Touch down in Shanghai, China’s gleaming showcase of sky-high ambition and Art Deco grace. Meet your driver after customs for a smooth private transfer to your hotel. Check in, refresh, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure—ease into the city with a gentle wander past tree-lined boulevards, or simply settle in and reset your body clock before tomorrow’s discoveries.

Heads-up (Hotel & Arrival)
Standard check-in is mid-afternoon; early check-in can be pre-arranged (optional at extra cost) or requested on arrival, subject to availability. A refundable deposit may be held on your card for incidentals—ensure your card is enabled for overseas use. Keep your passport handy for hotel registration.

Practical & Useful Tips
Jet lag: Spend time outdoors and align meals to local time. Cash & cards: Major hotels/shops accept cards; carry some CNY for small purchases. Connectivity: An eSIM or local SIM is handy; set up any VPN before travel. Safety: Shanghai is generally safe—keep valuables zipped in busy areas.

Light First-Day Ideas (Optional at Extra Cost)
Bund at sunset: Short guided stroll for classic Pudong skyline views. Old Town & Yuyuan Bazaar: Snack grazing and people-watching (keep it light today; the full garden visit comes later). Rooftop tea/cocktail: A relaxed way to admire the riverfront without over-doing it after a flight.

Getting Around (Today & Tomorrow)
Metro: Clean, fast, bilingual signage—ideal once rested. Taxis/Didi: Reliable; have your destination in Chinese characters. On foot: Wide pavements; watch for silent e-bikes at crossings.

Day Summary: Arrive, unpack and exhale—an easy Shanghai prologue of riverlight views, leafy lanes and a calm evening to set the rhythm for the days ahead.

Begin in the Ming-dynasty elegance of Yu Garden: koi-rippled ponds, dragon-topped walls and zig-zag bridges leading to pavilions carved like lacquered lace. Step into the Old Town bazaar for a taste of vintage Shanghai—teahouses, lantern shops and steaming baskets of xiaolongbao perfuming the lanes. Your guide threads quiet courtyards with story-rich corners, revealing how scholar’s rocks, lattice windows and borrowed views shaped classical Chinese landscape design.

This afternoon, swap dynastic calm for leafy boulevards in the French Concession. Plane trees shade villas and shikumen lane houses; cafés hum and boutiques peek from restored blocks. Continue to Xintiandi, where brick-and-stone alleys are reimagined as a lively dining and design district—heritage bones with a cosmopolitan heartbeat. It’s the city’s dual personality in one sweep: classical grace to modern gloss, without losing its human scale.

Heads-up (Entry & Flow)
• Yu Garden: Timed tickets common; mornings are quieter. The enclosed walks include a few short steps and uneven flagstones.
• Old Town: Keep small notes for snacks; mobile pay dominates at shops.
• Transfers: Short hops by metro/taxi; have addresses saved in Chinese characters.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Best photo light: Yu Garden early, French Concession late afternoon (soft shade under plane trees).
• Tea stop: Pause for jasmine or longjing in a classical teahouse; rinse cups before tasting.
• Shoes: Cushioned trainers—garden floors are hard and museum-quiet; lanes can be slick after rain.

Optional at Extra Cost (After Dark)
• Pudong Observatory: Ride up a signature tower (e.g., Shanghai Tower/World Financial Center) for luminous skyline panoramas over the Bund. Blue hour is stunning; bring a light layer for breezy riverfront strolls after.

Day Summary: A morning of Yu Garden classics and Old Town textures flows into the tree-lined charm of the French Concession and lively Xintiandi—then, if you wish, Shanghai’s neon crown from a Pudong observatory.

A full day at leisure to rest, reset and explore at your own pace. Sleep in, linger over coffee, browse a nearby boutique street, or simply enjoy hotel facilities before the next chapter of your journey. If you fancy a gentle wander, Shanghai’s tree-lined avenues and riverside promenades make for easy, rewarding strolls.

Light Ideas (Do-as-you-feel)
• People’s Park: Watch tai-chi and card games under plane trees.
• Tianzifang lanes: Artsy studios and cafés tucked in shikumen alleys.
• M50 art district: Contemporary galleries in converted mills (easy taxi hop).

Practical & Useful Tips
• Easy pace: Keep plans light to maximise rest—this is your buffer day.
• Cash/cards: Major places take cards; carry some CNY for taxis and small vendors.
• Connectivity: Set up eSIM/VPN beforehand; hotel Wi-Fi is widely available.
• Footwear: Cushioned trainers—pavements are broad but distances add up quickly.

Optional at Extra Cost (This Evening)
• Bund at dusk: Golden-hour stroll for vintage façades facing the neon fins of Pudong.
• Huangpu night cruise: Relaxed 45–60 min sailing for skyline panoramas (multiple departures; upper deck best for photos).

