8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Small Group Tour

Tour Overview

This 8-day small group tour covers China’s three most iconic cities: Beijing, the imperial capital with its Forbidden City and Great Wall; Xi’an, the ancient Silk Road capital home to the Terracotta Warriors; and Shanghai, China’s dynamic modern metropolis. Travel in a small group of no more than 12 people with an experienced English-speaking guide, exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient imperial palaces, bustling markets, and futuristic skylines. From the 600-year-old Forbidden City to the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Army and the glittering Shanghai skyline, this tour offers the perfect introduction to China’s past, present, and future.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport, where your guide will greet you and transfer to your hotel in the city center. Beijing, China’s capital for over 800 years, is a fascinating blend of ancient imperial grandeur and modern development. After check-in, take some time to rest or explore the area around your hotel. In the evening, optionally visit the Wangfujing Snack Street for a taste of local street food, or enjoy a Peking duck dinner, the city’s signature dish with a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

Morning visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world at 440,000 square meters, capable of holding one million people. Walk past the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao. Enter the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden structure complex in the world, home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Explore the Outer Court (Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony) and Inner Court (Palace of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Imperial Garden), covering 720,000 square meters with 9,000 rooms. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial sacrificial altar complex built in 1420, where emperors prayed for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a circular wooden building with triple eaves and a blue tiled roof, is one of China’s most iconic architectural masterpieces. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace

Morning drive approximately 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the best-preserved and most scenic sections, originally built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi Dynasty and rebuilt in 1569 during the Ming Dynasty. Mutianyu features 22 watchtowers over 2.25 kilometers, surrounded by lush forest with 96% vegetation coverage, making it the most beautifully landscaped section of the wall. Walk along the wall, take the cable car up, and enjoy the thrilling toboggan slide down. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, covering 290 hectares with Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi, the palace features the 728-meter Long Corridor with over 14,000 paintings, the Marble Boat, and numerous pavilions and bridges. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 4: Beijing to Xi’an – Terracotta Warriors

Morning transfer to Beijing West Station for a high-speed train (approximately 4.5-6 hours) or flight to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals, serving as the capital for 13 dynasties over 1,100 years. Upon arrival, visit the Terracotta Army Museum, discovered in 1974 by farmers drilling a well. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains over 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors, 130 chariots, and 670 horses, created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China, who died in 210 BC. Each warrior has unique facial features, hairstyles, and armor details. Explore Pit 1 (the largest, with 6,000 warriors), Pit 2 (with cavalry and archers), and Pit 3 (the command center). Visit the museum of bronze chariots and horses. Overnight in Xi’an.

Day 5: Xi’an City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Muslim Quarter

Morning bike ride or walk along the Xi’an City Wall, the most complete ancient city wall in China, built in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, stretching 13.7 kilometers in circumference with a height of 12 meters and width of 15 meters at the top. The wall encloses the old city and offers views of both the traditional architecture inside and the modern skyline outside. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta), built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty to house Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang. The pagoda stands 64 meters tall with seven stories and is a symbol of Xi’an. Explore the surrounding Da Ci’en Temple complex and the North Square with its musical fountain, the largest in Asia. In the evening, wander through the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie), a vibrant historic neighborhood with over 500 years of history, sampling local delicacies including roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread), liangpi (cold noodles), and persimmon cakes. Overnight in Xi’an.

Day 6: Xi’an to Shanghai – The Bund & Yu Garden

Morning flight or high-speed train from Xi’an to Shanghai (approximately 2 hours flight or 6-7 hours by train). Shanghai, China’s largest city with 24 million people, is the country’s economic and financial center and a global metropolis. Upon arrival, visit The Bund (Waitan), a 1.5-kilometer waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River lined with 52 historic buildings in various architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, and Art Deco, known as the “Museum of World Architecture.” Across the river, the futuristic Pudong skyline features the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower (632 meters, China’s tallest building). Afterward, visit Yu Garden (Yuyuan), a classical Chinese garden built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by a Ming official for his parents. The garden features exquisite rockeries, pavilions, ponds, and the famous Exquisite Jade Rock. Explore the surrounding Yu Garden Bazaar with traditional shops and snack stalls. Overnight in Shanghai.

Day 7: Shanghai Museum, French Concession & Zhujiajiao

Morning visit to the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s finest museums, housing over 120,000 artifacts including ancient bronze vessels, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, jade, and minority art. The museum’s distinctive architecture features a circular top and square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese belief of a round heaven and square earth. Afterward, explore the Former French Concession area, with its tree-lined boulevards, European-style villas, boutique shops, cafes, and art galleries. Walk along Wukang Road and Yongkang Road, visit the former residence of Soong Ching-ling, and experience the unique blend of Chinese and Western culture. In the afternoon, take a short trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town, a 1,700-year-old canal town known as the “Venice of Shanghai,” with 36 stone bridges, ancient Ming and Qing architecture, and narrow canals. Take a boat ride through the canals and visit the Kezhi Garden. Overnight in Shanghai.

Day 8: Shanghai Departure

Morning free time for last-minute shopping at Nanjing Road, the world’s longest shopping street at 5.5 kilometers, or the Xintiandi area, a trendy district of restored Shikumen (stone-gate) houses with upscale restaurants, bars, and shops. Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Hongqiao Airport for your onward flight. End of tour.

Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• 7 nights accommodation (3 nights Beijing, 2 nights Xi’an, 2 nights Shanghai)
• Daily breakfast
• Beijing-Xi’an and Xi’an-Shanghai transportation (high-speed train second class or flight)

Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal
• International flights
• Travel insurance and personal expenses