Family Tour of China: Ancient Cities, Cultural Excursions & Outdoor Fun - 13 Days

Highlights

• Get creative with family calligraphy and mask-drawing experiences
• Take a scenic cycling tour along Xi'an's historic City Wall
• Spend a morning learning about the adorable giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Base
• Take a boat ride through the historic canals of Zhujiajiao Water Town 

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Peking Duck Dining Experience

Welcome to China! Your flight arrives in Beijing, China's capital and one of the world's leading centers for culture, commerce, finance, and education. Meet your driver and head to your hotel, where, after your family has had a chance to regroup, you'll all participate in a welcome dinner.

Visit a local restaurant and indulge in Peking Duck, a staple in Beijing cuisine for centuries. The secret to its popularity lies in the preparation—the duck is first marinated with a blend of spices, then roasted until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. The result is a mouthwatering combination of tender meat and crunchy skin that melts in your mouth. Try this delicious dish alongside other regional fare as you all learn more about China's cuisine and the role it plays in local culture and traditions. Rest up at your hotel tonight in preparation for tomorrow's excursions! 

Day 2: Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

Today's tour takes you to some of Beijing's most notable sites. Meet your guide and start at Tiananmen Square, modern China's political center. Here, you'll find the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Once the site of the infamous student-led protests that took place here in the 1980s, the square today remains a prominent public space, often the locale for ceremonies and other events.

Continue to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace and winter residence of emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Constructed in the 1400s, this palatial complex was the center of political power for more than 500 years. Walk the courtyards with the kids and see the incredible Chinese architecture as your guide shares the associated history and the complexities between ancient and modern China.

End at the Temple of Heaven, a large religious complex located in southeastern Beijing. Once annually visited by emperors from both Ming and Qing dynasties for ceremonies seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest, the temple was given UNESCO status in 1998. Delve into China's past as your guide escorts you around the grounds, and you take in what has been described as a "masterpiece of architecture and landscape design." Additionally, you're likely to see local residents walking, exercising, or playing chess, as the temple also serves as a pleasant outdoor venue. 

Day 3: Discover the Wonders of the Great Wall

No trip to China would be complete without a visit to one of the world's most impressive wonders, the Great Wall. Together with your guide, you and your family will explore this monumental series of fortifications built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese states against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe.

You'll start at the Mutianyu section, which once served as a defense barrier for the capital and imperial tombs. Hike around the area, visiting the watchtowers and seeing panoramic views of the lush countryside and surrounding mountains. Depending on the route you choose and the ages/abilities of your kids, plan on spending anywhere from two to six hours walking the wall.

Later, visit Changling Tomb, located near Tianshou Mountain and the final resting place of Emperor Zhu Di (Yongle) and his Empress Xu Shi. Among the 13 mausoleums in the area, it stands out as the largest Ming tomb. You can also see the Ling'en Hall, or Hall of Eminent Favor, which is made from rare Phoebe nanmu hardwood and is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional preservation. Return to Beijing in time for dinner at your hotel or a local restaurant.

Day 4: Walking Tour of Hutongs, Peking Opera, Cricket Trainers & Confucius Temple

Discover the delights of Beijing's hutongs, narrow streets and alleys that create a dizzying maze of food, shopping, and community. Meet your guide and set out for a leisurely family walk, traversing winding pathways and uncovering the best local markets, unusual souvenirs, and more. See the traditional courtyard residences or siheyuan that form the alleys, and perhaps even get a chance to visit with residents as your guide shares the legends and history that accompany these charming neighborhoods.

Next, visit the Peking Opera and learn to make your own opera mask. Alongside an experienced instructor, you and your family will practice drawing the intricate designs of the masks as you learn about the significance of each design, said to reveal a character's age, profession, and personality. Explore the symbolism behind the colors, and create your own work of art to take home. Then, stop by a cricket training school, where you'll meet cricket trainers and learn about the Chinese pastime of cricket fighting. Watch a match between crickets, and the kids can even hold a cricket if they like!

