12-Day Family Tour in China with Panda & Yangtze Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. After arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport, your private driver will pick you up at the exit and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

   Take a short break at the hotel. You are free to wander around for the rest of the day.

   Travel Notice: If you land at Beijing Daxing International Airport, an additional airport pick-up fee will be charged.

   Free Time Ideas:

   Take a stroll around Shichahai to watch the sunset transform the shimmering water into a gentle sea of orange.

   We’ll provide you with a Beijing food map to help you discover the most authentic local flavors.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing City Sightseeing
   Touch Ming Glazed Splendor, Experience Authentic Old Beijing Lifestyle

   Today, your Beijing guide will take you on a cultural journey through time and space in the capital city. Start from Tian’anmen Square, the world's largest city square, which is a venue for important ceremonies.

   Enter the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. This ancient wooden palace complex is the largest and most well-preserved in the world, perfectly interpreting the essence of traditional Chinese philosophy and architectural aesthetics with its rigorous central axis symmetrical layout.

   

   As you walk through this royal palace with nearly 9000 rooms, enjoy the resplendent glazed tiles and elaborately carved white marble and feel the historical imprint of 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties living here.

   Your guide will take you deep into the Beijing hutongs. Experience the authentic old Beijing lifestyle in the courtyard alleys with green bricks and grey tiles.

   Optional Activities: You can learn how to make dumplings, do paper cuttings or practise Chinese calligraphy in a siheyuan.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Hike Beijing's Great Wall
   Hike on the Most Beautiful Section of the Great Wall

   Take a hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall this morning. Compared to the more popular Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu is less crowded and unique for its beautiful natural scenery and best-preserved enemy towers. You and your family will take a fully enclosed cable car directly to Enemy Building No.14, the start of your Great Wall hike.

   When strolling westward along the winding city walls, you will encounter different magnificent landscapes at every corner. Climb up to Enemy Building No.20 and overlook the breathtaking panoramic view of the Yanshan Mountains. Experience a picnic lunch on the wall.

   

   On the way back to the city centre, stop to take photos of the iconic venues of the 2008 Olympic Games – the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. Stroll along the Central Axis Square, taking photos of the Bird’s Nest’s steel structure bathed in a warm red glow and the Water Cube’s blue LED ‘bubbles’; the children really love watching the changing colors.

   For dinner, sample the imperial cuisine - Peking Duck. This delicious dish has been loved by emperors, generals, and ministers since the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. Watch the chef slice the red, crispy and tender roasted duck on site.

   Optional Activity: After the hiking, choose to go down by the thrilling toboggan slide – the children are sure to love it. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Chengdu by Flight
   Relax with the Slow-paced Life and Make Panda Postcards

   It's time to say goodbye to Beijing. Take a flight to Chengdu, the hometown of pandas. After arrival, board a private comfortable car to the hotel for check-in.

   Then the guide will lead you to Panda Post Office. This is not only an excellent place to pick cute panda souvenirs, but to make postcards by hand and send them to your friends and family. The ubiquitous panda elements are an ideal background for photography.

   

   Head to Chunxi Road commercial district to catch a glimpse of the world's largest panda sculpture. Next, go to the People's Park, founded in 1911. This earliest modern park in China perfectly embodies the essence of Chengdu's "slow life".

   Walk through and listen to the gurgling stream and admire the unique sculptures. The most authentic experience is tasting the lidded-bowl tea at a century old tea house, watching locals play mahjong, and other daily activities. After that, drive you back to the hotel.

   Optional Activity: If you’d like to immerse yourself fully in Chengdu’s leisurely pace, why not try an ear-cleaning treatment? Lie back in a bamboo chair whilst the practitioner first uses a tuning fork to stimulate your ears and refresh your senses, before thoroughly cleaning with a disposable goose feather - a novel and relaxing experience.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
5. Day 5: Highlights in Chengdu
   Encounter Cute Giant and Red Pandas, Glimpse the Shu Civilisation

   Get up early and go to the world-renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Witness these adorable national treasures lazily gnawing on tender bamboo, basking in the sun, or flexibly climbing trees. The specially designed observation rooms allow kids to closely observe every move of giant pandas. The professional guide also reveals the living habits of these black and white creatures to you.

