6 daysBeijing · Shanghai
Beijing & Shanghai in 6 Days
Two cities, one week, and the version of China most first-time visitors are looking for: imperial Beijing in the morning, neon Shanghai by night, with a private guide and driver the whole way.
In-Depth China in 13 Days: Beijing to Shanghai via Zhangjiajie & Chengdu
Beijing · Xi’an · Zhangjiajie · Chengdu · Shanghai
Six cities, two weeks, and enough time in each to stop taking photographs and start noticing things. Pandas, pillars, palaces and the Yangtze.
This is the itinerary for travellers who have two weeks and do not want to choose. It strings together the imperial north, the ancient capital, the Avatar mountains, Chengdu’s pandas and Shanghai’s skyline — with enough two-night stops that it never feels like a coach tour.
Trip highlights
- Giant pandas at feeding time in Chengdu
- Two full days in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall
- Sichuan hotpot with a local host
- High-speed rail between most cities
Day by day
- 1
Arrive in Beijing
Private transfer and an easy evening.
- 2
Forbidden City & Tiananmen
The imperial axis on foot, with a hutong lunch and an afternoon at the Drum Tower.
- 3
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Morning on the wall, afternoon at the Summer Palace.
- 4
Train to Xi’an
High-speed train, city wall by bike, Muslim Quarter food walk.
- 5
Terracotta Warriors
The pits with a specialist guide, then the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
- 6
Fly to Zhangjiajie
Morning flight, afternoon on Golden Whip Stream.
- 7
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and the Avatar viewpoint, entering early to beat the crowds.
- 8
Tianmen Mountain, fly to Chengdu
Cable car and cliff walkways in the morning, evening flight to Chengdu.
- 9
Pandas & Chengdu life
Panda Base at 7:30am, teahouse in the People’s Park in the afternoon, hotpot for dinner.
- 10
Leshan Giant Buddha
Day trip to the 71-metre Buddha carved into the cliff, with a boat view from the river.
- 11
Fly to Shanghai
Morning flight, afternoon in the French Concession.
- 12
Shanghai
Yu Garden, the Bund and the Shanghai Tower — or a day trip to a water town.
- 13
Depart Shanghai
Private transfer to the airport.
What is included
- ✓Hand-picked 4-star hotels (upgrade to 5-star on request)
- ✓Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver throughout
- ✓English-speaking local guide in every city
- ✓All entrance tickets listed in the itinerary
- ✓Meals as listed (B = breakfast, L = lunch)
- ✓High-speed train and internal flights as specified
- ✓24/7 English-speaking support line while you travel
Not included
- —International flights to and from China
- —China visa fees
- —Travel insurance
- —Meals and drinks not listed
- —Personal expenses and tips
Photos
Enquire
Plan this trip with a local expert
We will come back with a day-by-day draft, a hotel shortlist and a clear price. No deposit until you are happy with the plan.
Other journeys travellers combine with this
6 days
8 daysBeijing · Xi’an · Shanghai
China’s Golden Triangle: Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai
The classic first-timer route and our best-selling itinerary: the imperial north, the ancient capital of the Terracotta Army, and the most modern city in the country — all by high-speed train.
10 daysBeijing · Xi’an · Guilin & Yangshuo · Shanghai
Classic China in 10 Days: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin & Shanghai
History in Beijing and Xi’an, then three days among the karst peaks of Guilin and Yangshuo. The most balanced two-week-shortened itinerary we run.