China - sample Learn, Serve & Immerse itinerary

You are met at the airport and assisted upon arrival in Beijing and transferred to your hotel. We will have a welcome dinner.

Accommodation: The Regent Hotel, Beijing.

Meals: D

Upon your arrival in Xi’an, you will be greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and transfer to the hotel. depending on what time you arrive, you may wish to take a stroll on your own to find out the secret of the city. 

Accommodations: Grand Park Hotel 4* 

• Adjourning Room

Morning visit to the Forbidden City. This was once the Chinese Imperial Palace and has a history of almost five hundred years. It is said to be the world largest existing palace complex with 999.5 rooms. While walking in the city, you can retrace Chinese history from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.  

Have lunch at a local family’s house and learn to make your own dumplings!   

In the afternoon, explore Beijings’ hutongs, traditional alleyways and courtyard homes which once covered the city.  These ancient, pedestrian corridors are pleasant to walk through and offer visitors some colorful insight into how the majority of Beijing citizens once lived.  See the Drum Tower and Bell Tower.  Stop at local artists’ homes to learn Chinese handicrafts. 

Accommodation: Overnight at Regent Hotel 

Meals: B, L, D  

Have breakfast at your hotel. Start your adventure bright and early and beat the crowds at the UNESCO-protected site of the Terracotta Warriors to unlock the mysteries of a now-vanished empire with a professional tour guide. Stand in awe of life-sized sculptures of warriors and horses, which were built to guard the massive mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang.  Unearthed in the suburbs of Xi’an, the army of the Terracotta Warriors comprises one of the most remarkable archeological discoveries of all time.  Consisting of 8,000 life-size soldiers, 100 chariots and 600 horses, no two of which are the same, the army was built to guard the remains of Emperor Qin Shihuang, housed in a massive mausoleum complex.  

Late, we will visit a cave-dwelling, a cave home that co-exists with modern, high-tech buildings Vaulted rooms with clay walls finish with decorated wooden windowpanes. This eco-friendly dwelling stays cool in summer and warm in winter. In present days, people, mostly peasants are still living here for many generations. Come talk to the resident if the owner is around and listen to his family story that represents China’s long-forgotten past.  

Return to your hotel to rest for the afternoon, and continue exploring at your leisure. 

Accommodations: Grand Park Hotel 4* 

Meals - B

Today we will transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall and hike along this section of the Great Wall, one of the most recognizable symbols of China. This section of the Wall was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 –1644) on the remnants of a wall originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). The Mutianyu Great Wall has the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of the Great Wall.  Apart from the beautiful view, there’s a fun way to get down the wall that you cannot miss –Toboggan Ride (slide ride)!  

Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing at Regent Hotel 

Meals: B, L, D

Have breakfast at your hotel. Gaze into the heart of Xi'an as you patrol the Ancient City Wall enclosing the historical center. Take a leisurely walk on the Ancient City Wall or pedal your bike to see the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. 

Make a pilgrimage to the Great Mosque, the religious focal point of China's Muslim populace. It’s one of the earliest Islamic mosques built in the world and marks the beginning of Islam in the Far East. The overwhelmingly Chinese architectural influence in the construction of the mosque and the pagoda style of construction makes it unique among other early mosques. 

Get lost in the food stalls in Muslim quarter, a bustling neighborhood located in the heart of Xi’an. The air is thick with aroma of sizzling lamb skewers and fragrant spices that waft from the myriad food stalls lining the alleys. Biangbiang noodles, with their artful stretches and delectable flavors, beckon from one stall, while the comforting of pita bread soaked in mutton soup lures you from another. Engage with the friendly locals, witness their skilled craftsmanship, and feel the pulse of daily life that has animated these alleys for centuries. Muslim quarter is not only a destination, but a place where flavors dance on your taste buds and the stories of generations echo in every corner. 

Pay homage to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a fanciful name which belies its status as one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China.  This impressive pagoda was built in the seventh century to house Buddhist texts and sutras brought back to Changan from India by Xuan Zang.  A monk who followed the Silk Road to the birthplace of Buddhism, Xuan Zang sought to find the original Sanskrit versions of the scriptures, previously available only in Chinese translation. 

• Option to replace Big Wild Goose Pagoda by courtyard of Gao Family. Not far from Muslim quarter stands the majestic courtyard of Gao Family, an architectural gem that allows you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of a Ming scholar’s legacy. And there, within the hallowed walls of this courtyard, a mesmerizing spectacle awaits. A 15-minute shadow puppetry show, an art form believed to originate from this province, unfolds before your eyes. These exquisite performances breathe life into simple yet vibrant leather or paper figures, spinning enchanting narratives that have captivated audiences for generations. 

