8 Days / 7 Nights
Beijing – Xian – Shanghai
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Your guide will meet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town with Handicraft Experience
After breakfast, explore and marvel at the views of the Simatai section of the Great Wall of China. Cable car is included. After your walk, get back to Gubei Water Town for lunch, then stroll through Gubei Water Town and take part in a special handicraft activity (travellers can choose paper cutting, kite- or lantern-making as said activity). Transfer to Beijing and stay overnight.
Day 3: Forbidden City, Hutong Walking Tour and Dumpling-making
In the morning, you will wander around Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. Continue on to the Forbidden City, once the seat of Chinese political power for almost 500 years and home to China’s last ruling dynasties. The afternoon begins with an intriguing ‘hutong’ walking tour, meandering through Beijing’s charming narrow alleyways. Next, you’ll visit a local family’s home, learning more about daily life in Beijing as the family shares their habits and rituals in their traditional home. End off the day with a dumpling-making class and dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 4: The Temple of Heaven, Bullet Train to Xian
This morning, soak up the harmonious ambiance of the Temple of Heaven. The Temple of Heaven was created as a place of worship for emperors, who would ask for prosperity, longevity and a good harvest for the people. It is an orderly oasis in an urban landscape, and when walking through the park you will see the many groups of local people that gather here every day to sing folk songs, practice Tai-Chi and sword dancing, play chess or just come to sit and chat.
Hop on your second-class bullet train ride to Xian, and upon arrival carry on to your hotel.
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Xian City Wall, Yongxingfang
Spend the day amidst the greatest surviving treasures of ancient Xian, including the Terracotta Warriors and Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Centre. Learn how to make your own small versions of the Terracotta Warriors, before exploring the fascinating Xian City Wall. From here, end off the day at the light-filled, lantern-dotted Yongxingfang Food Street and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this pulsating market.
Day 6: The Little Wild Goose Pagoda with Chinese Calligraphy Class
In the morning, visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda, where you can take part in a calligraphy class and discover more of China’s characteristic culture. Next, visit the Xian Museum and admire its collection of Buddhist statues and sculptures.
Finally, you will be transferred to fly from Xian to Shanghai. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 7: Shanghai Exploration
The morning begins with an eventful glimpse of “Chinese morning market” culture, during which you can eat like a local on a culinary tour around the Old City God’s Temple area. Next, explore Shanghai’s old town and take respite from the busy city life at the charming Yuyuan Garden. Afterwards, you will visit a silk factory to learn how silk is made. Next, stroll along the Bund, also called Zhongshan Road, Shanghai’s iconic waterfront and regarded as the symbol of the city for hundreds of years. Continue on to the Pudong area, enjoy an evening cocktail at a rooftop bar, and take in a bird’s eye-view of Shanghai.
Day 8: Departure
Today you will be transferred to board your flight back home.
and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts.
© 2024 Discova. All rights reserved.
and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts.