Flavors of China

Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport and meet your local guide immediately at the arrival exit. Transfer approximately one hour to the hotel to check in and refresh. Once settled, head directly to the city center to walk the vast expanse of Tian’anmen Square.

Stand among the symbolic structures that define the square, including the Tian’anmen Tower, the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, and Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall. Take in the sheer scale of the surroundings before concluding the arrival day with bold, spicy flavors at a local Sichuan restaurant. Stay overnight in the Beijing area.

Begin the day with one hour of Tai Chi practice in the hotel courtyard or a nearby park, engaging in slow, deliberate movements to wake up the body. After breakfast, enter the Forbidden City to explore the massive imperial palace complex that housed Ming and Qing Emperors for centuries. Following the tour of the palace grounds, climb the stone steps of Jingshan (Coal Hill) for a panoramic view over the sweeping golden rooftops of the Forbidden City.

After lunch, navigate the Hutong neighborhoods on a rickshaw, weaving through narrow alleys that date back 800 years. Step inside a local home to connect with a Beijing family and observe daily life in this historic district, then visit the imposing Drum Tower. Finish the day with a traditional dim sum dinner at a Cantonese restaurant before returning to your hotel in the Beijing area.

Early this morning, drive approximately 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Ascend via cable car to the ramparts, then hike along the restored stone battlements and watchtowers for 1-2 hours. Take in the rugged mountain scenery and the sheer scale of this UNESCO World Heritage site before descending for lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to Beijing to explore the Lama Temple, a royal Tibetan Buddhist monastery nestled in the city's historic quarters. Walk through the active temple grounds to observe the architecture and learn about the development of Buddhism in China. The evening features a classic Peking Roasted Duck dinner served in a traditional courtyard setting to wrap up your stay in the Beijing area.

This morning, travel to the Summer Palace after breakfast to explore the vast royal gardens. Walk along the shores of Kunming Lake and through the Long Corridor to appreciate this masterpiece of Chinese landscape design away from the city noise. Pause for a communal Peking or Mongolian-style hot pot lunch, then head south to the Temple of Heaven. Traverse the park grounds where emperors once prayed for good harvests and inspect the wooden construction of the Hall of Prayer.

Finish the day in the Hutong district near the Drum Tower for a hands-on cooking class. Step into a courtyard kitchen to learn the secrets of Sichuan-style cuisine from professional cooks and prepare several dishes yourself to enjoy for dinner before resting for the night in the Beijing area.

Early this morning, head to the Beijing Western Railway Station and board the bullet train to Xi'an in a first-class seat. Xi'an was the ancient capital city of 13 dynasties and the starting city of the Silk Road. It was one of the four metropolitans in the world from the 7th to 10th century.

After lunch, visit the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum, which is located at the site of the former Confucian Temple and holds the largest collection of stone steles from the past 1000 years of China's history. Next, take a short walk on the Xi'an ancient city wall, taking in the views of both old Xi'an, which the wall enclosed, as well as modern Xi'an that has sprung up on the other side.

This evening, enjoy a dumpling dinner in Defachang Restaurant, sampling a variety of unique shapes and fillings, then settle into your hotel in the Xi’an area.

This morning drive 1.5 hours to the site of the Terracotta Warriors, which are considered one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. First discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the discovery eventually attracted archaeologists which led to the largest pottery figurine find in China's history. Drive back to the city for an introduction to the Tang Dynasty, or the 'Golden Era' of China. Visit the Tang Dynasty Art Museum where you learn about calligraphy and participate in a short lesson. Try your hand at this visual art as you practice writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink. Visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist pagoda is about 1,300 years old and offers an amazing view of Xi'an.

This morning, take the bullet train from Xi'an to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province. Boasting lovely scenery and mild weather, the delicious food and long history make this a popular city to visit. Upon arrival, drive 1.5 hours north to Dujiangyan city, home to the UNESCO engineering feat of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which dates back to 256 BC.  Designed to bring water to the once dry Chengdu Plain, this massive man-made marvel has irrigated this Sichuan region into one of the most fertile and productive regions in China to this day. Wander the walkways around the structure and learn about its construction at Erwangmiao Temple.

Take a leisurely walk through the charming streets of the city before sitting down for a unique "Bamboo Dinner," where various courses are crafted from flavorful bamboo shoots and products. Stay overnight in the Dujiangyan area.

Leave Dujiangyan early after breakfast for a 30-minute drive to the panda base located near the base of Mount Qingcheng. Upon arrival, register and change into professional work attire to begin a hands-on volunteering program. Start with a guided tour of the panda museum before stepping into the enclosures to assist keepers with essential duties, including cleaning cages and preparing bamboo. Mid-morning, learn the specific ingredients required to bake "panda cakes" and participate in the first feeding session of the day. Following lunch, walk through the base to observe pandas in various natural habitats before completing a final round of enclosure maintenance and a second feeding. Receive a Panda Volunteering Certificate to commemorate the contribution to conservation, then drive to Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan.

After your day with the pandas is complete, drive back to Chengdu in time for a Sichuan vegetarian meal this evening, a popular meal choice in this part of China. Stay overnight in the Chengdu area.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive approximately two hours to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha. Located at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers, this 71-meter-tall masterpiece is the largest sitting Buddha in the world. Walk the steep trails down to the river level to admire the scale of the statue, which dates back to the year 713. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Chengdu. Spend the afternoon at the Broad and Narrow Alleys or a local park to learn the basics of Mahjong and observe the relaxed pace of Chengdu life. Finish the day with a traditional Sichuan hotpot dinner before returning to your hotel. Stay overnight in the Chengdu area.

Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in China’s premier metropolitan hub, meet your guide and head to lunch. Visit Yu Garden, a stunning 400-year-old classical garden in the heart of the Old Town, featuring winding corridors and ornate "dragon walls." Spend time browsing the adjacent bazaar filled with traditional shops and tea houses. After dinner, head to the Bund for a waterfront stroll. Observe the stark architectural contrast between the historic European-style buildings on one side and the futuristic, neon-lit skyscrapers of Pudong on the other before settling into your hotel in the Shanghai area.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before visiting the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square to explore an extensive collection of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, and paintings using an audio guide. Following a Shanghainese lunch, walk the leafy, tree-lined streets of the former French Concession to admire the well-preserved colonial-era villas. Later, participate in a hands-on culinary experience at the Chinese Cooking Workshop. Visit a local wet market with a Shanghainese family to select fresh ingredients, then learn to cook traditional local dishes in their kitchen. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner and spend your final evening relaxing along the vibrant waterfront in the Shanghai area.

Transfer back to the Shanghai Airport for your return flight home, or extend your travels with a flight on to Hong Kong or another nearby country.