11 Days Shanghai-Huangshan-Xian-Beijing Group Tour

Begin your guided tour in the modern financial district of Lujiazui (陆家嘴). Visit Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦), China’s tallest building, where the observation deck offers sweeping 360° views of the city skyline.

Continue to Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆), home to one of China’s finest collections of ancient art, including bronze vessels, jade, ceramics, and imperial treasures that reflect thousands of years of history.

After lunch, explore Yu Garden (豫园), a beautifully preserved classical garden from the Ming Dynasty. Its winding paths, rock formations, and traditional pavilions offer a peaceful contrast to the modern city outside. Right next door, Yuyuan Bazaar (豫园商城) is full of street food, tea houses, and souvenir shops.

In the afternoon, walk along Nanjing Road (南京路步行街), a lively commercial street filled with local and international brands. End the day at The Bund (外滩), where you can enjoy the iconic skyline view of Pudong across the Huangpu River, especially stunning at sunset and night.

Highlights: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shanghai hotel

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Shanghai before hotel check-out. At the scheduled time, your guide or driver will escort you to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥火车站) for your high-speed train journey to Huangshan (黄山市), which takes about 2.5–3 hours.

During the ride, you’ll pass through the scenic landscapes of eastern China, including rivers, farmland, and traditional towns—offering a quiet transition from modern Shanghai to the more cultural and mountainous Anhui region.

Upon arrival at Huangshan Railway Station (黄山站), your local driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel in Huangshan city. After check-in, the rest of the day is free.

You may choose to rest, explore nearby streets, or enjoy a light walk around the city center. Huangshan is known for its slower pace, traditional Huizhou-style architecture, and cultural atmosphere. It’s also the main gateway to the famous Yellow Mountain (黄山), one of China’s most iconic natural wonders.

Highlights: High-speed train from Shanghai to Huangshan, scenic countryside views, hotel check-in, free time
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Huangshan downtown hotel

After breakfast, meet your guide and depart for Yellow Mountain Scenic Area (黄山风景区), a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its dramatic granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and breathtaking sea of clouds.

After an 80 km drive, arrive at the mountain entrance and take a sightseeing bus to Yungu Temple (云谷寺). From here, board a cable car up to the mountain’s core scenic area, where stunning landscapes open up step by step.

Start your exploration at Begin-to-Believe Peak (始信峰), known for its uniquely shaped pine trees that cling to steep cliffs. Continue hiking through stone paths surrounded by jagged peaks and misty valleys.

Next, arrive at Cloud Dispelling Pavilion (排云亭), one of the best viewpoints to admire the dramatic West Sea Grand Canyon scenery. On clear days, layers of peaks rise above the clouds like floating islands, creating the famous “sea of clouds” effect.

Continue to Flying-over Rock (飞来石), a massive balancing stone that looks as if it landed from the sky. For those with more energy, you may optionally hike toward Bright Summit (光明顶), one of the highest peaks of Yellow Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the entire mountain range.

After sightseeing, take the cable car back down and transfer to Hongcun Village (宏村) area for overnight stay. This ancient village is known for its well-preserved Hui-style architecture and peaceful rural atmosphere, offering a cultural contrast to the natural mountain scenery you experienced today.

Highlights: Yellow Mountain cable car, Begin-to-Believe Peak, Cloud Dispelling Pavilion, Flying-over Rock, optional Bright Summit, transfer to Hongcun
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hongcun Village hotel

After breakfast, begin your cultural exploration in Hongcun Ancient Village (宏村), a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its “ox-shaped” village layout and traditional Hui-style architecture (徽派建筑). Walk around the peaceful Moon Pond (月沼), where white-walled houses reflect on calm water, creating one of the most iconic rural landscapes in China.

Continue to explore South Lake (南湖书院) and historic ancestral halls, where carved wooden beams, stone bridges, and courtyard homes reflect centuries of local merchant culture and Confucian traditions.

Next, drive to Xidi Ancient Village (西递古村落), another UNESCO-listed village known as a “living museum of Ming and Qing dynasties.” Wander through narrow stone alleys, old residences, and ancestral halls such as Dafu Hall (大夫第), where traditional carvings reveal stories of merchant families and social status.

In the afternoon, return to Huangshan city and visit Tunxi Ancient Street (屯溪老街), a well-preserved historic street from the Ming and Qing periods. Here you can stroll along traditional shops selling tea, ink, calligraphy tools, and local snacks, or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of old Huizhou culture.

Highlights: Hongcun Village, Moon Pond, Xidi Village, Tunxi Ancient Street
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Huangshan downtown hotel

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Huangshan Railway Station (黄山站) for your high-speed train journey to Xi’an (西安), the ancient capital of China and starting point of the Silk Road. The train ride takes several hours and offers a gradual transition from eastern China’s green landscapes to the more historic and cultural heartland of the country.

