8 Days / 7 Nights
Beijing – Xian – Chengdu
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Forbidden City, Hutong Walking Tour & Dumpling-making
Spend the first half of the day exploring one of the largest public squares in the world, Tiananmen Square, and the famous Forbidden City. Next, meander through Beijing’s charming hutongs, visit a local family and try your hand at dumpling-making, and end off the day with a Chinese knotting class.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace
A jaw-dropping day of discovery, you will tour a quieter section of the Great Wall that is visited by fewer tourists, and after a local lunch break and a visit to a nearby jade factory, admire the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace. The day includes a lovely boat ride on Kunming Lake and a Peking duck dinner to end off on a tasty note.
Day 4: Local Breakfast Tour & Beijing Bullet Train to Xian
Today gives you a glimpse inside the morning culture of hutongs and the opportunity to eat like a local. Get a broad taste of this world with several traditional breakfasts, and visit a street market to get an impression of the day-to-day happenings and lifestyle of the locals. End your morning tour at a local coffee shop in one of the most historic areas of the capital.
Hop on-board for your second class soft seat bullet train ride to Xian. Upon arrival at Xian, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Xian City Wall, Yongxingfang
Spend the day amidst the greatest surviving treasures of ancient Xian, including the Terracotta Warriors and Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Centre. After a lunch and a lesson in lamian-noodle making, explore the fascinating Xian City Wall. From here, end off the day at the light-filled, lantern-dotted Yongxingfang Food Street and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this pulsating market.
Day 6: Chengdu
On this morning you will be transferred to the railway station and take the bullet train to Chengdu. In the afternoon, explore the Kuanzhai Lane of Chengdu and try out Sichuan’s spicy specialties!
Then, visit the Shuijingfang Museum to learn about the history of Chinese traditional baijiu (a colourless liquor) and visit a part of its production line. Afterwards, head to People’s Park, sit down and enjoy a cup of tea.
In the evening, savour a delicious hot pot dinner.
Day 7: Panda Base & a Cooking Class
In the morning, you will head to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, home to more than 80 adorable pandas and a number of smaller lesser-known red pandas. Observe the animals eating, playing and enjoying a carefully maintained habitat that closely resembles their natural one. Spend the other half of the day exploring Chengdu’s revered culinary scene, and take part in a traditional Sichuan cuisine cookery class.
Day 8: Departure
Today you will be transferred to board your flight back home.
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