8 Days Private Tour Of Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai

Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! No matter what time you arrive, our professional guide and experienced driver will be waiting at the airport arrival hall to greet you. You will then be escorted to your pre-booked hotel to check in and rest. Spend the remainder of the day adjusting to the time difference and refreshing yourself for the exciting China Golden Triangle journey ahead.

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel to kick off this private journey starting at the majestic Tiananmen Square. As the world’s largest urban square, it is home to many buildings of great significance to the Chinese people, including the Tiananmen Rostrum and the Great Hall of the People. Afterward, your guide will lead you through the square and the Rostrum to enter the world’s largest imperial palace complex —— the Forbidden City. The palace is divided into the Outer Court, where emperors handled state affairs, and the Inner Court, the residential quarters for the royal family.

★ Exclusive VIP Benefits:

We guarantee 2 to 3 hours of sightseeing in the Forbidden City, providing ample time to explore all major palaces and imperial courtyards. Additionally, our guides visit here over 100 times a year and are intimately familiar with every detail, ensuring you follow the best possible tour route. To save you from long on-site queues, we will pre-book your entrance tickets online in advance.

★ A La Carte Welcome Lunch: Authentic Chinese Cuisine & Peking Duck

Providing high-quality meals is our standard. For today’s lunch (valued at RMB 150 per person, included in the tour), you will savor delicious authentic Chinese dishes and crispy Peking Duck. Your guide will consult your preferences and assist with ordering. Feel free to try using chopsticks just like a local! You will dine in a traditional courtyard restaurant, lush with greenery and full of elegance. The tableware follows an imperial style decorated with traditional local patterns, and the fresh, healthy ingredients ensure a first-class dining experience.

In the afternoon, you will first visit the Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple). Originally the palace of Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735) before his accession, it was later converted into a Tibetan Buddhist temple. To this day, it remains the most popular temple for worshippers in Beijing.

Next, proceed to the Temple of Heaven. This was the solemn site where ancient emperors offered sacrifices to the heavens. The most outstanding structure is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests —— a massive circular building with three eaves, a famous Beijing landmark frequently featured in global media.

Today’s sightseeing concludes here, and your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast, A La Carte Welcome Lunch

Today marks a spectacular highlight of your China journey —— climbing the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall. We will arrange round-trip cable cars for your convenience. The Great Wall is a priceless heritage left by ancient Chinese ancestors. Standing atop the battlements and witnessing its majestic grandeur, you will understand why it captivates the world with its unique charm. You can take a leisurely stroll here and soak in the breathtaking mountain scenery.

Lunch is at your own expense, and your guide will be happy to assist with recommendations. Afterward, return to the city to continue today’s itinerary. On the way back, we will stop at the “Bird’s Nest” (National Stadium) for a photo opportunity, a giant “nest” shaped architectural marvel.

The final stop of the day is Shichahai —— a historic lakeside district home to numerous Hutong alleys and traditional courtyard houses (Siheyuan). From the late 19th to early 20th century, rickshaws were a popular mode of transport in Beijing and across China. Weaving through the crisscrossing Hutongs in a rickshaw to experience the old Beijing way of life will be a fascinating 40-minute journey. Subsequently, we will visit a local family in their courtyard home to gain insight into their daily lives.

Finally, we will escort you back to your hotel. The Shichahai area is also home to many bars, perfect for a vibrant night out. If you are interested, you may stay to explore further and return to the hotel independently by taxi.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast

After breakfast and check-out, your guide will accompany you to visit the Summer Palace. Centered around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it is the largest and most well-preserved imperial garden in China. Both its landscape design and architectural craftsmanship are considered masterpieces of classical Chinese architecture. In summer, the lake is covered with lush lotus leaves and blooming flowers, while in winter, it becomes a popular spot for ice skating.

In the afternoon, you will board a high-speed train to Xi’an. A local guide and driver will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to your hotel.

► Experience China’s High-Speed Rail: The high-speed train has become a shining symbol of modern China and is an unmissable experience for visitors. As a professional travel agency deeply rooted in China, we naturally include this in your itinerary. The high-speed rail journey from Beijing to Xi’an is conveniently timed, usually taking about 5.5 hours, with some trains as fast as 4.5 hours. We will do our best to book the 4.5-hour train to save you time.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast

Xi’an —— Exploring the new exhibitions at the Terracotta Army Museum. This morning will be dedicated to a comprehensive tour of the Terracotta Army Museum. This is the massive underground army guarding the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC – 210 BC), where thousands of life-sized pottery figurines await your visit. Statistics show that among the unearthed figurines, the shortest is about 173 cm (5’8″) and the tallest reaches 196 cm (6’5″) — a fascinating discovery that makes one wonder if ancient Chinese people were truly that tall. In reality, it’s likely only those who met specific height requirements were chosen as imperial guards, and their topknots and pedestals further enhanced their height. Beyond the burial pits, your guide will lead you into the newly opened exhibition halls, which display over 200 of the most precious artifacts unearthed from the mausoleum, some exhibited to the public for the first time. Bronze waterfowls, small gold and silver sculptures, stone dice, and especially the remains of original pigment on the figurines tell the story of Qin Dynasty art, society, and the life of the Emperor. One mysterious theme will even lead your imagination toward the unexcavated underground palace lying 30 meters beneath the surface.

