13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation

13 days
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Private Guided
Explore the Forbidden City in a way that's specially designed for families with kids.
$4,451
From$3,619
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover the Mythical Animals in the Forbidden City
    • Worship Confucius and Visit the Highest Educational Institution in Old China
    • Walk on the Great Wall and Slide Down from It
    • Make Your Own Terracotta Warriors in A Local People's Cave Dwelling
    • A Morning Date with Active Pandas
    • Warm Your Stomach with Amazing Chinese Food

What's this trip about?

    Explore the Forbidden City in a way that's specially designed for families with kids.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityBeijing
End CityShanghai

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Family Friendly
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Kid-friendly Activities
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Educational/ Learning

Trip includes

    • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
    • English-speaking local guide
    • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
    • 24/7 helpline while you are traveling

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1 Beijing | Arrival

Welcome to China! Your personal guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

If you are worried about jet lag, we can have a late start on Day 2 or simply leave it as a free day. Feel free to let us know your preference.

Hotel options: Novotel Peace Beijing

DAY 2 Beijing | Roots of Chinese Culture

Let's start the tour at the Temple of Confucius, to begin to understand Chinese traditions and beliefs.

Then we'll head to the Imperial Academy, to learn about China's traditional education system and listen to Dacheng Rites Music.

Enjoy a traditional Ch...

DAY 3 Beijing | The Great Wall

Drive to China's amazing icon, the Great Wall. We recommend the Mutianyu section.

There are five gigantic Chinese characters on one hillside by the wall. Find out what they mean and why they are there from your knowledgeable guide.

To help the kids have ...

DAY 4 Beijing | Eco Tour of City Highlights

Explore the highlights of Beijing city using public transport. Kids will learn how to read Chinese signs along the way and gain deeper insights into local people's lives.

First visit Tian'anmen Square, and then the Forbidden City. Enjoy the famous Peking roast ...

DAY 5 Beijing to Xi'an | Tai Chi Experience

Head to the Temple of Heaven, a bustling place where locals participate in all kinds of activities, such as kite-flying and water calligraphy. Join them and practice daily conversation

Then it will be time for a tai chi class with a renowned local tai chi maste...

DAY 6 Xi'an | The Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are one of the greatest man-made wonders. We will introduce you to a different Terracotta Museum, one that can't be googled.

We'll visit a local cave dwelling and you can make a little warrior of your own, with your local host's help.

After lunch, we head back to the city center for a food challenge at the Muslim Quarter.

DAY 7 Xi'an | One-Day City Tour

First, you'll visit the ancient City Wall of Xi'an and enjoy a bike ride on it. Then visit the Big Goose Pagoda which is regarded as the starting point of the Silk Road.

Visit an energetic local family. Learn how to make dumplings and enjoy a family meal with t...

DAY 8 Xi'an to Chengdu | Street Food

Catch the morning high-speed train to Chengdu, a city renowned mainly for two things – its pandas and its food.

We will spend the rest of the day tasting famous street food, taking family photos in front of the world's largest panda statue, and then writing a postcard in Chinese at the Panda Post Office.

Hotel options: Lia! Chengdu Hotel

DAY 9 Chengdu | Giant Panda

Arrive in the morning to see pandas at the Breeding Research Base. There are more than 80 giant and red pandas at the base. Visit in summer and you might see baby pandas in the nursery. Afterward, return to downtown Chengdu for a hot-pot lunch.

In the afternoon...

DAY 10 Chengdu to Shanghai | Giant Buddha

Drive for 2 hours and arrive in Leshan by noon. After a short break and lunch, your journey to the Giant Buddha begins.

Climb up the Buddha, then walk down the narrow plank all the way to its feet, to discover you are only as tall as one of its toes.

A c...

DAY 11 Shanghai | New China

Follow your guide to discover the secret of Shanghai's rise to prominence. The clues start from the Bund, where foreigners first landed in Shanghai hundreds of years ago.

Wander through alleyways to catch a glimpse of the lives of locals. Sit down for a break i...

DAY 12 Shanghai | Disneyland

It has been a long journey for the whole family. Why not keep a nice surprise for the end, as a reward for the kids?

Let's create some memorable family moments at Shanghai Disneyland. A private vehicle will escort you directly to the Disneyland entrance. Enjoy fun experiences the whole day, and fireworks in the evening.

