经典中国地标 · 北京西安上海 9 日
The golden route for first-timers — Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai Bund, all in one journey covering China's three most important cities connected by high-speed rail, with 4-star hotels and private guides throughout.
Our best-selling product: Nine days connecting three ancient capitals and modern metropolises — Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. Spend the first four days in the imperial capital, visiting Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven, with a wood-fired roast duck dinner. On day five, take high-speed rail to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors and cycle the ancient city wall at sunset. Then, travel by high-speed rail directly to Shanghai to explore Yu Garden, the French Concession, and the Bund. On day eight, enjoy a half-day boat ride in the water town of Zhujiajiao, concluding with a maglev train ride to the airport.
All inclusive: 8 nights in 4-star hotels, private English-speaking guide, second-class high-speed rail between cities, and all first-entry admission tickets. Move only once per day with a perfectly balanced pace. Ideal for first-time visitors to China with limited time who want a hassle-free trip for families and travelers.
D1Arrive in Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, our private vehicle will pick you up from Capital International Airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After a short rest, we'll head to a renowned local restaurant for an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner, savoring the crispy duck skin and tender meat while experiencing the unique charm of this national culinary treasure. After dinner, you'll have free time to explore near the hotel and adjust to the time difference. We recommend downloading a map application on your phone in advance for convenient navigation during your stay. Beijing roast duck restaurants typically require reservations in advance, and we'll arrange everything for you.
D2Great Wall & Summer Palace
In the morning, we'll visit Mutianyu Great Wall, taking a cable car up to experience the magnificent views and then a toboggan down for an exciting ride. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and we suggest booking tickets online in advance to avoid queues. You can enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at a local farmhouse restaurant near the Great Wall for lunch. In the afternoon, we'll proceed to the Summer Palace, admiring the exquisite landscape of this imperial garden with its picturesque lakes and mountains. The drive from the Great Wall to the Summer Palace takes about 1.5 hours; a private car or joining a local tour is recommended. Allow 3-4 hours for exploring the palace, with the optimal time being after 3 PM to avoid peak crowds.
D3Imperial Beijing
In the morning, visit Tiananmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City to experience the magnificent architecture and precious artifacts of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces. We recommend booking tickets online in advance and carrying valid identification. For lunch, you can sample Beijing roast duck or traditional Beijing zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) nearby. In the afternoon, explore Temple of Heaven Park, the sacred site where ancient emperors performed ceremonies to heaven. From the Forbidden City to Temple of Heaven, you can take subway Line 1 and transfer to Line 5, which takes about 40 minutes. In the evening, stroll through the hutongs around Shichahai to experience the traditional courtyard architecture of old Beijing and taste local snacks like tanghulu (candied fruits) and douzhir (fermented mung bean milk). The best time to visit is before 9 AM to avoid crowds.
D4Beijing → Xi'an
In the morning, take the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, a journey of approximately 4.5 hours while enjoying the scenic countryside views. Upon arrival, check into your hotel to rest and prepare for the evening's culinary adventure. In the evening, we'll head to the Muslim Quarter to begin Xi'an's food exploration. We recommend trying local specialties like roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), yangroupaomo (bread soaked in lamb soup), and liangpi (cold skin noodles). Walk through the bustling streets to immerse yourself in the rich Islamic cultural atmosphere. Tip: It's advisable to book high-speed train tickets in advance through the official 12306 website or app to ensure a smooth journey.
D5Terracotta Warriors
Early in the morning, you'll visit the Terracotta Warriors, a world wonder, under the guidance of your professional guide. Get up close to these lifelike ancient military formations and unearthed artifacts while gaining deep insights into the historical background of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Afterwards, you can visit the nearby Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park to experience the grandeur of China's first emperor's final resting place. In the afternoon, you'll cycle along the ancient city wall of Xi'an, enjoying the contrasting cityscapes inside and outside the wall under the sunset's glow. We recommend sampling local specialties near the Muslim Quarter, such as yangroupaomo and roujiamo. For transportation between attractions, taxis or the subway are available, with each trip taking about 30 minutes. Tip: Book Terracotta Warrior tickets online in advance to avoid peak tourist group times for a better experience.
D6Xi'an → Shanghai
In the morning, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark of Xi'an. You can stroll around the Daci'en Temple to experience the thousand-year-old Buddhist culture. Afterwards, proceed to Xi'an North Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Shanghai, a journey of 5-6 hours. Upon arrival in Shanghai, we recommend having lunch near Nanjing Road or the Bund, tasting local Shanghainese cuisine such as hongshao rou (braised pork belly) and xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). The ride from Shanghai Hongqiao Station to your downtown hotel takes about 30-40 minutes. Downloading the 12306 APP in advance will make purchasing train tickets convenient, and we suggest arriving at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
D7Old & New Shanghai
In the morning, visit Yu Garden to appreciate traditional Jiangnan garden design, then stroll through the French Concession to experience the historic architecture blending Chinese and Western styles. For lunch, we recommend trying xiaolongbao and other Shanghainese dishes. In the afternoon, shop along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street to experience the modern city's bustling atmosphere, and in the evening, take a Huangpu River cruise to admire the glittering nightscape along both banks. Transportation between attractions can be done by subway or taxi, with each trip taking about 15-30 minutes. We recommend booking Yu Garden tickets online in advance to avoid weekend crowds, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
D8Water Town Day Trip
In the morning, we'll visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, wandering through ancient bridges and flowing streams to experience the tranquility and charm of Jiangnan's water towns. Take a boat ride to admire the white walls and black tile roofs of traditional Jiangnan residences along the banks, and taste local specialties like zharou (braised pork), qingtuan (green rice balls), and glutinous rice cakes. In the afternoon, return to Shanghai's city center and enjoy a farewell dinner in the French Concession, savoring exquisite dishes that blend Chinese and Western flavors. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes as the water town tour involves considerable walking. The drive from Shanghai city center to Zhujiajiao takes about 1 hour, and we suggest booking attraction tickets in advance to avoid queues. For dinner, you can choose a specialty restaurant in the French Concession to experience Shanghai's unique Western-influenced atmosphere.
D9Departure
In the morning, you'll take the maglev train to Pudong Airport, experiencing the marvel of China's high-speed rail technology. This 8-minute journey will take you speeding at 430 km per hour, showcasing the convenience of future transportation. We recommend arriving at the airport 2-3 hours in advance to complete check-in procedures. Pudong Airport offers comprehensive international flight services and convenient shopping facilities, allowing you to purchase some Chinese souvenirs during your wait. Remember to confirm luggage regulations and allow sufficient time for security checks to ensure a smooth conclusion to your China journey.
240-hour transit made easy
★★★★★
As a US passport holder I assumed getting into China was complicated. The team designed the route around the 10-day transit policy and handled all the documentation guidance. Bullet trains were a highlight for my kids.
James Carter · United States 🇺🇸 · Sep 2026
Flawless first China trip
★★★★★
We booked after searching online for weeks. Every transfer, guide and hotel was perfect. The Great Wall at Mutianyu with the toboggan ride down was unforgettable. Our guide Lily spoke perfect English and even helped us set up Alipay!
Sarah Mitchell · United Kingdom 🇬🇧 · Sep 2026
Fifth Timezone Travel