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Home Top China Tours 8 Days China Golden Triangle (Beijing Xian Shanghai ) Tour

This 8 days China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai is the No.1 best selling tour chosen by most first-time travelers. Beijing, Xian and Shanghai are called the China golden triangle cities and also the top 3 destinations should be visited in China.

Have an in-depth exploration in Beijing - from the ancient imperial Forbidden City to traditional Hutongs to feel contrast life between royal families and ordinary people, from the man-made engineering wonder Great Wall to jaw-dropping modern structures such as the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. And head south and continue to dig the profound history in Xian and appreciate the Eighth Wonder of the World - Terracotta Warriors and Horses and sample some delicious food in Xian Muslim Quarter. The third city in your golden triangle tour is at the mouth of the Yangtze River - Shanghai, the economic hub of China where you can witness the fast development of China.

You Can Experience “Must-see & Must-do” with This Tour
Highlight 1: Listen to the legendary stories of the Ming and Qing Dynasties by visiting the imperial palaces and traditional gardens
Beijing Forbidden City
Highlight 2: Get atop of the less crowded and best-preserved Great Wall and catch the panoramic view of spectacular landscape
Mutianyu Great Wall
Highlight 3: Walk into the history classroom and marvel at the 8000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Highlight 4: Stroll leisurely on the banks of Huangpu River on the Bund and catch the amazing skyline of the Pudong New Area
The Bund in Shanghai
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Itinerary at a Glance
8 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Tour Detailed Map
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Beijing (4 Days)

Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

Xian (2 Days)

Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient Wall, Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi History Museum

Shanghai (2 Days)

Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Tower

Itinerary Day by Day
Day 1 Beijing Arrival | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in

Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Beijing, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.

Arrival Ideas:
Beijing is well connected by air and high speed rail. There are two airports - Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport operating many international and domestic airlines. Travelers can go to Beijing by air from most cities of China, like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Guiyang, Chongqing, and Lanzhou. In addition, travelers can take the high speed train to Beijing from Xian (4-5 hours), Shanghai (4.5-6 hours), Zhengzhou (2.5-3 hours), Wuhan (4-5 hours), Harbin (5-5.5 hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas:
You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.

Day 2 Beijing City Tour | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Old Hutongs

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and then head to Tian’anmen Square, which is the world’s largest public square and also the symbol of China. It has witnessed many big events in China over the past decades. Walk across the square and you will visit the might and splendor of the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and one-time home to 24 emperors of China. With over 8,728 rooms, the Forbidden City is not only China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, but also a city within the city, like the Vatican in Rome. Enter through Meridian Gate and visit along the central axis to ensure you won’t miss any highlighted palaces. You can admire its brilliant architecture and numerous ancient art treasures while listening to your guide and learning more about the emperors’ stories hidden inside the Imperial Palace. Later, take another 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park, where you can have a magnificent panorama of modern Beijing and princely views over the russet roofs of the Forbidden City.

In this afternoon, enjoy the relaxing time exploring the ordinary local life through the old Hutongs. Take a rickshaw tour to travel through the narrow alleys with many featured shops standing on both sides.

Recommended Optional Activity: You can try the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude this evening.

Day 3 Beijing Great Wall Tour | Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest & Water Cube

In this morning, you will head northwest of Beijing (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive, 73km) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The Great Wall boasts a history over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient masterpieces on the planet. Mutianyu Great Wall is connected with the Jiankou Great Wall in the west and the Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. Mutianyu is the longest and best fully-restored Great Wall with fewer tourists and is also famed for its 23 Ming-era watchtowers and stunning views. Take the cable car up to the 14th watchtower and then enjoy the memorable hiking time on the wall while visiting its western route. With the green pines and cypresses covering the surrounding area, and the winding wall standing majestically on the vast land, you will capture the most stunning natural scenery in this section. Challenge yourselves while climbing up to the 20th watchtower where you could fulfill your Great Wall dream. Cherish the chance and take photos as many as you like! 

After the once-in-lifetime experience, head back to downtown Beijing and have the chance to take photos with the exterior of the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium) and Water Cube (Beijing National Aquatics Center). They were both designed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and used for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.After that, transfer back to your hotel and have a good rest tonight.

Day 4 Beijing to Xian by High Speed Train | Summer Palace

After breakfast, drive to the “Museum of Royal Garden” - Summer Palace, which used to be the resort for royal families to flee summer heat. The grounds, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes, bridges, gate-towers, and corridors are a marvel of landscaping. Enjoy the leisure walk and take your time to appreciate the imperial architectures, hilltop views, and beautiful lakes, which offer a pastoral escape into the landscapes of traditional Chinese painting.

After the tour, you will be escorted to the train station for a high-speed train to Xian (about 4.5-5.5 hours). Welcome to Xian, the capital of 13 ancient China dynasties! Upon your arrival at the train station, the tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in Xian.

