12 Days North China Highlights to Beijing, Xi’an, Huangshan, Shanghai

Meals: NA

Nihao, Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China with 3 millennia of history. Its rich culture, bustling streets, and delicious cuisine make it one of the most popular tourist cities in China.

Upon your arrival in Beijing, your private local tour guide will welcome you at the airport or train station and then escort you to your hotel in Beijing.

The rest of the day will be at your leisure to relax and explore the city, you can do some relaxing walks through the bustling street or Hutong.

Feel free to ask our tour guide for suggestions if you'd like to explore the city instead of taking a rest.

Overnight in Beijing.

Meals: B/L

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to start the day of the Beijing city tour. In the morning, you will visit:

1. Tiananmen Square: One of the largest public squares in the world. It is a historic and cultural landmark in the heart of Beijing. Surrounded by the Forbidden City and the Great Hall of the People, it is a must-visit destination to experience China’s rich history and political significance.
2. Forbidden City: The highlight of the day. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Forbidden City is a grand imperial palace that served as the home of Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. It’s the most famous palace in all of Chinese history. With its stunning architecture and vast courtyards, it offers a glimpse into China’s royal history and culture.

After enjoying an authentic Beijing roast duck lunch in a time-honored brand restaurant, you are going on a tour in the afternoon.

1. Temple of Heaven: a masterpiece of Ming dynasty architecture, is a sacred site where emperors once held ceremonies to pray for good harvests.
2. Kung Fu Show: an exciting performance that combines martial arts, acrobatics, and storytelling. It showcases the strength, skill, and beauty of traditional Chinese Kung Fu in a dramatic stage production.

You will finish the trip after the show ends. Then, you will be escorted to the hotel for a good rest. 

Overnight in Beijing.

Meals: B/L

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am – 8:30 am. The day begins with climbing the Mutianyu Great Wall. It’s a highlight of your 4-day Beijing tour. You’ll visit:

1. Mutianyu Great Wall: It is a well-preserved section of the Great Wall of China, known for its stunning scenery and fewer crowds. It offers an easy way to explore ancient history with cable cars and scenic hiking trails.

Lunch will be served in Beijing downtown. When you drive back, you could stop at the Bird’s Nest to take a photo. After a short rest, you’ll continue on your half-day tour of the cultural Hutong.

1. Hutong Tour by Rickshaw: It is a great way to explore Beijing’s traditional alleyways and old courtyard homes. It offers a close look at local life, history, and culture in a fun and relaxing ride.
2. Hutong Family Visit: Visit a local family living in Hutong lets you experience traditional Beijing Hutong life. You could learn about their daily routines, history, and culture up close.

After the tour, your tour guide will escort you to the hotel, and the rest of the time is yours.

Overnight in Beijing.

Meals: B

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to visit the Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace is a beautiful royal garden known for its lakes, pavilions, and ancient temples. Once a retreat for Chinese emperors, it offers stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. You can enjoy a boat ride on Kunming Lake or explore the Long Corridor with its colorful paintings.

After the Summer Palace visit, head to Beijing West Railway Station and check in with your guide for the high-speed train to Xi'an. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you travel at 300 km/h for about 5 hours.

Upon arrival at Xi'an North Railway Station, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Xi’an.

Feel free to ask our tour guide for suggestions if you'd like to explore the city instead of taking a rest.

Overnight in Xi'an.

Meals: B/L/D

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to start the day of the Xi’an city tour. In the morning, you will visit one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses.

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an is a famous ancient site with thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots. Built over 2,000 years ago, they were buried to guard China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. This incredible archaeological discovery is a must-visit to learn about China’s rich history and culture.

After enjoying an authentic Xi’an lunch in the Muslim Quarter, known for its delicious street food, bustling markets, and rich cultural heritage, you are going on a tour in the afternoon.

1. Bell Tower of Xi’an: a symbol of Xi’an, it’s a famous ancient architecture in the heart of Xi’an city, built during the Ming Dynasty. With over 600 years of history, it is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient bell towers in China.
2. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: built in the Tang Dynasty to store sacred scriptures from India. This ancient pagoda is an important cultural site, known for its elegant design and connection to the famous monk Xuanzang.
3. Daci’en Temple: best known as the home of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built during the Tang Dynasty and plays an important role in learning about Chinese Buddhism and history.

You’ll go to enjoy an authentic Xi’an dinner in a time-honored brand restaurant, and then head to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City for a fabulous night view of Xi’an.

1. Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City: it is a lively cultural street in Xi’an, showcasing the glory of the Tang Dynasty with stunning light displays and performances.

You will finish the trip around 8:30 pm. Then, you will be escorted to the hotel for a good rest.

Overnight in Xi'an.

Meals: B

After breakfast and hotel check-out, your tour guide will take you to Xi’an Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved city wall in China. Stretching nearly 14 kilometers around the old capital, you can explore it at your own pace on foot or by bicycle.

