Highlights
Inclusions
9-night accommodation in double occupancy
11 meals: 9 breakfasts and 2 lunches
Domestic flights: Xian – Shanghai
Overnight train Beijing – Xian (one soft berth)*
Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicles, unless otherwise mentioned
Visits as per itinerary
English-speaking local guides as per itinerary
* Soft berthed tickets are included in the price; four berths per cabin. For those interested in reserving the entire cabin (or booking into a different class), please consult us in advance. Tickets and class depend on availability and are subject to change.
Exclusions
International flights – Visa if required – Meals not mentioned – Drinks during meals – Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff – Baggage handling – Optional excursions – Insurance – Early check-in and late check-out
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN BEIJING
Upon arrival, a guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport into the city and to the hotel.
Begin this classic China trip enroute to the hotel with a visit to the iconic “Bird’s Nest” stadium, a contemporary structure (partially designed by Ai Weiwei) symbolizing modern China, featured during the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.
After stopping at the hotel, continue with a visit to Beijing’s famed hutongs (narrow alleys and streets, exclusive to Beijing) near Houhai Lake. Continue with a visit to the Gulou, or Drum Tower, where during the Ming Dynasty, the city marked the hours of the day with the rumbling of drums. The tower faces the Zhong Lou, the Bell Tower, and gives visitors a glimpse of ancient Beijing.
Afterwards, conclude the day with a refreshing change of decor and ambiance in the Wangfujing neighborhood, the most commercial area of the capital. While exploring the region, enjoy the opportunity of witnessing how modernized China has become and how its fierce consumerism continues.
Return to the hotel for the night.
Estimate distance and journey time:
Beijing airport – Beijing City (approx. 30 km): 40 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Accommodation : Beijing for 3 nights
DAY 2 BEIJING
The day starts very early with a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Before entering the temple, explore the surrounding grounds, which provide some unique insight into daily Chinese activity. From Tai Qi, Kung Fu and sabre practice to meditation, tango, and gymnastics, physical exercise is considered an essential start to the day for the Chinese.
Continue on with a visit to the Temple itself, marked by both simplicity and symbolism. Displaying touches of Buddhism and Taoism, the temple was once used by Emperors to direct authority on earth from the heavens.
Next, visit the discrete White Cloud Temple, where Taoist monks wear their hair in chignons and superstitious visitors can touch the sculpture-murals representing the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals. For those with enough time to spare, pay a visit to the Niujie Mosque, a place that showcases the expansion of Muslim merchants from Central Asia to China.
Lunch will be had around noon; a vegetarian meal located in the in the downtown section of the city.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Yonghe Temple, the most visited temple in town. A Tibetan Buddhist temple, Yonghe is famous for its 18-meter-high Buddha statue made from only one block of wood.
End the day with a visit to the Confucius Temple, named after the very man behind the moral codes and precepts that organized the majority of the social interactions of Imperial China. Even today, Confucianism still surfaces in China to be a part of the society.
Estimate distance and journey time:
Temple of Heaven – White Cloud Temple (approx. 12km): 25 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Excursions : (+$) Enjoy an evening Acrobatic show or Peking Opera.
DAY 3 BEIJING AND GREAT WALL
Begin the day with an early morning visit to the Mutianyu section of the Wall. Early morning is, by far, the best time of the day for photographs, as fewer tourists will be around to obstruct the views.
For those who aren’t keen on a hike back down (after the hike to the top), there is an alternative option for descending via cable car or toboggan (for those seeking an adventurous descent!) You’ll enjoy the lunch at local restaurant.
After the Great Wall explorations, pay a visit to the Summer Palace. What once stood as a simple Imperial Garden, was entirely renovated by Emperor Qianlong during the 18th century to become one the most important sites of the capital. Harmonious in nature, a variety of traditional Chinese temples, pavilions, lakes and gardens comprise the Palace.
After the palace visits, transfer will be provided back to the city for an evening at the hotel.
Estimate distance and journey time:
Beijing city– Mutianyu Great Wall (approx. 75km): approx. 2 hours
Mutianyu Great Wall – Summer Palace (approx. 75 km): 1h45
Summer Palace – Beijing city (approx. 22 km): 40 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 BEIJING – XI’AN (OVERNIGHT TRAIN)
The construction of the city was finished in 1420 during the reign of the Ming Dynasty, serving as the Imperial administrative centre until the fall of the Empire in 1911.
Restored in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics, the Forbidden City has since regained its youthful, vivid colors. As there is much to see in the compound, it is suggested that visitors take their time during the visit. After exploring the interior and exterior parts of the compound, it is possible to climb Jingshan or Prospect Hill for spectacular views of the entire site and the whole of Beijing.
NOTE: Access to for Forbidden City is limited to 80,000 visitors/day. Passport copies must be provided at least 11 days advance for personal registration (preferably 2 weeks in order to assure a successful booking); it will not be possible to modify this date later on. Visitors are required to bring their passport for security check upon their visit to the monument. Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, except China National Holidays.
