9-Day Classic China Golden Triangle Family Tour: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to our 9-day China Family Tour starting from Beijing! Upon your arrival, your private local tour guide will greet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall by holding a welcome sign "China Xian Tour".

   Then you will be escorted to the well-selected hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore bustling streets, sample local snacks, or just relax on your comfortable bed at the hotel.

   Free Time Ideas:

   If you enjoy shopping, we recommend visiting Sanlitun Taikoo Li, the trendiest shopping area in Beijing, to explore Apple Glass Cube and global flagship stores, and experience Beijing's fashion pulse and street photography culture.

   If you are a food lover, we will provide you with a detailed food map guide, which will take you away from the main street and go deep into the old alleys to find Zhajiangmian and other Beijing special snacks.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing City Essence
   Discover Historical Landmarks and Engage in Cultural Experiences

   Begin your Beijing tour at Tian'anmen Square, the heart of Beijing. It is the largest square in the world, capable of accommodating over one million people simultaneously. To the north of the square is the ancient Tiananmen Gate Tower, which is magnificent, with gold bricks covering the ground, shining brilliantly.

   Walking through Tiananmen Square, the splendid Forbidden City comes into view. It served as the imperial palace for centuries. Marvel at the massive palace complex with over 9,000 rooms. Your tour guide will tell your family the story behind the palace.

   

   After lunch, immerse yourself in exploring Beijing's old Hutong on a traditional rickshaw ride. Go to visit a local family and learn about their daily life and even experience a cultural activity - Beijing Opera makeup. Optionally, you can learn calligraphy, weave Chinese knots, or cut paper (extra charge).

   Optional Activities:

   In Hutong, you have the opportunity to try more cultural handicrafts, such as learning Chinese calligraphy and paper cuttings. If your children are interested, the tour guide can arrange it.

   In the evening, consider a visit to the Red Theater for a Chinese Kung Fu show. It features the rich tradition of Chinese Kung Fu.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall
   Hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall and Toboggan Slide Down

   Today, take an exciting trip to the world-famous Great Wall. Before that, let's first explore the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed rituals to pray for peace and bountiful harvests. In the nearby park, you can observe Beijing people’s daily morning exercises. And perhaps even join them in practicing tai chi or dancing.

   Mutianyu Great Wall is an ancient engineering wonder. It is more secluded and has denser vegetation than Badaling (the most famous section of the Great Wall in China).

   

   The steps here are relatively gentle, making it very suitable for families with children to ascend the wall easily. During the visit, the tour guide will tell you the historical stories of places like Zhengguan Tower and other battlements, and recommend the best shooting spots.

   If your child is old enough (over 10 years old), the guide can assist you with tickets on site for taking the toboggan down the mountain. Children can control their speed, which is very interesting.

   For dinner, we will arrange a famous Beijing delicacy - Roast Duck. This used to be a court dish. Watch the chef slice the duck at the table (with exquisite knife skills), dipping it in white sugar while it's hot or learning to wrap it in a thin pancake.

   

   Travel Tips:

   If there are elderly people or children under 3 years old traveling together, you can consider taking a cable car up the Great Wall to save more energy.

   If your kid is under 10, he/she must be accompanied by an adult for the toboggan ride down.

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an by Flight
   Explore Imperial Retreat and Enjoy Boat Ride on Scenic Lake

   Today is the last day of your China family tour in Beijing. Spend a leisurely morning at one of the most popular attractions in Beijing - the Summer Palace. This palace was a summer retreat for the Qing emperors and their families.

   Strolling by the shores of Kunming Lake, experience the tranquility of the royal garden. Along the world's longest painted corridor, admire over 14000 exquisite paintings. Take a boat ride on the lake and sail into the reflection of the Longevity Hill.

   After that, we will escort you to the airport for a short flight to Xi'an, an ancient city with a rich history of over 3000 years.

   

   Free Time in the Evening:

   The Great Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is a Tang Dynasty-style pedestrian street located on the south side of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At night, there are interactive activities such as Tumbler Lady, Whirling Dance, and so on. At the northern end of the street, you can enjoy the magnificent array of fountains, the largest in Asia. Free access; it is recommended to go after 19:30.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
5. Day 5: Xi'an Terracotta Warriors
   Discover Ancient Archaeological Marvel and Create Your Own Replica

   Meet your Xi'an guide at the hotel lobby. After an hour's drive from the city center, reach the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, an archaeological miracle with thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots. Over 2000 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built this World Heritage Site.

