China Golden Triangle Tour 2026: 8 Days Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai Itinerary

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to the capital of China, Beijing! Your professional local guide will pick you up at the airport gate with our “China Xian Tour” sign. From this point on till the end of your China tour, you will enjoy our private transport service for getting around. Your tour guide will drive you to your hotel in the city center and help you check in.

   The rest of the day is left free for your own exploration.

   If you’re interested in trying out local delicacies, we can give you a detailed guide to the best Beijing foods. From the crispy Peking Duck, boiling Copper Hotpot, to the Tanghulu and Fried Sauce Noodles hidden in hutongs, follow this guide to discover the most authentic flavors of Beijing.

   Vehicle

   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing City Sightseeing
   Explore the Imperial Palace and Uncover Beijing Local Life

   You’ll start your Beijing tour today at the world’s largest city square, Tian’anmen Square.

   From there, take a 10-minute walk to reach the Forbidden City. Walk through the vermilion palace gates, you’ll be transported back to 600 years ago. Your tour guide will take you past the crowds to the heart of the palace and tell you about the history and stories taken place behind these red walls.

   

   After your palace visit, you will take a rickshaw ride down the old hutongs to discover the real Beijing life.

   Follow the maze-like hutong lanes. The stone-paved paths lined by brick houses on both sides are the homes of many generations of local Beijing people. You can grab a cup of coffee at a neighborhood coffee shop.

   Optional activity: If you’d like a more in-depth local experience, your tour guide can help you arrange a session with a folk artist to learn traditional arts like Chinese calligraphy and papercutting.

   Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Hike
   Hiking Day Trip on Mutianyu Great Wall

   The Temple of Heaven is the best place for a morning walk in Beijing. It used to be a ceremonial site for the royal family during Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, it’s part of a park where the everyday life of Beijing people takes place. You can observe locals relax, exercise, and practice Tai Chi here in the morning.

   Then we’ll drive for 2 hours to reach Mutianyu Great Wall. It’s known to be the most beautiful section of the Great Wall and the most popular one among international visitors. Most importantly, it’s less crowded compared to other sections. This world-famous military wonder in human history sprawls over the mountain back. Hiking above it will put you into a conversation with nature and history.

   

   Travel tips:

   • If you’d like to save time and energy, instead of hiking, you can choose to take a cable car up the mountain. You’ll have more time for sightseeing and taking photos. Your tour guide can help you purchase tickets on site.
   • If you’re traveling with kids, they might want to take a fun and exciting toboggan ride down. Please note that kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

   Dinner idea: In the evening, we recommend you try out the most iconic imperial dish of Beijing, Peking Duck. You can choose an old, chained restaurant brand, watch the chef slice the roasted duck in front of you, and learn the traditional way of enjoying the dish.

   Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by High-Speed Train
   Linger in the Imperial Garden and Travel to Xi’an

   Before leaving Beijing, your last stop will be the elegant imperial garden, the Summer Palace. Designed after the West Lake in Hangzhou, it’s known to be the best classical garden in China combining the exquisite elements of Jiangnan architecture with the grandeur of the royal style.

   Walk down the Long Corridor. See the thousands of paintings on its roof telling different folk stories. It is the ideal photography sports for the Kunming Lake and Tower of Buddhist Incense. Around the time of sunset, the lake will be dyed golden.

   

   After your Summer Palaces visit, you’ll take a high-speed train to Xi’an. In about 5 hours, our driver in Xi’an will pick you up at the train station and take you to your hotel downtown.

   Travel tip: If you’re tired of walking, taking a boat ride on Kunming Lake is a great option at the Summer Palace. You’ll be able to see the Longevity Hill, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, as well as the mountains in the distance.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
5. Day 5: Xi’an History Exploration
   Witness the World Wonder and Immerse in the Local Culture of Xi’an

   You’ll begin your Xi’an exploration with the renowned Terracotta Army, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World.

   The moment you step into the museum, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to 2,000 years ago. Thousands of life-size clay warriors stand in formation, as if ready to march on command. You can see the details on their armors and facial expression, how each warrior is different from another.

   

   Your tour guide will take you through three excavation pits. They slightly differ from one another. The whole tour will last about 2.5 hours.

   Afterwards we’ll head back to the city center, the Bell and Drum Tower Square. The Bell Tower here has over 600 years of history and has historically been a landmark of Xi’an. When the night falls, it’ll be lit up in golden light.

   Within 5 minutes of walking, you’ll get to the Muslim Quarter. As you approach it, you’ll begin to smell all kinds of delicious foods in the air. This is the best place in Xi’an to discover local snacks like Roujiamo, Persimmon Cake, and Cake Caldron.

   

   The Great Mosque inside the Muslim Quarter is of a rare classical Chinese garden style. It’s a physical proof of how different cultures came together through the Silk Road and left behind important heritage.