Getting Around
• Metro: Clean, fast, bilingual signage; tap in/out with contactless or transit card.
• Taxis/Didi: Reliable—have destinations saved in Chinese characters.
• On foot: Watch for silent e-bikes at crossings; give yourself time for photo stops along the riverfront.

Day Summary: A restorative, choose-your-tempo Shanghai day—rest well, wander softly, and, if you wish, cap it with the Bund glow or a breezy Huangpu cruise after dark.

Board China’s sleek high-speed train bound for Huangshan North, gliding past paddies, tea gardens and white-washed villages with black-tiled roofs. On arrival, meet your driver for a short transfer into Tunxi (Huangshan City). After check-in, evening is for Tunxi Old Street—a lantern-lit promenade of Hui-style timber storefronts, stone flagstones polished by centuries, and snug teahouses pouring floral Huangshan Maofeng tea.

Heads-up (Rail & Arrival)
• Route: Shanghai → Huangshan North on a G/D-series service; typical ride 2.5–3.5 hrs (schedule-dependent).
• Boarding: Arrive 45–60 mins early; passports required for security & gate checks.
• Seating: Second (2–3), First (2–2), Business (lie-flat) available—upgrade (at extra costs) on request.
• Transfer: Huangshan North station → Tunxi hotel ~20–30 mins by private car.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Luggage: Soft cases are easiest for overhead racks; keep meds and valuables in a daypack.
• Old Street timing: Go just before dusk—golden light on white-washed façades, then lantern glow after sunset.
• Tastes to try: Hairy tofu (crispy outside, custardy within), bamboo shoots, stinky mandarin fish (local favourite), and sesame pastries.
• Souvenirs: Ink sticks, Xuan paper and brushes—hallmarks of Huizhou’s scholar culture; ask for authenticity certificates.

Optional at Extra Cost (This Evening)
• Tea tasting in a heritage teahouse (learn water temps & short steeps for Maofeng).
• Hui-cuisine sampler dinner in a courtyard restaurant.
• Night photography walk—tripod-friendly lanes, carved eaves and calligraphy plaques.

Day Summary: A smooth bullet-train hop delivers you to historic Tunxi. Stroll Old Street at dusk, sip local tea, and settle in ahead of tomorrow’s mountain drama on Yellow Mountain (Huangshan).

Rise early for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), famed for granite peaks, twisted pine silhouettes and the ethereal Sea of Clouds. Drive to the park gate, shuttle to the cableway, then cable car up through ravines to the summit area—minutes that swap valley forest for cliff-side panoramas. From the upper station, follow well-paved stone paths to classic viewpoints: Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Lion Peak, and terraces overlooking knife-edged ridges and billowing mist. Your guide sets an easy pace, with time for photography and short, optional stair climbs between platforms.

Heads-up (Access & Flow)
• Route: Hotel → park gate → eco-bus shuttle → cableway up; reverse to descend.
• Time on mountain: ~4–6 hours at the top (viewpoints + gentle trail loops).
• Stairs: Many short stair sections with handrails; take rests as needed.
• Luggage: Leave main cases at the Tunxi hotel; carry a small daypack only.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Clothing: Layer up—summit temps are cooler and breezy; light rain shell recommended.
• Footwear: Grippy trainers or light hiking shoes for stone steps and occasionally damp paths.
• Best light: Early morning and late afternoon add drama to peaks and cloud layers; midday is brightest for cliff detail.
• Snacks & water: Limited kiosks on the ridge; bring a refillable bottle and simple snacks.
• Photography: A phone wide-angle captures ridgeline drama; a small tripod helps for sunrise/low light.

Choose Your Ending
• Stay on-mountain (optional, extra cost): Check into a summit hotel for sunset/sunrise terraces and blue-hour views.
• Return to town: Cable car down in the afternoon; drive back to Tunxi for a relaxed evening in Old Street.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Sunrise escort: Pre-dawn guide to a quieter terrace for first light over the peaks.
• West Sea (Xihai) viewpoint add-on: Extra stair sections to dramatic hanging galleries (time/fitness permitting).
• Cableway choices: Mix different cable cars up/down for varied scenery (weather/maintenance dependent).

Safety & Etiquette
• Keep within railings on cliff paths; steps can be slick in mist—use handrails.
• Pack out litter; do not feed wildlife.
• Drones are restricted without permits; respect signage and ranger guidance.

Day Summary: A cableway ascent, cloud-brushed granite spires and gently linked viewpoints deliver Huangshan’s signature drama—either savoured into sunset on the ridge or followed by a serene return to Tunxi.

Depart Tunxi (Huangshan) and cross into Jiangxi for your first look at the fabled Wuyuan landscapes—white-washed Huizhou villages tucked between tea-clad hills, stone bridges over glassy streams, and terraced fields that glow with seasonal blooms. After check-in near the heritage zone, stretch your legs on a gentle village wander: slate-grey roofs, horse-head gables, ancestral halls, and alleyways scented with woodsmoke and drying tea leaves. Golden hour pools in river bends and under ancient camphor trees—perfect for unhurried photos and a cup of local Maofeng or Huangshan Maofeng tea to ease into the rhythm of rural China.