Lunch is on your own today; your guide will recommend restaurants near the scenic area based on your preferences.

★ Exclusive VIP Benefits:
Visit the Home of the Terracotta Army Discoverer: After lunch, we have exclusively arranged a visit to the home of Mr. Yang Zhifa. In 1974, Mr. Yang accidentally discovered the Terracotta Army while digging a well. This is a rare opportunity to hear the legendary discovery story of this man-made wonder directly from him and take a commemorative photo. In his home, you can also see a replica of the first unearthed figurine and the original hoe used during the excavation.
Fun Mini-Terracotta Warrior DIY: There is no better souvenir than a pottery figurine you made yourself. At a local studio, you can choose to craft a 10 cm (4-inch) mini-warrior, with options including generals, soldiers, and more. Master craftsmen will guide you through the process step-by-step with the help of molds. You can even engrave your name or a unique mark on your work.

Afterward, return to the city to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) as a place for the monk Xuanzang to store and translate Buddhist scriptures brought back from India. Then, follow your guide south to the Grand Tang All Day Mall — an immersive scenic area recreating the bustling streets of the Tang Dynasty. At the end of the day, your guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel. If you wish to stay longer at the mall to enjoy the night views and performances, you may do so and return to the hotel at your own convenience.

► Dinner Suggestion: To taste authentic Xi’an snacks, don’t miss “Ziwu Road Zhangji Roujiamo.” Its fame in the local meat burger world is comparable to Quanjude Peking Duck in Beijing. A set of Roujiamo with cold skin noodles costs about 30 RMB (approx. $4) and is very filling. They have a branch on Cuihua Road, just 10 minutes by car from your hotel.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast

This morning, we first head to the City Wall Park. This is a popular gathering spot for locals, especially seniors, for morning exercise and leisure. Here, you will find the vibrant lives of Chinese retirees: dancing, singing, Tai Chi, playing diabolo, whip-cracking… If you are interested, feel free to join them for a Tai Chi session or other activities. Afterward, follow your guide up the historic Ancient City Wall. From the top, you can see two distinct versions of Xi’an: the old city area filled with historical buildings inside the wall, and the modern metropolis with skyscrapers outside. Cycling on the wall is a popular activity; if you’d like to try it, just let your guide know and pay for the bike rental or ticket on-site.

Next, visit the Great Mosque. This outstanding Islamic heritage site perfectly blends traditional Chinese architectural styles with Islamic features. Surrounding the mosque is the lively Muslim Quarter, famous not only for its delicious snacks but also for its unique handicrafts.

► Indulge in Xi’an Snacks: Xi’an is as famous for its snacks as it is for its history. Today, we will prepare authentic local snacks for you at a specialty restaurant in the Muslim Quarter. You can choose your favorite dishes, including Oil-splashed Noodles, Xi’an Roujiamo, Fried Dumplings, Mutton Paomo, and Jujube Cake. You can even watch the preparation process through the restaurant’s transparent glass windows.

Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will be there to greet you and assist with your hotel check-in.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast, Xi’an Specialty Snack Lunch

This morning, your guide will accompany you to visit the Shanghai Museum and the picturesque Yu Garden. The Shanghai Museum is one of China’s four most famous museums, housing a vast collection of high-quality ancient art treasures. Yu Garden is a renowned classical garden in the Jiangnan region, featuring poetic landscapes and a tranquil environment that feels exceptionally precious amidst the bustling city. After the visit, you can enjoy some time browsing the vibrant Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden.

At noon, you will enjoy an a la carte farewell lunch (valued at RMB 150 per person, included in the itinerary) at a high-end local restaurant specializing in authentic Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine.

After lunch, your guide will take you on a one-hour Huangpu River Cruise to admire the iconic urban landscapes on both banks. This journey allows you to appreciate the past, present, and future of this modern metropolis. Afterward, visit The Bund to see the grand complex of Western-style buildings up close. We will leave you some free time here for a leisurely stroll and photos. The final stop of the day is Tianzifang, an old neighborhood filled with cultural and artistic flair.

► Dinner Suggestion: Take a 20-minute taxi to Yang’s Fried Dumplings (Dapuqiao ASE Mall Branch) to taste their signature dish —— Shengjianbao. With a 30-year history, Shengjianbao is Shanghai’s most representative snack, and this restaurant is an excellent place to try it. The dumplings have thin skin, generous filling, and abundant soup. We recommend trying the original flavor while hot to experience the rich textures. The restaurant also offers soups and other side dishes at very affordable prices!

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast, A La Carte Farewell Lunch

According to your international flight schedule, our private guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel on time and transfer you to the airport. We wish you a pleasant journey home and thank you for choosing to travel with us.

If you have a late flight, our travel consultants are happy to provide suggestions for further exploring this metropolis. If you plan to stay in Shanghai for a few more days, the nearby charming water towns, the elegant garden city of Suzhou, and Hangzhou — the home of Alibaba Group and a city of scenic wonders — are all well worth a visit. Please feel free to contact us; it would be our great honor to customize an itinerary for you.

Meals: Western Buffet Breakfast