Is this route right for you?
Big adventures for curious minds This route is a starting point for travelers who want a manageable mix of sightseeing and time to explore. Tell us if food, hiking, museums or family time should lead the plan.
Your journey, day by day
Days 1–4 · Beijing with shorter sightseeing days
Keep arrival day flexible and limit each sightseeing day to one main outing. Pair imperial sights with time in a park; choose a Great Wall visit around the youngest traveler’s stamina and stroller limitations.
Days 5–8 · Chengdu, pandas and parks
Allow a transfer day, then plan a panda visit without another major outing afterwards. Parks, teahouses and a food experience can fill the remaining days at a family-friendly pace.
Days 9–12 · Shanghai with flexible family time
Travel to Shanghai, then mix a riverside walk and garden visit with your family’s interests. Confirm child-friendly room arrangements and leave the last day free of fixed activities before departure.
How the route fits together
The proposed order is Beijing → Chengdu → Shanghai. Compare rail and air options by door-to-door travel time, not just time on board. Avoid a demanding activity immediately after a long international flight.
Help you can add
You book hotels and most tickets yourself, and your personal travel concierge is on WhatsApp for questions along the way. If some days feel harder than others, have us arrange help just there:
- Arrival in Beijing: airport transfer, so you are met at arrivals instead of working out taxis and apps after a long flight.
- Forbidden City: attraction tickets, because entry needs a passport-based reservation that often sells out.
- Great Wall day: private driver, to reach Mutianyu or Jinshanling on your own schedule, without a tour bus.
- Beijing to Chengdu: train tickets, if you would rather not book through a Chinese app.
- Chengdu panda day: private driver, for the early start the panda base needs.
- The whole trip: personal travel concierge, $9 a day: a real person to message when an app, a menu or a plan stops working.
Each add-on is quoted and booked on its own. Nothing here is a package.
Make it yours
Add rest days, shorten walks, change hotel style or focus on a special interest. Your concierge can adapt the route to your dates and pace with you. For child tickets, strollers, food and health tips, see our China with kids guide.
Planning to follow this route? Get a free quick check of your version, or travel it with a personal concierge on WhatsApp for $9 a day.