Heads-up (Transfers & Flow)
• Drive time: Tunxi → Wuyuan county hotels typically 1.5–2.5 hrs (route & traffic dependent).
• Check-in: Afternoon arrival; drop bags then take a light orientation walk in/near your base village.
• Villages you may sample today/tomorrow: Likeng (streamside lanes), Xiaoqi (old camphors), Wangkou (ancestral hall), Qinghua with its famed Rainbow Bridge (Hongqiao).

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Trainers with grip—flagstones can be smooth after rain.
• Cash & pay: Small notes handy for village snacks/entry kiosks; mobile pay common but not universal.
• Best light: Late afternoon for façades and rivers; blue hour on stone bridges is lovely.
• Seasonality: Mar–Apr rapeseed (canola) terraces in bloom; late Oct–Nov red maples; summers are lush and humid.

Responsible Travel & Etiquette
• These are living villages—ask before photographing residents and step aside for scooters/porters in narrow lanes.
• Keep voices low near ancestral halls/temples; stay on signed paths through fields and tea terraces.
• Support local artisans by buying direct (traditional ink, paper, woodblock prints, teas).

Optional at Extra Cost (Light Add-ons)
• Tea garden stroll & tasting: Learn simple leaf grades and short steeps with a village grower.
• Golden-hour photo walk: Guide-led circuit to riverside viewpoints and Rainbow Bridge angles.
• Home-style dinner: Seasonal Hui/Jiangxi dishes—bamboo shoots, tofu, river fish—in a family courtyard.

Day Summary: A scenic hop into Wuyuan ushers you from mountain drama to storybook villages, ancient bridges and tea-green hills—a tranquil rural prelude to tomorrow’s deeper explorations.

Rise early for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), famed for granite peaks, twisted pine silhouettes and the ethereal Sea of Clouds. Drive to the park gate, shuttle to the cableway, then cable car up through ravines to the summit area—minutes that swap valley forest for cliff-side panoramas. From the upper station, follow well-paved stone paths to classic viewpoints: Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Lion Peak, and terraces overlooking knife-edged ridges and billowing mist. Your guide sets an easy pace, with time for photography and short, optional stair climbs between platforms.

Heads-up (Access & Flow)
• Route: Hotel → park gate → eco-bus shuttle → cableway up; reverse to descend.
• Time on mountain: ~4–6 hours at the top (viewpoints + gentle trail loops).
• Stairs: Many short stair sections with handrails; take rests as needed.
• Luggage: Leave main cases at the Tunxi hotel; carry a small daypack only.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Clothing: Layer up—summit temps are cooler and breezy; light rain shell recommended.
• Footwear: Grippy trainers or light hiking shoes for stone steps and occasionally damp paths.
• Best light: Early morning and late afternoon add drama to peaks and cloud layers; midday is brightest for cliff detail.
• Snacks & water: Limited kiosks on the ridge; bring a refillable bottle and simple snacks.
• Photography: A phone wide-angle captures ridgeline drama; a small tripod helps for sunrise/low light.

Choose Your Ending
• Stay on-mountain (optional, extra cost): Check into a summit hotel for sunset/sunrise terraces and blue-hour views.
• Return to town: Cable car down in the afternoon; drive back to Tunxi for a relaxed evening in Old Street.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Sunrise escort: Pre-dawn guide to a quieter terrace for first light over the peaks.
• West Sea (Xihai) viewpoint add-on: Extra stair sections to dramatic hanging galleries (time/fitness permitting).
• Cableway choices: Mix different cable cars up/down for varied scenery (weather/maintenance dependent).

Safety & Etiquette
• Keep within railings on cliff paths; steps can be slick in mist—use handrails.
• Pack out litter; do not feed wildlife.
• Drones are restricted without permits; respect signage and ranger guidance.

Day Summary: A cableway ascent, cloud-brushed granite spires and gently linked viewpoints deliver Huangshan’s signature drama—either savoured into sunset on the ridge or followed by a serene return to Tunxi.

DAY 7: Into Jiangxi — Wuyuan Countryside

Depart Tunxi (Huangshan) and cross into Jiangxi for your first look at the fabled Wuyuan landscapes—white-washed Huizhou villages tucked between tea-clad hills, stone bridges over glassy streams, and terraced fields that glow with seasonal blooms. After check-in near the heritage zone, stretch your legs on a gentle village wander: slate-grey roofs, horse-head gables, ancestral halls, and alleyways scented with woodsmoke and drying tea leaves. Golden hour pools in river bends and under ancient camphor trees—perfect for unhurried photos and a cup of local Maofeng or Huangshan Maofeng tea to ease into the rhythm of rural China.

