14-Day China Discovery: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu & More

Q: Q: How difficult is this tour?

A: This tour is rated Moderate to Strenuous, driven mainly by Day 10 in Zhangjiajie, which involves a full day of walking on uneven stone steps and forest paths, and by the Great Wall visit at Badaling on Day 2, which includes steep sections (a cable car option is available there). Comfortable, closed-toe walking or hiking shoes are recommended throughout. Travellers over 65 or with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor before booking.

Q: Q: Do I need a visa to visit China for this tour?

A: Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter China; requirements vary by nationality, so check current policy with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling. China visa fees are not included in this tour and are the traveller's responsibility.

Q: Q: When is the best time for this Beijing–Xi'an–Chengdu–Zhangjiajie–Guangzhou route?

A: April and October are the two windows that suit all five destinations well, offering milder temperatures in the north, clearer paths in Zhangjiajie, and cooler, drier conditions in Guangzhou. Outside these months, trade-offs appear: summer (Jun–Aug) is hot and humid in Beijing, Xi'an and Chengdu and very hot and humid in Guangzhou, while winter (Dec–Feb) is cold and dry in the north and can bring icy paths in Zhangjiajie.

Q: Q: What's the best time of day to see the pandas at the Chengdu base?

A: Giant pandas are most active in the morning, particularly around feeding time between roughly 8:00 and 10:00 am, so an early start on Day 7 gives the best chance of seeing them moving around, eating, and playing rather than resting.

Q: Q: What is the Song of Everlasting Regret show on Day 5?

A: It's an outdoor light-and-dance performance staged at the foot of Huaqing Palace, based on a classical Tang-dynasty poem about the doomed romance between Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Guifei. The show uses the surrounding mountainside as a natural backdrop and begins at 8:00 pm, after your palace visit earlier in the day.

Q: Q: Isn't Day 8 a lot to fit into one day, with both Sanxingdui and Dujiangyan?

A: It's a fuller day than most Chengdu excursions, but the two sites are close enough by road (around an hour each way) to combine comfortably with a private car, without the need for an overnight stay outside Chengdu. Your guide manages the timing to allow a meaningful visit at both sites.

Q: Q: Why is Day 9 in Zhangjiajie left free with no sightseeing?

A: After the flight from Chengdu, Day 9 is kept unhurried on purpose, rather than pushing straight on to Furong Town the same day (which isn't part of this itinerary). This gives you time to settle in before the more active forest park day that follows on Day 10.

Q: Q: Why does Day 11 build in extra time before the flight to Guangzhou?

A: Since Day 11 combines a morning visit to Huanglong Cave with an afternoon flight, extra buffer time is built into the schedule to comfortably reach the airport and check in, even allowing for possible delays on the transfer from the cave to Zhangjiajie's airport.

Transportation
Private Car, Train & Flights
Accomodation
4-Star Hotels
Maximum Altitude
1,518 m (Tianmen Mtn)
Departure from
Beijing
Best season
Apr & Oct
Tour type
Culture, Nature & Panda
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast
Language
English
Fitness level
Moderate to Strenuous
Group Size
15 travellers

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

This 14-day tour is a classic introduction to China, linking five signature destinations from north to south: the imperial capital of Beijing, the ancient city of Xi’an, the panda and food capital of Chengdu, the sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie, and the Cantonese heritage city of Guangzhou. High-speed trains and domestic flights connect each stage, with a private car and English-speaking guide throughout.

In Beijing, three days cover the Great Wall at Badaling, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the contemporary Sanlitun district, along with a stroll down Wangfujing on arrival. A high-speed train brings you to Xi’an, where the Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Palace, the Tang-themed Datang Furong Garden and Datang Everbright City, and the Song of Everlasting Regret evening show bring the Tang dynasty capital to life.

From Xi’an, another high-speed train continues to Chengdu, where you visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street, Chengdu Taikoo Li and Heming Tea House, and take a full day trip to Sanxingdui Museum’s Bronze Age treasures and the UNESCO-listed Dujiangyan Irrigation System. A flight takes you on to Zhangjiajie for a full day among the pillar forests of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, an evening at the Charming Xiangxi show, and a visit to Huanglong Cave.

