CONTACT USCruise the Yangtze, Meet Cute Pandas, Learn Chuan Cuisine
After its rich history and culture, adorable pandas and delicious food should be the second major reason for tourists to visit China.
Chengdu is the hometown of giant pandas. Unlike in other cities where pandas in zoos are usually kept alone in small enclosures, in Chengdu you would see pandas in pairs or groups playing and frolicking in spacious open areas.
A leisurely cruise along the Yangtze River rounds off the family vacation.
This private tour is fully customizable. Feel free to modify the destinations, activities, or length of the tour according to your preferences. Our travel advisor will personalize your family holiday based on your requests.
Suggested 14-Day Family Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Beijing | Forbidden City, Great Wall and Beijing roast duck |
| 4-5 Xian | Terracotta Warriors and snack tasting at Muslim quarter |
| 6-8 Chengdu | Giant Panda and Sichuan cuisine |
| 9-11 Yangtze River Cruise | Fengdu Ghost City, Shennong Stream and Three Gorges Dam |
| 12-14 Shanghai | Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Tower, and the Bund Tunnel |
Tour Map
Tour ‘Wow’ Points
Enjoy an exciting toboggan ride down from the Great Wall
Feel your heart race and your spirits soar as you descend from this ancient wonder, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes with each thrilling moment.
Visit a Local Family in a Hutong Courtyard
Chat with the host and get a glimpse of the typical lifestyle in the hutong. Experience the hobby of the host, calligraphy or paper cutting and taste the yogurt loved by locals living in hutong.
Discover the secrets of the Terracotta Army
Why were the Terracotta Warriors built, how were they constructed, and why do these warriors have peculiar ‘topknots’? The tour guide will unravel the mysteries for you. At the end of the tour, you can create a mini clay warrior at a local cave dwelling.
Taste local Xi’an snacks in the Muslim Quarter
While exploring the bustling streets of the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an, you can sample local specialties such as roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), biangbiang noodles, steamed cold noodles and pita bread soaked in lamb soup.
Meet the cuddly pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base
The Dujiangyan Panda Base focuses on the conservation and breeding of giant pandas, as well as public education about these endangered animals. Visitors can observe pandas in a semi-natural habitat and learn about the efforts to protect this iconic species.
Learn some Sichuan cuisine recipes from a local chef
First, go to the local market where locals usually pick out ingredients. Then step into an experienced chef’s kitchen and cook real Sichuan cuisine together.
Savor the irresistible delights of a Sichuan hot pot
You will enjoy the most authentic Sichuan hot pot in a local popular restaurant. Choose the meats and vegetables you like to eat according to your taste. Hotpot can also satisfy both the need for spicy and non-spicy foods at the same time.
Unwind during a relaxing Yangtze River cruise
Witness the beauty of the Three Gorges, experience local cuisine, and visit historical sites like the Three Gorges Dam.
Ascend to new heights at Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China, offering breathtaking views of the Shanghai skyline from the Observation deck.
Suggested Itinerary
Your preferences design the real journey. We’re ready to create a wonderful China family tour for you.
Day 1Arrive in Beijing | Airport Transfer
Your family adventure starts with our reliable private pickup service: your personal guide and driver will take you to your hotel in a private van. Your guide would assist you with the check-in, taking any arrival anxiety away.
Day 2Beijing | Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and a Hutongs Experience
Breakfast & Lunch
Start your day at Tian’anmen Square, the heart of Beijing and the largest well-known city square in the world.
Discover more on a unique tour of the Forbidden City with your guide who will bring its rich history, culture, and architecture to life for your children. Experience the mysteries of the Forbidden City in a captivating style alongside your kids.
Enjoy a traditional Beijing lunch at a local roast duck restaurant.
Step into a traditional courtyard, joining a hutong family to delve into their lifestyle. Experience the hobby of the host, calligraphy or paper cutting and taste the yogurt loved by locals living in hutong.
Day 3Beijing | The Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven
Breakfast & Lunch
Visit the Temple of Heaven, an ancient Chinese architectural masterpiece symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth. Local residents engage in recreational activities at Temple of Heaven Park, including singing, dancing, playing Chinese chess, and practicing tai chi.
Opt for the family-friendly Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Much less crowded than Badaling, it boasts numerous perfectly-recreated watchtowers that harmonize with the disappearing wall next door. Enjoy a cable car ride for a fresh arrival atop the wall, where you could spend unrestricted time exploring. Descend with exhilaration using the toboggan slide for added fun.
Day 4Beijing to Xi’an| The Summer Palace and Bullet Train
Breakfast & Lunch
Walk around the tranquil Summer Palace at a leisurely pace and enjoy the 300-year-old royal garden. Take a pleasant boat ride on the lake and have a stroll in the long corridors to view the exquisite paintings on the ceilings.