Upon arrival at Xi’an North Railway Station (西安北站) or Xi’an Railway Station, your local driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Xi’an. After check-in, the rest of the day is free.

You can rest after the long journey or take a short walk around nearby streets to get a first feel of the city. Xi’an combines deep historical roots with lively modern energy, especially in areas around the city center where ancient walls meet modern shopping districts.

Highlights: High-speed train to Xi’an, arrival in ancient capital, hotel check-in, free leisure time
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Xi’an downtown hotel

After breakfast, meet your guide and drive about 1 hour to the world-famous Terracotta Army Museum (兵马俑博物馆), one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in human history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start with Pit 1 (一号坑), the largest excavation site, where thousands of life-sized soldiers and horses stand in battle formation, guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇). Continue to Pit 2 and Pit 3, where you can see more detailed formations including archers, cavalry, and command units, each figure uniquely carved with different facial expressions and armor styles.

After lunch, return to the city and visit the Ancient City Wall (西安城墙), one of the best-preserved city walls in China. You can walk along the top of the wall or optionally rent a bike to enjoy panoramic views of both the old and modern city.

Later, explore the iconic Bell Tower (钟楼) and Drum Tower (鼓楼) area, the symbolic center of Xi’an. The surrounding square becomes especially lively in the evening, with illuminated buildings and local performances creating a vibrant atmosphere.

End the day at the famous Muslim Quarter (回民街), a bustling food street filled with local specialties such as roujiamo (肉夹馍), biangbiang noodles (biangbiang面), and grilled skewers.

Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Pit 1–3, Xi’an City Wall, Bell & Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Xi’an hotel**

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. You will be transferred to Xi’an North Railway Station (西安北站) for your high-speed train to Beijing (北京), the capital of China. The journey takes approximately 4.5–6 hours depending on the train type, offering views of northern China’s plains and rural landscapes.

Upon arrival at Beijing Railway Station (北京站) or Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站), your local driver will meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Beijing. After check-in, the rest of the day is free.

You may choose to rest or take a light evening walk in nearby areas. Beijing combines imperial history with modern city life, and even a short stroll reveals traditional hutongs, modern shopping streets, and local snack culture.

Highlights: High-speed train Xi’an to Beijing, arrival in capital city, free evening
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Beijing hotel

After breakfast, meet your guide and start a full-day exploration of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks.

Begin at Tian’anmen Square (天安门广场), the largest public square in the world and a symbol of modern China. Continue directly into the magnificent Forbidden City (故宫), the imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk along the central axis to explore grand halls, golden rooftops, courtyards, and imperial architecture that represents the peak of traditional Chinese design.

After lunch, take a short climb to Jingshan Park (景山公园), where you can enjoy a panoramic view overlooking the entire Forbidden City and Beijing’s old city layout.

In the afternoon, visit the elegant Summer Palace (颐和园), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal garden. Walk along Kunming Lake (昆明湖), admire the Long Corridor (长廊), and explore pavilions, bridges, and temples set in a beautifully designed landscape combining nature and imperial architecture.

Return to the hotel after the tour.

Highlights: Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Summer Palace, Kunming Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Beijing hotel

After breakfast, depart from your hotel for a full-day excursion to the Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城), one of the most scenic and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall, located about 70 km from downtown Beijing.

Upon arrival, take a shuttle bus up to the cable car station. You will then ascend by cable car or chairlift to the upper section of the wall. From here, the landscape opens up dramatically—rolling green mountains, stone watchtowers, and the ancient wall snaking endlessly along the ridges.

Enjoy a guided walk along the wall, passing through different watchtowers. You can choose to hike toward quieter western sections for more peaceful views or challenge yourself with steeper climbs toward higher towers. The Mutianyu section is known for its balance of accessibility and natural beauty, making it ideal for both first-time visitors and photography lovers.

After descending, return to Beijing city. On the way back, stop for exterior photos at the Bird’s Nest (鸟巢) and Water Cube (水立方) in the Olympic Park area. These modern architectural icons contrast sharply with the ancient Great Wall, showing both sides of China’s history and development.

Return to hotel in the evening for rest.

Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall cable car ride, hiking on the Wall, mountain scenery, Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, Olympic Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Beijing hotel

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning depending on your flight or train schedule. This is your final chance to experience Beijing at your own pace—perhaps a short walk in nearby hutongs, a coffee in a local café, or last-minute souvenir shopping for tea, silk products, or handicrafts.

At the scheduled time, your driver will transfer you to Beijing Capital International Airport (北京首都国际机场) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (北京大兴国际机场), or to the railway station for your onward journey.

As your journey ends, you leave with a full experience of China’s contrasts—from modern Shanghai skylines and ancient Huangshan landscapes to the historical depth of Xi’an and the imperial grandeur of Beijing.

Highlights: Free morning, hotel check-out, airport/train station transfer, tour conclusion
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None