China Family Adventure

Upon arrival in Chengdu, head to our hotel to check in and rest after the long journey.

Gather with fellow travelers this morning for a welcome introduction and breakfast before embarking on a visit of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage grounds, where we will learn about the famous Tang Dynasty poet and enjoy the picturesque gardens. After a tasty lunch of noodles and dumplings, visit Wenshu Monastery and wander the Jinli District on foot exploring the period architecture, specialty shops, and local market. Return to the hotel for dinner before setting out for a cultural show featuring traditional musical performances, including a segment of Sichuan opera in full costume.

Visit the Chengdu Panda Research Institute this morning to see these cuddly creatures up close, and learn about the institute’s efforts to increase and strengthen the population of greater pandas and lesser pandas. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Dali. Upon arrival, check into our accommodations, a charming cultural exchange center and boutique hotel founded by a Stanford alum.

This lovingly restored historic mansion complex is located on the outskirts of an undeveloped rural village, among peaceful rice fields. The setting is beautiful and the building itself is fascinating, and the centre offers many activities that introduce guests to Chinese culture in different ways. This morning, take a horse cart ride along the lake shore of Dali. Next enjoy an excursion to a local market with stops at noodle and cheese workshops, followed by a dumpling making class. After lunch, learn about local Bai textile handicrafts as we use indigo to practice tie-dying techniques. This evening, take in a performance of Bai music and dance.

Embark on a morning excursion to Luoma Lake’s hilly slopes to learn about local tea farming and production and even pick our own tea leaves! Afterward, head into Dali’s Old Town to walk the cobblestone streets and view Ming-era stone walls and gate towers. After lunch at a local restaurant there is free time to explore and take in the town’s traditional architecture and tea shops.

After a morning flight to Xi’an, visit the Han Yangling Museum and see the Great Mosque, which has served the city’s Muslim community for nearly 1,300 years. Dinner this evening is a banquet of dumplings at the famous Da Fa Chang Restaurant.

This morning, adults tour the Shaanxi History Museum to view rare Chinese treasures spanning millennia, while young explorers take a visit to the Xi’an City Wall—and even take a bike ride on top! Built in the 2nd century BCE, the city walls of Xi’an are among the oldest and best-preserved in all of China. Later, gaze in awe at the life-size terra-cotta warriors during a visit to the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor to unite China.

Depart on a morning flight to Beijing, then travel outside of the city to Mutianyu, which is the location of one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. Spend one night in this small town, in a former glazed tile factory that has been reimagined as a charming hotel, located in the shadow of the Great Wall.

The location of our accommodations allows us to beat the crowds this morning as we ascend the Great Wall by climb or by gondola. After strolling this remarkable UNESCO world heritage site, we have a chance to take an exciting sled ride back down. Afterward, admire the fun and mystical animal statues along the Spirit Way in transit to the Ming Tombs. Return to Beijing late this afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Walk through the expansive Temple of Heaven, whose highlight is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, built without a single nail. After a free afternoon, gather for an awe-inspiring kung fu performance this evening.

Explore the wondrous Forbidden City complex, former home to 24 emperors. Gather this evening for a farewell celebration and dinner of Peking duck.

Transfer to the airport for flights returning home.