Tour of History and modern development of China: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

Arrival in Beijing Welcome to the magnificent city of Beijing! To make your arrival as smooth as possible, our dedicated private tour guide will greet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to your hotel via a private vehicle. We will also handle your luggage and assist with the hotel check-in process.

Lunch or dinner would be arranged according to the voucher Linkedtours gives you. Otherwise you can find some local restaurants nearby or have meals in the hotel.

Hotel options:

ATOUR Hotel Beijing Yansha Sanyuan Bridge (4-star)

Doubletree by Hilton (5-star)

Begin your day at the Temple of Heaven, an esteemed complex of religious structures that epitomizes the connection between Earth and Heaven. Here, you'll witness local residents engaging in their distinctive morning exercises. For lunch, enjoy a meal at a well-known local eatery, featuring authentic regional cuisine. Your guide will assist you in selecting dishes that suit your taste.

Stroll through Tian'anmen Square and delve into the enigmatic Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace. Venture off the beaten path within the Forbidden City to uncover fascinating tales of notable figures, stories often overlooked by conventional tour guides.

• Morning: Embark on a journey to the Badaling Section of the Great Wall. As the most restored and visited part of the wall, it offers a dramatic and impressive experience with its steep slopes and majestic watchtowers. The cable car can be taken to ascend to the wall, saving energy for the walk.

• Lunch: At a restaurant at the foot of the wall, offering hearty meals.

• Afternoon: Visit the Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the burial complex of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. You will visit the Changling Tomb, the largest and most well-preserved, and walk along the Spirit Way, a sacred pathway lined with dozens of imposing stone animal and official statues that guard the tombs.

• Dinner: Back in Beijing at your hotel or a local restaurant.

Explore the Summer Palace, a Qing Dynasty masterpiece featuring Kunming Lake, marble boats, and the Long Corridor's painted ceilings. Glide across the lake by dragon boat for a royal perspective. 

Lunch. Later, board a high-speed train to Xi'an (4.5-6 hours), passing rural landscapes and ancient villages. 

Hotel options: 

- Mercure Xi'an: A beautiful and comfortable hotel, easy access to the tourist attraction.

- Grand Mercure Xi'an: A hotel in tradational Chinese style located next to the Shaanxi Provincial Government. 

- Hyatt Xi'an: A luxury hotel near the South Lake in the Cultural Development Zone of this ancient city.

- Legend： A luxury hotel sitting next to Sofitel in the walled area of Xi'an.

• Morning (approx. 08:30 - 12:00):

• Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum: Depart from the hotel for a drive to Lintong District. Explore one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Witness thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, chariots, and horses arranged in battle formation, built to guard the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife.

  
  

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• Lunch (approx. 12:30):

• Venue: Guanzhong Lao Wan Restaurant (Lintong District). Enjoy a traditional Shaanxi lunch in a local restaurant.

  
  

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• Afternoon (approx. 14:00 - 17:00):

• Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: Visit the famous Buddhist pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty. The pagoda was constructed to hold the sutras and figurines of Buddha brought from India by the monk Xuanzang.

• Surrounding Area: Stroll around the scenic square and park at the base of the pagoda.

  
  

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• Dinner (approx. 18:30):

• Venue: Xi'an Restaurant (À la carte dining). Dinner will be à la carte. (Please note: This meal is at the guests' own expense.)

  
  

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• Evening (after dinner):

• Night Tour of Datang Everbright City (Tang Paradise): Experience the spectacular night views of this grand cultural theme park. Enjoy the magnificent Tang-style architecture, brilliant light displays, and cultural performances that recreate the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

Hotel accommodation is on your own.

The ancient city wall in Xi'an is one of the few fortresses in China. It is a unique experience to walk along the wall or ride a bicycle on it.

Then you would be taken to the airport or railway station and get to the next destination.

Morning: 

Visit the Shanghai Museum. The Shanghai Museum is a large-scale museum of ancient Chinese art and is one of the first batch of national first-class museums.

Afternoon: 

Visit Yu Garden and the surrounding markets. Yu Garden is not only a historical and cultural landmark of the city of Shanghai but also a treasure of traditional Chinese culture.

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your onward journey.