Giant Pandas & Ancient Palaces
ITINERARY

1-4
Shanghai
City
Your family adventure to China starts with an overnight flight to the dazzling city of Shanghai. You’ll be met at the airport by your private guide before boarding the futuristic high-speed Maglev train to your hotel. You can choose to stay at either the Sunrise on the Bund or Fairmont Peace.

The afternoon is all yours to go off exploring. You could opt to soak up the bustling atmosphere of the main shopping street Nanjing Road or have an educational visit to the Shanghai Museum, which resembles an old bronze cauldron. In the evening you’ll head to the waterfront for a short cruise along the Huangpu River to take in the picture-perfect Pudong skyline. City views don't get much better than this.

The next morning, you’ll enjoy sightseeing with a difference – a two-hour sidecar tour of some of Shanghai’s best bits. The remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. We recommend a visit to the peaceful Jade Buddha Temple or tunnels and grottos of Yuyuan Garden.

On Day 4 the kids will be bursting with excitement as you get up bright and early for a full day at Shanghai Disneyland, with tickets and transfers included. Opened in 2016, it’s the first Disney resort in mainland China and offers six themed lands to explore.

Who else is there to greet you but Mickey Mouse himself? Then it’s off to dive into interactive storybooks and thrilling rides.

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5-7
Beijing
Activity & Adventure
From Hongqiao station, you’ll take the bullet train to China’s irresistible capital city Beijing. Your afternoon will be taken up with a walking tour of the centuries-old alleyways of the Hutong district to delve deeper into traditional Beijing culture – you’ll even get the chance to have a go at the art of mask painting. You’ll bed down for the night in either the Novotel Peace Hotel or Regent Hotel. 

Day 6 starts with an energizing tai chi lesson with a local teacher in the sublime setting of the Temple of Heaven. Afterward, you’ll tour some of Beijing’s most iconic attractions, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the former home of emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 

Think you’ve had good Peking duck back at home? Think again. In the evening you’ll get the chance to try the real thing - the way the Chinese make it. Make your way back through the alleyways of the Hutongs, following the paintings of ducks on the wall, to one of Beijing's most revered and traditional Peking duck establishments. Prepare your taste buds to be well and truly tickled! 

The final full day of your stay in Beijing takes you to the mighty Great Wall of China at Jinshanling, a two-hour drive from the city. This section of the wall is more remote, so you’ll have some breathing space to take in the sheer scale of this amazing place away from the crowds. 

After returning to the city, you’ll watch the spectacular Beijing Kung-Fu show, in which skilled martial arts performers deliver jaw-dropping kicks and tricks. 

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8-9
Xi’an
City
Enjoy a morning visit to the lakeside imperial Summer Palace before heading to the station for your high-speed bullet train journey to the ancient city of Xi'an. On arrival, you’ll be met by your new tour guide and driver, who will transport you to the Sofitel Hotel for a relaxing stay. 

On the morning of Day 9, you’ll head out of the city to see the world-famous Terracotta Army. Around 8,000 life-size clay soldiers, along with horses and chariots, are buried within three pits here. Discover how they were created to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. 

On your return to Xi’an you’ll be sightseeing on two wheels with a cycling tour along the ancient city walls. Let’s hope all that pedaling has made you hungry because, as night falls, you’ll be treated to an evening food tour. You'll explore the city by Tuk Tuk, stopping off to sample a range of local delicacies, from handmade noodles to dumplings. 

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10-12
Chengdu
City + Wildlife
As you leave Xi’an behind, you’ll take the brand new bullet train to the charming city of Chengdu and transfer to your hotel – your pick of the Crowne Plaza or Shangri-La. For the remainder of your day, you’re free to wander around the local area. Perhaps you might like to stroll down bustling Jinli Street or enjoy a brew in one of the local teahouses. 

Day 11 starts off with a prized visit to see China's national treasure up close – the giant panda. You'll visit the Giant Panda Research Base to watch pandas of all ages. Spoiler alert – they’re absolutely adorable! After you’ve had your fill of cuteness, you’ll visit Chengdu's Wangjiang Park and bamboo forest, where you’ll have the chance to sip tea and watch locals play mahjong. 

The next day, you’ll fly home from Chengdu full to the brim with special memories that you and the kids will cherish forever.