China Four Cities Tour - 12 Days 11 Nights (Xi'an, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing)
Xi'an / Beijing / Chengdu / Chongqing
Tour Overview
Tour characterFour defining cities in one private 12-day journey: imperial Xi'an, imperial Beijing, laid-back Chengdu and the mountain city of Chongqing - English-speaking guide, 24/7 private transfers, 4-star hotels, a night-lit Great Wall and a hotpot finale.
Places & experiencesTerracotta Warriors (UNESCO), Huaqing Palace, Xi'an City Wall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Datang Everbright City, Shaanxi History Museum, Summer Palace, Badaling Great Wall night tour, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Giant Panda Breeding Base, Dujiangyan (UNESCO), Leshan Giant Buddha boat cruise, Huanglongxi Ancient Town, Wuhou Shrine & Jinli, Kuanzhai Alleys, Hongya Cave, Two Rivers night cruise, Yangtze River Cableway.
Twelve days through four defining cities - Xi'an, Beijing, Chengdu and Chongqing - in one private journey: Terracotta Warriors and a DIY warrior session, the Great Wall illuminated at night, giant pandas and the 2,275-year-old Dujiangyan waterworks, then cable cars and hotpot in the mountain city. 4-star hotels, English-speaking guide, all intercity transport included. From $2,380 USD / EUR 2,190 per person.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive Xi'an · Free Time
Welcome to Xi'an, ancient capital of 13 dynasties. Staff contacts via WeChat before arrival; private car transfer to hotel. Free time: Defu Lane bar street, Qujiang Book City/Fang Suo, Shuyuanmen cultural street, Laocaichang creative district.
City Wall – Yongxingfang – Wild Goose Pagoda – Datang
Xi'an City Wall (~12 km, Ming dynasty); Yongxingfang (Tang Chang'an district, 100+ heritage snacks, shadow-puppet shows); Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Da Ci'en Temple (built 652 AD, climb RMB 25); Datang Everbright City (Tang-themed sculptures, night lights).
Terracotta – Huaqing – DIY Warrior – Huimin St.
Terracotta Warriors (UNESCO 1987, 'Eighth Wonder', pits 1–3, ~2.5h); Huaqing Palace (Tang hot-spring palace, ~1.5h); DIY terracotta-warrior making (~30 min, take home); Huimin Street (halal food & snacks).
Shaanxi Museum – Shuyuanmen – Fly to Beijing
Shaanxi History Museum ('Pearl of Ancient Capital', closed Tuesdays; alt Xi'an Museum/Yisushe); Shuyuanmen cultural street (~1h, 570m bluestone road); evening transfer to airport, flight to Beijing, hotel check-in.
Summer Palace – Great Wall Night Tour
Summer Palace (~2h, Long Corridor, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Nanhu Island); after lunch, Badaling Great Wall Night Tour (~2h, illuminated wall).
Tian'anmen – Forbidden City – Shichahai
Tian'anmen Square (world's largest public square); Forbidden City (~2h, outer/inner courts, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Imperial Garden; alt Jingshan Hill if tickets sold out); Shichahai hutong walk (~1h).
Temple of Heaven – HSR to Chengdu
Temple of Heaven (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, ~1.5h); after lunch, transfer to HSR station, train to Chengdu (~4–5h); arrival transfer to hotel, free time.
Arrive Chengdu · Free Time
Arrive Chengdu, 'Land of Abundance'. Free time to explore local rhythm and cuisine.
Panda Base – Dujiangyan
Chengdu Giant Panda Base (~1.5h, giant & red pandas); after lunch, Dujiangyan Irrigation System (~3h, 2,275-year-old UNESCO project); dinner with roast meats.
Leshan Buddha (Boat) – Huanglongxi
Leshan Giant Buddha by boat (front view, 5–10 min photo stop; alt hiking +RMB 10/pax); Huanglongxi Ancient Town (~1h, thousand-year-old Sichuan town).
Wuhou Shrine – Jinli – Kuanzhai – to Chongqing – Night Cruise
Wuhou Shrine (~60 min, Three Kingdoms culture); Jinli Street (~60 min, folk street); Kuanzhai Alley (~60 min, Qing lanes); transfer to Chengdu East Station, train to Chongqing; Jiefangbei (~50 min), Hongya Cave (~50 min), Two Rivers Night Cruise (~40 min); dinner at Peijie Hotpot.
Yangtze Cableway – Mountain Trail – Danzishi – Sky Screen – Departure
Yangtze River Cableway (~30 min); Mountain City Trail (~60 min); Shibati (~60 min); Danzishi Old Street (~60 min, 4A culture block); Nanbin Road (~1.5h, 'Chongqing Bund'); Sky Screen tower (~1h, 200m, 360° view); transfer to station/airport for departure.
What’s Included
- ✓12 days of professional English-speaking guide service
- ✓11 nights in 4-star hotels (double room)
- ✓Meals as marked per day (see daily itinerary)
- ✓All first-entry attraction tickets listed
- ✓24/7 airport/train station transfer service
- ✓High-speed trains: Beijing–Chengdu, Chengdu–Chongqing (2nd class)
- ✓Travel agency liability insurance
- ✓Complimentary: DIY terracotta-warrior experience
What’s Not Included
- ×International/domestic flights to/from China & visa fees
- ×Single room supplement (if required)
- ×Personal expenses (laundry, phone, snacks, etc.)
- ×Optional shows: 'The Legend of Camel Bells' (RMB 298/pax), 'The Terracotta Army Epic' (RMB 298/pax) — voluntary
- ×Travel accident insurance (recommended)
- ×Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Arrival: Reach the station ≥1h early, airport ≥3h early. ＋
2. Check-out: Usually 12:00 noon; settle extra charges before leaving. ＋
3. Reachability: Keep your phone on; staff contact you via WeChat/phone. ＋
4. Free time: Take care of your belongings and safety during free time. ＋
5. Adjustments: Attraction order may change due to weather, traffic, or tickets. ＋
6. Reservations: Beijing sites (esp. Forbidden City) need advance booking — at least 7 days ahead. ＋
7. Children: Children occupy a seat; infant price is 10% of adult. ＋
8. Pregnancy: Disclose before booking; some activities may not suit. ＋
9. Customs: Respect local traditions in ethnic minority areas. ＋
10. What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes; bring sunscreen, hat, medication. ＋
Expert Local Guide
Professional English-speaking local guide.
Small Group Experience
Comfortable group size and more personal attention.
Transparent Pricing
Clear inclusions with no hidden surprises.
Secure Booking
Protected checkout and professional travel support.
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