Take a private lesson in the art of making Chinese dumplings at Defachang Restaurant, a delicacy that is famous in the Xi’an region. After mastering the skills required of dough making and rolling, filling preparation and then the assembly, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a traditional dumpling feast for dinner.  

Return to your hotel to rest for the night. 

Accommodations: Grand Park Hotel 4* 

Meals: B,D

Get up early in the morning and join the locals for morning exercise in the Temple of Heaven Park. In the park, we will see various activities, such as Taiji, ribbon dance, sword dance, and water calligraphy. Then visit the Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven, which was the prayer palace for good weather and bountiful harvests of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.    

Free time in the afternoon to shop.  We recommend the Silk Market, Sanlitun for some good shopping. 

Accommodation: Overnight at Regent Hotel 

Meals: B, L

Have breakfast at your hotel. Gaze into the heart of Xi'an as you patrol the Ancient City Wall enclosing the historical center. Take a leisurely walk on the Ancient City Wall or pedal your bike to see the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. 

Make a pilgrimage to the Great Mosque, the religious focal point of China's Muslim populace. It’s one of the earliest Islamic mosques built in the world and marks the beginning of Islam in the Far East. The overwhelmingly Chinese architectural influence in the construction of the mosque and the pagoda style of construction makes it unique among other early mosques. 

Get lost in the food stalls in Muslim quarter, a bustling neighborhood located in the heart of Xi’an. The air is thick with aroma of sizzling lamb skewers and fragrant spices that waft from the myriad food stalls lining the alleys. Biangbiang noodles, with their artful stretches and delectable flavors, beckon from one stall, while the comforting of pita bread soaked in mutton soup lures you from another. Engage with the friendly locals, witness their skilled craftsmanship, and feel the pulse of daily life that has animated these alleys for centuries. Muslim quarter is not only a destination, but a place where flavors dance on your taste buds and the stories of generations echo in every corner. 

Pay homage to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a fanciful name that belies its status as one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China.  This impressive pagoda was built in the seventh century to house Buddhist texts and sutras brought back to Changan from India by Xuan Zang.  A monk who followed the Silk Road to the birthplace of Buddhism, Xuan Zang sought to find the original Sanskrit versions of the scriptures, previously available only in Chinese translation. 

• Option to replace Big Wild Goose Pagoda by courtyard of Gao Family. Not far from Muslim quarter stands the majestic courtyard of Gao Family, an architectural gem that allows you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of a Ming scholar’s legacy. And there, within the hallowed walls of this courtyard, a mesmerizing spectacle awaits. A 15-minute shadow puppetry show, an art form believed to originate from this province, unfolds before your eyes. These exquisite performances breathe life into simple yet vibrant leather or paper figures, spinning enchanting narratives that have captivated audiences for generations. 

Take a private lesson in the art of making Chinese dumplings at Defachang Restaurant, a delicacy that is famous in the Xi’an region. After mastering the skills required of dough making and rolling, filling preparation and then the assembly, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a traditional dumpling feast for dinner.  

Return to your hotel to rest for the night. 

Accommodations: Grand Park Hotel 4* 

Meals: B,D

Have breakfast at your hotel. Head to Qionglai, where you will see vast golden rapeseed fields or terrace fields along the way. 

Hike in the western Sichuan bamboo sea. 

In the afternoon, visit Pingle Ancient town before you proceed to Ya’an Mengding Mountain. Enjoy a visit their ecological tea plantation. 

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Resort Mengding Mountain 4* 

Meals: Breakfast 

Have breakfast at your hotel. Join the spring tea picking after breakfast. Pick up tea leaves and observe tea artisans roasting tea. You can take the tea you picked home after the artisan roasts it.  

In the afternoon, head to Daoming village, walk around and have a feel of Western Sichuan villages, by visiting Bamboo art museum, whose exhibits are world class level. Learn how to weave bamboo before we continue our trip to Dujiangyan.  

Upon arrival, visit Nanqiao night market and stay overnight here. 

Accommodations: Crown Plaza Duijiangyan 5* /

Meals: B

Have breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast transferred to Panda base for an up-close look at China’s universally adored mascot. As you wander through this haven, you'll witness the pandas' playful antics and learn about vital conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding their future. 

Be a panda caretaker today. You will have the opportunity to observe pandas up close, assist with daily tasks, and more. Your responsibilities will include cleaning the panda enclosure, preparing food for the pandas, and keeping a journal with the Panda caretaker for the day. Upon completion, you will be awarded a certificate.  

About the Dujiangyan Base Panda Keeper Program: 

• Sichuan is home to over home to more than 30 percent of the world's pandas, which are classed as highly endangered, and with its seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks is a wonderful place to learn about and interact with this incredible animal.  The Dujiangyan Panda Base in Chengdu offers volunteer programs that give visitors an opportunity to get closer contact with the cute giant pandas and understand their panda wilderness training program. During the program, participants work with Chinese panda staff to take care of the pandas. One of several like it in the region, the reserve protects panda habitat from development and helps provide a corridor for Giant Panda migrations. It also provides patrol officers that prevent poaching and logging and rescue sick or injured pandas.  