   You and your children will be surprised that each soldier displays a unique expression. After that, enjoy making a replica small terracotta soldier. And you can take your “work” home.

   

   Drive back to walk up the Ancient City Wall. This is the most complete and oldest city defense with ancient walls, ramparts, gates, watchtowers, and horse passages. Walk on the massive wall or rent a bicycle to get some good views of the city and the surrounding moat.

   Check in the iconic Bell Tower at the center of the city. You can enjoy your dinner on your own in the Muslim Quarter, which is a 5-minute walk from the Bell Tower.

   Note: If you don't consider having dinner nearby after seeing the tower, the tour guide will take you back to the hotel. If you want to visit the Muslim Quarter, you need to return to the hotel by yourself.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
6. Day 6: Xi'an to Shanghai by Flight
   Experience Local Life and Learn Dumpling-making

   Visit a local family to immerse yourself in the life of Xi'an people. You will experience making dumplings here. Dumplings are one of the most popular staple foods in China, often used as a symbol of reunion. The local host will demonstrate how to make dumplings for you.

   Starting with kneading the dough, roll up your sleeves and learn how to roll out the wrappers and fill them (meat or vegetarian fillings available), then try shaping the dumplings into “yuanbao” (gold ingot) shapes and creating dumplings with decorative edges. Children can let their imaginations run wild to create their own unique shapes. Finally, cook and eat the dumplings you’ve made yourself.

   

   In the afternoon, admire the landmark of Xi'an - the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At around 65 meters tall, the pagoda was built in 652 (in the Tang Dynasty) to store Buddhist scriptures brought back by Xuanzang from India. Have a relaxing time there and climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the city.

   After all activities, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Shanghai.

   Travel Tip: Climbing the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an optional activity. If you want, your tour guide can buy tickets for your family on site.

   Free Time in the Evening: From 7:00 to 10:00 pm, you can go for a walk outside the City God Temple by yourself. Here, the lights are bright and traditional temple buildings are surrounded by various stalls and shops selling snacks and handicrafts, making it very lively.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
7. Day 7: Shanghai Highlights
   Explore Shanghai's Urban Evolution, Visit Classical Garden

   Your family tour in Shanghai takes you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where you can see the historical changes, future development and overall planning of Shanghai. Through multimedia technology, the exhibition hall vividly demonstrates the urban evolution of Shanghai since its opening in 1843. area vividly displays the urban evolution of Shanghai since its opening in 1843.

   

   Go up to the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of Shanghai's landmarks, and overlook the panoramic view of the city. You will be arranged to savor the Cantonese cuisine at a local restaurant for lunch.

   In the afternoon, head to Yuyuan Garden, a Chinese classical garden, whose history can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

   Take a look at the Ming Dynasty's Huangshi Rockery (the oldest existing in Jiangnan), Yulinglong (one of the three famous stones in Jiangnan), and the ancient stage, and experience the garden wisdom of "every step reveals a new view". Children can feed koi at the Yule Pavilion.

   

   Afterward, take a stroll along the Bund to admire the historic Western-style buildings and the cluster of skyscrapers opposite the bank of the Huangpu River.

   Optional Activity: After dark, you can take a Huangpu River cruise from Shiliupu Pier to get an up-close view of the “three landmarks” of Lujiazui - Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Building, Shanghai Tower.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
8. Day 8: Shanghai Free Day
   Free Day to Explore Nearby Water Town or Visit Suzhou, Hangzhou Highlights

   Today is the day for you to freely explore the metropolis of Shanghai. We recommend the following activities for you:

   You can take a day trip to the picturesque Zhujiajiao Water Town or hire a tour guide to explore the highlights of Suzhou or Hangzhou.

   Also enjoy a more relaxed day. Stroll through ancient alleys and local markets. If you are interested, perhaps learn a few unique Shanghainese phrases.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
9. Day 9: Departure from Shanghai

   Enjoy your last moments in Shanghai with a hearty breakfast. The driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and escort you to the airport to catch your flight to your next destination or home! Your 9-day Beijing Xian Shanghai Family Tour ends here. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour. Safe travels!

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