Pandas & Golden Cities
SG05: 11 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Chengdu - Shanghai
Tour Type: Small Group of 1-18 travelers, guaranteed departures
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned coach
Accommodation: 10 nights at good 5-star & 4-star hotels
Meals: 10 western buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches with some being a la carte style, 1 dumpling dinner
Tour Highlights:
- Must-see sights - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Giant Pandas
- Have a once in a life chance to get close to the incredibly cute treasure - Pandas
- Cruise on the Huangpu River to take in the impressive skylines of Shanghai
- Enjoy a la carte meals, Kung Fu Show, Tang Dynasty Music and Dance performance
From $1839 per person Free Inquiry
From US$1839 per person
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Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
You will be met at Beijing airport today and taken to check in at the hotel. Our guide will offer an orientation for the following day, dealing mainly with escorted tours and dining arrangements. To refresh from jet lag, you may have a good rest at the hotel, or make your own plans for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing
- the former Sheraton
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing
- the former SheratonDay 2 Beijing
After breakfast at the hotel, all persons on the tour attend a short orientation session for mix and mingle. Our first stop will be Tiananmen Square and then the Forbidden City, an ancient and grand imperial palace. There is so much to see. Our guide will make it more exciting with first hand knowledge.
At noon, you will dine on an a la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very popular restaurant. There are great menu selections including Peking Roast Duck.
After that you will approach the Temple of Heaven. It is a former place of worship surrounded by a park. Then you will go to enjoy a traditional Chinese Kung Fu Show in the evening.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch![Walk around the solemn Tiananmen Square]()
![Explore the majestic Forbidden City]()
At noon, you will dine on an a la carte welcome lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a very popular restaurant. There are great menu selections including Peking Roast Duck.
After that you will approach the Temple of Heaven. It is a former place of worship surrounded by a park. Then you will go to enjoy a traditional Chinese Kung Fu Show in the evening.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch
Walk around the solemn Tiananmen Square
Explore the majestic Forbidden City
Day 3 Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall with a round-trip cable car, A toast with red wine on the wall. (B)
The buffet style breakfast with a variety of food is served at the hotel from 06:30. We suggest you have a hearty breakfast today as you are going to mount the great wall and the lunch is not included. After about two hours driving, you will reach the Mutianyu Great Wall, the most popular section. To keep your strength for a great hike on the wall, we arrange the round-trip cable car for you, and to add spice to the exciting occasion, we toast you with a bottle of red wine. Free climbing time will be provided for your group on the wall.
After the Great Wall sightseeing, we will drive back to downtown. Then a featured local market visit is scheduled. You will enjoy some free time there to relax.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast![Our group toasting on the Great Wall]()
After the Great Wall sightseeing, we will drive back to downtown. Then a featured local market visit is scheduled. You will enjoy some free time there to relax.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Our group toasting on the Great Wall
Day 4 Beijing to Xi'an by Flight
Summer Palace, Olympic Bird's Nest, A la carte lunch, Hutong Rickshaw Tour, Experience Chinese Paper Cutting, Fly to Xi'an, Airport-hotel transfer. (B+L)
On the last day of your Beijing visit you get to see the Summer Palace, Olympic Bird's Nest and the traditional Hutongs. Summer Palace is one of the places where you find refuge from the bustling city center. Then drive through 2008 Olympic site dominated by the large Bird's Nest. You can get a photo opportunity with it as backdrop. Narrow alleys connect traditional courtyard residences called Hutongs. A rickshaw ride through those old hutongs is an eye-opening experience. Also a particular arrangement is that you will learn the local craft of paper cutting, one of China's most popular folk arts.
