Overview
Curious about the Golden Triangle of China? It refers to Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai - the three must-visit cities forming a triangle on the map. Our 9-day China Tour, guided by professional experts, invites you to uncover the hidden gems of these iconic destinations. Discover ancient marvels like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army, along with sacred sites such as the Temple of Heaven and Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The journey perfectly blends tradition and modernity, from the timeless charm of old Beijing to the dazzling skyline of modern Shanghai.
General Information
- Duration: 9 Days/ 8 Nights
- Tour Type: Explore and Experience
- Start/End: Beijing/Shanghai
- Tour Categories: China Classic Tours
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely!
Destination Covered
- Beijing
- Xian
- Shanghai
What's Included
- Entrance fee to the attractions listed in the itinerary
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Private land transfer with licensed drivers
- Fluent English-Chinese speaking local tour guide travel with you throughout the tour
- Transportation listed in the itinerary in China
Tour Highlight
- Discover Beijing’s imperial grandeur with visits to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven.
- Conquer the legendary Great Wall and enjoy breathtaking mountain views from its ancient watchtowers.
- Explore Xian’s fascinating history through the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city wall.
- Experience the vibrant blend of modern and traditional culture in Shanghai, from the Bund to Nanjing Road.
- Take a scenic day trip to Suzhou, the “Venice of the East,” renowned for its classical gardens and tranquil canals.
Full Itinerary
Welcome to charming Beijing – the heart of China. Upon your arrival, our tour guide and driver will meet you and escort you to the well- prearranged hotel. Have some pleasant information about the tour along the way before relaxing in your comfortable hotel room. Free time for the rest of the day to get ready for the exciting journey to come.
Refresh yourself with a hearty breakfast and start your Beijing exploration. Follow our local tour guide to the vast Tiananmen Square – one of the world’s largest public squares and where Chairman Mao‘s tomb is located. Not far from this is the palatial Forbidden City. Step into the majestic complex of red-painted buildings with the golden roof shining in the sunlight and reveal the exciting stories behind this imperial residence of 24 Chinese emperors for nearly half-millennium.
Savor the lunch in a restaurant nearby then continue the tour with a pleasant rickshaw ride through the Hutongs – the cluster of narrow lanes this afternoon. Stop by a local family and spend time talking with them to truly experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of Beijing. Afterward, have an early dinner as we are going to enjoy an eye-boggling Chinese acrobatic performance tonight.
Transfer back to your hotel and have a good rest.
Good morning. After the delicious meal served at the hotel, our tour guide will take you to the Temple of Heaven a masterpiece of Chinese ancient architecture and landscape design. Have a look into the past and explore the center of the imperial ritual ceremony for Ming and Qing Dynasties where generations of emperors worshiped the God of heaven and paid homage to pray for good harvests.
The savory lunch is followed by an exciting visit to one of the world’s most iconic sights – the Great Wall. You will be taken to the most visited section of this incredible mankind’s achievement in construction and engineering – Badaling. The site has drawn tens of millions of visitors both from home and abroad with hundreds of foreign leaders and celebrities including former US president Gorge W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and former South Africa president Mandela. Walk and take in the magnificent scenery from the well-preserved watchtowers along the section.
Later, head to the quaint hotel near Juyongguan which offers a wonderful night view of the Great Wall. Feast on the dinner and goodnight.
This morning, wake up early and enjoy the flavorful breakfast then drive to the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass when the site opens, to beat the crowds. After that, pay a visit to the Jade Carving Centre to experience the beauty of jade. After lunch, continue the tour with Pearl Market in Beijing which as its name indicates, has a big focus on jewelry.
Say goodbye to Beijing as the tour guide will escort you to the station to board the overnight train to the next destination of the journey- the ancient city Xian.
Set your foot into Xian in the morning then transfer to the hotel to check-in and fill up your energy with a hearty breakfast. Follow our local tour guide to the first stop in the ancient city – the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. With the history of over 1300 years, this 13-story Buddha pagoda was added to the World Heritage List in 2014. Roam around to soak up into the pleasant peaceful atmosphere and have a closer look at Buddhism in China. Also, enrich your experience with interesting lessons of “Guohua”- Chinese painting with black ink and fan decoration as well.
Later after lunch, go cycling or take a leisure golf cart ride along the Xian City Wall and have an in-depth exploration of this 600-year-old wall. Admire the scenic view of the city in the sunset before feasting the special dinner with Chinese dumplings.
Return to the hotel and have a sweet dream in Xian.
Savor on breakfast before following the guide to visit the renowned Terracotta Army. Have a closer look at the dazzling collection of soldier clay figures arranged in the battle to guard the Emperor Qin Shi Huang in his afterlife and reveal the mysteries behind. Later challenge yourself to make mini soldier clay statues by your own hands and take your reproductions home. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
You will enjoy an early dinner to boarding the high-speed train to Shanghai. Overnight on train.
After your arrival in the metropolis Shanghai, have a delicious breakfast at our hotel. This morning, we will take a tour around the top sights of this urban thriving city. The first stop is the Bund. Wander along the Bund promenade and take in the vibrant atmosphere at the beginning of the day before stepping back into the past when entering the old buildings which tell the exciting wonderful stories of the golden time of the Bund. It is followed by a visit to the picturesque Yu Garden- an exquisite example of traditional landscapes.
Later, after lunch, head to the tallest building in China – Shanghai Tower which is a perfect place to take in the iconic bird’s eye view of the whole city. Particularly, the sight will become quite gorgeous when the night falls and the colorful lights from all the buildings start to illuminate. Have dinner before a romantic cruise trip along the Huangpu River marks the end of your first day exploring Shanghai.
Transfer back to the hotel and have a good rest.
After the breakfast served in the hotel, get ready to jump into a journey to the ancient Suzhou. Today, you will have a pleasant cruise trip on the Grand Canal, followed by a tour to The Lingering Garden, a fantastic garden with a harmonious layout of temple statues, rockeries, halls, bridges, and ponds. Have a delicious meal at noon than visit a silk workshop before returning your hotel in Shanghai in the evening.
Our guide will help you with the check-out process after the hearty breakfast. It is time to say goodbye to Shanghai as you will be escorted to the airport to board the flight back home. Bon voyage!
Ready to Uncover the Soul of China?
Discover the essence of China in our 9-day Discovery Tour - from Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Great Wall to Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors and Shanghai’s skyline. Wander through Suzhou’s gardens, taste authentic cuisine, and experience where tradition meets modernity.
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