Overview
This 10-day China itinerary brings together four very different sides of the country without trying to rush through too many places.
Start in Chengdu with pandas and local food, then head north to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, where colorful lakes, forests and mountain scenery offer a completely different experience. Continue to Xi’an for ancient history and the Terracotta Army before finishing in Beijing with hutongs and the Great Wall.
It is an ideal first-time China route for travelers who want nature, culture, history and food in one private journey.
Highlights
- Meet giant pandas in Chengdu and watch them during their most active hours.
- Experience Sichuan's famous food culture.
- Explore Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong's turquoise lakes, waterfalls and forest valleys.
- Stand before the Terracotta Army, one of China's most extraordinary archaeological discoveries.
- Visit the Great Wall in Beijing.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu Airport → Hotel
The Experience:
Welcome to Chengdu!
After you arrive, we’ll meet you at the airport or train station and take you by private vehicle to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, we’ll keep the first day relaxed rather than filling it with sightseeing. You can settle in, take a walk around the neighborhood, or simply rest after your journey.
Chengdu is famous for its relaxed pace of life, so there’s no need to rush into a packed schedule.Â
Highlights
- Comfortable private airport or station transfer
Tips
- Keep your first evening flexible after a long international journey.
- Overnight: Chengdu
Day 2: Chengdu Panda Base → Local Food Tour
The Experience:
We’ll start the day early and drive by private vehicle to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, when the pandas are usually more active.
You’ll see giant pandas feeding, climbing and playing, as well as younger animals in the nursery area when available.
The center also plays an important role in panda conservation and research, making the visit more meaningful than simply seeing the animals.
After returning to the city, we’ll spend the afternoon and evening exploring Chengdu through its food.
Rather than sitting down for one large meal, we’ll take you to several local spots to try different Sichuan dishes and snacks. Along the way, we’ll explain how local ingredients, spices and eating habits shape Chengdu’s food culture.
Highlights
- See giant pandas during their more active hours
- Discover Chengdu through local dishes and street food
Tips
- Start early for a better panda experience.
- Tell us about any dietary restrictions before the food tour.
- Overnight: Chengdu
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Chengdu → Huanglongjiuzhai Station by High-Speed Train → Huanglong Scenic Area
The Experience:
We’ll leave Chengdu in the morning and take the high-speed train to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou.
From the Huanglongjiuzhai Station, our private vehicle will take you to Huanglong Scenic Area.Â
Huanglong is best known for its naturally formed travertine pools, flowing water and alpine scenery. We’ll explore the main area at a comfortable pace, allowing time to stop for photographs and enjoy the surroundings.
After Huanglong, we’ll continue by private vehicle to Jiuzhaigou and check into your hotel near the entrance.
Highlights
- Experience China’s modern high-speed railway
- Explore Huanglong’s colorful mineral pools and mountain landscape
Tips
- Huanglong is at high altitude, so walk slowly and take breaks.
- Overnight: Jiuzhaigou
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Jiuzhaigou National Park
The Experience:
We’ll spend the whole day exploring Jiuzhaigou National Park.
The park is shaped roughly like the letter “Y”, with three main valleys meeting around Nuorilang. The park’s sightseeing buses make it easy to cover all three valleys. We’ll stop at the main attractions, getting off to explore the lakes and viewpoints on foot.
Highlights
- Follow Jiuzhaigou’s Y-shaped valley system by sightseeing bus
- Zezhawa Valley: Long Lake
- Rize Valley: Five Flower Lake, Panda Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall
- Shuzheng Valley: Shuzheng Lakes, Double-Dragon Lake, Nuorilang Waterfall
Tips
- Start early for a more comfortable experience and better chances of avoiding the busiest periods.
- Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll still do plenty of walking between bus stops and viewpoints.
- Overnight: Jiuzhaigou
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Jiuzhaigou → Chengdu by High-Speed Train
The Experience:
After breakfast, we’ll leave Jiuzhaigou by private vehicle and head to Huanglongjiuzhai Station for the high-speed train back to Chengdu.
Once back in Chengdu, we’ll check into your hotel and keep the rest of the day intentionally easy.
We can have a rest in a traditional Chengdu teahouse, where you can experience one of the city’s most familiar everyday traditions. You can sit down with a cup of Sichuan tea and watch the city move around you.
Highlights
- Experience Chengdu’s relaxed teahouse culture
Tips
- Keep the evening free for a leisurely dinner or local neighborhood walk.
- Overnight: Chengdu
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Chengdu → Xi’an by High-Speed Train → Ancient City Wall
The Experience:
We’ll take a morning high-speed train from Chengdu to Xi’an.
After arriving, our private vehicle will take you to the hotel to drop off your luggage.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city walls in China.
We can walk along the top or, if you prefer, rent bicycles and ride part of the wall. From here, you’ll also get a different view of the city, with historic neighborhoods on one side and modern Xi’an rising beyond them.
Highlights
- Walk or cycle along Xi’an’s historic city wall
Tips
- Cycling the wall is optional and depends on weather and energy levels.
- Overnight: Xi'an
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Xi’an Terracotta Army → Muslim Quarter
The Experience:
We’ll drive outside central Xi’an in the morning to visit the Terracotta Army, one of China’s most important archaeological discoveries.
