Beijing's imperial heart
Enter the Forbidden City with a private guide, look across its golden roofs from Jingshan and experience the human scale of Beijing's historic hutong lanes.
WESEE TRAVELsee China, wesee moreContact operator ↗✦CLASSIC ROUTE RECOMMENDATION
WESEE JOURNEY · 8 DAYS
Classic China:
The Golden Triangle.
Beijing · Xi'an · ShanghaiOUR CLASSIC ROUTE
Three defining cities.
One unforgettable first chapter.
Spend three days in imperial Beijing, two in dynastic Xi'an and three in future-facing Shanghai. This private journey connects China's essential stories without rushing them, with every day flexible around your pace and interests.
TOUR STYLEPrivate tourFully flexible itinerary
TRAVELPrivate vehicle & guideSeamless city-to-city support
GROUP SIZEFlexibleFrom solo travellers to families
SERVICE LANGUAGEEnglishOther languages on request
ACCOMMODATION4 diamondsUpgrades and alternatives available
01 · HIGHLIGHTS
Imperial walls.
Modern horizons.
A quieter Great Wall day
Travel by private vehicle to Mutianyu for a thoughtfully paced walk, with time for mountain views and a relaxed village lunch away from the city.
Xi'an and the first emperor
Stand before the Terracotta Warriors, then return inside Xi'an's walls for Silk Road flavours, pagodas and an evening shaped by the old capital.
Shanghai, past to future
Trace the city from Yu Garden and concession-era streets to the Bund and Pudong skyline, with neighbourhood discoveries between the icons.
THE ROUTE · WATCH IT UNFOLD
The Golden Triangle, drawn before you.
Watch the route travel from China’s imperial capital to its ancient dynastic heart, then sweep east to Shanghai.
BeijingXi'anShanghaiStandard map · Review No. GS(2016)1600BEIJING · XI'AN · SHANGHAI
- 01Beijing
- 02Xi'an
- 03Shanghai
Route complete
02 · 8-DAY ITINERARY
Beijing to Xi'an.
Xi'an to Shanghai.
This is a considered starting point, not a fixed script. We can adjust the order, experiences, travel connections and pace around your interests, dates and arrival plans.
DAY 01Beijing
A gentle arrival in the capital
Meet your private guide at the airport or railway station and transfer to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, ease into Beijing with the Temple of Heaven, a neighbourhood walk or a quiet evening at leisure. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY 02Beijing
Palaces, rooftops and old lanes
Walk through Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City with your guide, reading its courtyards as the centre of imperial China. Continue to Jingshan for a roofscape panorama, then slow the pace in the hutongs with an optional courtyard visit or local dinner. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY 03Beijing
The Great Wall in the mountains
Leave the city by private vehicle for Mutianyu. Ascend by cable car and walk a selected section of the Great Wall at a comfortable pace, stopping at watchtowers and broad mountain viewpoints. Enjoy a village lunch before returning to Beijing; an Olympic Park stop can be added if time and energy allow. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY 04Beijing → Xi'an
High-speed rail to the ancient capital
Transfer to the station and travel by high-speed train to Xi'an. Your local guide and vehicle will meet you on arrival. Walk or cycle a selected section of the City Wall near golden hour, then explore the Bell and Drum Tower area and the Muslim Quarter. Overnight in Xi'an.
DAY 05Xi'an
The first emperor and the Silk Road
Travel to the Terracotta Warriors for a guided visit through the main excavation pits. Return to the city for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, Shaanxi history or a craft experience chosen around your interests. An optional Tang-style performance can complete the evening. Overnight in Xi'an.
DAY 06Xi'an → Shanghai
From dynasties to the skyline
Transfer for a morning or midday flight or high-speed train to Shanghai, selected with your overall pace in mind. Meet your Shanghai guide and settle into the hotel, then take an introductory walk along the Bund as the Pudong skyline begins to glow. Overnight in Shanghai.
DAY 07Shanghai
Gardens, lanes and modern design
Begin with Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City before exploring the tree-lined Former French Concession. Continue with a museum, design district or contemporary art stop chosen for your interests, followed by an optional Huangpu River cruise or rooftop view. Overnight in Shanghai.
DAY 08Shanghai
A final chapter, shaped around you
Use the final morning for a local market, West Bund walk, shopping or a neighbourhood food experience. If your departure time allows, Zhujiajiao water town can be arranged instead. Your private vehicle provides final hotel, airport or railway-station drop-off.
03 · WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Thoughtful service.
One seamless journey.
Final inclusions, intercity travel and hotel choices are confirmed with your tailor-made itinerary before booking.
- ✓Private transportation and transfers throughout the itinerary
- ✓Intercity high-speed rail or flights as agreed in the final itinerary
- ✓4-star hotel accommodation with breakfast — category can be adjusted on request
- ✓Dedicated private vehicle for your group in each destination
- ✓English-speaking private guide, or another requested language where available
- ✓All first-entry attraction tickets listed in the agreed itinerary
- ✓Meals and accommodation for the driver and guide
- ✓Pick-up and drop-off at the agreed hotel, railway station or airport
READY TO MAKE IT YOURS?
Begin your first
China chapter.
Chat directly with our tour operator to adjust hotels, pace, experiences, language, transport or group arrangements.
Contact tour operator ↗