We will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a quality local restaurant. Enough of Beijing, and you are off to the ancient imperial capital, Xi'an, where you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and escorted to the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel![Appreciate the pleasant landscape in Summer Palace]()
We will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a quality local restaurant. Enough of Beijing, and you are off to the ancient imperial capital, Xi'an, where you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and escorted to the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel
Appreciate the pleasant landscape in Summer Palace
Day 5 Xi'an
Terracotta Army, A local family visit and an authentic home-cooked lunch, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Show with dumpling dinner. (B+L+D)
The Terracotta Army is a must-see when visiting Xi'an. The museum consists of three main excavation pits and one exhibition hall. The figures in the museum include warriors, horses, chariots, weapons and so on. It is estimated that the first Emperor of Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC) constructed such a large army format aimed to protect his mausoleum. Till now, the excavation work is still ongoing.
Then pay a home visit. You will socialize with the host family members and enjoy a home-cooked lunch there (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price). Proceed to nearby Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda after lunch. This evening, dine on a local special dumpling dinner, followed by a wonderful Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner
Friendly Tips
· Since the theater is usually not open in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec, we will not arrange the show and dumpling dinner for tours starting during the periods. Clients will enjoy free time to relax.
· Small Wild Goose Pagoda cannot be visited before March 31, 2021 due to maintenance. If you happen to be traveling at the period, your travel consultant will make alternate arrangements for you. Thank you.![Marvel at the 2200-year-old Terracotta Warriors]()
Then pay a home visit. You will socialize with the host family members and enjoy a home-cooked lunch there (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price). Proceed to nearby Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda after lunch. This evening, dine on a local special dumpling dinner, followed by a wonderful Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner
Friendly Tips· Since the theater is usually not open in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec, we will not arrange the show and dumpling dinner for tours starting during the periods. Clients will enjoy free time to relax.
· Small Wild Goose Pagoda cannot be visited before March 31, 2021 due to maintenance. If you happen to be traveling at the period, your travel consultant will make alternate arrangements for you. Thank you.
Marvel at the 2200-year-old Terracotta Warriors
Day 6 Xi'an
Observe local life in the park, Tai Chi practice, Xi'an City Wall, A la carte lunch, Provincial History Museum, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter. (B+L)
The tour today begins from the City Wall Park, a popular venue for local people to relax and take part in various activities. A Tai Chi practice will be arranged for you here. Then go on a visit to the City Wall. Originally built as a military defense system, it consists of walls, gate towers, suspension bridges and city moats. Nowadays, it has become one of the landmarks of this ancient capital city.
After an a la carte lunch at a nice local restaurant, you will be driven to Shaanxi History Museum, an admirable place for visitors to appreciate the many cultural treasures. Later, continue to the Muslim Street. It has been a prosperous commercial street since ancient times, and now it becomes more and more popular among tourists because of its distinctive features. Going across the bustling street, you will reach the tranquil Great Mosque, which is one of the most famous mosques in China. It was first built during the mid-seventy century when Islam was introduced to Northwestern China by Arabic merchants and travelers.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch![Enjoy an authentic home-cooked meal at a local family visit]()
![Visit the Great Mosque, one of the best-preserved Islamic mosques in China]()
After an a la carte lunch at a nice local restaurant, you will be driven to Shaanxi History Museum, an admirable place for visitors to appreciate the many cultural treasures. Later, continue to the Muslim Street. It has been a prosperous commercial street since ancient times, and now it becomes more and more popular among tourists because of its distinctive features. Going across the bustling street, you will reach the tranquil Great Mosque, which is one of the most famous mosques in China. It was first built during the mid-seventy century when Islam was introduced to Northwestern China by Arabic merchants and travelers.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Enjoy an authentic home-cooked meal at a local family visit
Visit the Great Mosque, one of the best-preserved Islamic mosques in China
