Classic Beijing & Shanghai Tour: Imperial Heritage to Modern Magic

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• None

Upon your arrival at Beijing Airport, our professional English-speaking guide and private driver will warmly welcome you at the arrivals hall. They will assist with your luggage and provide a comfortable transfer directly to your hotel

Good to Know

• This tour does not include international flights. However, we would be more than happy to help you book flights if you contact us.

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• Breakfast, lunch

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Tian'anmen Square – One of the world’s largest public squares, home to landmarks like the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It’s a symbol of China’s national identity.

Forbidden City (Closed on Mondays) – The imperial palace of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore iconic halls like the Hall of Supreme Harmony and discover over 600 years of royal history.

The guide will lead you to the local restaurant. Enjoy an authentic dining experience that offers a taste of Beijing's culinary.

After lunch, the tour will take you to the Temple of Heaven (closed on Mondays), an ancient imperial temple where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

The last stop is Wangfujing Street, which is Beijing’s famous commercial pedestrian street. Shop for local specialties, try street food (like stinky tofu and sugar figurines), and visit historic shops and modern malls.

Special Notes:

As the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are closed on Mondays, as noted in the original itinerary, the tour guide will adjust the schedule as necessary to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Evening Free Time Ideas

The Beijing Opera: Immerse yourself in the traditional art form of Beijing Opera at theaters like the Liyuan Theater or the Huguang Guild Hall, experiencing the colorful costumes, captivating performances, and rich cultural heritage.

• Novotel Peace Beijing
• Breakfast, Lunch

Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby after breakfast, transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall, a well-preserved section of the Great Wall, known for its lush green surroundings (especially in spring and autumn) and fewer crowds than Badaling. The cable car offers stunning aerial views of the wall’s winding peaks. includes a round-trip cable car ticket, which your guide will pre-arrange.

The ride takes just a few minutes and ascends to the 14th watchtower. Keep cameras ready to capture the Great Wall ridges and forested valleys. After exploring the wall, return to the 14th watchtower to access the cable car station for descent.

Have lunch in the local restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall.

Explore Beijing's ancient hutongs—narrow alleys with traditional courtyard homes. These historic neighborhoods are disappearing, so walking through them is like stepping into the past. You can visit a local family's home, learn about their culture, and climb the Bell Tower for a great view. This walk is about 800 meters through the heart of old Beijing.

• Sunrise on the Bund 
• Breakfast, Lunch

Firstly, visit the Summer Palace, walk along the 728-meter corridor adorned with 14,000+ painted scenes (stories from Chinese history and mythology), a UNESCO-listed architectural feature.

Board a traditional dragon boat (included in the itinerary) for a 40-minute cruise. Enjoy views of Longevity Hill, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and West Causeway (modeled after Su Causeway in Hangzhou’s West Lake).

Experience the peaceful Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) in Beijing. This splendid Tibetan Buddhist site blends history and spiritual tranquility, offering a serene escape in the heart of the city.

Have lunch in the first “smart restaurant” in China to experience the high level of technology. From the moment you arrive, the experience is different. While waiting, you can play interactive games on a giant screen. Inside the main dining room, you are surrounded by stunning 360-degree projections on the walls and ceiling, which change themes from a starry sky to a peaceful cherry blossom forest.

High-Tech and Efficient Service

• Robotic Service: You will see robots that deliver food directly to your table.
• Smart Kitchen: Behind the scenes, a fully automated kitchen uses robotic arms to prepare your order quickly and cleanly.
• Customized Flavors: You can create your perfect hot pot soup using a special machine that mixes ingredients to your exact taste (like more spicy or less oily).

Drive to Beijing’s CBD after lunch. View the new look of Beijing and snap pictures of famous modern buildings like the CITIC Tower, CCTV Headquarters, and the China World Trade Center Tower. A guide will assist you in finding the best spots for photos and help you capture memorable moments.

Transfer to Beijing Train Station to catch your onward train to Shanghai, meet your Shanghai guide and driver will wait at the railway station upon arrival.

• Sunrise on the Bund
• Breakfast, Lunch

Kick off your day with the timeless elegance of Yuyuan Garden（closed on Mondays）, a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Arrive early to avoid crowds and wander through its winding corridors, stone bridges, and lotus ponds.

Special Notes:

As the Yuyuan Garden is closed on Mondays, as noted in the original itinerary, the tour guide will adjust the schedule as necessary to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Ascend to the peak of the famous Shanghai Tower. Take the high-speed elevator (reaching 118 floors in 55 seconds!) to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Shanghai. Relax with a coffee, then take a ferry ride along the Huangpu River.

Explore the architectural wonders of the Bund, which reflect Shanghai's illustrious past. Explore a tucked-away alley, relish local delicacies at a top-rated Michelin spot (takeout available!), and observe the city's transformation from historic zones to the contemporary Pudong area. Strolling distance: 2.4km. Along the route, you'll find opportunities to rest and indulge in some snacks.

Strolling around the Former French Concession in Shanghai isn't just one place. It's a big, lovely area with lots to see. You'll find pretty streets with trees, old buildings, and a mix of European and local styles. It's perfect for walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

• Sunrise on the Bund
• Breakfast, Lunch

Start your day with a serene trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town—a 1,700-year-old “Venice of the East“ located about 60 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. wander through the town’s stone-paved lanes lined with white-walled, black-tiled traditional houses. Don’t miss the iconic Fangsheng Bridge—the longest and oldest stone arch bridge in Zhujiajiao, offering panoramic views of the crisscrossing canals below.

Head back to downtown Shanghai, arriving at Jade Buddha Temple — one of the most important Buddhist temples in the city, famous for its two exquisite jade Buddha statues. Inside, marvel at the 1.9-meter-tall Sitting Jade Buddha (carved from a single piece of white jade, adorned with gold leaf and precious stones) in the Main Hall, and the 0.96-meter-tall Reclining Jade Buddha (depicting Buddha’s nirvana) in the Reclining Buddha Hall.

Shanghai Tian An 1000 Trees is an architectural marvel—shaped like forest-capped mountains, it seamlessly blends nature with urban design. A highly photogenic hotspot, its mix of deciduous and evergreen trees transforms its look with the seasons, offering unique photo opportunities year-round.

Evening Free Time Ideas

• ERA Acrobatics Show: Showcases China's 5,000-year history through world-class acrobatics, martial arts, and multimedia effects.

• Sunrise on the Bund
• Breakfast

Pick up from your hotel in the morning and drive to Shanghai Disneyland. Begin your adventure at the enchanting Shanghai Disneyland, where fairy tales come to life.

Dive into the wonders of different themed lands, from Adventure Isle to Fantasyland, and catch captivating performances and parade spectacles that will leave you in awe, meet your favorite Disney characters, and create unforgettable memories.

Must-Try New Experiences

• Pixar Adventurous Journey (immersive character interactions)
• Stitch (outdoor photo & play zone)
• Junior Explorers Camp (family-friendly adventure)

2025 Snack Must-Haves

• Donald Duck’s Paparino Gelato (mango-passionfruit)
• Royal Banquet Hall’s Princess Macaron Tower (3 flavors: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate)
• Zootopia Pawpsicle (new lychee flavor for spring)

• Breakfast

Your driver will meet you in the hotel lobby at the scheduled time and take you to the airport.