Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu 7 Days Tour
Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Pandas
Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu 7 Days Tour
For Chinese travelers with only one week of vacation, we strongly recommend a one-time visit to the three ancient capitals – Beijing, Xi’an, and the Panda Kingdom Chengdu. This classic route covers China’s most representative travel destinations, giving you ample time to appreciate the iconic landscapes of Chinese civilization: including the majestic Great Wall, the royal Forbidden City, the world-shocking Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors, and of course, the most beloved national treasure Giant Pandas.
During the seven-day itinerary, you will start from Beijing – a six-dynasty ancient capital with a history of more than three thousand years, not only the contemporary capital of China but also a historical city engraved with the imprint of Chinese civilization; then head to Xi’an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, where the real and touchable historical relics are well preserved, taking you deep into the genetic code of Chinese civilization; finally, arrive at the “hometown of giant pandas” Chengdu, where you can not only observe the lovely giant panda babies up close while tasting authentic spicy hotpot but also immerse yourself in the leisurely and romantic atmosphere of this “city with the most happiness in China”. All itineraries can be flexibly adjusted according to your personal interests, so feel free to inform us of your needs at any time!
Through this visit, you can experience the "must-see and must-do"
Highlights One: Stroll through the Forbidden City, visit the Summer Palace, and listen to the imperial secret history and garden legend between the red walls, yellow tiles, and pavilions of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Highlights Two: Climb the wild Great Wall with few people and beautiful scenery, and enjoy the panoramic view of magnificent mountains and rivers.
Highlights Three: Step into the history classroom and marvel at the 8000 life-size Terracotta Warriors.
Highlights Four: Welcome to Chengdu, see the lovely giant pandas and newly born panda babies in the hometown of giant pandas; experience the slow life in Chengdu parks and teahouses, taste authentic Sichuan cuisine.
Itinerary Overview
-
Beijing (3 days)
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest, and Water Cube -
Xi'an (2 days)
Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi History Museum -
Chengdu (2 days)
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wenshu Monastery, People's Park, Jinli Ancient Street
Daily Itinerary
Day One Arrive in Beijing | Private car pick-up and hotel check-in
Hello! Welcome to the capital of China, Beijing! When you arrive at Beijing airport or train station, the guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit to escort you to the selected hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you to rest and adjust to the time difference, or explore the surroundings of the hotel on your own.
【Arrival Guide】
Beijing has developed aviation and high-speed rail transportation. There are two airports in the city – Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, operating numerous international and domestic routes. You can fly to Beijing from most cities in China (such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Guiyang, Chongqing, Lanzhou, etc.). In addition, you can also choose to take a high-speed train to Beijing: about 4-5 hours from Xi’an, 4.5-6 hours from Shanghai, 2.5-3 hours from Zhengzhou, 4-5 hours from Wuhan, 5-5.5 hours from Harbin, etc.
【Free Time】
After checking in at the hotel, if you want to explore the surroundings, feel free to ask the guide for exclusive tips. Whether you want to go to Wangfujing Street to taste authentic snacks, experience the old Beijing hutong atmosphere at Shichahai, or watch the flag-lowering ceremony at Tiananmen Square, the guide can recommend the most suitable free travel plan for you based on your interests and time.
Day Two Beijing Great Wall Tour | Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird's Nest, and Water Cube
This morning, you will head to Mutianyu Great Wall in the northwest of Beijing (73 kilometers from the city, about 1.5-2 hours by car). With a history of over 2000 years, the Great Wall spans several provinces in northern China, with a total length of over 3000 miles, making it one of the most breathtaking ancient engineering wonders in the world. Mutianyu Great Wall connects with Jiankou Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou Great Wall to the east. It is the most well-preserved and fully restored section of the Great Wall. Not only are there relatively few tourists, but it is also famous for its 23 Ming Dynasty watchtowers and magnificent scenery. You will take a cable car directly to Watchtower 14, starting an unforgettable hiking journey on the Great Wall, focusing on the western section. Surrounded by green pines and cypresses, the Great Wall stands majestically on the vast land, where you will appreciate the most stunning natural scenery. Challenge yourself to climb to Watchtower 20 and fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish this rare opportunity and take plenty of photos!
