A bite of China: 14 Days Beijing-Xi’an-Lanzhou-Chengdu-Shanghai tours

Welcome to the capital of China, Beijing. To ensure you a hassle-free arrival, your guide has already been at the airport arrival hall, waiting for you in advance. Your hotel check-in will be also taken care of by the guide.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

• Hotels: Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Regent Beijing, Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing, Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel

Beijing

Stroll on Tian’anmen Square, where the Founding Ceremony of the People's Republic of China was held in 1949. Behind the square, stands the Forbidden City, a treasure trove with many collections hidden in. Go with the guide to explore and understand more about this imperial palace.

Standing on the central point of the south-north axis of the city and faces the north gate of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

Gain a deeper understanding of Beijing's history and culture by walking through the streets of the old hutong allays. Talk with the locals when visiting the local family to gain a better understanding of the local life. You could hear the sound of hutong, the vendors’ cries, ground calligraphy and some old items during the tour.

Try the famous Peking duck for dinner before going back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Jindingxuan Restaurant with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Peking Roast Duck (Dadong Peking Duck, Qianmen Quanjude Peking Duck), Fangshan Restaurant, Mei Family Restaurant, Bai Family Restaurant)

Optional evening activity: Peking Opera, Kungfu Show

Note: There are about 2 to 3 hours walking in the Forbidden City. If you are tired, just tell the guide and have some rest.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Forbidden City

Drive about 1.5 hours from the city area to Mutianyu Great Wall. It is the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall with over 90% vegetation coverage rate. Round ways cable car is arranged for you to save energy so that you have more energy for the hiking on the Great Wall.

Come back to the city area for a food exploration in Guijie Street. Feast your stomach with various local specialties. This street is even more bustling at night.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Mutianyu Great Wall

Temple of Heaven was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest and rain. Do some morning exercises like the locals here. A master will teach you Taichi.

After that, drive to Chinese Royal Gastronomy Museum to know something about Chinese cuisine, its development and its history. The Museum has three parts: The long history of royal gastronomy, the chef and materials of the royal gastronomy, and the rules and regimen of the royal gastronomy. Follow on is an Imperial Banquet lunch here.

The imperial garden is another attraction that you should not miss, Summer Palace. It is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. With the introduction of the guide, as if you could feel that the royalty used to rest in the shade on the Long Corridor. Here you will also enjoy a big boat cruise in Kunming Lake like the royalty used to do.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Temple of Heaven

You’ve tried much Beijing food during the past days, but not the classic breakfast in Beijing. Instead of eating in the hotel today, the guide will meet you at the hotel lobby earlier than before and escort you to search some local breakfast (Stir-fried Liver Beijing Style, soybean milk, deep-fried dough stick, noodles with soybean paste).

Go for treasure hunting at Panjiayuan Antique Market. Here you could find jewelry, antique style furniture, the four treasures of the study, ancient books, calligraphy and painting, old books and articles for daily use.

Drive to the train station after lunch, where you will take the bullet train to Xi’an.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Panjiayuan Antique Market

Terracotta Army may be another reason for you to come to China. Your dream will come true today after 40 minutes’ drive. You will be amazed by these fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans as the facial expressions of each figure are quite different.

You will later be transferred back to the city area to wander leisurely around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and experience Muslim culture. What you should not miss is the Great Mosque. It is a fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic culture, a sacred religious site with huge ancient architectural complex, also a surprisingly quiet land away from the bustling Muslim streets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the local restaurant near the Terra-Cotta Warriors with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner option: Defachang Dumpling Restaurant, Lao Sun Jia Muslim Restaurant, First Noodle under the Sun

Optional evening activity: Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet

Note: There are souvenir shops at the exit of Terracotta Warriors. Remember this is a non-shopping tour. Just say no if you do not want to buy.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Great Mosque

