9 Days • 8 Nights
Classic China: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll walk a wild stretch of the Great Wall, stand in the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City, come face to face with the two-thousand-year-old Terracotta Army, and watch the neon Bund skyline shimmer across the Huangpu River. Between the icons are hutong lanes, dumpling banquets and classical gardens.
With hand-picked hotels, a private guide and driver in each city and the key experiences arranged, all you have to do is take it in.
Trip Highlights
- A walk on a scenic stretch of the Great Wall of China
- The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in Beijing
- A Peking duck dinner and a hutong rickshaw ride
- The astonishing Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an
- Xi'an's ancient city wall and Muslim Quarter
- The Bund skyline and Yu Garden in Shanghai
- The water town of Zhujiajiao near Shanghai
- High-speed train journeys between all three cities
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Arrive in China's monumental capital and settle in. Tonight, a welcome dinner of classic northern flavours as your China journey begins.
Drive out to a scenic stretch of the Great Wall for a walk along the ramparts as they ripple over the mountains, returning for a hutong rickshaw ride and a Peking duck dinner.
Explore Tiananmen Square and the vast Forbidden City, once the emperor's private world, then the Temple of Heaven where locals practise tai chi under ancient cypresses.
Take the high-speed train to Xi'an, capital of eleven dynasties. An evening stroll around the illuminated Bell Tower and the lively Muslim Quarter.
Stand before the Terracotta Army, thousands of life-size soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor, then cycle or walk atop the intact Ming city wall, with a dumpling banquet tonight.
A high-speed train to Shanghai, China's glittering commercial capital. An afternoon to find your feet along Nanjing Road and the riverside Bund.
Wander the classical Yu Garden and the Old City, then the colonial architecture of the Bund facing the space-age Pudong skyline, with time for a rooftop view.
A day trip to the canal town of Zhujiajiao, with its stone bridges, gondola-like boats and tea houses, before a final free evening in Shanghai.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Shanghai airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver in each city
- 3 nights Beijing, 2 nights Xi'an, 3 nights Shanghai in hand-picked hotels
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a Peking duck dinner and a dumpling banquet
- A Great Wall excursion and the Forbidden City with entry
- The Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an city wall with entry
- Shanghai city touring, Yu Garden and the Bund
- Second-class high-speed train tickets Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai
- All sightseeing entrance fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from China
- China visa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a China tourist (L) visa arranged in advance, though visa-free transit and regional schemes exist for some passports. We can advise, and your passport should be valid at least six months
- The Great Firewall: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many Western sites are blocked in China. Install a reputable VPN and download offline maps before you arrive
- Currency & payments: The currency is the Chinese yuan (RMB). China is largely cashless via WeChat Pay and Alipay; set these up if you can, and carry some cash as a backup
- Language: English is not widely spoken outside hotels, which is exactly why your guide and private driver make all the difference
- Getting around: China's high-speed trains are superb and some legs use domestic flights, all arranged for you with seat reservations
- Altitude: Tibet (Lhasa 3,650m) and Shangri-La sit high; we build in gentle acclimatisation, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor
- Best seasons: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal nationwide; summer is hot and can be rainy, and the far north is bitterly cold in winter
- Etiquette: Tipping was not traditional but is now expected for guides and drivers on tours. A little patience and a smile go a long way
- Health: Drink bottled or boiled water only, and carry hand sanitiser. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: Buy a local SIM or an eSIM for data, and bring a universal adapter (China uses types A, C and I at 220V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a Peking duck dinner or a dumpling banquet. Other meals are left free so you can explore China's incredible regional food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver in each city, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground.
Do I need a visa for China?
Most visitors need a China tourist visa arranged in advance, though some passports qualify for visa-free transit. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
Will my phone work in China?
Roaming works but Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall, so install a VPN before you travel. A local SIM or eSIM gives you reliable data.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather and clearest skies. Summer is hot and busier; winter is cold in the north but quiet and atmospheric.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, cities and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Yangtze cruise, Tibet or Hong Kong. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
By China's excellent high-speed trains and, for longer hops, domestic flights — all included and arranged with reservations.
Is nine days enough for these three cities?
Yes — it is the ideal first taste of China, giving you the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai at a comfortable pace with high-speed trains between them.
How long are the train journeys?
Beijing to Xi'an is around 4.5-6 hours and Xi'an to Shanghai about 6 hours by high-speed train — comfortable, scenic and far easier than flying.
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