6-Day Beijing & Shanghai Tour: Imperial History, Local Life & City Views
Tour Overview
Beijing and Shanghai are a popular combination for travelers visiting China for the first time.
In Beijing, go beyond the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Hear the stories of emperors and royals who once lived and worked there as you walk through the palace, then head into the hutongs to chat with a local family and try Chinese calligraphy. See locals doing their morning exercises at the Temple of Heaven, and hike along the Mutianyu Great Wall.
Take a high-speed train to Shanghai. Start at the Bund and wander into the old lilong lanes for a bite of local food, then take the ferry across to Pudong. Go up to the top of Shanghai Tower for the sweeping city view and discover old Shanghai in Yu Garden and the Former French Concession.
Travel destinations: Beijing, Shanghai
Suitable for: First-time visitors to China, history and culture enthusiasts
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See and Do
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1 – 3
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Beijing
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Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong walk, Local family visit, Chinese calligraphy, Drum Tower, Temple of Heaven, Local park activities, Mutianyu Great Wall
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4
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Beijing – Shanghai
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Summer Palace, Kunming Lake boat ride (optional), High-speed train to Shanghai
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5 – 6
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Shanghai
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The Bund, Lujiazui skyline, Old lilong alley, Xiaolongbao & shengjianbao, Huangpu River ferry, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, Former French Concession
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Highlights of This Tour
Walk through the stories of historical figures at the Forbidden City:
Explore the main halls and get a real look at how emperors, empresses, and late-Qing royals actually lived. Gain a vivid understanding of politics inside the imperial court.
Visit a traditional courtyard home in Beijing Hutong:
Stroll along old alleys and step into a siheyuan for a chat with the residents. Also try your hand at Chinese calligraphy — pick up a brush and write a few characters.
Join in morning exercise with locals before walking on Mutianyu Great Wall:
Start early at the Temple of Heaven park where locals practice tai chi, sing, and do exercises. Head to the Mutianyu section with a cable car up and save your energy for a hike along the wall.
Cross the Huangpu River by ferry from the Bund to Shanghai Tower:
Admire historic architecture and the modern skyline at once. Take a ferry from Puxi to Pudong then ascend to the observation deck of Shanghai Tower for a bird’s-eye view.
Discovere the Shanghai beyond the skyscrapers:
Wander through tree-lined streets and old alleyways to see everyday life, sampling local food like soup dumplings and pan-fried buns.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
You can rest to recover for your following 6-day Beijing Shanghai tour or walk around the neighborhood at your own pace.
- Day 2: Beijing Downtown HighlightsExplore Imperial History, Meet a Local Family, Try Chinese Calligraphy
Located in the center of Beijing, Tian'anmen Square is one of the world’s largest urban squares, where you can see the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and Tian’anmen Gate Tower.
Walk to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit its main areas and admire the well-preserved ancient wooden buildings. Your guide will share stories of emperors, empresses, and the late Qing royal family, giving you a sense of court life and daily routines within the palace walls.
The Forbidden City in spring Step into Beijing’s old hutongs to observe the traditional quadrangle courtyards and everyday life in the streets and alleys. Visit a local family for a friendly chat and hear what life is like in the hutongs.
Here, you will also experience Chinese calligraphy. Get to know the brush and ink, and practice writing a few Chinese characters under guidance.
Go up the Drum Tower for a view of the surrounding lanes and Beijing's old town area.
Learn to write the Chinese character '福' (blessing) - Day 3: Beijing Great Wall TourAdmire Royal Altars and Enjoy a Light Hike on the Great Wall
Set off early for the Temple of Heaven. It used to be the sacred place where the Ming and Qing emperors offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for good harvests. Walk around to see famous buildings including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and Echo Wall.
Then watch locals strolling, practicing tai chi, singing, or kicking shuttlecocks in the park. If you would like, join in and try a few of these activities yourself.
Learn Tai Chi from a master at Temple of Heaven Park Drive about 1.5 - 2 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Compared with the more famous Badaling, Mutianyu has fewer tourists and more beautiful scenery. Take the cable car uphill and walk along the wall to see the dense watchtowers and mountain views. With gentler slopes, elders and children can also have a relaxing hike.
Your guide will adjust the walking distance based on the weather and your fitness level, so you can explore at your own pace without rushing.
After the visit, take the cable car back down and return to downtown Beijing.
Mutianyu Great Wall surrounded by colorful leaves in Autumn - Day 4: Beijing to Shanghai by High-Speed TrainStroll in the Imperial Garden with an Optional Boat Ride
After breakfast, head to the Summer Palace, one of the largest imperial gardens in China. It mainly consists of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Wander around the front hill area to see iconic architecture — Long Corridor, Cloud-Dispelling Hall and Pavilion of the Fragrance of Buddha.
If the weather permits and boat services are operating, take a boat ride across Kunming Lake for a different perspective of the hill and lakeside scenery.
Take a boat cruise on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace Your guide and driver will escort you to the railway station for the high-speed rail to Shanghai, a journey of about 5 - 6 hours. After arrival, meet your driver at the exit and transfer to the hotel for rest.
- Day 5: Shanghai City ExplorationWander Along the Historic Waterfront Area and Garden & Take in Skyline From a Height
Start your Shanghai tour with the Bund, the city’s most iconic waterfront area. Wander past 52 century-old buildings of distinctive architectural style and you will understand why it is hailed as the “World Architecture Expo”. Also, see the contrast with the modern Lujiazui skyline on the opposite bank.
The Bund Shanghai in daytime Go into a nearby Shanghai old lilong alley. Explore its old houses and get a glimpse of everyday community life. Along the way, try local Shanghai food such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and shengjianbao (pan-fried buns).
Later, take a ferry across the Huangpu River to Pudong. See the cityscape on both banks from the water.
After disembarking, ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck of the Shanghai Tower in 55 seconds. From high above the city, enjoy sweeping views of the Bund, the Huangpu River and Lujiazui.
Overlook the city from Top of Shanghai Observation Deck of Shanghai Tower Move to Yu Garden, a Ming Dynasty private garden with a history of over 400 years. Take a stroll through its pavilions, corridors, and rockeries. The Former French Concession is the last stop today. Walk along the tree-lined streets to see the rows of historic buildings and garden villas.
- Day 6: Shanghai Departure
Your guide and driver will take you to the airport or railway station according to your flight or train schedule. This marks the end of your 6-day Beijing and Shanghai tour. Thanks for choosing China Xian Tour. Wish you a pleasant onward journey!
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 6-Day Beijing Shanghai Tour
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.
