Morning: Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport and transfer to your hotel to freshen up. Enjoy a light brunch while getting an overview of the city’s layout.
Afternoon: Stroll to Tiananmen Square, marvel at its vastness and historic monuments, then head to the adjacent Forbidden City for a brief exterior tour.
Evening: Savor a welcome dinner featuring Peking duck at a traditional courtyard restaurant, followed by a leisurely walk through the illuminated Wangfujing night market.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the sprawling Temple of Heaven park, watching locals practice tai chi and exploring the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Afternoon: Dive deep into imperial history with a guided tour of the Forbidden City, exploring its grand halls, exquisite gardens, and priceless artifacts.
Evening: Relax at a modern tea house in the Houhai lake area, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and a boat ride under lantern‑lit bridges.
**Day 3: Great Wall Exploration**Morning: Depart early for the Mutianyu Great Wall, taking a cable car up and walking the restored sections while enjoying panoramic mountain views.
Afternoon: Descend via the toboggan slide, then visit the nearby Jade Spring Resort for a light lunch and tea tasting.
Evening: Return to Beijing and attend a traditional Chinese acrobatics show at the Chaoyang Theatre.
Find HotelsMorning: Fly to Xi'an, check into your hotel, and refresh after the short flight.
Afternoon: Explore the historic Ancient City Wall, renting a bike to ride along its 14‑kilometre perimeter for sweeping city views.
Evening: Wander the bustling Muslim Quarter, sampling local street foods such as roujiamo and yangrou paomo.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the world‑famous Terracotta Army museum, marveling at the life‑size soldiers, horses, and chariots uncovered from the Qin dynasty.
Afternoon: Return to the city for a guided tour of the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, learning about its Buddhist significance.
Evening: Enjoy a Tang‑dynasty themed dinner and cultural performance at the Great Tang All Day Mall.
Find HotelsMorning: Board a high‑speed flight to Shanghai, check into a hotel in the Pudong district.
Afternoon: Visit the futuristic Shanghai Tower, riding the high‑speed elevator to the observation deck for breathtaking cityscapes.
Evening: Stroll along the iconic Bund, watching the neon skyline reflect on the Huangpu River while sipping a cocktail at a riverside bar.
Find HotelsMorning: Wander the tranquil gardens of Yu Garden, admiring classic Ming‑style architecture and koi ponds.
Afternoon: Explore the historic French Concession, stopping at boutique cafés and the charming Tianzifang arts district.
Evening: Dine on Shanghainese specialties such as xiaolongbao at a renowned restaurant in East Nanjing Road, followed by a night‑time river cruise.
Find HotelsMorning: Last‑minute shopping for souvenirs in the vibrant Nanjing Road pedestrian mall.
Afternoon: Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your departure flight.
Evening: Reflect on the unforgettable experiences across three of China’s most iconic cities.
Find HotelsIf you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in Chengdu to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, or a detour to the scenic water towns of Suzhou and Zhouzhuang from Shanghai. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 in Xi'an by taking a high‑speed train back to Beijing and skipping the flight to Shanghai, focusing on the highlights of Beijing and Shanghai only.