16-day China Family Tour with Panda Encounter and Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains

Nimen Hao (Hello everyone), welcome to China! You have arrived in Shanghai - the most international city in China, which is affectionately called the "Magic City". Your Easy Tour China private guide greets you at the airport. After the pick-up, you will be taken to the hotel for check-in and rest.

After relieving the fatigue from the long flight, if you and your children want to experience the atmosphere and rhythm of Shanghai (and if the time permits), you can stroll around the area near your hotel.

Meals: None

Accommodation: 3 nights Comfortable or luxury family-friendly hotels in Shanghai

Experience a classic tour of Shanghai city. First, visit a masterpiece of the ancient Jiangnan gardens - Yu Garden. As children walk through the rocks, pavilions, and corridors, they will feel like they have entered a maze - don't get lost! Then, embark on a culinary journey in the old town of Shanghai, tasting local delicacies such as xiaolongbao and shengjiangbao that both adults and children love.

Continue to the city center - People's Square - next to some of Shanghai's iconic buildings - the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, and the Shanghai Museum.

The exciting moment has arrived! Board the highest skyscraper in China - Shanghai Tower, and overlook the magnificent panoramic view of Shanghai city. Point out the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower, the Global Financial Center, the Huangpu River, and the famous buildings on the Bund...

Meals: B, L

Today, parents and kids will immerse in the traditional and contemporary art and culture of Shanghai. Visit the first public contemporary art museum in China - Power Station of Art Shanghai, which was transformed from an electricity plant and showcases various artworks from both China and abroad.

Then head to Xintiandi, where the traditional Shikumen buildings have been well preserved while also integrating modern design, presenting a unique charm. World-renowned high-end dining, fashion, and cultural art brands are gathered here.

Later, arrive at the Bund, a must-visit in Shanghai. Let’s visit the famous art landmarks: No. 18 Bund (Jushi Art Galley: the second floor is open to the public for free all year round, hosting traditional culture and contemporary art exhibitions), the Rockbund Art Museum (RAM), Shanghai Gallery of Art (SGA), etc.

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Leaving Shanghai, embark on your China family adventure to Zhangjiajie - renowned for its natural wonders, glass-bottomed skywalks, and various outdoor activities.

Upon arrival, visit the picturesque Baofeng Lake, located on the mountain ridge surrounded by lush mountains. After walking up a mountain path, reach this lake and take a boat tour to enjoy the beautiful singing of the local Tujia ethnic group and take in the serene scenery of the lake.

Meals: B

Accommodation: 4 nights Comfortable or luxury family-friendly hotels in Zhangjiajie

Venture into the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - full of unique quartz sandstone peakland landscapes. After getting a preliminary understanding of the Zhangjiajie landscape, parents and children then take the world's highest and fastest outdoor elevator (also one of the 11 creative elevators in the world) - the Bailong Elevator - to reach the Yuanjiajie scenic area on the mountain top - it only takes 66 seconds!

Immediately, you arrive at the suspended "Avatar Mountain" - the inspiration source for the Hallelujah Mountain in the movie "Avatar". Walk with the children further and reach the “World's No.1 Bridge”, and other spectacular landmark attractions.

In the afternoon, take the small train - a way kids will like - to traverse the picturesque and mountain-ringed Ten-Mile Gallery. Picture: "The Herbalist Old Man", "The Tiger Howling at the Sky", "The Three Sisters Peaks", and more.

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After driving for about 45 minutes, you arrive at the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon - "The Museum of Zhangjiajie Landforms". It boasts diverse landforms such as sheer cliffs, streams, waterfalls, lakes, and caves. 

Of course, the most famous is the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge - "Yuntiandu Glass Bridge". Children will challenge themselves to cross the world's highest and longest pedestrian glass bridge - this is the most thrilling and exciting experience in this Chinese family tour.

Then, follow your Zhangjiajie private tour guide and hike to the bottom of the canyon, passing through the One-Lane Canyon, Tianhe Waterfall, Colorful Lake, and Shenquan Lake and other beautiful scenes. 

Optional activities: For families seeking excitement, you can also choose to do the Ferradara rock climbing and zip lines.

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In the morning, your family will visit Tianmen Mountain, another popular family-friendly and teenager-friendly attraction in Zhangjiajie. Take the world's longest cableway (7,455 meters) for about 28 minutes to reach the mountain top. Along the way, you can overlook the 99-bend Heavenly Road. Walk along the Guigu Plank Road on the cliff wall and challenge the 60-meter-long glass walkway. Then we experienced the lift-chair cable car.

The adventurous journey continued - descending via the underground escalator to Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s Door) - a natural grand hall, 131.5 meters high, resembling a gateway to the heavens (especially when viewed under the clouds), hence the name. Several world stunt pilots piloted aircraft and wing suit flyers challenged to fly through the Tianmen Cave.

Take the cableway down. In the afternoon, embark on the high-speed train to Chengdu, the City of Pandas.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 3 nights Comfortable or luxury family-friendly hotels in Chengdu

Today, get early and go to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base to see the adorable giant pandas - they are most active in the morning. Children can learn about the conservation and science knowledge of giant pandas. They can also watch the pandas eating, climbing trees, and playing around.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk along Jinli Old Street for a Chengdu food tour. It was once one of the oldest and most prosperous streets in the history of Western Sichuan - and it still has traditional Sichuan-style houses lined up along the street. Taste authentic Sichuan snacks, such as dan dan noodles, bo bo chicken, zhong shui dumplings, wonton, red sugar sugar cake, and the must-try - hot pot. But is Sichuan cuisine too spicy for your children? No worries. Our tour guide will choose restaurants or stalls for you based on your taste and preferences (clean and hygienic).