   

   Transfer to the mysterious Jinsha Site Museum. Built on the ruins of the ancient capital city of Shu, it houses a large collection of precious cultural relics from the 12th century BC. From the exquisite golden mask to the Golden Sun Bird, every exhibit tells the glorious history of ancient Shu civilization.

   Take a walk along the bluestone pavement of Jinli Street, flanked by Ming and Qing-style buildings. The lively atmosphere instantly takes you back to the bustling Chengdu of a thousand years ago.

   

   Optional Activities:

   The Sichuan Opera face-changing is a masterful performance art recognised as part of Sichuan’s intangible cultural heritage. Actors can change between multiple face masks in a matter of seconds, with different colors representing different emotions.

   Take part in a full-day panda volunteer programme to get up close and personal with the pandas and interact with them.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
6. Day 6: Chengdu to Chongqing by High-speed Train
   Free Exploration of the Mountainous City

   You can sleep in or move around freely in the morning. After lunch, take a 1.5-hour high-speed train to the “mountainous city” of Chongqing.

   After arrival, the local driver will pick you up and transfer you to Chaotianmen Dock to board the Yangtze River cruise ship. Spend tonight on the ship. Looking forward to tomorrow's trip.

   

   Travel Notes:

   Some cruise ships do not serve dinner on the evening of embarkation; we recommend that you have a meal before boarding or purchase some snacks to take on board.

   Please check with your private travel adviser in advance to confirm the actual departure time and boarding pier. Please note that the times and piers are subject to change due to water levels, weather and other factors.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
7. Day 7: Yangtze Cruise Activities and Shore Excursion
   Practice Tai Chi, Climb a Nail-free Wooden Pagoda

   As the first ray of sunshine falls on the Yangtze River, your wonderful cruise begins. Follow a Tai Chi master on the deck to practice flowing moves to perfectly stretch your body and mind. Then, a cultural expert will tell you about the thousands of years of civilizational heritage in the Yangtze River Basin. During the cruise, enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the picturesque scenery on both sides.

   

   Explore the twelve-storey Shibaozhai onshore, known as the "pearl on the Yangtze River". This wooden pagoda, built against the cliff, is entirely constructed of wood, without a single nail. Walking up to its top, you can take in a magnificent view of the Yangtze River.

   After nightfall, a grand welcoming banquet and joyful deck party will bring a perfect end to this fulfilling day.

   Optional Activity: If you’d like to experience a more unique aspect of ghost and spirit culture, you might want to visit the mysterious Fengdu Ghost City, where various legends about the underworld are passed down.

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   Overnight onboard
8. Day 8: Three Gorges Adventure
   Navigate through the Pristine and Picturesque Shennv Stream

   Start your beautiful day by admiring the essence of the Yangtze River landscape - the Three Gorges. The towering peaks and turbulent rivers form a magnificent scenery. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the cruise ship.

   The cruise ship sails towards the pristine Shennv Stream. Switch to a smaller boat and navigate through the picturesque waterways surrounded by lush vegetation. You also have the opportunity to watch traditional music, dance, and costume performances of the local Tujia ethnic group.

   

   Afterwards, return to the ship to enjoy lunch and relax. Get ready for the Captain's Farewell Party tonight.

   Optional Activity: Explore Bai Di (White Emperor) City, which offers the finest views of the Kui Gate in Qutang Gorge. The reverse side of the 10-yuan banknote features a depiction of the Kui Gate. This site is also associated with a famous historical anecdote from the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which Liu Bei entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang.

