Beijing · Xi’an · Chengdu · Shanghai
China in Four Worlds
Four cities. Four worlds. One extraordinary journey.
China
China in Four Worlds
Four cities reveal four different faces of China: imperial, ancient, living and modern. This ten-day journey moves from Beijing’s courtyards and the Great Wall to Xi’an’s first empire, Chengdu’s teahouses and pandas, and Shanghai’s contemporary cityscape.
Follow the journey by high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an and on to Chengdu, then fly to Shanghai. Between the landmarks, make time for neighbourhoods, local cuisine and the everyday experiences that bring each city into focus.
When
Your preferred datesSubject to availability
Price
Request a quoteTailored to your journey
How long
10 days / 9 nights3 nights / 2 nights / 2 nights / 2 nights
Dates, accommodation, services and the final price will be confirmed in your personalised quote. The proposed programme can be discussed with our team.
View journey route · Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Shanghai
Beijing
Begin in the imperial capital. Courtyard neighbourhoods lead to the grand spaces of the Forbidden City, before a day among the mountain landscapes of the Great Wall.
Days 1–3 · 3 nights
Day 1
Arrival
Arrive in Beijing and begin exploring a traditional hutong and its courtyard neighbourhood. These lanes offer a first introduction to the capital beyond its monuments.
Come together for a welcome dinner as your journey through four different worlds of China begins.
Day 2
Imperial China
Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, following the ceremonial spaces and courtyards of imperial Beijing. Continue to Jingshan Park for another perspective on the historic capital.
Return to the hutongs to discover a more intimate side of the city, where everyday neighbourhood life continues around the monumental heart of Beijing.
Day 3
The Great Wall
Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. A mountain walk and scenic viewpoints reveal the wall winding across the ridgelines.
Make time for a countryside lunch before returning from the mountains. The pace and walking route can be discussed when planning your journey.
Xi’an
Travel from the imperial capital to the city of the first empire. Ancient walls, the Terracotta Warriors and Tang cultural heritage introduce another layer of China’s history.
Days 4–5 · 2 nights
Day 4
From Capital to Empire
Take the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an. Begin discovering the Ancient City Wall and the Old City, tracing the outlines of a former capital.
Local food adds another perspective on the city as you settle into this next chapter.
Day 5
The First Empire
Discover the Terracotta Warriors and the Qin Mausoleum, exploring the legacy of China’s first empire.
Continue with Tang cultural heritage and local cuisine, connecting the archaeological story with the living city around it.
Chengdu
The journey turns towards living culture in Sichuan. Park teahouses, neighbourhood markets, pandas and opera reveal the rhythms and flavours of Chengdu.
Days 6–7 · 2 nights
Day 6
Into Living China
Continue by high-speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu. Visit People’s Park and spend time in a teahouse, discovering the everyday rhythm of the city.
Explore a local neighbourhood as the journey shifts from ancient capitals to the culture of contemporary Sichuan.
Day 7
Pandas & Sichuan
Visit the Giant Panda Base, then explore a local market and the flavours of Sichuan cuisine. Hotpot introduces one of the region’s distinctive food experiences.
A Sichuan Opera performance brings the day’s encounters with living culture to a close.
Shanghai
Finish where historic lanes meet the contemporary skyline. Shanghai brings together gardens, architecture, art and design for a final perspective on modern China.
Days 8–10 · 2 nights
Day 8
China, Now
Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai. Explore Shanghai Old City and the Former French Concession before an evening on the Bund.
The city’s historic streets and riverside skyline introduce the final world of this journey.
Day 9
Modern China
Visit Yu Garden and Lujiazui, moving between traditional garden spaces and contemporary architecture.
Explore an art or design district and return to the Bund, bringing Shanghai’s old and new perspectives together.
Day 10
Final Perspective
Spend time in a local neighbourhood, with free exploration and a closer look at contemporary Chinese lifestyle.
A farewell dinner brings the journey to a close. Share your onward plans with us so we can arrange your final evening and discuss an additional night if needed.
Good to know
Your stay
Nine nights are proposed: three in Beijing, two in Xi’an, two in Chengdu and two in Shanghai. Hotels and room categories will be confirmed in your quote.
Travel between cities
The proposed itinerary uses high-speed rail from Beijing to Xi’an and from Xi’an to Chengdu, followed by a domestic flight to Shanghai. Schedules and arrangements are subject to confirmation.
What your quote covers
We will confirm accommodation, transport, guiding, admissions, meals and any other included services in your personalised quote. International flights, visas and insurance should be discussed during planning.
Your final evening
Day 10 includes a farewell dinner in Shanghai. Please tell us your onward plans so we can coordinate the final evening or quote an additional night if required.
Image preview: the Terracotta Army, panda and Shanghai skyline images are AI-generated test illustrations. Other photographs were selected from the WanderBao image collection.
Which world will stay with you?
Tell us your preferred dates, number of travellers and interests. Let us start shaping your journey.
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