8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Tour: China Golden Triangle

Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, China's capital city. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of the day is yours to rest after your flight or explore on your own.

Arrival Ideas:

Beijing has two international airports - Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) - with flights from most major cities in China and around the world. High-speed trains connect Beijing to Xian (4-5 hours), Shanghai (4.5-6 hours), Zhengzhou (2.5-3 hours), Wuhan (4-5 hours), and Harbin (5-5.5 hours).

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square and a symbol of modern China.

Walk across the square to the Forbidden City, the world's largest palace complex and once home to 24 emperors. With over 8,728 rooms, it's a city within a city. Enter through Meridian Gate and follow the central axis past the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Your guide will share stories of emperors, concubines, and court life that you won't find in guidebooks.

After exploring the palace, take 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City's golden roofs and Beijing's modern skyline beyond.

In the afternoon, explore Beijing's old Hutongs by rickshaw. These narrow alleys are where ordinary Beijingers have lived for centuries. You'll pass traditional courtyard homes, local markets, and hidden temples.

This morning, you'll drive about 1.5-2 hours northwest to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. This section is the longest and best-preserved restored part of the wall, with fewer crowds and 23 Ming-era watchtowers.

Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and hike west along the wall. The surrounding area is covered with green pines and cypresses, offering some of the most stunning natural scenery along the entire wall. If you're feeling adventurous, challenge yourself to reach the 20th watchtower for the best views. Take the cable car to get down.

After your once-in-a-lifetime hike, return to downtown Beijing and stop for photos outside the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Both venues were built for the 2008 Olympics and reused for the 2022 Winter Games.

After the tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel for a good rest.

After breakfast, drive to the Summer Palace, known as the "Museum of Royal Garden" and once the summer resort for imperial families, its grounds, temples, gardens and water features form a marvelous landscaping masterpiece, and you can stroll leisurely to admire the imperial architecture, hilltop views and lakes that feel like a pastoral escape into traditional Chinese painting landscapes.

After the tour, you'll be escorted to the train station for 4.5-5.5 hour high-speed train to Xian, the capital of 13 ancient Chinese dynasties, where our team will greet you at the station exit and escort you to your hotel in Xian.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive about 1 hour to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. This is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, built by China's first emperor Qin Shihuang to guard him in the afterlife.

Start in Pit One , the largest, with over 6,000 life-sized soldiers and horses arranged in battle formation. Move to Pit Two to see archers, cavalry, and chariots. Each warrior has a unique face - no two are the same. 

After lunch, return to downtown to visit the Ancient City Wall, one of China's best-preserved fortifications. Walk along the top for views of the inner and outer walls, watchtowers, and the moat. You'll see old Xian inside the wall and the modern city beyond. (Optional: Rent a bike to cycle the full 14-kilometer circuit.)

Late in the afternoon, explore the Muslim Quarter, a lively maze of food stalls and shops. Try local specialties like yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread) and freshly grilled skewers while soaking in the bustling atmosphere.

Morning: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda & Hanfu Experience

After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda , a Tang Dynasty landmark and one of Xian's most recognizable symbols. Located in Da Ci'en Temple, it was built in 652 AD to store Buddhist scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuan Zang.

Take your time exploring the pagoda grounds and the surrounding square. Then, immerse yourself in Tang Dynasty culture with a Hanfu experience. You'll be fitted in traditional Chinese clothing - flowing silk robes and classic accessories included. Walk through the temple gardens and pagoda grounds in your Hanfu while your guide points out the best spots for photos.

Afternoon: Flight to Shanghai

After the tour, your guide will escort you to the airport for a flight to Shanghai (about 2 hours). Welcome to Shanghai, China's most international and vibrant city! Upon arrival, your Shanghai guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Morning: Shanghai Museum

Start your day at Shanghai Museum, housed in a building shaped like an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding - round top and square base, symbolizing "round sky, square earth." The museum holds 120,000 cultural relics spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history.

Visit the Exhibition Hall of Bronze and Ceramic to see elaborate bronzes and exquisite artifacts. Don't miss the top treasures: Da Ke Ding, a bronze food vessel over 3,000 years old, and Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin, a set of ancient musical instruments.

Late Morning: Yu Garden & Yuyuan Bazaar

Next, head to Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden in Shanghai's bustling old town. Take a leisurely walk through winding paths, rockeries, ponds, and intricate carvings.

Outside the garden, explore Yuyuan Bazaar, where you can taste local snacks like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and shop for traditional handicrafts and artworks.

Afternoon: Nanjing Road & The Bund

Stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, lined with brand-name stores, restaurants, cafes, and historic shops. Continue your walk to the Bund, Shanghai's top attraction.

Known as the "Exhibition of International Buildings," the Bund features 52 buildings in various architectural styles. From here, enjoy views of the Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.

Late Afternoon: Shanghai Tower

End your day at Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building at 632 meters. Take the elevator to the 118th floor (546 meters) for a panoramic view of modern Shanghai, looking down on the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Shanghai on your own. When you're ready, your guide will escort you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your 8 Days China Golden Triangle Tour. We're always here to help and hope to welcome you again on your next trip to China or Asia. Safe travels!