10-Day China Journey: Imperial Beijing, Chongqing, Pandas & Shanghai

Arrive in Beijing, China’s capital and one of the best places to begin understanding the country’s imperial past and contemporary rhythm. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey or explore independently, depending on your arrival time. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Beijing cuisine, offering a relaxed introduction to the journey ahead.

Meals: Dinner (Beijing cuisine)

Accommodation: Beijing Longcheng Wyndham Grand Hotel or similar 5-star property

Begin with Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and one of China’s most important cultural landmarks. Continue to Jingshan Park, where a hilltop viewpoint offers a broad perspective over the palace rooftops and Beijing’s historic central axis.

In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, known for its lakeside scenery, landscaped gardens, pavilions, and classical imperial design. Dinner this evening features Beijing’s signature Peking Duck.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner (Peking Duck)

Accommodation: Beijing Longcheng Wyndham Grand Hotel or similar 5-star property

Travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, known for its scenic mountain setting and comparatively comfortable walking routes. Enjoy time to explore this beautifully restored section and take in sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

After your Great Wall visit, enjoy a sparkling wine toast with the Wall as your backdrop. Later, take part in a glazed tile craftsmanship workshop, offering insight into a traditional decorative craft closely connected with Chinese architectural heritage.

This evening, stay at a selected boutique residence near the Wall, where traditional design and contemporary comfort create a memorable overnight experience.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

Accommodation: Boutique Wall-Side Heritage Residence or similar feature stay

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing, one of China’s most distinctive inland cities, shaped by steep hills and the meeting of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.

Upon arrival, begin a compact introduction to Chongqing’s mountain-city character, with selected city highlights arranged according to flight arrival time, traffic, and local conditions. Possible stops include the Yangtze River Cableway, Liziba’s famous rail-through-building viewpoint, and the connected hillside areas of Shancheng Lane and Shibati.

Later, continue to Longmenhao Old Street or Xiahaoli for old-city atmosphere and dinner, before enjoying evening views around Nanbin Road and Hongya Cave.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch 

Accommodation: Ascott Raffles City Chongqing or similar 5-star property

After breakfast, drive to Wulong Karst National Park, part of the UNESCO-listed South China Karst. Visit the Tiankeng Three Bridges scenic area, known for its karst landforms, vast sinkholes, limestone cliffs, natural stone bridges, and cave-like passages.

With your guide, descend into the valley using scenic-area facilities and walk through the karst landscape at a comfortable pace. The area is known for its striking geological formations and cinematic scenery, and may feel familiar to film lovers as a filming location featured in Transformers: Age of Extinction. Routes and timing may be adjusted according to weather, crowd levels, and scenic-area operations. Return to Chongqing in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

Accommodation:Ascott Raffles City Chongqing or similar 5-star property

This morning, travel by high-speed rail from Chongqing to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan and one of western China’s most culturally distinctive cities.

Upon arrival, visit Sanxingdui Museum, home to extraordinary Bronze Age discoveries that reveal a fascinating ancient civilization from Sichuan. The museum offers a powerful perspective on early Chinese history beyond the better-known central plains narrative, with striking bronze masks, ceremonial objects, and archaeological treasures. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Accommodation: Tibet Hotel Chengdu or similar 5-star property

Start the day at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can observe giant pandas in a conservation-focused setting. Your visit offers a chance to learn about panda research, breeding, and habitat protection while seeing one of China’s most beloved animals.

Continue to Du Fu Cottage, a peaceful memorial site dedicated to one of China’s greatest poets, then slow down in Renmin Park with a cup of jasmine tea in a traditional teahouse. Later, stroll through Kuanzhai Alley, where restored historic courtyards, local snacks, teahouses, and contemporary urban life come together.

Optional activity: Sichuan Opera performance

This evening is at leisure. A Sichuan Opera performance can be arranged on request, subject to schedule and ticket availability.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Accommodation: Tibet Hotel Chengdu or similar 5-star property

Fly to Shanghai today. Upon arrival, continue to Zhujiajiao Water Town for a compact introduction to Jiangnan water-town scenery, with stone bridges, narrow lanes, traditional houses, and canal views.