After the Forbidden City explorations, transport will be provided to the Beijing train station for the trip to Xi’an.
Overnight train in a soft sleeper cabin to Xi’an.
Train station: Beijing – Xi’an
Train number: T41
Estimated departure time: 14:22
Estimated arrival time: 05:16(+1)
There is also the option to take the Highspeed train during daytime. Consult us if you are interested with the option and we will review the program to integrate this choice.
Soft berthed tickets are included in the price; four berths per cabin. For those interested in reserving the entire cabin (or booking into a different class), please consult us in advance. (Tickets and class depend on availability and are subject to change).
Estimate distance and journey time:
Beijing City – Beijing Train Station (approx. 8km): 20 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Overnight on the train
DAY 5 XI’AN
Welcome to Shaanxi Province, often considered the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The capital of the Empire three times, Xi’an played an integral role in the history of the country.
As no classic China trip is complete without seeing them, start the day by visiting the Xi’an Terracotta Warriors.
Unearthed accidentally in 1974 by local farmers, this grand discovery became one of the greatest archaeological finds in modern history. An expansive underground mausoleum built in response to Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s fear of malevolent spirits, this immense army features infantrymen, archers, and cavalry riders positioned to protect him in the Afterlife. The most astonishing fact about the warriors? Every single one has a different face from a soldier during the emperor’s life!
The statues can be viewed in three different pits. Start with pits number 2 (still being excavated) and number 3 (sheltering the majority of the excavated items). Conclude with pit number 1, the most impressive, housing about 2,000 warriors.
After the Terracotta warrior tour, embark on a bike tour (or, for an additional charge, cart tour) for about one hour to discover Xi’an... without traffic jams and crowds! One of the highlights of the tour will be the impressive Xi’an ramparts, built during the Ming Dynasty.
Continuing with the cultural visits, explore part of Xi’an’s Islamic background. During the day of the Silk Road, Muslim merchants from Central Asia came to China to do business, leaving behind their influence in Xi’an. Several Muslim minorities (totaling 15 million inhabitants) now live in China- the Hui minority being predominant in Xi’an.
Visit the Chinese-style Mosque and the vibrant neighborhood around it, housing a number of butcher shops and different sorts of stores where men wear white skull caps and women wear colorful headscarves.
Dinner this evening comprises of a Xi’an Evening Food Tour. Whisk around town in a tuk tuk to discover some of the best local flavours of the city. The experience finishes with a visit to a local Brewery near the night’s accommodation (transport provided).
Estimate distance and journey time:
Xi’an Train Station – Xi’an City (approx. 12km): 30 min
Xi’an City - Terracotta Warriors (approx. 45km): 1h
Terracotta Warriors – City Wall (approx. 43km): 50 min
City Wall – Mosque (approx. 6km): 20 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Xi’an for 1 night
DAY 6 XI’AN – SHANGHAI
Opened in 2006, tomb houses a multitude of figurines representing eunuchs, servers, and domestic animals, and brings more to mind the normal day life under the Han Dynasty. Glass panels walk over the different pits, revealing the recently uncovered statuettes.
Today’s flight takes off for Shanghai, where our guide and driver will be waiting upon arrival.
The afternoon is set aside for an orientation tour through the city in a truly vintage fashion. Discover Shanghai during a two-hour tour in a Jeep. From the Old French concession to the fashionable Bund, explore all the best corners of this iconic Chinese city.
Note: Max capacity passengers: 4 passengers per Jeep.
Estimate distance and journey time:
Xi’an city – Han Yangling tomb (approx. 27km): 40 min
Han Yangling tomb – Xi’an airport (approx. 30km): 25 min
Shanghai city – Shanghai Pudong airport (approx. 45km): 1h
OR
Shanghai city – Shanghai Hongqiao airport (approx. 15km): 30 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Shanghai for 4 nights
DAY 7 SHANGHAI
Meet up with the guide at 09:00 in the Xintiandi area for a quick safety brief. Afterwards, begin the cycle in the neighborhood of Lujiazui. This region is the epicenter of some of the most famous buildings: the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower. Shanghai Tower is 632 meters tall with 121 floors above ground and 5 floors underground, it becomes the tallest and largest building in China. Can take its super high-speed elevator to its 118th floor observation terrace and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Shortly after, take the famous Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, a mini subway line, to cross the Huangpu River to reach Puxi in a couple of minutes.
The discovery tour continues along the Bund, a famous walkway featuring some of the city’s most historic buildings. Afterwards, continue onto Nanjing Road with its colorful signs and bustling crowds. After completing the Nanjing stroll, wrap up the tour at People’s Square for transport back to the hotel.
Estimate distance and journey time:
Shanghai Tower – The Bund (approx. 5km): 20 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 8 SHANGHAI
After meeting with the guide, continue on to explore some of Shanghai’s fantastic museums:
Start off with the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre, where a model city of Shanghai provides excellent insights into the city’s layout.
