18-Day New China Panorama Tour: Great Wall, Pandas, Ancient Heritage & Future Tech

Upon arrival at Shanghai airport or railway station, your driver will be ready to welcome you and transfer you to your city hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from your journey or take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.

Please feel free to ask your travel consultant or guide for some ideas of your free time.

Today, your expert guide in Shanghai will lead you to discover the city's most iconic sights, from its spectacular modern skyline and historic waterfront to cutting-edge digital experiences and classical gardens.

Begin at Shanghai Tower, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Head up to its observation deck for panoramic views of the surrounding skyscrapers and Huangpu River.

Next, enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront from North Bund toward the Bund, and see Shanghai's past and present meet across the Huangpu River.

The historic buildings along the Bund are the city's cosmopolitan heritage. Across the river, the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui showcases contemporary Shanghai. These contrasting views create one of Shanghai's most iconic panoramas.

In the afternoon, an exclusive XR immersive experience will offer you a chance to step into a virtual reconstruction of the Terracotta Warriors and the underground mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. The extended reality (XR) technology will show you features that are difficult to experience through conventional visits.

Conclude the day at Yu Garden, a celebrated classical Chinese garden dating back more than 400 years to the Ming Dynasty. You will be wowed by its intricate layout, pavilions, rockeries, ponds, winding corridors, ancient trees, wood carvings, and distinctive ornamental stones

After exploring the garden, get back to your hotel or take time to wander through the surrounding Yuyuan Old Street area for authentic Shanghai flavors and traditional handicrafts.

Spend the morning exploring Xuhui, where you can get a glimpse into Shanghai's intellectual heritage, architectural history, and quieter side beyond its bustling commercial districts. The guide will first introduce you to Xu Guangqi, a prominent Ming Dynasty scholar and scientist, and how he introduced Western knowledge to China and fostered cultural exchange.

You will visit several sites in this area showcasing the blend of Chinese traditions and Western influences, and culturally layered side of Shanghai. The general walking route would be: Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall → Xujiahui Library → Xujiahui Park → St. Ignatius Cathedral.

After the city walk, your driver will escort you to the railway station for your high-speed train to Hangzhou, which is celebrated as a paradise on earth for its beautiful lakes, hills, and traditional charm. After hotel check-in, enjoy the free time to explore this elegant city yourself or take a rest.

Today, besides visiting the most celebrated natural scenery in Hangzhou, you'll also have a chance to experience the centuries-old Chinese traditions and rapidly developing technology scene.

After breakfast, begin today with a visit to the West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that embodies cultural significance and landscape aesthetics in the mind of Chinese people. Nestled among rolling hills and the city, the lake is frequently associated with Chinese poetry, and folklore.

You can explore the Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, willow-lined shores on foot or take a relaxing boat ride (optional, with an extra cost) on the West Lake to appreciate the broad vistas, iconic landmarks, and distant hills from the water.

After that, visit Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum and Science and Technology Hall. Hu Qing Yu Tang is one of the most time-honored and best-known Chinese medicine brands in Hangzhou. The museum preserves elements of a traditional Qing Dynasty pharmacy and introduces the history of Chinese medicine through displays of medicinal herbs, traditional processing techniques, classical remedies, and wellness practices.

After discovering this centuries-old tradition, head to Wensan Future Technology Center to learn how digital innovation is shaping modern Hangzhou - an important hub for artificial intelligence and emerging industries. Expect to watch robot performances, interact with AI-powered technologies, explore smart living scenarios, and discover how cutting-edge technology is reshaping everyday life here.

This morning, your driver will pick you up from the hotel at the appointed time. Take a high-speed train to Beijing, the capital city of China.

After arriving in Beijing, your local driver will transfer you to your hotel for check-in and a short break. Then, follow your local guide to explore the traditional Beijing hutongs. These narrow lanes are the heart of the old Beijing, preserving centuries of local everyday life. You will walk through the winding alleys lined with traditional courtyard houses, visit authentic siheyuan residences, and discover the slower rhythm of old Beijing life.

If you like, you can join some immersive cultural experiences in hutongs (optional, with an extra cost), including dumpling making, paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, etc.

Today focuses on Beijing's imperial heritage. After breakfast, you will ride an electric bike to explore Beijing's historic Central Axis. A perfectly planned north-south line stretching through the heart of Beijing, Beijing's Central Axis connects many of the city's most important landmarks and was listed as a UNESCO heritage site in 2024. The bike ride will show you the symmetrical layout of the ancient capital and gain insight into the traditional Chinese philosophy of urban design, hierarchy, and imperial planning.

