China Golden Tour
Start in Beijing, exploring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Discover Xi’an’s ancient treasures, including the Terracotta Army and the vibrant Muslim Quarter. In Chengdu, visit the renowned panda base and the historic Sanxingdui Ruins. Finally, conclude your adventure in Shanghai, visiting Yuyuan Garden and enjoying a scenic Huangpu River cruise.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Beijing Arrival
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the hotel
4-star hotels
None
Upon your arrival in Beijing, our professional guide will be waiting for you at the airport. You will be transferred comfortably by private vehicle to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, take some time to rest and adjust to the time difference. If you’re eager to explore your surroundings, our guide will provide practical suggestions.
Arrival Tips:
As an international aviation hub, Beijing has direct flights connecting to many cities around the world. In addition, you can also choose to take the high-speed rail to reach downtown Beijing. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city by taking the Airport Express, and the cost is about RMB 35-50 per person. The airport bus takes about 60-90 minutes and costs 40 yuan per person; taxis or online car-hailing take about 60-90 minutes and cost about 300 yuan (depending on the type of car).
At the same time, Beijing Airport is adjacent to various cities in China. For example, it only takes about 2.5 hours from Daxing Airport to major cities such as Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
Day 2: Beijing
Tian’anmen Square–Forbidden City–Summer Palace
4-star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Tiananmen Square: Start your day at Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares, rich in history.
Forbidden City: Next, visit the magnificent Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Summer Palace: End your day at the Summer Palace, known for its beautiful gardens and stunning lakes.
Evening Option:
In the evening, you may choose to enjoy a captivating performance of Peking Opera, a kung fu show, or acrobatics, immersing yourself in the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Performances usually run from 19:15 to 20:15.
Day 3: Great Wall Adventure
Great Wall–Bird Nest
4-star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Mutianyu Great Wall: After breakfast, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Enjoy breathtaking views as you walk along this historic structure.
You will take an easy cable car up to the Great Wall. Next you will climb up to the city tower overlooking the majestic Great Wall, which will surely make your stay unforgettable. After the Great Wall tour, we will take the cable car down the mountain.
(Note: If you are physically fit, you can also choose to hike up and down the mountain to feel the sense of accomplishment of climbing to the top).
Olympic Sites: On your return to Beijing, take a moment to admire the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) from the outside, marveling at their unique designs.
Recommended Activities:
You can choose foot massage, houhai night bars or Sanlitun bar street at night.
Day 4: Beijing--Xi'an
Temple of Heaven–Hutongs–High speed Train to Xi’an
4-star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Temple of Heaven: In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests.
Hutong Experience: Participate in a hands-on dumpling-making experience in a traditional hutong, followed by a rickshaw ride through the charming alleyways.
High-Speed Train to Xi’an: After lunch, board a high-speed train to Xi’an(about 5 hours, where ancient history awaits.
Day 5: Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors and Horses–Handmade Terracotta Warrior–Da Ci’en Temple–Big Wild Goose Pagoda–Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
4-star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Terracotta Army: Start your day with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Handmade Terracotta Warrior：This activity is a creative and interactive workshop where participants get to create their own replica of the famous Terracotta Warriors and learn about this ancient Chinese craft.
For lunch, you will enjoy Xi’an’s specialty, water basin mutton(Shuipen Yangrou).
Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Explore the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist site. Visit the Da Ci’en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site of Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. The temple has a 64.5-meter-high pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built by the Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve the scriptures he brought back from India.
If you are interested, you can climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city.
Datang Ever Bright City: Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Datang Ever Bright City, filled with shops and entertainment.
Day 6: Xi'an-Shanghai
Xi’an Museum–Small Wild Goose Pagoda–Ancient City Wall–Flight to Shanghai
4+ star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Xi’an Museum: Visit the Xi’an Museum to learn more about the city’s rich history.
Ancient City Wall: Walk or rent a bicycle (extra fee) to ride along the top of the Ancient City Wall for fantastic views of the city.
Muslim Quarter Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch in the vibrant Muslim Quarter, sampling local specialties.
Flight to Shanghai: In the afternoon, take a flight to Shanghai. Your tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.
Free time recommended activities in Shanghai:
French Concession: A famous fashion landmark in Shanghai, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and tall sycamore trees
Sinan Road: A well-preserved French-style street from the 1920s and 1930s.
