11 Days China Senior Tour: Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   After arriving in Shanghai, your private driver will hold a welcome sign “China Xian Tour” at the exit hall to pick you up and then escort you to the hotel in the city center for check-in.

   In the evening, you can wander around freely on your own. Take a stroll along the Bund, admire the European-style buildings on both sides of the Huangpu River and the illuminated skyline. Experience a Huangpu River night cruise.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration
   Discover Shanghai History, Gardens, Markets, Vibrant French Concession Life

   After finishing breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide to proceed with your walk along the 1.5-kilometer long Bund. The architectural styles of Gothic and Romanesque and other designs together with modern skyscrapers provide you the opportunity to discover the city's recent and historic developments.

   Yuyuan Garden serves as the main “entrance” to Jiangnan garden design. It features a highly beautiful design which includes pavilions, rockeries and ponds while "Yulinglong" - a 3-meter-high stone peak - stands as the garden's most valuable one. At nearby Yuyuan Market, experience an energetic atmosphere while enjoying Xiaolongbao and other traditional Shanghai dishes and shop for souvenirs.

   

   Admire various cultural treasures such as ancient bronze, painting, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, etc. in Shanghai East Museum and learn about some facts related to famous relics. The Dakeding on the first floor is the most important exhibit and on its 93 centimeter high body, you can see the history of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) engraved.

   Afterwards, stroll from Fuxing Park to the Shikumen buildings in Bugaoli, leisurely shuttling through the alleys of Shanghai and glimpsing the daily lives of local residents. The last stop today is the former French Concession. It is not a single attraction, but a vast area with Chinese parasol trees lined streets and many historical buildings. Here are garden villas and modern alleyways, gathering independent designer shops, galleries, bookstores and cafes. Many celebrities in modern Chinese history such as Soong Ching-ling and Ba Jin have lived here.

   After all visits, drive you back to your hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Chengdu by Flight
   Explore Parks or Modern Illuminated City Landmarks

   After breakfast, the morning hours are at your arrangement. You can either rest in the hotel or stroll around the People's Park to observe Chinese parents helping their children find a partner.

   Afterwards, the driver will pick you up and take you to the airport to fly to Chengdu. Upon arrival, a local driver (without a tour guide) in Chengdu will pick you up at the airport and take you to a hotel in the city center. You can enjoy the remaining time at your own pace. Recommended activity: go to SKP to admire the huge water columns illuminated by colorful lights. Its name is "Tower of Vitality", and under the green light, their appearance resemble bamboo loved by pandas.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
4. Day 4: Chengdu Panda Visit
   Meet Giant Pandas and Experience Chengdu Tea Culture and Local Leisure

   At 8 o'clock, meet with your guide in the hotel lobby and go to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to get a close-up view of China's national treasure, the giant panda. Pandas are usually most active from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning and you are likely to see them eating and playing. You still have the opportunity to see cute, furry panda cubs and learn about their habits.

   China Xian Tour recommends you to taste authentic Chengdu hotpot for lunch. If you are not particularly good at spicy food, you can choose Double-flavor pot (one side is slightly spicy, the other side is mushroom soup). If you want, the guide will arrange for you (at your own expense).

   

   In the afternoon, visit Wangjianglou Park, which was built to commemorate the Tang Dynasty female poet Xue Tao. There are a wide variety of bamboo and classical pavilions in the park. "Chongli Pavilion" is an iconic building with four floors of wooden structure. Walking to the top floor, overlook the winding waters of Jinjiang and city skyline. Afterwards, move to People's Park to experience the daily life of Chengdu people, including drinking tea and watching locals play mahjong. After the visit, drive you back to the hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
5. Day 5: Chengdu to Xi’an by High-speed Train
   Explore Jinli Street Culture & Local Snacks

   After breakfast, go and learn about the Three Kingdoms culture and traditional customs of Chengdu in Jinli Street. This is not a historical relic, but its Qing style architecture and atmosphere highly condense the urban lifestyle of Chengdu. Here, you can see various exquisite handicrafts, taste Sichuan specialty snacks and admire folk crafts such as sugar paintings and dough figurines. If you are interested, pay extra to watch the classic Sichuan opera face changing performance.

   

   Then, take a stroll on Chunxi Road and check in on the giant panda wall climbing sculpture. After that, you will be transferred to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, the local driver will pick you up and send you to your city center hotel for check-in.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
6. Day 6: Xi’an Must-sees
   Witness Terracotta Warriors And Cycle Atop Ancient City Wall

   The Terracotta Warriors and Horses is the tourist card of Xi'an and must see. The guide and the driver pick you up at the hotel and drive for one hour to the Terracotta Army Museum, which is known as the eighth wonder of the world. Within 3 hours, you will be led to visit 3 pits, with No. 1 being the largest where there are over 6000 life sized clay soldiers with an average height of 177.7 centimeters. If you are interested, experience making a mini terracotta warrior in a nearby factory and take it home as souvenir (optional).