Depending on flight arrival time and local arrangements, the visit may include selected landmarks such as Fangsheng Bridge, Kezhi Garden, the Qing Dynasty Post Office, and a short hand-rowed boat ride before transferring to your Shanghai hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Accommodation: Sunrise on the Bund Hotel or similar 5-star property

Today’s sightseeing reveals both the historic and contemporary faces of Shanghai. Begin at Yu Garden, a classical garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, then continue to Shanghai Museum for a deeper appreciation of Chinese art, bronzes, ceramics, painting, and material culture.

Later, walk along Nanjing Road toward the Bund, where early 20th-century architecture lines the riverfront opposite the modern skyline of Pudong across the Huangpu River. Dinner this evening features Shanghai cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner (Shanghai cuisine)

Accommodation: Sunrise on the Bund Hotel or similar 5-star property

After breakfast, transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport  (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) according to your onward travel schedule.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Not included

- Accommodation in listed or similar-standard properties, including selected feature stays where noted, based on double occupancy

- Meals as listed in the itinerary, with complimentary bottled drinking water provided daily

- All tour transportation as outlined in the itinerary, including premium tour vehicles and scheduled intercity travel by high-speed train or domestic flight

- Professional English-speaking guides

- Entrance fees and scheduled activities listed in the itinerary

- International flights and airport taxes

- Visa fees (if applicable)

- Meals not specified in the itinerary

- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and alcoholic beverages; optional activities arranged on request; and any costs not listed as included

- Travel insurance (highly recommended)

- Single room supplement

- Gratuities for the guide and driver

1. A minimum of 4 people is required to schedule a tour. If you are traveling alone, please consult our customer service department, and they will assist you in joining another group. Early booking is highly recommended as availability may be limited.
2. Please note that this itinerary serves as a sample. The order and locations of planned events may change due to factors such as flight arrival times, road and weather conditions, as well as our desire to tailor the tour to your abilities and interests. Your guide will provide daily updates to keep you informed. Our priority is to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe adventure, creating cherished memories and an unforgettable experience!
3. Accommodations on this journey are selected for overall comfort, location, facilities, service level, character, and suitability for the itinerary rather than star rating alone. Hotel ratings and guest expectations may vary between local and international platforms, so listed properties are intended as a guide to the standard and style of accommodation provided. If a listed property is unavailable, it may be replaced with a similar-standard accommodation, including selected feature stays where noted.

1. Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen issues and/or delays.
2. This tour operating company acts solely as an intermediary for suppliers, facilitating the sale of travel-related services and accepting reservations or bookings for services not directly provided by the company (such as air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc.). The company shall not be held responsible for any breach of contract arising from intentional or negligent actions or omissions on the part of such suppliers, which may result in loss, damage, delay, or injury to you, your travel companions, or group members.
3. Unless the term "guaranteed" is explicitly stated in writing on your tickets, invoice, or reservation itinerary, we do not guarantee the rates, bookings, reservations, connections, scheduling, or handling of personal effects by such suppliers.
4. The travel agent shall not be liable for injuries, damages, or losses incurred by any traveler in connection with terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, criminal acts, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or circumstances beyond the control of the travel agent.
5. The traveler assumes full responsibility for verifying passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements for each destination, as well as safety and security conditions during the proposed travel.
6. Traveler voluntarily assumes all risks associated with such travel, whether expected or unexpected. The traveler is hereby informed of these risks and is advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage to mitigate them.

We understand that travel plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be as fair and transparent as possible.

• More than 60 days before departure: 80% refund of the total trip cost; a 20% cancellation fee applies.
• 59 to 35 days before departure: 50% refund of the total trip cost; a 50% cancellation fee applies.
• Within 34 days of departure: No refund can be issued; a 100% cancellation fee applies.

Cancellation requests must be received in writing. We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to help protect your trip investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.