About this Tour
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day journey that delves deep into China’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonders. From the ancient capital of Chengdu to the imperial grandeur of Beijing, this immersive tour blends iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, intimate cultural encounters, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Along the way you’ll volunteer with giant pandas, explore Bronze Age mysteries, walk ancient city walls, unravel the secrets of Silk Road relics, and stand before the imposing Terracotta Warriors , all while savoring authentic local cuisine and learning China’s stories from expert guides.
About China
China is a vast and diverse country known for its rich history, ancient wonders, and vibrant traditions that span thousands of years. From the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors, China offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Moments from this Tour
What’s Included
- Transportation: Domestic Flights, High-Speed Train, and Luxury Coach
- Lodging: 4-5 Star Hotels and Cultural boutique inns
- Meals: Every full itinerary day will include 3 meals. Arrival and departure will differ.
- Activities and Tickets: All listed entrance and guided experience fees.
- Tour Guide: Local Chinese-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide
What’s Excluded
- Transportation: Expenses from Activities and Meals not denoted in the Itinerary
- Tour guide gratuities (recommended 10%)
- Trip and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Flight tickets outside of the tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Chengdu
When you arrive in Chengdu, we will have our tour guide pick you up and then transfer you to your hotel. After you check in you will have the rest of today free to relax and adjust.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Chengdu – Dujiangyan – Chengdu
After an early breakfast in the morning, we will head over to the Dujiangyan Panda Base, where we will volunteer and play with the facility’s Giant Panda residents. We will spend most of the day here, learning about conservation efforts and how the staff prepares food and plants bamboo for the pandas. After this full day excursion, we will head back to Chengdu to drop you off to your hotel for the night.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Chengdu – Xi’an
We will start the morning by visiting the Sanxingdui Museum. This museum is known for its uncovered Bronze Age artifacts, specifically the massive bronze masks which date more than 3,000 years ago. After this we will drive back to Chengdu and then board a train to Xi’an. Here we will check you into your hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Xi’an
We will start the morning visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum. These warriors are one of China’s most famous treasures, as there are about 8,000 life-sized of these clay warriors, divided into 3 pits. We will then eat lunch and visit the Muslim Quarter of China, a street known for its Islamic influence and its many snacks stands and souvenirs. At the end of the day we will have a dumpling banquet dinner and enjoy a Tang Dynasty Cultural show at the Tang Dynasty Palace.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Xi’an – Jiayuguan
In the morning, we will take a peaceful walk along the Ancient City Wall of Xi’an. This wall is nearly 14 kilometers long and is one of the best-preserved city walls in China. You can enjoy views of the watchtowers, moat, and old city streets as you walk. Then we will visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist site built in the 7th century to hold scriptures brought from India. After lunch, we will head to the airport for our flight to Jiayuguan City. Once we arrive, our guide will meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel to rest for the night.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Jiayuguan
We will start the day off by visiting the Great Wall Museum in order to understand the significance of the other attractions we will be visiting today. We will then enter Jiayuguan Pass. After this we will visit the Xuanbi Great Wall in order to get a new perspective on the surrounding area.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
In the morning, we will visit the Wei and Jin Tombs, a quiet cultural site away from the crowds. These ancient tombs date back over 1,500 years and are famous for their colorful murals painted on brick. Although there are thousands of tombs here, only one is open to the public. We will walk through a narrow underground passage to see three burial chambers designed like a courtyard, living room, and bedroom. After the visit, we will return to the city and board a high-speed bullet train to Dunhuang in second class seating. Once we arrive, our local guide will pick us up and take us to the hotel for check-in and rest.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Dunhuang
Today we will spend the whole day exploring the Mogao Caves. We will first visit the Digital Exhibition Center to watch two short films that introduce the history and stories of the caves. After that, we will enter the Mogao Grottoes and visit several of the open caves one by one. Inside, you will see ancient murals, sculptures, and Buddhist art that tell stories from over a thousand years ago. This site is known as one of the most important treasures along the Silk Road and a true highlight of Chinese culture.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Dunhuang – Beijing
After breakfast, we will visit the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. This is one of the most unique natural spots in China, where golden sand dunes meet a quiet, crescent-shaped spring. You’ll have the chance to try optional activities like camel riding, sand sliding, or even desert motorcycling. The sand here is known to “sing” when the wind blows or when you slide down the slopes. Later, we will head to the airport for our flight to Beijing. When we arrive, our guide will take us to the hotel in the city for check-in and rest.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Beijing
We will begin the day at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and a symbol of modern China. From there, we will walk to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With nearly 600 years of history, this palace complex is filled with grand halls, ancient gates, and beautiful details that reflect the power and beauty of China’s imperial past.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Beijing
Start your day at the Temple of Heaven where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties came to perform rituals and pray for a good harvest. Explore the temple’s unique design and rich history and observe local people enjoying their daily activities in the surrounding park. Afterward, drive about two hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Ride a cable car up the wall and then hike further to take in the stunning views of the wall winding over the mountains. This section of the Great Wall is one of the best-preserved and offers breathtaking scenery. If you prefer you can switch to a chairlift or toboggan ride. Just let your guide know in advance and pay the difference locally.
Accommodations: Hotel of 4 star quality or equivalent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Beijing – Departure
Today your tour guide will end the tour by driving you to your homebound flight from Beijing.
Accommodations: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Rating System
Although some hotels on this itinerary may appear to have a lower star rating on international booking websites, they are officially classified by the China National Tourism Administration. This government-regulated system evaluates hotels based on a strict set of standards for quality, facilities, and service. Some differences in rating systems and cultural expectations may account for the variation in online ratings. In order to ensure quality, we rate hotels by this system.