Day 7 Xi'an to Chengdu by High Speed Train
A 4-hour high speed train to Chengdu, Train station to hotel transfer. (B)
A morning high speed train will take you from Xi'an to Chengdu in about 4 hours. The high speed trains are the main form of transport between neighboring cities for local people. Our tour guide in Chengdu will pick you up at the railway station and help you check in at the hotel. Relax during the rest of the day.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza![Chinese countryside people celebrating the festival]()
![Lobby of Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza]()
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
Chinese countryside people celebrating the festival
Lobby of Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
Day 8 Chengdu
Giant Panda Base, Broad and Narrow Alleys, Jinsha Site Museum, Leisure time at Renmin Park. (B)
The Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding cannot be bypassed when one visits Chengdu. We will show you the panda center in the morning when pandas are the most active. Seeing them eating, playing or climbing, you will be impressed by such cuddly creatures. After that, we will take you to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys. You might have your own lunch there to taste some popular Sichuan food.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Jinsha Site Museum, which supports dating Chengdu city settlement back to 611 BC. Its heritage is reflected in everyday life. People in Chengdu have the reputation for their carefree lifestyle, so the last stop today is to have a tea break and take a glimpse on the locals' living style in Renmin Park. With a very casual vibe, the locals in Chengdu usually value pleasure more than work. To them, the most crucial parts of living are playing mahjong and drinking tea.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast![See the adorable pandas and learn about their habits]()
In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Jinsha Site Museum, which supports dating Chengdu city settlement back to 611 BC. Its heritage is reflected in everyday life. People in Chengdu have the reputation for their carefree lifestyle, so the last stop today is to have a tea break and take a glimpse on the locals' living style in Renmin Park. With a very casual vibe, the locals in Chengdu usually value pleasure more than work. To them, the most crucial parts of living are playing mahjong and drinking tea.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
See the adorable pandas and learn about their habits
Day 9 Chengdu to Shanghai by Flight
Fly to Shanghai, Airport-hotel transfer, Relax during the rest of the day. (B)
Today you will be escorted to the airport for your last scheduled destination: Shanghai. Our Shanghai guide will wait for you at airport and accompany you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel
Day 10 Shanghai
Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden and its traditional bazaar, A la carte farewell lunch, Former French Concession, the Bund and Huangpu River cruise. (B+L)
If Chinese history, culture and art, are to your taste, then Shanghai Museum will prove exciting. Then proceed to the Yu Garden, which is a classical Chinese garden. It includes trees, flowers, ponds, bridges, rocks, pavilions, and halls. If you are hunting for small gifts or souvenirs for families or friends, the nearby lively Yu Bazaar is a good place.
You will be at the a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant.
You will spend the whole afternoon discovering the Former French Concession, taking in the Bund area and viewing the spectacular array of buildings on the other side of Huangpu River, which clearly display the prosperity of this city. You will also have a one-hour cruise tour on the Huangpu River. Bon voyage at the hotel lobby from Travel China Guide.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch![Our guests visiting the classical Yu Garden]()
You will be at the a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant.
You will spend the whole afternoon discovering the Former French Concession, taking in the Bund area and viewing the spectacular array of buildings on the other side of Huangpu River, which clearly display the prosperity of this city. You will also have a one-hour cruise tour on the Huangpu River. Bon voyage at the hotel lobby from Travel China Guide.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch
Our guests visiting the classical Yu Garden
Day 11 Departure from Shanghai
Please check out before 12:00. We recommend the most efficient and money-saving way - taking a taxi by yourself from hotel to the airport, A pleasant trip home! (B)
Today's transfer from hotel to airport is not included in the package as the departure times of group members are different. You need to find your own way to the airport for your homeward flight. The most convenient way is to take a taxi. It costs around CNY200 per cab to Pudong Airport and CNY100 to Hongqiao Airport. We hope you have a nice trip home.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
B-- Breakfast L-- Lunch D-- Dinner
2021 Prices
Prices are per person in US Dollars; departures are guaranteed even with one person!
