Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai – Beijing by Flight
   Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City (Lunch)

   AM: Our local driver will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning, transfer to airport and take the morning flight to Beijing (no guide service in Shanghai). Upon your arrival at Beijing, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: You will start today’s Beijing tour with the largest city square in the world, Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China’s history and visiting it is a dream for many generations of Chinese people. So, don’t be surprised when you see the square is teeming with Chinese people. You can just wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then you will follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City. From the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, a total of 24 emperors lived here and ruled the country. Strolling around this splendid complex is like following the steps of the emperors to handle state affairs, visit their concubines, and appreciate many rare treasures. Your knowledgeable tour guide will give you some insight into Chinese history, architecture and royal family.

   After the tour finished, transfer to your hotel for checking-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow!

   Accommodation: Hotel in Beijing

   

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Mutianyu Great Wall, Summwe Palace (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Climbing the Great Wall is a must do for visitors in Beijing. Today your tour guide will take you to explore the incredible Mutianyu Great Wall. It’s hard to believe people could build such a wall by hand in the ancient days. You will finally walk on the wall that you have dreamt for a long time, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and stop from time to time to take beautiful pictures. If the hiking is too much for you, there are cable car and toboggan for your choice. Highly recommend you bring some snacks as you may need some fuel for the walking.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then you will head to the western suburb of Beijing to visit the beautiful Summer Palace. The palace was built by Emperor Qianlong for his mother. While strolling around the peaceful Kunming Lake and admiring the architecture, your tour guide will tell you some history and stories of the Qing Dynasty.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing – Shanghai by Flight
   Temple of Heaven, Yonghe Palace, Hutong Alley, Jingshan Park (Breakfast, Lunch)

   AM: Today you are going to visit Temple of Heaven, one of the highlights in Beijing full of culture and history. You will be astonished by its magnitude. Although the days of the emperors praying to the heaven are long gone, you still can visualize what the grand ceremony was like when your tour guide explains it to you. In addition to appreciating the spectacular historic buildings, you also can stroll around to watch Chinese senior citizens playing cards and doing exercise in the park.

   After that, you will move on to the Yonghe Palace where two emperors of the Qing Dynasty bore. Yonghe Palace is also called The Lama Temple because it was translated into the largest Buddhist temple in Beijing in Mid and Late Qing Dynasty.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Next, visit the Beijing local folk residence: Hutong Alley. There is opportunity for you to take a rickshaw to explore Hutong to see daily life of native Beijing people. Following the local expert guide, you will find another face of the city that totally different from what you see in major streets.

   The last stop in Beijing is Jingshan Park. It is a beautiful royal landscape garden. The park stands on the central point of the south-north axis of the city and faces the north gate of the Forbidden City. The mid summit of the hill is the highest point in Beijing. Looking from the peak, the visitor is able to get a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

   After the tour finished, our guide and driver will escort you to airport and take the flight back to Shanghai. Upon arrival, our local driver in Shanghai will pick you up on time, and then transfer back to your hotel in Shanghai.