Beijing to Shanghai family holiday, 13 days

Planet

This tour is designed to minimise environmental impact while supporting conservation efforts across China’s cultural and natural heritage sites.
We prioritise low-carbon transport by using China’s high-speed rail network for intercity travel — including the journeys from Beijing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Chengdu — which produces significantly fewer emissions than equivalent domestic flights. Within cities, walking tours are used wherever possible, such as during explorations of Beijing’s Forbidden City area and Shanghai’s historic French Concession.
Meals feature seasonal, regional ingredients — like Sichuan peppercorns in Chengdu hotpot or locally grown wheat for dumplings in Xi’an — reducing food miles and supporting low-impact agriculture.
Entry fees to protected sites directly fund conservation: visits to Dujiangyan Panda Valley contribute to giant panda and red panda care and habitat restoration, while access to the Leshan Giant Buddha supports ongoing preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests are guided to observe wildlife respectfully — no flash photography, loud noises, or feeding.

People

This itinerary is designed to foster meaningful and respectful engagement with local communities, ensuring that tourism benefits residents directly and equitably.
Over 95% of our on-the-ground staff—including licensed guides, drivers, and activity hosts—are local Chinese nationals residing in the cities we visit. All partners adhere to national labor standards, offering fair wages and safe working conditions.
The tour actively supports small-scale entrepreneurs and family-run businesses. Guests will enjoy tea with locals in Chengdu’s People’s Park, savor street food from independent stalls in Jinli Ancient Street, and participate in hands-on cultural workshops, such as crafting Terracotta Warrior replicas in a Xi’an household or making dumplings.
In Shanghai, the experience goes beyond traditional sightseeing. Families will visit a community-run canteen (shequ shitang) where they share a meal prepared for local residents, often elderly neighbors, thus supporting vital social infrastructure. Additionally, they will explore a neighborhood history museum and engage in intergenerational conversations at the home of a retired local resident, gaining authentic insights into everyday life in modern China. These interactions are arranged with consent, respecting privacy while providing modest but direct income to participating households.
The itinerary is inclusively designed: activities can be adapted for children with varying needs, and dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, etc.) are fully accommodated.