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2-Week Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation

Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Tour

13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation

Day 1-4 Beijing - Forbidden City, the Great Wall night tour
 
Day 5-7 Xi'an - The Terracotta Army, Dumplings Making
 
Day 8-9 Chengdu - The Giant Panda, The Giant Buddha
 
Day 10-13 Shanghai - New China, Disneyland

During this trip, you will:

Enjoy a memorable family vacation

  • An educational trip covering many of China's popular icons
  • 100% tailor-made for your family's needs and desires

Improve your children's Mandarin proficiency

  • Mandarin- & English-speaking guides
  • Practice Mandarin with friendly locals

Gain great insights into China today

  • Chinese-culture immersion activities
  • Experience China's development first-hand

Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu-Shanghai Tour Map

Beijing Xian Chengdu Shanghai tour map

Tour 'Wow' Points

Discover the Mythical Animals in the Forbidden City

Explore the Forbidden City in a way that's specially designed for families with kids.

a family in the Fobidden City
children touching the yellow and green tiles on the wall

Worship Confucius and Visit the Highest Educational Institution in Old China

Understand how Confucius's principles shaped Chinese tradition and beliefs and learn about the traditional education system of China.

the temple of confucius
the Imperial Academy

Walk on the Great Wall and Slide Down from It

Visit a less-crowded Great Wall section at Mutianyu and try an exciting toboggan ride.

walking on the Great Wall
enjoy the toboggan ride

Make Your Own Terracotta Warriors in A Local People's Cave Dwelling

Visit a traditional cave dwelling, learn how to make Terracotta Warriors from a local artisan in a traditional way, and get to know local people's life in countryside.

make a warriors
make your own Terracotta Warriors

A Morning Date with Active Pandas

It is best to go early in the morning to see the pandas feeding at around 9:30am, which is their most active time of the day.

A Cuddly Panda
Giant Panda

Warm Your Stomach with Amazing Chinese Food

Enjoy a local food hunt in the Muslim Quarter and have an authentic Sichuan hotpot meal in a restaurant loved by locals.

enjoy a hot pot meal
try snack on the street

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Suggested Itinerary

The sample itinerary below is specially designed for 5th-grade children, who are in a Mandarin Immersion Program at school. We can, however, customize the trip to suit your interests, preferences, budget and children's Chinese-language proficiency.

Day 1Beijing | Arrival

Welcome to China! Your personal guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

If you are worried about jet lag, we can have a late start on Day 2 or simply leave it as a free day. Feel free to let us know your preference.

Hotel options:
Novotel Peace Beijing

Day 2Beijing | Roots of Chinese Culture

Let's start the tour at the Temple of Confucius, to begin to understand Chinese traditions and beliefs.

Then we'll head to the Imperial Academy, to learn about China's traditional education system and listen to Dacheng Rites Music.

Enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch in a local restaurant, where an a-la-carte meal will be arranged. Kids can talk to the waitress in mandarin and order food from a Chinese menu. Then visit the unique Lama Temple

Temple of ConfuciusTemple of Confucius
Day 3Beijing | The Great Wall

Drive to China's amazing icon, the Great Wall. We recommend the Mutianyu section.

There are five gigantic Chinese characters on one hillside by the wall. Find out what they mean and why they are there from your knowledgeable guide.

To help the kids have more fun, a chairlift going up and toboggan sliding down are included.

Lunch will be arranged in a hidden retreat-restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall. The restaurant used to be a glazed-tile factory. Now it offers organic dishes and an opportunity to explore rural China.

The Mutianyu Section of the Great WallThe Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
Day 4Beijing | Eco Tour of City Highlights

Explore the highlights of Beijing city using public transport. Kids will learn how to read Chinese signs along the way and gain deeper insights into local people's lives.

First visit Tian'anmen Square, and then the Forbidden City. Enjoy the famous Peking roast duck for lunch, and then practice Chinese calligraphy with a hutong family.

If you would rather not use public transport, we can arrange a private vehicle instead.

Calligraphy with a Local FamilyCalligraphy with a Local Family
Day 5Beijing to Xi'an | Tai Chi Experience

Head to the Temple of Heaven, a bustling place where locals participate in all kinds of activities, such as kite-flying and water-calligraphy. Join them and practice daily conversation

Then it will be time for a tai chi class with a renowned local tai chi master.

Race towards Xi'an and enjoy lunch on a high-speed train, a good way to experience the technological development of China.

Hotel options:
Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an

Tai Chi Culture ExperienceTai Chi Culture Experience
Day 6Xi'an | The Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are one of the greatest man-made wonders. We will introduce you to a different Terracotta Museum, one that can't be googled.

We'll visit a local cave dwelling and you can make a little warrior of your own, with your local host's help.

