Beijing, Shanghai tour
From Shanghai to Beijing by flight: explore the Forbidden City, hike the Mutianyu Great Wall, and discover Beijing's imperial gardens and historic hutongs in just 4 days.
This 4-day private tour seamlessly connects Shanghai and Beijing, offering a curated introduction to China's imperial past and vibrant present. Begin with an early morning flight to Beijing, where you'll step into the vast Forbidden City, once the seat of emperors for 500 years. The following days take you to the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall, a less crowded yet stunning section, and the serene Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll also visit the Temple of Heaven and explore old Beijing's Shichahai area, including a rare visit to a 300-year-old courtyard and a pedicab ride through narrow hutongs. This compact itinerary balances iconic landmarks with authentic local experiences, perfect for travelers seeking depth in a short time. All transfers and flights are arranged for a smooth journey.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.

Pick up from your hotel in Shanghai and take early morning flight for Beijing. Met and transferred to your Hotel in Beijing ( booked by us ). After lunch, first visit Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres, so it takes quite a while to walk through, especially if you want to have a close look at everything.
Then move on to Tiananmen Square. It is the heart and symbol of Beijing, the biggest square in the world. It is 500 meters wide ,880 meters long and the ground is paved with light granite slate disposed through special technology treatment. Back to your hotel.

Pick up from your hotel in Beijing and you are first arranged to have the excurson tour of Mutainyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the most beautiful sections of the sections of the Great Wall around Beijing. The Mutianyu section of Great Wall is located in Huairou district, about 80 km north from downtown Beijing. The Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded than Badaling Great Wall.
After lunch, continue to visit the Underground Palace ( Dingling, one of the 13 Ming Dynasty Tombs ). From the Yongle Emperor onwards, 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors were buried in this area. You will visit Dingling, the tomb of the Wanli Emperor, which is the only one of the Ming Dynasty Tombs excavated.
On the way back to your hotel in Beijing, pass by Olympic Park in Beijing, constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics and have a glimpse of both Bird's Nest Stadium and the National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube) from their outside (entrance fees excluded), where both Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Michael Phelps of America make the history 1n 2008 Olympic Games.

After breakfast, go on with your trip in Beijing and first visit Summer Palace, originally a royal garden and a temporary dwelling palace for emperors of Qing Dynasty. It is an imperial garden most completely reseved with richest landscapes and concentrated buildings. The Summer Palace was added to the world cultural heritage list in 1998.
After lunch, continue to visit Temple of Heaven. It is located in the southern part of Beijing, and has been one of the most holy places for the whole country for more than five centuries. It used as a complex of sacrificial buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors.

Pick up from your hotel in Beijing and head to the Shichahai Area - the old part of Beijing. First you have a hard-to-get-opportunity of one-hour tour of a 300-year old courtyard. Then take a pedicab and drive through the zigzag and narrow alleys or hutongs. Two people share one rickshaw. Drop off the pedicab at the Silver Ingot Bridge( Yinding Bridge ) and walk along the 800-year old Yandai Xiejie ( Tobacco Pipe Lean Street ), and get to the Drum Torwer.
Ascending the 67-meter high and two-story Drum Tower dating from 1420 is sure to bring you back to the old Beijing by seeing the big drum tower and having bird's eye view of the surrounding communities of hutongs and siheyuan - existing traditional courtyards in Beijing.
After lunch, move on to Lama Temple, or the Yonghe Lamasery, or Yonghegong. It is the most handsome and impressive Buddhist temple in the city. Lama Temple ( Yonghe Lamasery ) was built in the 33 Qing Kangxi year (1694) and it is now the largest and best-preserved Lamasery of Yellwo Sect in Beijing.
After the tour, transferred to Beijing Airport and take later afternoon flight back to Shanghai. Arriving at Shanghai, you go back to your hotel on your own.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All transfers and city transportation for your own use | Tips to your tour guide and driver |
| Entrance fees and meals as mentioned | |
| Private car or van with English speaking guide | |
| Three-night at the designated Beijing Hotels above with daily breakfast | |
| Shanghai Beijing Shanghai domestic flights | |
| The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. |
English
| Travelling Party | Luxury Class | Standard Class | comfortable Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3 person | $890 | $820 | $770 |
| 4-5 persons | $790 | $720 | $670 |
| 6-9 persons up | $770 | $700 | $650 |
| Single room Supplement | $200 | $130 | $80 |
| Recommended Hotels | Crowne Plaza Beijing | Sunworld Hotel Beijing | King Parkview Hotel Beijing |
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