Lucas Müller
April 1, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Ideal for wildlife and cultural travelers, this fully customizable 10-day private panda tour of China stops at four of the country’s most iconic destinations: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Shanghai. With departures available every day to fit your schedule, your seamless, personalized experience includes an exclusive private guide and private driver throughout your trip. Curated for great value, this tour offers competitive transparent pricing and trusted, secure payment options for total peace of mind.
This 10-day curated journey kicks off in China's majestic imperial capital Beijing, where you tick off world-famous ancient and modern landmarks before traveling to Xi'an, China's 3,000-year-old ancient capital and home of the legendary Terracotta Army. Next you head to Chengdu, the global heart of giant panda conservation, to meet these beloved fluffy icons up close, before finishing your trip in dynamic, cosmopolitan Shanghai, where traditional water towns meet futuristic city skylines. Built for personalized exploration, this private route lets you experience the very best of China on your own terms.
Arrive in Beijing at your own pace after clearing customs, and get settled into your centrally located accommodation. No scheduled activities today, so you can rest up after your journey, wander the neighborhood, or grab a quick local meal to start your adventure. 🏨 Stay overnight at your choice of Mercure Beijing City Center or Sofitel Hotel Beijing.
Kick off your sightseeing with a morning stroll across expansive Tiananmen Square, then step into the 600-year-old Forbidden City — once the exclusive private domain of Chinese emperors — to explore its gilded palaces, hidden courtyards, and historic artifacts. Next, visit the serene, golden-roofed Yonghe Lama Temple, before ending your day wandering the ceremonial gardens of the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests. 🍽️ A filling Western buffet breakfast and an a la carte lunch of authentic local Chinese dishes are included. 🏨 Overnight at your chosen Beijing hotel (Mercure or Sofitel).
Today you'll venture out of the city to one of China's most well-preserved and scenic sections of the Great Wall: Mutianyu. Skip the tiring uphill climb with a round-trip cable car ride, so you can focus on hiking along the ancient battlements and capturing sweeping views of the wall winding through misty mountains. On your way back to the city, stop for photos at the iconic Olympic National Stadium (Bird's Nest), then enjoy a slow, scenic rickshaw ride through the historic lakeside Shichahai neighborhood. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at your Beijing hotel.
Before departing Beijing for ancient Xi'an, spend your morning exploring the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, the former imperial summer retreat dotted with delicate pavilions, marble bridges, and the sprawling, lotus-covered Kunming Lake. After your tour, you'll travel to Xi'an and check into your accommodation for the night. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included to start your day. 🏨 Stay overnight at your choice of Holiday Inn Xi'an Big Goose Pagoda or Wyndham Grand Xi'an South.
Today is dedicated to Xi'an's most iconic treasure: the Terracotta Army. Explore the vast museum complex to see thousands of life-sized clay warriors and horses built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. You'll also get a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience with a visit to the family home of the local farmer who first discovered the warriors in the 1970s, then get hands-on making your own mini clay warrior to take home as a souvenir. End the day with a visit to the 1,300-year-old Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a historic Buddhist landmark, and try on traditional Chinese Hanfu for photos at the nearby Great Tang All Day Mall. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at your Xi'an hotel.
Start your day exploring Xi'an's perfectly preserved Ming Dynasty City Wall. Rent a bicycle and cycle along the top of the 14-kilometer fortification, with stops to relax in the leafy City Wall Park along the route. Next, visit the historic Great Mosque, a stunning blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture hidden in the heart of the old city, before wandering bustling Muslim Street to sample local Xi'an specialties for lunch. After your tour, you'll travel to Chengdu, the global giant panda hub, and check into your hotel. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast and a lunch of featured Xi'an local snacks are included. 🏨 Stay overnight at your choice of Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza or Grand Hyatt Chengdu.
Wake up early (the best time to see active pandas!) to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you'll walk through lush bamboo forests to get up close to fluffy giant pandas and playful red pandas as they eat, play, and nap. After your unforgettable panda encounter, spend a relaxed afternoon soaking up everyday local life at Xiaojiahe Community, experiencing the laid-back culture of Chengdu. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included. 🏨 Overnight at your Chengdu hotel.
After traveling from Chengdu to vibrant, cosmopolitan Shanghai, start your exploration along the iconic Bund — the waterfront promenade lined with stunning colonial-era architecture, overlooking Shanghai's glittering futuristic skyline. End your day with a peaceful one-hour cruise along the Huangpu River, where you can take in unbeatable views of both the historic and modern sides of the city. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included. 🏨 Stay overnight at your choice of Sunrise On The Bund or Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World.
Dive into Chinese art and history first thing at the world-class Shanghai Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts in the country. Next, wander through the classic Suzhou-style Yu Garden, dotted with delicate rock formations and pavilions, then browse handicrafts, souvenirs, and local snacks at the traditional bazaar surrounding the garden. In the afternoon, head out of the city to Zhujiajiao, a charming ancient water town crisscrossed by canals, where you can soak up old-world Jiangnan charm. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast and an a la carte lunch at a top local restaurant are included. 🏨 Overnight at your Shanghai hotel.
Start your final day with a leisurely Western buffet breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Your private 10-day China tour concludes here, and you can arrange your departure to the airport or extend your stay in Shanghai to fit your travel plans. 🍽️ A Western buffet breakfast is included.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 1, 2026
This perfectly planned tour gave me the best first experience of China I could have asked for.
February 14, 2026
This is the best vacation I’ve ever had, worth every penny for the private guide and driver.
May 30, 2025
As someone who loves both wildlife and history, this tour was exactly what I was looking for. I got to spend hours watching giant pandas play in their Chengdu enclosures, then walked through the incredible Terracotta Army pits in Xi’an with a guide who explained every detail of the history clearly. The private car was so comfortable after long days of sightseeing, and our driver always got us to sites early to avoid crowds. I customized the trip to add a traditional tea ceremony in Beijing, and the team accommodated my request without any hassle at all. This is the perfect stress-free way to see multiple iconic Chinese destinations.
April 22, 2025
Our consultant Lynn from HelloChinaTrip customized the itinerary perfectly for us, adding an extra day of street food tours in Shanghai that we absolutely loved. Every detail was taken care of from start to finish, and our guide across all cities was friendly and full of fascinating local stories.
March 12, 2025
This private 10-day panda tour exceeded every one of my expectations.
February 19, 2025
I gave this tour 4 stars only because we traveled during the Lunar New Year holiday, which meant all major sites were far more wonderful than we expected. Our guide and driver were absolutely fantastic the entire time, adjusting our schedule to avoid the worst crowds whenever possible. Seeing the pandas in Chengdu was a dream come true, and I loved exploring four of China’s most famous cities without handling any of the planning myself. Even with the crowds, this was an unforgettable trip, and I’d book again during a quieter season.
December 28, 2024
I traveled on this tour with my two teen kids, and we all had an amazing time. The giant pandas in Chengdu were obviously the favorite part for everyone, but our guide also made the historic sites feel engaging and fun instead of boring. Having a private driver meant we could stop for snacks and photos whenever we wanted, which was so much better than a large group tour.
December 8, 2024
Our private guide was incredibly knowledgeable about every cultural site we visited, from the Great Wall in Beijing to the Terracotta Army in Xi’an. Getting up close to giant pandas in Chengdu was the highlight of my entire trip, and the private vehicle meant we never had to wait for shared shuttles. I’d absolutely recommend this to any wildlife or history lover.
