10-Day China Family Adventure: Beijing, Xi’an & Chengdu

The Experience

Welcome to China! Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport, your private driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.

After a long journey, we recommend keeping the first day flexible so everyone has time to settle in and recover from the flight.

If you arrive early and feel up to exploring, you could take a gentle walk around your hotel neighborhood, try your first bowl of Beijing noodles, or visit a nearby shopping street for a glimpse of everyday city life.

Beijing is a city where imperial history and modern life sit side by side, from traditional hutongs to busy commercial districts.

Highlights

• Private airport pickup and hotel transfer
• Time to rest and adjust after your journey

Tips

• Share your flight details in advance so we can arrange the correct airport pickup.
• Keep your passport handy for hotel check-in.

The Experience

Today, we explore the heart of imperial Beijing.

We begin at Tian’anmen Square in the morning, one of the world’s largest public squares and an important place in modern Chinese history.

Then, we continue to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived and ruled for nearly 500 years.

As you walk through the enormous gates and courtyards, you’ll notice the golden roofs, red walls, stone carvings, and carefully arranged halls. These details reflect traditional Chinese ideas about imperial power, harmony, and the relationship between heaven and earth.

Today's visit involves plenty of walking along the way.

Highlights

• Tian’anmen Square and its place in modern Chinese history
• The grand halls and courtyards of the Forbidden City

Tips

• Forbidden City tickets must be booked in advance, and passports are required.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring water; the palace complex is extensive.

The Experience

Today is one of the most memorable days of your China trip: a visit to the Great Wall.

After breakfast, your private driver will take you from central Beijing to one of the sections, Badaling, Mutianyu, or Jinshanling, depending on your family’s preferences.

The Great Wall was built and rebuilt over centuries to help defend China’s northern borders. Walking along its stone paths, climbing the watchtowers, and looking across the ridgelines gives you a real sense of the scale of this remarkable structure.

We’ll allow time to explore at your own pace rather than rushing from one viewpoint to another. For children, the watchtowers and winding walls can make history feel much more tangible than reading about it in a book.

After the visit, we return to Beijing by private vehicle.

Highlights

• Walk along the Great Wall and explore its watchtowers
• Enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding mountains

Tips

• Wear shoes with good grip, as some steps are steep and uneven.
• A cable car can save energy, especially for younger children or older family members.

The Experience

After breakfast, we transfer to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xi’an. The journey usually takes around 4–6 hours. As you arrive, your private driver will transfer you to the hotel.

If time and energy allow, you can take a walk through the Muslim Quarter to sample local specialties such as hand-pulled noodles, roujiamo (Chinese-style meat sandwiches), and persimmon cakes. The food stalls and narrow streets offer a fun introduction to the city, especially for families who enjoy trying something new.

Highlights

• Travel between Beijing and Xi’an on a high-speed train
• Discover Xi’an’s local food culture and historic atmosphere

Tips

• Bring your passport for boarding and allow time for station security checks.
• Train tickets are best booked in advance, especially during holidays.

The Experience

Today, we visit the Terracotta Army, one of China’s most extraordinary archaeological discoveries.

After breakfast, your private vehicle will take you from Xi’an to the museum complex near the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor to unify China. The drive usually takes around an hour, depending on traffic.

Discovered by local farmers in 1974, the terracotta warriors were created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the emperor in the afterlife. Thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots have been unearthed, and many figures have individual facial features and hairstyles.

We recommend allowing around 2–3 hours for the main museum areas. Your guide can explain the different pits and the ongoing restoration work.

Afterwards, we return to downtown Xi’an, where you can take a walk or rent a bicycle to explore the Ancient City Wall. Built during the Ming dynasty on the foundations of earlier fortifications, the wall is one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Cycling along the top offers a different perspective of the city, with historic gates on one side and modern neighborhoods on the other. It’s a fun way for families to enjoy Xi’an’s history without another museum visit.

