6 Days Shanghai Beijing Tour by High Speed Train

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the largest and the most developed metropolis in the Chinese mainland! You’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Shanghai airport / train station and escorted to your hotel at downtown area by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore this city.

Optional Activity - Enjoy an entertaining Acrobatic Show to see the breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances (usually 19:30~21:00).

Arrival Ideas: At present, Shanghai has many international and domestic flights. Besides, you can take high speed trains from Beijing (about 5~5.5hrs), Xian (about 6~7.5hrs), Suzhou (about 0.5hr), Hangzhou (about 1hr), Huangshan (about 4hrs), etc.

After breakfast, enjoy your full-day exploration of the Magic Shanghai with west-meet-east, modern-blend-tradition culture. Let's start with Shanghai Museum, one of the Four Greatest Museums in China. Admire its stunning "Ding"-style exterior which symbolizes “a round heaven and a square earth”. Enter to treat your eyes with an extensive collection of international-standard historical relics from over 5,000 years ago to the Qing Dynasty, including bronzes, ceramics, paintings, jades, coins, furniture, seals, sculptures, etc. (An Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for your better understanding of the history and technology.)

Next, have an interesting walk at Yu Garden, a typical ancient Chinese garden in Jiangnan area similar to the classical Suzhou Gardens! This garden boasts traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor local snacks and explore exquisite traditional handicrafts and artworks.

Continue to the third-tallest building in China - Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong New District. Ascend to the 100th floor (474 meters) for a breathtaking panoramic view of Shanghai's downtown, the Huangpu River, and neighboring skyscrapers. Later, go to Nanjing Road, another landmark of Shanghai, a shopping paradise as well as a great place for a nice walk to feel the modern vibes of Shanghai. Finally, take a delight stroll along The Bund with a rich array of buildings of diverse architectural styles. Soak in the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while appreciating the stunning Shanghai skyline!

Optional activities: Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).

The Bund - Best Place to See Shanghai Skyline

Shanghai Museum

Walk through the Zigzag Bridge of Yu Garden

Have Panoramic View on the Top of Shanghai World Financial Center

The Bund - An Exhibition of International Buildings

Good morning! After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel for an interesting visit to Shanghai's evolution at Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Witness how a humble fishing village has transformed into a super modern metropolis. Engaging exhibits, including rare vintage photos of landmarks like the Bund, Nanjing Road, and Yu Garden from the international settlement era, coupled with interactive multimedia and intricate models, offer an entertaining and insightful experience. You won't miss the highlight - massive model showcasing Shanghai's detailed urban layout.

Then, visit Jade Buddha Temple, the site of the largest Jade Buddha in the world and numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures. This peaceful kingdom of Buddhism hidden among modern blocks and dominating mansions is a great place for a nice break in this busy city.

In the afternoon, your guide will escort you to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station for your G train to Beijing (about 5 hrs). You will be welcomed by local tour guide at Beijing South Railway Station, and then be escorted to your hotel in Beijing. The rest of today is at your leisure to explore the Capital City of China.

Jade Buddha Temple

See the Future of Shanghai in Urban Planning Exhibition Center

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll deeply explore the rich history and culture of imperial Beijing. First, enjoy a brief visit to the most important landmark - Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The square is surrounded by grand buildings including the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Martyrs and the Forbidden City.

Walk through the Tiananmen to visit one of the world’s five most important palaces - the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty (1420 to 1912) with 24 emperors lived. The complex is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, which consists of 980 buildings with around 10,000 rooms. You'll follow the central axis to visit Meridian Gate, Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme, Hall of Middle Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony and other gates, halls and gardens.

Continue to take a short walk to Jingshan Park, where you can ascend to its summit for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City, the serene landscapes of Beihai Park, Shichahai Lake, and Drum Tower. For unforgettable photos, make your way to one of the palace's corner towers, a favorite spot among photography enthusiasts.

After lunch, you'll drive to the western outskirts of Beijing to Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Listed as the World Heritage Site, Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, pavilions, halls, temples, gardens, and bridges. Spend some enjoyable time strolling around Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and Long Corridor and feast your eyes with beautiful landscape.

After the visit, be escorted back to your hotel.

Optional evening activities: 1) Watch a wonderful acrobatic performance at the Chaoyang Theater; 2) Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.

Forbidden City

Forbidden City from Jinshan Park

The Landmark of Beijing - Tian'anmen Square

Summer Palace

After breakfast, be transferred about 70km (1.5 hours) to witness Mutianyu Great Wall, a stunning, less-frequented segment of this World Wonder and the “longest great wall in China” so far. Tourists can see its original appearance and enjoy the real ancient culture of great wall. Also, spectacular natural scenery in Mutianyu Great Wall always impresses visitors here for its abundant vegetation. Let's begin your ascent via a cozy enclosed cable car to No. 14 Watchtower, which is your starting point to an unforgettable adventure. Trek westward along the wall, passing majestic watchtowers and soaking in impressive panoramic views. The trail is moderate, family-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels. For the daring, climb the Great Man Slope to No. 20 Watchtower, the highest point offering breathtaking vistas. After the exploration, walk back to No. 14 Watchtower and descend comfortably by the enclosed cable car.

Optional Toboggan Experience: For an extra thrill at Mutianyu, consider riding the toboggan (about 2~3mins) or the chairlift cable car to descend the Great Wall, both accessable at No. 6 Watchtower. Please note that there might be a queue, especially during peak tourist seasons like Chinese holidays.

Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, deemed the Son of the Heaven, descended from Heaven to his country through this Sacred Way, would eventually return via this same path. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and the Great Palace Gate, where you’ll encounter the magnificent stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. After that, be sent back to Beijing and make a brief stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to admire the renowned Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

After the visit, be escorted back to your hotel.

Optional dinner experience: 1) treat yourself a great dinner to taste the world-famous Peking Roasted Duck, the must-try specialty of Beijing known for its crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat.

Mutianyu Great Wall with Verdant Vegetation

Enjoy Light Hiking on Mutianyu Great Wall

Sacred Path

Bird’s Nest in Summer

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Learn about the symbolism of “Heaven” and “Earth” and explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. Enjoy the vivid life by visiting the surrounding park to see locals playing Taichi, flying kite, dancing, writing water calligraphy, and others.

Next, get back to the traditional part of Beijing to hop on a rickshaw to explore Beijing Hutongs and the culture of quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing lifestyle, pass various antique shops and different boutiques and truly feel the historical change of Beijing. You'll also visit a local family's home in the Hutongs, offering a glimpse into everyday life.

After the tour, be escorted to the airport / railway station for your flight / train to your next destination or home. Tour ends!

Temple of Heaven

Beijing Hutong Rickshaw

Old Alley of Beijing Hutong