Called “A Tale of Two Cities”, Beijing and Shanghai are the two most worth visiting destinations in China.
Called “A Tale of Two Cities”, Beijing and Shanghai are the two most worth visiting destinations in China. This 6-day group tour is perfectly suited for first-time visitors who want to explore the history, culture, architecture, tradition and modern life in Beijing and Shanghai.
Beijing is the capital of China as well as one of the oldest cities in the world, with a rich history dating back over three millennia. From the imperial Forbidden City to the magnificent Great Wall, Beijing is overflowing with history and culture everywhere, beckoning travelers from all over the world to come, see and experience. Totally different from Beijing, Shanghai is a modern metropolis, described as the “showpiece” of the booming economy of China. Taking this 6-day group visit to Beijing and Shanghai, you'll see what China was like in the past and how fast China is growing now!
Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival at the airport/train station in Beijing, the 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.
Today you will spend the whole day exploring the ancient citadel of Beijing through China’s famous landmarks, imperial grandeur, and royal gardens.
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and head to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and symbol of China. It has witnessed many major events in China’s history over the past decades, and from here you can take great photos of Tiananmen Gate, seen daily on CCTV News.
Walking across the square, you will visit the mighty and splendid Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and former home of 24 Chinese emperors. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Forbidden City has about 500 years of history, serving as the political and ritual center of China during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. With over 8,700 rooms, it is not only China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, but also a city within a city, like the Vatican in Rome. Enter through the Meridian Gate and visit along the central axis to ensure you see all the highlights. Admire the brilliant architecture and numerous ancient treasures while listening to your guide share stories of the emperors who once lived here.
Later, take a 15-minute walk up to Jingshan Park, where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over modern Beijing and the Forbidden City’s russet roofs.
In the afternoon, drive to the Summer Palace, the “Museum of Royal Gardens,” once a summer retreat for royal families. The grounds, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes, bridges, gate-towers, and corridors are marvels of landscape design. Take a leisurely stroll to appreciate the imperial architecture, hilltop views, and beautiful lakes, which offer a pastoral escape into the landscapes of traditional Chinese painting.
(Travel Note: The Forbidden City in Beijing is closed on Mondays. If your tour falls on that day, the itinerary will be adjusted to ensure you visit the Forbidden City.
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.
After breakfast, you will have some free time in Beijing and explore more on your own till be escorted to the train station for high-speed train to Shanghai (about 4.5-5.5 hours).
Upon your arrival at the train station in Shanghai, the driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Shanghai. You will have some free time after check-in.
After that, transfer back to your hotel and have a good rest tonight.
Today you will spend the whole day experiencing the perfect blend of West and East in this “Paris of the East.” Visit brilliant museums, traditional Chinese gardens, modern skyscrapers, and exotic architecture.
First, head to the Pudong Area. One eye-catching feature is the trio of towering skyscrapers in the Lujiazui financial district. Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and second tallest in the world at 632 meters (2,073 feet). Here, you will ascend the highest building in Shanghai – the Shanghai Tower – featuring a dramatic 120-degree twist from base to peak. Ride the world’s fastest elevators, traveling at 64 km/h, up to the “Top of Shanghai Observatory” on the 118th floor, 546 meters (about 1,791 feet) above ground. Enjoy unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views over the city and look down on the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.
Later, visit the Shanghai Museum for an awe-inspiring tour of the finest art collection and profound Chinese history. Built shaped like an ancient bronze ding vessel, the museum has a round top and square base, symbolizing “round sky, square earth.” It contains 120,000 cultural relics showcasing incredible Chinese art spanning 5,000 years. Immerse yourself in the Bronze and Ceramics Exhibition Hall, appreciating the elaborate bronzes and exquisite artifacts. Don’t miss top treasures like the Da Ke Ding bronze vessel from over 3,000 years ago and the Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin, ancient musical instruments.
Next, head to Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in bustling downtown Shanghai. Enjoy a leisurely stroll to see the Chinese architecture and exquisite sculptures and carvings. Outside, Yuyuan Bazaar is a fun place to taste local snacks and shop for traditional crafts and art.
In the afternoon, stroll down Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, lined with famous brands, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and towering buildings. Continue to the Bund, the top must-see spot in Shanghai. Known as the “Exhibition of International Architecture,” the Bund features 52 buildings in various styles. Overlook the amazing Pudong skyline and skyscrapers from here.
Travel Note:
(1) The Shanghai Museum and Yuyuan Garden are closed on Mondays. Visits may be adjusted to include the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, City God Temple, or French Concession.
(2) During peak season, if the Shanghai Museum (People’s Square) is unavailable, it will be replaced by the Shanghai Museum East Branch.
It is time to end your 6-day Beijing Shanghai group trip. You will have some free time in Shanghai and explore more on your own till be escorted you to the airport/train station for your flight or high speed train to your next destination.
Trip Extension Ideas: If you want to explore other Asia destinations rather than return home right away, we would be glad to assist you with an extension trip. Feel free to tell us your ideas!
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. Safe journey!
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