Carlos Rodriguez
April 11, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Discover China’s most beloved contrasts on this 8-day Magical Xi’an and Shanghai Sightseeing Tour, which takes you across three unmissable destinations: the imperial capital Beijing, ancient archaeological wonder hub Xi’an, and the buzzing modern global metropolis Shanghai. Expertly curated for the best sightseeing experience, this trip delivers standout value with unbeatable pricing and trusted, secure payment processing, making it a stress-free, memorable choice for travelers eager to explore China’s most iconic ancient and modern highlights.
This carefully crafted 8-day journey starts in Beijing, China’s centuries-old imperial capital, where you’ll explore royal palaces and walk the iconic Great Wall before hopping a high-speed train west to Xi’an, the ancient heart of the Silk Road home to the legendary Terracotta Army. From Xi’an, you’ll travel east to Shanghai, China’s glittering modern financial hub, where you’ll experience cutting-edge city skylines alongside centuries-old classical gardens. The route moves smoothly from China’s ancient past to its vibrant present, giving you a complete, unforgettable snapshot of the country’s most beloved highlights.
Today is your arrival day in Beijing! Settle into your accommodation at your own pace, shake off any travel fatigue, and get ready to explore the wonders of China over the coming week.
Kick off your first full day of exploration at the iconic, sprawling Tiananmen Square, then join your professional English-speaking guide for a deep dive into the Forbidden City — once the exclusive imperial residence for hundreds of years. After your palace tour, take a leisurely stroll to nearby Jingshan Park, where you’ll climb to the hilltop for sweeping panoramic views of the entire city and the Forbidden City spread out below. Wrap up the day with a visit to the lush, historic Summer Palace, the famous imperial garden retreat. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Today is dedicated to one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders: the Great Wall of China! We’ll head to the scenic, less crowded Mutianyu section, where you’ll ride a cable car up to the 14th watchtower to start your hiking adventure. Trek along the well-preserved western route, making your way up to the 20th watchtower for postcard-perfect views over the misty mountain landscape. Back in the city, stop to snap photos at the iconic exterior of the Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium), the famous 2008 Olympic venue. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the train station for your comfortable high-speed journey from Beijing to Xi’an, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties. Once you arrive, wander the bustling, flavor-packed Muslim Quarter (Muslim Street), where you can browse street food stalls, craft shops, and soak up the area’s unique multicultural Silk Road heritage. Before ending your day, catch a glimpse of Xi’an’s iconic historic landmarks: the Bell Tower and Drum Tower at the center of the old city. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Today you’ll visit one of China’s most incredible archaeological finds: the Terracotta Army! First explore Pit 1, the largest pit that holds more than 6,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and figures built to guard the first emperor of China in the afterlife. Next you’ll tour Pit 2, which holds around 1,300 additional warriors and horses, each with unique facial features. After the museum, stop by the 7th-century Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist monument that once held ancient scriptures brought back from India along the Silk Road. Wrap up your day with a leisurely walk along Xi’an’s perfectly preserved Ancient City Wall, one of the largest intact fortifications in the world. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
After breakfast, you’ll check out of your Xi’an accommodation and travel to Shanghai, China’s vibrant modern metropolis, for the final leg of your journey. Settle into your new accommodation and rest up for a full day of exploring Shanghai tomorrow. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Experience Shanghai’s perfect mix of old and new today! Start at the iconic Shanghai Tower, where you’ll ride one of the world’s fastest elevators up to the Top of Shanghai Observatory on the 118th floor. Standing 546 meters above the city, you’ll enjoy unbeatable 360-degree views of the entire Shanghai skyline and Huangpu River below. Next, head to the Shanghai Museum, where you can browse a collection of over 120,000 ancient Chinese cultural relics spanning thousands of years of history. End the day exploring Yu Garden, a stunning example of a classical Chinese garden filled with pavilions, koi ponds, and ancient trees tucked right in the heart of the city. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Today is your departure day from Shanghai. After breakfast, you’ll check out of your accommodation and head to the airport or train station for your next journey, taking with you unforgettable memories of China’s ancient wonders and modern magic. 🍽️ Breakfast is included today.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 11, 2026
Every moment of this tour was well-organized and totally unforgettable.
March 5, 2026
This tour exceeded all my expectations. I got to check three major bucket list destinations off my list in one easy, well-planned trip, and I left already wanting to plan my next visit.
January 22, 2026
I was nervous about booking my first trip to China, but Lynn from HelloChinaTrip answered all my questions before departure and made the whole booking process totally stress-free. Once we started the tour, everything ran smoothly: our drivers were on time, our guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the hotels we stayed at were clean and centrally located. I loved getting to experience three totally different sides of China in just 8 days. This tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see all the highlights without the hassle of planning everything themselves.
October 3, 2025
Best vacation I've taken in years!
September 17, 2025
As a history lover, I was blown away by the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Terracotta Army in Xi'an. Our guide in Xi'an told us so many fascinating little details about the excavation that you can't get just from reading guidebooks. The stop in Shanghai at the end was a great way to wind down, with amazing views from the Bund and delicious soup dumplings for lunch. This tour perfectly balances history, culture, and modern China, I couldn't have asked for a better itinerary.
May 19, 2025
I came on this tour wanting to see both modern China and ancient imperial history, and I got exactly that. The contrast between Shanghai's glittering skyline, Beijing's Forbidden City, and Xi'an's ancient warriors was everything the tour description promised. Every day was well-paced, we never felt rushed, and all our meals were delicious local specialties. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone visiting China for the first time.
April 30, 2025
The Great Wall hike outside Beijing was the highlight of my trip. It was so beautiful to walk along the ancient wall and take in the mountain views, and our guide picked a less touristy section that was perfect. I can't wait to come back to China again!
March 12, 2025
This tour was absolutely perfect from start to finish!
February 18, 2025
All the sights were incredible and our guide was fantastic, but we visited during national holiday week so every site was much more wonderful than we expected. It was still a wonderful trip, just a little less relaxing than we hoped for.
December 28, 2024
Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an was a life-changing experience I'll never forget. Our guide knew so much about the history of every site we visited.
