Summary

Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Day 2 Beijing: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Summer Palace
Day 3 Beijing-Xian: Mutianyu Great Wall, Train to Xian
Day 4 Xian: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall
Day 5 Xian-Shanghai: Big Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter, Fly to Shanghai
Day 6 Shanghai: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, Nanjing Road, The Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 7 Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town
Day 8 Shanghai Departure

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Upon your arrival in Beijing, our local Beijing tour guide will greet you at the exit of Beijing international airport, you will find a welcome signage "China Private Tour" and escorted you to your hotel directly, our guide will help you to check-in.

Day 2 Beijing

After breakfast, you will first meet the one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City, The Forbidden City, also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of five world-famous palaces with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in England, the White House in the U.S. and the Kremlin in Russia. The incomparable palace occupies an area of 720,000 square meters (177.9 acres) and has approximately 8,700 rooms. A high red wall with a total length of 3,400 meters (3,718 yards) encases the palace. The palace, the most magnificent and splendid palace complex in China, was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Building in 1987. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the construction of this group of buildings took fourteen years from 1406 to 1420.

Next, you will visit Jingshan Park, it is a beautiful loyal garden and facing the Forbidden City. And it is the highest poit of Beijing city where you can get a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

In the afternoon,you will visit the Summer Palace. A marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing's must-see attractions, the Summer Palace was the royal retreat for emperors fleeing the suffocating summer torpor of the old imperial city and, most recently, it was the retirement playground of Empress Dowager Cixi.

Drive back to your hotel.

Day 3 Beijing-Xian

After breakfast, you will head to visit the famous Great Wall of China, there are several sections in Beijing city. You will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, which is the less crowded but with charming scenery. The Mutianyu Great Wall was originally constructed in the mid-6th century and was rebuilt in its current form during the Ming Dynasty in 1569. The Mutianyu section spans over a mile and contains a total of 23 watchtowers, making it one of the longest fully restored portions of the Wall.

Walking up to the Wall from the base will take around 40-60 minutes. Unless you are super energetic and have enough time to spend at the Wall, we suggest you take the cable car up to the Wall and save your time and energy for the Wall itself. (Optional)

After lunch, transfer to Beijing train station to take the train to Xian. It takes around 5 hours from Beijing to Xian. Once you arrive, our Xian local guide will meet you at the exit of the train station with a welcome sign "Xian Private Tour". You will be taken back to your hotel, stay overnight in Xian.

Day 4 Xian

Today, your adventure begins with the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is known as “the eighth Wonders of the world”, the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture which is listed as the most significant discovery of the 20th century. Up to now, there has discovered a total of 179 accompanying burial pits of different connotations and various shapes in Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum area. The discovery of these pits has provided all important significance in the research of the burial system of the Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the characteristics structures and characteristics of the burial pits. However. What makes people feel amazing is that of all the burial pits, none has been found survived from being burnt down.

In the afternoon, visit the Ancient City Wall. As one of the UNESCO's world Heritage Site, Xi'an Ancient City Wall was built in the 14th century, under the regime of Emperor Zhuyuanzhang in Ming dynasty, had the function of protecting the cities or towns as military defense systems in ancient China. The Ancient City Wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls, exhibits the "complete features of the rampart architecture of feudal society". 

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Xian.

Day 5 Xian-Shanghai

After breakfast, you will visit famous Big Goose Pagoda. It is one of the oldest structures in China. Originally Big Goose Pagoda consisted of a brick structure of five storeys and was about 60 meters high. First built in 589A.D. In the Sui Dynasty. Between AD 701 and AD 704 during the reign of the Empress Wu Zetian five more storeys were added to the pagoda making ten in all. Unfortunately it was damaged during World War II and reduced to seven storeys, which is as it remains today.

Then, head to the Muslim Quarter. The main street through the Muslim Quarter is all about the food -- food that is both exotic and different than the typical fare in China. The streets in the area are clean and colorful with the whole area being very inviting for people to just walk down "main street" to see. It is said there are over 300 Muslim local snacks on the streets in Xian Muslim Quarter that attract a consistent flow of visitors everyday coming here to savor or just have a glimpse. After the sightseeing, choose a restaurant for a simple lunch, or try the snack here.

After your Xian tour ends, drop off at Xian airport to catch your flight to Shanghai. You will be picked up from Shanghai airport once you arrive, transfer to your Shanghai hotel.

Day 6 Shanghai

After breakfast, drive you to visit Shanghai Museum. It houses a comprehensive collection that perfectly showcases the Middle Kingdom’s millennia old history. Spread over five floors, covers most of the major categories of Chinese art with a collection of 12, 300 pieces in 21 categories of valuable cultural relics.

Next you will visit Yuyuan Garden, it not only regarded as best private garden in Shanghai but also the best in southeast China.The garden enjoyed a history over 400 years since its first establishment by Pan Yunduan who had intended to bring happiness and pleasure to his parents and relatives. Then, walking to nearby to Yuyuan Bazaar, there are many small streets and lanes where vendors sell their products and food stuffs to the tourists and local people.It is an ideal place for you to find some specialists.

Lunch is arranged at Nanxiang Dumpling House to try the most famous Shanghai Xiaolongbao(soup dumpling). A favorite of dim sum eaters around the globe, are considered to be a Shanghai specialty, rumored to have originated here in the 19th century. Legend has it that this world-renowned snack started out as an experiment by a cake shop owner in Nanxiang who decided to try out a riff on his popular steamed bread. 

After lunch, drive you to The Bund area. The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai.When you come here, you can embrace the best cityscape, feast on the rich architectural fashions and know why Shanghai is glorified as "Paris of the East". There are a number of attractions in the area, such as Shanghai World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Century Park, Century Boulevard, Jinmao Tower etc. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Continue your tour to Nanjing Road, another popular landmark of Shanghai. It is a shopping paradise as well as a ideal place tootake a wonderful walk to explore the modern atmosphere of the city.

After dinner, you will take the Night cruise along the Huangpu River. When traveling in Shanghai, you should not miss a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. It is the best way to admire Shanghai's classic skyline views of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers along the river.

After the cruise, you will be taken back yo your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 7 Shanghai

After breakfast, drive you to Zhujiajiao water town, around 40 minutes. Upon arrival, you will first take a boat cruise around this water town, Zhujiajiao is a water town with a history of more than 1,700 years. Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - the little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards attached all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and tranquility. In addition, you will visit Kezhi Garden, Great Qing Post Office, Fangsheng Bridge as some highlights here in the down. If time is permit, you can also do the Boat cruise for about 15-20 minutes. (Optional)

Your lunch will be arranged at the local restaurant. After lunch, drive back to your hotel.

Day 8 Shanghai Departure

Free on your own until our driver transfer you to the airport and you fly back home. Your 8 Days Best of Budget China Tour come to the ends. Have a pleasant trip!

Price Per Person in US Dollars