Explore China’s most iconic cultural and natural highlights on this 9-day curated tour, which brings you across the stunning destinations of Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing and Chengdu. This expertly selected itinerary blends unforgettable explorations of China’s most famous ancient capital wonders with magical up-close giant panda encounters. Curated for traveler satisfaction, the tour is offered at an unbeatable price with secure, trusted payment options for total peace of mind.
This 9-day journey starts in northern China's iconic imperial capital Beijing, where you'll check off the country's most famous historic landmarks before traveling west to Xi'an, the heart of China's first unified empire. After exploring Xi'an's well-preserved ancient sites and legendary Terracotta Warriors, you'll head southwest through Chongqing to laid-back Chengdu, the panda capital of the world, with a scenic day trip to see the massive Leshan Giant Buddha. Weaving together millennia of history, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and authentic local food, this route offers a perfect introduction to China's most beloved can't-miss destinations.
Touch down in Beijing, the capital of modern and ancient China, and complete your check-in to begin your tour. 🍽️ Breakfast is included to help you recharge after your travel. 🏨 Overnight stay at Xi'an Downtown Hotel.
Kick off your first full day of sightseeing with an early morning trip to Tiananmen Square, where you'll watch the majestic raising of the five-star red flag. Next, step inside the 600-year-old Forbidden City, former home of 24 Chinese emperors, to explore the grand Hall of Supreme Harmony and the tranquil, walled Imperial Garden. In the afternoon, head to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO-listed imperial worship site, to visit the stunning Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the geometric Circular Mound Altar. Wrap up your day with a relaxing stroll along the shores of Kunming Lake at the iconic Summer Palace. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an Downtown Hotel.
Spend the whole day exploring one of China's most unforgettable landmarks: the Great Wall, at the scenic, well-preserved Mutianyu section. Hike along ancient stone battlements, soak in sweeping views of the wall winding through misty mountains, and feel the weight of thousands of years of history under your feet. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an Downtown Hotel.
Travel from Beijing to Xi'an, one of China's four great ancient capitals, and dive straight into exploring the city's historic core. Start with a visit to lively Bell and Drum Tower Square, the ancient heart of Xi'an. As evening falls, join a guided night food tour through the bustling Muslim Quarter, where you'll get to sample three of Xi'an's most iconic local snacks. 🍽️ Breakfast and dinner (including your three featured local snacks on the tour) are included. 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an Downtown Hotel.
Today is dedicated to Xi'an's most famous attraction: the Terracotta Warriors. Walk through the massive excavation pits to gaze at thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and horses, built over 2,200 years ago to guard the tomb of China's first emperor. After your tour, get hands-on with a workshop experience where you can sculpt and take home your very own mini terracotta figure. In the afternoon, visit the historic Buddhist Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then wander through the vibrant Datang Everbright City district, which recreates the golden glory of China's Tang Dynasty. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Xi'an Downtown Hotel.
Before leaving Xi'an for Chengdu, you'll explore more of the city's top cultural spots. Start with a visit to the elegant Small Wild Goose Pagoda, then dive into thousands of years of local history at Xi'an Museum. Next, climb up and walk along Xi'an's incredibly well-preserved Ancient City Wall, for unbeatable panoramic views of the city spread out below you. Wrap up your Xi'an stay with a leisurely wander through Shuyuanmen Cultural Alley, a charming lane full of local art, handicrafts, and bookshops. After sightseeing, you'll travel onward to your next destination. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Chongqing Downtown Hotel.
The much-anticipated panda encounter is here! Start your day at the Chengdu Panda Base, where you can watch giant pandas munching bamboo, playing, and napping in their naturalistic habitat. After your panda visit, head to the serene 1,000-year-old Wenshu Monastery, a peaceful Buddhist retreat full of ancient architecture and sacred art. Next, slow down like a local at People's Park, where you'll experience a traditional Sichuan tea ceremony, sipping fragrant local tea in a lush public park. End your day wandering the lantern-lit historic lanes of Jinli Ancient Street, perfect for browsing souvenirs and street food. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Chongqing Downtown Hotel.
Take a scenic day trip to see the incredible Leshan Giant Buddha, the world's largest carved stone Buddha. First, you'll view the massive statue from the panoramic overlook on land, then hike down the narrow cliffside plank road to get a full, up-close view of the entire 71-meter-tall statue. When you return to central Chengdu, take time to stroll through Kuanzhai Alley, a charming district of restored traditional courtyard homes, now lined with unique shops, cafes, and local eateries. 🍽️ Breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at Chongqing Downtown Hotel.
After breakfast, your 9-day Chinese adventure comes to an end. You'll check out of your hotel and depart for your onward journey. 🍽️ Breakfast is included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 17, 2026
The combination of ancient history and adorable pandas made this trip fun for every member of our family, from our teens to my retired parents. All the logistics were handled seamlessly, and we got to see so many incredible highlights in just 9 days without feeling overwhelmed.
March 22, 2026
This tour is ideal for first-time visitors to China who want to see all the top attractions without the hassle of arranging everything themselves. Each day had a good mix of activity and free time, so we never felt rushed or bored. The panda encounter in Chengdu was worth every penny of the tour cost.
January 15, 2026
Every moment of this 9-day tour felt perfectly planned and unforgettable.
November 3, 2025
I’ve wanted to visit China for decades, and this tour exceeded every single one of my expectations. Walking on the Great Wall at sunrise was a bucket list moment I’ll never forget, and getting to see the Terracotta Warriors up close left me speechless. The stop in Chongqing for hot pot and a night river cruise was such a fun surprise that broke up the cultural sightseeing perfectly. By the time we got to Chengdu to see the pandas, we were already so happy with the trip that it just felt like the perfect cherry on top. I can’t wait to book another organized trip through this region again soon.
September 20, 2025
Lynn from HelloChinaTrip helped us adjust a small part of our itinerary when we wanted extra time at the Chengdu panda sanctuary, and she was so helpful the whole time. All the locations we visited were perfectly chosen to show off the best of each ancient capital, and we left feeling like we got a real taste of Chinese culture.
April 29, 2025
We loved every cultural stop on this itinerary, from the Forbidden City in Beijing to spicy hot pot in Chongqing. The only downside was that we visited during the May holiday, so all the major sites were much more wonderful than we expected. Our guide still did a great job getting us through everything on time, so it was just a minor inconvenience. I’d still suggest this tour to anyone, just try to avoid peak travel weeks if you can.
March 12, 2025
This was the best trip I’ve ever taken through China.
February 10, 2025
I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to ancient and modern China.
December 28, 2024
My husband and I took this tour for our 10th anniversary, and it was the most incredible trip we’ve ever been on. Our guide knew so many little facts about the history of each site that made every stop way more interesting than just wandering around on our own. We loved trying all the local foods in each city, from Peking duck in Beijing to mapo tofu in Chengdu. Everything was organized perfectly, from the internal transport between cities to our comfortable hotel stays, so we never had to worry about a thing.
December 18, 2024
Seeing the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and visiting giant pandas in Chengdu was absolutely magical. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept the itinerary moving smoothly even at the crowded Great Wall. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see China’s top spots without the stress of planning.
Dive into the unmatched natural and cultural beauty of Tibet on this immersive 6-day tour, which covers Lhasa, the stunning alpine Namtso Lake, surrounding scenic areas, and a stop in historic Xi’an for a well-rounded travel experience. As a top-curated pick for exploring the heart of Tibet, this tour stands out for its carefully selected itinerary highlights, competitive pricing, and secure, trusted payment processes, letting you focus fully on soaking in the one-of-a-kind magic of your journey.