After bidding farewell to this awe-inspiring historical wonder, we return to Beijing city, passing by the Olympic landmarks – the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). These two Olympic venues have witnessed China’s glory in both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Stop to admire the exterior and capture the memories of the Olympics. After the tour, a private car will take you back to the hotel, where you can surely fall asleep with memories of the Great Wall.
Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
Water Cube, Beijing
Day Three Take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an | Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
After breakfast, the guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Tiananmen Square. As the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square is not only a symbol of China but also witnessed many significant historical events in the past few decades. Crossing the square, you will enter the magnificent Palace Museum – the largest palace complex in the world where 24 Chinese emperors once resided. The Forbidden City, with over nine thousand palaces, is not only the largest existing ancient wooden structure in China but also a city within a city, akin to the Vatican in Rome. After entering through the Meridian Gate, we will visit along the central axis to ensure you do not miss the essence of the major palaces. With the guide’s explanations, you can appreciate the exquisite architectural art and massive collection of cultural relics, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the dusty imperial stories in the deep palace gardens.
After the tour, the staff will escort you to the train station to take a high-speed train to Xi’an (about 4.5-5.5 hours). Welcome to Xi’an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties! Upon arrival at the train station, the local guide and driver will meet you at the exit and take you to the hotel for check-in.
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Forbidden City, Beijing
Day Four Xi'an City Tour | Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and drive about 40 kilometers (about 1 hour) to visit one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries – the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum. This grand underground army was ordered to be built by the first emperor of Qin to guard him in the afterlife. Currently, there are about eight thousand life-size terracotta figures unearthed. First, visit the largest No. 1 pit, where over six thousand warriors and horses are displayed, standing in formation with silent dignity for thousands of years, not only showing the majesty of protecting the emperor’s mausoleum but also demonstrating the exquisite artistry of the Qin craftsmen. Then move to No. 2 pit, where over a thousand warriors and horses are gathered. Here, you will see the archers composed of kneeling and standing figures, witness the grandeur of the chariot and cavalry formations, and appreciate the heroic postures of the armored soldiers. (Special tip: If you are interested, you can also experience the fun of making miniature terracotta warriors.)
After lunch, return to the city to visit the best-preserved ancient city wall – Xi’an City Wall. This military defense system integrates moats, arrow towers, and corner towers, making it not only the largest existing ancient city defense project in China but also an excellent viewing platform to overlook the new appearance of the ancient city. You can leisurely stroll on the city wall, appreciate the beauty of the inner and outer walls’ structures, and enjoy the distant view of modern Xi’an’s bustling scene. (Optional experience: If you want to experience cycling on the city wall, please inform your exclusive travel consultant in advance.)
In the evening, step into the bustling Muslim Quarter on the smoky Hui Street and feel the vibrant pulse of urban life on the bluestone road. This alley, which gathers halal food and diverse cultures, is not only a paradise for gourmets but also an excellent place to touch the pulse of the ancient city.
Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an
City Wall, Xi’an
Day Five Take a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu | Shaanxi History Museum
This morning, the guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to visit the Shaanxi History Museum. This art palace, known as the “Pearl of the Ancient Capital, the Treasure of China,” houses over 130,000 historical relics, showcasing the condensed millennium civilization and brilliant ancient culture of China. During the visit, you will admire Western Zhou bronzes, Qin terracotta warriors, Tang gold and silverware, and murals unearthed from Tang tombs and other precious cultural relics, experiencing the profound cultural heritage. Afterwards, we will visit the Tang Dynasty building inside the Daci’en Temple – the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an iconic building in Xi’an.