Heads-up (Transfers & Flow)
• Drive time: Tunxi → Wuyuan county hotels typically 1.5–2.5 hrs (route & traffic dependent).
• Check-in: Afternoon arrival; drop bags then take a light orientation walk in/near your base village.
• Villages you may sample today/tomorrow: Likeng (streamside lanes), Xiaoqi (old camphors), Wangkou (ancestral hall), Qinghua with its famed Rainbow Bridge (Hongqiao).

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Trainers with grip—flagstones can be smooth after rain.
• Cash & pay: Small notes handy for village snacks/entry kiosks; mobile pay common but not universal.
• Best light: Late afternoon for façades and rivers; blue hour on stone bridges is lovely.
• Seasonality: Mar–Apr rapeseed (canola) terraces in bloom; late Oct–Nov red maples; summers are lush and humid.

Responsible Travel & Etiquette
• These are living villages—ask before photographing residents and step aside for scooters/porters in narrow lanes.
• Keep voices low near ancestral halls/temples; stay on signed paths through fields and tea terraces.
• Support local artisans by buying direct (traditional ink, paper, woodblock prints, teas).

Optional at Extra Cost (Light Add-ons)
• Tea garden stroll & tasting: Learn simple leaf grades and short steeps with a village grower.
• Golden-hour photo walk: Guide-led circuit to riverside viewpoints and Rainbow Bridge angles.
• Home-style dinner: Seasonal Hui/Jiangxi dishes—bamboo shoots, tofu, river fish—in a family courtyard.

Day Summary: A scenic hop into Wuyuan ushers you from mountain drama to storybook villages, ancient bridges and tea-green hills—a tranquil rural prelude to tomorrow’s deeper explorations.

DAY 8: Wuyuan — Heritage Hamlets & Covered Bridges

Immerse yourself in the picture-book charm of Wuyuan, where Hui-style villages—white-washed walls, ink-dark tiles and horse-head gables—sit beside willow-fringed streams and covered wooden bridges. Meander through photogenic hamlets such as Likeng (streamside lanes, carved lintels) and Sixi–Yancun (Sixiyan), a paired settlement of ancestral halls, clan tablets and quiet courtyards. Ancient camphor trees cast deep shade over stone paths; tea bushes contour the hillsides; red lanterns and drying chillies lend splashes of colour to doorways. It’s a day for unhurried wandering, gentle riverside paths and the cadence of village life—water wheels turning, roosters calling, and elderly residents chatting at the threshold.

Heads-up (Routing & Access)
• Village mix: Typical flow includes Likeng, Sixi–Yancun and the Rainbow Bridge (Hongqiao) near Qinghua for classic covered-bridge views.
• Tickets: Heritage villages use gate kiosks; keep stubs handy between sites.
• Walking: Mostly easy, with short stairs and smooth flagstones; expect 6,000–10,000 steps across the day.
• Facilities: Public restrooms at village entrances; small cafés/teahouses inside.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Trainers with grip—flagstones can be slick after rain or morning mist.
• Best light: Likeng is lovely mid-morning (facade light); Rainbow Bridge sings at golden hour and blue hour.
• Photo etiquette: Ask before photographing residents; offer thanks with a smile or small purchase.
• Snacks & drinks: Carry water; try sesame pastries, tofu snacks and village teas (Maofeng/Keemun).
• Cash & pay: Mobile pay is common, but bring small CNY notes for rural stalls and entry booths.

Responsible Travel Notes
• These are living communities—keep voices low, don’t block alleys or bridges, and yield to scooters/porters.
• Stay on signed paths through fields and tea terraces; close any farm gates you pass.
• Buy crafts/tea directly from family workshops to support local livelihoods; avoid mass-produced trinkets.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Village tea encounter: Leaf-grade intro and short-steep tasting with a smallholder family.
• Heritage photography walk: Guide-led angles for covered bridges, camphor groves and ancestral-hall courtyards.
• Home-style lunch: Seasonal Hui/Jiangxi dishes—bamboo shoots, river fish, tofu hotpot—in a courtyard kitchen.

Good to Know
• Seasonal highlights: Mar–Apr canola blooms; late Oct–Nov red maples; summers are lush (carry a light sun/rain layer).
• Pace: Build in café pauses—village rhythms reward slow travel and people-watching by the water.

Day Summary: A full, gentle day among heritage hamlets, venerable camphor trees and graceful covered bridges—Wuyuan’s timeless textures, savoured without rush.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Chengdu. On arrival (at Tianfu (TFU) or Shuangliu (CTU)), meet your driver and head northwest to the UNESCO-listed Dujiangyan Irrigation Project—an engineering marvel dating from 256 BC. Stroll the riverside paths to see the Fish-Mouth Levee, Feishayan spillway and Baopingkou cut, where water is guided without a dam; your guide explains how this ancient system still tames the Min River’s floods and waters the Chengdu Plain today. Cross the suspended footbridges for sweeping views of jade-green channels and forested slopes before continuing to serene Mount Qingcheng (Qingchengshan), cradle of Taoism.

