15-Day China Tour: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu & Chongqing
🌟 Tour Highlights
- 🚩 Explore four major destinations: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Chongqing
- 🏯 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Dazu Rock Carvings
- 🐼 Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base to see China’s national treasure up close
- 🍲 Culinary experiences: Beijing Roast Duck, Xi’an Muslim Quarter street food, Tang Dynasty Dumpling Banquet, Sichuan hotpot, and Chongqing spicy hotpot
- 🚠 Unique cityscapes: Hutong rickshaw ride, Xi’an City Wall cycling, Chengdu teahouse culture, Chongqing Yangtze Cable Car & Hongya Cave night view
🗓 Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing
Airport pick-up and hotel check-in. Free evening at leisure near Wangfujing.
Day 2 – Beijing City Icons
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City with official guide, Temple of Heaven. Hutong rickshaw ride + Beijing Roast Duck dinner.
Day 3 – Great Wall Adventure
Day trip to the Great Wall (Juyongguan or Mutianyu). Options: cable car or toboggan ride. Evening free walk at Houhai Lake.
Day 4 – Imperial Beijing
Summer Palace boat cruise, Lama Temple, Olympic Bird’s Nest exterior view. Night shopping at Wangfujing Snack Street.
Day 5 – Beijing to Xi’an
Morning high-speed train to Xi’an. Afternoon visit Ancient City Wall (cycling option). Evening Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show + Dumpling Banquet.
Day 6 – Terracotta Army & History
Full-day Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter food walk.
Day 7 – Xi’an Local Exploration
Shaanxi History Museum, Bell & Drum Towers, calligraphy & shadow puppetry in Gao’s Courtyard. Overnight train or flight to Chengdu.
Day 8 – Chengdu Panda Day
Morning visit Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base. Afternoon Jinli Ancient Street & Wuhou Shrine. Evening Sichuan Opera face-changing show.
Day 9 – Chengdu Tea & Culture
Kuanzhai Alley teahouse experience, People’s Park. Afternoon hotpot tasting tour.
Day 10 – Dujiangyan Day Trip
Visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System (UNESCO), Mount Qingcheng Taoist site. Evening return to Chengdu.
Day 11 – Chengdu to Chongqing
High-speed train to Chongqing. Afternoon Ciqikou Ancient Town. Evening Chongqing hotpot feast.
Day 12 – Chongqing Urban Exploration
Yangtze River Cable Car, Three Gorges Museum, Hongya Cave night view.
Day 13 – Dazu Rock Carvings
Day trip to Dazu Rock Carvings (UNESCO World Heritage). Evening free.
Day 14 – Chongqing Free Day
Optional Yangtze River Cruise (additional cost). Leisure time for shopping or food tours.
Day 15 – Departure from Chongqing
Airport transfer and end of tour.
✨ Tour “Wow” Points
🏛 Historic & Cultural Highlights
Beijing – Forbidden City
The Forbidden City in Beijing is the largest imperial palace in the world, home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With its golden roofs, vast courtyards, and 9,000 rooms, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see highlight of Chinese history.
Beijing – Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is an architectural masterpiece where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Surrounded by ancient pine trees, this UNESCO site blends Taoist symbolism with imperial ritual, representing the harmony between heaven and earth.
Beijing – Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a lakeside royal retreat featuring the vast Kunming Lake, the Longevity Hill, and elegant pavilions. Known as the “Museum of Royal Gardens,” it showcases classical Chinese landscaping and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beijing – Hutongs
Step into Beijing’s hutongs, the city’s historic alleyways lined with courtyard homes. A rickshaw ride through these narrow lanes reveals traditional neighborhood life and local snacks, offering a glimpse into old Beijing.
Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors
Discovered in 1974, the Terracotta Army features over 8,000 life-sized soldiers guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb. This archaeological wonder is one of China’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Xi’an – Ancient City Wall
Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall, dating back to the 14th century, is the best-preserved city wall in China. Visitors can cycle along the 14-km fortress for panoramic views of old and modern Xi’an.
