14-day Panda Volunteer & Travel
Pandas, Warriors & Temples（Private Tour）
Embark on a 14-day cultural adventure through the heart of China, exploring its ancient wonders, spiritual heritage, and lovable wildlife. From volunteering with giant pandas in the serene hills of Chengdu to standing before the mighty Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and from discovering the martial arts legacy of the Shaolin Temple to hiking along the Great Wall under the stars, this journey is packed with unforgettable highlights. Wander through vibrant markets, historic hutongs, and imperial palaces as you uncover the soul of China with expert local guides. Designed for first-time visitors and curious explorers, this immersive itinerary offers a perfect balance of hands-on experiences, iconic sights, and meaningful encounters.
📅 Recommended Duration: 14 Days 13 Nights (Flexible)
🎯 Ideal For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, culture seekers, and adventurous travelers
🚄 Transportation: Private airport pick-up/drop-off, high-speed train tickets, and private car service
🍽 Meals: 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 6 dinners
💼 Highlights: Panda Volunteer Program, Terracotta Army, Shaolin Temple, Great Wall Camping, Forbidden City
Highlights
Itinerary Overview
Our standard itineraries are for reference only — just let us know your preferences in the form, and our travel experts will customize a trip just for you!
Welcome to Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan Province! Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy your first evening at leisure.
🛏 Accommodation: 4★ Hotel in Chengdu
🍽 Meals: None
Chengdu Panda Base – People’s Park – Jinli Ancient Street
- Morning: Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and observe pandas during their active morning hours.
- Afternoon: Relax at People’s Park with a cup of traditional tea. Explore Jinli Street for snacks, souvenirs, and local life.
🥢 Dinner: Try Sichuan Hotpot at a local favorite (self-arranged)
🛏 Accommodation: Chengdu
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Self-arranged
Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Program
- Full Day: Travel to Dujiangyan Panda Conservation Center. Put on your volunteer uniform and help clean enclosures, prepare panda food, and learn about conservation efforts.
- Afternoon: Receive a Panda Volunteer Certificate!
🥢 Dinner: Optional local-style group dinner
🛏 Accommodation: Chengdu
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Free Morning + High-Speed Train to Xi’an
- Morning: Free time – optional activities include a Sichuan cooking class or a calligraphy workshop.
- Afternoon: Transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Xi’an (~4 hrs). Meet your local guide on arrival.
🥢 Dinner: Welcome dinner in Xi’an featuring Shaanxi-style noodles
🛏 Accommodation: Xi’an
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Lunch: Self-arranged
Terracotta Army – Huaqing Palace – Great Tang All Day Mall
- Morning: Explore the incredible Terracotta Warriors and learn about China’s first emperor.
- Afternoon: Visit Huaqing Palace and soak in historical scenery. Evening stroll at the vibrant Tang Dynasty-themed Great Tang All Day Mall.
🥢 Dinner: Dumpling banquet and optional Tang Dynasty music & dance show
🛏 Accommodation: Xi’an
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient City Wall – Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Muslim Quarter
- Morning: Cycle or walk along Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall.
- Afternoon: Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and explore the bustling Muslim Quarter for street food and souvenirs.
🥢 Dinner: Try Roujiamo (Chinese burger) and Yangrou Paomo (lamb soup) – self-arranged
🛏 Accommodation: Xi’an
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Self-arranged
High-Speed Train to Luoyang – Transfer to Shaolin Temple Area
- Morning: Take a high-speed train to Luoyang (~1.5 hrs), then private transfer to Dengfeng, home of the legendary Shaolin Temple.
- Afternoon: Free time to explore surroundings or relax in the mountain hotel.
🥢 Dinner: Group dinner with local specialties
🛏 Accommodation: Dengfeng (near Shaolin Temple)
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Lunch: Self-arranged
Shaolin Temple – Kung Fu Show – Pagoda Forest
- Morning: Visit the Shaolin Temple and watch a live Kung Fu performance by warrior monks.
- Afternoon: Stroll through the Pagoda Forest and explore the peaceful mountain scenery.
🥢 Dinner: Optional vegetarian meal at a temple guesthouse
🛏 Accommodation: Dengfeng
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Optional/Self-arranged
Transfer to Zhengzhou – High-Speed Train to Beijing
- Morning: Transfer to Zhengzhou East Station and board a high-speed train to Beijing (~3 hrs).
- Afternoon: Arrival and transfer to hotel. Optional evening walk around Wangfujing Street.
🥢 Dinner: Self-arranged (recommendations: Beijing Zhajiang Noodles or duck skewers at night market)
🛏 Accommodation: Beijing
🍽 Meals: Breakfast | Lunch/Dinner: Self-arranged
Forbidden City – Tiananmen Square – Jingshan Park – Hutong Tour
- Morning: Discover China’s imperial history at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Climb Jingshan Park for a panoramic view.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a rickshaw tour through traditional hutongs and visit a local family home.