The trip closes with a flight to Guangzhou, where Yongqingfang, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Yuyin Shanfang’s classical garden, the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, Shamian Island, and a Pearl River night cruise round out the cultural side of the itinerary. Throughout the trip you’re accompanied by an English-speaking guide and private car, with 4-star hotel accommodation for thirteen nights and daily hotel breakfast included.

Highlights

- Walk the ramparts of the Great Wall at Badaling and explore the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing
- See the Terracotta Warriors and watch the Song of Everlasting Regret evening show in Xi'an
- Visit giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Explore the Bronze Age treasures of Sanxingdui Museum and the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System
- Spend a full day among the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Cruise the Pearl River at night and explore Guangzhou's Lingnan heritage sites

Day 01 :

Arrival in Beijing — Wangfujing Street

You are met on arrival and transferred to your 4-star hotel in Beijing. In the evening, take a stroll along Wangfujing, one of Beijing's oldest and busiest shopping streets, known for its department stores, snack alleys, and neon-lit storefronts.

📷 Wangfujing Street at night — Day 1 Alt text (EN): pedestrian shopping street neon lights night Wangfujing Beijing China Search prompt: Wangfujing pedestrian street neon lights night Beijing China

Day 02 :

Beijing — Badaling Great Wall

Spend the day at Badaling, the most visited and best-restored section of the Great Wall of China, around an hour's drive from central Beijing. Walk along the ramparts and watchtowers for sweeping views over the surrounding mountains, with a cable car available for those who prefer not to climb the steeper sections.

📷 Badaling Great Wall panorama — Day 2 Alt text (EN): Great Wall of China ramparts mountains Badaling section panorama Search prompt: Badaling Great Wall panorama mountains ramparts China

📷 Badaling watchtower — Day 2 Alt text (EN): stone watchtower Great Wall Badaling China hikers Search prompt: Badaling Great Wall watchtower stone steps China

Day 03 :

Beijing — Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Sanlitun

Begin at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, before crossing into the Forbidden City to explore its courtyards and halls, the former seat of the Ming and Qing emperors. Continue to Jingshan Park, where a climb to the hilltop pavilion gives a panoramic view back over the Forbidden City's rooftops. In the evening, explore Sanlitun, Beijing's contemporary bar, dining and retail district.

📷 Forbidden City courtyard — Day 3 Alt text (EN): imperial courtyard red walls golden roofs Forbidden City Beijing China Search prompt: Forbidden City courtyard red walls golden roofs Beijing China

📷 Jingshan Park view over Forbidden City — Day 3 Alt text (EN): panoramic view Forbidden City rooftops Jingshan Park Beijing China Search prompt: Jingshan Park panoramic view Forbidden City rooftops Beijing China

📷 Sanlitun in the evening — Day 3 Alt text (EN): contemporary bar dining district night lights Sanlitun Beijing China Search prompt: Sanlitun district night lights bars shops Beijing China

Day 04 :

Beijing to Xi'an — Datang Furong Garden & Everbright City

Transfer to the high-speed train station for the roughly 4.5-hour journey to Xi'an. After checking in to your hotel, spend the evening at Datang Furong Garden, a Tang dynasty-themed cultural park, before continuing to Datang Everbright City, a pedestrian street of Tang-era architecture that comes alive after dark with lights and street performances.

📷 Datang Furong Garden — Day 4 Alt text (EN): Tang dynasty style garden pavilion illuminated Xi'an China evening Search prompt: Datang Furong Garden Tang dynasty pavilion illuminated Xi'an China

📷 Datang Everbright City at night — Day 4 Alt text (EN): Tang dynasty style pedestrian street lights night Xi'an China Search prompt: Datang Everbright City Tang dynasty street lights night Xi'an China

Day 05 :

Xi'an — Terracotta Warriors & Song of Everlasting Regret

Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Lintong District, home to thousands of life-size clay soldiers built to guard China's first emperor. Continue to Huaqing Palace, a Tang dynasty imperial hot springs complex, before returning in the evening for the Song of Everlasting Regret, an outdoor light-and-dance performance staged at the foot of the palace grounds; the show begins at 8:00 pm.