After the tour, you will be taken to the train station to take a high-speed train to Chengdu (about 3.5-4 hours). Upon arrival in Chengdu, the guide will meet you at the train station exit and escort you to the hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Chengdu and get a preliminary feel for the unique charm of this leisurely city known for “giant pandas” and “Sichuan cuisine.” In the evening, you may want to taste authentic Sichuan hotpot or enjoy a fantastic Sichuan opera face-changing performance.
Shaanxi History Museum, Xi’an
Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an
Day Six Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jinli Ancient Street
After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to fulfill your panda dream, traveling 17 kilometers to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Also known as the Chengdu Panda Base, it is home to over 100 giant pandas, the largest number of captive giant pandas in the world. Here, you will see pandas of different ages, watching them play, eat, climb, and sleep, bringing endless joy. If you visit in autumn, you may have the chance to see pink newborn panda cubs in the Sun and Moon Nurseries. Besides giant pandas, you can also encounter cute red pandas in the red panda activity area, where they may leisurely walk past you. Then, follow the guide into the Panda Museum to further explore the mysteries of giant pandas. (Friendly reminder: Giant pandas prefer cool weather, so it is recommended to arrive early as the pandas are most active in the morning.)
Next, you will visit the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu – Wenshu Monastery, to experience the serene and peaceful atmosphere. Then, visit People’s Park in Chengdu to experience the leisurely life of the city and the daily life of the locals. Enjoy a cup of fragrant bowl tea in a century-old teahouse, chat with friends, watch locals play mahjong, and have a unique experience. Finally, return to the Chengdu city area and take a leisurely stroll in Jinli Ancient Street. This ancient street, with a history of over 1800 years, vividly displays the profound cultural heritage of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Walking on the traditional bluestone road, you will find a variety of authentic snacks, exquisite handicrafts, and interesting folk performances on both sides, making you linger and forget to return.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu
Jinli Ancient Street, Chengdu
Day Seven Depart from Chengdu | Hotel check-out and airport transfer
The seven-day journey in China is coming to an end. Next, you will have free time in Chengdu to explore the charm of this city on your own. Later, our guide will send you to the airport or train station for your flight or high-speed train to the next destination.
Thank you for choosing Fenglin International Travel to start your journey in China. We are committed to providing you with high-quality services and look forward to meeting you again on your next trip to China or Asia!
Airport Transfer
Safely return home after the end of the China tour.
Price: Inclusions and Exclusions
What’s included?
- Experienced driver & air-conditioned vehicles
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class) as listed in the itinerary
- Entrance tickets, activities, meals as listed in the itinerary
- Accidental insurance
- Comprehensive services from itinerary planning to reception and journey completion
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Entry visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement
- Recommended optional activities
- First-day and return transfer services
- Driver and guide gratuities
Important itinerary notes for booking private tours in China
Booking a private tour in China is very simple. Choose the tour you are interested in and click “Free Inquiry.” When submitting the form, please tell us your requirements and preferences. You do not need to pay immediately during this process. After sending your request, our professional travel experts will reply to you within 0.5 to 24 hours. Once all the information is confirmed, you can make a deposit. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the travel expert directly.
The above itinerary is a sample that most travelers would choose. Guides can customize the itinerary based on your preferences, interests, and budget. Also, if you want to extend this trip, just tell us your favorite destinations and activities. Our professional travel experts will completely redesign the itinerary for you and your group at the best price. Tell us your thoughts now>>
Private tours mean you will travel to tourist attractions in a private vehicle. The private cars we choose are spacious, comfortable, and equipped with air conditioning. The experienced drivers we use are reliable. For travel between two destinations, we use domestic flights (economy class seats) or high-speed trains (second-class seats, usually less than 6 hours). Local guides and drivers will pick you up at the airport and train station and escort you to the hotel.
China Tour Accommodation and Hotel Conditions
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- Travel Mode: Private Customized Tour (Flexible Dates and Group Size)
- Tour Route: Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu
- Route Features: History, Culture, Cultural Relics, Museums
Price: Request
(Based on a private tour for two people. Prices vary depending on the program, travel dates, and number of people)
Free Inquiry! You do not need to pay for booking.
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