Beijing. O/N Beijing

Beijing - At 09:00 am, the guide will meet the group at the hotel lobby in Beijing to commence a one-day tour of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - The tour begins with a visit to the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, or Gu Gong in Chinese. Located at the heart of Beijing, it served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). Construction began during Emperor Chengzu’s reign in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and took 14 years to complete. Ancient Chinese astronomers believed the Purple Star (Polaris) was at the center of heaven, where the Heavenly Emperor resided in the Purple Palace. Thus, the emperor’s earthly palace was called the Purple City, and entry was forbidden without the emperor’s permission, hence the name ‘The Purple Forbidden City’, commonly known as ‘The Forbidden City’.

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - Next, the tour proceeds to Jingshan Park, a stunning royal landscape garden covering 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters). Situated on the central point of the city’s south-north axis, it faces the Forbidden City’s north gate. Located on Jingshan Hill, originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill, or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill), the park’s mid-summit is the highest point in Beijing, offering a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - The tour continues to Tiananmen Square, a large plaza near Beijing’s center, named after the Tiananmen (meaning “Gate of Heavenly Peace”). It separates the city from the Forbidden City to the north and holds significant cultural importance as the site of several key events in Chinese history.

Temple of Heaven - After lunch, the group visits the Temple of Heaven, a complex of Taoist buildings in southeastern urban Beijing, known as the Xuanwu District. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the complex for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. Although considered a Taoist temple, the Chinese Heaven worship by the reigning monarch predates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing!

Beijing. O/N Beijing

Beijing - In the morning, the tour guide will meet the group at the hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer them to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a 90-minute drive covering 80 km.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Upon arrival at the scenic area’s parking lot, the group will take an electric car to the entry and then a chairlift to the 14th watchtower. Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour hike on the wall, ending with a toboggan ride down. The Great Wall at Mutianyu, built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), is one of the most renowned sections of the Wall. Mutianyu is celebrated for its unique charm, “Out of all the Great Walls, Mutianyu stands apart”. Explore the ancient structure and learn about its history and significance. The professional guide will answer questions and share exclusive stories and facts about the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) - At 13:00, enjoy lunch at a local countryside restaurant before heading to the Ming Tombs. Located in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing’s urban area, the site is a tomb cluster from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including 13 emperor’s mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines, and one grave for eunuchs. Situated at the foot of Mount Yan, the surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful.

Beijing - At the end of the day, the guide will escort the group back to their Beijing hotel.

Beijing - Shanghai by flight. O/N Shanghai.

Beijing - The tour guide and driver will meet the group at the Beijing hotel at 9:00 am and drive to the Beijing Lama Temple, an 18-minute drive covering 6 km.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - Discover the best of Beijing on this one-day private sightseeing tour. Start the day at the serene Lama Temple and learn about its fascinating history. The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery or Lama Temple, is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. The temple’s architecture and artwork blend Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Afterwards, visit the expansive Summer Palace, covering an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water: Kunming Lake. This artificial lake was created by extending an existing body of water to mimic the West Lake in Hangzhou. Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. As the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, earning the title ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’.

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - Then, take a private car to the Hou Hai lake area for a rickshaw hutong tour. A Hutong tour offers a chance to mingle with local residents and experience a unique travel adventure in the intricate winding Hutongs. These maze-like, deep alleys remain unchanged from long ago, preserving the city’s history. Many residents are still reluctant to leave their beloved Hutongs. Visit a local family’s house to experience authentic Beijing life and pause occasionally to take pictures.

Nanluoguxiang - Next, visit Nanluoguxiang. For those interested in shopping, Nanluoguxiang in the Gulou, or Drum and Bell Tower district, is a must-see hutong. It features several kilometers of shops, galleries, and cafés ranging from chic to kitschy. Discover cool T-shirts here (Plastered offers a good line) with creative images of everything from Mao Zedong to garden gnomes.

Beijing Capital International Airport - After the tour, the group will be driven to Beijing Capital International Airport for a flight to Shanghai (CA3264 19:25–21:30). The flight takes approximately 2 hours.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport - Upon arrival in Shanghai, the group will be picked up promptly and transferred to their Shanghai hotel (driver only, no guide).

Shanghai. O/N Shanghai.

Shanghai - The guide will pick up the group at the hotel lobby at around 09:00 am. They will be escorted to the renowned Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, a 20-minute ride away.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - At the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, visitors can explore numerous textual and graphic files and architectural models, providing an overall understanding of Shanghai’s development. The hall showcases Shanghai’s urbanization and modernization. Visitors will learn about Shanghai’s past and present through city miniatures and extensive city planning materials. High-tech methods are used to forecast Shanghai’s blueprint through 2020.

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Yu Garden. Located in the old town, Yuyuan Garden is the city’s most famous ancient site, known for its ingenious layout and delicate architecture. The garden’s treasure, Yu Ling Long (an exquisite jade stone), an artificial hill, is considered one of the three most renowned peaks in Southern China.

Yuyuan Old Street - Next, visit Yuyuan Bazaar, also known as Yuyuan Market, located outside Yu Garden in the heart of Old Shanghai City, near the Old City God Temple. The area features many traditional Chinese buildings, now used as commercial stores selling local products, snacks, jewelry, souvenirs, antiques, and more.

Shanghai World Financial Center - Afterwards, visit the Shanghai World Financial Center and ascend to the 100th floor for panoramic city views. It is the world’s 8th tallest building and the 4th tallest structure in Mainland China. The 100th floor features a 55-meter-long viewing gallery, the second-highest observation deck in China, surpassing the viewing platforms on the Canadian TV Tower (447 meters) and the Dubai Tower (440 meters).

The Bund (Wai Tan) - Afterward, visit the Bund area, the epitome of Shanghai. Located on the Huangpu River’s bank, travelers visit the Bund for its charming riverside scenery and unique western and gothic architecture. Free time is provided to stroll around the Bund and take photos.

Shanghai - Finally, the group will be driven back to their hotel, or they may enjoy their own time at nearby Nanjing Road.

Shanghai. The tour ends.

Shanghai - The guide will pick up the group at the hotel lobby at around 09:00 am. They will be escorted to the renowned Zhujiajiao water town, a 60-minute ride away.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Zhujiajiao water town is famous nationwide, with a history of over 1,700 years. Covering 47 square kilometers (11,614 acres), the fan-shaped town, known as Shanghai’s Venice, shines like a bright pearl amid lakes and mountains. Three notable sites in the water town are Kezhi Garden, Qing Dynasty Post Office, and Fangsheng Bridge. The tour guide will accompany the group to visit these.

Jade Buddha Temple - After lunch, the group will visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Built in 1882 for two white jade Buddha statues from Burma, the Jade Buddha Temple is a renowned Buddhist shrine and active Zen monastery. The temple plays a vital role in spreading Buddhism through cultural means, including lectures, library services, Buddhist academic publications, and regular Buddhist cultural activities.

Tianzifang - Later, the tour concludes at Tianzifang, an old-style cultural block featuring distinctive Shikumen buildings with art studios, themed cafés and bars, and handicraft workshops.

Shanghai - At the end, the guide will escort the group to their hotel/airport/train station, marking the end of the 5-day tour services.

• Round-trip economy flight tickets (Beijing to Shanghai)
• Complimentary lunch
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Private car and personal guide
• Entrance tickets included

• The hotel and dinner

• Can add more days if you want

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.