Day 5 Xian City Tour | Terracotta Warriors, Ancient Wall, Muslim Quarter

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Drive about 40km (about 1 hour) to uncover one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world - the Terracotta Army Museum, which was built by the first emperor of China - Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. There are about 8,000 vivid life-size Terracotta Warriors found so far. First, pay a visit to the largest and most imposing pit which is believed to contain over 6,000 terracotta figures of soldiers and horses. You will be amazed by the subterranean life-size army of thousands silently standing and guarding the emperor and also be awed by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans. Next, move to another pit where you can feast your eyes with around 1300 warriors and horses. You can get to examine the ancient army array by visiting the kneeling and standing archers, the chariot war array and numerous troopers holding weapons, etc. (Note: If you are interested, you can learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.)

After lunch, drive back to downtown to visit the Ancient City Wall (also known as the Fortification of Xian). The city wall is a kind of defensive structure in Ancient Times and represents one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved Chinese city walls. Spend some time leisurely walking on the wall and enjoy its inner and outer walls, watchtowers, and moat, and have panoramic views of modern Xian. (Optional biking experience: If you want to cycle on the ancient city wall, please tell your ideas to your travel expert.)

Late in the afternoon, go to explore the vivid local life when you go to wander happily around the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter. It is a paradise mixed with different local snacks and Muslim culture.

Day 6 Xian to Shanghai by Flight | Shaanxi History Museum

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to visit Shaanxi History Museum. Regarded as “the Pearl of ancient dynasties and house of Chinese treasures”, it has collections of 130,000 historical artifacts, showing visitors a miniature overview of thousand years of Chinese history and the splendid ancient cultures of old times. Enjoy the educational visit while exploring historical relics ranging from bronze ware from the Western Zhou Dynasty, and terracotta figures, to gold and silverware and murals discovered in Tang tombs. Later, pay a visit to the Tang-style Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the landmark of Xian situated in the Da Ci’en Temple.

After the tour, you will be escorted to the airport for a flight to Shanghai (about 2 hours). Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Upon your arrival at the airport, the tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in Shanghai.

Day 7 Shanghai City Tour | Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road & The Bund

In this morning, you will head to Shanghai Museum for an awe-inspiring visit to view the finest collection of art and learn about profound Chinese history. Built in the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding, Shanghai Museum has a round top and a square base, symbolizing “round sky, square earth”. It contains 120,000 cultural relics which showcase incredible artifacts of Chinese art throughout 5000 years’ history. Immerse yourselves in the Exhibition Hall of Bronze and Ceramic to appreciate the elaborate bronzes and exquisite artifacts. You won’t miss the chance to enjoy the top treasures - Da Ke Ding (bronze food vessel over 3000 years ago), and Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin (ancient musical instruments). Next, move to Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in the bustling Shanghai downtown area. Enjoy a leisure walk and visit the Chinese architecture, and feast your years with exquisite sculptures and carvings. Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden is a fun place to taste some local snacks as well as buy some traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks.

After that, you will take a stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, where lots of well-known brands, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and towering buildings stand on both sides. Continue your walk to the Bund, the top 1 place to visit on the Shanghai bucket list. Reputed as “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, the Bund is a collection of 52 buildings in various international architectural styles. Overlook the amazing skyline and skyscrapers of the Pudong Area from the Bund. The last stop today is the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second in the world, at a height of 362 meters. Ascents up to 546 meters over the 118th floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of modern Shanghai.

Day 8 Shanghai Departure | Hotel Check-out and Airport See-off

It is time to end your 8-day China tour. You will have some free time in Shanghai and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination. 

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia!

Price: What’s Included & What’s Excluded
Price: Request
The above price is based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on travel date, group size, hotel class, program in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
Price varies depending on travel date, group size, hotel class, program in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.

What’s Included?

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Experienced drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
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Professional licensed English-speaking local guide
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Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
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Domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class) listed in the itinerary
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Admission tickets, activities, meals listed in the itinerary
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Accident insurance
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Our service from tour planning, handling, operational and finishing your trip

What’s Excluded?