Check in at your lodge near the scenic area and, time permitting, enjoy a gentle orientation walk among bamboo groves, red temple gates and mossy stone steps. Wind bells chime in the trees; incense curls beneath eaves—an easy, restorative prologue to tomorrow’s deeper exploration of Qingcheng’s lower temples and forest trails.

Heads-up (Flights & Transfers)
• Airports: Fly in to CTU or TFU per schedule; meet & assist on arrival.
• Drive times: Airport → Dujiangyan ~60–90 mins; Dujiangyan → Qingchengshan ~30–45 mins (traffic dependent).
• Tickets: Dujiangyan uses timed entry; passports required for scanning at gates.
• Luggage: Domestic economy typically includes 1 checked bag (~20 kg). Keep power banks in carry-on.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Trainers with grip—riverside paths and bridges can be damp.
• Layers: Carry a light rain shell; mountain weather shifts quickly.
• Best viewpoints: Suspension bridge and upper terraces looking back to the Fish-Mouth Levee.
• Snacks & water: Kiosks at the gate; bring a reusable bottle for refills.
• Pace today: Keep walking light after the flight—save stair-heavy climbs for tomorrow.

Responsible & Etiquette Notes
• Stay within barriers on bridges and riverbanks; currents are strong.
• Temples are active—keep voices low, avoid flash, and do not touch statues or offerings.
• Pack out litter; stick to signed paths to protect the forest understorey.

Optional at Extra Cost (Time Permitting)
• Erwang Temple: Compact complex honouring Dujiangyan’s engineers, with river views.
• Hot-spring soak near Qingcheng—perfect after travel.
• Tea pause at a courtyard teahouse: try jasmine or tieguanyin, thank your server with a two-finger table tap.

Day Summary: A smooth flight west leads to ancient hydrological genius at Dujiangyan, then a tranquil transfer into the Qingcheng Mountain forests—setting a calm, restorative tone for your Taoist-temple chapter.

Ease into a serene day on Qingcheng Mountain, cradle of Taoism. Follow gently graded stone paths through bamboo groves and camphor shade, pausing at red-lacquered temple pavilions, murmuring streams and bell towers hung with wind chimes. Your guide threads a calm circuit among lower temples—Laogun Hall, Tianshi Cave and quiet courtyards scented with incense—balancing cultural insight with time to simply listen to birdsong and watch mist lift from the forested slopes. Return in the afternoon for lodge time: a pot of tea on the terrace, a book by the window, or an optional soak if your property has hot-spring access.

Heads-up (Pace & Access)
• Route: Lower-mountain loop with temple stops; mostly paved steps/ramps and short stair bursts.
• Cable/boat options: Some routes combine a brief lake boat and short cableway to reduce stairs (ticketed on the spot).
• Facilities: Restrooms at main temples; tea stalls/kiosks dotted along the path.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Grippy trainers; stone steps can be damp.
• Layers: Light shell and breathable mid-layer—forest shade is cool, showers pass quickly.
• Comfort: Trekking poles help on descents; carry water and a small snack.
• Tea time: Pause for jasmine or longjing—rinse cups first, then sip slowly to “taste the mountain”.

Wellbeing & Flexibility
• If any section feels strenuous, you can skip it and relax at the hotel/lodge—your guide will tailor the day to your comfort.
• Shortcuts (boat/cable) can reduce steps; or switch to a spa/tea afternoon at the lodge with a lighter temple visit.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Guided tai-chi in a courtyard pavilion (early morning).
• Calligraphy taster at a temple schoolroom.
• Hot-spring session near the park gate (availability varies by season/property).

Etiquette & Safety
• Keep voices low in active temples; no flash near shrines; walk clockwise around main halls.
• Stay inside railings on damp stairways; use handrails; pack out litter.

Day Summary: A gentle forest ramble among Taoist temples, patterned stone paths and bell-chimed pavilions—unhurried discovery in the morning, restful lodge time in the afternoon, all paced exactly to your comfort.

Set off early for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, when the pandas are most active and feeding. Wander shaded bamboo avenues to watch roly-poly youngsters practise clambering, adults settle into leisurely bamboo breakfasts, and (in season) tiny pink-paws snoozing in the nursery through viewing windows. Keep an eye out for red pandas curled like russet commas in the trees. Your guide helps you time the route between outdoor enclosures, interpretive halls and quiet lookouts to maximise calm viewing before the crowds thicken.

Return after lunch to the cool forests of Mount Qingcheng for a slow afternoon at leisure—tea on the terrace, a gentle garden stroll, or a restorative soak if your lodge offers hot springs. As the day settles, temple bells drift on the breeze and the mountain slips back into its tranquil rhythm.