Meals: B, L

After breakfast, set off from Chengdu and drive to the World Cultural Heritage - Leshan Giant Buddha. It was built in the Tang Dynasty and is the largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha statue in the world. The huge 71-meter stone statue is built along the mountain. At the foot of the Buddha, the Minjiang River, Qingxi River and Dadong River converge. Descending along the plank road on the cliff, you and your children can closely admire the Buddha from different angles - the head, the body, and then the feet - all are so huge. If you want to save energy and view the panoramic view of the Buddha, choose to take a boat to view it from the river.

Your China family adventure, of course, cannot be without the real China’s rural experience. In the rural farm in the suburbs of Chengdu, parents and children will personally enter the orchard and pick fruits such as strawberries, oranges, loquats or grapes (depending on different seasons). Communicate with the enthusiastic local farmers and learn about their lives. Then, return to Chengdu.

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Take the high-speed train to travel through time and arrive in Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties in China. Enjoy the scenery of the western cities and villages along the way.

The largest well-preserved city wall in China - the Xi'an City Wall will be a playground for children. Rent a bicycle and ride around the wide city wall, looking down at the ancient city and the modern city, while learning about the history of Xi'an and China.

Do you want to understand the life and habits of ordinary Chinese families? We have arranged a home visit with local residents for you. Chat with the host and learn to make a signature Chinese food - dumplings - in the host's kitchen. Then, the two families will enjoy the delicious dinner together.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 3 nights Comfortable or luxury family-friendly hotels in Xian

Your in-depth family journey through China is not complete without visiting the world-famous Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang - "the eighth wonder of the world". Both children and parents will be amazed by the thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers with various expressions and postures, as well as their chariots and horses. Your private guide in Xi'an will explain the mysterious stories and the real history to you.

After that, participate in an interesting mini Terracotta Army making experience to learn about the production process of ancient terracotta figures. And take your handmade Terracotta Army souvenir home.

Continue your exploration of Xi'an's history and visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda - a landmark of the ancient Silk Road. Here, children will also enjoy the music fountain they love. As night falls, the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City is waiting for you to explore. Experience the Tang Dynasty culture, enjoying traditional dances, street performances and buildings in the style of the Tang Dynasty.

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Deep into the Muslim Quarter, it is not only a Muslim cultural area but also a famous food street in Xi'an. Various traditional snacks, such as mutton soup with noodles, meat-filled buns, cold noodles and desserts, make both parents and children mouthwatering. Also have fun visiting a Bird & Flower Market.

Then watch a Shadow Puppet Show - highly favored by children - to learn about traditional Chinese culture through the story performance. Along the way, you can have a panoramic view of Xi'an's city landmarks: the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower.

Arrive at the most Chinese-style mosque - Xi'an Grand Mosque. One of the oldest and largest mosques in China, it perfectly blends traditional Chinese courtyard architecture with Islamic culture.

Take the high-speed train to the capital of China, Beijing.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 4 nights Comfortable or luxury family-friendly hotels in Beijing

This morning, first arrive at the Tian'anmen Square, the spiritual center of China. Then explore the ancient imperial palace - the Forbidden City - also the largest ancient palace complex in the world. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties built over 9,000 rooms. Followed by your private Beijing tour guide, delve deeply into the Forbidden City, passing through the Wumen Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and the Imperial Garden... Learning about the lives of the emperors and princes, the court etiquette, and the ancient Chinese political system.

In the afternoon, visit the traditional residential area of Beijing - the hutongs. They were built over 600 years ago. Depending on your preference, you can either stroll or take a rickshaw. You can visit the quadrangle houses and gain an in-depth understanding of the traditional family structure and the lives of the old Beijing residents.

Meals: B, L

After breakfast, drive to the Great Wall - Mutianyu section, one of the most remarkable historical sites in the world, which was built over 2,000 years ago. Take the cable car with your children to ascend the wall. Walk along the winding city wall, pass by the beacon towers, and under the explanation of your guide, learn about the construction history of the Great Wall, the ancient military defense system, and the interesting/deep stories behind it.

For lunch, plan to have a picnic on the Great Wall and enjoy the undulating mountain scenery. Taking the toboggan down the mountain - the children's favorite activity.

In the afternoon, return to the Beijing city area.

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In the early morning at the Temple of Heaven, the sacred sacrificial site of ancient Chinese emperors, take part in the Tai Chi course under the guidance of a master - learn the true Chinese kungfu.

Then head to Beijing and China's most famous antique market - Panjiayuan Antique Market - a great place to hunt for souvenirs. Go treasure-hunting with the children - from various antiques, calligraphy and paintings, jade items, old books, and traditional handicrafts.

In the afternoon, visit the Dashilan, where you can have free time. You can experience Beijing's traditional commercial culture, or buy some souvenirs for your family and friends.

Optional Dinner: Beijing Roast Duck

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According to the international flight schedule, your tour guide and driver will take you to the airport. End of your wonderful 16-day family tour in China. We welcome your feedback on the services of Easy Tour China. And we welcome you to visit China again.

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