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Essential China

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Operated by Cosmos
Tripcode: 2180
Overview
Destination:
China, 
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 48)
Travel Period
April 2027 - October 2028
11 Day Tour from Beijing to Shanghai
This value-minded tour traces China’s remarkable past and vibrant present. Begin in Beijing, where highlights include Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, a traditional Peking duck dinner, and a walk along the legendary Great Wall. Travel by high speed train to Xi’an, once a major Silk Road capital, and uncover the awe inspiring Terracotta Warriors—one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries.

Continue to Chengdu, home of the beloved giant panda, with a visit to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve and free time to experience the region’s bold cuisine and cultural traditions. Your journey concludes in Shanghai, China’s largest city, where classical gardens, historic neighborhoods, and the famed Bund showcase a fascinating blend of old and new.
From ancient dynasties and remarkable wildlife to the neon-lit pulse of the modern world, it’s an unforgettable exploration of China!
All This. Included
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Your tour includes:
• Guided city sightseeing of Beijing including visits to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City
• Welcome dinner featuring Peking duck
• Guided visit to the Great Wall of China with lunch
• Guided visit to the Terracotta Warriors with lunch
• Admission to Shenshuping Panda Center
• Guided city sightseeing of Shanghai including admission to Yu Garden and stroll along the Bund
• Farewell dinner featuring xiaolongbao dumplings
• High-speed trains from Beijing to Xi’an & Xi’an to Chengdu
• Intra-vacation flight from Chendgu to Shanghai
Highlights:
Itinerary
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Day 1 - BEIJING, CHINA
Welcome to China’s historic capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 - BEIJING
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions prior to morning sightseeing in Beijing. Begin at vast Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, followed by a guided visit inside the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of China’s emperors for over 500 years. The afternoon is at your leisure; consider joining an optional excursion to the Temple of Heaven. This evening, enjoy a welcome Peking duck dinner, a signature dish of Beijing. (B,D)


Day 3 - BEIJING
The Great Wall of China once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along this iconic landmark to enjoy sweeping vistas. (B)


Day 4 - BEIJING-XI’AN
Today, board a high-speed train to Xi’an, the former ancient capital. One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure trove. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 5 - XI’AN
Sightseeing begins with one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century—the Terracotta Warriors. Accidentally uncovered by local farmers in 1974, this immense underground army was created to stand watch over the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. Marvel at the legion of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots that have been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L)

Day 6 - XI’AN-CHENGDU
Catch a bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan and home of the giant panda. Enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 7 - CHENGDU
Journey through the mountainous scenery to the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, home to over 170 pandas. Learn how this area protects and rehabilitates these beautiful animals. This evening is yours to explore Chengdu, renowned for its bold, flavorful cuisine. Try a bite on an optional excursion featuring Sichuan hot pot, followed by a traditional face-changing performance, an iconic culinary and cultural experience of the city. (B)


Day 8 - CHENGDU-SHANGHAI
Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city and a global center of commerce and culture. The balance of the day is yours to explore this dynamic metropolis. (B)

Day 9 - SHANGHAI
Sightseeing today includes a stroll through the Old Town and beautiful Yu Yuan Garden, a place of peace and tranquility in this bustling city. Walk along the famous Bund with its colonial architecture, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 10 - SHANGHAI
Spend the day at your leisure, or join an optional excursion to Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town. With a history of more than 1,700 years, this little town is the best-preserved among ancient towns in Shanghai, featuring graceful stone bridges over quiet canals, willow-lined waterways, and traditional courtyard homes. Tonight, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a special farewell dinner featuring Shanghai’s famous xiaolongbao dumplings. (B,D)


Day 11 - SHANGHAI
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates

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Travellers

Operator
Cosmos

For more than 60 years, Cosmos has done something remarkable: Bringing the world to people; and people to the world. By pioneering value touring holidays, Cosmos enjoys a long and storied history of turning travel dreams into reality. We make possible “never thought I would” or “never imagined I could” moments by making travel attainable and easy. And in doing that, we help you expand your horizons, clear your head and open your heart to the world around you. Cosmos understands that adventure is waiting for us – all of us – out in the world. And there simply is no better time than the present to discover new sights, new sensations and new experiences. That’s why we pride ourselves in turning “what if” moments into “I did” realisations by providing wayfarers and wanderers unparalleled access to the globe with value-centric holidays in 67 countries, on six continents. Let the unexpected begin. Let awe-inspiring take over. Adventure is knocking. Cosmos travellers are answering by exploring the world that’s always within reach.

Important Information
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*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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Price from
$4,613 $4,385 *
Member price from
$4,385*
per person twin share
10 nights
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