This tour is designed for people who are keen to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City but have very limited time. If you prefer, taking the bullet train would also work well.
Highlights
- Admire a less-crowded part of the Great Wall by combining effort-saving cable car rides and moderate hiking
- Discover the world's largest imperial palace – the Forbidden City
- Stroll around the Summer Palace and take a boat ride there
Our service includes
- Our 1-to-1 expert China consultancy with unlimited itinerary changes
- Booking of China internal flights, trains, and cruises, per your preferences
- Your own China-Highlights-trained, versatile and knowledgeable tour guide (per city)
- Your own chauffeured and comfortable vehicle, chosen for ample space
- Hand-picking of hotels for your requirements
- Hotel breakfasts arranged, and local restaurant lunches ordered, to suit you
- Entry to all attractions on your itinerary, with queues avoided wherever possible
- Our 24-7 helpline for while you are travelling
Suggested Itinerary
Meals: lunch
Accommodation: Sunworld Hotel Beijing (4-star)/ Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall (5-star)
You will start the tour with an early flight from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Beijing. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and begin your Beijing Exploration!
Drive 1½ hours from the airport to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Your guide will introduce to you the history and cultural background of Beijing city and the Great Wall.
First have lunch at the Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant, which is near the Great Wall. This garden-style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout. The fabulous taste will leave you with great memories.
The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is the less crowded section with beautiful scenery, and you will take a cable car to save time and energy. Have a relaxing walk on the Wall and enjoy the beautiful afternoon sunshine.
Shanghai to Beijing Transportation:
- We recommend a flight from Shanghai to Beijing, which takes about 2 hours. If you like, we can also arrange a bullet train (about 5½ hours).
- We will book the flight or train in advance for you, you just need to arrive at the airport or train station on time.
Meals: breakfast & lunch
Today you will visit 2 of the most important attractions in Beijing city, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.
First arrive at the biggest public square in the world – Tian'anmen Square. Your tour guide will introduce the nearby buildings, such as the National Grand Theater and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and leave time for you to take photos.
Walk across the road and you will arrive at the Forbidden City. Have a 2½ hour stroll and explore the royal palace where 24 Chinese emperors worked and lived. You will learn a lot of history and hear some interesting stories about Chinese emperors.
Have lunch at the Courtyard 7 Restaurant, which is located in the hutong area. Here you can not only taste delicious gourmet food, but also enjoy a piece of unsullied land, a haven in such a busy city.
In the afternoon have a walk around the royal garden – the Summer Palace. This is the place where emperors lived in the summer time to escape from the heat. Walk through the world's longest corridor and take a boat on the lake. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
After the Summer Palace, your driver and guide will escort you to Beijing Capital Airport and check you onto the flight back to Shanghai.
Trip Notes
Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. You can alter the itinerary, extend or shorten it to suit your schedule. For example, you can extend 1 day to explore more of Beijing, such as the hutong area and the Temple of Heaven.
Alternative Trains
Trains are generally cheaper than flights, if time permits, and the train journey would be a great experience. Here are some recommended trains:
Shanghai to Beijing
| Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| D314 | 21:08 Shanghai – 08:55 Beijing Nan | 11h 47m overnight |
| G102 | 06:39 Shanghai Hongqiao – 12:18 Beijing Nan | 5h 39m |
Beijing to Shanghai
| Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| G157 | 17:43 Beijing Nan – 23:23 Shanghai Hongqiao | 5h 40m |
| D313 | 19:34 Beijing Nan – 07:41 Shanghai | 12h 07m overnight |
Guiding Service
Your personal tour guide will accompany you throughout the tour, providing guidance and local knowledge. He/she will be ready and willing to help you solve any problems that may arise while on the tour.
More Trip Information
Want to learn more about this trip? Please click here to see details about traveling in China, booking, payment and responsible travel.