10 Days Beijing & Shanghai Tour with Sichuan Discovery: Beijing-Chengdu-Leshan-Emei-Shanghai

Tour Highlights

⦁ Immerses yourself in the rich history and diverse cultures of China.
⦁ Taste Chinese Cuisine, and learn about Chinese cuisine culture.
⦁ Explore bustling markets and local community, sample local cuisine, and interact with the locals.

Itinerary Overview

D1-D4 Beijing Arrival&Sightseeing

Visit Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Hutongs.

D5-D8 Chengdu Sightseeing

Visit Chengdu Panda Base, Renmin Park, Kuanzhai Alley, Leshan Giant Buddha, Emei Mountain, Sichuan Cuisine Museum.

D9-D10 Shanghai Sightseeing&Departure

Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund.

Detailed Itinerary

(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing Airport, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from the jet lag.

D2 Beijing (B,L)

After breakfast, the local guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby. Transfer to the scenic Shichahai area, known for its interconnected lakes—Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. Dive into the labyrinthine network of narrow alleys known as Hutongs. Wander down Yandai Xiejie, a 700-year-old sloping street once famed for its tobacco pipe shops. These alleyways are home to some of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods and provide a glimpse into the daily lives of local residents. Hop on a rickshaw to shuttle through the Hutong streets and alleys, and get knowledge of the lifestyle of old Beijing.

For lunch, indulge in one of China's most celebrated dishes, Peking Roasted Duck, savoring the flavors that have made it world-renowned.

The highlight of your day continues as you walk cross the city moat en route to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), one of the world's five major palaces. This vast complex, with over 9,000 rooms, once served as the imperial residence for 24 emperors throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Traverse through various gateways to marvel at its splendid architecture adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble foundations, and exquisite colorful paintings.

Optional activity: In the evening, you can watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at the Red Theater.

Day 3 Beijing (B,L)

After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Heaven first. The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest.

After the visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit Mutianyu which is one of the best preserved yet less crowded sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall serves as a strategic link between the Juyongguan Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou to the east, effectively safeguarding Beijing throughout history. It has earned the moniker "Perilous Mountain and Mighty Pass". You will take a cable car up to the half way to enjoy some hiking. After that, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car.

Then dive back to Beijing downtown, and make a stop at Beijing Olympic Village to view Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional experience: Appreciate the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.

D4 Beijing & Flight to Chengdu (B,L)

In the morning, drive to Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Here you can leisurely stroll amidst ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges, and corridors. Take a leisure stroll on the rippling Kunming Lake to enjoy the verdant mountain view of Longevity Hill. You will visit the Long Corridor, boasting a total length of 728 meters and housing 273 rooms. Renowned for its exquisite architectural design, meandering layout, and vibrant color paintings, it has long been hailed as an epitome of artistic brilliance.

After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Chengdu(abt 3hrs). Welcome to Chengdu! The hometown of Giant panda. You will be greeted by your tour guide on arrival, and transferred to your hotel in downtown area.

D5 Chengdu(B,L)

Get up early today to pay a stirring visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is globally renowned for its conservation and breeding efforts, boasting a wealth of panda resources and a pristine ecological environment. Take a stroll in the base, you can closely observe pandas engaging in their daily activities such as eating, playing, and resting. Moreover, one cannot miss the chance to encounter adorable baby pandas in the Moon and Sun nursery houses. In addition to giant pandas, the park is also home to various other wildlife species including swans and red pandas. Along the designated route, you will traverse through bamboo forests and verdant spaces while enjoying intimate encounters with nature and giant pandas.

After that, transfer to Chengdu Renmin Park. Make a stop at Heming Teahouse which is an iconic venue that embodies the essence of Sichuanese tea culture. Here, you can relax in a traditional environment, savor local teas like jasmine or Longjing. Visit the famous “Matchmaking Corner”. The scene at the corner is typically filled with advertisements for potential spouses, where parents engage in exchanging information, each striving to find a suitable partner for their unmarried adult children who had surpassed the traditionally preferred age for marriage.

Next to Renmin Park, you will take a stroll at Kuanzhai Alley. Literally translated as "Wide and Narrow Alleys," this charming neighborhood comprises three parallel alleys — Kuan Street (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley (Well Alley) — that reflect the traditional architectural style and local lifestyle of old Chengdu. The area is also famous for its street food and snacks, allowing you to sample authentic Sichuan cuisine.