You will stop at the Forbidden City, a UNESCO-listed site along the Central Axis. It is the world's largest and best-preserved ancient wooden palace complex, with its over 8700 rooms having witnessed more than 600 years of Chinese history and the reigns of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Step through its magnificent red walls and golden rooftops to explore grand halls, exquisite architecture, intricate decorations, and priceless royal collections.

Visit two other UNESCO World Heritage sites in Beijing today. Begin the day at the Temple of Heaven in the morning. It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial sacrificial complex in China. Emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed ceremonies to pray for good harvests and communicate with heaven here.

Explore the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and other elegant architecture while your guide introduces you to the symmetry, wooden craftsmanship, acoustic design, and traditional Chinese beliefs.

These ancient structures are surrounded by peaceful gardens where locals usually do morning exercises. Try to join them to play Tai Chi or fly a kite if you like.

Then, drive roughly 73 km out of the city to Mutianyu, a section of the Great Wall that is better kept and far less crowded than Badaling. The wall here runs for about 2.25 km and is dotted with 23 watchtowers.

This section is facilitated with cable cars and a toboggan (both at an extra cost), so you can choose a route based on your energy level and preferences. If you enjoy a bit of adventure, take the cable car up, walk along the Wall, and take the toboggan back down. If you are traveling with children or prefer less steep steps, take the cable car up, hike the gentler high section before riding back down.

Note: The unique drone delivery technology experience is only available at the Badaling Great Wall section which is more crowded.  If you want to have a try, we can arrange it during the later Shenzhen itinerary.

Transfer from Beijing to the coastal city of Tianjin today. The city will show you a fascinating contrast between China's modern industrial innovation and its multicultural urban heritage.

The highlight of today is Tianjin Port's Smart Zero-Carbon Terminal. At this world-leading smart port, cutting-edge technologies—including 5G, BeiDou satellite positioning, AI, big data, and renewable energy systems—are seamlessly integrated to power fully automated container handling and smart logistics.

Followed by a stroll through Tianjin's Five Great Avenues (Wudadao), a historic neighborhood that is home to over a thousand villas and mansions featuring British, French, German, and Italian architectural styles. The area reflects Tianjin's unique history as an international port city.

After the visit, return to Beijing.

Your driver in Beijing will pick you up at the scheduled time and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Chengdu.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the local driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel. Take time to rest and explore the city at your own pace. You can sample some Sichuan snacks and wander through local streets to experience Chengdu's laid-back lifestyle.

Today, you will follow your professional guide in Chengdu to explore beyond popular tourist spots to discover the city's genuine local charm and cultural roots.

Start with a visit to Qingyuan Community, a well-preserved traditional residential area where you can witness the architecture and neighborhood life of old western Sichuan. This community still retains its original courtyard layout, wooden structures, gray-tiled roofs, and traditional street patterns.

After that, head to Jianshe Lane Snack Street. Instead of a popular tourist site or overly commercialized food street, this street is a favorite local food destination known for its authentic Sichuan flavors and lively atmosphere. You can find a wide variety of traditional snacks and street food.

Continue to Dongjiao Memory, a creative cultural district transformed from former industrial factories. Here, original factory buildings, railway tracks, and mechanical structures are perfectly blended with modern art, music, and creative spaces, infusing the old industrial memories with a younger, contemporary lifestyle.

In the evening, enjoy an optional performance at Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera Theater (additional cost). Visitors can visit the backstage area to watch performers paint their intricate facial makeup and prepare traditional costumes before the performance. Expect to watch some of Sichuan Opera's most famous artistic treasures, including face-changing, fire breathing, and rolling lamps.

Set an early alarm, because pandas are at their most active in the morning. Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a leafy bamboo-filled park where the bears — and often the smaller red pandas too — spend the morning eating, wrestling and dozing. Getting there at around their feeding time is the surest way to catch them at play.

After the panda experience, take a high-speed train to Chongqing. The train ride takes about 1.5-2 hours. Upon your arrival at Chongqing, the driver will be ready to greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

The unique terrain of Chongqing creates a dramatic urban setting, where mountains, rivers, bridges, and skyscrapers come together. Today, you'll follow the local guide to discover iconic landmarks and spectacular city views of this mountain city.

Begin with a visit to the Liziba Monorail Viewing Platform, where you can see the light rail passes directly through a residential building. The scene perfectly reflects how Chongqing has developed around its mountainous landscape. We will lead you to the best viewing platform to watch trains smoothly pass through the building.

Then, continue to another unique transportation option in Chongqing — the Yangtze River Cableway. Since the city is surrounded by mountains and crossed by rivers, the cableway was once used as a daily transportation option by local residents. Now, many tourists choose this unique way to experience the city's dramatic geography and enjoy wide-open views of the river, bridges, hillside buildings, and the Yuzhong Peninsula from above.