Additionally, a stunning panoramic cinema will display a short video explaining how the city developed into the metropolis it is today. The remainder of the museum has a range of unique, interactive attractions- well worth the visit!
PLEASE NOTE: Urban Planning Exhibition Hall Shanghai will close on every Wednesdays except Public Holidays.
From here, head to one of the most famous and prestigious museums in the country: The Shanghai Museum. Its collection of bronze statues on the first floor is unrivalled, and is complemented by a number of jade pieces of artwork, as well as Qing Dynasty furniture, Buddhist sculptures, and other pieces of Chinese artwork.
For those interested in art, the day will end with a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
After the museums, the delightful People’s Park is a great place to relax at, situated at the heart of People’s Square. The park has a small lake, a number of food stands, and countless places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Concluding the day, walk from the Square along East Nanjing Road, arriving to the Bund to admire the Shanghai night skyline. Head back to the hotel and retire for the evening.
Meals : Breakfast
Optional Excursions : (+$) Enjoy an “ERA” evening show, one of the most popular evening entertainments in the city. On stage for 6 years, ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology.
DAY 9 SHANGHAI
After exploring the park, wander on along the surrounding roads, admiring colonial homes which have now been transformed into restaurants, bars, and different boutiques.
Wander on towards Xintiandi, an entirely renovated area that is considered one of the liveliest parts of the city. Conclude the walk at Tianzifang, a maze of animated alleyways full of restaurants, boutiques, and small, authentic art galleries.
Conclude the walk in the Old Town with its few remaining lively lilongs (which are like the hutongs found in Beijing). The Old Town also houses the famous Yu Yuan Gardens, a superb example of the art of Chinese garden landscaping, particularly common in this region.
Before heading back, pay a visit to the local bazaar, where visitors and locals come to haggle. It’s a perfect chance to buy some souvenirs before departure the following day. Alternatively, take a rest at the Huxinting tea house, located at the centre of the lake opposite the Yuyuan Park; one of the most famous tea houses in China.
Wrap up the day with a traditional Chinese massage, or “acupressure,” a technique that concentrates on acupuncture points to stimulate the body’s natural healing… the perfect conclusion for this trip full of contrasts and lessons!
Estimate distance and journey time:
Xintiandi – Yu Yuan Gardens (approx. 4km): 15min
*depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 10 DEPARTURE FROM SHANGHAI
Estimate distance and journey time:
Shanghai city – Shanghai Pudong airport (approx. 45 km): 1h
OR
Shanghai city – Shanghai Hongqiao airport (approx. 15km): 30 min
*Depending on local situation (weather/construction/traffic jam, etc.)
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
FIRST CLASS
Beijing: Campanile Beijing South Railway Station Temple of Heaven – Standard room
Xi’an: Man Xin Hotel Xi’an Gate Tower South Gate – Standard room
Shanghai: Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel – Standard room
SUPERIOR CLASS
Beijing: Tongpai Hotel – Standard room
Xi’an: Grand Mercure – Standard room
Shanghai: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund – Deluxe room
DELUXE CLASS
Beijing: Regent Hotel Beijing Wangfujing – Executive room
Xi’an: Sofitel Legend – Premium room
Shanghai: Fairmont Peace Shanghai – Fairmont room
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy | Land Package |
Daily departures from January 1st to December 31st, 2025 | FIRST CLASS HOTELS |
Solo traveler | 12999 |
2 passengers | 7269 |
3-4 passengers | 5999 |
5-6 passengers | 5269 |
7-10 passengers | 4649 |
Single supplement | +1149 |
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy | Land Package |
Daily departures from January 1st to December 31st, 2025 | SUPERIOR CLASS HOTELS |
Solo traveler | 13499 |
2 passengers | 7529 |
3-4 passengers | 6269 |
5-6 passengers | 5539 |
7-10 passengers | 4899 |
Single supplement | +1389 |
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy | Land Package |
Daily departures from January 1st to March 31st and December 1st to 31st, 2025 | DELUXE CLASS HOTELS |
Solo traveler | 17569 |
2 passengers | 9549 |
3-4 passengers | 8289 |
5-6 passengers | 7549 |
7-10 passengers | 6919 |
Single supplement | +3429 |
Daily departures from April 1st to November 30th, 2025 | |
Solo traveler | 17759 |
2 passengers | 9649 |
3-4 passengers | 8389 |
5-6 passengers | 7659 |
7-10 passengers | 7039 |
Single supplement | +3509 |
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from | Optional excursions |
January 1st to December 31st, 2025 | |
Day 2: Beijing – Peking Opera | 130 |
Day 8: Shanghai – The show “ERA” | 140 |
NOTES:
Price not applicable for the Chinese National Holidays, Spring Festival: January 27th – February 4th, 2025 and National Holiday: October 1st – 8th, 2025.
Price not applicable during conferences, corporate meetings, conventions, exhibitions and incentive groups.
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.
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