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International airfares
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Entry visa fees
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Personal expenses
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Single room supplement
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Recommended optional activities
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Arrival/departure flights or train on the first and last day
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Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Important Trip Notes for Booking a Private China Tour
How do I book a private China tour?
It is very simple to book a private China tour. Select the tour you are interested, and click “Make an Enquiry for Free”. Tell us your demands and likes while submitting the form. During this process, you don’t need to pay immediately. After sending us your requirements, one of our professional travel experts will get back to you within 0.5 to 24 hours. When all the information have confirmed, then you make the deposit. Please feel free to contact the travel expert directly if you have any questions prior to booking.
Extend Your China Tour
The above itinerary is the sample one that most travelers would go like that. The tour can be customized based on your likes, interests and budget. At the same time, if you want to extend this tour, just tell us your favored destinations and things to do. Our professional travel experts will redesign the trip totally for you and your group at the best price. Tell us your ideas now >>
Transportation
In a private tour, it means you will transfer to the tourist attractions in one city by private vehicle. The private car we selected is spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned. And the driver we use are very experienced. As for traveling between two destinations, we use domestic flights (economy seat) or high speed trains (second class seat, usually less than 6 hours). The local guides and drivers will pick you up at the airport/train stations, and escort you to the hotel.
Meals
“B” stands for breakfast. You will have it at your hotel in the morning.
“L” stands for lunch. The restaurants we will arrange for you are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. All are in good sanitary conditions. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes.
“D” means dinner. All dinners are excluded in the itinerary. You have the chance to taste some authentic Chinese food and local snacks.
If you have special dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free), please let us know before your booking. We will try our best to take care of you.
Accommodation & Hotel Condition for Your China Tour
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Recommended 4 Star Hotel in China
Have a good sleep everyday is very important during your China tour. In a private tour, you can decide on your own which hotel class you want - luxury 5 star, comfortable 4-star or economic 3-star.
All the hotels in each destination we selected are at good location, close to commercial street or tourist attractions. And, all the hotels we use have a business relationship for many years and they have windows, air-conditioners, hot water, showers, wifi... (except for basic accommodation condition when travel to Mount Everest) to ensure you luxury and comfortable sleep experience. The staff can speak English and they will provide you the high quality service. If you have any requirements, you can ask them to help.
Photo Gallery for This Itinerary
  • Tian’anmen Square, Beijing
  • Forbidden City, Beijing
  • Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing
  • Beijing Bird
  • Beijing
  • Summer Palace in Beijing
  • Terracotta Warriors in Xian
  • Terracotta Warriors in Xian
  • Xian Ancient City Wall
  • Xian Muslin Quarter
  • Shaanxi History Museum
  • Shanghai Museum
  • Yu Garden in Shanghai
  • The Bund in Shanghai
  • Shanghai Tower
What Travelers are Saying about This Tour
Let’s see what our customers said about the above trip and you can browse the recent reviews and opinions on tour arrangements, tour guides, drivers/cars, attractions, dining, hotels... And, you can learn from their detailed itineraries for further planning your China tour! Read and get inspired now!
China Tour Review
Robin G
Rating:
Reviewed on Dec. 2022
Wonderful Experience
Very professional and knowledgeable. Could not of asked for better planning. The explanations were detailed and interesting. The local restaurant choices were delicious. When asked to be flexible or help with plans outside the scheduled tour they were very happy to accommodate. Highly recommend and very very happy with this tour!
China Tour Review
Mouhannad A
Rating:
Reviewed on Nov. 2022
Memorable trip!!!
One of the best trips I ever had, I give five stars for the professionalism and good itinerary. I had a great informatory trip. The guide was very knowledgeable with all part of and the city. His historic background is rich and coming from the heart. Our driver was very careful and patient with traffic and both were very prompt. Food was ok and service was good. I highly recommend this travel agency, if you go to China make sure to use them.
China Tour Review
Linda Z
Rating:
Reviewed on Oct. 2022
Amazing trip in China
We had an amazing time in each place we visited. If we come back to China we will definitely use this travel agency again. We couldn’t fault any part of our trip!
China Tour Review
Peter F
Rating:
Reviewed on Oct. 2022
Excellent Service
We used Asia Odyssey Travel to plan our 2 week itinerary within China. They booked all hotels, flights, cars and guides. The organisation and execution of the plan was excellent and we were well looked after. Highly recommended.
China Tour Review
Peter J
Rating:
Reviewed on Aug. 2022
Excellent holidays
We had a great holiday. They listen to our needs and adapt the trip according to our desires. The guides are excellent and very effective. I recommend and I will certainly reuse them for the next vacation.
China Tour Review
Sylvan G
Rating:
Reviewed on July 2022
An Exceptional Tour with AOT - Highly Recommended!
Every aspect of the tour was well-organized and professional, and our tour guide Tony was a true gem. She was knowledgeable and friendly and took care of every small detail to ensure we had a great time at every destination. The hotels, transport, and activities were all top-notch, and we felt well taken care of throughout the trip. We have already recommended Asia Odyssey Travel to our friends and family, and we will definitely use their services again. Thank you for making our vacation so memorable and enjoyable!
China Tour Review
Mini L
Rating:
Reviewed on Mar. 2022
First adventure in China
This was our first adventure since moving to China and it did not disappoint!!! Guilin and YangShuo are some of the most beautiful places on earth. If you are thinking of going - don't think, GO!! It's truly a magical area with some of the most scenic scapes I've ever experienced.
China Tour Review
Rebecca M
Rating:
Reviewed on Jul. 2021
Professional and quality service. Excellent trip!
Our trip to Guilin with Asia Odyssey Travel was AWESOME! Seriously, stop trying to plan a trip yourself and book through them. They took care of everything and made the trip ideal for us and the activities we enjoy.
Flexible Dates
Trusted Route
Guaranteed Experience
Trip Style: Private Tour (flexible travel dates & numbers of travelers)
Tour Code: AOT-CTT-003
Travel Route: Beijing - Xian - Shanghai
Features: History, Culture, Cultural Sites, Museums

Price: Request

(Based on a private tour for two people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people.)

Free Enquiry! You don’t need to pay for the reservation.

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