📷 Terracotta Warriors — Day 5 Alt text (EN): rows life size clay soldiers Terracotta Warriors Xi'an China Search prompt: Terracotta Warriors rows clay soldiers pit Xi'an China

📷 Huaqing Palace hot springs complex — Day 5 Alt text (EN): Tang dynasty pavilion hot spring pools Huaqing Palace Xi'an China Search prompt: Huaqing Palace Tang dynasty pavilion hot springs Xi'an China

📷 Song of Everlasting Regret performance — Day 5 Alt text (EN): outdoor night performance lights mountain backdrop Xi'an China Search prompt: Song of Everlasting Regret outdoor performance night Xi'an China

Day 06 :

Xi'an to Chengdu — Taikoo Li & Heming Tea House

Transfer to the high-speed train station for the roughly 3.5-hour journey to Chengdu. After checking in, explore Chengdu Taikoo Li, a contemporary shopping district built around restored Song-dynasty-style courtyards, then visit Heming Tea House in Renmin Park to experience traditional Chengdu tea culture over a cup of local tea.

📷 Chengdu Taikoo Li — Day 6 Alt text (EN): restored courtyard buildings modern shops Taikoo Li Chengdu China Search prompt: Chengdu Taikoo Li restored courtyard modern shopping district China

📷 Heming Tea House, Renmin Park — Day 6 Alt text (EN): traditional teahouse bamboo chairs Renmin Park Chengdu China Search prompt: Heming Tea House Renmin Park traditional teahouse Chengdu China

Day 07 :

Chengdu — Giant Panda Base, Wuhou Shrine & Jinli

Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to giant pandas of all ages, best visited in the morning when the pandas are most active around feeding time. Continue to Wuhou Shrine, a memorial temple dedicated to the statesman Zhuge Liang and Emperor Liu Bei, and finish at Jinli Ancient Street next door, a restored Qing-dynasty-style lane of shops, teahouses and snack stalls.

📷 Giant panda, Chengdu Panda Base — Day 7 Alt text (EN): giant panda eating bamboo Chengdu Research Base China Search prompt: giant panda eating bamboo Chengdu Panda Base China

📷 Wuhou Shrine — Day 7 Alt text (EN): memorial temple courtyard red walls Wuhou Shrine Chengdu China Search prompt: Wuhou Shrine memorial temple courtyard Chengdu China

📷 Jinli Ancient Street — Day 7 Alt text (EN): lantern lit lane shops Qing dynasty style Jinli Chengdu China Search prompt: Jinli Ancient Street lanterns shops Chengdu China

Day 08 :

Chengdu — Sanxingdui Museum & Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Drive around an hour to Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, home to Bronze Age artefacts of the ancient Shu civilization, including striking bronze masks and figures over 3,000 years old. Continue to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site and still-functioning 2,200-year-old water-management project, walking across Nanqiao (South Bridge), one of the scenic highlights within the site, before returning to Chengdu in the evening.

📷 Sanxingdui bronze mask — Day 8 Alt text (EN): ancient bronze mask artefact Sanxingdui Museum Guanghan China Search prompt: Sanxingdui Museum bronze mask artefact Guanghan China

📷 Dujiangyan Irrigation System — Day 8 Alt text (EN): ancient water diversion channels Dujiangyan Irrigation System China Search prompt: Dujiangyan Irrigation System water channels Sichuan China

📷 Nanqiao (South Bridge), Dujiangyan — Day 8 Alt text (EN): covered wooden bridge river Nanqiao South Bridge Dujiangyan China Search prompt: Nanqiao South Bridge covered wooden bridge Dujiangyan China

Day 09 :

Chengdu to Zhangjiajie — Arrival & Rest

Fly to Zhangjiajie and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest and settle in, since the itinerary doesn't rush on to Furong Town the same day, allowing a more relaxed start to the Zhangjiajie portion of the trip.

