8-Nights Classic China: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai from $3,266

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing

Transfer: Beijing Capital Airportto Beijing - City Centre

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town (4 Star Rating)

Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town is a stylish modern hotel located in the vibrant Chaoyang District, close to shops, dining, and public transport. It offers spacious, comfortable rooms and excellent amenities, including a heated indoor pool, spa, and fitness center. The hotel provides a convenient base for exploring Beijing's top attractions while enjoying premium dining and leisure options.

Pick up from hotel, walk through the Tian'an Men Square and head to the gate of the Forbidden City, the abiding symbol of imperial China. Truly one of the great achievements of civilization, its construction employed hundreds of thousands of workers between 1406 and 1420. Marvel at its expansive architecture, magnificent imperial gardens, and many museums of Chinese antiquities and treasures.

Head to the Summer Palace, which is the best-kept existing royal garden in Beijing, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds, situated on Kunming Lake. After a Chinese lunch at local restaurant, explore the Temple of Heaven, one of the finest creations of the Ming dynasty.

This stunning architecture realizes the eternal Chinese desire to incarnate heaven in material form and represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry of the time. Late afternoon, transfer back to hotel.

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel and transfer to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a rugged and less crowded stretch that offers spectacular views as it winds over the surrounding hills. The drive from Beijing takes approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, take a short cable car ride up to the Wall, where you can explore its ancient watchtowers, walk along the winding stone paths, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the hills and forests. After soaking in the breathtaking scenery, return by cable car to meet your driver, and then stop at a restaurant for a relaxing lunch before heading back to Beijing.

Pick up from hotel, tour the picturesque Houhai district, where well-preserved courtyard homes and narrow hutong alleys border tree-lined lakes. Tour the district by pedicab for a closer and more engaging experience of traditional Chinese life. After have a dumpling lunch with local family, transfer back to hotel.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Xian Big Goose Pagoda (4 Star Rating)

Holiday Inn Xi’an Big Goose Pagoda offers a modern and comfortable base just steps from the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the vibrant cultural district surrounding it. Travelers enjoy easy access to ancient temples, colorful night markets, and the nearby

Shaanxi History Museum. With spacious rooms, welcoming service, and great dining options, it’s an ideal stay for exploring Xi’an’s rich heritage.

Begin your day with a visit to the Terracotta Army, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world. These 2,300-year-old life-sized figures were crafted to protect the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. The site was accidentally uncovered by local farmers in 1974, and today, the warriors remain in their original positions, giving visitors a remarkable glimpse into ancient Chinese military organization, artistry, and funerary practices. You'll see rows of soldiers, chariots, and horses, each uniquely detailed, reflecting the skill and dedication of the craftsmen who created them over two millennia ago.

After lunch, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built during the Tang Dynasty in 652 AD. This ancient pagoda was constructed to house sacred Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang. As you explore the site, you'll gain insight into the spread of Buddhism in China and admire the elegant architectural style that has stood for over a millennium.

Next, visit the Art Ceramics Factory, where you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at making a pottery figure, experiencing the traditional craft firsthand.

Pick up from hotel, enjoy the The Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner in early evening. It's a performance of Changan music and dance originated in China's Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. It has been recreated in accordance with various historical records as well as ancient art and relics discovered in Xian, the capital of the empire during the Tang Dynasty. After that, transfer back to hotel.

Transfer: Xi'an - City Centreto Xi an Xianyang Apt

Transfer: Shanghai Pu Dong Aptto Shanghai - The Bund/Huangpu District

Hotel: Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel on the Bund (4 Star Rating)

Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel on the Bund is a chic hotel ideally situated near Yu Garden and just steps from the Bund and Xintiandi. Modern rooms offer city views and high-speed internet, while amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, dining options, and a Club Lounge. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Shanghai's historic sites and vibrant nightlife.

Pick up from hotel, enjoy a amazing Acrobatic Show at ERA Theatre. It hosts one of the best acrobatic shows in town. ERA - Intersection of Time put on in the theater is a multimillion-dollar stunning acrobatic extravaganza, the first of its kind in China, ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. The highlight of ht show includes Mirror Mirage, Magic Water, Floating Gondola, Music of ERA, Jar Juggling, Wheel of Life, Space Motorcycles. After that, transfer back to hotel.

Start the day to stroll along the Bund, a waterfront area in central, there is dozens of historical buildings, lining the Huangpu River. Then visit the Nanjing Road, enjoy the reputation as China No. 1 commercial center. It was the earliest commercial street in Shanghai since the city opened to the outside world. Continue to the 400-year-old Yu Garden (closed on Monday), Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Outside of the garden is the famous Chen Huang Miao Bazaar-- an area of shops, restaurants and recreation facilities. and after Chinese lunch at local restaurant, continue to the Jade Buddha Temple, it was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. Late afternoon, transfer back to hotel. Evening is free at leisure with dinner on own.

Take a morning high-speed train to Suzhou, often called the "Venice of the East" for its picturesque canals, classical gardens, and timeless charm, just 30 minutes by train from Shanghai. Begin your journey at the Master of the Nets Garden, a UNESCO-acclaimed gem renowned for its artful use of space, contrast, and borrowed scenery. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Grand Canal and wander the historic streets of Pingjiang Road Old Town or Santang Old Street, where traditional architecture and local culture come alive. Savor a delicious lunch and then visit a Silk Spinning Factory to see the fascinating process of turning silkworms into exquisite silk fabrics. Return to Shanghai in the late afternoon.

Transfer: Shanghai - The Bund/Huangpu District to Shanghai Pu Dong Apt