Beijing & Southwest China Adventure

Day 1 — Xi’an (arrival + evening food walk) - Check in + easy reset - Evening: street-food crawl in the Xi'an Muslim Dasi Residential Quarter - Try: roujiamo, liangpi, yangrou paomo (pick 2–3, not everything at once)

Budget note: Xi’an is excellent value—keep meals to street food + casual local spots.

• Check in + rest
• Evening: head to the Xi'an Muslim Dasi Residential Quarter for affordable specialty snacks
• Early night (big sightseeing tomorrow)

Food to try (Xi’an specialties / must-eats) - Muslim Quarter staples: roujiamo (meat sandwich), liangpi (cold noodles), yangrou paomo (lamb broth + torn flatbread) - Night snack strategy: eat small portions so you can try more - Go to: Xi'an Muslim Dasi Residential Quarter

Food notes (no beef / no shellfish friendly) - In the Muslim Quarter, skip beef skewers; prioritize lamb, chicken, and vegetarian snacks - Ask for  no beef () and  no shellfish () - Consider adding a second food stop at Yongxingfang for more snack variety in one place

Day 2 — Xi’an (Terracotta Warriors + city evening) - Morning/early afternoon: Terracotta Warriors at Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum - Late afternoon: back in the city for a relaxed dinner - Evening: optional second lap of snacks in the Muslim Quarter (only if you still have energy)

• Terracotta Warriors visit at Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
• Keep the evening flexible: rest, laundry, or casual neighborhood dinner

Day 3 — Xi’an (cycle/walk the City Wall) - Morning: cycle or walk the Fortifications of Xi'an - Afternoon: chill café time + shopping for small gifts - Evening: dumplings/biangbiang noodles for an easy, affordable dinner

• City Wall time at Fortifications of Xi'an
• Keep this day lighter so your group is fresh for Huashan tomorrow

Hotpot night (Xian) - Add a hotpot dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot - Order a split pot (mild + spicy) and load up on: lamb, chicken, tofu, mushrooms, leafy greens - Avoid beef and shellfish; staff can usually guide you to safe broths/ingredients

Day 4 — Xi’an day trip (Huashan hiking) - Full hiking day at Huashan Mountain - Plan an early start; bring gloves/layers and plenty of water - Evening: back to Xi’an for a simple recovery meal

• Go early to Huashan Mountain
• Focus on the most scenic sections; avoid over-packing (it’s a big day)

Day 5 — Xi’an → Pingyao (travel + first wall walk) - High-speed rail/travel day to Pingyao - Evening: first stroll inside the walls of Pingyao - Dinner: Shanxi noodles/dumplings (very budget-friendly)

• Travel to Pingyao, check in
• Sunset/blue-hour photos in Pingyao

Food focus (Tunxi/Huangshan) - Snack crawl on Tunxi Old Street - Look for Huizhou-style dishes like stinky mandarin fish + bamboo shoots + braised tofu (often best at simple local restaurants)

Day 6 — Pingyao (ancient city deep-dive) - Morning: walk the city walls and main streets in Pingyao - Afternoon: courtyard architecture + small museums - Evening: night-lit lanes + low-cost snacks

• Slow day in Pingyao
• Optional: add a short photoshoot/ancient costume rental here (often cheaper than big-city studios)

Day 7 — Pingyao side trip (Wang Family Courtyard) - Half/full-day to Wang Family Courtyard - Late afternoon: return to Pingyao for a relaxed dinner

• Take the side trip to Wang Family Courtyard
• Keep the evening free for packing (Beijing transfer next)

Day 8 — Pingyao → Beijing (travel + settle) - High-speed rail to Beijing - Check in/settle near your Park Hyatt base area - Light evening walk + early sleep

• Travel to Beijing
• Keep it easy tonight (tomorrow is a good day for any pre-booking/ticket confirmations)

Day 9 — Beijing buffer day (easy culture + prep) - Flexible day to rest, do laundry, and adjust - Optional: hutong stroll (keep it light and affordable) - Early night

• Buffer/rest day in Beijing
• Low-key dinner close to your hotel area

Day 10 — Beijing (final prep day before Park Hyatt check-in) - Keep it light: shopping for basics, ticket pickups, and planning tomorrow’s Forbidden City start - Optional: early night market/snack street (choose 1 area, don’t criss-cross the city)

