3-Day Shanghai to Beijing Tour: Great Wall & Forbidden City

Tour Overview

Short on time but want to experience the best of Beijing? The 3-day tour from Shanghai brings together Beijing’s imperial landmarks, the Great Wall and the traditional neighborhoods of the old city.

Walk through the Forbidden City, explore the landscaped grounds of the Summer Palace, and hike along the Mutianyu Great Wall with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Also visit the Temple of Heaven and wander through Beijing’s hutongs where courtyard homes, narrow lanes and traditional rickshaws show a more local side of the capital city.

With a knowledgeable private Beijing guide and high-speed train travel between the two cities, the itinerary is designed to make the most of limited time while keeping the journey comfortable.

Travel Destination: Beijing
Suitable for: History & culture lovers, travelers with limited time
Tour type: Private

Tour at A Glance

Day	Destination	What to See & Do
1	Shanghai → Beijing	High-speed train to Beijing, Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, imperial palaces, optional Beijing roast duck
2	Beijing	Mutianyu Great Wall, watchtowers and mountain views, optional cable car/chairlift, Summer Palace, Kunming Lake, Long Corridor, optional boat ride, optional acrobatic show
3	Beijing → Shanghai	Temple of Heaven, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Beijing hutongs, courtyard neighborhoods, optional rickshaw ride, high-speed train back to Shanghai

Highlights of this tour

Decode imperial Beijing at the Forbidden City along the central axis through grand ceremonial halls and inner courtyards while your guide explains how emperors lived, governed and used each part of the palace complex.

Hike between ancient watchtowers of the Mutianyu Great Wall with sweeping mountain views and examine the wall’s brickwork up close, with a cable car or chairlift option for an easier visit.

Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing in summer

Experience two sides of imperial leisure at the Summer Palace — stroll beside Kunming Lake, walk through the Long Corridor and, when boats are operating, take to the water for a different view.

Peaceful Summer Palace in Beijing — Take a boat cruise on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace

Step into old Beijing through traditional hutongs and courtyard neighborhoods, with a special rickshaw ride in the old lanes.

Hop into a rickshaw through the labyrinth of hutong alleys

Day-by-day Itinerary

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Day 1: Shanghai to Beijing by High-Speed Train
Immerse Yourself in Beijing’s Royal History and Culture
Early in the morning, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Shanghai and transfer you to the railway station for a morning high-speed train to Beijing. The travel time ranges from 4.5 to 6 hours depending on the train.

Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the station and take you to have lunch before starting your Beijing tour.

Head to Tian’anmen Square. Walk around the square and see important landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum, while appreciating the open layout of the central axis of Beijing.

Tiananmen Gate Tower on Tiananmen Square

Continue north to the Forbidden City. Enter through the Meridian Gate and explore the main palaces along the central axis — the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony — as well as the Inner Court.

During the visit, your guide will explain the architectural layout, the functions of its different palaces and the royal history of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Take a private vehicle to your hotel for check-in after the tour.

Optional Activity: For dinner, you can try Beijing roast duck. Enjoy it like a local — wrapped in thin pancakes with sliced scallions and sweet bean sauce.

High Speed Train, Vehicle
Lunch
4-star hotel in Beijing
Day 2: Beijing Highlights
Hike the Great Wall and Unwind in Imperial Gardens
Today, explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in the suburbs of Beijing, about 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive away.

Go up to the wall and walk along the ancient ramparts. Pass by several watchtowers, observe its brickwork and structure up close, and take in views of the surrounding valleys, forests and mountains.

Choose a walking distance that suits your fitness level. If needed, take the cable car or chairlift up and down to save your energy, leaving more time for exploration.

Tips: Some sections of the Great Wall have relatively steep slopes, so it is advisable to wear comfortable and non-slip sports shoes. Also, bring enough drinking water.

Experience the excitement of an open cable car descending the mountain at Mutianyu

Drive about 1.5 hours to the Summer Palace in the downtown area. Stroll along Kunming Lake to admire the lake, hills, pavilions and royal garden architecture.

Your guide will point out the main scenic spots such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Long Corridor, while explaining the history and purpose of the Summer Palace as a Qing Dynasty imperial garden.

If weather permits and the boats are operating, you can enjoy a boat ride on the lake to appreciate the garden from the water. Return to your hotel to rest.

Optional Night Activity: Watch an acrobatic show featuring acts of contortion, balancing and juggling.

Vehicle
Breakfast, Lunch
4-star hotel in Beijing
Day 3: Beijing Back to Shanghai by High-Speed Train
Experience Beijing's Traditional Way of Life
Continue exploring Beijing this morning. First stop is the Temple of Heaven, where you will see iconic buildings such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Your guide will introduce how Ming and Qing emperors worshipped heaven and prayed for good harvests, and describe the temple's distinctive architectural design and spatial layout.

The sharply contrasting and stunning colors of the Temple of Heaven

Move to hutongs in the city’s old district. Take a leisurely walk through the centuries-old lanes to see the courtyards, historic buildings and small shops on both sides and get a sense of local life in old Beijing - a completely different side of the city from the modern center.

Also, you can take a traditional rickshaw through the hutongs for another way to explore Beijing’s old neighborhoods.

After lunch, you'll be transferred to the railway station according to your schedule and take the train back to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your Shanghai driver will meet you at the exit and escort you back to your hotel. Your 3-day Shanghai to Beijing tour comes to an end here.

High Speed Train, Vehicle
Breakfast, Lunch

Tour Price ($=USD)

From $969 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.

Price includes

4-star hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Air-conditioned vehicle with ample space
English-speaking tour guide
All entrance fees and activities listed in the itinerary
24/7 support throughout your journey
Domestic flights or high-speed train tickets

Price excludes

Optional activities mentioned in the itinerary
Meals or drinks not specified in the itinerary

Accommodation For This 3-day BeijingTour from Shanghai

4-Star Hotel in Beijing

For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.

All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.

In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.