Heads-up (Timing & Flow)
• Best window: Arrive close to opening (typically 07:30–08:00) for feeding time and cooler air.
• Transfers: Qingchengshan ↔ Panda Base is usually 60–90 mins each way, traffic dependent.
• Route planning: Start with sub-adult/adult outdoor pens, then nursery (if open), finishing with red pandas as crowds build.
• Facilities: On-site cafés, gift shop, plentiful restrooms; walking is on paved paths with gentle slopes.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Comfortable trainers; surfaces may be damp after watering or rain.
• Comfort: Light layer and small umbrella/sun hat; Chengdu mornings can be humid.
• Photography: No flash; a short zoom (70–100 mm equivalent) helps for close-ups through railings/windows.
• Crowd savvy: Move counter-flow and take short breathers at side paths to keep the experience calm.
• Flexibility: If any walk feels tiring, you may skip sections and enjoy a longer, relaxed afternoon at the lodge.

Responsible Wildlife Notes
• No touching or feeding: Respect barriers and staff guidance at all times.
• Quiet viewing: Keep voices low, especially near nursery windows; avoid tapping on glass.
• Ethical souvenirs: Choose items that support accredited conservation programmes; decline wildlife photo props anywhere else.

Day Summary: A golden-hour encounter with giant pandas and their russet cousins, followed by an unhurried afternoon back amid Qingcheng’s pines, tea and temple hush—the perfect balance of wonder and wellbeing.

Fly to storied Xi’an, eastern gateway of the Silk Road. Meet your driver after baggage claim and transfer to your hotel. As the heat softens and the city lights stir, head to the Ming-era City Wall—one of China’s best-preserved fortifications—for golden-hour views across tiled roofs and lanterned streets. Choose a relaxed walk along the ramparts or hire a bicycle for a breezy circuit past corner towers and crenellations as dusk settles over the skyline.

Afterwards, follow spice-laced aromas into the Muslim Quarter: neon calligraphy signs, sizzling griddles and queues for local favourites. Sample hand-pulled biángbiáng noodles, crisp roujiamo (Shaanxi “burger”), pomegranate juice and sesame sweets—easy, informal dining with a lively street-market pulse.

Heads-up (Flights & Wall Access)
• Arrival: Xi’an XIY → hotel ~45–60 mins (traffic dependent).
• City Wall hours: Evening entry typically permitted; last bike rentals stop before closing—have passports for ticketing.
• Route choice: Walk a short sunset section from South Gate (Yongning) for classic vistas; cycling is on flat brick paths.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Cushioned trainers—brickwork can be uneven in places.
• Light & lenses: Blue hour is superb; a phone wide-angle works well from towers.
• Crowds: The Wall is calmer near closing; Muslim Quarter peaks 18:30–20:30—go slightly earlier or later for easier browsing.
• Payments: Mobile pay common; carry small CNY notes for snacks and bike hire.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Private Wall sunset shoot: Guide-photographer for the best tower angles.
• Snack safari: Curated tasting walk through the Quarter (vegetarian-friendly options available).
• Evening show: Tang-style music & dance performance (timings vary).

Safety & Etiquette
• Keep to the inner lane when cycling; ring bell before passing.
• Ask before photographing vendors; queue courteously at popular stalls.
• Pack out litter; mind low steps on tower platforms after dark.

Day Summary: A smooth arrival into Xi’an, sunset on the Ming City Wall and a flavour-rich wander through the Muslim Quarter—a lively, light-on-the-legs evening between flight and tomorrow’s deep dive into ancient China.

Drive across the Qin Plain to meet one of the world’s great archaeological revelations: Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors. In vast hangars, ranks of life-size infantry, archers and horses emerge from the earth—each face unique, armour plates detailed, traces of pigment whispering of lost colour. Walk the viewing galleries over Pit 1’s massed formations, then contrast with the command figures in Pit 2 and the officers and charioteers of Pit 3. Your expert guide unpacks how these guardians were crafted, arranged and re-discovered in 1974 by startled farmers drawing water.

Return to the city for an afternoon highlight of your choice: the serene Small Wild Goose Pagoda (quiet courtyards, old bell tower and a graceful Tang-era silhouette) or the Shaanxi History Museum (celadons, goldware and Silk Road treasures that frame Xi’an’s 13 dynasties). Round off with a brief stop by the Bell & Drum Towers or a tea in the old quarters, depending on time and your pace.

Heads-up (Sites & Flow)
• Terracotta Museum: Three main pits + exhibition hall; allow 2.5–3 hours unrushed.
• Timing: Go early to soften crowds at Pit 1; museum cafés and facilities are on site.
• Afternoon choice: Shaanxi History Museum uses timed entry and can be busy; Small Wild Goose Pagoda is calmer and more contemplative.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Comfortable trainers—concourse walks are long; bring a light layer in air-conditioned halls.
• Photography: No flash near delicate artefacts; a short zoom helps with facial details in Pit 1.
• Souvenirs: Authentic replicas are certified—avoid unlicensed stalls; buy museum pressings/books if you like provenance.
• Cash & pay: Mobile pay common; carry small CNY for snacks and incidentals.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Curator-led upgrade at the history museum for a focused 60–90 min masterworks tour.
• Calligraphy mini-lesson near the Pagoda (learn a character or two as a keepsake).
• Dumpling tasting early evening (vegetarian sets available).