If energy permits, you can take a leisurely walk from Kuanzhai Alley to Paotongshu Street. Nestled alongside the Kuanzhai Alley, Paotongshu Street exudes a more serene and leisurely atmosphere, preserving a greater sense of old Chengdu's lifestyle.

Optional activity: In the evening, enjoy a wonderful performance of Sichuan Opera which includes folk opera, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, etc.

D6 Chengdu-Leshan(B,L)

After breakfast, drive about 2 hours to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha. The Leshan Giant Buddha was constructed in the first year of Kaiyuan during the Tang Dynasty (713 AD) with the purpose of mitigating river floods, ensuring safe passage for ships. After 90 years of arduous construction, it was finally completed in the 19th year of Zhenyuan (AD 803). The statue is remarkably significant, standing at a height of 71 meters with a head height of 14.7 meters, width of 10 meters, and an instep width of 8.5 meters - large enough to accommodate over 100 people seated around it.

Upon arrival at the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, you will proceed to the visitor center, and then walk down a narrow stone stairway to reach the foot of the Big Buddha and get close to this grand monument (note: This stairway is relatively narrow and steep and you may expect a long queue during busy hours). Following this tour,you will also embark on a 30-minute boat ride for an alternative perspective on viewing the Leshan Giant Buddha from the river.

After the visit, head to Emeishan City and stay overnight.

D7 Emei-Chengdu (B,L)

Today you will fully enjoy Mount Emei, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. First visit Baoguo Temple which located at the foot of Mount Emei to admire its architectural beauty and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Then take eco-friendly bus from Baoguo Temple to Leidongping Station(2hrs), and walk 1.5km to Jieyin Pavilion for the cable car to the Golden Summit. Upon arriving at the Golden Summit (3077m) , prepare to be awe-struck by panoramic views of the mountain range, clouds, and possibly even a sea of clouds if the weather permits. Visit the massive Ten Thousand Buddha Statue and other temples in the area. After sightseeing here, descend by cable car and take Eco-Bus back to the tourist center.

Transfer back to Chengdu(about 2.5-3hrs). Along the way, you will pass by the Global Center, which is acclaimed as the largest single-building structure in Asia. It has the capacity to house 20 Sydney Opera Houses or 3 Pentagon buildings.

Optional activity: In the evening, you can enjoy a Chinese massage & spa to wash away the fatigue of the journey.

D8 Chengdu & Flight to Shanghai (B,L)

After breakfast, you will get escorted to Sichuan Cuisine Museum. Here you will not only get to know the history and development of Sichuan cuisine through various exhibits that showcase traditional cooking utensils, ingredients, and culinary techniques, but also engage in traditional techniques such as the "turning, sun-drying, and exposing" method used for making Pixian Douban(chili bean paste), and the process of making traditional soy sauce.

Join a hands-on cooking class led by master chefs to learn the secrets of mapo tofu or kung pao chicken, followed by a feast of your creations.

After the visit, transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai(abt 3hrs). You will be greeted by your tour guide on arrival, and transferred to your downtown hotel.

D9 Shanghai (B,L)

Start today with an exploration of Yu Garden - an iconic classical garden nestled within bustling Shanghai's core. Situated northeast of Huangpu District's Old Town area, you will see the stylish Chinese pavilion and authentic old architectures in Yu Garden. Surrounding the garden is a bustling marketplace filled with shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, souvenirs. Enjoy shopping time at Yuyuan Bazaar, and you can try snacks and local delicacies like xiao long bao.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Former French Concession to explore the city's unique history, architecture, and modern lifestyle. The city walk starts from Tianzifang, a place filled with artsy shops, studios, galleries, and cozy cafes. Here you can appreciate traditional Shanghai shikumen architecture. Continue north to Sinan Mansions, an upscale residential and commercial complex that exemplifies the elegance of the French Concession era.

Next highlight for today is Shanghai Tower. Stands in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial Zone, Shanghai Tower(632 meters) is the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world. You will take a high-speed elevator ride that swiftly takes you up to the observation deck(118F), reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour (73 km/h). Enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai from the observation deck, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the sprawling cityscape stretching to the horizon.

To conclude your day filled with exploration and discovery, take a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road to the Bund and enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.

Optional activity: You can also take a relaxing Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.