A Private China Tour – Beijing, Xian, Shanghai

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 Shanghai
Full day free at leisure to shop and explore Shanghai on your own. (B)

Day 9 Return Home. 
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (B)