Totally China & Pandas - 11 Days

Upon arriving at Beijing Airport, you will be greeted outside customs by your guide. From there, our driver will take you to our hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and unwind.

Today, we begin with a short tour briefing, giving everyone a chance to meet and prepare for the day ahead. Our first visit is Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city square and the site of many significant national events. From there, we walk to the grand entrance of the Forbidden City. Built during the Ming Dynasty and remarkably well preserved, this vast imperial palace complex is now the Palace Museum, home to a remarkable collection of cultural treasures. We will explore its impressive halls and courtyards, including a special visit to the Treasure Gallery, where you can view exquisite imperial artefacts such as an empress’s coronet inlaid with 5,000 pearls and intricate jade and gemstone ornaments.

At midday, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in a traditional setting, with a range of dishes to choose from, including the celebrated Peking Roast Duck, renowned for its crisp skin and tender meat.

In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors once prayed for abundant harvests. The temple’s striking design reflects the ancient belief in harmony between Heaven and Earth, with its round roofs and square enclosures. This evening, we will enjoy a dazzling Chinese Acrobatic Show at the Red Theater.

This morning, we will experience the wonder of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, one of its best-preserved and most scenic sections. A round-trip cable car ride is included, allowing ample time to explore the Wall comfortably while enjoying breathtaking views as it winds across the rugged landscape. To commemorate the visit, we will celebrate with a group toast of red wine after our walk along the Wall.

On our return journey to Beijing this afternoon, we will pass by the Bird’s Nest, the iconic National Stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games, where we will stop for a photo opportunity to admire its striking and award-winning architecture up close.

Later, we will take a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic Hutongs, a maze of narrow lanes lined with traditional courtyard residences known as Siheyuan. This 40-minute ride offers a glimpse into old Beijing life and concludes with a visit to a local family’s Siheyuan, providing an authentic experience of this distinctive way of living. Afterward, we will return to our hotel, where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Beijing - Xi'an. After breakfast, we will set out for the Panda Hall at Beijing Zoo, offering a special chance to see China’s treasured giant pandas. We will arrive early to catch them at their liveliest, as they busily graze and eat bamboo. An adult panda consumes an astonishing 23 to 40 kilograms each day to meet its nutritional needs.

We will then continue to the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, where elegant landscapes and grand historical structures await. If visiting in early July, the lotus flowers in bloom will add an extra charm to the scenery.

Following lunch with local specialities, we will say farewell to Beijing. Your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. On arrival, a Xi’an guide will meet you and transfer you to your central hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure after checking in.

This morning, we will visit the extraordinary Terracotta Army, created as funerary guardians for Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 to 210 BC), founder of the Qin Empire. We will view the vast ranks of life-sized warriors in their original pits and explore a new exhibition hall showcasing 230 carefully preserved artefacts, including intricately sculpted animals and vividly painted pottery and bronze. Our guide will help us uncover the grandeur and enduring mystery of this ancient empire.

After visiting the Terracotta Army, we will visit the home of Yang Zhifa, the farmer who discovered the first warrior in 1974, where you can hear his story, see the original hoe and cart he used, and view a full-size replica. If Mr Yang is present, you may also have a chance to meet him and take photos. We will then continue to a terracotta warrior workshop, where an artisan will demonstrate the traditional crafting process before guiding you as you make your own miniature warrior to keep as a souvenir.

After, we will make our way to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD) to house Buddhist scriptures brought from India. The surrounding Da Ci’en Temple offers not only a strong Buddhist atmosphere but also fascinating imperial history, as it was built by Emperor Li Zhi in gratitude to his father and in memory of his late mother. In the evening, we will enjoy a dumpling dinner followed by the renowned Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. After the performance, we will return to our hotel.

Please note: As the theatre is usually closed in January, February, March and December, the show and dumpling dinner will not be included for tours during these months.

Today, we will make our way to the City Wall Park, where we can observe locals enjoying their morning activities such as singing, dancing, playing music, and chess, and you’re welcome to join in if you wish. You can also take part in a traditional Tai Chi class, a graceful practice that combines slow flowing movements to promote both physical and mental well-being.

After that, you will visit the City Wall, the best-preserved urban fortification in China, dating back to the 1300s. You can walk or cycle along the top of this ancient structure, an experience many find unforgettable.

We will then have lunch at a popular restaurant in the bustling Muslim Quarter, a lively bazaar known for its street food and atmosphere. Alongside a variety of traditional dishes, you can savour local treats such as sweet steamed rice, green bean cake, persimmon cake, and rice cake

We will then head deeper into the lively district to explore the Great Mosque, a serene complex blending Islamic worship spaces with classical Chinese garden design. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Shaanxi History Museum, home to an extensive collection of artefacts that showcase Xi’an’s role as capital of thirteen dynasties.

Please note: that the bike rental fee will be at your own expense for cycling the City Qall. If the museum is closed, we will instead visit the renowned Forest of Stone Steles Museum.

Xi'an - Chengdu. After breakfast, we take a morning train from Xi’an to Chengdu, a journey of around four hours. On arrival, our local guide will meet us at the station and assist with hotel check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area. You might like to visit Taikoo Li, a stylish shopping and dining district blending modern design with classical Chinese elements, or head to Chunxi Road, Chengdu’s most vibrant commercial street. Both are local landmarks and easily reached by Metro Line 2, with a station conveniently located just outside your hotel and only one stop away.

Please note: You can opt to upgrade your train seats to first class at an additional fee.

Today, we will make our way to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a renowned sanctuary dedicated to the protection of China’s most beloved national treasure. A morning visit offers the best chance to see these playful black-and-white pandas at their most active, as they feed, climb and roam in a beautifully maintained setting.

Next, we’ll explore Chengdu’s charming Wide and Narrow Alleys, a historic quarter dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Here, you can wander through narrow lanes lined with teahouses, craft shops and local eateries, soaking up the district’s unique blend of heritage and modern Chengdu life. In the afternoon, we visit the Jinsha Site Museum, home to remarkable relics from the ancient Shu civilisation, including the famous Gold Foil of Sun and Immortal Bird, a symbol of China’s cultural heritage.

Finally, we head to Renmin Park, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll among gardens and pavilions and experience daily life in Chengdu. This is a chance to observe the city’s famous matchmaking corner, where parents seek partners for their adult children, or simply relax with a cup of Gaiwan tea or even try a traditional ear-cleaning, a unique local custom.

Chengdu - Shanghai. After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our onward flight to Shanghai, a dynamic city renowned for its striking skyline, vibrant waterfront and fascinating blend of East and West.

Once we have arrived, we will be met and transferred to our hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. You might choose to spend time on Nanjing Road, a world-famous pedestrian street just outside the hotel, or take a taxi to Tianzifang, a former residential quarter where narrow alleys are now home to art studios, boutiques and market stalls.

This morning, we will visit the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s finest museums, known for its exceptional collection of ancient art. We will then explore the elegant Yu Garden, with its charming Nine Zigzag Bridge and mid-lake pavilion. You will also have the chance to browse the nearby bazaar for souvenirs if you wish. Around noon, we will enjoy an à la carte farewell lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will stroll along the lively Bund where you will have free time to explore before taking a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River, offering views of Shanghai’s contrasting skyline, from historic riverside buildings to modern landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower. After the cruise, you will have some free time to explore the Bund. After, we will return to your hotel, you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time to further explore Shanghai, do some last-minute shopping, or relax before making your way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!