9-Nights Deluxe China: Panda Expressions from $4,229

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing

Transfer: Beijing Capital Airportto Beijing - City Centre

Hotel: Fairmont Beijing (5 Star Rating)

The Fairmont Beijing Hotel brings unprecedented luxury and hospitality offering guests a distinctive stay right in the heart of China's modern capital business centre. Located in the central business district, the distinctive collection of comfortable and contended guest rooms, top-end spa treatments, gym facilities and award-winning restaurants allow our globe-trotting guests to enjoy opulence from all aspects, while on their journey in China's capital.

Begin your city tour at Tian'anmen Square, the historic heart of China and the largest public plaza in the world, known for its role in major national events. Continue to the magnificent Forbidden City (Palace Museum) (closed on Mondays), the iconic imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Built by over 200,000 craftsmen, this vast complex once housed 24 emperors and features 9,999 rooms of ceremonial, administrative, and private spaces.

In the afternoon, explore the scenic Houhai District, with its lakes, traditional courtyard homes, and narrow hutong alleyways. Enjoy a pedicab ride through these historic lanes and visit a local family's home. Continue to the impressive Bell and Drum Towers, nationally protected cultural landmarks that once served as the official timekeepers of Beijing during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel and transfer to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a rugged and less crowded stretch that offers spectacular views as it winds over the surrounding hills. The drive from Beijing takes approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, take a short cable car ride up to the Wall, where you can explore its ancient watchtowers, walk along the winding stone paths, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the hills and forests. After soaking in the breathtaking scenery, return by cable car to meet your driver, and then stop at a restaurant for a relaxing lunch before heading back to Beijing.

Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, where locals gather to practice traditional morning exercises such as Tai Chi, creating a peaceful and lively atmosphere. A masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture, the temple embodies ancient Chinese beliefs in the harmony between heaven and earth, demonstrated through its refined geometry and engineering. Once a sacred site where emperors prayed for good harvests, it remains one of Beijing's most important cultural landmarks.

Continue to the Summer Palace, Beijing's best-preserved imperial garden. Located along the tranquil shores of Kunming Lake, this expansive retreat features graceful pavilions, temples, and covered corridors set amid beautifully landscaped grounds. Designed as a summer escape for the imperial family, the palace offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and classical Chinese garden design.

Transfer: Beijing - City Centreto Beijing Train Station

Transfer: Xi'an Train Station to Xi'an - City Centre

Hotel: Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian (5 Star Rating)

Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian is located right in the heart of the city wall, 45 minutes to Xian Xianyang International Airport 10 minutes to Xian Railway Station. The hotel offers 414 spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments equipped with ultra-modern conveniences. The hotel is ideally situated close to many of the city's historical sites including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Great Mosque, Shaanxi History Museum and the Forest of Steles stone library. The Terracotta Museum is 45 minutes away by car.

Begin your day with a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world. These 2,300-year-old life-sized figures were crafted to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qinshihuang, in the afterlife. The site was accidentally uncovered by local farmers in 1974, and today, the warriors remain in their original positions, giving visitors a remarkable glimpse into ancient Chinese military organization, artistry, and funerary practices. You’ll see rows of soldiers, chariots, and horses, each uniquely detailed, reflecting the skill and dedication of the craftsmen who created them over two millennia ago.

After lunch, continue to the Ancient City Wall, one of the most well-preserved city walls in China and among the largest ancient military defense systems in the world. Take a 1-hour bike ride atop the wall, experiencing panoramic views of Xi’an and gaining a sense of its historic scale and grandeur.

Hotel: Shangri-La Chengdu (5 Star Rating)

Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu offers elegant rooms and suites with contemporary décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and spacious marble bathrooms. The hotel features multiple dining options, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a central location overlooking the Jin River.

Enjoy an authentic Sichuan evening steeped in tradition and culture. Begin with a classic Sichuan hot-pot dinner, a dish enjoyed in the region for centuries. A bubbling pot of chili-spiced broth is set into the table, complete with its own burner, and you select from a variety of fresh meats and vegetables to cook to your preference - an interactive dining experience that reflects Sichuan’s bold flavors and communal food culture.

