6-Day Private Tour: Beijing and Shanghai Highlights

Q: What major attractions are included in Beijing?

The Beijing portion includes Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, hutongs, the Temple of Heaven, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Summer Palace.

Q: How do I travel from Beijing to Shanghai?

You will travel by high-speed train, which is a fast, comfortable, and efficient way to journey between the two cities.

Q: What can I expect in the hutong visit?

You will walk through historic hutong alleyways and visit a local family home, which offers a more intimate and personal look at traditional Beijing life.

Q: What are the highlights of the Shanghai part of the tour?

In Shanghai, highlights include the Bund, a local alleyway experience, a Michelin-starred meal, a ferry ride across the Huangpu River, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, and the Former French Concession.

Q: Is this tour more historical or modern in focus?

It is both. The itinerary is designed to balance imperial history and traditional culture in Beijing with the urban modernity and colonial-era heritage of Shanghai.

Transportation
Private Vehicle, High-speed Train, Walking, Cable Car, Dragon Boat, Public Ferry
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Tour type
Private Tour, Classic China Tour, Cultural Tour, History Tour, First-time China Tour

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

A Classic Introduction to China’s Imperial Heritage and Modern Splendor

This 6-day private tour combines the imperial grandeur of Beijing with the cosmopolitan energy of Shanghai, offering a classic introduction to two of China’s most iconic cities. Ideal for first-time visitors, this itinerary brings together world-famous landmarks, historical neighborhoods, royal architecture, and the striking contrast between ancient heritage and modern urban development.

In Beijing, you will explore some of China’s most important cultural treasures, including Tian’anmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, the traditional hutong neighborhoods, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, and the elegant Summer Palace. Along the way, your guide will provide historical context and deeper cultural insights, while local interactions add a more personal dimension to the experience. Then travel by high-speed train to Shanghai, where colonial-era waterfront architecture, old alley life, Michelin-level cuisine, a public ferry ride across the Huangpu River, and the soaring skyline from Shanghai Tower reveal the city’s unique character.

The classical beauty of Yu Garden and the nostalgic atmosphere of the Former French Concession complete this well-balanced journey through China’s political heart and commercial capital.

Tour Highlights

Explore Beijing’s Imperial Heart

Visit Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, where grand architecture, dynastic stories, and carefully selected highlights bring China’s imperial past to life.

Walk Through Historic Hutongs and Meet a Local Family

Stroll through Beijing’s traditional hutong alleys and visit a local family home for a personal glimpse into the city’s old neighborhood culture.

Experience the Temple of Heaven Like a Local

Tour the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests, and observe or join local morning activities in its lively park setting.

Discover the Great Wall at Mutianyu with Cable Car Access

Visit the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall and enjoy round-trip cable car rides for a more comfortable and time-efficient experience.

Enjoy the Royal Elegance of the Summer Palace

Explore the beautifully landscaped Summer Palace, including its palaces, lakeside scenery, and a memorable dragon boat ride.

See Shanghai’s Past and Present in One Journey

In Shanghai, explore the Bund, old alleyways, Yu Garden, the Former French Concession, and the stunning skyline from Shanghai Tower, revealing the city’s unique blend of history and modernity.

Taste Michelin-starred Shanghai Cuisine

Enjoy a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, offering a refined introduction to the flavors of local Shanghai cuisine.

Private guide at Shanghai Michelin Restaurants

Day 01 :

Beijing Arrival

Your private guide will be waiting to welcome you at the arrivals hall. You'll be transferred directly to your hotel in a comfortable private car with an experienced driver. The rest of the day is yours to explore Beijing at your leisure.

Day 02 :

Beijing | Forbidden City and Hutong Exploration

After breakfast, start your day with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, where your guide will provide insights into its history and architecture.

Next, immerse yourself in the main highlight—The Forbidden City. Your guide will lead you through 12 carefully-curated spots, offering background introductions on the city's architecture, history, and art. You'll hear stories of 8 notable figures from 2 dynasties, tracing elements of their lives here.

