8-day Private Tour: Beijing–Xi’an–Shanghai

This 8-day suggested itinerary covers the most popular three destinations and five World Heritage sites in China. It makes an ideal tour for first-time visitors.

The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Tell us your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.

Day 1  Beijing Arrival
With a sunny smile, your private guide will be on time and waiting for you in the arrival hall. A comfortable private car and experienced driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. We aim to give you a good first impression of China.

Day 2   The Forbidden City and Hutong Alleyways

breakfast and lunch

Start your day with the symbol of new China, the Tian’anmen Square. From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces with 500 years history. While most tour groups only visit the six halls on the central axis, your private guide will take you to the hidden halls for a deeper understanding of the history and to dodge the crowds.

Enjoy the Beijing Roast Duck for lunch. Watch the exquisite cutting skills of the chef, taste crispy duck skin, and learn how to eat it in the correct way.

Spend a relaxing afternoon in the hutong alleyways. Hop onto a rickshaw ride to see the real life-link past of old Beijing.

Day 3   The Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall
breakfast and lunch

Start your day from the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed to ‘heaven’ for a good harvest. You may arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never see in your country.

In the afternoon, visit Mutianyu, which is the section ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture . It is about 2½ hours’ drive from downtown Beijing, but the view and experience make it well worth your time.

Day 4The Summer Palace and High-Speed Train to Xi’an
breakfast & lunch

Be amazed by the imperial garden at the Summer Palace. It was originally the imperial court’s summer retreat, and still makes a nice place to escape the heat of summer.

Enjoy lunch and get ready to race towards Xi’an on a high-speed train, which is a good way to experience the technological development of China.

Day 5   The Terracotta Warriors and a Traditional Cave Dwelling
breakfast & lunch

In the morning, uncover the mysteries of an underground army that dates back to 206 BC at the Terracotta Army Museum. Then discover a local craftsman’s cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

After lunch, return to the city area and visit the Ancient City Wall, which has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.

Day 6  Xi’an City Highlights and Flight to Shanghai
breakfast & lunch

Discover more of Xi’an and China’s ancient history at Shaanxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.

In the afternoon, we’ll take you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Your Shanghai guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, where you can have a good rest.

Day 7   Shanghai Highlights and Bund Discovery
breakfast & lunch

Do more than just take one or two selfies on the Bund. Let’s travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s during our In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour.

Go into some of the old Bund buildings and listen to their stories. See the room that Albert Einstein stayed in.

Yu Garden presents exquisite examples of traditional landscaping, and Shanghai Old Street will show you the historical lifestyle of the Shanghainese.

Enjoy lunch and ascend the tallest building in China (highest outside Dubai) — Shanghai Tower, where you will not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai, but will also see the future of China.

Day 8   Shanghai Departure
breakfast

Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, as they help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate. We will take the stress out of your travel and set you up for a nice journey home.