Shanghai to Beijing Tour with the Great Wall
Overview
When we daydream about a China adventure, Beijing and Shanghai, the country’s most popular destinations, always spring to mind. The 6 days China tour from Shanghai to Beijing is ideal for first-timers who don’t have much time but still hope to see the highlights of the country and look for real local experience. Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Bund… taste local cuisine and understand how Chinese people live their life.
Best for: First timers, Business travlers
Duration: 6 days & 5 nights
Destinations: Shanghai - Beijing
Travel Type: Private tour - Flexible & Free to customize
Highlights:
• Charming Shanghai with Shanghai Tower and the Bund
• Zhujiajiao Water town experience
• Must-see Forbidden City, the Great Wall
• High-speed train experience
Customize Your Tour:
☑ Travel Dates ☑ Your Interests ☑ Your Travel Style
Itinerary Expand All
After breakfast at hotel, start your Shanghai exploration, absorb the beauty and culture essence of Shanghai today. Shanghai is the first city in mainland China where the East meets the West, so its alluring mixing culture is the biggest highlight of the city. Our first spot is Yu Garden, located in central Shanghai, it is the best-kept and most famous private classic garden in Shanghai. Walk through the elegantly carved gates and corridors to discover the elaborate designed halls, rooms, artificial hills, and get to know the back stories that happened in the past 400 years. Walk out of the garden, you will see a bustling bazaar, named Yuyuan Market or Chenghuangmao Market packed with local specialty foods and snacks. Later have a stroll through Shanghai’s old small alleyways – the lilongs, to witness yourself how local people live their daily life. Enjoying Shanghai local delicacies at local restaurant for lunch will further satisfy your curiosity about local life and cuisine.
Shanghai’s colonial architecture is always a big draw. The Bund has a remarkable collection of 19th to 20th Century colonial buildings, which were originally banks, commercial and trade buildings, hotels, customs house, etc.Then we head for Shanghai Lujiazui Financial District, where skyscrapers are rising high. Get in Shanghai Tower, the tallest buildings in the city to view Shanghai’s skyline and also look into China’s future.
Meal: B, L
This morning, drive to visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, 48km from Shanghai city center. Water town is the essence of Jiangnan (regions south of the Yangtze River) and showcases the unique charm of traditional Shanghai. The riverside houses hung with red lanterns, stone arched bridges, passing boats, and stone-paved lanes… all remind us the good old days. If you like, get on a hand-rowing boat to take in the scenery and learn from your guide about local culture and lifestyle.
After that drive directly to the train station and board your bullet train to Beijing. The comfortable train journey is about 4.5 to 5 hours and offers you another chance to see local Chinese people’s life. Enjoy the scenery of both rurality and cities along the way.
Meal: B, L
Beijing is China’s cultural and political heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties. Come to the famous Tiananmen Square, where you will see the Tiananmen Rostrum and several significant historical monuments of the country. It is also at this huge square, the national flag-raising ceremony performed everyday. Walk inside the Forbidden City, an enormous ancient royal palace that used to serve as home to 24 kings of Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture, one of the world’s most famous palace, and a truly treasure trove, where there are numerous ancient Chinese historical and cultural relics are preserved and displayed.
After lunch at a local restaurant, tasting popular Beijing dishes, ride a vintage rickshaw (can only be seen in Beijing now) through hutong alleyways to discover old Beijing’s traditions and odd features, formed for hundreds of years. Zigzag through the narrow lanes, you will see a local dwelling – the courtyard house, and witness local Beijingers’ life. The people have their hair cut at the street and dressed in pajama chatting with neighbors. Taste some snacks if you like.
Meal: B, L
Greet the day at Temple of Heaven along with local people who practice Tai Chi or dance here. Temple of Heaven was a sacred religious site, built in strict accordance with Chinese architectural composition, where Ming and Qing kings worshiped heaven and prayed for national stability and harvest every year. By visiting this magnificent and colorful temple, you can learn Chinese philosophy and religion.
This afternoon, explore Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the most important attraction for all China trips. There is cable car available to get you to the top of the Great Wall. Take in the mountain views of North China. Learn from your guide how the endless wall was built on the mountaintop to be ancient world’s most powerful military defensive project.
Meal: B, L
The last day of the vacation, visit China’s best royal garden – Summer Palace. Located in the west suburb of Beijing, Summer Palace is a so called “Feng shui treasure-house” – built on Wanshou Hill (Longevity Hill) and Kunming Lake, with Yuquan Hill and Yufeng Pagoda in a distance. Different from the private Yu Garden, the imperial Summer Palace is much bigger, more ornate and imposing. If the weather is good, you may take a cruise on the lake just as the royal family did.
After the visit, your guide will escort you to the airport. Wave goodbye. Welcome to China again, and we’ll be at your service next time.
Meal: B
