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China in Twelve Days: Imperial Beijing, Silk Road Xi’an, and Panda Country

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China in Twelve Days: Imperial Beijing, Silk Road Xi’an, and Panda Country

China in Twelve Days: Imperial Beijing, Silk Road Xi’an, and Panda Country

12 Days 11 Nights
$5,299.00
8
Beijing
25/25
English

Overview

This 12-day journey takes the same three cities at the heart of China’s historic and cultural identity (Beijing, Xi’an, and Chengdu) and gives them more breathing room. Where shorter tours rush through the highlights, this itinerary offers four full days in Beijing, three in Xi’an, and four in Chengdu, allowing time for deeper exploration, slower meals, and a more reflective pace. The result is an unhurried introduction to imperial heritage, Silk Road history, and the panda heartland of Sichuan, designed for travelers who want to understand a place rather than just see it.

Included / Exclude

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Transfer
  • Breakfast
  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Lunch
  • Transport
  • Additional Services
  • Insurance

Location

Daily Schedule

Daily Itinerary Welcome to the Imperial Capital

  • Arrival in Beijing

    Welcome to Beijing, the political and cultural heart of China for nearly a thousand years. Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure for rest and adjustment. In the evening, gather for the Beijing Foundation Dinner, a thoughtful welcome that sets the tone for the journey ahead.

    Meals: Dinner

Daily Itinerary The Heart of Imperial China
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Beijing

Begin the day at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, two of the capital's most important historic landmarks, offering a window into imperial rule, ceremonial tradition, and palace architecture across nearly six hundred years. In the afternoon, attend a performance by the National Ballet of China, one of the country's premier classical companies. The day concludes with an evening exploration of Wangfujing Street, the lively pedestrian district where Beijing's past and present meet, followed by the city's signature dish, a Peking Duck dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Peking Duck)

Daily Itinerary Walking the Wall

  • Beijing

    Spend the day at the Great Wall, walking along its ancient stone ramparts and taking in the sweeping views of mountain ridges that have shaped this engineering marvel for more than two thousand years. In the evening, attend a traditional Chinese drama performance, a vivid showcase of music, costume, and storytelling drawn from centuries of cultural heritage. Gather for the Great Nations Brands Dinner, a celebratory evening connecting culture, hospitality, and the spirit of cross-cultural exchange.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Daily Itinerary Royal Gardens, the Altar of Heaven, and a Princely Residence

  • Beijing

    Begin the day at the Summer Palace, one of the finest examples of imperial garden design in China, where pavilions, lakeside walkways, and Longevity Hill once served as the summer retreat of the Qing emperors. Continue to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming architecture where emperors once performed the most important rituals of the imperial calendar, praying for good harvests and the favor of the heavens. The afternoon brings a visit to Prince Gong's Mansion, the largest preserved princely residence in Beijing and a beautifully maintained example of Qing Dynasty aristocratic life. The day concludes with an authentic Peking Duck meal.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Peking Duck)

Daily Itinerary Westward to the Tang Capital

  • Beijing to Xi'an

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital that anchored the Silk Road for over a millennium. On arrival, walk along Xi'an's Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved fortifications in China, where watchtowers and ramparts still trace the outline of the old imperial capital.

    Meals: Breakfast

Daily Itinerary The Silent Army and the Tang Pagoda

  • Xi'an

    Today brings the most iconic of Xi'an's heritage. Begin at the Banpo Site, an ancient archaeological location dating back roughly six thousand years, offering a vivid window into Neolithic life in the Yellow River basin. Continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a seventh-century Buddhist landmark built during the Tang Dynasty to house the sutras brought back from India by the famous monk Xuanzang. In the afternoon, visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the adjacent Museum of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, each with a distinct face and posture, stand guard over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in a feat of craftsmanship that continues to astonish archaeologists today. Sample Hui cuisine at the Muslim Quarter for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hui cuisine)

Historical Excursion Museums, Bell Towers, and the Old City
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Xi'an

Begin the day at the Shaanxi History Museum, one of the finest collections of Chinese antiquities in the country, with extensive holdings from the Tang Dynasty. The collection offers context for everything else you've seen in Xi'an, from the Terracotta Warriors to the imperial city walls. In the afternoon, visit the Bell Tower and the nearby Drum Tower, two of the most recognizable landmarks of the old city, where the surrounding streets converge in a still-lively echo of the imperial capital's grid.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Daily Itinerary Southwestward to the Land of Pandas

  • Xi'an to Chengdu

    After breakfast, board a high-speed train to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan and one of China's most beloved cities. The journey takes approximately three hours. On arrival, walk Kuanzhai Alley, a quaint and atmospheric area where restored historic courtyards meet contemporary urban life through small shops, traditional homes, and local restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

Daily Itinerary A Morning with the Giant Pandas

Chengdu

Spend the morning at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the leading institutions in the world for panda conservation, where the early morning hours are the best time to see the animals active and feeding. Continue to Jinli Street, a historic ancient street known for its traditional Sichuan architecture and a lively atmosphere of food, crafts, and local life. The afternoon offers time at leisure, with optional visits to a traditional teahouse in Renmin Park to experience the unhurried daily rhythm that defines Chengdu's character.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Daily Itinerary Bronze Age Mysteries

Chengdu

Spend the day at the Sanxingdui Museum, where remarkable Bronze Age discoveries reveal a highly distinctive ancient civilization that flourished in Sichuan more than three thousand years ago. The bronze masks, towering figures, jade artifacts, and stone sculptures on display have reshaped scholarly understanding of early Chinese history, offering a vivid counterpoint to the central plains narrative. The site is genuinely surprising and gives Chengdu a place in Chinese archaeological history that few travelers expect.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Daily Itinerary Ancient Engineering and a Sacred Mountain
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Chengdu

Begin the day at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a 2,000-year-old water management system still in use today and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The system has shaped the agricultural prosperity of the Chengdu Plain since the third century BCE, in one of the great early engineering achievements of human history. Continue to Mount Qingcheng, one of the most important Taoist mountains in China and another UNESCO site, where forested paths lead to ancient temples that have served as centers of Taoist practice for nearly two thousand years. In the afternoon, visit the Du Fu Thatched Cottage, a serene memorial site honoring one of China's greatest poets, who lived here during the Tang Dynasty after fleeing the An Lushan Rebellion.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Final Day Departure from Chengdu

  • After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before your departure. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own onward travel and airport transportation from Chengdu.

    Meals: Breakfast

FAQ

Do you offer discounts to veterans and seniors?

Yes, we do offer discounts to seniors and veterans. To inquire, please reach out.

Are meals provided?

Breakfast is included, and some lunches and dinners are included as well. See itinerary for more information.

How will I know where to arrive before my trip?

All this information will be included in your travel documents that you receive from Wayfarer. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Travel Planner or Travel Advisor, or reach out to us at the provided help contacts below.

What if I don't like one of the accommodations on my tour? May I switch to somewhere else?

Unfortunately, no. However, please contact a Travel Advisor a call at 1-801-809-6879 to upgrade the lodging may be added additional fee to you for your special needs.

Will Wayfarer organize my flights from my home airport?

Unfortunately, no. We do organize any air travel that takes place while on tour.

Do I need to purchase trip insurance?

For travelers on Wayfarer, trip insurance is optional and comes at an additional cost. We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which may reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs. Travel insurance may offer financial protection for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as assistance should you encounter covered travel delays, baggage loss, or require emergency medical treatment while traveling.

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