Etiquette & Comfort
• Keep voices low around tour groups; allow others space at railings.
• Do not touch displays; follow arrows through the pits to keep flow smooth.
• Hydrate between halls; seats are limited—your guide will point out quieter rest spots.

Day Summary: From the solemn ranks of the Terracotta Army to Tang-era calm or a treasure-rich museum, today brings ancient China vividly into focus—balanced, insightful and paced to your curiosity.

Board a sleek high-speed train to the capital, gliding into Beijing by early/mid-afternoon. Meet your driver on the platform and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure—or head out on your own for a late-day amble through hutongs (historic alleyways) around the Shichahai/Houhai lakes. As lanterns glow and the water turns to polished silver, stroll quiet lanes, peek at courtyard gates, and, if you like, hop in a rickshaw for an easy loop past willow-lined shores and old grey-brick lanes.

Heads-up (Rail & Flow)
• Route: Xi’an → Beijing West on G/D-series (approx. 4.5–6 hrs; schedule-dependent). Arrive 40–60 mins early for security and gate checks.
• Transfer: Station → hotel usually 30–60 mins depending on traffic and hotel location.
• Hutong area: Head for Shichahai/Houhai (Qianhai/Xihai) for lakeside alleys and sunset light; Nanluoguxiang is lively but busier.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Comfortable trainers—alley pavements are flat but distances add up.
• Navigation: Download an offline map; drop a pin at your pick-up point by the lake to find your way back easily.
• Rickshaw rides: Agree the rate and route before setting off; keep small CNY notes handy.
• Good light: Golden hour to blue hour is perfect for courtyards and willow reflections on the lake.
• Snacks: Try sesame biscuits, hawthorn sticks, or a quick jasmine tea in a courtyard café.

Optional at Extra Cost (Easy Add-ons)
• Guided hutong walk with courtyard visit for architecture & local-life context.
• Rickshaw loop around the lakes and Yandai Byway (set price, daylight preferred).
• Tea tasting in a traditional house—simple, relaxing, and close to the lakes.

Day Summary: A smooth high-speed run delivers you to Beijing. Unpack, then ease into the capital with a self-paced hutong wander—lanterns, lakes and low-key rickshaw charm setting the tone for tomorrow’s big-ticket sights.

Begin on the vast esplanade of Tiananmen Square, a ceremonial stage where flagpoles spear the morning sky and history feels close to the surface. From here, pass beneath the red-walled gates into the Forbidden City—a procession of courtyards, marble balustrades and gold-glazed roofs. Your guide weaves a clear path from the Outer Court’s grand halls (Supreme Harmony, Middle Harmony, Preserving Harmony) to the more intimate Inner Court of imperial residences, where carved screens, stone drums and phoenix details hint at life behind the vermilion doors.

This afternoon, trade palace pomp for sacred geometry in the parkland of the Temple of Heaven. Stroll cypress avenues to the perfectly proportioned Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests—blue tiles mirroring the sky—and the whispering ditch of the Echo Wall. In between, Beijing at play: retirees dancing, card games under trees, and melodic erhu notes drifting across the lawns. It’s an elegant counterpoint to the morning’s dynastic scale.

Heads-up (Entries & Flow)
• Forbidden City: Capacity-controlled, timed tickets required; typically closed on Mondays. Passport needed for entry.
• Route pacing: Expect 2.5–3 hours on palace grounds with rest/photo stops.
• Temple of Heaven: Combine park entrance + main halls ticket; best light is mid–late afternoon.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Cushioned trainers—flagstones and palace terraces are hard underfoot.
• What to carry: Water, light layer, tissues, and a phone power bank. Sunscreen in fair weather.
• Photography: Palace rooflines are superb from raised terraces; at Temple of Heaven, step back for clean symmetry.
• Crowd-savvy: Start early; pause in side courtyards to escape the main flow.
• Transfers: Short metro/taxi hops between sites; keep destinations saved in Chinese characters.

Cultural Etiquette
• Keep voices low inside halls; do not touch railings, thrones or relics.
• Photos of guards are generally allowed from a respectful distance—avoid blocking pathways.
• In park areas, ask before photographing dancers or musicians; a small tip for performers is appreciated.

Optional at Extra Cost (Evening)
• Peking duck supper at a renowned roastery—crisp lacquered skin carved tableside; pre-booking advised.
• Jingshan Park lookout (pre-sunset): Short climb for the classic ridge-top panorama back over the Forbidden City roofs.
• Acrobatics or kung fu show: High-energy performance to cap the day.

