Beijing-Xi’an-Shanghai

Day 2 | Badaling Great Wall & Ming Tombs

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Beijing
• 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Beijing
• 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Xi'an, 5-star hotel inside the Ancient City Wall or near the Bell Tower
• 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. Cycle or walk along the Ancient City Wall at sunset, then enjoy dinner at the bustling Muslim Quarter.

Day 5 | Terracotta Army & Huaqing Palace

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Xi'an
• 08:00: Depart by private car for Lintong District. Approx. 1 hour drive.
• Morning: Visit the Museum of Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Xi'an
• 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 international 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Overnight: Shanghai, 5-star hotel
• 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Shanghai
• 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

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Overnight: Shanghai
• 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

• Meals: Breakfast

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.

What's Included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver in each city, including all airport, station and scenic transfers
• Intercity transportation: Beijing–Xi’an high-speed train (second class; first class available on request) and Xi’an–Shanghai transportation (high-speed train or flight per booking), with private station transfers
• Dedicated English-speaking guide throughout the journey
• 9 nights' accommodation: 4 nights at a 5-star Beijing hotel, 3 nights at a 5-star Xi’an hotel, and 2 nights at a 5-star Shanghai hotel (daily breakfast included)
• All entrance tickets and reservations: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Ruins, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Army, Huaqing Palace, Shaanxi History Museum, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise, Yu Garden, Shanghai Romance Park, Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River cruise, and Shanghai Museum
• Selected meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinners featuring local specialties
• Bottled water in the vehicle and 24/7 on-trip assistance
• No shopping stops — a pure, privately escorted culture and heritage experience

What to Know

• Route & pacing: This is a classic one-way "Golden Triangle" journey — arrive in Beijing and depart from Shanghai, with no backtracking. The itinerary balances imperial heritage in Beijing, Tang civilization in Xi’an and modern glamour in Shanghai, with comfortable high-speed rail or flight connections between cities.
• Reservations: Major sites including the Forbidden City and Shaanxi History Museum require real-name advance reservations and often sell out in peak season; some are closed on Mondays (except public holidays). We book all tickets in advance using your passport details — carry your passport every day.
• Best seasons: April–June and September–November offer mild, clear weather ideal for sightseeing across all three cities. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold but less crowded with crisp skies in Beijing and Xi’an.
• Walking level: Moderate to active. Expect extensive walking at imperial palaces, the Great Wall, and scenic sites. Comfortable non-slip walking shoes are recommended.
• Food: Each city offers distinct local flavors — Beijing’s Peking duck and imperial cuisine, Xi’an’s noodle and lamb dishes, and Shanghai’s refined Jiangnan fare. Mild and vegetarian options are available on request.
• Optional extensions: Add a day at the Mutianyu Great Wall, extend to Suzhou and Hangzhou’s water towns, or connect onward to Guilin or Chengdu. We’re glad to customize the journey to your preferences.