7-Day Shanghai and Xi’an In-depth Tour With Mount Hua Hiking

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival
   Experience the maglev speed and acrobatic wonders in Shanghai

   Nice to meet you here in Shanghai! At the airport, your tour guide will wait for your arrival and warmly greet you. Then head to the hotel together and check in.

   If you arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport and the timing works out, you can opt to take the maglev train which runs incredibly fast. It's an impressive way to shuttle from the airport to the city center.

   You are free to move around upon arrival at the hotel. Either take a break to adjust to the time difference or take a walk in the nearby area to get a feel for this city.

   Optional activity: Shanghai acrobatic performance

   It's recommended to make use of this time to watch an acrobatic performance. Start your journey in China with superb stage performances such as aerial stunts, balancing acts, and contortion.

   Vehicle

   4-star hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: A Full Day Exploration in Shanghai
   Soar above Shanghai from the 546-meter tower and explore ancient art

   Lujiazui is the first destination today. Here, take a high-speed elevator to the sightseeing platform on the 118^th floor of Shanghai Tower. At the height of 546 meters, identify the Oriental Pearl Tower through the circular floor-to-ceiling window, watch the ships sail across the Huangpu River, and look at the crisscross roads, buildings and urban layout beneath your feet.

   

   Go to the Shanghai Museum East next, where your eyes will be delighted by the rich collection of ancient Chinese artworks, especially the intricately shaped bronze wares, exquisite ceramics, jade artifacts and ancient seals. Even if you don't know much about Chinese history, you can discover many interesting details from the animal patterns, Chinese characters, and production techniques of the antiques.

   This afternoon, walk into the Yu Garden, which has a history of over 400 years. At first glance, the garden is not large, but it is well organized with buildings, rockeries, and water features. Look for the Exquisite Jade Rock, a stone from Taihu Lake with an extraordinary shape. It's also very interesting to view the scenery through layers of rockeries and lattice windows.

   Arrive at the Bund in the evening and stroll along the Huangpu River. Ships come and go on the river, and the lights of the skyscrapers on the opposite bank gradually turn on. They constitute the most representative night view of Shanghai.

   Optional evening activity: Huangpu River Cruise

   At night, you can take a cruise through the Bund and Lujiazui. As the ship moves forward, the scenery on both banks constantly changes, and you can appreciate the lit-up historical buildings on the Bund and the skyscrapers in Lujiazui.

   

   Vehicle

   Breakfast

   4-star hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Xi'an by Flight
   Stroll through a water town and travel to Xi'an for new adventures

   Drive for about 1 hour from Shanghai city center to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town.

   Walk slowly along the North Street to enter the town. The river is flanked by old houses and traditional shops. At Fangsheng Bridge, take in the river and rooftops, as well as small boats passing under the bridge.

   Visit Kezhi Garden next. “Ke” literally means studying, and “Zhi” means farming. The name implies the owner's philosophy of life and the garden integrates living, studying, and gardening areas into one space.

   

   Hexin Garden is also worthwhile, as you can see many traditional artworks and antiques collected by the owner and learn about the lifestyle of local literati.

   Drive back to Shanghai after the tour, and then catch a 2.5-hour flight to Xi'an. A local guide will greet you at the airport in Xi'an and accompany you to the hotel.

   Option: Zhujiajiao Water Town Boat Ride

   Cross the town on a traditional sampan. Look up at the stone arches and old houses on the bank when passing under the bridges. It will be quite a relaxing experience.

   

   Flight, Vehicle

   Breakfast

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
4. Day 4: Terracotta Army & City Landmarks
   Witness the clay warriors and wander through Tang dynasty nights

   Get up early in the morning and drive about one hour to the Terracotta Warriors. The moment you enter Pit No. 1, you will be shocked by the huge archaeological site. Several rows of life-sized pottery figurines and warhorses are arranged into different formations. Looking down from the viewing area, you can truly understand the scale of this underground army.

   Besides the complete figurines, you can pay attention to the fragments in the restoration area. Many figurines were already broken when they were unearthed. Only after careful cleaning, examining, assembling, and repairing can they gain the current form we see.

   

   Return to the city center of Xi'an after lunch. Wander around the Da Ci'en Temple and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

   This area is closely associated with Xuanzang, the Tang Dynasty monk who went on a long journey to the West to seek Buddhist scriptures. It's said that Xuanzang translated the scriptures in the pagoda.

