7 Days China Group Tour by Flight/Train: Beijing-Xian-Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (No Meal)

   Upon your arrival in Beijing, our local driver will greet you at the exit of arrival hall by holding a sign with your name and transfer you to downtown hotel. There is no schedule for the rest of the day. You can freely explore the city by yourself. If you need any suggestions on your free time, we will be very happy to be helpful for you.

   Accommodation: Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Mutianyu Great Wall, Changling Tomb ( B + L )

   AM: Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at about 07:00 am. First, we will go to visit one of the Thirteen Ming Tombs, Changling. It is the tomb of the 2nd emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di and his Empress Xu. It is regarded as the grandest one among the 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After a simple lunch, we will head to Mutianyu Great Wall with about an hour’s drive. It will be a good chance to see the urban and suburban scenery of Chinese capital on the way. Mutianyu Great Wall is the most scenic part of Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty at 1368 and stretches for 5400 meters. 90 percent of the Mutianyu section is covered by vegetation. So in each season this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. We will have about 2 hours on the Great Wall. If hiking is too much for you, cable car is available and optional.

   During today’s tour, we will also stop by Jade Carving Factory to appreciate some exquisite jade pieces and Chinese Tea Market to learn about the tradition of tea drinking and you can optionally try some kinds of best Chinese tea. After all the activities, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing-Xian by Overnight Train
   Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace ( B + L )

   AM: Today’s trip starts from Tiananmen Square, the heart and symbol of Beijing and the largest city square in the world. The spacious square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years.

   Walking through the square, you will come to Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complex built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). There were 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will go to Temple of Heaven. Located at southern part of Beijing, it serviced as a complex of sacrificial building where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest. Today’s last scenic site will be Summer Palace. It is located at the west skirt of Beijing and covers an area of 290 hectares. In the Qing Dynasty during the Qianlong Era, the Summer Palace was built by imitating the layout of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Now it is the largest and most completely preserved imperial garden in China.

   Today you will also stop by Chinese Herb Medicine Market to learn about traditional Chinese pharmacy and meet many kinds of herb medicine, and Pearl Market to appreciate some nice pearl artworks.

   At the end of the tour, we will arrange a driver to take you to the train station for the overnight train to Xian. You will spend the night on the train.

   Accommodation: Overnight train

   

4. Day 4: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, City Wall ( B + L )

   AM: Upon your arrival in Xian, our guide will wait for you at the exit of the train station and we will head to Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Known as “the Eighth Wonder of the World”, the museum will surprise you with thousands of life-size soldiers and horses. On the way to Terracotta Warriors, we will have a short stop at a Terracotta Figures Factory where you will learn about the process of making figures and appreciate some fine artworks. There are also souvenirs like mini warriors if you are interested.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will drive back to downtown. On the way, you will have chance to catch a glimpse of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum in the car. When back to city area, you will visit City Wall which was built in the Ming Dynasty for military defense. Now it’s like a necklace circling the inner city of Xian. You can optionally ride a bike on the top of the City Wall. After the whole day’s tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Xian

   

5. Day 5: Xian-Shanghai by Flight
   Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area, Xian Museum, Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square, Great Mosque, Muslim Street ( B + L )

   AM: In the morning, our tour guide will meet you at hotel lobby. First, we will visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built to store the scriptures and Buddha statues brought back by monk Xuanzang from India. It’s one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Next, we will head to Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area. The whole scenic area looks like an ancient Chinese garden and you will also have an opportunity to visit the Xian Museum beside the pagoda.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will have a walk on Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square and admire the Bell Tower and Drum Tower from a distance. Then we will move on to Great Mosque, a major place for religious activities of the Muslims in Xi’an. It possesses much traditional Chinese architectural elements in its design. For example, you will see Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles. At last, take a leisurely walk down the Muslim Street and taste some local snacks if you like (at your own expense).

   After saying goodbye to Xian, you will go to the airport to catch the flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, our driver will pick you up at the arrival hall and transfer you to the hotel.

   Accommodation: Shanghai

   

6. Day 6: Shanghai
   Shanghai Old Street, Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, Tianzifang, Old French Concession ( B + L )

   AM: Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning after the breakfast and transfer you to Jade Buddha Temple. This more than 100-year-old temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues brought back from Burma by a monk named Huigen. Then you will pay a short visit to a Fresh Water Pearl Gallery to appreciate some fine pearl artworks what you can purchase as souvenirs if you have interest. Afterwards, you will stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. Next, you will head to Shanghai Museum which houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings and calligraphy works.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, you will move to Yuyuan Garden. It is a famous classical garden which was originally built by the owner Mr. Pan as a place for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Then you will wander around Shanghai Old Street which combines sightseeing, shopping, entertainment and cultural exhibition. The next stop is the Bund. You will admire buildings of various styles, enjoy the beautiful Huangpu River, and listen to your guide explaining its history. After a leisure walk at the Bund, you will visit a Silk Factory to see how the silk is processed. It’s also a popular souvenir for people who wants to bring some gifts for families and friends. Then you will visit former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943. The last stop of today is Xin Tian Di, a walking street converted based on the old Shikumen building district where you can find nice bars, cafes and square. After the tour ends, the guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel for a good rest.

   Accommodation: Shanghai

   

7. Day 7: Shanghai Departure ( B )

   Our driver will meet you at appointed time and transfer you to the airport for your departure.