Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai

10-Day Imperial Capitals & Modern Metropolis Tour: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

Designed for American Travelers · 5-Star Hotels · Meals Included · Private Transportation · Dedicated English-Speaking Guide

Travel across Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai in one comprehensive journey. Experience the imperial grandeur of China’s capital, the golden glory of the Tang Dynasty, and the dynamic modern glamour of Shanghai, with diverse landscapes and profound cultural diversity at every stop.

Tour Highlights

• Three Iconic Cities, One Curated Journey Travel across Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai in one comprehensive trip. Experience the imperial grandeur of China’s capital, the golden glory of the Tang Dynasty, and the dynamic modern glamour of Shanghai, with diverse landscapes and profound cultural diversity at every stop.
• 5,000 Years of History Across Dynasties Walk through millennia of Chinese history, from the Qin and Han dynasties through the Tang, Ming and Qing eras. Highlights include imperial palaces, the Great Wall, royal mausoleums, ancient sacrificial temples, the world-famous Terracotta Army, and classical imperial gardens.
• Masterpieces of Imperial Architecture Discover the most iconic imperial architecture and palace complexes of successive dynasties: the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and Huaqing Palace. Gain deep insight into Chinese imperial rituals, classical garden aesthetics, and centuries of court history.
• Authentic Local Street Life Wander beyond the landmarks to experience everyday local culture: Beijing’s Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang hutongs, Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall and Muslim Quarter, and Shanghai’s Shikumen lanes and historic villa districts.
• Deep Dive into Han & Tang Civilization Focus on the height of ancient Chinese civilization in Xi’an. Explore national treasures in world-class museums, trace the footsteps of the monk Xuanzang, and visit Tang-themed cultural parks to fully immerse yourself in this prosperous golden age.
• Exceptional Value, All-Inclusive Premium Tour This in-depth journey through ancient Chinese civilization offers outstanding value. Your package covers all private ground transportation, hand-selected accommodation, expert guide services, and daily breakfast throughout the trip.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing – Imperial Welcome & Hutong Discovery

• Midday: Private pickup at Beijing Capital Airport, followed by a direct transfer to your downtown hotel via private car. Settle in and take time to adjust to the time zone at your own pace.
• Afternoon: Visit Tiananmen Square — the world’s largest urban central square and a beloved national landmark. Then explore the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and China’s largest museum of ancient culture and art. Finish with a trip to Jingshan Park for a panoramic overhead view of the entire Forbidden City complex.
• Evening: Take a leisurely stroll around Shichahai Lake and wander through charming traditional hutong alleys to relax after your first day.

Day 2 | Badaling Great Wall & Ming Tombs

• Morning: Explore the Badaling Great Wall, the most iconic and well-preserved section of the Great Wall of China.
• Midday: Visit the Ming Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the grand burial complex of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
• Afternoon: Pass by the iconic exterior of Beijing’s Olympic landmarks — the Bird’s Nest National Stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Center, celebrated legacies of the Summer Olympics.
• Evening: Enjoy the dazzling night skyline of Olympic Park.

Day 3 | Summer Palace & Yuanmingyuan Ruins

• Morning: Take a scenic boat tour through the Summer Palace. A masterpiece of Qing Dynasty royal landscaping, this grand imperial garden integrates the artistic elegance of Jiangnan-style gardens and is widely known as the "Museum of Royal Gardens".
• Afternoon: Visit the Ruins of Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace). Once hailed as the "Garden of Gardens" and a pinnacle of classical Chinese garden art, its ruins offer a quiet reflection on the tides of history. En route, pass the campuses of Tsinghua University and Peking University, two of China’s most prestigious academic institutions.
• Evening: Wander through the bohemian alleys of Nanluoguxiang.

Day 4 | Temple of Heaven → High-Speed Train to Xi’an

• Morning: Tour the Temple of Heaven, the imperial altar where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped heaven and prayed for bountiful harvests. It is China’s largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex dedicated to heavenly worship.
• Midday: Transfer to Beijing West Railway Station and board a G-series high-speed train to Xi’an North Railway Station. (Approx. 4.5 hours)
• Evening: Check into your hotel inside the Ancient City Wall or near the Bell Tower. Cycle or walk along the Ancient City Wall at sunset, then enjoy dinner at the bustling Muslim Quarter.

Day 5 | Terracotta Army & Huaqing Palace

• 08:00: Depart by private car for Lintong District. (Approx. 1 hour drive)
• Morning: Visit the Museum of Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army. Explore all 3 pits and the Bronze Chariot Exhibition Hall, with your expert guide sharing detailed insights into the formation and history of the Qin imperial army.
• Afternoon: Discover Huaqing Palace, the Tang Dynasty’s imperial hot spring resort and the historic setting of the classic Song of Everlasting Sorrow legend.
• Evening: Return to downtown Xi’an.

Day 6 | Shaanxi History Museum & Great Tang Culture

• Morning: Visit the Shaanxi History Museum. Advance reservation required. Admire priceless national treasures spanning the Shang, Zhou, Sui and Tang dynasties, with Han and Tang Dynasty gold and silver artifacts being particularly popular among Russian visitors.
• Afternoon: Explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Ci’en Temple, the sacred site where the monk Xuanzang translated Buddhist scriptures brought back from ancient India.
• Evening: Visit Tang Paradise, a large-scale Tang-themed cultural park.

Day 7 | Xi’an → Shanghai & Yu Garden

• Morning/Afternoon: Travel from Xi’an to Shanghai via high-speed train or flight (per your booking).
• Afternoon: Check into your Shanghai hotel, then visit Yu Garden, a celebrated private Jiangnan garden built in the Ming Dynasty, featuring elegant pavilions, rockeries, terraces and ponds.
• Evening: Wander the world-famous Yu Garden Bazaar, where you can browse stalls and shop for silk, tea, and traditional cultural souvenirs.

Day 8 | Shanghai Landmarks & Huangpu River Cruise

• Morning: Visit Shanghai Romance Park and experience the grand Shanghai Eternal Love song and dance performance — an immersive 5D live-action show with interactive light and shadow effects.
• Afternoon: Head to the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower. Enjoy a panoramic view of both sides of the Huangpu River from the observation deck, with the city skyline unfolding below you.
• Evening: After dinner, take a cruise along the Huangpu River for a night tour. Admire the glittering lights of the skyscrapers and the stunning skyline of the world-famous waterfront architectural complex.

Day 9 | Shanghai History & Cultural Lanes

• Morning: Visit the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s premier museums, home to an exquisite collection of bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings. Gain a thorough understanding of China’s thousands of years of history and art.
• Afternoon: Explore Xintiandi and Sinan Mansions. Xintiandi is a trendy landmark renovated from traditional Shikumen lanes, blending old Shanghai heritage with a modern lifestyle. Sinan Mansions, the largest complex of garden villas in downtown Shanghai, is known as "a living museum of modern architecture".
• Evening: Stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, where you can shop for famous Chinese tea, porcelain, silk products and a wide range of luxury goods.

Day 10 | Departure & Farewell

• Enjoy free time at your leisure before your scheduled private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
• This classic Golden Triangle journey across China comes to a warm close. You’ve witnessed magnificent cityscapes and experienced the depth of Chinese culture first-hand. We wish you a pleasant flight home, and hope this wonderful journey stays with you for years to come.