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Epic 7-Day China Adventure: From Beijing’s Ancient Marvels to Shanghai’s Futuristic Skyline

Viewed by 176 travelers

Day 1: Beijing Old Meets New

Beijing, China on May 12, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Jin Ding Xuan

Enjoy traditional Beijing-style dim sum and congee at this popular local restaurant, open from 7am to 10am, setting you up for a historic day.
CNY50, 1h0m

9:30am

Tiananmen Square

Explore the world's largest city square, rich with political and cultural history, famously surrounded by monumental buildings.
Free, 1h0m

10:45am

Forbidden City Tour

Discover the vast imperial palace complex where China’s emperors once lived. Open from 8:30am to 5pm, plan to spend several hours wandering its ornate halls and courtyards.
CNY60, 3h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Da Dong Roast Duck

Savor Beijing's signature Peking duck at Da Dong, renowned for its crispy skin and artistic presentation. Open daily from 11am to 10pm.
CNY150, 1h0m

3:00pm

Olympic Park and Bird's Nest Stadium

Visit the iconic 2008 Olympic venues like the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, showcasing modern Beijing's architectural feats. Park open from 6am to 10pm.
CNY50, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Hua’s Restaurant

Try authentic northern Chinese cuisine with a contemporary twist, ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing.
CNY100, 1h30m
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Day 2: Great Wall Hiking

Mutianyu, China on May 13, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at your Beijing hotel before heading out for the day. Typically served from 7am to 9am.
Included, 0h45m

8:00am

Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall

A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Beijing to the Mutianyu section offers stunning foothills and fewer crowds compared to other parts of the wall.
CNY200 (transport), 1h30m

9:45am

Mutianyu Great Wall Hike

Climb along the well-preserved and picturesque Mutianyu section, known for its lush green surroundings. Open 7am-6pm.
CNY45, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at The Schoolhouse

Enjoy an international menu with local Chinese influences at this cozy eatery near the wall, open 11am-4pm.
CNY120, 1h0m

2:30pm

Return to Beijing

Relax as you head back to Beijing by car, reflecting on the breathtaking vistas from the Wall.
Included, 1h30m

5:00pm

Dinner at Wangfujing Snack Street

Sample a variety of street foods, from skewers to exotic snacks in this buzzing night market, open until 10pm.
CNY70, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Mutianyu

Day 3: Xi’an Warriors & Loess

Xi’an, China on May 14, 2025

6:00am

Flight to Xi’an

Early flight from Beijing to Xi’an to maximize your day visiting famous landmarks. Flight duration approx. 2 hours.
CNY600, 2h0m

9:00am

Terracotta Army Museum

Explore the incredible life-size clay soldiers buried over 2,000 years ago. Open 8:30am-5:30pm.
CNY120, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant

Taste traditional Xi’an dumplings featuring diverse fillings, open 10am-3pm.
CNY80, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive to Loess Plateau

Head toward the rural Loess Plateau, a unique landscape known for its yellow soil and traditional villages. Scenic drive around 1.5 hours.
Included, 1h30m

3:30pm

Loess Plateau Exploration

Experience the rural beauty and agricultural lifestyle amidst the golden earth, perfect for photography and cultural insight.
Free, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at local countryside restaurant

Enjoy hearty Shaanxi-style home cooking with local ingredients, part of the authentic rural experience.
CNY60, 1h0m
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Day 4: Chengdu Pandas

Chengdu, China on May 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Have a light breakfast before heading to the famous Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre. Usually available 7am-9am.
Included, 0h45m

8:00am

Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Watch adorable giant pandas feeding and playing in a serene natural setting. Open 7:30am-6pm.
CNY58, 3h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Shu Jiu Xiang Hotpot

Experience Chengdu’s famous spicy hotpot with a variety of fresh ingredients, open daily.
CNY120, 1h30m

2:00pm

Explore Jinli Ancient Street

Stroll through this charming pedestrian street filled with traditional crafts, snacks, and tea houses, open all day.
Free, 2h0m

5:00pm

Dinner at Chen Mapo Tofu

Savor authentic Sichuan cuisine including the famous Mapo tofu in a historic setting, open until 9pm.
CNY90, 1h0m
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Day 5: Yangtze River & Dam

Yichang, China on May 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Early breakfast before a full day touring the Three Gorges Dam and cruising the Yangtze River.
Included, 0h45m

8:00am

Visit Three Gorges Dam

Tour the world's largest hydroelectric dam, an engineering marvel open daily from 8am to 5pm.
CNY120, 2h0m

10:30am

Yangtze River Cruise

Embark on a scenic boat ride along the Yangtze River to enjoy breathtaking gorge views, lasting about 3 hours.
CNY350, 3h0m

2:00pm

Lunch aboard the cruise or riverside restaurant

Enjoy fresh river fish and local specialties during a relaxing lunch stop along the cruise route.
CNY100, 1h0m

4:00pm

Return to Yichang city

Transfer back to the city to unwind after a day filled with nature and engineering wonders.
Included, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Yichang Local Cuisine

Sample Hubei province's flavors with dishes emphasizing fish and freshwater ingredients, open until 9pm.
CNY80, 1h0m
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Day 6: Shanghai Futurism

Shanghai, China on May 17, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start your vibrant Shanghai day with breakfast at the hotel serving both Western and Chinese options from 7am.
Included, 0h45m

8:00am

Ride the Maglev Train

Experience the world’s fastest commercial train, reaching speeds of 430 km/h, linking Pudong Airport to the city. Operating 6:45am–9:40pm.
CNY50, 0h30m

9:00am

Shanghai Tower Observation Deck

Ascend the second tallest building in the world for panoramic city views; open 9am-9pm.
CNY180, 2h0m

11:30am

Walk The Bund

Stroll along the historic riverfront to admire colonial architecture facing the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
Free, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Lost Heaven

Dine on Yunnan cuisine with bold flavors in an atmospheric setting near The Bund, open 11am-3pm.
CNY130, 1h0m

2:00pm

Explore Yu Garden

Visit this classical Chinese garden filled with beautiful pavilions, ponds, and winding pathways, open 8:30am–5:30pm.
CNY40, 1h30m

5:00pm

Dinner at Din Tai Fung

Enjoy world-famous soup dumplings and Taiwanese dishes to round off your day, open until 10pm.
CNY120, 1h30m
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Day 7: Reflection & Wrap-Up

Shanghai, China on May 18, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Leisurely breakfast to start your final day in China, reflecting on your journey.
Included, 0h45m

10:00am

Digital Postcard Creation

Use your photos and memories to craft a digital postcard or blog post from your hotel or local cafe.
Free, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at local café

Relax with light lunch and coffee while reviewing your trip highlights.
CNY60, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Art Museum or Shopping

Choose a cultural experience or enjoy some final shopping in Shanghai’s modern malls or art galleries, open until early evening.
Varies, 3h0m

6:00pm

Farewell Dinner at M on the Bund

Celebrate your journey with fine dining overlooking Shanghai’s skyline in a stylish setting.
CNY250, 2h0m
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