8-Day Golden Triangle Tour to Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Beijing Arrival

  Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, your private local guide will greet you at the exit of the arrival hall and then transfer you privately to your hotel in downtown Beijing. You are free at leisure for the rest of the day to explore the nearby areas. Meal: No meal

• day 2

  Beijing City Sightseeing to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven

  

  Full day guided trip in Beijing today. Tiananmen Square – the largest city square in the world, where solemn ceremonies of raising and lowering the national flag are held every morning and at sunset. Forbidden City – Standing in the center of Beijing, it is protected by high walls and a moat on all four sides, and consists of dozens of halls and courtyards. Admire one of the world's most legendary ancient royal palaces and the treasures on display. Temple of Heaven – A masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, where the ancient emperors used to pray for God's blessing for the whole nation. Today, many public activities and performances are held in the park. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 3

  Excursion to Mutianyu Great Wall & Explore Local Hutongs

  

  Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu today. Mutianyu Great Wall is 70 km from the city center and it takes around 1.5 hours from your hotel. This section of the Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty and served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. You will spend around 2-3 hours walking along the 2.5 km wall and exploring 23 towers. A cable car is available to avoid climbing; this is optional and payable locally. Transfer back to downtown in the afternoon and stroll through the local hutongs, which are old quarters of Beijing with unique courtyard houses dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. These areas are regarded as a window into Beijing folk life. You will take a short rickshaw ride through the small alleys and pay a home visit to local families to learn more about the architecture and the lifestyle of local people. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 4

  Morning Tour of the Summer Palace & Olympic Green, High-Speed Train to Xi’an

  Check out after breakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up and driven to visit the Summer Palace, the favorite summer residence of Qing Dynasty imperial rulers. The Summer Palace was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1998. Later, you will make a photo stop at Olympic Green, where the "Water Cube" and "Bird's Nest" served as the main venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an. The train journey takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours, with a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). Upon arrival in Xi'an, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 5

  Guide Xian tour to Terra-cotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Grand Tang Nightless City.

  

  Xian is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, having served as the capital of six dynasties, including the Qin, Han, and Tang Dynasties. Today, you will explore the history and culture of this ancient capital. Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum – one of the 8th Wonders of the World and a landmark of Xian City – is a must-visit attraction for all travelers to China. It is a magnificent collection of terracotta sculptures reproducing the glory of the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Big Wild Goose Pagoda was first built during the Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures brought from India by Monk Xuanzang. It has now become the city emblem. Grand Tang Nightless City, just a few minutes' walk from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Xi'an. Stands selling local delicacies, intangible cultural heritage items, and time-honored restaurants line both sides of the main street. There are also a variety of cultural performances to watch. At night, the city is particularly bustling when it is illuminated by all the lights. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 6

  Morning visit to the Ancient City Wall and Muslim Quarters. Fly to Shanghai in the afternoon.

  In the morning, visit the Ancient City Wall of Xian, the best-preserved and largest city wall in China. You may take a bike trip on the city wall (optional and at your own expense) and experience both the old and modern aspects of Xian. Continue your China tour by taking a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the vitality and vibrancy of Shanghai. Muslim Quarters – Located at the heart of the ancient city of Xian, next to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. As early as 1,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty, this area was the hub of the Muslim community in the city. Today, it is still home to 60,000 Islamic followers. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to the hotel. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 7

  Guided tour to Yu Garden, the Former French Concession, Nanjing Road, the Bund, and Shanghai Tower.

  

  Full day guided tour in Shanghai today. Yu Garden – one of China's loveliest private classical gardens with 400 years of history. This private garden features the traditional architectural style of the Yangtze Delta. Its name means "Garden of Contentment," and it is indeed a pastoral world apart from modern and hectic Shanghai. The adjacent old quarters are still a busy place for local people and tourists. Former French Concession – a pedestrian street composed of the traditional street format of Shanghai's "Shikumen" architecture style and modern development. Nanjing Road – the busiest shopping street in Shanghai, connecting Renmin Square and the Bund. The Bund – the famous waterfront to see newly erected modern skyscrapers and historic buildings from the colonial period. Known as the "Museum of World Architecture," the Bund features 52 buildings in eclectic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Beaux-Arts styles. Shanghai Tower – at a height of 632 meters, Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world. Take the elevator to the “Top of Shanghai” observatory on the 118th floor and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 8

  Private Transfer to Airport

  You will be picked up from the hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight back home. Meal: Breakfast