmarks & Royal Gardens
Morning: Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City
After breakfast, meet at the hotel lobby to explore Beijing’s imperial sites. First visit Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a symbol of China, perfect for photos of Tiananmen Gate. Cross the square to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 500 years of history. It is the world’s largest palace complex, once home to 24 Ming and Qing emperors, with over 8,728 rooms serving as China’s political and ritual center. Enter via the Meridian Gate, explore grand palaces and ancient art treasures, and hear imperial stories. Walk 15 minutes to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City’s russet roofs and modern Beijing.
Afternoon: Summer Palace Leisure Walk
Visit the Summer Palace, known as the “Museum of Royal Gardens” and a former imperial summer retreat. Its gardens, lakes, bridges and pavilions resemble a traditional Chinese painting—take time to wander and relax. Optionally, treat yourself to Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude for dinner (cost at own expense).
Day 5: Beijing | Mutianyu Great Wall & Olympic Landmarks
Morning: Mutianyu Great Wall Adventure
Drive 1.5–2 hours northwest to Mutianyu Great Wall, a well-preserved, less crowded section with 23 Ming-era watchtowers. As part of the 2,000-year-old Great Wall stretching over 3,000 miles across northern China, it is one of the world’s most impressive ancient masterpieces. Take a cable car to the 14th watchtower, hike the western route and climb to the 20th watchtower. Snap photos of the wall winding through green pines to fulfill the Great Wall adventure dream.
Afternoon: Bird’s Nest & Water Cube Photo Stop
After the hike, head downtown to take photos of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube—iconic venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2022 Winter Games. Return to the hotel for a rest afterward.
Day 6: Beijing | Temple of Heaven & Hutongs + High-Speed Train to Xi’an
Morning: Temple of Heaven & Hutong Rickshaw Tour
Visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO Taoist World Heritage Site larger than the Forbidden City. It was where 22 emperors offered sacrifices to Heaven for good harvests, renowned for its symbolic layout, unique structure and features like the Echo Wall and Triple Sound Stones. Join locals for morning tai chi or square dancing to experience local Beijing vibes. Optionally, take a rickshaw tour through Beijing’s old hutongs—glide through narrow alleys with traditional courtyard houses, browse local shops and glimpse ordinary Beijing life.
Afternoon: High-Speed Train to Xi’an
Transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Xi’an. Relax during the ride and prepare for more exploration of Xi’an’s charms.
Day 7: Shanghai | East-Meets-West Urban Wonders
Morning: Shanghai Museum & Yu Garden
Start the Shanghai tour with Shanghai Museum, shaped like an ancient bronze ding (round top, square base symbolizing “round sky, square earth”). It houses 120,000 relics spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history, including the 3,000-year-old Da Ke Ding bronze vessel and Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin musical instruments. Explore the bronze and ceramic halls to admire exquisite ancient artifacts. Then visit Yu Garden, a celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in downtown Shanghai. Stroll through pavilions and rockeries, admire delicate sculptures and carvings, and browse Yuyuan Bazaar outside for local snacks and traditional handicrafts.
Afternoon: Nanjing Road, The Bund & Shanghai Tower
Stroll Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, lined with big brands, cozy cafes and towering buildings, ideal for window-shopping. Walk to the Bund, known as an “Exhibition of International Buildings” with 52 structures in diverse global styles, and gaze across the river at Pudong’s glittering skyscrapers. End the tour at Shanghai Tower—China’s tallest building and the world’s second-highest. Take an elevator to the 118th floor (546 meters high) for a panoramic view of modern Shanghai, marking the grand finale of the China adventure.
There are discounts in the off-season, please call us!
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before your travel date and get a full refund
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IncludedBottled waterBreakfast, Lunch (Breakfast=B, Lunch=L)Professional guidePrivate tourTransport by private vehicleEntrance fee
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Not IncludedGratuities
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