   When night falls, walk to the nearby Datang Everbright City. The whole street, lined by Tang style buildings, is lit up by colorful lanterns. From time to time, you may come across music, dance, and interactive performances in ancient costumes. No need to sit down to enjoy the performances like you are in a theater—just watch as you walk.

   Optional activity: try on Tang / Han Dynasty clothing with traditional makeup and styling

   Select your favorite traditional clothing and get your makeup and hair done. Then stroll around and take memorable travel photos.

   

   Vehicle

   Breakfast

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
5. Day 5: Xi'an Exploration of History & Culture
   Ride Xi'an's ancient wall and craft your own Chinese seal

   Start the day from a less-touristy attraction in Xi'an — the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. As you get close, you may notice the slightly damaged top of the pagoda. First built in the Tang Dynasty, it has undergone several earthquakes and repairs, and still retains its quaint look. Surrounded by green trees, it makes a good place to take a slow walk.

   

   Head to the nearby Xi'an Museum. The pottery figurines, ceramics, Buddhist statues, and everyday items displayed allow you to see a more authentic side of ancient Chang'an beyond emperors and wars.

   At Shuyuanmen Cultural Street, passing through the archway, you can see numerous shops selling calligraphy, paintings, writing brushes, Xuan rice paper, hand fans, and hand-carved seals.

   Pick out an ancient style fan with landscape, flowers, birds, or calligraphy patterns. Or find a small shop and ask the master to engrave your Chinese name on a stone seal. It will be an unforgettable memory to watch your name gradually carved into the stone and press your own seal with a touch of seal paste.

   Then go up onto the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an. Along the way, you'll pass by the defense structures like gate towers and arrow towers. You can stop every now and then to see the rooftops of the old town area and the modern city out of the wall.

   If your fitness allows, it's recommended to rent a bicycle and ride on the city wall for a while.

   

   This evening, wrap up today's trip with a dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty song and dance performances. Dumplings of all shapes and fillings will be served one after another. What's more, you'll feel like ancient nobility while watching the traditional performances.

   Vehicle

   Breakfast, Dinner

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
6. Day 6: Mount Hua Adventure
   Hike Mount Hua's thrilling cliffs and ever-changing mountain views

   Today, depart from Xi'an for Mount Hua, one of the Five Sacred Mountains in China.

   After arriving at the tourist center, transfer to the sightseeing bus inside the scenic area and then take a cable car up the mountain. As the cable car gradually leaves the ground, the grayish white granite mountain gets closer and closer. At the upper station of the cable car, start hiking.

   

   The joy of hiking on Mount Hua lies in the ever-changing scenery while walking. Some of the stone steps cling to the sheer rock faces, while some stretch along the mountain ridge. After a turn, the valley that was originally hidden by a rock wall may appear suddenly. If you climb higher, the mountain road you just walked may become a thin strip in the distance.

   Choose a suitable route based on the weather of the day, the opening status of the scenic area, and your physical condition. If you'd like to avoid backtracking and see more peaks, consider taking the West Peak Cableway up and North Peak Cableway down.

   After the tour, take a cable car down the mountain and return to the hotel in Xi'an.

   Good to know: Professional mountaineering experience is not required for Mount Hua, but you should be able to walk for a long time and climb up and down multiple steps. Please wear comfortable non-slip sports shoes. The cableway and hiking routes to take may be adjusted according to the weather, the operating status of the scenic area, and your physical strength.

   

   Vehicle, Cable Car

   Breakfast

   4-star hotel in Xi'an
7. Day 7: Departure From Xi'an
   Discover tiny Han Dynasty figurines

   Before saying goodbye to Xi'an, visit Hangyangling Mausoleum (the Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty).

   Unlike the life-sized Terracotta Warriors, a large number of tiny pottery figurines have been unearthed here. Some of them originally had wooden arms and clothing, but after over 2,000 years of decay, only the main bodies survive, and that's exactly what you see today.

   When visiting the underground ruins, you can observe the original locations of the burial pits and relics through protective glass to gain a better understanding of the underground world of the imperial tombs of Han Dynasty.

   

   Finally, your driver will take you to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport or the train station according to your schedule. Your 7 days Shanghai Xi'an in-depth tour officially ends.

   Good to know: We'll flexibly adjust the trip duration in Hangyangling Mausoleum according to your flight or train schedule to ensure sufficient time for transfer and check-in.

   Vehicle

   Breakfast