Essence of China Tour for Self-guided Travelers
Overview
The 9-day China self-guided tour package is the ideal China tour for budget travelers to visit the three cities that make up China’s golden triangle – Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Starting with the highlights in the capital city of Beijing, you'll explore the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, etc. Then travel to Xi'an to marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The final destination is Shanghai, where you'll spend some time visiting the dynamic streets.
Best for: First timers, Self-guided & budget travelers
Duration: 9 days & 8 nights
Destinations: Beijing - Xi’an - Shanghai
Travel Type: Private tour - Flexible & Free to customize
Customize Your Tour:
☑ Travel Dates ☑ Your Interests ☑ Your Travel Style
Itinerary Expand All
At 8:45-9:00am, you are supposed to take the subway or taxi to get to the gathering point, and join a group (departing at 10:00am) escorted by an English speaking guide to Mutianyu Great Wall. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall of China, this section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. Around 18:30 you will be transferred back to the gathering point. If you can get up early, another departure starts at 08:00am.
Meal: B
In the morning, the local guide will meet you at the lobby of hotel, then you will go and visit the city by subway, public bus, or even Didi (Chinese Uber/Grab).In the morning, you will visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Home to 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasty for nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City is world’s largest wooden architecture complex in a red and golden color, symbolizing the dignity, power and grandeur of royal sovereign. It is also a treasure trove of China’s numerous cultural relics.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation. Today, you will see many retired people are doing exercises or pass time here in the park.
Later, visit Hongqiao Street near Temple of Heaven (Pearl Market), a well-known market for selling pearls, silk, clothes, handbags, and electronics, etc.
Meal: B
Free time for your own exploration. You can explore the famous Wangfujing Shopping Street near the hotel.
Then go back to the hotel and pick up your luggage. Take subway to Beijing West Train Station. After arrival in Xian, follow the guidance of ETC’s travel handbook to take public transportation to the hotel.
Meal: B
The guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby. Then transfer to take subway to the closest station to the Terra-cotta Warriors & Horses Museum. Then take a public bus to the entrance of the museum. It is one of the most significant archaeological finds in the world. This 16,300-square-meter excavation reveals more than 7,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations.
Then go back to Xian and visit Big Wild Good Pagoda, the guide will tell you the story of Monk Xuanzang, who traveled thousands of miles to India and lived there for more than a decade, bringing back the Buddhist scriptures and translating into Chinese language here. At night, you can walk to see Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City on your own after dinner.
Meal: B
Free day for your own exploration in Xian. You may go to see the Bell Tower at city downtown, Muslim Quarter, Old City Wall and Guangren Temple (the only Tibetan Buddhism monastery in the province). Your own arrangement to Xian Train Station to board overnight train to Shanghai at soft sleeper class.
Meal: B
Arrival in Shanghai around 12pm, follow the guidance of ETC’s travel handbook to take public transportation to the hotel. Free time for your own exploration.
Meal: N/A
Have a city excursion with your private guide. You will utilize the extensive subway system and other public transportation to see the highlights of the city: Pudong CBD, the Bund, Yu Garden and People’s Park. The guide will bid farewell to you at Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (the world's longest shopping district, 5.5km long). It is probably the world's busiest shopping streets, along with Fifth Avenue (USA), Oxford Street (UK), Takeshita Street (Japan) and the Champs-Élysées (France).
Meal: B
Follow the guidance of ETC’s Travel Handbook to take subway to Pudong International Airport and fly home.
Meal: B
End of Service.
