Itinerary
- Day 1
Beijing
You'll land at Beijing Airport and head to your hotel to get settled. After you've had time to rest from your flight, the city is open for exploring if you're up for it. There's an optional 4-hour tour of the Summer Palace and Kunming Lake that runs starting at 14:00 if that interests you.
- Start point
- Beijing Capital Int'l Airport 北京首都国际机场 (PEK), Airport Expressway 机场高, Beijing Shi China (Pick up at Beijing Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dong Fang Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Summer Palace and Kunming Lake excursion (4-hour visit starting at 14:00 from hotel lobby, includes visit to Longevity Hill, Temple of Buddhist Virtue, Hall of Jade Ripples, Cloud-Dispelling Hall, Hall of Happiness and Longevity, and Kunming Lake)
Landmarks Summer Palace Kunming Lake Longevity Hill Temple of Buddhist Virtue Hall of Jade Ripples Cloud-Dispelling Hall Hall of Happiness and Longevity 
- Day 2
Beijing
Following breakfast, you'll visit Tian'an Men Square and spend time walking through the Forbidden City with all its halls and gardens. From there, head to the Temple of Heaven. You can choose between trying a tea ceremony or checking out a pearl market. Later in the afternoon, you'll head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dong Fang Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Tian'an Men Square
- Forbidden City exploration (halls and gardens, excluding exhibitions)
- Temple of Heaven visit
- Tea ceremony or pearl market visit
Landmarks Tian'an Men Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven 
- Day 3
Beijing
After breakfast, you'll travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall to see the architecture and craftsmanship firsthand. You'll stop at a tea house to relax a bit, then move on to explore the Summer Palace and the views around Kunming Lake. You'll return to your hotel as evening approaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dong Fang Hotel)
Included Activities
- Great Wall - Mutianyu section visit (excluding cable car)
- Tea house visit
- Summer Palace visit (excluding boat, theatre, and Longevity Hill access)
Landmarks Great Wall - Mutianyu Section Summer Palace Kunming Lake - Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
You'll have breakfast, then walk through Beijing's historic Hutong alleyways to see the traditional neighborhoods. In the afternoon, you'll transfer to Beijing West Railway Station to catch the high-speed train headed to Xi'an. When you arrive at Xi'an North Railway Station, a guide will meet you, help with your luggage, and get you to your hotel for check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aurum International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Beijing Hutongs alleyway tour
Landmarks Hutongs 
- Day 5
Xi'an
After breakfast, you'll visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum to see the famous terracotta warriors and horses from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. On the way back to your hotel, you'll stop at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and a jade factory to learn how jade is worked. The rest of the day you can spend however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aurum International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Terracotta Warriors Museum visit
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda visit
- Local jade factory visit
Landmarks Terracotta Warriors Museum Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Day 6
Xi'an to Shanghai
You'll have breakfast then walk on Xi'an's historic city walls. After that, you'll head into the Muslim Quarter to see the mosques and walk through the lively market streets. You can try local street foods and snacks from vendors throughout the quarter. Later in the afternoon, you'll transfer to Xi'an Railway Station to board an overnight train to Shanghai. Dinner on the train isn't included, so plan accordingly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City wall of Xi'an walk
- Muslim Quarter exploration (including market wander and local food sampling)
Landmarks City Walls of Xi'an Muslim Quarter 
- Day 7
Shanghai
You'll arrive early at Shanghai Railway Station where someone will meet you and drive you to your hotel for breakfast. After you leave your luggage, head out to explore the old town from the Ming Dynasty, including Yu Garden. You'll visit the Jade Buddha Temple to see the white Jade Burmese Buddha statues. Later, take a walk along the Bund waterfront and down Nanjing Road shopping boulevard.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Hotel)
Included Activities
- Shanghai old town city tour
- Yu Garden visit
- Jade Buddha Temple visit
- The Bund waterfront stroll
- Nanjing Road walk
Landmarks Yu Garden Jade Buddha Temple The Bund Nanjing Road - Day 8
Shanghai
Following breakfast, you'll drive to Zhujiajiao water town, sometimes called the 'Venice of China', for a half-day walk through its bohemian cafes and mix of modern buildings. You'll return to Shanghai and explore the Former French Concession with its European-style architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and mansion-style buildings. Before heading back to your hotel, you'll check out the Silk Factory to see fine handicraft work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Hotel)
Included Activities
- Zhujiajiao water town half-day excursion
- Former French Concession exploration
- Silk Factory visit
Landmarks Zhujiajiao Former French Concession - Day 9
Shanghai
You'll have your farewell breakfast at the hotel, then check out at the scheduled time. From there, you'll transfer to Shanghai Airport for your flight home or onward journey.
- End point
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) 上海虹桥国际机场, 2550 Hongqiao Rd 虹桥路2550号, Shanghai Shi China (Drop off at Shanghai Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