Continue to Kuixing Tower, a famous landmark known for its multi-level architecture and striking vertical layout.

Then, it is time to hop on a short ferry at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River to admire the city's riverside scenery. The ferry is more convenient than larger sightseeing cruises, offering layers of hillside buildings, bridges, and waterfront views.

Continue to Jiefangbei, Chongqing's central business district. The surrounding shopping malls, restaurants, local snack shops, and lively streets show you another side of Chongqing — a modern metropolis full of energy and local life.

Walk to Hongya Cave to catch one of Chongqing's most recognizable nightscapes. This traditional-style stilted building (diaojiaolou) is built along the hillside by the river. After dark, when the lights come on, Hongya Cave transforms into a spectacular night scene with glowing buildings, river views, and illuminated bridges.

To get panoramic views of the river confluence, glowing waterfront buildings, and the city skyline, you can stroll across Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge. If you visit on a Saturday evening, you may also have a chance to watch a drone light show here. Hundreds or thousands of synchronized drones may light up the night sky, adding a modern technological spectacle to the city's already impressive nighttime scenery.

Fly from Chongqing to Guangzhou, hotel & airport pick-up or drop-off services are included in both cities. After checking into your hotel in Guangzhou and a short rest, you will first visit the Museum of the Thirteen Hongs of Canton to trace Guangzhou's important role in China's foreign trade during the Qing Dynasty.

Through historical artifacts, reconstructed scenes, and archival materials, the museum showcases the development of China's maritime trade and cultural exchange with the West, and Guangzhou's maritime connections. The guide will introduce Guangzhou's history of the Maritime Silk Road.

Today focuses on Guangzhou's manufacturing and innovation landscape. In the morning, visit a major textile trading district in Guangzhou. Follow your local guide to walk through the bustling markets to discover a wide range of fabrics and garment materials, and learn how design, sourcing, production, and distribution connect within the textile supply chain.

Then, visit XPeng Motors' smart manufacturing facility, subject to visitor access and advance confirmation. Expect to get a closer look at automated production systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, and the processes behind modern electric vehicles.

Begin the day with a traditional Cantonese morning tea experience, an important part of everyday life in Guangzhou. Enjoy a selection of dim sum and freshly brewed tea while experiencing the culinary traditions in the Lingnan area.

Continue to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy). Originally built as an ancestral hall, this site now boasts one of the finest examples of traditional Lingnan architecture, featuring elaborate decorative details, including brick carvings, ceramic sculptures, plasterwork, and colorful paintings.

In the afternoon, your driver will transfer you to the railway station for your high-speed train to Shenzhen. After arriving, check in and take time to rest or explore on your own.

Today, you will marvel at Shenzhen's dramatic modern skyline and be introduced to its remarkable transformation from a small fishing settlement into one of China's leading technology hubs.

Begin at Shenzhen Fishermen's Village. Once a traditional fishing village, it has evolved into a modern urban neighborhood thanks to China's reform and opening-up policies over the past four decades.

Next, visit Lianhuashan Park, enjoying panoramic views of Shenzhen's urban layout, clusters of modern skyscrapers, and expansive skyline from the hilltop.

In the afternoon, stop at Shenzhen Eye Metro Station, a striking transit landmark known for its futuristic architectural design and distinctive spatial atmosphere.

Continue to Huaqiangbei Electronics Market, one of the world's best-known electronics trading districts. Here you will find an extensive range of electronic components, digital devices, and tech products.

Today is dedicated to Shenzhen's cutting-edge technology.

Begin with a visit to DJI Sky City, the global headquarters of DJI, a leading name in the civilian drone industry. Subject to visitor access, explore its public-facing facilities or brand experience spaces to learn more about advances in drone technology and its applications worldwide.

Next, enjoy a dedicated autonomous driving experience. You will ride an autonomous vehicle to a DJI flagship store. Try to discover how intelligent driving systems use sensors and road-scanning technologies to navigate urban traffic.

Later, head to a city park for a unique drone food delivery experience. Just scan a QR code inside the park to place an order. A drone will fly the meal directly from a nearby commercial hub to a designated drop-off locker in the park in about 10- 20 minutes.

In the evening, stroll through MixC World. It is a perfect destination for a lively lifestyle and shopping, offering contemporary retail, art installations, dining, and social spaces. See how the city's innovative spirit extends beyond technology into modern urban culture.

Your 18-day journey through China comes to an end today. According to your flight schedule, your driver will take you to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport for your departure flight. Take home lasting memories of China's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and forward-looking cities.