7-Day Journey from Chang'an into Shu | Trace the Origins of Huaxia Civilization · Dialogue with Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors · Savor Bashu (Sichuan) Life
Travel from Chang'an to the Bashu region, traversing the northern and southern sides of the Qinling Mountains to encounter two distinct Chinese cultural temperaments. This 7-day itinerary links the Terracotta Army, the Ancient Shu Road, giant pandas, Mount Qingcheng, and Chengdu’s traditional teahouses. With hands-on intangible cultural heritage experiences, local gourmet specialties, and conversations with heritage inheritors, you will gain a deeper understanding of how the mountains and rivers have shaped civilization and everyday life.
Design Concept
Product Highlights
One Mountain, Two Realms | Heading south along the Qinling Mountains from north to south, the color of the land, the humidity of the air, the flavors on the table, and the pace of the city all shift as you travel; this is not a simple patchwork of two famous cities, but a journey to witness how the distinct characters of northern and southern China are formed.
Ancient Shu Road Trek | Walk from Qingliang Village to Lanmaqiang, tracing the ruts left by ancient carriages and the hoofprints of horses on bluestone roads shaded by centuries-old cypresses; take an easy trek to personally walk the thousand-year-old passage connecting Chang'an and the Bashu region, letting history leap off the page and under your feet.
Icons of China | From the terracotta army's thousand-year military formation, to the vibrant lives of giant pandas and red pandas, then into the daily life of Chengdu's Kuanzhai Alley; the familiar Chinese symbols will no longer just be frozen in photos, but become real, tangible sites you can step into, experience, and understand.
TOFU, All Forms | The tofu you know may be nothing more than mapo tofu. This time, we head to Jianmen to see every possible form tofu can take: pan-fried, deep-fried, braised, and stewed, silky and tender or crispy and crunchy; a single ordinary ingredient can be transformed into a sumptuous feast.
KUNG FU, Beyond Panda | Kung fu is not just a figment of panda-related imagination. Head to Mount Qingcheng, the ancestral home of Taoism, visit a successor of the Qingcheng Sect, and learn breathing, movement, and tai chi drawing on over 2,000 years of Taoist wisdom, personally experiencing the composure and power of Eastern martial arts.
Living Culture | From terracotta warrior restoration and Tang-style pastry making, to Sichuan opera costume changes and long-spouted teapot tea art; through observation, hands-on practice, and meeting with cultural inheritors, history and craft will move out of display cases and off the stage into real, tangible experiences.
A Taste of China | From grand Qin dynasty ceremonial feasts and Guanzhong regional flavors, to Jianmen tofu feasts, Chengdu hot pot, and snack feasts, then finish a dish yourself in a Sichuan cuisine cooking class; taste becomes another language to understand history, regional culture, and the Chinese way of life.
Detailed Itinerary
Pricing
Inclusions
【Transportation】Business-class vehicle for the entire trip (driven by a locally licensed driver) + second-class high-speed rail ticket from Xi'an to Jianmenguan + shuttle and sightseeing buses for all scenic spots. 【Accommodation】6 nights at designated hotels with breakfast included: 3 nights at Grand Hyatt Xi'an, 1 night at Jian'ge Jianmenguan Tianci Hot Spring Resort Hotel, 2 nights at Hilton Canopy Chengdu (Chunxi Road Taikoo Li branch). 【Dining】6 breakfasts and 6 dinners included (see daily meal plan for details; dinners on D1/D2/D3 are self-funded, as noted). 【Experiences】Premium expert-guided tour of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Army), Terracotta Warrior restoration observation and hands-on workshop, visit to the Tang West Market Museum, hands-on Tang guozi (traditional Tang dynasty confection) making, Xiaonanmen Morning Market visit, bicycle ride on the Xi'an City Wall, *Jiujiu Da Qin* live-action performance, light hike along the Ancient Shu Road · Jinniu Ancient Trail, visit to Jianmenguan Pass, Jianmenguan Tofu Banquet, visit to the Mianyang Panda Base, Sichuan cuisine cooking class, Sichuan opera face-changing performance + traditional opera costume try-on, tai chi session on Mount Qingcheng, long-spouted pot tea art experience at Heming Tea House (all material costs included). 【Staff】Experienced English-speaking tour guide accompanying the group throughout (the business vehicle is driven by a locally licensed driver); if you require guides speaking other languages such as French, Spanish, Japanese, etc., please notify us in advance when booking. 【Insurance】Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance. 【Other】All entrance tickets for scenic spots, mandatory in-site transportation at all attractions, daily drinking water. All-inclusive declaration: All mandatory in-site transportation at scenic spots (sightseeing buses, cable cars, cruise ships, in-park shuttles, etc.) required for the itinerary are fully included in the package, with no extra charges throughout the trip.
Exclusions
International round-trip airfare and visa fees (to be borne by the guest). Personal expenses: single room supplement, excess baggage fees, alcoholic beverages, shopping, etc. Meals not specified in the itinerary (e.g., dinners on D1/D2/D3 are at guests' own expense). Additional expenses incurred due to force majeure. Voluntary tips (not mandatory).
Notices & Booking Info
Notices
1. This is a premium small-group tour, with 1–16 guests per group and 100% no shopping stops. 2. We recommend booking at least 7 days in advance to secure high-speed rail tickets, VIP access, and spots for intangible cultural heritage experiences. 3. Xi'an (Xianyang International Airport) and Chengdu (Tianfu/Shuangliu International Airport) are both 240-hour transit visa-free ports in China; guests from countries ineligible for this visa-free transit policy must apply for a Chinese tourist visa in advance (all associated costs are borne by the guest). 4. Recommended flights: Arrive in Xi'an before 14:00 for your outbound journey; return flights can be arranged flexibly based on the schedule of Day 7 of the itinerary. 5. Special notes for specific travelers: Qingcheng Mountain has an elevation of up to 1,260 meters and features many steps; travelers with cardiopulmonary conditions or limited mobility are advised to select this tour with caution. Day 4 is a long-distance travel day involving high-speed rail and connecting transport, so it is recommended to bring a neck pillow and a power bank.
Booking & Cancellation
Cancellation Policy (fixed tiered rates): 10% cancellation fee applies for cancellations 30–45 days before departure; 30% fee for cancellations 15–29 days in advance; 50% fee for cancellations 7–14 days before departure; 100% fee for cancellations within 7 days of departure. Insurance & Qualifications: Includes travel agency liability insurance, licensed guides and drivers, with fully legal and compliant operations throughout the journey. Risk Notification: Mount Qingcheng reaches an elevation of 1260 meters and has a large number of steps. Travelers with cardiopulmonary conditions or limited mobility are advised to choose this itinerary with caution. Weather in mountainous areas is changeable, so please bring a warm jacket and non-slip shoes. Day 4 is a long-distance travel day, please pack a neck pillow. Alternative Plan (Plan B): If the Mianyang Panda Base is inaccessible due to visitor capacity limits, it will be replaced with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System or the Jinsha Site Museum; if Mount Qingcheng is closed due to bad weather, it will be replaced with the Du Fu Thatched Cottage and the Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum. Visa Exemption Notice: Both Xi'an (Xianyang International Airport) and Chengdu (Tianfu/Shuangliu International Airport) are designated 240-hour transit visa exemption ports in China. Foreign nationals holding passports from eligible countries who enter China via one visa exemption port and depart from another within 240 hours are eligible for visa-free stay; travelers from non-eligible countries must apply for a Chinese tourist visa in advance, and all visa fees are the responsibility of the traveler.
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