China Golden Tour

8 Days| Beijing(4D) - Xi'an(2D) -Shanghai(2D)

This is an 8-day China Classic tour visiting Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. See Beijing's landmarks such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall; visit the Terracotta Warriors and the Ancient City Wall to learn about Xi'an's rich history. Finally, visit the Yuyuan Garden and take a night cruise on the Huangpu River to experience the vibrant blend of tradition and modernity in Shanghai.

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  • Tour Code: CT-BXS-08
  • Time: 8 Days
  • Cities: Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai
  • Accommodation: 7 Nights (4-Star Hotels)
China Golden Tour Map

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Beijing Arrival

  • Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the hotel
  • 4-star hotels
  • None

 

Upon your arrival in Beijing, our professional guide will be waiting for you at the airport. You will be transferred comfortably by private vehicle to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, take some time to rest and adjust to the time difference. If you're eager to explore your surroundings, our guide will provide practical suggestions.

 

Arrival Tips:

As an international aviation hub, Beijing has direct flights connecting to many cities around the world. In addition, you can also choose to take the high-speed rail to reach downtown Beijing. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city by taking the Airport Express, and the cost is about RMB 35-50 per person. The airport bus takes about 60-90 minutes and costs 40 yuan per person; taxis or online car-hailing take about 60-90 minutes and cost about 300 yuan (depending on the type of car).

At the same time, Beijing Airport is adjacent to various cities in China. For example, it only takes about 2.5 hours from Daxing Airport to major cities such as Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.

Day 1: Beijing Arrival Day 1: Beijing Arrival Day 1: Beijing Arrival

Day 2: Beijing

  • Tian'anmen Square--Forbidden City--Summer Palace
  • 4-star hotels
  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

Tiananmen Square: Start your day at Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, rich in history.

Forbidden City: Next, visit the magnificent Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Summer Palace: End your day at the Summer Palace, known for its beautiful gardens and stunning lakes.

 

Evening Option: 

In the evening, you may choose to enjoy a captivating performance of Peking Opera, a kung fu show, or acrobatics, immersing yourself in the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Performances usually run from 19:15 to 20:15.

Day 2: Beijing Day 2: Beijing Day 2: Beijing

Day 3: Great Wall Adventure

  • Great Wall--Bird Nest
  • 4-star hotels
  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

Mutianyu Great Wall: After breakfast, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Enjoy breathtaking views as you walk along this historic structure.

You will take an easy cable car up to the Great Wall. Next you will climb up to the city tower overlooking the majestic Great Wall, which will surely make your stay unforgettable. After the Great Wall tour, we will take the cable car down the mountain.

(Note: If you are physically fit, you can also choose to hike up and down the mountain to feel the sense of accomplishment of climbing to the top).

Olympic Sites: On your return to Beijing, take a moment to admire the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) from the outside, marveling at their unique designs.

 

Recommended Activities:

You can choose foot massage, houhai night bars or Sanlitun bar street at night.

Day 3: Great Wall Adventure Day 3: Great Wall Adventure Day 3: Great Wall Adventure

Day 4: Beijing-Xi'an

  • Temple of Heaven--Hutongs--High speed Train to Xi'an

  • 4-star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

Temple of Heaven: In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

Hutong Experience: Participate in a hands-on dumpling-making experience in a traditional hutong, followed by a rickshaw ride through the charming alleyways.

High-Speed Train to Xi'an: After lunch, board a high-speed train to Xi'an(about 5 hours, where ancient history awaits.

Day 4: Beijing-Xi'an Day 4: Beijing-Xi'an Day 4: Beijing-Xi'an

Day 5: Xi'an

  • Terracotta Warriors and Horses--Handmade Terracotta Warrior--Da Ci'en Temple--Big Wild Goose Pagoda--Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City
  • 4-star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

Terracotta Army: Start your day with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Handmade Terracotta Warrior:This activity is a creative and interactive workshop where participants get to create their own replica of the famous Terracotta Warriors and learn about this ancient Chinese craft.

For lunch, you will enjoy Xi'an's specialty, water basin mutton(Shuipen Yangrou).

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Explore the historic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist site. Visit the Da Ci'en Temple. This temple was a famous translation site of Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty. The temple has a 64.5-meter-high pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built by the Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve the scriptures he brought back from India. 

If you are interested, you can climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (extra charge applies) for a great view of the city.

Datang Ever Bright City: Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Datang Ever Bright City, filled with shops and entertainment.

Day 5: Xi'an Day 5: Xi'an Day 5: Xi'an

Day 6: Xi'an-Shanghai

  • Xi'an Museum--Small Wild Goose Pagoda--Ancient City Wall--Flight to Shanghai

  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

     

Xi'an Museum: Visit the Xi'an Museum to learn more about the city's rich history.

Ancient City Wall: Walk or rent a bicycle (extra fee) to ride along the top of the Ancient City Wall for fantastic views of the city.

Muslim Quarter Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch in the vibrant Muslim Quarter, sampling local specialties.