Day Summary: Palace grandeur and sky-blue sanctuaries—Forbidden City depth in the morning, Temple of Heaven grace by afternoon—wrapped, if you wish, with a celebratory Peking duck dinner.

Set off early for a quieter stretch of the Great Wall of China. Choose the forested ridgeline of Mutianyu (restored, scenic, with cable car options) or the more rugged Jinshanling (fewer visitors, mixed restored/original stones and airy ridge views). Walk between watchtowers as the wall ripples over green hills, pausing on crenellations to frame wide panoramas. After a relaxed morning of scenic steps, descend and return to Beijing via countryside roads, with time for a simple lunch stop en route.

Heads-up (Access & Flow)
• Mutianyu: Shuttle to base → cable car up/down (or chairlift up/toboggan down when operating). Good for gentler gradients and shorter step runs.
• Jinshanling: Higher, windier ridges; sturdier steps and some uneven flagstones; fewer amenities but superb vistas.
• Timing: Aim to arrive near opening; coaches build mid-morning. Weekdays are calmest outside holidays.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Footwear: Grippy trainers/light hikers—steps vary in height and can be polished smooth.
• Clothing: Layer for ridge breezes; light rain shell and sunhat recommended.
• Pace: Take short bursts between towers; use parapet shade for water breaks.
• Snacks & water: Limited kiosks—carry a reusable bottle and simple snacks.
• Photos: Wide-angle for serpentine ridges; short zoom for tower details and mountain folds.

Optional at Extra Cost
• Cableway/Chairlift/Toboggan at Mutianyu (fun descent; weather/maintenance dependent).
• Extended ridge walk at Jinshanling toward Simatai West (time/fitness permitting).
• Country lunch in a village courtyard (simple, hearty Beijing-style dishes).

Safety & Etiquette
• Keep within railings and avoid sitting on parapets; steps can be slick after rain or frost.
• Drones are restricted; follow site signage and ranger guidance.
• Pack out litter; buy water/snacks from official stalls rather than informal hawkers.

Day Summary: A crowd-light morning on the Great Wall—either Mutianyu’s green ridges with easy lifts or Jinshanling’s wilder lines—followed by a scenic countryside drive back to the capital.

Your final full day is completely at leisure. Linger over breakfast, browse a neighbourhood market, or simply enjoy hotel facilities before your journey home. If you feel like exploring, Beijing rewards unhurried wanders—courtyard cafés, tree-lined avenues, and pocket parks where locals practise tai-chi and kite flying.

Light Ideas (Do-as-you-feel)
• Jingshan Park: Short uphill stroll for a ridge-top panorama over the Forbidden City roofs.
• 798 Art District: Contemporary galleries in converted factories; murals and design stores.
• Peking duck lunch: Classic roastery experience if you skipped it yesterday—book ahead.
• Panjiayuan Market (weekends best): Antiques vibe, calligraphy, ceramics and curios browsing.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Pace: Keep the schedule light to maximise rest—this is your buffer day.
• Getting around: Metro is fast with bilingual signage; taxis/Didi reliable—save destinations in Chinese characters.
• Payments: Mobile pay dominates; carry small CNY for markets and snacks.
• Souvenirs pack-out: Wrap ceramics/textiles in hand luggage; keep receipts for customs/warranty.

Optional at Extra Cost (Easy Add-ons)
• Hutong courtyard visit: Architecture & tea with a local host.
• Calligraphy or paper-cut workshop: Create a simple keepsake to take home.
• Summer Palace: Lakeside pavilions and willow walks (allow 2–3 hours; boat rides in season).
• Evening show: Acrobatic or kung fu performance (timings vary).

Good to Know
• Flexibility first: If anything feels strenuous today, simply skip it and enjoy downtime at the hotel—your guide can trim or rearrange plans on the spot.
• Etiquette: Ask before photographing people; keep voices low in temples and residential lanes; dispose of rubbish responsibly.

Day Summary: A restful, choose-your-tempo day—perfect for last-look panoramas, casual gallery strolls or a leisurely lunch—so you finish your Beijing chapter refreshed and unhurried.

At your scheduled time, meet your driver for a smooth private transfer to the airport. Check in, clear exit formalities, and board your homebound flight—carrying with you temple hush, Wall-top vistas and city-lights memories from Shanghai to Beijing.

Heads-up (Check-in & Documents)
• Arrive 3 hours before international flights.
• Keep passport, e-ticket, and any visa/permit pages handy for inspection.
• Baggage: Verify allowances; power banks must be in carry-on.

Practical & Useful Tips
• Download boarding passes and playlists on hotel Wi-Fi; airport Wi-Fi may require SMS sign-in.
• Hydrate and stretch during the flight; a light layer and eye mask help rest.
• Pack fragile souvenirs in hand luggage; keep receipts for customs.

Day Summary: Unhurried transfer, seamless check-in and wheels up—farewell China, until next time.