Nanjing Road: This is a good place for shopping. There is no shopping risk here. Chinese and global tourists buy their favorite items in the malls here. Some malls can refund taxes immediately.
The Bund: Stroll here, see the brightly lit buildings of various countries, the night view of the Huangpu River, and feel the prosperity of China’s financial center.
M50 Creative Park: This is Shanghai Art District, where there are a lot of original art here. You can spend half a day to appreciate the works of art.
Huangpu River Night Cruise: If you like cruising, you can choose the Huangpu River cruise itinerary. There are day cruises and night cruises. We recommend that you choose the night cruise so that you can enjoy dinner on the cruise and watch the dazzling night view of the Bund
Day 7: Shanghai
Shanghai Tower–Yu Garden–Qibao Ancient Town
4+ star hotels
Breakfast&Lunch
Shanghai Tower: Start your day with a visit to the Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Yuyuan Garden: Next, stroll through Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden full of lush greenery and traditional architecture.
Qibao Ancient Town: You can enjoy a relaxing half day in Qibao Ancient Town, one of the most famous water towns in China.
Idea for Evening Activities:
Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River and enjoy the beauty of the city at night (about 50 minutes).
Day 8: Shanghai Departure
Jade Buddha Temple–Tianzifang–Transfer to airport
Breakfast
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, known for its stunning jade statues.
Then Explore the artsy area of Tianzifang, filled with boutique shops and cafes.
Finally, we will provide you with a transfer to the airport for your departure, taking with you cherished memories of your classic journey through China
Day 9: Shanghai
Yuyuan Garden–Oriental Pearl Tower–Nanjing Road–the Bund
4+ star hotels
Breakfast&lunch
Begin your day at Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful classical Chinese garden known for its exquisite landscaping, traditional pavilions, and tranquil ponds.
Next, visit the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. Ascend to the observation deck for stunning views of Shanghai’s skyline and the Huangpu River, capturing the city’s energy from above.
Stroll down Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s premier shopping destination. This bustling thoroughfare features a blend of high-end boutiques and local shops, making it ideal for both shopping and experiencing the city’s lively atmosphere.
Conclude your day with a leisurely walk along the Bund. Here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the historic waterfront and the dazzling skyline, especially enchanting as the lights begin to twinkle at dusk.
Idea for Evening Activities
Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River and enjoy the beauty of the city at night (about 50 minutes).
Day 10: Shanghai
Qibao Ancient Town – Jade Buddha Temple – Tianzifang
4-Star Hotel
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, head to Qibao Ancient Town. This thousand-year-old water town, located in Minhang District, Shanghai, preserves the quintessential Jiangnan charm with its black-tiled roofs, gray bricks, and small bridges over flowing streams. Strolling along the old streets, you can savor piping-hot Qibao glutinous rice balls and crabapple cakes, or pause to enjoy shadow puppet shows and Pingtan (a traditional storytelling and ballad-singing art form). The Puhuitang River flows through the town, and a leisurely boat ride on a oar-propelled boat allows you to watch the reflections of teahouses and taverns on both banks ripple with the waves, as if time has stood still here.
Next, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai’s most renowned Buddhist temples, named after the two exquisite jade Buddha statues from Myanmar that it enshrines. The Grand Hall of the Great Sage is solemn and majestic, with the jade Buddhas radiating a crystal-clear and compassionate aura. The temple is filled with the fragrance of incense and the sound of Buddhist chants, transforming the hustle and bustle of the city into tranquility. If your visit coincides with the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month, you can witness devout believers praying for blessings, feeling the power of faith.
In the afternoon, explore Tianzifang, an artistic district transformed from Shikumen (stone-gate) alleyways, embodying the essence of Shanghai’s literary and creative spirit. Narrow alleys are lined with designer studios, independent cafes, and vintage shops, and you might stumble upon a graffiti mural or a hidden teahouse around every corner. Sip a cup of hand-drip coffee and watch the sunset bathe the old houses in gold from a terrace, where the collision of old and new Shanghai comes vividly to life.
Day 11: Departure from Shanghai
Hotel–Airport transfer
None
Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy some free time and arrange your activities flexibly according to your flight schedule.
Check out at noon and head to the airport. Along the way, look back at the skyline of the “Magic City,” with the Oriental Pearl Tower and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui fading into the distance. This journey may have taken away the scenery in your camera, but the chimes of the Bund, the aroma of coffee in the alleyways, and the soft dialect of the ancient town have all become unforgettable memories of Shanghai.
