13-Day Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu-Yangtze River-Shanghai Family Tour

13 days12 nights
Tour Type
Private
This tour can be taken as a private tour following our set tour itinerary. Select your own travel dates to suit your personal group of family or friends.
Custom
You can customize any of our small group or private tour itineraries. You can do that by completing a booking for a specific tour and letting us know what else you want included in your China tour to custom design it.
Destinations
Beijing
Xi’an
Chengdu
Yangtze River
Shanghai

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13-Day Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu-Yangtze River-Shanghai Family Tour

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  • Tour Name
    13-Day Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu-Yangtze River-Shanghai Family Tour
  • Tour Type
    Small Group
  • Travel Date
    2025-08-08
  • Accommodation
    Luxury
  • Adults
    5
  • Children aged 2 to 11 years
    5
  • Infants aged 0 to 23 months
    5
  • Rooms
    5
  • Extra beds
    5

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  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Accommodation
  • Inclusions/Exclusions
  • Important Info

Highlights

Beijing
Xi’an
Chengdu
Yangtze River
Shanghai

Experience China’s history and modern progress up close, and get close to beautiful pandas.

Savor every moment of this perfectly paced tour of China. Absorb the highlights of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, enjoy a truly unique panda experience and wonderful food in Chengdu, then be amazed and surprised by the Yangtze River’s natural beauty, with its seemingly sky-high gorges, turquoise green water and numerous culturally significant sites. Including all in country transfers, 12 nights hotel/onboard accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, high speed train travel, fully guided tour with driver transport, airport transfers, and more!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Beijing

On arrival into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) be met by your dedicated tour guide outside the baggage claim area. On the way to your pre-booked four or five star inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Beijing. Spend the rest of the day exploring this incredible city.

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Beijing

After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from your hotel. Visit the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, you will hop on a rickshaw for a Hutong Tour through this characteristic, maze-like Beijing neighbourhood. Experience Chinese culture and folk arts by learning Chinese brush calligraphy, facial designs of the Beijing Opera and kite making. Before heading back to the hotel, sample the famous local food market Sanyuanli where you can stock up on fruit and snacks for your next day’s trip to the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.

Day 3 - Beijing

Today after an early breakfast and hotel pickup, the first stop is the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China’s 1,400-year-old iconic landmark located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing’s stadium and pool – the Bird's Nest and Water Cube – built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics – provides a modern contrast to China’s ancient history. Return to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Beijing – Xi'an

Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail train to Xi'an. Approximately a five hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xi'an North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Xi'an

After the breakfast, you will explore Xi'an’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometres long, enjoy your free time by exploring on a either a tandem or regular bicycle. Next destination is today’s sightseeing highlight, the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Try making your own Terracotta soldier or horse by visiting a local villager’s workshop. Return to the city and for a change of pace, take in the quiet of Xi'an’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and souvenirs. Enjoy the shadow play in a traditional Chinese architecture, Gao’s Grand Courtyard, the former residence of an official in Ming Dynasty. Today’s final destination before returning to your hotel is Xi'an’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Xi'an – Chengdu

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to the Xi'an Museum where you’ll discover over 370,000 relics of Chinese history. Take in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi'an. You may have a chance to enter the top of the pagoda and look out over Xi'an’s 1,400 years of history, then take a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Following on from the morning’s activities, you’ll be driven to the railway station for your bullet train to Chengdu. On arrival in Chengdu your local guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel, providing a brief introduction to Chengdu on the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may alter your itinerary as the Xi'an Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Day 7 - Chengdu

Today, you will work as a panda volunteer when you visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base. In your role, you will clean the working area, prepare bamboos, make panda’s favorite food of “Wowotou” (steamed corn breads), learn scientific facts about the pandas, and closely watch the keepers feeding and training the pandas. Panda keepers will supervise your activities, with translation provided by your guide. A certificate will be provided as a memento from this very special day. Return to Chengdu’s city centre and enjoy a taste of Chengdu watching the Sichuan Opera with the ancient Chinese dramatic art, the magical Chinese mask changing (face changing) and try to work out the secret to this ancient art.

