Highlights
11 days covering the easiest, most iconic first China route
Good to know
Arrival in Beijing: Great Wall
Arrive in Beijing, settle into the selected hotel, then use an easy orientation around Great Wall and Forbidden City. The first evening is paced gently after international travel.
Beijing: Forbidden City
Spend the day in Beijing around Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Imperial capital with the Great Wall, palaces and living hutongs. Routing keeps the sightseeing in one practical city base, with meal breaks and transfer buffers planned for international travellers.
Beijing: Temple of Heaven before moving on
Use the last full block in Beijing for Temple of Heaven, Imperial capital with the Great Wall, palaces and living hutongs and Great Wall before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.
On to Xi'an: City Wall
Travel on to Xi'an by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with City Wall and Muslim Quarter. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.
Xi'an: Muslim Quarter
Spend the day in Xi'an around Muslim Quarter, Ancient capital and Silk Road starting point and Terracotta Army. Routing keeps the sightseeing in one practical city base, with meal breaks and transfer buffers planned for international travellers.
Xi'an: Ancient capital and Silk Road starting point before moving on
Use the last full block in Xi'an for Ancient capital and Silk Road starting point, Terracotta Army and City Wall before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.
On to Chengdu: Leshan access
Travel on to Chengdu by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with Leshan access and Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan flavours. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.
Chengdu: Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan flavours
Spend the day in Chengdu around Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan flavours, Panda Base and Jinli. Routing keeps the sightseeing in one practical city base, with meal breaks and transfer buffers planned for international travellers.
Chengdu: Panda Base before moving on
Use the last full block in Chengdu for Panda Base, Jinli and Leshan access before packing and preparing for the next city. Activities stay close enough to keep the onward transfer realistic.
On to Shanghai: Cosmopolitan skyline, Art Deco history and water towns nearby
Travel on to Shanghai by the most reliable rail, flight or private-transfer option, then begin with Cosmopolitan skyline, Art Deco history and water towns nearby and The Bund. The day avoids backtracking to the previous city.
Departure from Shanghai: The Bund
Keep the final morning in Shanghai light, with time for The Bund or nearby neighbourhoods before a private transfer to the airport or rail station.
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