After your visit, you will be transferred to Xi’an Airport for your flight to Shanghai about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Upon arrival, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is your leisure time.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Meals: B/L

Upon arrival in the morning, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is your leisure time.

Welcome to Shanghai, one of the world's major centers for finance, business, and economics, China's cosmopolitan financial hub, dazzles with its futuristic skyline along the Bund and iconic landmarks.

Then you’ll start the day of the Shanghai city tour. In the morning, you will visit:

1. Oriental Pearl TV Tower: This iconic tower’s second sphere has a transparent circular corridor. Walk on its glass walkway for thrilling views of the Huangpu River below.
2. Shanghai Historical Development Museum: Located under the tower, it displays 1,300 artifacts tracing Shanghai’s 6,000-year history. Exhibits range from ancient pottery to photos of colonial-era treaty ports.

After enjoying an authentic lunch in a time-honored brand restaurant, you are going on the tour in the afternoon:

1. Huangpu River Cruise: It is one of the best ways to experience both the historic and modern sides of Shanghai. As you sail toward the East China Sea, enjoy stunning views of the Bund’s iconic waterfront and the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
2. The Bund: This waterfront strip has grand European-style buildings from before 1937. Across the river, modern skyscrapers create a stunning skyline contrast.
3. Nanjing Road: Shanghai’s busiest shopping street glows with neon lights and endless stores. Find everything from local snacks to global brands in this lively area.

After the tour, enjoy a comfortable drop-off service at your hotel, marking the end of a wonderful day in Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Meals: B/L

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to continue your exploration of Shanghai. In the morning, you will visit:

1. Yu Garden: Built 500 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, this classical garden features peaceful ponds and rockeries. Its winding bridges and pavilions offer a quiet escape in the city center.
2. Shanghai Old Town: Traditional shikumen houses and markets blend with modern life here. Explore old streets to see Shanghai’s cultural roots and daily local life.

After enjoying an authentic lunch in a time-honored brand restaurant, you are going on the tour in the afternoon:

1. French concession Xintiandi: a top destination in the former French Concession and has been a Shanghai landmark for over a decade. This upscale entertainment and shopping district, designed around traditional lòngtáng (alleyway) homes, was the first development in the city to demonstrate the commercial value of preserving historical architecture.
2. Jade Buddha Temple: It is a peaceful and sacred retreat in the bustling city. Originally built in 1882 during the Qing Dynasty (1638–1911), the temple is home to two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma by a monk from Mount Putuo.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for the rest.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Meals: B

This morning, after breakfast, take a bullet train from Shanghai to Huangshan for around 3 hours.

Upon arrival in Huangshan, you’ll be transferred to Hongcun Ancient Village, which looks like an ink painting.

1. Hongcun Ancient Village: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s Anhui province, is famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture and picturesque landscapes. It offers a glimpse into ancient Chinese village life.
2. Xidi Village: appreciate ancient buildings and learn about local culture and history.

After visiting the ancient villages, you’ll head to Tunxi Ancient Street for some local food. Then your private tour guide will escort you to the hotel in Huangshan for a good rest.

Overnight in Huangshan.

Meals: B/L

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to start the day of the Yellow Mountains tour. Upon arrival at the foot of the Yellow Mountains, you’ll ride a cable car to the mountain range. From here, start hiking while you’re amazed by the stunning scenery.

1. Yellow Mountains: one of China's most famous mountain ranges, known for their breathtaking granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and mystical sea of clouds.

After enjoying lunch, it’s time to explore the West Sea Grand Canyon. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder known for its deep valleys, towering peaks, and dramatic rock formations. When you are hiking, the scenic area offers stunning panoramic views, making it a must-visit for natural lovers and photographers.

After the trekking tour, you’ll escorted to the hotel on the mountain range to enjoy the sunset in the Yellow Mountain.

Overnight in Huangshan.

Meals: B/L

You need to get up early today to enjoy the amazing sunrise of the Yellow Mountains. After breakfast, you’ll continue your exploration of the Yellow Mountains. Then, your tour guide will take you to visit the Lion Peak, the Monkey Gaping at the Sea, the Flower Grown out of a Writing Brush Rock, etc.

Around 11:00, you’ll take a cable car ride back down to the foot of the Yellow Mountains. A hot spring bath help you to clean the tiredness of mountain trekking. Then, move to the railway station and go back to Shanghai.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, enjoy a comfortable drop-off service at your hotel, marking the end of a wonderful day in Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai.

Meals: B

After breakfast, enjoy your free time until you’re transferred to the Shanghai airport/train station to your next destination.

Tour service ends here.

Hope you enjoyed a great trip with us and we look forward to seeing you next time.

Note: If you’re planning to explore Indochina region, like Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, please never hesitate to tell us, we’re tour experts for all of these destinations.