9 days Beijing Xi’an Shanghai Tour – China Golden Triangle

Upon your arrival in Beijing by either train or plane, be met and assisted to your hotel by a local guide and driver. The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore. Stay overnight in Beijing.

Today will be a day of touring Beijing's best offerings, you will begin to learn about the rich history and cultures of this Capital city. Following breakfast in your hotel, have a short drive to Tian'anmen Square, located in the center of Beijing city, is the largest public square in the world.

Afterwards, cross the street, enter into the Forbidden City, the largest surviving palace complex and the former home of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Consisting of 980 buildings and with 8,707 bays of rooms, Forbidden city is the best example of classical Chinese architecture in the world. Then proceed to Jingshan Park where to enjoy a panoramic view of Forbidden city.

In the afternoon, head to the UNESCO World Heritage Summer Palace, a royal garden. This beautiful garden is covered with spectacular scenery a manmade lake named Kunming that is best overlooked from Longevity Hill (Wanshou  Shan), a place once reserved for the imperial court only. Enjoy the beautiful scene and see the ancient palaces, temples and gardens dating back to the Qing dynasty. The Summer Palace is also well known as one of the four classic gardens in China.

In the evening, you might consider to savor the world famous Beijing roast duck or another local specialty for dinner. Stay overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, drive to visit the Temple of Heaven, a holy imperial temple where emperors went to worship to the God of Heaven and pray for an good harvest. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qinian Dian) is the main building at the Temple of Heaven, and it's well known for its unique and magnificent triple-gabled circular appearance.

In the afternoon, you can choose to visit one of the below Great Walls:

Drive about 2.5 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall. Once arrival you will enjoy about 3 hours of walking along this wonderful ancient wall. See with your own eyes this national treasure and photography the magnificent scenery of the wall winding its way across the mountains. Comparing to Badaling, Wutianyu Great Wall is less crowded. You can assend the great wall by cable cars or walk up.

Drive about 2.5 hours to Huanghuacheng Great Wall. Less touristy than other parts of the Great Wall close to Beijing, Huanghuacheng is an extremely rewarding, and impossibly steep, section of the Wall. Undulating across the hillsides east and west of a small reservoir and offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, it has undergone only partial restoration and is refreshingly free of the hawkers who can make visits to other sections a trying experience.

On the way back to the downtown, stop to overlook Olympic Green. Stay overnight in Beijing. (Optional: If you are interested in the local life, we can also drop you off at the Donghuamen night market or Sanlitun Bar Street, where you can get closer to local Beijing).

After breakfast, drive to visit the Lama Temple, which also known as the Yonghegong Temple. It is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It contains the largest wooden Buddha in the world. (Optional: You can visit Beihai Park instead of you are more interested in the local people’s life).

Then explore the secret Beijing hutongs with a one to two-hour visit to Beiluoguoxiang. This less-visited portion of Beijing, fading into history, is located in the old eastern part of the city. During your visit, the local guide will share the history and traditional cultures of old Beijing. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Xi'an (about 4.5 hours). Upon arrival in Xi'an, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Stay overnight in Xi'an.

In the evening you might head to visit Datang Everbright City, a popular pedestrian street known for its Tang style buildings, large public art installations and evening performances. At night the entire area is lit by colorful lanterns and creative light shows, making it one of the most vibrant spots in Xi’an for photos, food and entertainment. (Optional, not included in our tour itinerary)

Your first day in Xi'an begins with a visit to the 8th wonder of the world, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, one of China's must-see attractions. Built for Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, to defend his mausoleum and prepare him for rule in the afterlife. You will see more than 10,000 life-sized clay warriors and their chariots, waiting for their emperor to awaken them.

Afterwards, return to downtown Xi'an for lunch and continue your visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This ancient building has been rebuilt over the centuries but is considered the key landmark of Xi'an and can offer a unique bird's eye view of the city. You may also try on the Hanfu - traditional Chinese Costumes (optional, fees on your own).

Xi'an is famous for its Muslim culture; you will be arranged to visit the Muslim Quarters. Feel the unique ethnic atmosphere of the Hui cultural minority as you safely walk through the narrow streets. In the evening, you can choose to enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet followed by a Tang Dynasty culture show (Optional, fee is extra on your own). Stay overnight in Xi'an.

Today, you will start another half-day tour to visit Xi'an. First, drive to visit the Beilin Museum (Forest of Stone Steles Museum), which is a treasure trove of Chinese calligraphy, historical documents, and stone carvings, housing over 3,000 steles.

Next is a stop at the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China, Xi'an City Wall. You can choose to rent bicycles and ride along part of the wall. Afterwards head straight to Shuyuan Men street, this ancient street where you can observe life as it was during the Tang dynasty. It's a great place to buy some local souvenirs for your family or friends.

Late in the afternoon, drive to the airport and fly to Shanghai (about 2 hours), the last destination of this tour. Your Shanghai local guide will meet you at the airport and assist you to your hotel. Stay overnight in Shanghai.

Explore Shanghai's vibrant essence that starts at Shanghai Tower, the city's tallest building offering breathtaking panoramic views of Shanghai's skyline, you will also visit Duo Yun Bookstore, on the 52nd floor. Next, visit Yu Garden, a beautiful garden established by a Ming Dynasty government officer, renowned for its intricate layout, stunning pavilions, and extensive use of rockeries and water features that capture the essence of nature. Follow this with a visit to the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar.

After lunch, head to Xintiandi in the French Concession. Originally the site of the first congress of China's Communist Party, it is now a vibrant cultural center of Shanghai featuring cafes, bars, bookstores, and boutiques.

Finally, experience the historical charm of the Bund along the Huangpu River. Your day tour in Shanghai ends at Nanjing Road, which offers a bustling shopping experience. 

In the evening you might consider to enjoy a spectacular Chinese Acrobatics show or take an evening cruise along the Huangpu River to enjoy the night view of the Bund (Optional, fees on your own). Stay overnight in Shanghai.

As one of the last days of the tour, we have left it open and flexible, have one full day free to explore Shanghai. Go shopping or walk around this city. If you need, you can ask our guide to give you some suggestions on where to go or what to see. There are also some beautiful water towns near Shanghai, such as Zhouzhuang. No matter your plan WindhorseTour will help to ensure it is successful, all out tours can be customized according to your requirements. Stay overnight in Shanghai.

After breakfast, drive to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport or Pudong Airport. Your China 9 day tour ends We are certain your tour to China will be full of ever lasting memories.