Beijing · Xi’an · Shanghai | 8 Days, 7 Nights | Private & Fully Tailored
China is a country of layers: imperial grandeur, ancient dynasties, and a skyline that looks like the future. This journey connects three cities that, together, tell the whole story. In Beijing you walk through the palaces of emperors. In Xi’an you stand before an army buried for two thousand years. In Shanghai you watch the modern world light up along the Huangpu River.
And you do it all without the stress. From the first airport greeting to the last farewell, your own private guide, driver, and travel team handle every detail, and your guide speaks your language, so you can simply look up and take it all in.
Journey at a Glance
Beijing · Days 1-3 | The Imperial Capital
The seat of power for over 800 years. Explore the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and the old hutong alleyways, with a private guide who brings the dynasties to life.
Xi’an · Days 4-5 | The Ancient Heart of China
The eastern end of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army. Travel there by high-speed train in comfort, then explore the city’s walls, markets, and flavors with a local expert.
Shanghai · Days 6-8 | The Modern Metropolis
Where East meets West. Stroll the Bund, wander Yu Garden, and discover the French Concession, before a smooth, private transfer to your flight home.
Day 1 · Arrive in Beijing
Touch down in China’s capital, where your private guide will be waiting at arrivals with a name sign, ready to welcome you in your own language. Your driver takes you to the hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, and your guide handles check-in so you can relax straight away. After a short rest, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring the city’s most famous dish, Peking duck, at a carefully selected local restaurant.
Day 2 · Imperial Beijing
Begin at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, then step through the gates of the Forbidden City. Home to 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties, its golden roofs and vermilion walls reveal five centuries of imperial life. Your entry tickets are booked in advance, so you skip the long lines, and your guide shares the stories behind the palaces that guidebooks leave out.
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Locals gather in the surrounding park to practice tai chi, sing, and play cards, and your guide will happily introduce you to the everyday side of Beijing life.
Day 3 · The Great Wall and Old Beijing
Your driver takes you out of the city to the Mutianyu Great Wall, restored and relatively uncrowded, with dramatic views of watchtowers rolling along green ridgelines. Take the cable car up and walk a stretch of the wall at your own pace. Your driver waits at the base, so there are no taxis to negotiate and no schedules to chase.
Return to the city for an afternoon in the hutongs, Beijing’s old alleyways, by pedicab, followed by a visit to the Summer Palace if time allows.
Day 4 · Bullet Train to Xi’an
Your driver takes you to the station, and your guide helps you through security and boarding. All train tickets are arranged by us in advance, with comfortable seats reserved, so you never have to deal with the booking systems or the crowds. Enjoy the 4.5-hour high-speed ride to Xi’an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. A local guide meets you on arrival.
In the evening, explore the Muslim Quarter, a lively maze of street food, from lamb skewers to hand-pulled noodles and roujiamo, the famous Chinese “hamburger.” Your guide knows which stalls are the best and the cleanest, so you can taste with confidence.
Day 5 · The Terracotta Army
Spend the morning at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the astonishing army of thousands of life-size clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Each figure has a unique face. With a private guide, you get the context that turns a famous sight into an unforgettable one, and a timed entry that avoids the busiest hours.
In the afternoon, climb up onto the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved in China, and rent a bike to ride the full 14-kilometer loop at sunset.
Day 6 · Fly to Shanghai
Your driver takes you to the airport, and your guide assists with check-in before you take the morning flight to Shanghai, a two-hour hop that feels like traveling several centuries forward. Flights are booked by us in advance, so there is nothing for you to arrange. A new local guide and driver greet you on arrival.
In the evening, walk the Bund, where colonial-era buildings face the glittering towers of Pudong across the river. Optionally, cruise the Huangpu River as the skyline lights up.
Day 7 · Old and New Shanghai
Wander through Yu Garden, a Ming-dynasty classical garden with pavilions, ponds, and rockeries, then explore the bustling bazaar next door. In the afternoon, stroll the tree-lined streets of the French Concession, stopping at cafés and boutiques at your own pace. Your itinerary stays flexible, so if you want to linger somewhere or add a stop, your guide adjusts on the spot.
Finish with dinner featuring Shanghainese specialties such as xiaolongbao soup dumplings and red-braised pork.
Day 8 · Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast, then your driver takes you to the airport on time and without stress. Carry home the memories of three cities and thousands of years of history.
Journey Highlights
- Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall in Beijing
- Face to face with the Terracotta Army in Xi’an
- A high-speed train ride across the countryside
- The Bund and the Pudong skyline at night
- Regional food in every city: Peking duck, Xi’an noodles, Shanghai soup dumplings
Why Travel With Us
One Journey, One Team, Zero Hassle.
We take care of everything from start to finish, so you never have to juggle bookings, apps, or languages.
- All-Inclusive, No Hidden Costs. Hotels, transfers, entrance tickets, train and flight tickets, and guide and driver services are all arranged and included. No surprise charges, no shopping stops, no add-on pressure.
- Private Guides in Your Own Language. Experienced local guides in every destination, available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and more. Your guide stays with you from arrival to departure, bringing history to life in the language you’re most comfortable with, and knows the best times, the best routes, and the best places to eat.
- Your Own Driver and Vehicle. A comfortable private car with a professional driver, door-to-door, with no crowded buses or taxi hunting.
- Tickets and Bookings Done for You. Attractions, high-speed trains, and domestic flights are all reserved in advance, so you skip the lines and the confusion.
- Truly Tailored. This itinerary is a starting point, not a script. Tell us your interests, pace, and preferences, and we shape the trip around you: more history, more food, more time for photography, or a slower rhythm for families.
- Support at Every Step. A 24/7 contact is always available, so help is one message away if anything changes or you need anything at all.
Simply arrive. We take care of the rest.