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   Hotel in Yichang
9. Day 9: Yichang to Shanghai by High-speed Train
   Witness Three Gorges Dam's Record-breaking Scale and Views

   Get your luggage ready. Your guide will take you off the ship to see the Three Gorges Dam, the biggest hydroelectric project in the world, 2,308 meters long and 185 meters tall. There are three main places to visit; Tangziling is the best spot to view the dam. The 185 Observation Deck on the left side of the dam is the same height as the dam itself, which is why it’s called that. The Commemorative Park is further down the Yangtze River and is a great place to take wide photos of the whole dam.

   

   After the visit, take the bus to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal. A local driver will then escort you to Yichang East Railway Station for a high-speed train to Shanghai.

   Optional Activity: The scenic area provides a special experience: the Three Gorges Ship Lift. This is the world’s largest vertical ship lift. Ships can ascend or descend vertically by 113 metres in 10 minutes, passing through the dam swiftly.

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   Overnight onboard
10. Day 10: Shanghai City Exploration
    Trace Shanghai's Past, Touch Its Sky,Wander Gardens

    Good morning! Meet your Shanghai tour guide and head to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. The highlight is the 5D digital city model on the third floor, which uses lighting and shadow effects to present a dynamic display of Shanghai’s urban planning layout. On the fourth floor, there are plenty of interactive installations suitable for children, such as learning about wind power generation and exploring country parks through VR.

    Later, ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center for a panoramic view of the city. Marvel at the skyline and the Huangpu River. For lunch, taste the Cantonese cuisine specially arranged for you.

    

    Enjoy a leisurely visit to the Jiangnan-style Yu Garden. It features elegant pavilions, koi-filled ponds, and traditional Chinese architecture. Stroll through the adjacent Yuyuan Market for local snacks and small souvenirs.

    Then, take a stroll to the Bund. As the sun sets, the pointed Gothic roofs and rounded Baroque domes create a beautiful skyline.

    Optional Activities:

    Once night falls, take a cruise on the Huangpu River to admire the dazzling night-time views of the illuminated banks.

    Between 7 pm and 9 pm, you can explore the Chenghuangmiao shopping district. The Nine-Bend Bridge is the highlight of the night-time scenery, where the lights on the bridge complement the reflection in the water. From the second floor of the Yuyuan Shopping Mall, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the old street.

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    4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
11. Day 11: Free Day
    Plan Your Own Trip in Shanghai, Suzhou or Hangzhou to Create a Special Moment

    Today is a flexible day. You can choose how to spend it.

    Visit the beautiful Zhujiajiao Water Town, or take a side trip to Hangzhou or Suzhou.

    Another option is to wander through Shanghai’s old streets and maybe learn a few words in the local Shanghainese dialect.

    Zhujiajiao Water Town, in Shanghai’s Qingpu District, is one of the best-preserved old water towns in the Jiangnan area. It’s known for its old buildings, pretty views, handmade crafts, and tasty local food.

    

    Suzhou is famous across China for its classical gardens, like the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Tiger Hill.

    Hangzhou is known for West Lake and offers both natural beauty and cultural spots, such as Lingyin Temple and Meijiawu Tea Plantation. If you are interested in traditional Chinese medicine, the tour guide can take you to a century-old medicine shop, where you can learn about basic medicinal herbs, experience an AI-assisted consultation, make moxa sticks, and try robotic moxibustion.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
12. Day 12: Shanghai Departure

    Make the most of your final morning in Shanghai by taking it easy and relaxing. Later, your driver will take you to the airport or train station for your trip home or to your next stop. This is the end of your 12-day China family tour with Yangtze River cruise.

    Extend Your Trip: If your family enjoys hiking, we recommend a journey to Mount Huangshan, just 2.5 hours away from Shanghai by high-speed train. Mount Huangshan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boast the five unique wonders: ‘remarkable pines, bizarre rocks, seas of clouds, hot springs and winter snow’, which are rare anywhere in the world, as well as a rich cultural heritage rooted in the Huizhou tradition. If you’re interested, we can tailor a suitable itinerary for your family.

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