Xi’an – Muslim Quarter
The bustling Muslim Quarter is famous for its food markets, blending Chinese and Islamic culture. From lamb skewers to biangbiang noodles, this lively street is a paradise for food lovers.
Chengdu – Wuhou Shrine
Wuhou Shrine honors Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist of the Three Kingdoms era. The temple complex with ancient cypress trees and stone inscriptions reflects Chengdu’s deep historical legacy.
Chengdu – Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley combines Qing Dynasty courtyards, boutique shops, and teahouses. It’s the best place to experience Chengdu’s laid-back lifestyle and traditional architecture.
Chengdu – Sichuan Opera
Sichuan Opera is world-famous for its face-changing (bian lian) performance. With colorful masks, fire-breathing, and dramatic music, it is a unique cultural treasure of Sichuan.
Chongqing – Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, include 50,000 statues carved into cliffs from the 9th to 13th centuries. They blend Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian themes with stunning artistry.
Chongqing – Ciqikou Ancient Town
Ciqikou Ancient Town preserves Ming and Qing architecture, narrow stone lanes, and lively teahouses. Known as the “Porcelain Port,” it reflects Chongqing’s historic river trade culture.
Chongqing – Hongya Cave
Hongya Cave is a riverside complex built on stilts overlooking the Jialing River. At night, its neon-lit façade glows like a fairytale, making it one of Chongqing’s most iconic attractions.
🌄 Natural & Scenic Experiences
Great Wall of China
Stretching over 21,000 kilometers, the Great Wall is China’s most famous landmark. Walking along its ancient stones offers breathtaking mountain views and a direct connection to Chinese history.
Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the birthplaces of Taoism. Surrounded by lush forests and tranquil temples, it’s ideal for hiking and spiritual exploration.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Built over 2,000 years ago, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a UNESCO-listed engineering marvel that still controls the waters of the Min River. It represents ancient Chinese wisdom in water management.
🍜 Local Culture & Culinary Experiences
Chengdu Panda Base
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see China’s beloved giant pandas. This conservation center offers close encounters with pandas in natural habitats.
Chengdu Teahouses & Tea Culture
Chengdu teahouses are cultural hubs where locals gather to drink tea, play mahjong, and relax. Visitors can experience Chinese tea traditions, especially the world-famous Sichuan tea pouring style.
Beijing Roast Duck
Savor Beijing Roast Duck, known for its crispy skin and tender meat, served with pancakes, scallions, and sweet sauce. This dish is a must-try symbol of Chinese cuisine.
Xi’an Dumpling Banquet
Enjoy a Xi’an dumpling banquet with dozens of dumplings shaped like animals, flowers, and symbols. It’s both a culinary delight and an artistic experience.
Sichuan Hotpot (Chengdu)
Sichuan hotpot is famous for its numbing spicy broth with Sichuan peppercorns. Dining around a bubbling pot with meats and vegetables is an authentic Chengdu food experience.
Chongqing Spicy Hotpot
Chongqing hotpot is the fiery cousin of Sichuan hotpot, featuring red chili oil broth. It’s a local favorite that truly tests your spice tolerance.
📌 Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1–4: Beijing – Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Summer Palace
- Days 5–7: Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Tang Banquet, Muslim Quarter
- Days 8–10: Chengdu – Pandas, Sichuan Opera, Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng
- Days 11–14: Chongqing – Ciqikou, Yangtze Cable Car, Dazu Rock Carvings, Hongya Cave
- Day 15: Departure
💡 Why Choose This Tour
- Covers 4 iconic Chinese cities with seamless transfers (train & flight options)
- Balanced mix of history, culture, cuisine, and natural wonders
- Authentic local experiences: hutongs, teahouses, opera, hotpot, night views
- Flexible options for leisure or extended Yangtze Cruise
