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The Xi'an City Wall and its gate towers

Sample Itineraries

China with Kids: 7 Days, Beijing + Xi'an

A family journey combining imperial landmarks in Beijing with hands-on activities, walking the Great Wall ramparts, and cycling along Xi'an's ancient fortifications.

Duration
6 nights / 7 days
Pace
Moderate (2 of 4)
Cities
Beijing → Xi'an
Best for
Families with children aged about 5 to 13

Who this route is for

Designed for families travelling with school-age children who want classic historical highlights paced alongside active, tactile experiences. Mornings focus on major sights like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, while afternoons leave room for park kite flying, City Wall cycling and quiet downtime before dinner, with a hands-on dumpling-making class in Xi'an. Intercity travel relies on daytime high-speed rail rather than domestic flights to keep station logistics easy for younger travellers.

Reference prices

Price checked: 29 October 2026

Independent
From $1,900per person
Private Guided
From $3,000per person

Reference prices for 2027 trips · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included

Season, hotel level and group size change the price; your consultant quotes the exact trip.

Compare what each level includes

The route

Map of China, including Taiwan and the South China Sea islands, with this route's cities
  1. 1. Beijing3 nights
  2. 2. Xi'an3 nights
Based on the Ministry of Natural Resources standard map (GS(2019)1675).
  1. High-speed rail

Day by day

  1. 01

    Arrive in Beijing

    Beijing

    Morning

    Land at Beijing Capital or Daxing airport and meet your driver for a private car transfer with child seats to your hotel.

    Afternoon

    Unpack and settle in, taking a gentle stroll around the immediate neighbourhood to stretch your legs after the flight.

    Evening

    An unhurried early dinner near the hotel featuring mild northern dishes, followed by an early night to adjust to the time zone.

  2. 02

    Forbidden City and park kite flying

    Beijing

    Morning

    Explore the central courtyards of the Forbidden City at an easy pace, with timed entry tickets booked ahead with passports.

    Afternoon

    A short kite-flying outing on open lawns at a Beijing park, arranged by your specialist; a kite is provided and kite rules are confirmed in advance.

    Evening

    Dinner at a family-friendly courtyard restaurant in the hutongs, sampling Beijing-style noodles and pancakes.

  3. 03

    Mutianyu Great Wall and hutong lanes

    Beijing

    Morning

    Drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall by private car with child seats, riding the cable car up to explore the stone watchtowers on foot.

    Afternoon

    Descend by cable car or toboggan and return to the city for a quiet rest at the hotel to recover from the climb.

    Evening

    A relaxed evening walk through the nearby hutong alleyways, dropping into small bakeries and local neighbourhood shops.

  4. 04

    High-speed rail to Xi'an

    Xi'an

    Morning

    Board a morning high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North for the ride across the plains.

    Afternoon

    Arrive in Xi'an and take a private car with child seats to your hotel, leaving time to unpack and relax.

    Evening

    Wander the lively pedestrian lanes of the Muslim Quarter to sample hand-stretched noodles, persimmon cakes, and freshly pressed fruit juices.

  5. 05

    The Terracotta Army

    Xi'an

    Morning

    Travel to the Terracotta Army excavation pits by private car with child seats, arriving early to view the clay soldiers and bronze chariots.

    Afternoon

    Return to the city for a restorative afternoon rest, quiet reading time, or downtime at the hotel.

    Evening

    Dinner at an unhurried local Shaanxi restaurant with simple dumpling and noodle choices that suit younger palates.

  6. 06

    Dumpling cooking and City Wall ride

    Xi'an

    Morning

    A hands-on dumpling-making class arranged for your family, where children roll dough, fill wrappers and pleat the dumplings.

    Afternoon

    Rent bikes to cycle along the wide, paved ramparts of the ancient Xi'an City Wall (bike sizes for children are confirmed in advance).

    Evening

    A farewell dinner featuring regional specialties, followed by an evening walk to see the illuminated gate towers at the South Gate.

  7. 07

    Depart Xi'an

    Xi'an

    Morning

    Pack at an easy pace and check out of your hotel after breakfast.

    Afternoon

    Take a private car transfer with child seats to Xi'an Xianyang airport for your flight home.

    Evening

    Board your onward flight home.

Reference prices for 2027 trips

Two ways to take this route.

Your final price depends on hotels, car arrangements and what you ask for — usually a little above this, sometimes more.

Independent

From $1,900

per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included

Guide
No full-time guide; add a guide for set times or sights
Car
On request
Plan it as Independent

Private Guided

From $3,000

per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included

Guide
English-speaking private guide throughout
Car
Private car throughout
Plan it as Private Guided

Included on both

  • Hotels selected by us, confirmed by you, usually with breakfast
  • Transport inside China: high-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers, including 12306 handling
  • Entrance tickets for the sights in your itinerary
  • Restaurant bookings made ahead where China requires it
  • 24h WhatsApp / WeChat support while you travel, plus the LocalKey app

Not included

  • International flights — we can book them on request, quoted separately
  • Visa fees — many passports can enter China visa-free. Check your passport
  • Personal spending and shopping
  • Travel insurance

Tipping is not customary in China. There are no tips in your price, and you do not need to tip anyone who looks after you during your trip.

Make it yours

Keep the shape. Change the details.

Every sample here can be shortened, stretched, or rebuilt around what you care about.

Start planning

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