   In the evening, you’ll attend a dumpling banquet trying out dozens of different types of dumplings. Learn about the traditions behind this iconic dish.

   After dinner, a Tang Dynasty show will make your evening even more memorable. Dancers and musicians dressed in Tang costumes will come on stage, bring you musical scores and choreographies reminiscent of that time in history. You might see instruments like Pipa and Bianzhong, which are rarely seen elsewhere.

   Optional activity: If you’re interested, you and your family can head to the workshop near the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and make your own mini clay warrior. It’ll make a meaningful souvenir from your trip.

   Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
6. Day 6: Xi’an Cultural Immersion
   Uncover the History of the Ancient Capital Xi’an

   Start your day at Xi’an Museum, a national grade-one museum where you can learn about the city’s 3,000 years of history.

   Compared to the crowded Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in the garden of the museum is perfect for a tranquil morning walk. It’s been here for over 1,300 years, next to the ancient cypress, with its bells chiming in the wind.

   Next, we’ll head to the Ancient City Wall of Xi’an. Biking on the wall is the best way to get to know this historic structure. See the urban life of the city happening below you and the skyscrapers all around.

   

   The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is our next stop on this Xi’an history tour. It’s the city’s cultural landmark built in Tang Dynasty to store Buddhist scriptures. You can get to the top of the pagoda and overlook the city below.

   As night falls on the city, we’ll head over to Datang Everbright City. It’s the first large-scale Tang architectural and cultural block in China. As it gets dark, the buildings and streets are lit up with colorful lights and lanterns. Walking around in a beautiful costume will make the experience feel even more surreal.

   Notes:

   • Biking on the City Wall is an optional activity. It’s highly recommended because you’ll be able to save the time and energy of walking.
   • Ascending the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is also optional. If you're interested, your tour guide can help you purchase tickets on site.

   Optional night activity: You can choose and rent an exquisite Han costume at Datang Everbright City. Put on make up. Walking amongst the beautiful lights and busy streets will feel like you’re back in the golden days in Tang Dynasty.

   Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Xi’an
7. Day 7: Xi'an to Shanghai by Flight
   Fly to Shanghai and Explore the City’s Highlights

   You’ll catch a morning flight from Xian to Shanghai. The journey will last about 2.5 hours.

   After lunch, you’ll start your Shanghai tour at Yu Garden (closed on Mondays). Lingering between the corridors and waterscapes, admiring the rockeries and exquisite pavilions, you’ll feel the aesthetics behind Ming Dynasty gardens.

   We’ll continue our visit to the City God Temple. You’ll immediately be surrounded by stalls and shops selling all kinds of delicious snacks, from Xiaolongbao to pear-syrup candy. This is where you’ll experience the most vibrant and authentic Shanghai life.

   

   The last stop of our day will be Jinmao Tower. You’ll take a high-speed elevator up to the 88^th floor. On the deck 340 meters above ground, see the historic buildings, skyscrapers, and Huangpu River all below you. How history and modernity come beautifully together in this city will leave you in awe.

   Flight, Vehicle

   B,L

   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
8. Day 8: Departure from Shanghai
   Get to Know More about the City at Your Leisure

   In the morning, you’ll visit the Shanghai Museum East (closed on Tuesdays). First see its modern architectural style from the outside. After you step in, you will go back in time through its exhibitions on China’s 5,000 years of history. You’ll see artifacts and treasures including bronze, ceramics, calligraphies, and paintings.

   We’ll then walk eastward down Nanjing Road, a hundred-year-old street that has witnessed much of Shanghai’s history and development. The road is lined up with numerous time-honored brands and new shops.

   

   At the end of the road, we’ll get to the Bund. The view will open up to the Huangpu River. On this side of the river is the historic building cluster that are reminiscent of Shanghai’s past. Across the water is the iconic Shanghai skyline with famous skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower.

   The walk may not be long, but you’ll truly experience how the city got to its place today and what it has in store in the future.

   We have left you half a day free for your own exploration. Not having to stick to a plan, you can relax and discover different aspects of the city at your own pace. Walk down the shaded streets with coffee shops. Go shopping at a mall. Or find some surprises at little niche stores owned by locals.

   We have prepared for you a detailed guide to shopping in Shanghai. From luxury goods, local brands, to unique souvenirs, you’ll be able to find what you want in the right places.

   Notes:

   • To make sure you’ll be able to catch your flight without rushing, we recommend booking one after 8 pm.
   • Spending another night in Shanghai is also a good idea to ensure a smooth departure.

   Optional night activity: If time allows, you can take a Huangpu River Night Cruise to see the pretty lights of the skyline.

   Your fun 8-day China tour will conclude here after visiting Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. Your personal transfer service will take you to the airport in accordance with your departure time.

   Vehicle

   B