📷 Zhangjiajie sandstone pillars on arrival — Day 9 Alt text (EN): sandstone pillar forest mist Zhangjiajie China skyline evening Search prompt: Zhangjiajie sandstone pillar landscape mist evening China

Day 10 :

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park & Charming Xiangxi Show

Spend the full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, taking in its towering sandstone pillars along trails such as Golden Whip Stream and the Yuanjiajie scenic area, one of the park's most photographed viewpoints. Comfortable hiking shoes are recommended, since the paths include uneven stone steps and walkways. In the evening, watch the Charming Xiangxi performance, a Tujia and Miao song-and-dance show.

📷 Golden Whip Stream — Day 10 Alt text (EN): forest stream trail sandstone pillars Golden Whip Stream Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Golden Whip Stream forest trail sandstone pillars Zhangjiajie China

📷 Yuanjiajie sandstone pillars — Day 10 Alt text (EN): towering sandstone pillars mist Yuanjiajie Zhangjiajie China forest Search prompt: Yuanjiajie sandstone pillar forest mist Zhangjiajie China

📷 Charming Xiangxi performance — Day 10 Alt text (EN): Tujia Miao ethnic dancers colorful costume stage performance Zhangjiajie Search prompt: Tujia Miao ethnic dance performance colorful costume stage Zhangjiajie China

Day 11 :

Zhangjiajie to Guangzhou — Huanglong Cave & Flight

Spend the morning at Huanglong Cave, a large stalactite and stalagmite cave system near the national forest park entrance. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guangzhou, with ample time built in for the connection. Check in to your hotel on arrival.

📷 Huanglong Cave — Day 11 Alt text (EN): stalactite stalagmite cave chamber illuminated Huanglong Cave Zhangjiajie Search prompt: Huanglong Cave stalactite stalagmite chamber illuminated Zhangjiajie China

Day 12 :

Guangzhou — Yongqingfang, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall & Canton Tower

Stroll through Yongqingfang, a restored historic lane in the old Xiguan district, before visiting Chen Clan Ancestral Hall to see its ornate Lingnan woodcarvings and courtyards. In the evening, head to the riverside to see the Canton Tower lit up after dark.

📷 Yongqingfang historic lane — Day 12 Alt text (EN): restored Lingnan lane shophouses lanterns Yongqingfang Guangzhou China Search prompt: Yongqingfang historic lane restored shophouses Guangzhou China

📷 Chen Clan Ancestral Hall — Day 12 Alt text (EN): ornate wood carvings courtyard Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Guangzhou China Search prompt: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall courtyard wood carving Guangzhou China

📷 Canton Tower at night — Day 12 Alt text (EN): Canton Tower illuminated skyline night Pearl River Guangzhou China Search prompt: Canton Tower illuminated night skyline Guangzhou China

Day 13 :

Guangzhou — Yuyin Garden, Shamian Island & Pearl River Cruise

Visit Yuyin Shanfang in Panyu district, one of the Four Great Gardens of Guangdong, known for its Qing-dynasty pavilions and ponds. Continue to the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, then walk through Shamian Island's colonial-era streets. In the evening, join a Pearl River night cruise to see the illuminated riverside skyline.

📷 Yuyin Shanfang garden — Day 13 Alt text (EN): classical Lingnan garden pond pavilion Yuyin Shanfang Guangzhou China Search prompt: Yuyin Shanfang classical Lingnan garden pond pavilion Guangzhou China

📷 Shamian Island colonial buildings — Day 13 Alt text (EN): colonial era buildings banyan trees Shamian Island Guangzhou China Search prompt: Shamian Island colonial buildings banyan trees Guangzhou China

📷 Pearl River night cruise — Day 13 Alt text (EN): illuminated riverside skyline night cruise Pearl River Guangzhou China Search prompt: Pearl River night cruise illuminated skyline Guangzhou China

Day 14 :

Departure from Guangzhou

Your private car transfers you to the airport for your onward flight home.