Later in the day, we would take you to the train station for your bullet train to Xi’an, escorting you all the way to the boarding gate. The maximum speed could reach 350 km/h (217 mph).
Day 5Xi’an| The Terracotta Army and Tasting Local Snacks
Breakfast & Lunch
Start your day by visiting the extraordinary Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the world.
Your guide would explain how and why the warriors and horses were created. After this, your family would learn to make your own clay warriors with expert local artisans at a local cave dwelling.
You would find all types of local snacks in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter. As an experienced foodie, your guide would introduce these special snacks, such as a Chinese hamburger and flatbread in mutton soup, and you would get an opportunity to try them.
Day 6Xi’an to Chengdu | Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall
Breakfast & Lunch
Go to Big Wild Goose Pagoda to witness intricate carvings, climb spiral stairs for panoramic views, and uncover its rich historical and cultural significance.
Explore Xi’an’s well-preserved city wall, which offers panoramic views of the city and is perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride.
Take a high-speed train to Chengdu in the afternoon.
Day 7Chengdu | Giant Pandas and Cooking Sichuan Food
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Giant pandas and delicious food are the top reasons to visit Chengdu. We know that most children can’t wait to see the pandas. So, the first stop of your trip to Chengdu would be Dujiangyan Panda Base.
At Dujiangyan Panda Base, a much-less-crowded facility known for its conservation efforts and provision of natural habitat for giant pandas, you would observe pandas closely and learn more about the conservation efforts.
Learn some Sichuan cuisine recipes from a local chef in the afternoon. Start by selecting ingredients from the market, then show off your culinary talent in the kitchen, and, finally, taste the fruits of your labor.
Day 8Chengdu to Chongqing| Be Like a Local for Half a Day in a Park
Breakfast & Lunch
Take a seat and sip a cup of tea at a local park. You would see some vibrant scenes that may only happen together in Chengdu: parents seeking partners for their unmarried children at a marriage market, locals enjoying traditional teahouse ear massages, and people playing mahjong everywhere in summer — even in the river.
Try the most typical cuisine in Chengdu — a Sichuan hot pot — for lunch. Then, take a picture with the big panda sculpture on Chunxi Road.
Take a high-speed train to Chongqing and then transfer across the ‘Mountain City’ to board your Yangtze cruise ship. A welcoming embarkation buffet dinner will be waiting for you onboard.
Day 9The Yangtze River | Fengdu Ghost City
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, take an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (about 2 hours). It’s known for its culture of ghosts and integration of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism with diverse Chinese traditions.
A variety of onboard activities and lectures will be available in the afternoon.
Day 10The Yangtze River | The Three Gorges and Shennong Stream
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Two of the three magnificent gorges, Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, are passed through during the morning, so be ready with a camera. Wonders of engineering, vast ship locks, and the majesty of nature present themselves to you as you sit back and relax.
The afternoon is dedicated to Shennv Stream. Transfer from your Century ship to a smaller boat and cruise along newly-opened-up waterways bordered by lush hills and cliffs to witness spectacular scenery, including the renowned hanging coffins.
In the evening, the crew of the ship would entertain you with their performances. You could benefit from the ship’s childcare service with specially-designed onboard activities.
Day 11Yichang to Shanghai | The Three Gorges Dam
Breakfast & Lunch
The Three Gorges Dam is the highlight of the day and a visit to the top of the dam gives great photo opportunities.
After arriving in Yichang, you would be taken to the train station for a transfer by high-speed train to Shanghai. Your guide in Shanghai will escort you back to the hotel for a good rest.
Day 12Shanghai | Panoramic Views Over the City and a Bustling Market Street
Breakfast & Lunch
Shanghai is a collision of new and old. Visit the new part of Shanghai in the morning. Reach the 118th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-tallest building, for a panoramic view of the city.
Take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to the other side of the river and enjoy the colorful light displays, music, and visual effects during the journey.
In the afternoon, travel back in time to the old part of Shanghai and visit the famous Yu Garden that was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
A market street near Yu Garden is an exciting experience where crowds of people buy local snacks, handicrafts, antiques, and souvenirs.
Day 13Shanghai | A Free Day for Your Own Explorations
Breakfast
Based on former clients’ experiences, we highly recommend allocating a free day in Shanghai for shopping or visiting Shanghai Disneyland. If you are interested in traditional Chinese culture and architecture, the water towns nearby would be a good choice.
Day 14Departure
Breakfast
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver would make sure you get to the airport on time and without any stress. Say goodbye to China and take lovely memories home.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
