Imperial China → Ancient China → Modern China
Classic China: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai · 8 days / 7 nights
Our flagship first-China route, moving from imperial Beijing to ancient Xi’an and modern Shanghai in eight well-structured days.
Route & overnight stays
At a Glance
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Route
- Beijing 3N → Xi'an 2N → Shanghai 2N
- Start city
- Beijing
- End city
- Shanghai
- Travel style
- Private tailor-made tour
- Best for
- First-time visitors to China
- Pace
- Moderate — full sightseeing days, free evenings
- Transport
- Private vehicle + high-speed rail + domestic flight
- Hotel options
- 3 / 4 / 5-star
- Guide
- Private local guide in each city
- Solo traveler
- Welcome to inquire
- Private tour
- Operates privately by default for 2+ travelers
Route Map
Who this trip suits
First-time China travelers, couples and families who want the classic route without rushing. Expect full sightseeing days (typically 8:30–17:30) with early starts on Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors days; evenings are free unless a night cruise or show is listed.
Highlights
- Beijing’s Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Mutianyu Great Wall
- High-speed rail from Beijing to Xi’an
- Terracotta Warriors, Qin cultural experience and Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Xi’an City Wall and Muslim Quarter
- Yu Garden, old Shanghai, the Bund, Lujiazui and a Huangpu River night cruise
Featured experiences
- Mutianyu Great Wall with round-trip cable car and shuttle — less crowded than Badaling
- Beijing–Xi’an high-speed rail in second class, arranged and ticketed by us
- Terracotta Warriors with 2.5–3 hour guided visit plus a hands-on Qin warrior workshop
- Xi’an City Wall walk or cycle and Muslim Quarter food street
- Shanghai: Yu Garden old town, the Bund walk, Lujiazui observatory and Huangpu night cruise
Why You'll Love This Trip
- Three faces of China in one trip: imperial Beijing, ancient Xi'an and modern Shanghai — the classic first-China route.
- Efficient connections: high-speed rail and a domestic flight arranged and ticketed by us, so you never worry about logistics.
- Real experiences, not just sights: the Mutianyu Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors with a hands-on workshop, and a Huangpu night cruise.
- Private throughout: your own vehicle, guide and pace — no stranger groups, no shopping stops.
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Beijing
Your guide meets you on arrival in Beijing and takes you by private car to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey — take it easy and recharge for the adventure ahead.
Imperial Beijing
Cross vast Tiananmen Square, then explore the Forbidden City in depth with your guide's imperial stories. Climb Jingshan's hill for the classic view over the golden roofs, then wander a hutong to feel local neighborhood life. Dinner is Beijing's famous Peking duck.
Temple of Heaven & Mutianyu
Join locals in the Temple of Heaven park, where tai chi, dancing and music fill the ancient courtyards. Then ride the shuttle and round-trip cable car up to the Mutianyu Great Wall, strolling restored watchtowers with forest views. Evening free.
Summer Palace · train to Xi’an
Stroll the Summer Palace's lakeside paths, cross the Seventeen-Arch Bridge and admire the painted Long Corridor. Then board the high-speed train to Xi'an, where your local guide meets you for the hotel transfer.
Terracotta Warriors & Tang landmark
Spend the morning at the Terracotta Warriors, face to face with the life-size silent army, then join a hands-on Qin cultural experience. In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the iconic Tang-dynasty landmark of Xi'an.
Xi’an City Wall · fly to Shanghai
Walk or cycle atop the ancient Xi'an City Wall, then dive into the Muslim Quarter's bustling lanes for local snacks. In the afternoon, fly to Shanghai, where your guide meets you for the hotel transfer.
Shanghai past and future
Wander Yu Garden's rockeries and pavilions, then enjoy soup-filled xiaolongbao and a Shanghai-style lunch. Take an in-depth Bund walk, with colonial facades on one side and Pudong's skyline on the other. Finish with a Lujiazui observation deck visit and a Huangpu River night cruise.
Depart Shanghai
Enjoy a relaxed morning before your guide accompanies you to Shanghai airport or railway station for departure. Take home wonderful memories of China's imperial past and dynamic present.
3, 4 and 5-star hotels
3-star
Comfortable tourist class
Clean, well-located hotels close to transport and dining, with private bathroom, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and daily breakfast. The sensible-value option for budget-led groups.
4-star
Well-located superior class
Larger rooms, fuller facilities (restaurant, gym, business services) and a stronger breakfast buffet. The standard most travelers choose, and the tier we recommend for this tour.
5-star
International deluxe class
International-brand or leading local deluxe hotels with premium locations and top-level service. Best suited to special occasions and travelers expecting a top-end stay.
Included in the price
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle or coach with licensed driver
- ✓ English-speaking licensed local guide on sightseeing days
- ✓ Accommodation with daily breakfast at the selected standard
- ✓ Entrance fees and activities stated in the confirmed itinerary
- ✓ Airport or railway station transfers stated in the program
- ✓ Travel insurance (subject to final quotation)
- ✓ China-side operational coordination throughout the trip
The Beijing–Xi’an high-speed rail (second class, day 4) and Xi’an–Shanghai flight (economy, day 6) are arranged and ticketed by us and included in your written quote. International flights are not included.
Not included
- – International flights to and from China
- – China visa fees
- – Domestic flights or high-speed train tickets unless stated
- – Meals not listed in the confirmed itinerary
- – Personal expenses, optional activities and gratuities
- – Services required because of flight disruption or other events outside the confirmed program
Good to know
- Great Wall day involves 2–3 hours of walking with steps; wear grip shoes.
- Terracotta Warriors day starts early to avoid crowds.
- Days 4 and 6 are transfer days (rail ~5.5h, flight ~2.5h); sightseeing is lighter.
- Beijing and Xi’an involve considerable walking on uneven surfaces.
Before You Book
- Passport information may be required when we book your train tickets.
- Major attractions may require advance reservations; we handle bookings once your trip is confirmed.
- High-speed train and domestic flight schedules are subject to availability and may shift slightly.
- Public holidays (e.g. Golden Week, Chinese New Year) can affect hotel rates and crowd levels.
- Some sightseeing days involve significant walking and steps — see Good to Know for each day.
- International flights are not included unless clearly stated in your quote.
- Attractions may occasionally be adjusted due to weather, official closures or reservation availability.
- Daily timing may be adjusted according to flights, trains and local conditions.
Booking notes
- Solo travelers are welcome to inquire. For 2 or more travelers, the tour operates privately by default.
Customize your trip
Adjust the domestic transport, add extra nights in any city, or extend to Guilin, Yunnan, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Jiangnan or Shandong.