Note: For children under eight years who are accompanied by an adult can take the standard panda tour in the panda base, but due to the age restrictions, they are not able to be the panda volunteers.

All children who can be a panda volunteer must meet the health and safety requirements of the research base to preserve the health of the pandas.

Day 8 - Chengdu – Chongqing

Check out of your hotel and be taken by your guide to wander down bustling Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you’ll find yourself up immersed in typical local culture. Spend a relaxing morning strolling through bamboo at the Wangjiang Pavilion Park, then sip on traditional Chinese tea before boarding the high speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing where you’ll be met by the local Chongqing guide. You’ll then be escorted to embark on your Yangtze River cruise, with your boat weighing anchor at 9.30pm. Attend a safety, orientation and river briefing when you board the ship.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Yangtze River Cruise

Sail along the Yangtze today and soak in the relaxing pace of travelling this magnificent river, which has inspired poets and peasants alike. Go ashore for an excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai (will depend on water level and cruise company). Join the crew at the Captain's Welcome Party, held in the evening. Sit back and enjoy the Chinese folk dancing and music performance – or get up and be part of it!

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Note: Shore excursions may vary due to different cruise lines and some are optional tours.

Scenic spots along the way: In Chinese mythology, Fengdu Ghost City is considered the final resting place for all souls. Visit this ancient ghost town while on your Yangtze River Cruise. Shibaozhai is a tower nearly 56 metres in height leaning against the Yuyin Hill and is now encircled by a moat after the Three Gorges Dam project in 2003.

Day 10 - Yangtze River Cruise

Continue sailing past the impressive view of the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Afterwards, take an excursion to Badong and experience a small wooden boat trip on the magnificent Shennong Stream or Goddess Stream (Shennv Stream). Return to the ship and enter the western section of the Xiling Gorge.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Yichang – Shanghai

After breakfast, disembark from the cruise boat at Maoping Pier in Yichang. Take a bus to visit the largest hydroelectric project in the world, the Three Gorges Dam where you’ll take a tour to learn how the dam was designed, built, and how it now serves the local people and region. After the tour, you’ll be transferred by shuttle bus to the Yichang Three Gorges Tourism Center and met by your guide who will escort you to the to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. In Shanghai, your local guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel pointing out this bustling city’s local landmarks along the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Guests may also choose the optional tour when disembarking at Maoping Pier. Board a ferry and sail through TGP ship's elevator where you can enjoy a tour of the Three Gorges Dam. Arrangements for this tour are to be made onboard the cruise prior to disembarking.

Day 12 - Shanghai

Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Start the exploration in the 11 different themes galleries and have fun with the variety activities. A special experience will be watching 3D,4D films in the Science Theaters. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the stunning gardens; then stroll around the nearby Yu Garden Bazaars. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may alter your itinerary as the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is closed on Mondays.

Day 13 - Depart from Shanghai

Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, if your flight departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, depending on your flight departure time, your tour guide can accompany you to take the Shanghai Maglev (the fastest commercial high-speed electric train in the world) to the airport as a special experience while your luggage is transferred to the airport by the driver.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Beijing
Xi’an
Chengdu
Shanghai

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
  • Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
  • Meals: as specified in the itinerary.
  • Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide.
  • Transportation: high-speed train of Beijing/Xi'an, Chengdu/Chongqing, and bullet train between Xi'an/Chengdu (First class seat for Luxury tours. Second class seat for Superior tours). Economy class domestic flight between Yichang/Shanghai and Yangtze River cruise ship.
  • Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified.
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour.
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

  • International flights to/from China.
  • China visa fees.
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature.
  • Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
  • CNY150.00/per person of the service charge on the Yangtze River cruise.

Important Information

SPECIFIC IMPORTANT INFORMATION – FAMILY TOUR
  • This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from you. It's always available for your schedule!
  • Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Prices based on twin occupancy.
  • The prices shown are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
  • The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
  • Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available.
  • Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Custom tour.
  • Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
  • Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.

Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.

On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.

Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.

Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.

Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.

Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.

High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.

High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.

Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.

Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.

Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.

Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.

Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.

Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.

Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.

Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.

Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.

Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.

Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.

Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.

Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and visa processing times.

From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for visa free policy are still required to apply for Visas to China.

List of 38 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam

Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.

Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.

Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:

  • First change – No charge.
  • For all subsequent changes – USD50.
  • Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.

Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:

  • More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
  • 45 - 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
  • 30 - 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
  • 15 - 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
  • Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee

Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.

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Testimonials


JimmyShu-lin
JimmyShu-lin
Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2025
Tripadvisor score Unforgettable trip

Jan 2025 • Family

Excellent tour guide that was very knowledgeable and courteous. Communication with the agent was smooth and responsive. I recommend to upgrade the hotels as you will get to stay at the Pig's Inn, which was a real highlight.
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Alexander M
Alexander M
Reviewed on 22 Jan. 2025
Tripadvisor score Excellent service

Jan 2025 • Couples

We did tours in Laos and Bangkok, both with excellent guides and drivers. This is our second experience with China Tours and the we have been more than happy with all service that we have received.
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Edvin T
Edvin T
Reviewed on 14 Jan. 2025
Tripadvisor score Yunnan trips, to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la

Dec 2024 • Couples

Good arrangement with daily schedule, hotel in good locations easy to walk around, nice tour guides, good food with reasonable prices, especially good admin staff that follow up us closely make our trip so nice and wonderful…..
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Sunshine23356127581
Sunshine23356127581
Reviewed on 10 Jan. 2025
Tripadvisor score Great experience!

Dec 2024 • Family

We started in Kunming and made our way to Shangr-Li, stopping by in Dali and Lijiang. The places were amazing and the agency was greatly supportive and flexible, catering very nicely to our needs (extremely appreciated when traveling with 1 baby and 1 toddler!!).
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Sophie Gillian C
Sophie Gillian C
Reviewed on 2 January 2025
Tripadvisor score Pleasant and professional service

Dec 2024 • Solo

It has been a very pleasant trip to Chengdu, albeit my first visit to the city. The guide, Robert and the driver had exhibited exemplary services during this period. Very professional and detailed in introducing the sites visited. Look forward to visiting the city again.
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Maps48010261076
Maps48010261076
Reviewed on 20 December 2024
Tripadvisor score Well arranged private tours.

Nov 2024 • Couples

We worked with Martha from China Tours.she was terrific in making all the arrangements. She was available by WeChat when we arrived in China. Hotels were top notch. The guides in each city were friendly and personable: . Ariel in Beijing , Elyshia in Xian and Warren in Shanghai. The guides assisted us at the airports or train station. Cars were comfortable. We chose China Tours because we were not interested in “ shopping tours “. We liked the guided visits to historic sights but liked having some free time to explore on our own. Would certainly use them again for future trips to China.
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Nicky B
Nicky B
Reviewed on 18 December 2024
Tripadvisor score 15 Days Around China

Dec 2024 • Family

We just returned from a 15 day trip around China. Leading up to the holiday China Tours helped us immensely by providing feedback and information regarding our itinerary and told us about all the apps required to get by in China. We had 3 day tours with China Tours in Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu with the amazing guides Kevin, Helen and Tracy who were very informative (spoke very good English) and took us to all the essential sights in China. China Tours went above and beyond to create an incredible experience for us which we will remember forever.
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 Lorna P
Lorna P
Reviewed on 16 Nov. 2024
Tripadvisor score 35 day personalised trip of China & Tibet

Oct 2024 • Friends

2 couples just completed a 35 day tour of China using individual English speaking local guides in each area we visited. We planned what we wanted to see and China Tours organised all the linguistics. We travelled by bullet train, cars & a plane to access areas not included in group tours. China Tours also provided us with some smaller boutique hotels at our request, which were amazing. The difference in cost for this personalised tour was great value. All the guides and drivers were very experienced and did their best to give us the most enjoyable experience. China Tours head office representative was always available on WeChat for any questions or changes which could effect our trip. (Such as a typhoon in Hong Kong on our last 2 days) As very experienced self guided travelers we would highly recommend China Tours in a country where the language & logistics are challenging.
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