• Pre-Beijing plan buffer day
• Pack day bag for Forbidden City (ID/passport, water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes)

Food to try (Pingyao / Shanxi) - Signature: Pingyao beef (order it sliced, cold or warm) - Also try Shanxi vinegar-forward noodles + dumplings (great budget meals)

Day 11 — Beijing (Park Hyatt) | Forbidden City core

• Check in at Park Hyatt Beijing
• Explore the main halls of Forbidden City (arrive early, expect security lines)
• Evening: relaxed dinner near your hotel; early night for the Great Wall

Food to try (Beijing) - Peking duck dinner at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant - Street breakfast: jianbing () + soy milk - Also look for zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) for an affordable classic

Day 12 — Beijing | Great Wall hiking day

• Day trip to Great Wall of China (Mutianyu-area day plan)
• Make it a hiking day: walk longer sections instead of only the cable car viewpoint
• Evening: easy dinner + rest (big steps today)

Optional hot springs add-on (Beijing) - If you want a soak after the Great Wall: consider a half-day at Jiuhua Spa (Xiaotangshan area) - Best as an evening activity on a lighter day

Day 13 — Beijing | temples + hutongs

• Morning: Temple of Heaven
• Afternoon: hutong wandering + snacks at South Luogu Lane
• Night: optional foot massage (often good value)

Day 14 — Beijing | shopping (affordable focus) + camping gear

• Start with easy mainstream shopping along Wangfujing Avenue
• Bargain/market-style shopping at Silk Street & Pearl Market (Xiushui)
• Camping run at Decathlon Siyuanqiao Branch: tent, sleeping bags, headlamps

Tip: for skincare/makeup, prioritize reputable chains/counters to reduce counterfeit risk.

Day 15 — Beijing | wrap-up + travel prep

• Morning: finish anything you missed at Forbidden City
• Afternoon: pack + confirm Chengdu transfer (flight/train)
• Evening: relaxed neighborhood dinner (low-key night before travel)

Day 16 — Chengdu (Grand Hyatt) | pandas + old lanes

• Check in at Grand Hyatt Chengdu
• Early visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (best in the morning)
• Late afternoon/evening snacks + strolling at Wide & Narrow Alley

Food to try (Chengdu) - Mapo tofu at Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant - Hotpot night + order a mix of beef, mushrooms, tofu skins, and local sides - If you like snacks, add a stroll through night markets near central shopping streets

Hotpot night (Chengdu option) - If you want a classic Chengdu hotpot meal: book/queue for Huangcheng Laoma Hot Pot - Great with: lamb slices, chicken, mushrooms, tofu skins; avoid beef/shellfish

Day 17 — Split day

• Group: travel to Chongqing + check in (Hyatt Regency Metropolitan Chongqing)
• You: fly back to SFO
• If you have time in the morning: quick Chengdu breakfast + last-minute packing

Day 18 — Chongqing | old town + night views

• Day: snack-and-stroll in Ciqikou, Chongqing
• Night: iconic riverfront lights at Chongqing Hongyadong （Northwest Gate）

Food + hot springs (Chongqing) - Evening snack-and-stroll: add local bites around Hongyadong Folk Custom Scene Area - Hot springs day option: Ronghui International Hot Spring City (easy add-on to your Chongqing days) - Must-try foods: Chongqing xiaomian (spicy noodles) + hotpot + suanla fen (sour-spicy noodles)

Hotpot night (Chongqing option) - True Chongqing vibe: go for Xiaolongkan Hot Pot Hong Ya Dong Dian - Order a split pot if anyone wants milder soup; focus on pork, chicken, mushrooms, tofu, potatoes - Avoid beef/shellfish; ask if any broths use beef tallow and choose alternatives if needed

Day 19 — Chongqing | Dazu day trip (carvings)

• Full/half-day to Dazu Rock Carvings
• Evening: hotpot (choose spice level carefully)

Day 20 — Chongqing | big nature day (hiking-friendly)

• Day trip to Wulong Kasite Tourist Area
• Focus on scenic walks + viewpoints; bring layers (weather can change)
• Return late; simple dinner + rest

Day 21 — Chongqing | flexible final day

• Easy morning: cafés, souvenirs, downtime
• Optional: revisit either Ciqikou, Chongqing or a riverside viewpoint
• Depart depending on onward plans