Earlier Booking, Bigger Savings
10% off - book 60 days before, 5% off - book 30 days before
| Arrival Date | Departure Date | Double Occupancy | Single Room Supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20(Sat) | Mar 02(Tue) | $1839 | $569 | |
| Mar 04(Thu) | Mar 14(Sun) | $1869 | $599 | |
| Mar 11(Thu) | Mar 21(Sun) | $1869 $1775 | $599 | |
| Mar 25(Thu) | Apr 04(Sun) | $1909 $1813 | $599 | |
| Apr 01(Thu) | Apr 11(Sun) | $2049 $1946 | $649 | |
| Apr 08(Thu) | Apr 18(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| Apr 15(Thu) | Apr 25(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| Apr 22(Thu) | May 02(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| May 06(Thu) | May 16(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| May 13(Thu) | May 23(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| May 20(Thu) | May 30(Sun) | $2049 $1844 | $649 | |
| May 27(Thu) | Jun 06(Sun) | $2019 $1817 | $629 | |
| Jun 03(Thu) | Jun 13(Sun) | $2019 $1817 | $619 | |
| Jun 10(Thu) | Jun 20(Sun) | $2019 $1817 | $619 | |
| Jun 17(Thu) | Jun 27(Sun) | $2019 $1817 | $619 | |
| Jun 24(Thu) | Jul 04(Sun) | $2019 $1817 | $619 | |
| Jul 01(Thu) | Jul 11(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Jul 08(Thu) | Jul 18(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Jul 15(Thu) | Jul 25(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Jul 22(Thu) | Aug 01(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Jul 29(Thu) | Aug 08(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Aug 05(Thu) | Aug 15(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Aug 12(Thu) | Aug 22(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Aug 19(Thu) | Aug 29(Sun) | $2059 $1853 | $619 | |
| Aug 26(Thu) | Sep 05(Sun) | $2079 $1871 | $639 | |
| Sep 02(Thu) | Sep 12(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Sep 09(Thu) | Sep 19(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Sep 16(Thu) | Sep 26(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Sep 23(Thu) | Oct 03(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Oct 07(Thu) | Oct 17(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Oct 14(Thu) | Oct 24(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Oct 21(Thu) | Oct 31(Sun) | $2069 $1862 | $679 | |
| Oct 28(Thu) | Nov 07(Sun) | $1959 $1763 | $679 | |
| Nov 04(Thu) | Nov 14(Sun) | $1959 $1763 | $679 | |
| Nov 11(Thu) | Nov 21(Sun) | $1929 $1736 | $649 | |
| Nov 20(Sat) | Nov 30(Tue) | $1909 $1718 | $649 | |
| Dec 04(Sat) | Dec 14(Tue) | $1849 $1664 | $569 | |
| Dec 23(Thu) | Jan 02(Sun) | $1849 $1664 | $569 |
Remark: The prices in red reflect the current discount.
Price Includes
- Domestic airfares & train fares
- Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- Lunches as itinerary specifies
- Professional English-speaking guides
- Drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
- Tips or gratuities for hotel porters
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Entry Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Why Travel With Us
Itineraries you may also like:
1. Meals - the lunch was ok, environment was fine. The second lunch was delicious with lots of attention from the staff (they spent the whole meal taking pictures of the boys much to our amusement).
2. Guide –Tina was quite knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Tina was very helpful with getting us onto the flight to Xian (all that luggage of ours was a problem for us to carry!)
3. Driver & car - The service attitude of the driver was great & very helpful. The car was clean and well maintained.
4. Hotel - It was very luxurious. The room was great. Service was excellent. The breakfast was very good and well presented in an ultra clean restaurant. It was a bit disconcerting that there were no Chinese people there, only Westerners. We would usually prefer more contact with local people but it was ok for two nights.
Xian
1. Meals - The home lunch experience was amazing.
2. Guide –Celine was very nice. She was knowledgeable, helpful and patient.
3. Driver & car - Our driver in Xian was not particularly helpful. He did not help Celine with anything, he just sat in the car (which may well be his job description but unusual when compared to our other drivers). He appeared unhappy which could be because the van was broken into on our first night. His driving was not very good. We found him to be very impatient with other drivers and his skills were not that good.
