A Private China Tour of Beijing, Xian & Shanghai

This tour features an incredible journey to three of China’s most revered destinations:  Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Designed for travelers with limited travel time, this tour makes the most out of your vacation experience by combining China’s must-sees with exclusive, personalized service so you can explore the amazing wonders of China – YOUR WAY.

Your introduction to China begins with Beijing, where you will have an opportunity to step foot on some of the most spectacular sights known to mankind. Visit the country’s most revered landmarks, such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and of course, the magnificent Great Wall of China. Next continue on to Xian, a beautiful ancient capital for over 1,060 years across 13 of China’s great dynasties. Visits include the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, home of the remarkable 2,000-year old Terracotta warriors, the impregnable Xian City Wall, and the site of the fascinating Yangling Tombs that dates back to 153 A.D.

Last but not least, we conclude our trip with some R&R and excitement in Shanghai, China’s flagship city that showcases the country’s trendiest fashion, finest cuisine, latest technological marvels and a skyline that is out of this world.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• First / Business Class* High Speed Train Tickets between Beijing & Xian
• Economy Class Flights between Xian and Shanghai
• 8 nights hotel accommodations of your choice 
• Hotel Breakfasts Daily
• Lunches and dinners per itinerary
• Private Tour: Sightseeing  and transfers by private car, driver and professional guides

BEIJING (3 nights)

• 3 nights at New World Beijing Hotel OR The Regent Beijing (Deluxe) | Waldorf Astoria (Premium)
• 2 full days of private sightseeing, including Great Wall at Mutianyu (with cable car ride), Hutongs by rickshaw, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven.
• Special Peking Duck Dinner

XIAN (2 nights)

• 2 nights at The Westin Xian | Hyatt Regency (Deluxe) | Sofitel Legend (Premium)
• Extensive private sightseeing of Terra Cotta Army excavation site, Yangling Tombs, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall and Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (a.k.a. Grand Tang Mall)
• Tang Dynasty Dinner & Cultural Show 

SHANGHAI (2 nights)

• 2 nights at Marriott Marquis City Center OR The St Regis Shanghai (Deluxe) | The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai (Premium)
• Full day private sightseeing including the Bund, Old Town, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang Art District and Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
• Evening Shanghai Acrobatics Show 

*Premium package features Business Class seats on high speed train between Beijing & Xian

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, be met by your personal guide and transferred to your hotel by private car for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 Beijing (The Great Wall)
This morning, journey northwest bound by road to the less crowded and best preserved section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Here, enjoy a cable car ride, followed by a trek on the wall comprised of 22 watch towers stretching over two kilometers. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city and tour Beijing’s Old Quarters (Hutongs) – see how the locals live in their, explore the alleyways and or enjoy a cup of tea at a local teahouse. This evening, enjoy one of Beijing’s specialties – Peking Duck at one of the city’s famed restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Beijing
Enjoy a full day tour of the ancient capital’s most revered sites. Visits include the Forbidden City (closed Mondays*), the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties built in 1420; Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world and a symbol of New China; and Temple of Heaven  (OR the Summer Palace, a grand imperial palace and a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty built in the sixteenth century).  Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

*Note: City tour will be switched to the day prior in case this day lands on a Monday due to venue closures. 

Day 4 Beijing / Xian
This morning, board a super-fast high speed Train, with speeds up to 300km/hour, for an exhilarating 4.5 hour ride for Xian. Visit the City Wall, one of the oldest and best preserved city walls of China, as well as one of the most comprehensive ancient defensive systems in the world. Take a stroll around the city center before checking in to your hotel for brief rest. This evening, head out for dinner and show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre. (B,D)

Day 5 Xian
Today’s highlight takes you to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Museum, the excavated tomb of Qin Shi Huang Di, China’s first Emperor. Discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers, this massive burial site is comprised of 7,000+ life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Horses depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, constructed to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Return to the city for lunch followed by a visit of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening, enjoy a stroll through Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (a.k.a. The Great Tang All Day Mall), a 1.5km pedestrian street lined with buildings featuring Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) architecture, street performances, and array of of food stands and shops. (B,L) 

Day 6 Xian/Shanghai
This morning, visit Yangling Tombs, the mausoleum of the Han Dynasty Emperor Liu Qi and his Empress, dating back to 153 A.D. Its intricate relics of miniature figures and burial objects offer revelations to the strict hierarchical social structure during this period. Continue to the airport for an afternoon flight to Shanghai. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 7 Shanghai
Full-day city sightseeing of Shanghai features the Old Town and its Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum and the art district of Tianzifang, famed for its Old Shanghai Shikumen houses in a laid back atmosphere with cobbled streets lined with art galleries, cafes and restaurants. For lunch, we’ll sample some delicious soup dumpling for which Shanghai is famous. Enjoy a brief rest this afternoon or time for some last minute shopping before heading out for a breathtaking ERA Intersection of Time performance that features a spectacular mix Chinese acrobatics, dazzling visuals, live music, and cutting-edge stage effects. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Depart Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight onward. (B)