   

   After lunch, drive back to Xi'an downtown to visit Ancient City Wall, the largest and most well preserved ancient city wall in China. It surrounds the center of Xi'an city. Ascend the wall, touch the bricks with a history of over 600 years, listen to how they were built and understand the functions of enemy towers and arrow towers. You can rent a bike to ride (optional) on the wall and overlook the urban landscape of ancient and modern blending from a unique perspective.

   Afterwards, travel to Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City for sightseeing. This is a pedestrian street with the theme of prosperous Tang Dynasty culture. The magnificent Tang-style architecture, dazzling lighting and rich cultural performances vividly depict the bustling scene of Chang'an (name of Xi'an during the Tang Dynasty). There are specialty shops, cultural and creative shops, and local snacks.

   

   Note: Today's itinerary will end around 5:30 pm. If you wish to experience the dazzling night scenery and more intensive night performances (such as the famous Tumbler Interactive), you can arrange your own tour afterwards and return to the hotel on your own.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
7. Day 7: Xi'an Family Visit
   Cook With Locals, Learn Calligraphy, Taste Authentic Muslim Street Snacks

   This morning, you will visit a local family in Xi'an and work with them to make traditional Chinese dishes. In the morning, you first go to the market to pick fresh ingredients and catch a glimpse of the lively scene of China's morning market. The host will teach you how to make dumplings and enjoy them.

   In the afternoon, head to Gao Family Courtyard to learn calligraphy. Under the guidance of a teacher, learn the basic techniques of holding and operating Chinese brush calligraphy and attempt to write your own works. Afterwards, watch the shadow puppetry performance. Behind the scenes, artists manipulate and sing, while the light and shadow in front vividly tell classic stories.

   

   The nearby Muslim Street is a gathering place for Xi'an snacks with restaurants and stalls lining both sides. Taste the Roujiamo, Pita bread soaked in Lamb or Beef Soup, Biangbiang noodles, steamed cakes and Shaanxi food (the guide will recommend you according to your taste, at your own expense). Walk to the Bell and Drum Tower Square to see the landmarks of Xi'an center. After the tour, take you back to the hotel to rest.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
8. Day 8: Xian to Beijing by High-speed Train

   Spend a relaxing morning at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. According to your train schedule, the driver will pick you up at the hotel and take the high-speed train to the capital city of Beijing. The driver in Beijing is waiting for you at the exit in advance and you will be escorted to a hotel in the city center for check-in.

   In the evening, you can freely engage in activities such as tasting Beijing roasted duck (at your own expense) and taking a stroll in Houhai, where there are many bars and snack stalls, perfect for strolling and experiencing Beijing's nightlife.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
9. Day 9: Beijing Classic Exploration
   Explore Imperial Beijing Landmarks and Experience Local Park Life

   Meet your Beijing guide at the hotel lobby and go to visit one of the largest city squares in the world - Tian’anmen Square. It is a symbol of China where in its center stands the Monument to the People's Heroes.

   For more 10-minute walking, you can reach the Forbidden City, a royal palace from the Ming and Qing dynasties where 24 emperors lived. It is the largest and most well preserved wooden structure ancient architectural complex in the world. Follow your guide along the central axis to appreciate the three major halls and catch a glimpse of the majesty of ancient Chinese royalty and the lifestyle of the rear court. The buildings look quite magnificent with golden tiles and red walls, showcasing the imperial style.

   

   Continue to learn more stories about the royal family at the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. This is a royal altar dedicated to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship the heavens and pray for grains. Its architecture deeply embodies the ancient Chinese cosmology of the round sky and square earth. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the main building, presenting three floors with blue tiles and a golden roof. At the Echo Wall, you can experience the unique acoustic effects.

   After the visit, go to the nearby park to catch a glimpse of the daily life of the locals, do square dancing and play poker. Afterwards, you will be sent back to the hotel to rest.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
10. Day 10: Great Wall of Beijing
    Hike Mutianyu Great Wall and Admire Stunning Panoramic Mountain Views

    After breakfast, drive for 1.5 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall. It is the most beautiful section of the Great Wall with dense enemy towers, which is not found in other sections of the Great Wall. The scenery here varies throughout the four seasons, especially in autumn when maple leaves dye the rolling mountains red. To save energy, China Xian Tour will arrange a enclosed cable car for you to quickly reach the top and then start your hiking up and down the steps and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery.

    

    If you have good physical strength, you can go to Hero Slope, also known as Enemy Building No.20, which is the highest point in Mutianyu. From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Mutianyu Great Wall. After about 3 hours of walking, take the cable car down the mountain. You will be taken back to the hotel to relax your tired muscles.

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    4-Star Hotel in Beijing
11. Day 11: Beijing Departure

    In the morning, enjoy your leisure breakfast at your hotel and then a driver will pick you up and send you to the airport or railway station for departure. Thank you very much for choosing our 11-day China tour for seniors. Hope you have a memorable trip!

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