• Volunteer activities include cleaning panda enclosures, preparing panda food, watching films about pandas, visiting the Panda Center of Science and Education, attending panda classes, and planting bamboo and trees. Activities are flexible, and the program can be redesigned according to the pandas' needs, participants' requirements and interests, and other factors. 

After that you drive on, before visiting the ancient irrigation system Dujiangyan, you will take a visit to Dujiangyan library: Zhongshange, a popular photo shot, which is all over social media. 

Explore Dujiangyan and its ancient irrigation system, Take a look at Erwang Temple and Anlan suspension bridge and enjoy a panorama view when you climb up to Qiyan tower.  

You end your day in Maoxian. 

Accommodations: Maoxian County Mingyu Yashe Hotel Local 4* / Standard room 

Meals: Breakfast 

Have breakfast at your hotel. Visit a local primary school for donation (if you bring any books or anything sport related items) and interact with local students. Participate in their sports or play games in the class; you can also teach them some simple sentences in English, teach them how to paint.  

After the school visit, head to Taoping Qiang ethnic village, see the old Taoping fortress and ancient watch towers. Learn Qiang Embroidery from a local artist, and stay in one of Qiang people’s home for overnight stay. 

Accommodations: Homestay at Qiang Ethnic Village  

Meals: B

Have breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum in Ande. Learn about history and development of Sichuan cuisine, taste local snacks, and have our hands on Sichuan cuisine cooking. You eat what you make and return to Chengdu. 

Visit a traditional lacquer wear workshops and make your own lacquer bookmarks. 

Have the famous Sichuan hot pot for dinner. 

Accommodations: Buddha Zen Hotel 4* 

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast visit People’s Park, where you can observe the local leisurely lifestyle. This is a place like Central Park in New York, where people take morning exercises, drink tea, dance and play chess.  

Follow our Taichi master and learn to engage in Taichi for 1-2 hours. Play Mahjong with locals. Taste Sichuan snacks for lunch 

In the afternoon, head to Shanghai, the face of modern China. It is teeming with energy and activity, and offers travelers a true diversity of areas and experiences. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.  

The remainder of the day at leisure. 

Accommodations: Jinjiang Tower Shanghai 5* 

• Standard 

Meals: B

Have breakfast at your hotel. Walk along the Bund and take in the dramatic skyline of modern Shanghai, before we board the cruise to catch sunset if we are lucky.  

Get ready to be awed by the delicate Yu Garden - a well-restored Suzhou-style Garden created during the Ming Dynasty. The Yu Yuan Garden is claimed to be the most magnificent rockery of the Ming Dynasty, and is a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai.  

Pay respect to Jade Buddha, the most popular Buddhist temple in this city, drawing both worshippers and tourists. It is famous for two jade Buddha statues, one of which is reclining and the other seated. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique, and the peaceful and transcendent atmosphere adds a kind of richness to this busy modern city.  

The adjacent bazaar was originally a temple (the city god Temple) built in the 16th century. Today the area is also home to a lively market that specializes in traditional Chinese arts and crafts. You can peruse antiques, silk fans, bamboo articles, shell carvings, paintings, or simply try some Shanghai xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), vegetarian buns and chicken soup.  

Visit the French concession, a captivating blend of cultures and histories, stands as a testament to Shanghai's cosmopolitan past. Stroll through its tree-lined streets and elegant architecture, where a harmonious fusion of Chinese and Western influences creates an atmosphere brimming with charm and allure. Amidst this enchanting enclave, echoes of a bygone era coexist with modern vitality, offering a unique glimpse into Shanghai's rich and diverse tapestry.  

Rest at your cozy night retreat in Shanghai for a restful night’s sleep. 

Accommodations: Jinjiang Tower Shanghai 5* 

Meals: Breakfast 

Have breakfast at your hotel. This is a day at leisure to explore the metropolitan by yourself or join the city tour. 

If you join the city tour: 

You will be taken to Jewish quarter, originally built by Russian Jewish community in 1928. This synagogue is located in the heart of the 1940s Jewish Ghetto. It was later restored using the original blueprints found in archives. It houses both synagogue and Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, with an exhibition on the lives of nearly 23,000 central European refugees who moved to Shanghai to escape Nazis.  

Find your way to Shanghai propaganda poster museum, a hidden gem of museum, although small, it gives an absorbing insight into China's recent history. In the basement of a residential complex, it houses a vast, private collection of over 5,000 propaganda posters of Mao-Era communist revolutionary propaganda artworks charting post-war Chinese history. Many rescued from recycling centers and rubbish bins and spanning the '40s through the late 1970s.  

