Itinerary guide

7 Days in Xi’an & Chengdu: History and Pandas

If this is your first trip to China, this 7-day route gives you time for ancient walls and a full day for pandas. You’ll follow Xi'an → Chengdu, with arrival and departure days counted in the plan.

  • 7 days
  • 2 cities
  • Check conditions for your chosen dates
  • Moderate pace
  • 2 min read

By Alex Tan

A giant panda resting on a wooden climbing frame
AI-edited from a historical location photograph; details and usage rights await review.

Route at a glance

  1. Xi'an3 nights
  2. Chengdu3 nights
On this page

At a glance

Ideal for
First-time visitors who prefer a focused route
Travel style
Ancient walls and a full day for pandas
Best time to go
Check conditions for your chosen dates
Pace
Moderate pace
Highlights
Xi'an → Chengdu

Introduction

You don’t need to fit every nearby attraction into one trip. This route follows Xi'an → Chengdu, with 6 nights and clear space for arrival, departure and changes of base.

Ancient walls and a full day for pandas. The daily suggestions keep the focus on one or two outings rather than a long sightseeing list. Adjust optional walks to your energy, and treat travel days as travel days.

This is a planning guide rather than a booked package. Confirm connections, accommodation, opening arrangements and any reservations for your actual dates. The 7 days begin on arrival in China; international flights may need additional travel days.

Day-by-day itinerary

Xi'an

Days 1 – 3

Time for Xi'an

Use Xi'an as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 1Xi'an: Arrive and settle in

    Arrive in Xi'an and take time to settle in. Keep the rest of the day light so you can rest after the journey. Route: Arrival point to your accommodation in Xi'an Stay: Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The tower and stone base of the Bell Tower in Xi’an
    • Overnight in Xi'an

  2. Day 2Xi'an: Time with the Terracotta Army

    Make the Terracotta Army your one main visit today. You'll have room for the journey there and back without adding another large attraction. Route: Terracotta Army (Bingmayong) Stay: Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A standing terracotta figure inside a museum gallery
    • Overnight in Xi'an

  3. Day 3Xi'an: Walk the old city walls

    Spend time on Xi'an City Wall, then wander Shuyuanmen if you feel like it. Keep museums and evening shows out of this day's main plan. Route: Xi'an City Wall and Shuyuanmen Stay: Xi'an Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Flags and lanterns along Xi’an City Wall
    • Overnight in Xi'an

Chengdu

Days 4 – 7

Time for Chengdu

Use Chengdu as your base for this part of the route. The daily plan leaves space for travel and rest; arrange accommodation and any required reservations for your dates.

  1. Day 4Xi'an to Chengdu: Travel and settle in

    Travel from Xi'an to Chengdu and leave the day mainly for the journey. Settle in before deciding whether you feel like a short walk. Route: Xi'an to Chengdu Stay: Chengdu Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Grey brick courtyard walls along Kuanzhai Alley
    • Overnight in Chengdu

  2. Day 5Chengdu: Give the pandas a day

    Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Leave the afternoon free instead of combining it with a separate museum trip. Route: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Stay: Chengdu Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    A giant panda resting on a wooden climbing frame
    • Overnight in Chengdu

  3. Day 6Chengdu: Chengdu history and a short stroll

    Visit Wuhou Shrine, then walk through Jinli if you want to stay out a little longer. Du Fu Thatched Cottage can replace the shrine rather than becoming a third main stop. Route: Wuhou Shrine (Wuhouci) and Jinli Stay: Chengdu Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    The red entrance wall of Wuhou Shrine
    • Overnight in Chengdu

  4. Day 7Chengdu: Leave room for departure

    Leave Chengdu according to your onward travel plans. Keep the day clear for packing and the journey to your departure point. Route: Your accommodation to your departure point in Chengdu Tip: Check the day's reservations and transport before setting out.

    Grey brick courtyard walls along Kuanzhai Alley

    Why this route works

    • A clear route

      Follow Xi'an → Chengdu with the overnight bases listed separately, so you can see where each change of accommodation belongs.

    • Room for the journeys

      Arrival, departure and transfer days count towards the total. They are not treated as extra full sightseeing days.

    • A focused daily plan

      Give the main outing time, then decide on optional walks according to your energy rather than adding every nearby attraction.

    Before you go

    • Confirm each connection

      Choose intercity and local connections for your travel dates, including station or airport transfers. The suggested transport modes are not booked services.

    • Reservations and opening arrangements

      Check each attraction’s current opening arrangements and reservation process before fixing the order of your days.

    • Images and editorial review

      Images are AI-edited previews based on historical location photographs. Usage rights and visual details await review. Travel-day photographs illustrate the destination, not a promised visit.

    Sources

    Plan My Trip