7 days · Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai · fully customizable
7 days · Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai · fully customizable
China's three great classics in one week: imperial Beijing, ancient Xi'an and futuristic Shanghai. This is the route most first-time visitors love, and it's only a starting point: we change the pace, hotels and sights to suit you.
This is a sample route, not a fixed package. Every day, hotel and sight can be changed.
Your driver and guide meet you at arrivals and take you to your hotel. Rest after the flight, then take an easy evening walk along Qianmen's restored old street, with dinner nearby.
Walk across the world's largest public square into the palace of 24 emperors. Your guide takes you beyond the main axis to quieter courtyards. Climb Jingshan hill for the classic view over the golden roofs.
About 90 minutes by car to Mutianyu, the best-restored and least crowded section near Beijing. Ride the cable car up, walk the watchtowers, and slide down on the toboggan. Back in the city, explore the old hutong lanes.
Early morning at the Temple of Heaven, where locals dance and practise tai chi. Then a first-class bullet train to Xi'an at up to 350 km/h. In the evening, wander the lanterns and food stalls of the Muslim Quarter.
Stand above Pit 1 and its 2,000-year-old soldiers, each with a different face. In the afternoon, cycle or ride an electric cart along the 14 km Ming city wall. End at the musical fountain by the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
A short flight to Shanghai. Walk the rockeries and ponds of the Ming-era Yu Garden, then the Bund promenade as the lights come on. Finish with an evening cruise between the old banks and the towers of Pudong.
Ride one of the world's fastest lifts to the top of the Shanghai Tower, then stroll the plane-tree streets and cafés of the former French Concession. Your driver takes you to the airport in time for your flight.
No deposit: pay 80% when you arrive and 20% when the trip ends. Free cancellation before you arrive.
Tell us when you're travelling, who's coming and what you'd change. A travel designer replies on WhatsApp with your own version of this route and a free quote within 24 hours.
Adjust this route on WhatsAppYes for the highlights, with three nights in Beijing, two in Xi'an and two in Shanghai. If you can add two or three days, slow down in Beijing or add Hangzhou.
Yes. We use the cable car at the Great Wall, electric carts where possible, and plan rest afternoons. Your car is always close by.
Yes. Xi'an's Muslim Quarter is famous for it, and Beijing and Shanghai have many halal restaurants. We plan meals each day if you ask.
UAE and Saudi passports and most of Europe can enter China visa-free. See our China visa guide, and we check your passport's rules before you book.
Yes. There are direct flights from Dubai to both cities, so we simply reverse the route to fit the best flights for your dates.
Mutianyu is restored, has a cable car and a toboggan, and is far less crowded than Badaling. Keen walkers can swap it for the wilder Jinshanling section.
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