10-day China tour with Chengdu

Arrival in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and the rest of the day at leisure.

Beijing, whose name means “Northern Capital,” is the ancient and noble Cambaluc, surrounded by white crenellated walls and mentioned by Marco Polo in The Travels of Marco Polo. As one of the largest and most populous cities in the world, Beijing is a treasure of historical and cultural monuments, shaped by an epic past of invasions, wars, and rebirths. Among its must-see sites are the Forbidden City (built between 1406 and 1420), the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall — all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Walking through these wonders allows you to immerse yourself in the millennia-old history of the Chinese capital, between majestic architecture and rare scenic beauty.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Culture

50%

History

60%

Food

40%

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your visit of Beijing with the historic and majestic Tian An Men Square, built in 1417. Its name means "Gate of Heavenly Peace" and it is the symbolic heart of the city, famous for Mao Zedong’s proclamation of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, and for being the site of major historical events. Continue with a visit to the Imperial Palace, home of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the largest palace in the world, covering 720,000 square meters with 980 buildings. Also known as the Forbidden City, it is a masterpiece of classical architecture, featuring crested towers, gates decorated with golden studs, massive walls, spacious courtyards, and gardens. Lunch at a selected local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the poetic Summer Palace, called the "Garden of Harmonious Elegance", a splendid imperial summer residence located a few kilometers northeast of the city. The day concludes with a welcome dinner at the famous Beijing Roast Duck Restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.

Culture

40%

History

50%

Adventure

20%

Food

30%

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the Great Wall (Badaling section), a colossal architectural work designed for defense and as a communication route over 6,000 km long. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to the city and visit the Temple of Heaven, an impressive complex with blue glazed roofs topped with golden spheres, symbolizing Chinese imperial spirituality. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Relax

40%

Adventure

30%

Food

40%

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the railway station in time for boarding the high-speed train to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province and the first of China’s Four Ancient Capitals, chosen by no less than 13 dynasties. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival and free time for relaxation or individual activities. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Culture

50%

History

60%

Food

40%

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the magnificent Terracotta Army, the funerary ensemble of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who died in 210 BC. Accidentally discovered by a farmer in 1974 during excavation, it consists of around 18 chariots, 100 horses, and 8,000 warriors over 1.8 meters tall, each unique and incredibly lifelike. Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. Next, stop at the terracotta factory and lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 709 at the request of the Buddhist monk Dai An, a symbol of the city and a tribute to Emperor Tang Gaozong, intended to preserve Buddhist sacred texts. Continue with a visit to the Great Mosque, dating back to 742 and the oldest in the country, followed by a stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter, a labyrinth of alleys, stalls, colorful lanterns, and the aromas of spices. The day concludes with dinner featuring traditional Chinese dumplings at a local restaurant, an unmissable experience in Xi’an.

Culture

40%

Relax

30%

Adventure

20%

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Xi’an railway station in time for boarding the high-speed train to Chengdu, in southwestern China, capital of Sichuan province and a sub-provincial city. (In Chengdu, English-speaking guide). Check-in at the hotel upon arrival and free time at your disposal. Lunch and dinner on your own, overnight stay at the hotel.

Culture

60%

Nature

50%

Adventure

30%

Breakfast at the hotel. In Chengdu, English-speaking guide. Transfer for a visit to the Giant Panda Reserve, the largest in the world, home to a large number of pandas cared for by specialized staff and volunteers, thanks to the volunteer program open to anyone wishing to help care for the animals. The Wolong Reserve, surrounded by mountains, rich vegetation, and fresh air, has become a true paradise for giant pandas, a national treasure dedicated to breeding, reproduction, and the rescue of pandas. Lunch at a local restaurant, dinner on your own, and overnight stay at the hotel in Chengdu.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Culture

60%

History

50%

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Yu Garden, a two-hectare harmonious microcosm of fauna and flora. Created in 1599 as a tribute from a son to his retired father, it is a Ming-style masterpiece reproducing the typical southern landscape with an elegant combination of ponds, rocks, bridges, stairs, small hills, beautiful pavilions, and halls with poetic names such as “Hall of Three Harmonies,” “Hall of Ten Thousand Flowers,” and “Hall of Jade Magnificence.” Stop at the bazaar, a curious and fun experience among local food products and handicrafts, followed by a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, home to beautiful statues such as the reclining white jade Buddha and the large seated Buddha, two meters tall, decorated with semi-precious stones. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Finally, visit the Bund, literally “the banks of the muddy river,” the center of financial and commercial power of old Shanghai and one of the city’s iconic landmarks. This open-air museum is a lively avenue lined with historic Art Deco buildings that preserve the original 19th/20th-century appearance, facing the riverfront and modern skyscrapers. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in good time for the return flight to Italy.