Clara Johansson
April 30, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 6-day curated must-see China tour travels from historic Beijing through culture-packed Nanjing to dynamic Shanghai, covering all the top unmissable landmarks across three of the country’s most iconic destinations. Thoughtfully designed for first-time China visitors, this trip delivers a hand-picked, well-rounded itinerary, unbeatable value pricing, and secure, trusted payment processing, taking the stress out of booking your unforgettable Chinese getaway.
This 6-day curated journey kicks off in Beijing, China’s thousand-year-old imperial capital, where you’ll dive into centuries of dynastic history and tick the legendary Great Wall off your bucket list before traveling east across China, pausing to soak up Nanjing’s rich cultural legacy en route to your final destination: the glittering global metropolis of Shanghai. This route pulls together every can’t-miss highlight of China’s most popular eastern cities, weaving together iconic landmarks and local atmosphere into a seamless, memorable introductory experience that never feels rushed.
Today you’ll arrive in bustling Beijing, where ancient hutong alleyways sit alongside sleek modern avenues. After clearing customs, you’ll check into your local hotel 🏨 and have the rest of the day free to settle in. Grab your first taste of iconic Beijing street food (think crispy Peking duck or savory jianbing crepes) at your own pace, and rest up for your upcoming days of sightseeing. No meals are included today.
Start your first full day of sightseeing with a delicious included breakfast 🍽️. Kick off your exploration at sprawling Tiananmen Square, the iconic public heart of Beijing, then join a guided tour of the Forbidden City—once the exclusive private domain of Chinese emperors, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with golden palaces and hidden imperial treasures. After exploring the palace complex, take a leisurely walk up to adjacent Jingshan Park, where you’ll catch a postcard-perfect panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City from the park’s central hill. Wrap up your day with a visit to the Summer Palace, a stunning imperial garden dotted with historic pavilions and set along a sparkling, tree-lined lake, before returning to your hotel 🏨 for the night.
Fuel up with your included daily breakfast 🍽️ before heading out for the highlight of your Beijing trip: a day at the Great Wall. We’ll visit the serene, well-preserved Mutianyu section, where you’ll ride a scenic cable car up to the ridgeline. Spend the next few hours hiking along the wall’s western route, stopping to explore centuries-old stone watchtowers and soak in jaw-dropping views of the wall snaking through misty green mountains. After descending back to the base, we’ll make a photo stop at the iconic Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium), the world-famous 2008 Olympic architectural landmark, before returning to the city to rest at your hotel 🏨.
Enjoy your included breakfast 🍽️ this morning before checking out of your Beijing hotel 🏨. You’ll travel east across eastern China toward Shanghai, with a leisurely stop to explore Nanjing’s top cultural highlights along the way. Settle in for a comfortable transfer, taking in the rolling scenery of China’s eastern countryside, before checking into your new hotel 🏨 in Shanghai in the evening, ready to explore the city tomorrow.
Wake up in China’s most dynamic global city and enjoy your included breakfast 🍽️ before a full day of sightseeing. Kick things off with a trip up the towering Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world, where you’ll head to the 118th-floor Top of Shanghai Observatory for unbeatable panoramic views of the entire city skyline and winding Huangpu River. Next, dive into thousands of years of Chinese art and history at the world-class Shanghai Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts in the world. In the afternoon, wander through the elegant, classic traditional landscapes of Yu Garden, then stroll through the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, where you can browse handmade crafts, try sweet and savory Shanghai street snacks, and soak up the lively local market atmosphere before returning to your hotel 🏨 for the night.
Today is your departure day. Enjoy a leisurely included breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel 🏨 before checking out. You’ll then head to Shanghai’s airport or train station for your onward journey, taking with you countless memories of China’s top eastern destinations.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 30, 2026
My partner and I booked this tour for our first trip to China and it exceeded every single expectation we had. We got to experience so many iconic landmarks we’d only ever seen in photos, from the grand Forbidden City to the winding Qinhuai River in Nanjing to the glittering night view of the Bund in Shanghai. Each day had a great mix of cultural exploration and free time, so we never felt exhausted even while moving between three different cities. The route is planned to minimize travel time between stops, which was a huge unexpected perk. I can’t recommend this tour enough for anyone who wants to hit all the must-see spots on a first trip to China.
February 14, 2026
This tour checked every single one of our must-see boxes and we left China already planning our next trip back to explore more.
September 18, 2025
I took this tour with my two teenage kids and we all had an absolutely unforgettable week in China. We got to tick the Great Wall and Forbidden City off our bucket lists in Beijing, dive into Nanjing’s rich cultural history at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Confucius Temple, and end the trip marveling at Shanghai’s futuristic skyline from the Bund. The itinerary flows perfectly from north to south, so there’s no wasted time backtracking or rushing between destinations. This is hands down the best tour for first-time China visitors who want to see all the iconic spots without the hassle of independent planning.
July 22, 2025
I was worried a 6-day multi-city tour would feel too rushed, but this curated itinerary struck the perfect balance between seeing the sights and having downtime to explore on your own. We had plenty of time to take photos, grab local snacks, and wander after our guided introductions to each landmark. The progression from historic Beijing to cultural Nanjing to dynamic Shanghai feels really natural, and it gives you an amazing sense of China’s incredible diversity.
May 2, 2025
This tour covers every top must-see attraction across three amazing diverse cities, but we traveled during the May Golden Week holiday and encountered far larger crowds than we anticipated at major sites like the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Aside from the wonderful conditions that came with traveling during peak season, the itinerary was perfectly organized and we loved every stop on the trip.
March 12, 2025
This 6-day Beijing-Nanjing-Shanghai must-see tour was absolutely perfect, we got to see all the top landmarks without the stress of planning everything ourselves.
January 9, 2025
This 6-day tour perfectly showcases the incredible diversity of China, from its ancient imperial history to its vibrant modern metropolises. We got to see all the unmissable landmarks without the stress of booking tickets, arranging transport, or mapping routes ourselves, which made the entire trip totally relaxing and enjoyable.
December 28, 2024
Our consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip helped make a few small adjustments to our itinerary before we arrived, which fit our slower travel pace perfectly. Every iconic spot we visited was exactly what we wanted to see, and we left with a fantastic overview of three incredible Chinese cities.