Hotel options: Toy Story Hotel

DAY 13 Shanghai | Departure

Pack the gains from Chinese immersion along with some other unforgettable memories. Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Have a nice journey home!

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,619
Price per day$278
Last Updated: 2/12/2025

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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China Highlights Reviews & Ratings

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Other China Highlights Reviews

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ROCHA

Apr 2025

Written on

EXCEPCIONAL

Alonso el guía nos trato excelente sus conocimientos de G...

V

Valarie Jagger

Apr 2025

Written on

History comes alive in Xi’an with our guide Christina!

Little did I expect our tour in Xi’an to be so interesting and insightful - for that, all credit has to go to our very knowledgeable guide Christina Xie. It was cle...

S

Steven starke

Apr 2025

Written on

Jessica is the best

The wife and I just had several incredible experiences in Beijing and close vicinity in large part because our guide Jessica made our whole stay stress free and a lo...

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
    • Visa Fees
    • Excess Baggage Charges.
    • Personal Expenses
    • Meals: Any meals that are not specified in the tour itinerary.
    • Insurance
    • Single Room Supplement
    • Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers

Accommodation

Hotels with a convenient location are included. In most cities, we recommend hotels with a swimming pool.

Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good-value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the styles of their regions.

Whatever your accommodation preferences, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect hotels for you.

