9 Days Classic China Group Tour of Beijing – Xian – Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Hey! Glad you're joining our 9-day group tour of Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai! Welcome to the capital of China - Beijing! When you arrive, our driver will meet you at the airport exit with a sign “China Xian Tour”. After that, you will sent to our well-selected hotel in the city center.

   Once you've checked in at your hotel, take some time to relax. Later, you can explore Beijing on your own, seeing the city's vibe and culture.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing City Tour
   Explore Beijing's Historic Landmarks, Panoramic Views, and Imperial Summer Retreat

   After breakfast, first visit a huge public square in the heart of Beijing! You'll see remarkable structures around Tian’anmen Square, like the Monument to the People's Heroes. Also, hear about events from the history books that happened right there.

   After that, we're heading to the Forbidden City, aka the Palace Museum featuring the imperial yellow and red colors. It's over 600 years old and saw 24 emperors come and go. People say every tile in the Forbidden City has a story, and you can see why. As China's top museum, it's packed with old iteams from different times - a record of amazing history. Walking around inside is like stepping back into the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912). And if time permits later, we can have a panoramic view from the pavilion at the peak of Jingshan Park; it's worth it.

   

   After lunch, we're hitting up the Summer Palace. It's huge, almost 3 square kilometers! Back in the day, Qing Dynasty emperors chilled here during the summer. Get ready for awesome lake views, a cool long corridor, neat old stuff, and a fancy stone bridge. Also, if you want, you can pay extra for a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

   Evening activity: if you are interested in Chinese Kungfu, you are recommended to pay extra to watch a mesmerizing Kungfu Show at the Red Theater. Your guide will help you arrange it for you.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Hike
   Enjoy a Great Wall Hike on the Scenic Mutianyu Section

   After breakfast, your tour guide will take you to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Temple of Heaven. It is a royal architectural complex. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once offered sacrifices to the heavens, asked for rain and prayed for a good year here.

   Next up, drive for 2 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall. It's about 73 kilometers outside of Beijing, situated in Huairou County. Back in the day, this part of the wall was a key point for keeping Beijing safe because it links up with Juyongguan Pass on one side and Gubeikou on the other. It stretches for 5,400 meters, rendering it China's longest and prettiest section of the Great Wall.

   

   If you're not up for a full hike, you can ride a cable car and toboggan (We suggest this if you're under 60) for an extra fee when you get there. You'll see some awesome views! Just keep in mind the lines can get long, especially during Chinese holidays.

   On the way back to Beijing downtown, you can pay a visit to the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube from the outside, both of which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian by High-speed Train
   Meet Rare Animals and Visit Hutongs via Local Rickshaw

   In the morning, your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and take you to Beijing Zoo first, the oldest zoo in all of China. Here you will see some of the unique and rare animals of China including Giant Pandas, Red Pandas, Golden Monkeys, Crested Ibis, as well as large animals such as antelopes, Asian elephants, chimpanzees, flamingos, among others.

   After that, continue your visit to the Yonghe Temple, the largest Lama Temple in Beijing, and spend approximately 1 hour visiting this mysterious Tibetan Buddhist temple.

   Later in the afternoon, we will see what it is like to ride a rickshaw through Beijing’s Hutongs, or narrow alleys and streetways where traditional courtyard houses are located, and where you can also get a sense of the city’s cultural heritage.

   After the visit, we say goodbye to Beijing and continue to the train station for a high speed train to Xi’an. Your Xi'an local driver will be waiting at the exit gate of the train and take you to your hotel in downtown Xi'an.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

   

5. Day 5: Xi'an's Highlights
   Dig into Profound Historic Heritages of the Ancient City

   Your China tour of Xian takes you to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Army was buried for about 2,200 years. Farmers digging wells accidentally found them. The striking feature is that each life-sized warrior is unique, with different clothes, hairstyles, poses, and even facial expressions. Since opening in 1979, a large number of visitors visit every year. Now, it's one of the big symbols of China.

   

   After that, head back into town to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It's an old, but well preserved building and a sacred spot for Buddhists. It was built way back when to house Buddhist scriptures and statues brought over from India by Xuanzang, a translator and traveler, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

   Last, stroll around the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, which is next to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoying the colorful lights and meeting pedestrians wearing Hanfu (Chinese ancient costumes), it is as if you are taking a time trip back to the flourishing Tang Dynasty.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Xi'an

6. Day 6: Xian to Shanghai by Flight
   Explore Xi'an's Ancient City Wall, Cultural Street, and Food Paradise

   After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Ancient City Wall, a military defensive system in old times. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved city walls in China. You can take a leisure walk or rent a bike (optional) on the top of the wall and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

   Next, go to Shuyuanmen Gate. It's an old-timey street made to look like it's from the Ming and Qing dynasties. You can find all sorts of stuff there like calligraphy, paintbrushes, jade, and antiques. It's a good spot to experience what life is like for people who live in Xi'an.

   Then, check out Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square - it's a well-known spot in Xian. From there, it's just a quick 5-minute walk to Muslim Street, which is awesome if you're into food. You can grab tasty local eats like Biang Biang Noodles, Roujiamo (kind of like a Chinese Hamburger), and Yangrou Paomo (mutton soup with bread).

   After the trip, you will be transferred to the airport for late afternoon flight to Shanghai, China's most bustling metropolis.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

7. Day 7: Shanghai City Sightseeing
   Travel through Shanghai's Classical Garden, Historic Concession Area, Modern Pedestrian Street

   Begin your Shanghai tour to Yuyuan Garden. This famous old garden was first made by a son for his parents, so they could relax and be happy as they got older. Huijing Tower in the center of the garden offers a panoramic view of the whole garden. After that, take a look at the Yuyuan Market, which is also called Yuyuan Bazaar. There, you can eat local treats, look at cool Chinese buildings, and buy silk, old trinkets, and other stuff to give to family or friends.

   

   Afterwards, you will be guided to visit former French Concession. This is one of the best-preserved concessions in China. The Chinese parasol trees and buildings on both sides show the exotic flavor of Shanghai. You will learn the stories of what happened here in the past from your expert guide.

   After that, head to Xintiandi – something like Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong and Clarke Quay in Singapore. Xintiandi is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style.

   Last, take a leisurely walk along the Bund, where you will admire buildings of various styles, enjoy the beautiful Huangpu River, and listen to your guide explaining its history.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

   

8. Day 8: Shanghai to Zhujiajiao Water Town
   Stroll Historic Streets and Optionally Ride a Gondola

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Then depart for Zhujiajiao Water Town, known as the Venice of Shanghai. Upon arrival, stroll along the old town while listening to your guide about its history. The history of this town even dates back to 1700 years ago. The look of the town we see today was left over from the Ming Dynasty. If you are interested, you can optionally have a relaxing gondola ride to truly experience the charm of water town.

   

   Afterward, head back to downtown Shanghai and explore Tianzifang. It's a trendy artsy area that grew out of the old Shikumen buildings. Wander through the small streets filled with art places, cute coffee shops, and little stores. If you have time, pop over to Fuxing Park. It's Shanghai's oldest and biggest park, and it's kept up nicely in that old French style.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

9. Day 9: Departure from Shanghai

   Enjoy a leisurely morning after breakfast. Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight (usually 4 hours in advance for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights). Our 9-day China Golden Triangle tour of Beijing Xian Shanghai tour will end here. Wish you a pleasant journey!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A