The perfect first trip to China — three cities, three eras of history
This is the itinerary we recommend to every first-time visitor. In eight days, you'll walk the Great Wall, stand before the Terracotta Army, and watch Shanghai's skyline light up at dusk. Three cities connected by high-speed rail — no internal flights needed, no wasted travel days. Just China's greatest hits, one after another.
Operational review
Route and price basis reviewed October 2026
Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle; High-speed train tickets (Beijing-Xi'an, Xi'an-Shanghai); Airport/train station transfers
Regular sightseeing walks with private transfers; suitable for most travelers when normal city walking is comfortable.
Four-star accommodation unless the itinerary or dated quote states otherwise; exact hotels remain subject to availability.
Planning benchmark only. Dates, party size, room choice and live rail or air fares are repriced in the written proposal.
Openings, schedules and supplier availability can change. The dated proposal takes precedence over this planning page.
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Group Type | Private (1-10 travelers) |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Best Season | April-May, September-October |
| Cities Visited | Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai |
| Regions | North China, Central China, East China |
| Price Basis | From price per person based on 2 travelers sharing a room with 4-star hotels in low or shoulder season. |
Walk atop China's most iconic structure at its best-preserved, least-crowded section — with cable car up and toboggan slide down.
Explore Great Wall (Mutianyu) →980 buildings, 600 years of imperial history — the world's largest palace complex, where emperors ruled for five centuries.
Explore Forbidden City →
8,000 life-sized warriors, each with a unique face, buried for 2,200 years to guard China's first emperor in the afterlife.
Explore Terracotta Warriors →Cycle atop the 14th-century wall — the most complete ancient city wall in China, enclosing Xi'an's old town for 14 km.
Explore Xi'an Ancient City Wall →
Shanghai's iconic waterfront — colonial-era buildings facing the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.
Explore The Bund →Your private driver meets you at Beijing Capital or Daxing Airport. Transfer to your 4-star hotel in the Wangfujing area. Evening at leisure — stroll the famous shopping street or rest up. Welcome dinner: authentic Peking Duck.
Overnight: Beijing 4-star hotel
Start at Tiananmen Square, then walk through the Meridian Gate into the Forbidden City — 980 buildings, 600 years of imperial history. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests. Evening Hutong tour by rickshaw through old Beijing alleyways.
Overnight: Beijing 4-star hotel
Drive 1.5 hours to Mutianyu — the best-preserved section of the Great Wall, with fewer crowds than Badaling. Cable car up, toboggan slide down. Afternoon visit to the Ming Tombs (Changling). Return to Beijing for a free evening.
Overnight: Beijing 4-star hotel
Morning at the Summer Palace — the imperial garden retreat. After lunch, board the high-speed train to Xi'an (4.5-5.5 hours, 300+ km/h). Arrive in the evening. Check into your hotel near the Muslim Quarter — explore the night market.
Overnight: Xi'an 4-star hotel
Full-day excursion to the Terracotta Army — 8,000 life-sized warriors, each with a unique face, buried for 2,200 years. Visit Pit 1, 2, and 3, plus the Bronze Chariot Museum. Afternoon: Xi'an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
Overnight: Xi'an 4-star hotel
Morning: cycle atop the 14th-century City Wall — the most complete ancient city wall in China. Visit the Great Mosque (Chinese-Islamic architecture). Afternoon high-speed train to Shanghai (6-7 hours) or optional flight (2 hours). Evening arrival in Shanghai.
Overnight: Shanghai 4-star hotel
Morning: Yu Garden and Old Town — classical Chinese garden design. Then the Shanghai Museum (bronze, ceramics, calligraphy). Afternoon: walk the Bund and explore the French Concession. Evening: Huangpu River cruise to see the Pudong skyline.
Overnight: Shanghai 4-star hotel
Free morning for last-minute shopping or a visit to Xintiandi. Transfer to Pudong or Hongqiao Airport for your departure flight. End of services.
Reference Price
Based on double occupancy
Reference price for 2 travelers sharing a room, using 4-star hotels in low or shoulder season.
Single supplement: +$480
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