Wrap up the day at Confucius Temple and Guozijian, the Imperial College. The temple, built in 1302, served as a space for intellectuals of various dynasties to pay their respects to Confucius. Now a museum, your family can see artifacts such as engraved stones, drums, and jade utensils. Not far from the temple is Guozijian, which was once considered the highest institute of studying in China's educational system. While no longer a school, it remains an important landmark and a testament to China's rich intellectual legacy.

Day 5: Fly to Xi'an, Visit the Muslim Quarter & Watch a Shadow Puppet Show

Your next destination is Xi'an, the capital of the Shaanxi province. The city marks the eastern end of the Silk Road and is best known for being the home of the Terracotta Army archaeological site. In the morning, check out of your hotel and head to the train station for your 5.5-hour bullet train ride. Upon arrival, a guide will meet you and your family for transport to your hotel. 

Drop your luggage at your rooms, then head out with for a guided tour of Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, a lively neighborhood that serves as a hub for the city's Muslim community. This area is famed for its delicious halal food, and you and the kids will have the chance to try dishes such as yangrou paomo (lamb stew), biangbiang noodles, and jinggao, a pastry made from glutinous rice. Stroll amid the dizzying array of vendors, trying different treats and seeking out one-of-a-kind souvenirs from local craftspeople.

Afterward, take in a shadow puppet show at Gao's Courtyard. The former residence of Gao Yuesong, an official from the Ming Dynasty, this brick-and-wood complex has a history spanning 400 years, with halls, pavilions, and a theater stage. See the Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural styles and lavish decor, and watch their shadow puppet show, an art form in which puppeteers manipulate small leather or paper figures, all of which are projected onto a translucent, illuminated screen. Beloved by Chinese children for thousands of years, this is sure to be a hit for both the teens and tweens in your group! 

Day 6: Cultural Tour of Xi'an's Terracotta Army

The morning starts with an excursion to one of Xi'an's most important sites, the Terracotta Army. Originally discovered in the 1970s, local workers had set out to dig a well and instead uncovered what is considered one of the world's most significant archaeological finds. Here at the burial site for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty and China's first emperor, you'll find a sprawling underground citadel, complete with stables, gardens, jewelry, silver, and more than 8,000 life-size clay soldiers. 

Your family will have time to walk the grounds as your guide shares insight into the fascinating history of this ancient tomb, explaining more about the production of the figures and the themes that showcase the emperor's life and enduring influence. The soldiers are especially intriguing, as each one includes a detailed range of different ages, ranks, even hairstyles and expressions—you'll find some looking calm and peaceful while others appear angry or aggressive. Return to your hotel in the early evening, where you're free to explore more of the city on your own. 

Day 7: Cycling Excursion Along Xi'an's City Wall, Family Calligraphy Class

You'll see more of Xi'an today with a guided bike tour along the city's ancient City Wall. This impressive structure, which dates all the way back to the Ming Dynasty, stands nearly 40 feet (12 m) high and 50 feet (15 m) long and once served as part of the city's defense system. Meet your guide, and after an equipment and safety briefing, head out with the family, cycling atop the wall and enjoying breathtaking views of the city center and beyond. 

Continue to the Drum Tower, where among other artifacts, you'll find a colossal drum, one of the largest in China. Additionally, you'll get to see a performance of traditional Chinese chime bells, or bian zhong, which has a history of more than two millennia.

Your final stop is the Tang Bo Art Museum, where you'll take a family calligraphy class. Chinese calligraphy is considered a true art form, dating back more than 2,000 years and combining visual and literary creativity. With help from an experienced instructor, use the four items of calligraphy—brush pen, paper, ink, and ink stone—and practice the different styles, which include kaishu, xingshu, and caoshu. Come away with an appreciation of this intricate writing style and personal calligraphy souvenirs that you and the kids can take home.

Day 8: Train to Chengdu, Wenshu Monastery & Teahouse Experience

You're off to Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan province. The city dates back to around the fourth-century BCE, offering a blend of urban amenities, historic sites, and natural beauty. After departing your hotel, you'll head to the train station with the family for a scenic, 3.5-hour bullet train ride. Arrive and meet your driver to transfer to your hotel, then head out to explore this fabled city.