Explore the historic hutong area with your guide, strolling through these 300-year-old alleyways. Visit a local family, whose ancestors have lived in the hutongs for generations, providing a personal glimpse into the region's history.

Day 03 :

Beijing | Temple of Heaven and Great Wall at Mutianyu

Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for a prosperous harvest. Engage with locals by joining their morning activities and learning about the cultural heritage of the area.

In the afternoon, journey to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. To maximize your time, you'll take round-trip cable car rides to ascend and descend the Wall, avoiding the lengthy step-climb. Once atop, your guide will offer introductions, after which you'll have free time to explore.

Day 04 :

Beijing to Shanghai by High-Speed Train | Summer Palace

Begin your day at the Summer Palace, historically frequented by emperors escaping the summer's heat.

Your guide will navigate through the palace and lake areas, allowing sightseeing by dragon boat on the lake. Enjoy views of the picturesque palaces around the lake.

Post-tour, your guide will accompany you to the railway station for your high-speed train journey to Shanghai.

Day 05 :

Shanghai | Shanghai in Progress

Delve into the Bund with an in-depth exploration, revealing the history of Shanghai through stories hidden within the historic buildings.

Experience local life in an old alley before indulging in lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant featuring delicious Shanghai cuisine.

Cross the Huangpu River by ferry, marveling at Shanghai's Pudong New Area skyscrapers, a testimony to the city's modern narrative. Ascend Shanghai Tower for panoramic city views.

In the traditional parts of the city, Yu Garden offers exquisite garden scenes, while stories from the 1930s await in the Former French Concession Precinct.

Day 06 :

Depart from Shanghai

Bid farewell to Shanghai as your guide escorts you to the airport or train station, assisting with check-in for your departure. We anticipate welcoming you back for another remarkable adventure in China.

Expand all

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to China?

Yes. This itinerary is an excellent choice for first-time visitors, as it covers two of China’s most important and representative cities: Beijing and Shanghai.

What major attractions are included in Beijing?

The Beijing portion includes Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, hutongs, the Temple of Heaven, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Summer Palace.

Is visiting the Great Wall physically demanding?

The Mutianyu section is more comfortable than some other sections because round-trip cable car rides are included, reducing the amount of stair climbing. However, there is still some walking on the Wall itself.

How do I travel from Beijing to Shanghai?

You will travel by high-speed train, which is a fast, comfortable, and efficient way to journey between the two cities.

What can I expect in the hutong visit?

You will walk through historic hutong alleyways and visit a local family home, which offers a more intimate and personal look at traditional Beijing life.

What are the highlights of the Shanghai part of the tour?

In Shanghai, highlights include the Bund, a local alleyway experience, a Michelin-starred meal, a ferry ride across the Huangpu River, Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, and the Former French Concession.

Is this tour more historical or modern in focus?

It is both. The itinerary is designed to balance imperial history and traditional culture in Beijing with the urban modernity and colonial-era heritage of Shanghai.

6-Day Private Tour: Beijing and Shanghai Highlights

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

A Classic Introduction to China’s Imperial Heritage and Modern Splendor

Tour Highlights

Explore Beijing’s Imperial Heart

Walk Through Historic Hutongs and Meet a Local Family

Experience the Temple of Heaven Like a Local

Discover the Great Wall at Mutianyu with Cable Car Access

Enjoy the Royal Elegance of the Summer Palace

See Shanghai’s Past and Present in One Journey

Taste Michelin-starred Shanghai Cuisine

Cost

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Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

A Classic Introduction to China’s Imperial Heritage and Modern Splendor

Tour Highlights

Explore Beijing’s Imperial Heart

Walk Through Historic Hutongs and Meet a Local Family

Experience the Temple of Heaven Like a Local

Discover the Great Wall at Mutianyu with Cable Car Access

Enjoy the Royal Elegance of the Summer Palace

See Shanghai’s Past and Present in One Journey

Taste Michelin-starred Shanghai Cuisine

Cost

Travel Categories

Other Trips

Featured Trips

Archives

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