After lunch, we head back to the city center for a food challenge at the Muslim Quarter.

The Terracotta WarriorsThe Terracotta Warriors
Day 7Xi'an | One-Day City Tour

First, you'll visit the ancient City Wall of Xi'an and enjoy a bike ride on it. Then visit the Big Goose Pagoda which is regarded as the start point of the Silk Road.

Visit an energetic local family. Learn how to make dumplings and enjoy a family meal with them.

In the afternoon, you will visit Xi'an History Museum. Your guide will introduce to you the impact of cultural exchange with other countries. 

biking on the city wallBiking on the City Wall
Day 8Xi'an to Chengdu | Street Food

Catch the morning high-speed train to Chengdu, a city renowned mainly for two things – its pandas and its food.

We will spend the rest of the day tasting famous street food, taking family photos in front of the world's largest panda-statue and then writing a post card in Chinese in the Panda Post Office.

Hotel options:
Lia! Chengdu Hotel

The Largest Panda StatueThe Largest Panda Statue
Day 9Chengdu | Giant Panda

Arrive in the morning to see pandas at the Breeding Research Base. There are more than 80 giant and red pandas at the base. Visit in summer and you might see baby pandas in the nursery. Afterward, return to downtown Chengdu for a hot-pot lunch.

In the afternoon, have a little adventure at the last remaining farmer's market in Chengdu. Kids will learn to use Chinese to purchase some delicacies from locals.

Baby PandaBaby Panda
Day 10 Chengdu to Shanghai | Giant Buddha

Drive for 2 hours and arrive in Leshan by noon. After a short break and lunch, your journey to the Giant Buddha begins.

Climb up the Buddha, then walk down the narrow plank all the way to its feet, to discover you are only as tall as one of its toes.

A cruise on the river nearby is also included, so you can have a different panoramic view of the Buddha

After the tour, your private guide and driver will accompany you to the airport and you will fly to Shanghai.

Hotel options:
SSAW Boutique Hotel The Bund

The Giant BuddhaThe Giant Buddha
Day 11Shanghai | New China

Follow your guide to discover the secret of Shanghai's rise to prominence. The clues start from the Bund, where foreigners first landed in Shanghai hundreds of years ago.

Wander through alleyways to catch a glimpse of the lives of locals. Sit down for a break in a Michelin-starred restaurant and enjoy some delicious Shanghai snacks.

Experience a public ferry and then ascend the tallest building in Shanghai — Shanghai Tower.

Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience

After traveling in China for around 10 days, you might want to do something different at the end of your tour. Do you want to have some relaxation time? Do you have any unfulfilled trip wishes? In the magic city of Shanghai, your private guide will make your wishes come true!

Whether you want to relax, experience fashion, appreciate art, explore folk customs, or shop; from having fun in fancy bar to exploring an art center, trying nail beauty, testing your popularity in the marriage market, or just buying some lovely gifts, we will make it happen. Just tell us what you're interested in.

If you don't know what you want, just let your guide make the arrangements. You will not be disappointed!

The BundThe Bund
Day 12Shanghai | Disneyland

It has been a long journey for the whole family. Why not keep a nice surprise for the end, as a reward for the kids?

Let's create some memorable family moments at Shanghai Disneyland. A private vehicle will escort you directly to the Disneyland entrance. Enjoy fun experiences the whole day, and fireworks in the evening.

Hotel options:
Toy Story Hotel

Shanghai DisneylandShanghai Disneyland
Day 13Shanghai | Departure

Pack the gains from Chinese immersion along with some other unforgettable memories. Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Have a nice journey home!

Trip Notes

Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.

1. Extend the Tour

  • Guilin and Yangshuo: add 2-3 days - idyllic countryside and fun along the river
  • Huangshan: add 3 days - mountain views and rural local life
  • Hong Kong: add 2–3 days - mixture of Eastern and Western culture, Hong Kong Disneyland
  • More destinations: Zhangjiajie, Yunnan and Tibet. Inform us of your interests and we will offer you our recommendations.

2. Accommodation

Hotels with a convenient location are included. In most cities, we recommend hotels with a swimming pool.

Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good-value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the styles of their regions.

Whatever your accommodation preferences, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect hotels for you.

3. Transportation

China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience smoother, we usually arrange flights between destinations.

China's high-speed rail network, however, is a fast-paced way to travel. To interested customers, we recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours - let's know if you are interested.

4. Meals

Buffet breakfasts at hotels and lunches at popular local restaurants are included, so you can taste authentic Chinese food. Children will be able read Chinese menus and order dishes in Chinese. Your guide will be there in case you need help.

Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free - all your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. When booking, please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

FromUSD 3,619p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

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