🥢 Dinner: Optional Peking Duck dinner at Quanjude or Da Dong
🛏 Accommodation: Beijing
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Temple of Heaven – Summer Palace
- Morning: Visit the Temple of Heaven, where locals practice Tai Chi.
- Afternoon: Explore the scenic Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Qing Dynasty garden architecture.
🥢 Dinner: Free time – optional lakeside dining
🛏 Accommodation: Beijing
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Dinner: Optional/Self-arranged
Great Wall Adventure & Camping (Mutianyu or Jinshanling Section)
- Morning: Drive to the Mutianyu or Jinshanling section of the Great Wall. Enjoy a scenic hike.
- Evening: Camp overnight on or near the Wall under the stars (equipment included).
🥢 Dinner: Campfire dinner with local ingredients
🛏 Accommodation: Tent on the Great Wall
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Great Wall Sunrise – Return to Beijing – Free Afternoon
- Morning: Watch the sunrise over the Wall before heading back to Beijing.
- Afternoon: Free time for shopping, tea tasting, or visiting 798 Art District.
🥢 Dinner: Farewell group dinner at a modern Chinese fusion restaurant
🛏 Accommodation: Beijing
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Lunch: Self-arranged
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
🛫 We hope you had an unforgettable adventure in China!
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
Value-added Services
Where You’ll Stay
Standard Accommodation
You’ll stay in carefully selected 4-star hotels offering a comfortable blend of modern convenience and warm hospitality — perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Upgrade Options
While the standard is twin-sharing rooms in 4-star hotels, you can easily upgrade to single rooms or opt for 5-star hotels or preferred properties to suit your tastes and preferences.
Unique Traditional Stays
In select destinations, enjoy a night or two in charming boutique guesthouses featuring traditional Chinese architecture and local character, for a truly immersive experience.
Tour Testimonials
A perfect mix of nature, culture, and history.
Volunteering near the pandas was such a meaningful experience, and the views from the Great Wall at sunset took my breath away. Every stop was well-planned, and our guide was both knowledgeable and fun. I felt like I really experienced China, not just saw it.
— James Taylor, 2 May 2024
Incredible journey — smooth, authentic, unforgettable.
From the ancient streets of Xi’an to the Shaolin monks’ performance, every day brought something unique. The itinerary was well-paced, the food was amazing, and traveling by bullet train was super easy with everything arranged.
— Lena Müller, 17 April 2024
Best travel experience I’ve had in years.
The panda base visit in Dujiangyan was a dream come true, and learning Tai Chi in a Beijing park was such a cool cultural touch. Loved the flexibility of a private tour and how everything ran so smoothly behind the scenes.
— Ethan Parker, 28 March 2025
Photo Highlights
Useful Information
At Travel China, we believe your journey should be as unique as you are. Our itineraries are here to inspire—but every trip can be fully customized to match your interests, pace, and preferences. Simply share your ideas with us through the form, and our travel experts will craft a tailor-made adventure just for you, along with a personalized quote.
All our tours can be adjusted to suit your needs—whether it’s adding destinations, changing pace, or tailoring experiences. Just tell us what you have in mind!
A small deposit of just 10% per person confirms your booking and secures your hotels, tickets, and private transport. The remaining balance is paid upon your arrival in China.
A visa is required for travel to mainland China. We recommend applying at least two months in advance.
Ages 14–70 must apply in person at a Visa Application Center.
Ages 13 and under / 71 and over can apply online.
We’ll provide you with the necessary documents and guidance to make the process smooth and easy.
Comfortable private cars are arranged within cities. For intercity travel, we use China’s efficient high-speed trains or domestic flights. Please note: lighters and aerosols are not allowed on trains or planes.
The local currency is the Renminbi (RMB / CNY / Yuan). We suggest exchanging money before departure. US dollars are also commonly accepted. Credit cards work in most hotels and malls, but small shops may only accept cash. ATMs are widely available.
Hotels may require a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in.
You’ll be warmly greeted by your local guide upon arrival. Throughout your trip, a knowledgeable local guide will accompany you in each city to offer expert insight and support.
We handpick hotels for comfort, location, and character—typically at a 4-star standard. Ratings may differ from international norms, but we inspect all our partner properties regularly to ensure quality. All rooms come with private bathrooms.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Unlike the western world, Chinese people do not normally pre-heat their plates and food can be presented at a variety of temperatures, which is a typical Chinese way of doing things.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels.
If your visit falls during a major Chinese holiday, such as Chinese New Year (Jan–Feb) or Golden Week (May 1–3 & Oct 1–7), note that transportation may be busier and attractions more crowded. Shops may close temporarily, but scenic sites remain open.
