12-Day Beijing Xi’an Zhangjiajie Shanghai Tour
Overview
This exciting cultural and natural highlights of China tour combines four bucket-list destinations and a host of big-name attractions in one incredible journey. Begin with a Beijing city tour, our guides revealing the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Then, explore the enduring heritage of the Terracotta Warriors and discover the wonders of Zhangjiajie’s National Forest Parks. End your trip in Shanghai, boasting both traditional & modern marvels.
Focus: Imperial architecture, Silk Road heritage, natural wonder, modern skyline
Best For: First-time visitors, families with kids, couples
Destinations: Beijing - Xian - Zhangjiajie - Shanghai
Duration: 12 Days & 11 nights
Travel Type: Private tour - Flexible & Free to customize
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Good to Know
Before departure, your ETC travel consultant will check the weather forecast for Beijing (and other cities) and remind you to prepare appropriate clothing.
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Accommodation: Four/Five-star hotels in the center of Beijing (3 nights)
First, we arrived at Tian'anmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. It is a crucial political and historical symbol of China.
Next, we will spend 2.5 to 3 hours in-depth visiting the Palace Museum of Forbidden City, the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the most intact and largest ancient palace complex in the world. As you walk through the Taihe Hall, the Qianqing Palace, the Imperial Garden, and other buildidngs your guide will help you understand the Chinese imperial system and court life.
Then, we will climb to the top of Jingshan Park to overlook the entire layout of the Forbidden City. By observing the central axis, you will also understand the urban planning of Beijing.
Later go to the Temple of Heaven. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the place where emperors offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for a bountiful harvest. Learn about the ancient Chinese concept of "harmony between man and nature". Nowadays, it is a park where local Beijingers do morning exercises (such as practicing Tai Chi, jogging, and dancing in the square, etc.).
Meals: B, L
Drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall (including round-trip cable car). As you know, it is one of the wonders of the ancient world, the longest wall in the world, and it holds China's 2,000-year history. We have arranged for you to visit the Mutianyu, as it is well-preserved and has relatively fewer tourists, making it the most suitable section for your first visit to the Great Wall.
Back in the city, spend the afternoon strolling or taking a rickshaw through the traditional hutong alleys and visit the Siheyuan quadrangle houses. This is undoubtedly the best way to understand the daily life of the Beijing residents and old Beijing culture.
Meals: B, LAfter having breakfast at the hotel, head to the Summer Palace, an outstanding representative of Chinese classical gardens. Visit the Wanshou Mountain and the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, Kunming Lake and the West Embankment, the Long Corridor and the Xiequ Garden. Also learn about the story of Empress Dowager Cixi and the Summer Palace.
In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Xi'an (about 4.5-5 hours). Feel amazed at the development of modern transportation in China. Upon arrival, be picked up and checked into the hotel.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Four/Five-star hotels in the center of Xian (2 nights)
Under the in-depth explanation of your professional Xian tour guide, we visited the Terracotta Army Museum. Known as "the eighth wonder of the world", the Terracotta Army showcases the military organization of the Qin Dynasty and ancient Chinese pottery sculpture art.
In the afternoon, we come to the ancient city wall of Xian, the most intact and largest ancient city wall in China. You can choose to ride a bike or walk to overlook the ancient city and modern Xi'an.
In the evening, we arrived at Muslim Quarter to experience the unique Muslim culture of Xi'an and its famous delicacies, such as meat sandwiches, biangbiang noodles, cold noodles, and so on. Meals: B, LOptional Night Show
- Tang Palace Performance: Enjoy the classic Tang Dynasty dance and music show, including a court dinner or a dumpling banquet.
In the morning, visit the Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, important cultural relics along the ancient Silk Road. Unveil the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road. If you are interested, we can also arrange for you to learn Chinese calligraphy - the most important ancient Chinese art.
In the afternoon, take a flight to Zhangjiajie. After arriving, check into the hotel.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Four/Five-star hotels in the Wulingyuan (3 nights)
Today's city tour in Zhangjiajie will take us to explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a World Natural Heritage Site, which is renowned for its unique quartz sandstone peak forest.
We will take the Bailong Elevator, the world's fast and highest elevator, to reach Yuanjiajie. Here the Qiankun Pillar is the inspiration location for the Mount Hallelujah in the movie "Avatar", And then hike to famous scenic spots such as the World's First Bridge and the Confusing Platform.
Continue your trip to Tianzi Mountain, and watch the peak forests and canyons in the seas of clouds (if weather permits). Take the cable car down the mountain.
Meals: B, L
Drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. First, arrive at the world's highest and longest glass bridge - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. The relative height at the bottom of the canyon is approximately 300 meters. Walk on the fully transparent glass and overlook the entire canyon view under your feet.
Choose to take the sightseeing elevator or walk down along the sky ladder walkway to the bottom of the canyon. Start the canyon hiking. Along the way, you can enjoy the waterfall clusters and streams. Reach the cruise terminal of Shenquan Lake.
Meals: B, LVisit another natural wonder of Zhangjiajie - Tianmen Mountain. Take the world's longest mountain cableway (7,454 meters) and look down at the winding Tongtian Avenue, which is a 99-bend road. Walk on the intact original secondary forest on the mountain top, connected by the cliff-side Ghost Plank Road and the glass walkway.
Later arrive at Tianmen Cave, which is 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide, and is a rare natural cave that penetrates through the mountain at a high altitude. Reach the entrance of the cave with the 999-step "sky ladders.
Then take the cable car down the mountain. And fly to Shanghai.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Four/Five-star hotels in the center of Shanghai (3 nights)
In the morning, pay a visit to Yu Garden Yu Garden, the best-preserved traditional private garden in Shanghai. It is composed of exquisite rockeries, flowing water, and ancient buildings. Immediately after that was the Yuyuan Bazaar, which is also the Town God Temple located. In the old town of Shanghai, delve into the city's traditions and culinary culture.
Later, walk in the former French Concession and discovered more secrets of Shanghai's history. Discover many traditional Shikumen buildings in Xintiandi and had a glimpse of life in old Shanghai.
Later in the afternoon, stroll along the Bund and visit the international architectural complex, revealing the financial center status of Shanghai in the early 20th century. Across the Huangpu River was the futuristic high-rise buildings of Lujiazui.
Meals: B, L
Optional Activities- Night Cruise on Huangpu River: Enjoy the dazzling urban landscape of Shanghai
- EBA Acrobatic Show: Witness the highly challenging performances, which blend traditional culture with modern technology
Option A: One-day Tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town. In the romantic ancient town of Jiangnan, explore the old canal, ancient bridges, and Ming-Qing style residences.
Option B: Free time in Shanghai. You can choose to visit the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and go shopping in places like Nanjing Road.、
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Your Shanghai tour guide and driver will take you to the airport according to your international flight time, thus concluding your 12-day tour of China from Beijing to Xian, Zhangjiajie, and Shanghai. Thank you for using the services of Easy Tour China.
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