Private, on your own dates · China
A 7-day China tour linking Beijing’s imperial landmarks with Shanghai’s skyline, Zhujiajiao water town and high-speed rail between the two cities.
This classic China journey brings together two very different sides of the country in one trip. Begin in Beijing, where wide ceremonial squares, grand palace complexes and the scale of the Great Wall set the tone for the journey. The pace allows time to settle in on arrival, then move into a full sightseeing rhythm with guided visits, photo stops and a mix of major monuments and local craft stops.
In Beijing, the route covers Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, with time also set aside for the Great Wall at Juyong Pass. The day has been planned to balance the amount of walking with practical breaks, so the experience feels active without becoming rushed. You also travel through the city’s newer face with an Olympic Park stop and visit to traditional workshops that add local context to the sightseeing.
The journey then continues by high-speed train to Shanghai, which gives the itinerary a strong sense of contrast rather than repetition. After arrival, the programme moves from the Jade Buddha Temple and Yuyuan Garden to Nanjing Road and The Bund, where the city’s historic riverfront and modern skyline sit side by side. The itinerary also includes a look at the Oriental Pearl area from outside, which works especially well in the late afternoon light.
A full day to Zhujiajiao adds a slower change of pace, with canals, stone bridges and narrow lanes that show a very different part of the region’s story. Back in Shanghai, the museum visit and French Concession walk round out the trip with culture, architecture and a little space to explore at your own pace before departure. With hotel stays, daily breakfast, selected dinners, private transfers and guided sightseeing built in, this itinerary is designed for travellers who want a clear, well-paced introduction to Beijing and Shanghai in one holiday.
You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.
Meet in Beijing on arrival. Final airport, station and pickup details are shared with the travel documents.
China
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are ideal. Avoid Golden Week (Oct 1–7) peak crowds.
No, the train ticket is listed as an exclusion, although the itinerary includes the rail transfer itself. Final train arrangements should be checked with the operator before travel.
The Juyong Pass section includes uneven steps and moderate walking. Comfortable shoes, water and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Daily breakfast and daily dinner are included, while lunches and any meals not specifically mentioned are at your own expense.
Yes. It covers Beijing and Shanghai’s major landmarks, includes guided sightseeing and keeps transfers between cities straightforward.
Yes. Several days include scheduled free time or shopping time, especially in Shanghai, so you can explore at your own pace.
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