Ancient China: Beijing to Chengdu

Arrive in Beijing at any time. Settle into your hotel and then head out for an initial walk to get your bearings. The area around most central hotels is dense with restaurants, shops, and services like ATMs. A short exploration is enough for the first day; the real sightseeing starts tomorrow.

The day starts with two of Beijing's monumental sites: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Expect crowds and significant walking to cover the grounds of the former imperial palace, which served as the heart of Chinese power for 500 years. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Options include getting lost in the city's historic hutongs (narrow alleys), or taking the metro to visit the Temple of Heaven, the Drum and Bell Towers, or the sprawling Summer Palace.

A full day dedicated to the Great Wall. The journey north from Beijing to the Mutianyu section takes about two and a half hours. This well-preserved segment winds across forested ridges, offering classic views from its 22 watchtowers. Plan for a 5km walk along the ramparts, which takes 2-3 hours depending on your pace. The return drive to Beijing gets you to the station in time for the overnight train south to Xi'an, a 1200km journey.

Arrive in Xi'an by train in the morning. After checking into a hotel, the first stop is the city's vibrant Muslim Quarter. It's a dense network of streets centered around the Great Mosque, packed with food stalls offering some of the best street food in China. The rest of the day is open. A popular option is to rent a bike and cycle the full circuit of the ancient Ming-dynasty city walls for a unique perspective on the old city.

Today is for the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The site, located outside Xi'an, consists of three main pits containing over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang. A half-day is needed to take in the scale of the army. Lunch can be found at a local family-run restaurant near the museum, offering home-cooked regional dishes. The afternoon is free to continue exploring Xi'an.

A late morning bullet train connects Xi'an to Chengdu in about four hours, a fast-paced transition from ancient history to modern Sichuan province. After arriving and settling in, an initial walk helps with orientation. Chengdu's signature dish is Sichuan hotpot, a communal meal where you cook meats, vegetables, and tofu in a bubbling, partitioned pot of broth—one side numbingly spicy, the other mild. It's a foundational local experience.

The final day begins with a morning visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The facility is a key center for conservation, and it's the best place to see both giant pandas and the lesser-known red panda. The animals are most active in the morning. The trip concludes upon return to Chengdu in the afternoon, leaving time to catch an onward flight or train.