14-Day China Essence and Panda Tour
A Close Encounter with Pandas
Discover the best of China in just 14 days. This itinerary blends historical exploration, breathtaking landscapes, cultural immersion, and the irresistible charm of giant pandas. Visit iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, marvel at the majestic beauty of the Three Gorges, learn about traditional Chinese culture through tea ceremonies and dumpling-making, and encounter the adorable giant pandas. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who are eager to discover the magic of these gentle creatures or families looking to create lasting memories.
The itinerary provided is a starting point. Your personal travel advisor can help you create a customized trip based on your preferences and budget.
Suggested 14-Day Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-4 Beijing |
Discover historic landmarks like Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, hike the Great Wall, and savor Beijing roast duck |
| 5-7 Xi’an |
Marvel at the Terracotta Army, explore the ancient city wall, and experience the vibrant Muslim Quarter, learn to make dumplings |
| 8-9 Chengdu |
Engage in a Panda Keeper Program and enjoy local snacks at Jinli Old Street |
| 10-12 Chongqing |
Board a Yangtze River Cruise, explore Fengdu Ghost City, cruise through stunning gorges, and see the Three Gorges Dam |
| 13-14 Shanghai |
Stroll along the Bund, ascend Shanghai Tower, and enjoy leisure time |
Beijing-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai Tour Map
Tour ‘Wow’ Points
Experience Taking Care of Cute Pandas
Make panda cakes with your own hands and prepare bamboo for cute pandas. See how the keeper feeds a panda at a very close distance.
Explore a Top-Ranked Section of the Great Wall
Walk leisurely through the watchtowers, enjoying a superb view of the Mutianyu Great Wall snaking across the mountains.
Find the Hidden Halls in the Forbidden City
Visit 12 selected places in the complex to discover the deep secrets of the imperial families, while typical group tours only visit six spots briefly.
Learn to Make Dumplings with a Local Chef at Her Home
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture by joining a local family to learn how to make jiaozi, savory dumplings.
Witness the Famous Three Gorges of China
Tour the once-treacherous-and-taxing-but-now-tamed-and-tranquil middle reaches of the Yangtze River and enjoy the magnificent landscapes along it in a relaxing way.
Make a Mini Warrior with a Local Artisan Family
Visit a local artisan and learn to make a warrior from the same local clay as the Terracotta Army in his/her authentic cave dwelling, which is a disappearing opportunity.
Discover Shanghai’s Modern and Historic Charms
Explore the timeless charm of the Bund and experience the dynamic energy. And escape from the bustling city to a stunning Chinese garden with a serene atmosphere.
Indulge in Authentic Local Cuisine
Try Xiaolongbao, a type of steamed dumpling with delicate skin and a flavorful filling. When you eat, the broth is released as you bite into the dumpling.
🎬 Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
- Day1 Arrival in Beijing
With a sunny smile, CN365Travel guide will be on time and waiting for you in the arrival hall. A comfortable private car and experienced driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. We aim to give you a good first impression of China.
- Day2 Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Temple of Heaven-Red Theater Acrobatic Show Official
Tiananmen Square, the biggest urban city square in the world.From the Tiananmen Square, you will enter the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City to explore its fascinating halls and pavilions. Here, you will not only learn how the emperor handled political affairs and lived their lives, but appreciate numerous ancient art treasures. We will serve your lunch today at a good local restaurant nearby.In the afternoon, you will see the Temple of Heaven, with its unique architecture, where the emperors worshipped the heavens in hopes of good harvests.Tonight, we will arrange for you to enjoy the wonderful acrobatic show in the Red Theater. We specially serve you a welcome a la carte dinner (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in tour price) at a popular restaurant, where you can have a taste of the most famous Peking Roast Duck and other authentic typical dishes.
- Day3 Mutianyu Great Wall - Olympic Venues - Bird's Nest - Water Cube-Hutong Tour
- Day4 Summer Palace -Xi'an Lake-Take the high-speed rail to the next city Xi'an
Start your tour at the Summer Palace, a graceful imperial garden with lake and pavilion views. Then take the high-speed rail to Xi’an, your next destination, and embark on a new journey full of ancient charm.
- Day5 The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses-Big Wild Goose Pagoda-Tang Dynasty Palace "The Empress of Tang Dynasty"
The visit to the magnificent Terracotta Army will start your day’s trip. In the museum, there are altogether three excavated pits exhibiting amazing warrior figures and Chinese ancient weapons.Afterwards, take a family visit to the home of the first discoverer of the Terracotta Army. And then make a mini clay warrior by yourself with the help of a local artisan.In the afternoon, you will the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from ancient India.A splendid evening is in store when you will be entertained by the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while partaking in the famous Dumpling Dinner.
