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Explore the mystery and history of imperial China in this trip from Shanghai to Beijing
Take a ten-day journey into China’s rich and fascinating history on this tour from the busy streets of Shanghai to majestic Great Wall near Beijing. Jewels of the many dynasties are found among breathtaking scenery, and this trip showcases wonders both natural and man-made. See how ancient traditions have been adapted for the modern world in Shanghai and the Shaolin Monastery, and witness the formidable power of imperial China with visits to the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall.
- Start
- Shanghai, China
- Finish
- Beijing, China
- Destination
- China
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PCCH
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Explore the highlights of ancient China, from the Shaolin Monastery and Longmen Grottoes to the Terracotta Army of Xi’an and finally the Great Wall.
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Tour Shanghai’s imminently photogenic Bund, where historic buildings display a variety of architectural styles along a waterfront promenade.
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Taste your way through the delectable halal dishes in the sizzling Muslim Quarter of Xi’an.
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Enjoy a peaceful night in a traditional courtyard guesthouse near the Great Wall and visit a section of the Wall.
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Admire and try your hands at the intricate art of paper cutting from a master from a family that has passed down the tradition for generations.
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Zip through China by bullet train, going as fast as 300km per hour.
Is this trip right for you?
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We suggest packing relatively lightly for this trip, as you’ll need to be able to comfortably carry your own luggage going through busy train stations.
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The trip covers a fair amount of ground to enable you to see some of China's biggest cities and main highlights, so be prepared for some long travel days.
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We pack a lot in, in a short amount of time, so if you have some time to spare we highly recommend extra time in Shanghai and Beijing.
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As a short, city based trip there's not a lot of time to experience China's beautiful natural landscapes or get further off the beaten track. If you have longer to spend exploring, consider our Wonders of Yunnan or Yangzi & Beyond trips.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Shanghai Kingtown Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Shanghai Kingtown Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum
- Shanghai - Walking tour
Optional Activities
- Shanghai - Acrobat Show - CNY50
- Shanghai - Oriental Pearl Tower Viewing Deck - CNY150
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens - CNY40
- Shanghai - Propaganda Museum - CNY20
- Shanghai - Urban Planning Exhibition Centre - CNY30
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Luoyang Peony Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Luoyang Peony Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show
- Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Xi'an Skytel Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter walking tour
- Longmen - Longmen Grottos
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Xi'an Skytel Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors
- Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Great Wall Courtyard Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
- Great Wall - BBQ dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Beijing Dongfang Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Great Wall - Cable car
- Great Wall - Traditional paper cutting class
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Beijing Dongfang Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Beijing - Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beijing - Beijing Foodie Walk Urban Adventure - CNY360
- Beijing - Beijing by Bike Urban Adventure - CNY530
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinnerTransport
Private vehicle, high-speed train, metroAccommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Great Wall Guesthouse Feature Stay (1 night)Included Activities
- Shanghai - Shanghai Museum
- Shanghai - Walking tour
- Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show
- Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
- Xi'an - Muslim Quarter walking tour
- Longmen - Longmen Grottos
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors
- Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
- Great Wall - BBQ dinner
- Great Wall - Cable car
- Great Wall - Traditional paper cutting class
- Beijing - Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of China trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. A complimentary arrival transfer is included. Please advise your agent your arrival details no later than 14 days prior to departure.
2. Gratuities are included for the essential services only that you will receive as part of your tour package, but not for tour leader. Please see our Tipping section of these trip notes for more information.
3. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip except Day 7, subject to availability.
4. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport is required at time of booking or no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase your train tickets.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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