Highlights

• See the famous Terracotta Army in its excavation halls
• Learn about China’s first emperor and the Qin dynasty
• Walk or cycle along the Ancient City Wall

Tips

• Visit with a guide if possible; the historical context makes a big difference.
• The museum involves a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes are essential.

The Experience

After breakfast, we transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. The journey generally takes around 3–4 hours. On arrival, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, we can keep the afternoon flexible.

Chengdu offers a different pace from Beijing and Xi’an. It is known for giant pandas, Sichuan cuisine, teahouse culture, and a lifestyle that makes room for lingering over meals and spending time with friends.

If you feel like exploring, take a walk through Kuanzhai Alleys, a restored historic area of narrow lanes, courtyard houses, and teahouses. Enjoy a leisurely evening soaking up Chengdu’s laid-back pace.

Highlights

• Travel comfortably to Chengdu by high-speed train
• Get your first taste of Chengdu’s relaxed lifestyle and local food

Tips

• Let us know if anyone in the family prefers mild food so we can recommend suitable dishes.
• Keep the afternoon flexible in case the train arrives later than expected.

The Experience

In the morning, we visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best-known places in China to see giant pandas.

Our private driver will take you from your hotel to the base early. Pandas are generally more active in the cooler morning hours.

The base is quite large, so we’ll focus on the areas that best fit your family’s interests and walking pace. Besides pandas, you’ll also learn about panda behavior, breeding, and conservation.

Afterwards, your driver will take you back to the city center to visit Wuhou Shrine, a historic temple complex dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the famous strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. Stroll through the peaceful courtyards, watch the traditional architecture, and learn about the stories of loyalty and wisdom that remain deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

The visit offers a nice contrast to the lively panda base and gives the family a chance to discover another side of Chengdu’s history.

Highlights

• See giant pandas in a conservation-focused setting
• Learn about panda habits and the work to protect this endangered species

Tips

• Arrive early for the best chance of seeing active pandas.
• Follow all visitor rules and keep your voice low around the animals.

The Experience

After breakfast, your private driver will take you from Chengdu to Leshan, a drive of around 1.5–2 hours.

Here, we visit the famous Leshan Giant Buddha, a 71-meter-tall statue carved into a red sandstone cliff during the Tang dynasty. Built to help calm the turbulent river currents below, it reflects both the Buddhist beliefs and remarkable engineering skills of its time.

We can explore the scenic area on foot, following the paths and stairways for a closer look at the Buddha, or take a river cruise for a broader view from the water. The walking route involves quite a few steps and can get crowded, so we'll choose the option that best suits your family.

After the visit, we continue by private vehicle to the Mount Emei area, about 30–60 minutes away. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening at the foot of this sacred mountain.

Highlights

• See the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha up close
• Travel onward to Mount Emei for an overnight stay near the mountain

Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to explore the Buddha on foot.
• Staying near Mount Emei makes an early start the next day much easier.

The Experience

After breakfast, we head into the mountain area and start exploring Mount Emei, one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and a UNESCO-listed cultural and natural site.

Mount Emei is known for its forested slopes, ancient temples, and long history of Buddhist pilgrimage. We will take the cable car to the Golden Summit for expansive views across the surrounding peaks. However, fog and rain may affect visibility.

After the visit, we travel back to Chengdu by private vehicle.

Highlights

• Discover Mount Emei's Buddhist heritage and mountain landscapes
• Enjoy a scenic mountain experience before returning to Chengdu

Tips

• Bring warm layers and rain protection, as temperatures can be much lower higher up.
• The Golden Summit involves several hours of transfers and sightseeing, so an early start is essential.

The Experience

We’ll arrange the transfer to the airport or train station according to your departure time.

Highlights

• Private transfer to the airport or railway station
• Time for a final taste of Chengdu if your schedule allows

Tips

• Confirm your departure terminal or station in advance.
• Keep passports and travel documents accessible during the transfer.