BEIJING, XIAN, CHENGDU AND SHANGHAI
Like a greatest hits album, our Best of China tour stands as a smarTours® classic. We carefully curated our attractively priced four-city itinerary to capture both ancient and modern China. You won’t miss a beat as you sample the architectural treasures of Beijing and discover the astonishing Terracotta Army in Xian. You’ll fall in love with the giant pandas in Chengdu and be fascinated by Shanghai, the Paris of the East. From the Great Wall to Yu Yuan Garden, China is a must-see, and our guides will spin a fascinating narrative about its history, culture and way of life as you experience this sweeping, storied destination.
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our Before You Depart section.
Did you know that you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 3 nights in Beijing
- 2 nights in Xian
- 2 nights in Chengdu
- 3 nights in Shanghai
Tour
Highlights
- Tiananmen Square (Beijing)
- Forbidden City (Beijing)
- Summer Palace (Beijing)
- Great Wall (Beijing)
- Terracotta Army (Xian)
- Tang Art Museum (Xian)
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Jinli Street (Chengdu)
- The Bund (Shanghai)
- Yu Yuan Garden (Shanghai)
- Suzhou Excursion (Shanghai)
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or New York (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All intra-China flights and ground transportation
- Accommodation at deluxe and first-class hotels
- 17 meals: 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Sightseeing tours as described in itinerary
- English-speaking Tour Director and local guides
Tour Itinerary
Map
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Day 1: Depart from the U.S.
Day 2: Arrive in Beijing
Day 3: Beijing
Day 4: Beijing
Day 5: Beijing/Xian
Day 6: Xian & Terracotta Army
Day 7: Xian/Chengdu
Day 8: Chengdu
Day 9: Chengdu/Shanghai
Day 10: Shanghai
Day 11: Shanghai/Optional Suzhou Excursion
Day 12: Shanghai/U.S.
Guided Tour Pricing
We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form linked below and we will notify you once dates are available.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Full-Day Hutong (Old Beijing) & Temple of Heaven Tour with Lunch
Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show
Afternoon Shanghai Tower and Jade Buddha Temple Tour with Lunch
Chinese Dinner and Shanghai Acrobats Performance
Full-Day Suzhou Excursion with Lunch
Featured Accommodations
Capital Hotel
Grand Mercure Xian Renmin Square
Tibet Hotel Chengdu
Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Please note destination entry requirements are changing rapidly. smarTours will communicate entry requirements in your Tour Documents 10-14 days prior to departure. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (China)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (China)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your departure flights from the U.S. and back are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend you arrive no later than three-and-a-half hours before your scheduled departure time.
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting domestic flight. We recommend at least three-and-a-half hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
| Departure Date | Airline | LAX | JFK | ||
| Depart | Return | Depart | Return | ||
| 2022: All Dates | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
Air China does not assign seats in advance. Seat assignments can only be arranged at the airport upon check-in, and smarTours is not involved with assigning seats. If you have a preferred seating choice, please make sure you check-in for your flight as early as possible.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at Beijing hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Land-only services end after breakfast at Shanghai hotel on Day 12 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Please note that smarTours will provide the invitation letters for the specific dates of our tour. If you plan on arriving earlier or staying in the country after the end of our tour, you will be responsible for securing your own invitation letter for the extra time spent in the country.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travel to China requires a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. American citizens require a visa to enter China. Non-U.S. citizens should check with their respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Passengers traveling to China need to have individual visas stamped in their passports. To obtain an individual visa for China, please follow one of the following:
If you prefer to apply for your visa directly with the Chinese Consulate, you will have to apply in person. Chinese Consulates do not accept mailed-in visa applications. Please contact the Chinese Consulate nearest your area for visa requirements and application forms and fees.
If you do not reside close to a consulate, we suggest that you use a visa service to facilitate the processing of the visa. We recommend using CIBT. Please use the following link to download instructions and forms at http://www.cibt.com/home.aspx?Login=50002.
If you do not have access to a computer, and you are not able to apply for your visa in person, please contact CIBT to have a form mailed to you. If you plan to use the services of CIBT and have any questions regarding the application, please call them directly at 800-406-1523.
We recommend that you apply for the visa in person or through CIBT, at least 45-50 days before your scheduled departure to China. If you apply earlier, your visa may expire by the time you are scheduled to take your trip!
PLEASE NOTE: An invitation letter addressed to the Chinese Consulate will be e-mailed to you approximately 50 days prior to your departure date. This invitation letter will include the addresses and telephone numbers of the hotels and land operator in China. You will need to print this invitation and present it with your China visa application. When you send us your final payment, please make sure you provide us with your correct e-mail address on your tour registration form. Also, please note that visa procedures may change at any time. You should check directly with the consulate, or if using CIBT online at www.cibt.com, for the most up-to-date instructions before submitting your paperwork. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets, along with final instructions and additional travel tips, will be sent to you 7–10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required. However, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local public health authorities as to their suggestions.
CLIMATE
Expect temperatures averaging in the 30s and 40s in December, January and February; 50s and 60s in March and November; 60s and 70s in April, May, September and October; and 80s in June through August.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
The hotels on this tour offer dining choices ranging from coffee shops to specialty restaurants. Average cost for dinner (excluding drinks) at a coffee shop is about $15–$20 per perosn. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) max. 44 pounds, and one carry-on not exceeding 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not overpack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.