Flight to Shanghai: In the afternoon, take a flight to Shanghai. Your tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

 

Free time recommended activities in Shanghai: 

French Concession: A famous fashion landmark in Shanghai, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and tall sycamore trees

Sinan Road: A well-preserved French-style street from the 1920s and 1930s.

Nanjing Road: This is a good place for shopping. There is no shopping risk here. Chinese and global tourists buy their favorite items in the malls here. Some malls can refund taxes immediately.

The Bund: Stroll here, see the brightly lit buildings of various countries, the night view of the Huangpu River, and feel the prosperity of China's financial center.

M50 Creative Park: This is Shanghai Art District, where there are a lot of original art here. You can spend half a day to appreciate the works of art.

Huangpu River Night Cruise: If you like cruising, you can choose the Huangpu River cruise itinerary. There are day cruises and night cruises. We recommend that you choose the night cruise so that you can enjoy dinner on the cruise and watch the dazzling night view of the Bund

Day 6: Xi'an-Shanghai Day 6: Xi'an-Shanghai Day 6: Xi'an-Shanghai

Day 7: Shanghai

  • Shanghai Tower--Yu Garden--Qibao Ancient Town
  • 4+ star hotels

  • Breakfast&Lunch

 

Shanghai Tower: Start your day with a visit to the Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of the city.

Yuyuan Garden: Next, stroll through Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden full of lush greenery and traditional architecture.

Qibao Ancient Town: You can enjoy a relaxing half day in Qibao Ancient Town, one of the most famous water towns in China.

 

Idea for Evening Activities:

Take a night cruise on the Huangpu River and enjoy the beauty of the city at night (about 50 minutes).

Day 7: Shanghai Day 7: Shanghai Day 7: Shanghai

Day 8: Shanghai Departure

  • Jade Buddha Temple--Tianzifang--Transfer to airport
  • Breakfast

 

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, known for its stunning jade statues.

Then Explore the artsy area of Tianzifang, filled with boutique shops and cafes.

Finally, we will provide you with a transfer to the airport for your departure, taking with you cherished memories of your classic journey through China

Day 8: Shanghai Departure Day 8: Shanghai Departure Day 8: Shanghai Departure

Why Choose Intoexplore

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We tailor each journey to your schedule, interests, and budget. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, we work closely with you to design a personalized travel experience that fits your style and needs.
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From one-day tours to small group adventures, family trips to corporate visits—we offer a full range of travel styles. No matter your purpose or preference, we have the right program to match your expectations.
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With experienced local guides, licensed vehicles, and carefully selected hotels, we ensure safety, quality, and comfort throughout your trip. Our on-the-ground team is always ready to support your journey at every step.

China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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IntoExplore
Excellent
Clara
July 07,2025
We had a very memorable experience in Xi’An thanks to the expertise and helpfulness from Norman, who helped us planned our trip, and Waldener, our local tour guide from Into Explore. Norman helped us with the itinerary and bookings of transport and accommodations so it was stress free for me. He asked us our preferences when making the rooms reservation to cater to what we like and recommended the best way and places to explore this city. Our tour guide was also flexible with our schedule so we were able to do what we wanted and working around the weather. We were supposed to go Mt Hua on the 2nd day of our tour but it was forecasted to rain. He switched our itinerary around so we could climb Mt Hua on the 3rd day instead when the rain had stopped. Thank you Into Explore for giving us peace of mind to sit back and enjoy our vacation.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 4
Destination(s): Beijing,Xian,Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 30,2025
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Fernando MARTINEZ
June 05,2025
Fue una buena decisión hacer el Circulo de Oro contratando a Into Explore. Una empresa confiable con una muy buena organización siempre pendientes de nuestros gustos y preferencias. La experiencia de la visita a la Gran Muralla los Soldados Terracota, el Jardín Yu y Shanghái fueron muy interesantes y aprendimos mucho sobre las distintas Dinastías y la historia de China.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an
Destination(s): Beijing,Chongqing,Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: June 12,2025
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Tripadvisor
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Nataša G
May 2025 • Couples
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For smooth travels, I recommend this agency
This agency made sure my trip was 10/10! And I loved the smooth and fast communication we got. We were able to explore China at its finest and had the best time of our lives. If I had any questions during our travel, Vicky was able to help me and solve it immediately. I recommend this agency very much. Thank you!!!
Giovanni D
Apr 2025 • Friends
5 of 5 bubbles
Super Agency
Super organized travel agency, it met the thousand requests made and created a tailor-made travel package. Constant support both in the organizational phase before departure and during the trip. Drivers and guides provided during our itinerary super competent and kind. I highly recommend their services and will turn to them for my next trip to China
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Trustpilot
Excellent
Anna
Jun 17, 2025
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Thank you so much for the help you gave…
Thank you so much for the help you gave during my travel process, I would highly recommend your company anytime from the smooth experience you gave. Looking forward for more trips with you.
Robert Gex
Apr 15, 2025
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Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .

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