4. Hotel - It was one of the best that we stayed at. The room was a bit threadbare and aging with no luxuries but the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff more than made up for it. The location was great, in an attractive street with lots of restaurants nearby. The hotel breakfast was easily the nicest breakfast buffet that we came across. The dining room was very clean with a huge range of delicious dishes, most of them Chinese which made us very happy.
Chengdu
1. Meals - No lunches arranged.
2. Guide - Jeff was our guide in Chengdu. We found him to be very pleasant, informative and knowledgeable. He was lovely to talk to and we learnt a lot from him about China and her people, as well as the places that we were visiting.
3. Driver and car - Our driver in Chengdu was very helpful and a good driver. The car was kept clean. When there was a problem with the car on our 2rd full day, a replacement car and driver were organized very swiftly with minimal disruption.
4. Hotel - The hotel was a very nice, clean and rather flash hotel. The room was very nice. The breakfast was a bit too Western for us, minimal Chinese options so not really to our tastes. I can imagine that it would be very popular with many tourists.
Shanghai
1. Meals - The one lunch we had in Shanghai was not good as in other cities.
2. Guide - Catherine was a wonderful guide. She was so full of energy, fantastic with the kids, they both fell in love with her. She was informative and helpful with great English skills. Catherine really went out of her way to make our stay pleasant and fun.
3. Driver and car - both were fine.
4. Hotel –It was a fairly rundown hotel. An opening window in our room had a broken latch which concerned us a bit with the children (scared that they would climb out when we were on the 20 something floor). We could have contacted Catherine to help us to try and change rooms but by the time we noticed it, it was very late at night and we were to tired to deal with it. We did not find the staff at the hotel very helpful. The breakfast was the worst that we had in China. On the positive side there was a cook preparing eggs fresh to order, however it was very busy when we went to breakfast and I had to wait about 20 minutes to be served. The rest of the food had become cold but it was Chinese which is good. I understand that they were very busy but it was not very pleasant or hygienic. ... More
All the meals that were included or were recommended by our guides were delicious. We tried lots of different food that we would never usually eat and I can say gladly we did not have a bad meal.
I would highly recommend TCG, the booking process was so easy and the trip itself was amazing. We felt like we saw a broad range of what china has to offer. Thanks again for all your help. ... More
1. Our guides were all fantastic, particularly Lily (Xian). Her English was excellent and her personal touch made our visit extra special. She was very knowledgeable about Xian and the Terra Cotta Warrior site. She shared many insights into Chinese culture and history. Her warm and caring personality shown through each day of our visit. We give her very high marks indeed. She was very professional and on time for all our scheduled dates. We recommend her for any awards your company might have.
2. Our drivers were very good. They were quiet and professional for the entire trip. Coaches were always kept spotless and the drivers made sure we had bottled water each day. Drivers also got very high marks from us. Note the air conditioner in the van worked very well to keep the temperature comfortable.
3. The breakfast buffets at each hotel also get high marks from us. It had a wide variety of western and Chinese offerings. The staff was pleasant and provided excellent service. Likewise the hotel were very nice. The rooms were comfortable and clean and the lobby areas very pretty.
4. Other restaurants in general were fine. The American style Chinese food we are accustom to here in the USA is not the same as the true Chinese food offered in China. Too many pure Chinese style meals may overload the western stomachs. We found most of the soups that were offered to be too strong for our palates. Our guides did their best to offer us a variety of Chinese items that they thought would please our palates but a few Western style restaurants would be a good addition. The Horizon was very nice. The Dumpling Dinner was good but with 14 different dumplings offered to us, it was too much of a good thing. A suggestion we offer is to have a small menu at the dumpling dinner that is in English and explains a little about how many dumplings we would be getting and what was in them. The waitress at the Dumpling dinner did not speak well in English so we were sort of lost. Note we did attend the Tang Dynasty show and it was wonderfull. Lily got us tickets but it would be good to make the travelers aware that the show is a separate admission. Most tourists will want to see it.
Highly recommended tour guide service. Congrats to the folks who put it together. ... More