Today, you will start the tour by visiting Xi’an City Wall, the best-preserved ancient city wall in China and also the largest and most complete military facility in the world. To get close to the local people and to taste one of the specialties in Xi’an, a dumpling or noodle making lesson is arranged in a local family. Lunch will also be arranged in the local family after the lesson. You will eat the dumplings or noodles made by yourself. You will also chat with the locals with the interpretation of the guide. After lunch, you will leave Xi’an to Lanzhou by taking the bullet train. It is a good way to appreciate the scenery along the way.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Crowne Plaza Lanzhou, Sunshine Plaza Hotel

Xi’an Ancient City Wall

Appreciate the stone sculptures in Bingling Temple in the caves. Near the caves are green hills, clear water, strangely shaped stones and steep cliffs, which add more beauty to this artistic site.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Bingling Temple

Zhongshan Bridge is the First iron bridge over the Yellow River. It was named ‘Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge’ and later renamed as ‘Zhongshan Bridge’ in memory of Sun Yat-Sen, forerunner of Chinese democratic revolution.

Gain an insight into the irrigation tools of ancient times by visiting Waterwheel Garden. The White Pagoda Hill is named after a white pagoda on its hilltop, where you could have a panoramic view of the cityscape and the winding Yellow River – mother river of Chinese.

The sightseeing may not be as famous as other sites in other cities, but Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles is quite well-known among Chinese. A master will teach you how to make the noodles and later you will eat them for lunch.

After lunch, go to the airport with the guide and driver for the flight to Chengdu.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, JW Marriott Hotel Chengdu, Chengdu Xijinge All Suites Apartment

Waterwheel Garden

There is no better way to gain a better understanding of Sichuan cuisines than making them on your own under the guidance of a professional chief. Here you will explore the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, sample some snacks and then cook some dishes like a chef. Enjoy your work after the lesson.

Come back to the city area after lunch and visit a public park, People’s Park where you could see locals enjoy life, like playing Mahjong, Taichi, playing chess, singing and dancing. Drink some tea in a local tea house like a local. This should be what the life is like.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Sichuan Cuisine Museum

Feature Dinner option: Lao Ma Tou Hotpot, Huang Cheng Lao Ma

Optional evening activity: face changing show and taste the local tea in Shufengyayun Theater

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

People’s Park

What you should not miss are the cute pandas in Chengdu. This is also the main reason you come to Chengdu. Explore Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center and have a romantic date with them. Lined with numbers of tiny shops, vendors and boutiques selling various items ranging from snacks to antiques to souvenirs, Jinli Ancient Street is a paradise for food lovers.

After a hot pot lunch, be ready to leave this adorable city and go to Shanghai, a metropolis.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: The Peninsula Shanghai, Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel, Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai, Central Hotel Shanghai

Jinli Ancient Street

Go appreciate the classical Chinese architecture, exquisite sculptures and carvings in Yuyuan Garden. It was the largest and most prestigious private garden of its era in Shanghai after it was completed. The City God Temple makes you truly feel a sense of place and the connection with the more distant past. You can also do some shopping and try some local specialties like Nanxiang Steam Buns here.

Roam at French Concession and admire the charm of Old Shanghai. Nowhere offers you a greater concentration of culture, lifestyle, dining and fashion better than Xintiandi in Shanghai.

Finish the tour on the Bund, where you could see plenty of architectures in various styles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Xiangyefu Teahouse Restaurant with a la carte menu

Feature Dinner Option: Nan Xiang Mantou Dian, Green Wave Gallery, Lost Heaven-Yunnan Restaurant Bund Branch

Optional evening activity: Era Time or Shangcheng Acrobatic Show

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Yuyuan Garden

Owing to its original village charm, Tongli stands out among so many ancient water towns near Shanghai. You are able to see how the local life is when strolling in the town. A relaxing boat cruise is quite cozy. The local specialties here like biscuit in a sole shape and pig’s feet are unmissable.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Tongli Water Town

Farewell. You will be escorted to the airport at the confirmed time by the guide and driver. Wish you a safe flight home.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Shanghai