China Highlights Express
The essential first-time itinerary: imperial Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and futuristic Shanghai, linked by high-speed rail.
★★★★★4.9 218 reviews
From US$1,290 US$1,490/per person
Classic · 10 days
Golden Triangle & Giant Panda
The three great capitals plus a morning with the pandas of Chengdu — the trip we recommend to seven out of ten first-time visitors.
The short version
This 10-day tour covers Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai — China's classic golden triangle plus panda country. It includes a morning at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, from US$1,690 per person.
- The golden triangle plus Chengdu: four cities in ten days.
- Panda Base visit at 08:00, when the pandas are actually eating and active.
- Two internal flights or high-speed rail — your choice at booking.
- Everything included: hotels, trains, guides, all listed entrance fees.
Day by day
Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
What's included and what isn't
Includes
- 4-star hotels with breakfast
- Chengdu Panda Base entry and guide
- All internal transport
- Private guide in every city
- All listed entrance fees
Not included
- International flights
- Chinese visa
- Most lunches and dinners
- Optional Sichuan opera evening
Destinations on this route
Beijing
Beijing Municipality · 6 tours
Beijing is China's capital and the most efficient place to start a first trip: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the hutong
Xi'an
Shaanxi · 6 tours
Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi Province and where the Silk Road began. Forty kilometres east of the city, 8,000 terracotta warriors have stood in for
Shanghai
Shanghai Municipality · 7 tours
Shanghai rewards two days: one for the colonial Bund and the museums, one for old-town gardens, food and the French Concession. Add a third for a cana
Chengdu
Sichuan · 4 tours
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and the gateway to the panda reserves, the Leshan Giant Buddha and Jiuzhaigou. In the city itself the Cheng
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View tourFrequently asked questions
Will I definitely see pandas?
Yes, but go early. Pandas are most active between 08:00 and 10:30 while the bamboo is being put out; by noon most are asleep. We arrive at opening.
Is ten days enough for four cities?
Yes, because the trains do the work. Beijing–Xi'an is 4h 30m, Xi'an–Chengdu is 3h, and Chengdu–Shanghai is about 2h 30m by air.
Can I add the Leshan Giant Buddha?
Easily — it is a comfortable day trip from Chengdu and we add it as an extra night in most itineraries.
How spicy is the food?
Sichuan food is genuinely hot, but every restaurant we use will cook to your tolerance. Say the word and we keep it mild.
Explore next
Day tours
Practical guides
- Do I Need a Visa for China? Requirements, Costs and How to Apply
- China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Who Qualifies and How It Works
- Paying in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
- China's High-Speed Rail: How to Book, What It Costs, How Fast It Goes
- Is China Safe for Tourists? Honest Risks and How to Avoid Them
- Best Time to Visit China: Month by Month, Region by Region
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We'll do the rest.
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