- Day6 Xi'an City Wall-Muslim Quarter-Great Mosque of Xi'an-Shaanxi History Museum
The day begins with a leisure visit to the City Wall Park, where you can observe the day-to-day life of the locals. We also have a special arrangement for you here. That is to practice Tai Chi with the master. Tai Chi, a soft form of Chinese martial arts, is considered the quintessential Chinese culture. After that, you will pay a visit to the City Wall. It is the most complete existing urban fortification in China. Cycling on the ancient wall is an exciting experience that many people like to try.The Great Mosque in Xi’an is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China.Afterwards, visit Shaanxi History Museum, known as the pearl of Xi’an and the treasury of China for storing and exhibiting historical relics unearthed from this land, where the capital of thirteen ancient dynasties of China is located.
- Day7 Xi'an - Chengdu by a high-speed train
After breakfast, the guide sees you off at the North Railway Station for your morning high speed train to Chengdu.
- Day8 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Kuanzhai Alleys-Jinsha Site Museum-Chengdu People's Park
This morning, the Cn365 Travel guide will take you to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the lovely creatures as they feed and play with each other.Broad and Narrow Alleys are narrow alleys with old courtyards, where you might also have your own lunch with the guide’s suggestions.Jinsha Site Museum is built to protect, study and display the archaeological finds of Jinsha Site, dating back to about 3,000 years ago.You will be transferred to a popular local venue, the Renmin Park. Have a tea break and experience the casual lifestyle of Chengdu people.
- Day9 Chengdu - Chongqing by a bullet train-Jiefangbei Square-Ciqikou-Yangtze cruise ship
The morning is free for you. In the afternoon, Cn365Travel guide will transfer you to the railway station to catch a 2-hour bullet train to Chongqing.Upon your arrival, local guide in Chongqing will meet you at the station and escort you to visit Jiefangbei CBD.After visiting Ci Qi Kou ancient village, you will be taken to board the five-star Yangtze cruise ship. Have a buffet dinner on board. And you will be invited to attend the Welcome Party hosted by the Captain.
- Day10 Yangtze River Cruise
After breakfast, disembark for an excursion to the Fengdu Ghost City. Afternoon is free time for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Yangtze River on deck. Attend some cultural programs onboard if you like.
- Day11 Yangtze River Cruise
- Day12 Yichang - Shanghai by a bullet train
- Day13 Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)-Yu Garden (Yuyuan)-Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street-The Bund-Huangpu River
This morning, you will visit one of the four largest museums in China, Shanghai Museum, which specializes in exhibiting art works from ancient times.After that, explore Yu Garden and its nearby traditional bazaar. The symbol of the Garden is the Nine Zigzag Bridge built of granite and grass-white jade and the quaint, elegant mid-lake pavilion.After that, stroll along the thriving Bund area and then take a one-hour cruise tour on the Huangpu River. Upon returning to the hotel our guide will see you into the lobby to say bon voyage.
- Day14 Hotel breakfast - Airport/Station drop-off service - Trip ends
You have some free time to enjoy on your own before you leave this metropolis city. CN365Travel guide, a private car and a driver will take you to the airport in good time to get on your flight home.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
✅ Price Includes
- Domestic flights or high-speed rail tickets
- 4 star hotel accommodation
- Lunch at local restaurants
- All entrance fees to attractions
- English-speaking private guide
- Private vehicle & driver
❌ Not Included
- International airfare to/from China
- Personal expenses & shopping
- Tips (optional, but appreciated)
Start planning your customized tour with one-on-one help from one of our travel consultants.
Why Choose 365 China Travel
★Customize your tour
★Maximize your flexibility
- Unparalleled flexibility, not possible with group tours
Wonderful 14-day China tour! Well arranged with no rush. Loved pandas in Chengdu; the 5-star Three Gorges cruise from Chongqing was my favorite. Historic Beijing & Xi’an plus modern Shanghai made a perfect mix. Great guides and nice meals, highly recommend!
China’s stunning landscapes and profound culture impressed me deeply, and all thanks to the careful arrangement from CN365 Travel. They helped us find hidden lesser-known scenic spots away from tourist crowds, letting us feel the real local lifestyle slowly. An unforgettable peaceful journey.
There were no sales pitches or extra charges throughout the entire trip, and the service far exceeded my expectations. I have already recommended your company to my foreign friends who travel to China, and I will definitely choose your company again when I come to China in the future.
As a frequent traveler, I pay a lot of attention to travel arrangements. This company showed great professionalism: reasonable routes, comfortable transportation and thoughtful follow-up service. All arrangements are well considered for foreign visitors. A reliable choice for overseas tourists.