End the day by unleashing your adrenaline at the Jinmao Sky Walk. 

Accommodations: Jinjiang Tower Shanghai 5* 

Meals: Breakfast 

Have breakfast at your hotel.  

Perched along Yangtze Delta, there are a handful of water towns in the suburbs of cities with a good distance: not too far to require many hours of travel, not too close to be stuck in the traffic.  

Escape from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai by spending a half day in one of these water towns, wandering through the cobble-paved paths, visiting an old courtyard once inhabited by a wealthy merchant in old times, enjoying a leisurely gondola ride on the interwoven canals, and sipping tea in a quint tea house whilst listening to Chinese traditional musical instruments being played.  

This is Zhujiajiao, a water town within an hour drive from Shanghai. 50 Moganshan Lu, locally known as M50, is Shanghai's most famous "gallery district," home to over 50 gallery spaces in Shanghai, and offers a cross-section of emerging Shanghainese and Chinese artists, working in a wide range of styles and mediums. It is good for a few hours stroll and stop in a café to rest your tiring feet.  

The evening comes with the last excitement before you conclude your trip in Shanghai. Watch an exhilarating acrobatic show. (currently only available on Fri, Sat and Sun)  

Accommodations: Jinjiang Tower Shanghai 5* 

Meals: Breakfast 

Have breakfast at your hotel before departing mainland China. 

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Hong Kong (itineary coming!) 

Meals: Breakfast 

Grand Park Hotel 4* 

Grand Park Xi'an is located in the South Gate Square of the ancient city of Xi'an. Its ancient buildings echo the Ming city wall. The spacious and bright patio hall fully embodies the magnificent and harmonious beauty of the ancient capital. It combines the modern sense of comfort and luxury with the long history of urban culture, and has more than 300 exquisite guest rooms. 

Buddha Zen Hotel 4* 

Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu is located in the Manjusri square scenic spot within the first ring road, close to Tianfu Square, Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street and Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, surrounded by Manjusri courtyard, one of the eight jungles in China and other tourist attractions, with convenient transportation and fast travel.  

Holiday Inn Resort Mengding Mountain 4* 

Conveniently located at the visitor center of Mengding Mountain Scenic Zone and 128 km from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, we are close to attractions like Tiangai Temple Sight view point, Bifengxia Scenic Zone and Panda Base in 18km, and Tea Horse trading ancient city in 11km to taste the local flavors. Travel easily to other cities with the bullet train station in 23km or readily available taxis in the neighborhood. Holiday Inn Resort Mengding Mountain guestrooms all feature both firm and soft pillows to ensure you a good night’s sleep and high-speed Internet access to keep you connected. 

Crowne Plaza Duijiangyan 5* 

Welcome to Crowne Plaza Dujiangyan! Known as the "water DuJiangweir, asked Qingcheng Mountain" reputation, as one of the world's few "three heritage city", world natural heritage, world cultural Heritage, the world capital River Weir, the world irrigation project heritage! Crowne Plaza Dujiangyan with a comfortable residential atmosphere, a complete range of dining, conference and fitness and entertainment facilities, hot spring resort facilities, become your business travel or leisure vacation ideal choice. 

Maoxian County Mingyu Yashe Hotel Local 4* 

The Mingyu Yashe Hotel provides a great place for travelers to relax after a busy day. Maoxian Railway Station is the closest major transportation option, approximately 20km away. This hotel is located near many of Mao County's attractions including the Ancient Qiang City of China and Pingtouzhainuo Culture Square. In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families. 

Jinjiang Tower Shanghai 5* 

Jin Jiang Tower Shanghai is located in the bustling commercial center of Huaihai Road, with convenient transportation, and the old Shanghai charm of line 13 across the street. The hotel has received more than 360 heads of state and celebrities, and is favored by guests at home and abroad. Feel the charm of the East and experience the fashion of China. Welcome to new Jinjiang! 

Carbon Removal: According to the State of Global Carbon Dioxide Removal Report by University of Oxford, natural methods of removing carbon from the atmosphere are not enough by themselves due to the amount of pollution currently in the atmosphere. Innovations in removing and permanently storing carbon emissions are needed to conserve nature and reverse the course toward further climate change. 

Tomorrow’s Air: Global Family Travels is passionate about encouraging tourism that is not only sustainable but regenerative. To help with our mission, we seek to partner with like-minded brands such as Tomorrow’s Air, which operates within the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).   

Tomorrow’s Air is a collective of carbon removal innovators that work to permanently remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. Travel is a large contributor to global emissions, and we feel it is important to educate and empower travelers to support efforts that combat climate change! Therefore, as of January 2024, Global Family Travels will include a $25 contribution to Tomorrow’s Air into every trip. Clients may opt out of the $25 donation by emailing us to request its removal from your invoice.