2-Week Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation

We travelled with two kids aged 8 and 11 for the full two weeks and it was clearly designed with families in mind. The pandas in Chengdu were the absolute winner, our youngest still talks about them. Climbing the Great Wall in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and the science museum in Shanghai kept everyone engaged. The guides knew how to pitch explanations for children.

An educational trip done right. Each stop, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, was tied to something the kids could learn from. The panda base in Chengdu and a calligraphy lesson were highlights. Pace was gentle enough for a family but covered a lot in 14 days.

Private family vacation that took the stress out of China with kids. Loved having flexibility, when our daughter was tired one afternoon in Xi'an we swapped a museum for the city wall bike ride. Holding (well, watching) a panda in Chengdu was the trip of a lifetime. Beijing and Shanghai bookended it perfectly.

Two weeks, four cities, three generations including grandparents, and somehow it worked for all of us. Wheelchair access was arranged at the Forbidden City and the Chengdu panda base. The kids' favourite was feeding-time at the panda reserve; mine was the Terracotta Army.

Really good family itinerary. Chengdu pandas and the Great Wall were the standouts for our boys. The only thing I'd note is the Beijing to Xi'an travel day eats into sightseeing, but everything was booked for us so we just relaxed. Guides were patient and great with kids.

Perfect balance of fun and learning for our family. The kids ranked the pandas in Chengdu number one and the Shanghai skyline number two. Everything across the 14 days was private so we set our own rhythm. Highly recommend for families.