【Classic China Tour of the Golden Triangle】8-Day Beijing, Xian, Shanghai Tour

DAY 1Arrival in Beijing and Transfer to Hotel Your English-speaking guide will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you directly to your hotel. Check in and take some time to recover from any jet lag.

DAY 2Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven In the morning, you will visit Tian'anmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares. Continue northwest to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, which served as the imperial residence for over 500 years. Your guide will unveil the stories behind the emperors and concubines who once resided within its walls.The guide leads the guests on a tour of the Forbidden City Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your will savor Beijing Roast Duck. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely visit to the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once worshiped. Wander through the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven as you immerse yourself in the history of this ancient religious complex. Take time to explore the surrounding Tiantan Park, with its beautiful green spaces, scenic walking paths, and tranquil retreat from the bustling city. Conclude your visit to the Temple of Heaven as the guide takes you back to your hotel. Dinner will be on your own.

DAY 3The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car), Hutong Walking Tour Following an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 40 minutes climbing steps. At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after your guide does some introductions. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14. Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route". Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where your guide will assist you in selecting dishes according to your preferences. After lunch, the guide will lead you to the Hutongs in Beijing's Dongcheng district for a walking tour, where you'll also have the opportunity to learn about applying Peking Opera facial makeup. Hutongs are historic alleyways flanked by traditional single-story courtyard houses, relics of old Beijing that are rapidly fading. As you wander through these narrow paths, you can visit local residents to experience the traditional lifestyle and learn about the preservation of these unique homes and their culture. In a workshop within the hutongs, you'll also learn how to create Peking Opera masks. Additionally, you can ascend the Bell Tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the hutongs. After concluding the hutong tour, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel for some rest, with dinner on your own.

DAY 4Taking the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square, The Night View of Great Tang All-Day Mall Take a high-speed train from Beijing West to Xi'an North railway station in the morning, the final booking confirmation will provide the details of the train number and departure times. Upon arriving at Xi'an North Railway Station around 2:05 PM, you will be greeted by your guide and driver, who will then escort you to your hotel for check-in. After a brief respite, the guide will accompany you to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square for a leisurely stroll, providing an insightful introduction to the history of the pagoda. Following this, you will enjoy a distinctive Xi'an dumpling feast for dinner. Dumplings are a traditional dish of the Han people in Xi'an, and the "dumpling feast" predominantly comprises a variety of dumplings crafted from diverse ingredients. This feast is especially popular during the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, and other folk celebrations in northern China. After finishing dinner, your guide will take you to the renowned Great Tang All Day Mall in Xi'an. The Great Tang All Day Mall, also known as the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, is a 1,500-meter pedestrian street in Xi'an. This vibrant thoroughfare is adorned with buildings that showcase Tang Dynasty architecture and sculptures depicting its rich history. It's a comprehensive consumer paradise where you can delve into the culture of the Tang Dynasty while indulging in shopping, dining, entertainment, sightseeing, and business activities. After the journey concludes, the guide will convey you back to the hotel for relaxation.

DAY 5Ancient City Wall, Terracotta Army Deep Dive: Exploring the Warriors, Handling Qin Relics, and a Warrior Restoration Experience After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you're about to begin your day's tour. Your guide picks you up from the hotel, and you set off to visit and explore the Terracotta Army. The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is situated at the northern foothills of Mount Li in Lintong District, Xi'an, approximately 37.5 kilometers from the city center. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach the site from central Xi'an. Here, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors, experience Qin Dynasty artifacts, and partake in a restoration activity. Follow a professional guide to explore the three pits of the Terracotta Warriors. At a nearby museum, get an up-close look at the first batch of restored warriors, including the renowned First Warrior, and learn about the visionary curator's initial restoration efforts. Then, in the conservation lab, touch authentic Qin Dynasty artifacts, deepening your connection to history. Finally, participate in a hands-on mini restoration experience guided by professional conservators, and take home your creation as a unique memento. After concluding your visit to the Terracotta Warriors, the guide will arrange lunch for you at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, you will return to Xi'an's city center and visit the ancient Xi'an City Wall. Xi'an city walls, one of China's oldest and most complete defensive systems, comprise walls, gates, and watchtowers. The perimeter of the wall is 13.74 kilometers, and you will embark on a cycling tour that takes approximately two hours. The path is paved with blue bricks and is somewhat bumpy, allowing for a complete or partial circuit. Once the cycling tour of the city walls concludes, the day's excursion will come to an end, and your guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest.

DAY 6From Xi'an to Shanghai by plane, Free time for personal activities After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver will escort you to Xi'an Xianyang Airport, where you'll board a flight to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Upon arrival at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, your Shanghai guide will greet you and accompany you to the hotel, assisting with check-in. As there are no scheduled tours today, you have the freedom to arrange your own activities and meals.

Shanghai in Progress (visit Shanghai Tower and the Bund in-depth）, Yuyuan Garden Your local guide will lead you to ascend Shanghai's tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, offering a monumental view over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and a sweeping panorama of the city. Amidst the bustling crowds, board a public ferry across the Huangpu River, drifting slowly from the modernity of Pudong to the historical depths of old Shanghai, crafting the latest chapter of its story. Begin your historical journey at the Bund, the landing site of foreigners centuries ago. Each building narrates tales of its golden era, and you'll discover the traces of time etched into their structures, reflecting the ebb and flow of history. Wander through alleys to observe local life, where residents cope with the city's housing pressures by dwelling in confined spaces. Take a moment to relax in a restaurant, savoring exquisite Shanghai delicacies. You'll also have the chance to experience China's most popular method of ordering takeout. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near The Bund. Here, you can savor a wide range of cuisines. After lunch, continue your tour with an afternoon visit to Yuyuan Garden. With a history exceeding 400 years, the Yuyuan Garden offers a wealth of attractions—from the dragon-lined walls and ancient trees to tranquil paths and historic halls filled with valuable antiques. After concluding today's tour, the guide will escort you back to the hotel for some rest.

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport In accordance with your departure flight time, your guide will arrive at the hotel at the agreed-upon time to escort you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where you will board your departing flight from Shanghai.