We’ll spend time in the main excavation pits, where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses and chariots created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor.Â
Then, we will visit the exhibition areas, where you can see details of the figures and understand how the site was discovered and excavated.
After returning to the city, we’ll explore the Muslim Quarter on foot. You can try local specialties such as roujiamo, noodles and various snacks as we wander through the lively streets.
Highlights
- See the Terracotta Army and learn the story behind its creation
- Explore Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter through food and local life
Tips
- Allow several hours for the Terracotta Army rather than rushing the visit.
- The Muslim Quarter can be crowded, especially around dinner time.
- Overnight: Xi'an
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Xi’an → Beijing by High-Speed Train → Hutong Walk
The Experience:
After breakfast, we’ll take a high-speed train from Xi’an to Beijing.
After arriving in Beijing, our private vehicle will take you to the hotel to check in and freshen up.
Later, we’ll head into one of Beijing’s traditional hutong neighborhoods for a walking experience.
These narrow lanes and courtyard homes preserve a side of old Beijing that you won’t find around the city’s modern business districts. We’ll wander at an easy pace, stopping at small shops, local streets and courtyard entrances while we explain how hutong communities developed and how everyday life has changed over the years.
Highlights
- Discover traditional Beijing through its hutongs
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes for the hutong walk.
- Overnight: Beijing
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Beijing Great Wall
The Experience:
Today we’ll leave the city behind and head to the Great Wall by private vehicle.
We usually recommend visiting a section such as Mutianyu for travelers who want beautiful mountain scenery and a more relaxed experience.
Once there, we’ll take the appropriate shuttle and cable car arrangements depending on your preference and the day’s conditions, then spend time walking along the wall and its watchtowers.
As you walk between the towers, you’ll see how naturally the wall follows the mountain ridges. We’ll leave enough time for you to enjoy the views rather than treating the visit as a quick photo stop.
Highlights
- Walk along one of the most scenic sections of the Great Wall
- Enjoy mountain views from the historic watchtowers
Tips
- Bring water and sun protection, particularly in warmer months.
- Overnight: Beijing
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Beijing Hotel → Airport Departure
The Experience:
Your final morning is kept free so you don’t have to rush after nine busy days of travel.
Depending on your departure time, you can enjoy breakfast at the hotel, take a short walk nearby or do some last-minute shopping.
When it’s time to leave, we’ll pick you up at the hotel and take you by private vehicle to the airport.
We hope you’ll leave China with very happy memories.
Highlights
- Relaxed final morning in Beijing
Tips
- Keep passports, valuables and travel documents easily accessible.
- Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
- Chengdu: 3 Nights
- Jiuzhaigou: 2 Nights
- Xi'an: 2 Nights
- Beijing: 2 Nights
We choose hotels based on more than just their star rating. For every route, we look for clean and comfortable rooms, convenient locations, reliable service, and easy access to the places you’ll be visiting.
For this route, we choose centrally located hotels in Chengdu, Xi’an and Beijing, so you can easily reach restaurants, shops and major city attractions. In Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, we stay closer to the park, making it easier to reach the entrance and spend more time exploring the scenery.
All of our routes are 100% tailor-made, including accommodation. We can arrange hotels to suit your travel style and budget. If you have a preferred hotel, room type, hotel brand or location, we’re happy to include it in your itinerary.
Cost
Included
- High-speed train tickets (Chengdu – Huanglongjiuzhai – Chengdu, Chengdu – Xi'an, Xi'an – Beijing).
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all local transfers.
- Expert English-speaking local guide.
- Entrance tickets to all attractions listed in the final confirmed itinerary.
- Park sightseeing buses and cable cars.
- 9 nights of hand-picked accommodation with breakfast.
Excluded
- International or domestic flights to Chengdu.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities for guide and driver.
Transportation
This route combines high-speed rail and private transfers for a comfortable and efficient journey between destinations.
- Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing: Private transfers for city sightseeing
- Chengdu → Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou: High-speed train + private transfer
- Chengdu → Xi'an: High-speed train
- Xi'an → Beijing: High-speed train
Essential Tips
- The main sightseeing areas in Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou are at a higher elevation, so take your time and avoid rushing.
- Mountain weather can change quickly, so pack layers.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes.
Gallery
FAQ
Is 10 days enough to visit Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Xi'an and Beijing?
Yes. Ten days is enough to visit all four destinations with a carefully planned route. The itinerary includes efficient high-speed train or flight connections and gives you time to experience both China’s major historic cities and Jiuzhaigou’s natural scenery.
How many days should I spend in Jiuzhaigou?
For this itinerary, two nights and one full sightseeing day provide a good introduction. You will also visit Huanglong, giving you the opportunity to see both of northern Sichuan’s most famous natural attractions.
Can I customize this itinerary?
Absolutely. This is a private and 100% tailor-made China tour. We can adjust the sightseeing, accommodation standard, transport, pace and food experiences according to your interests, travel dates and budget.
Is this China itinerary suitable for families?
Yes. The route works well for families and can be adjusted for children. We can slow down the sightseeing pace, arrange family-friendly hotels and adapt activities according to your children’s ages and interests.
What is the best time for this China itinerary?
April to June and September to November are generally excellent periods for this route. Autumn is particularly beautiful in Jiuzhaigou, while spring and autumn usually offer comfortable weather in Xi’an and Beijing.
