This 8-day Classic China and Chengdu Tour takes you across four of China’s most iconic must-visit destinations: global metropolis Shanghai, ancient imperial capital Xi’an, millennia-old cultural hub Luoyang, and charming panda hometown Chengdu. Curated as a handpicked selection of China’s top classic travel highlights, this tour delivers unbeatable value with its great affordable pricing. You can book entirely with peace of mind thanks to our secure, trusted payment system.
This 8-day classic journey kicks off in dynamic coastal Shanghai, where you’ll soak up modern city energy before boarding a high-speed train north to Luoyang, China’s ancient Buddhist imperial capital. From Luoyang, you’ll travel west to Xi’an, the legendary starting point of the Silk Road and home to one of the world’s most famous archaeological wonders, before heading southwest to laid-back Chengdu, Sichuan’s cultural heart and the home of giant pandas. This seamless route weaves together 2,000+ years of Chinese history and 21st-century progress, letting you experience the full breadth of Chinese culture without the hassle of independent planning.
🌟 Day 1: Shanghai Today is your arrival day in bustling Shanghai! After meeting your group at the airport or train station, you’ll check into your comfortable accommodation at Novotel Shanghai Atlantis. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and explore the surrounding neighborhood at your own pace. 🏨
🌟 Day 2: Shanghai Dive into a full day of Shanghai exploration, starting with a guided tour of the glittering Pudong Financial District, where you’ll get up close to Shanghai’s iconic skyline of supertall skyscrapers. Next, glide across the Huangpu River on a scenic public ferry for panoramic waterfront views, then wander the lush, 16th-century pavilions and courtyards of historic Yuyuan Garden. Cap off your day with a peaceful traditional Chinese tea ceremony to learn about local tea culture, with a delicious lunch included to keep you fueled. 🍽️ You’ll spend another night at Novotel Shanghai Atlantis. 🏨
🌟 Day 3: Shanghai → Luoyang Leave Shanghai’s urban energy behind today as you board a comfortable high-speed train to Luoyang, one of China’s four great ancient imperial capitals and the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. Once you arrive, head straight to the UNESCO-listed Longmen Buddhist Caves, where thousands of hand-carved stone Buddha statues line the cliffs of the Yi River. Take a gentle scenic boat ride along the river for unbeatable panoramic views of the ancient carvings, then transfer to atmospheric Luoyang Old City to wander its traditional lanes. A tasty lunch is included today, and you’ll stay overnight at either Mercure Luoyang or Ramada By Wyndham Downtown Luoyang. 🍽️ 🏨
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
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🌟 Day 4: Luoyang → Sanmenxia → Xi’an Travel west from Luoyang to Xi’an, the ancient capital and starting point of the Silk Road, with stops along the way at incredible cultural sites. First, visit White Horse Temple, China’s oldest surviving Buddhist temple founded almost 2,000 years ago when Buddhism first arrived in China. Next, explore Baolun Temple and the Guo Museum, which houses rare archaeological artifacts from the 3,000-year-old Western Zhou dynasty. Enjoy a scenic drive past the dramatic, craggy peaks of Mount Hua as you head toward Xi’an, with a hearty lunch included along the route. Tonight you’ll check into either Novotel Xi'an Scpg or Delta By Marriott Xi'an. 🍽️ 🏨
🌟 Day 5: Xi'an Spend a full day exploring Xi’an’s most iconic historical wonders! Kick off your morning with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army Museum, where you’ll stand face-to-face with thousands of life-sized clay warriors built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb over 2,200 years ago. Next, visit the graceful, well-preserved Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang-dynasty Buddhist landmark in the heart of the city. Walk along the top of Xi’an’s 14-kilometer ancient city wall for views of the old and new city, then end your day wandering the bustling food stalls and narrow alleys of the vibrant Muslim Quarter. You’ll spend another night at either Novotel Xi'an Scpg or Delta By Marriott Xi'an. 🏨
🌟 Day 6: Xi'an → Chengdu Board a high-speed train southwest today to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan province famous for giant pandas and spicy local cuisine. Once you arrive, head straight to the world-renowned Chengdu Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center, where you can watch adorable giant pandas munch on bamboo and play in their natural, spacious enclosures. After getting your perfect panda photo, take a relaxing stroll through leafy People’s Park, where you can watch locals play mahjong and practice tai chi. A delicious lunch is included today, and you’ll check into Dorsett Chengdu for the night. 🍽️ 🏨
🌟 Day 7: Chengdu (Full Sichuan Province Day Tour) Venture outside Chengdu’s city center today for a full day of exploring Sichuan’s most iconic cultural and natural sites. First, visit the 2,200-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a legendary engineering marvel that still irrigates farmland and prevents floods to this day. Next, explore the misty, sacred slopes of Qingcheng Shan, one of Taoism’s holiest mountains, famous for its lush forests and ancient mountain temples. End your day wandering the well-preserved stone alleys of Jiezi, a charming ancient water town, before heading back to Chengdu. A filling lunch is included, and you’ll spend another night at Dorsett Chengdu. 🍽️ 🏨
🌟 Day 8: Chengdu Today marks the end of your China adventure! Wake up to a complimentary full breakfast buffet at your hotel before checking out, ready for your onward departure from Chengdu. 🍽️
April 10, 2026
Eight days was just the right amount of time to see four completely different and wonderful Chinese cities. The Terracotta Army is even more awe-inspiring in person, and walking along the Bund in Shanghai at night was unforgettable. I loved getting to learn about thousands of years of Chinese history in Luoyang and Xi'an before relaxing with the pandas in Chengdu. I would recommend this tour to any first-time visitor to China, it's perfect.
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I loved how this tour balanced modern Shanghai with all the ancient historic sites across Luoyang, Xi'an and Chengdu. Every stop felt meaningful, and I left with such a great understanding of different sides of Chinese culture.
Watching giant pandas munch on bamboo first thing in the morning was worth the entire trip alone.
Booking this tour through HelloChinaTrip with consultant Sunny was the best decision I made for my first trip to China. She answered all my random questions about visa requirements and packing before I left, and the whole tour ran so smoothly from start to finish. I got to try so many amazing local foods, from soup dumplings in Shanghai to biang biang noodles in Xi'an to mapo tofu in Chengdu. Every day felt like a new adventure, and I never had to stress about planning transport or tickets. I'm already planning my next trip back to China with them!
I came into this tour not knowing what to expect, and it exceeded every expectation I had. Shanghai's skyline took my breath away, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang were far more impressive than any photo I'd seen before, and getting up close to giant pandas in Chengdu was the highlight of my entire trip. The route across four cities is well-planned, so you get the perfect mix of modern energy and ancient history. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone looking to see the best of China in just over a week.
This 8-day China tour checked every single box on my bucket list.
This was a fantastic tour full of incredible sights that I'll never forget. I gave it four stars only because we traveled during Chinese New Year and all the major attractions were much more wonderful than we expected. Everything else was perfectly organized and absolutely worth the trip.
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and giant pandas in Chengdu was absolutely magical. Our itinerary was perfectly paced so we never felt rushed between cities. I can't imagine a better introduction to classic China.
The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang were a very pleasant surprise, I didn't expect them to be so stunning and well-preserved. Chengdu's laid-back vibe after all the sightseeing was the perfect way to wind down the tour. This is hands down the best organized group tour I've ever been on.