Start with a visit to Wenshu Monastery, considered one of the best preserved temples in the city. With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, this active Buddhist temple offers visitors a glimpse into both monastic life and local worship practices. Walk the grounds amid the fragrant aroma of burning incense as your guide explains more about the history and traditions surrounding the temple.

Inside the monastery, you'll find a tea house popular with locals seeking relaxation. Step into a tranquil bamboo garden and sip jasmine green tea as you enjoy the serenity. This is the perfect way for the family to unwind a bit after the day's travel, as you and the kids sit in the lush greenery and relish the quiet atmosphere. 

Day 9: Giant Pandas of Chengdu, Visit Jinli Street

Today is sure to be a highlight of the trip for the kids as they spend the morning with some of the world's cutest creatures at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (or simply Chengdu Panda Base). This nonprofit breeding and research institute is home to giant pandas, red pandas, and other rare animals. With over 200 pandas in residence, you and your family will have a chance to observe both cubs and adults, tour the facility and learn more about their breeding program, see the delivery room where panda cubs are brought into the world, and watch the bears play and frolic with each other. 

This afternoon, continue your discovery of Chengdu with a visit to Jinli Street, a bustling thoroughfare that consists of distinctive green stone paving and a multitude of historic buildings. Wander through old mansions that once belonged to wealthy merchants, admire the intricate carvings along the halls, or stop at one of the many traditional shops that line the street. Teens in the group will find plenty of social media-worthy photo ops, and the whole family will be fascinated by the amount of history and culture packed into one small area. 

Day 10: Fly to Shanghai, Experience a Live Acrobatic Show

Depart Chengdu and transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a 2.5-hour flight to Shanghai, China's largest city and a global financial hub. Arrive and take a private transfer to your hotel, enjoying a leisurely afternoon and doing some self-guided sightseeing.

Later this evening, treat your family to an enthralling Chinese acrobatics performance. As one of the oldest performing arts with a history tracing back thousands of years, acrobatics has absorbed elements from opera, dance, and Chinese Kung-Fu to form a unique artistry. The show, "ERA: Intersection of Time," will appeal to all ages, as you and the kids are wowed by performances that include calvaria, silk suspending, and hoop diving. 

Day 11: Highlights of Shanghai City Tour

See some of Shanghai's top highlights today, starting with a guided visit to the Bund, one of its most well-known and iconic landmarks. This renowned promenade offers panoramic views of colonial and contemporary architecture, showcasing the fusion of old and new that defines this city. Next, visit Yu Garden and the adjacent Yuyuan Market.

Yu Garden, otherwise known as the Garden of Happiness, is a beautiful classical garden from the Ming Dynasty. Stroll by traditional Chinese architecture and let the kids race down winding paths that take you to its rockeries, ponds, and pavilions. Next door, Yuyuan Market is home to vendors selling everything from souvenirs and trinkets to local delicacies like xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) and tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). End with a visit to the Shikumen (Stone Gate Houses), walking through the narrow alleyways flanked by buildings that blend European-style architecture with traditional local elements.

Day 12: Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town & Gondola Ride

Make the most of your family's last full day in China with a day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town. Thought to have been established as early as 1,700 years ago, this charming city is surrounded by waterways and retains much of its original Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. Meet your guide in the morning and head out, arriving in time to stroll through old alleyways brimming with local flavor and admire the riverside scenery while your family immerses themselves in the local culture. 

Visit the tranquil Ma's Garden, or Kezhi Garden, a gorgeous relic from the Qing Dynasty. The garden was once privately owned by a wealthy local family and is now open to visitors, offering the chance to see its beautiful ponds, pavilions, and bridges. From here, head to the City God temple, a local temple that showcases the region's religious culture. Try some local cuisine for lunch, then finish with a relaxing gondola-like boat ride through the winding canals. 

Day 13: Depart Shanghai

Your family adventure in China ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your journey home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

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