While dining, marvel at the renowned Sichuan Opera Face-Changing performance. Sichuan Opera dates back more than 300 years, and Face-Changing (Bian Lian) is one of its most iconic and closely guarded art forms. Performers in brightly colored costumes and elaborate makeup move to fast-paced, dramatic music, spinning, leaping, rolling, and executing astonishing stunts. In the blink of an eye, masks transform to reveal different characters and emotions, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable spectacle.

In the morning, meet your guide and transfer to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world’s most renowned centers for panda conservation, research, and breeding. Mornings are the best time to visit, as pandas are most active in the cool hours, happily eating, playing, and lounging. The base is home to more than

100 giant pandas, making it one of the largest and most important panda research centers in the world.

Next, enjoy a relaxing stroll through People’s Park, a vibrant gathering place where locals come to practice Tai Chi, fly kites, sing, or take part in synchronized dance - offering a wonderful glimpse into everyday life in Chengdu. Visit a traditional teahouse for an immersive tea experience that blends history, culture, and rich local flavors, reflecting the city’s long-standing tea-drinking traditions.

Continue to Jinli Ancient Street, one of Chengdu’s most famous cultural streets, and enjoy lunch at a restaurant featuring classic Chengdu cuisine. Then walk along Jinli Street, to see the beautifully preserved Qing Dynasty–style architecture (1616–1911). You can browse for souvenirs such as Shu embroidery, lacquerware, folk handicrafts, calligraphy, or choose to sample a variety of popular local snacks such as egg pancakes, bon bon chicken, and tofu pudding. You’ll also encounter traditional intangible cultural heritage displays, including sugar painting and shadow puppetry.

Transfer: Chengdu - City Centreto Chengdu TianFu International Airport

Transfer: Shanghai Pu Dong Aptto Shanghai - The Bund/Huangpu District

Pick up from hotel, enjoy a amazing Acrobatic Show at ERA Theatre. It hosts one of the best acrobatic shows in town. ERA - Intersection of Time put on in the theater is a multimillion-dollar stunning acrobatic extravaganza, the first of its kind in China, ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. The highlight of ht show includes Mirror Mirage, Magic Water, Floating Gondola, Music of ERA, Jar Juggling, Wheel of Life, Space Motorcycles. After that, transfer back to hotel.

Hotel: Hotel Indigo Shanghai On The Bund (5 Star Rating)

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund is a stylish boutique hotel situated along the scenic Huangpu River, blending modern design with local cultural elements and offering spectacular views of Shanghai's iconic skyline and historic waterfront. Guests can enjoy spacious, thoughtfully designed rooms, an indoor pool with river views, multiple dining venues, and convenient access to attractions like The Bund and Yu Garden.

Start your day with a leisurely stroll along The Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront promenade. Admire the dozens of historic colonial-era buildings that line the Huangpu River, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city's past while enjoying stunning views of the modern skyline across the river.

Next, step into the serene beauty of the 400-year-old Yu Garden, a classical Ming Dynasty garden renowned for its exquisite pavilions, rockeries, and tranquil ponds. Just outside the garden, wander through the lively Chen Huang Miao Bazaar, a bustling area full of traditional shops, local snacks, and cultural souvenirs.

Take a Huangpu River Cruise to see Shanghai from a unique perspective. Glide past historic landmarks on the Bund and contemporary skyscrapers on the opposite bank, experiencing the vibrant contrast between the city's rich history and its modern achievements along the "mother river" of Shanghai.

After lunch, visit the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower, completed in 1995. Standing at 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world. Explore its observation decks and enjoy panoramic views of the city, while appreciating this iconic symbol of Shanghai's architectural innovation.

Finally, visit Jade Buddha Temple, built to enshrine two exquisite jade Buddha statues brought from Burma by the monk Huigen. As one of Shanghai's most renowned Buddhist temples, it remains an active spiritual and cultural center, with monks living and practicing there, offering visitors a glimpse into traditional Buddhist life.

Transfer: Shanghai - The Bund/Huangpu District to Shanghai Pu Dong Apt