Transportation & Flights

China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience smoother, we usually arrange flights between destinations. China's high-speed rail network, however, is a fast-paced way to travel. To interested customers, we recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours - let's know if you are interested.,
Requirements
Payment Deposit & Final payment A deposit which is equal to 10% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The full or final payment is required 30 days before departure for your China tour. Should the tour booked within 30 days before departure for your China tour, full payment is required. Receipt of your deposit or final payment will indicate that you and your travel agent (when applicable) have read these Terms and Conditions, and that you (and your agent) have accepted them. The Terms and Conditions below form the basis of the contractual relationship between China Highlights International Travel Service Co., Ltd (Business Certificate Number: L-GX00724) and its clients. It is extremely important that our clients understand and accept these Terms and Conditions as well as their quotations, itineraries and other relevant communication from our travel advisors. Methods of Payment We are now able to offer 3 methods of Payment: Visa or Master Card secure online payment via PayPal. Visa or Master Card by email Wire transfer. Cash payment, travelers' check and company check is applicable upon special request, but personal checks cannot be accepted. or click here to enter the "Payment Center" page to know more. If we receive a fraud alert from our credit card processor, we'll require confirmation before your transaction can be processed. If the booking is too urgent to get all required confirmation in time, we have the right to cancel the booking and refund the card holder's account for our own and the card holder's protection. Disclaimer of Difference Caused by Exchange Rate (For clients who make payment by credit card only). China Highlights will draw Chinese currency (CNY) from your credit card. The Credit Card Company or Bank will convert this amount to the currency of your credit card account. China Highlights converts Chinese currency to US Dollars at a rate of CN721 = US$100 for our quotations, but must charge your credit card in CNY (Note: China Highlights will apply the latest exchange rate, which may differ from the one shown above.). Banks and credit card companies must then buy Chinese currency at their local rate to make the payment. The rate may be more or less than our rate. Banks and credit card companies may also make a service charge for the transaction. For these reasons what appears on your bank statement may be more (or even less) than what you were expecting. Click here for an illustration. Note: Before you pay, please check our exchange rate against your bank's exchange rate and your bank's transaction fee policy. China Highlights currently quotes tour prices in US Dollars on our web site to give you an idea of the tour cost and quote in CNY to you at the time when you are making bookings. 1. Should a revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi occur, China Highlights will honor all quotations for tours that have been fully paid at the time of the revaluation. 2. Customers who have not paid for their tour in full at the time of any revaluation will be required to pay the difference between the old and new price calculated in Renminbi. China Highlights will never charge more that our quotation that has been accepted by you, our client. Luggage AllowanceIn accordance with regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the free baggage allowance within China is 20kg for the economy class, 30kg for the business class, and 40kg for the first class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within China specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft. Alteration of Itinerary Alterations to your itinerary before the booking are happily processed free of charge. Alterations after payment of the deposit will attract a fee of $25.00 per request. All expenses incurred by China Highlights in alteration of the booking are the responsibility of the customer. This includes all fees and charges levied by third parties such as cruise operators, airlines and hotels. Liability & ResponsibilityChina Highlights provides tour information and China tour bookings. China Highlights publishes travel information and services gathered from the selected quality hotels, air ticket agencies and tour companies & operators. Chinahighlights will not be responsible for errors, emissions or inaccuracies in information provided by third party providers. China Highlights shall not be responsible for any wrongful or negligent or fraudulent, omissions, changes of itinerary, cancellation or the failure of any equipment operated by those suppliers or any other party not directly owned or controlled by China Highlights. China Highlights shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property, alteration of itineraries or cancellation in part or in full, caused by climatic conditions, sea fire, breakdown of machinery or equipment, acts of government or other authorities, wars whether or not declared, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, terrorist activities, or any other actions, omissions or conditions beyond China Highlights's control. Neither China Highlights nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses of liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the aforementioned causes China Highlights is not responsible for a client's failure to comply with customs regulations. China Highlights is not responsible for the theft or loss of any customer's valuables or items of personal property due to the negligence of the customer. China Highlights reserves the right to substitute hotels, flights, trains, or cruise ships, to alter itineraries, or to cancel the tour prior to departure. If China Highlights has cancelled any tour prior to the commencement of the tour, China Highlights is liable for a full refund of the money received from the client. Many of China Highlights tour packages include activities which require care and attention. Such activities include boarding and going ashore from boats, climbing hills and entering and exiting tombs and caves etc. You will receive help and advice from our representatives but all activities are undertaken at your own risk. China Highlights, its employees and agents cannot be responsible for any action or event that occurs after its said employees and agents have exercised their duty and taken the necessary care. China Highlights reserves the right to modify or rescind the terms and conditions in whole, or in part at any time with or without notice.Modification or Discontinuance of Service China Highlights reserves the right to modify or discontinue service to clients who behave illegally or objectionably toward its employees and agents. Offensive behavior includes behavior which is obscene, racially offensive or of a sexual nature. CommunicationsYou can contact China Highlights via the web form from www.chinahighlights.com, email, fax, or phone. If for any reason, you fail to receive any reply from China Highlights in regard of your tour status within 48 hours from the time you submitted the request for booking, modifying, or canceling a tour, please contact China Highlights customer service center at customercare@chinahighlights.com to ensure that we are able to deal with your enquiry under the terms of our Terms and Conditions. Contact Us Form Complaints and ClaimsShall you feel unsatisfied with any service China Highlights has provided, please notify your 7x24 hours available travel advisor or China Highlights Customer-care service to avoid the potential for similar problems happening again during your trip. Phone no. or WhatsApp: +86 18007839275 Email: customercare@chinahighlights.com  In the event of a complaint or claim for compensation, you must inform us by email, regular mail, or facsimile in writing within 15 days from the end of your tour. Relevant receipts and substantiating evidence must be attached to the letter of claim. China Highlights will not be liable for any claims made later than 15 days after the completion of your tour.,
Cancellation policy
Cancellation Refunds
We would deeply regret your decision to cancel your trip to China, however we realize that there are many valid reasons that this can happen.

In the event of a cancellation, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure. The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows except specified by your travel advisor:

  • Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
  • Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
  • After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
Special Notes:

  • The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask you travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.
Travel Insurance
China Highlights tour packages include Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance up to a maximum of $30,000 per adult provided free of charge as part of our package. We still highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin. Insurance provided by China Highlights is not applicable where only hotel or China flight booking are purchased through China Highlights.
Visa requirements
All clients must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentation is the sole responsibility of the client. Your travel advisor may assist you in applying for the necessary travel documentation upon request. China Highlights accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
Health & Safety
Clients should take into account all international travel risks and familiarize themselves with health requirements applicable to the areas they intend to visit. The client is solely responsible for checking the safety and security conditions, vaccination, and other health requirements of governments in countries visited or transited. Travelers to Tibet are required to provide a doctor's certificate stating that the he/she is fit to travel and his/her blood pressure and heart condition are normal. This is a necessary requirement because of the possible effects that the very high altitude may have on certain people.
Meals Included
Buffet breakfasts at hotels and lunches at popular local restaurants are included, so you can taste authentic Chinese food. Children will be able read Chinese menus and order dishes in Chinese. Your guide will be there in case you need help.

Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free - all your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. When booking, please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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