The itinerary was scientifically and reasonably arranged, with smooth connections between attractions. The staff provided attentive service, offering clear guidance on issues such as high-speed rail station entry, document usage, and online payment. Throughout the trip, they responded promptly and provided standardized service, exceeding expectations overall. They are a trustworthy travel service provider.
I’m fascinated by China’s long history and splendid culture, and this trip let me explore them fully. The itinerary is thoughtfully designed, balancing famous landmarks and local customs. Professional service and elegant arrangements make the travel truly enjoyable.
Great professional service from start to finish. Transport, hotels and tour routes were all well planned. Our guide knew a lot about history and attractions. If you are planning a trip to China, I highly recommend them.中文
With highly professional itinerary customization and extensive experience in receiving international tourists, we proactively and effectively address all pain points related to high-speed rail travel, online payments, and cross-regional travel. Our communication is efficient and meticulous, and our services are standardized and transparent – making us the top choice for long-term cooperation.
As someone who loves travelling around the world, I have tried many travel agencies, and this one stands out the most. The itinerary was reasonably planned, balancing popular attractions and quiet scenic spots without tight schedules. The transportation was comfortable and punctual, and the hotels we stayed at were clean and located in convenient areas. What impressed me most was that the team was always responsive whenever we had special requests. They are professional, thoughtful and trustworthy. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who plans a trip to China.
Visiting Chengdu and seeing giant pandas has long been my dream, and this trip made it come true perfectly. We spent a lovely morning at the panda base, watching these adorable fluffy creatures eat bamboo, climb trees and play around. It was such a heartwarming and unforgettable moment to get close to the national treasure of China. Besides pandas, we also wandered through ancient streets, admired classic Sichuan-style architecture and tasted famous local food. The tour guide shared many interesting facts about pandas and Chengdu’s local culture, which made the visit much more meaningful. The whole schedule was relaxed and well arranged, so we could fully enjoy the slow and pleasant lifestyle of Chengdu. I truly love this gentle city and the lovely pandas here.
Seeing giant pandas in Chengdu has been my lifelong dream, and CN365 Travel made this experience far better than I imagined. We arrived at the panda base early in the morning following the guide’s suggestion, when all pandas were energetic, munching bamboo, climbing trees and rolling playfully on the grass. Watching these fluffy, adorable national treasures up close was such a heartwarming moment I will never forget. Besides pandas, we wandered ancient Jinli Street, sipped tea in local teahouses and tasted authentic spicy Sichuan hotpot. The guide told us lots of interesting knowledge about panda conservation and Chengdu’s slow laid-back lifestyle. This trip let me fall in love with the gentle, relaxing vibe of Chengdu completely.
This five-city cross-country trip covered northern history, western laid-back lifestyle and eastern modern glamour, and every destination had its own unique charm. After visiting imperial relics in Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, we headed southwest to Chengdu, where we spent lovely mornings watching fluffy giant pandas at the breeding base, sipped slow tea in local parks and ate numbing spicy Sichuan hotpot. Next stop Chongqing amazed us with its unique mountain-city layout: light rail passing through residential buildings, stunning Hongyadong night views and rich river food culture. We took a relaxing cruise along the Yangtze River before traveling east to Shanghai for fashionable shopping and city walks. The team arranged enough free time for us to wander local streets and taste street food without rushing. I loved how this itinerary balanced grand landmarks, cute wildlife, casual slow living and incredible regional Chinese food.
Five different cities, five unique vibes! I fell in love with the pandas in Chengdu and the layered night views of Chongqing. Plenty of tasty local food and relaxed schedule made this trip unforgettable.
This 14-day cross-country journey was full of varied highlights. After Beijing and Xi’an’s ancient relics, we visited cute giant pandas in Chengdu, then relaxed on a Yangtze River cruise to Chongqing. The mountain city’s night view blew me away, before we wrapped up the trip in Shanghai. The cruise segment was such a peaceful, unique part of the whole tour.
This 14-day long trip has everything I dreamed of: ancient capitals, fluffy giant pandas in Chengdu, and a slow Yangtze cruise between Chongqing. Sailing along the river was my favorite part—quiet, beautiful, far away from busy crowds. A diverse, relaxing holiday.
This 14-day adventure offers incredible variety. Ancient capitals, adorable giant pandas in Chengdu, the magical Yangtze cruise, and the unique hillside city Chongqing. Sailing along the Yangtze River was an unforgettable experience; slowly watching riverside landscapes drift by was pure relaxation before finishing our trip in Shanghai.
This 14-day journey balances busy city sightseeing and slow river relaxation perfectly. After visiting historical sites and cute pandas in Chengdu, the Yangtze cruise let us slow down completely. Watching sunset over river cliffs every evening was absolutely magical before we headed to Shanghai.