Select your resident country, plan your China trip!

More...

China Highlight Independent Tour

Day By Day Suggested Itinerary

On arrival in Beijing, try to find your way to your hotel - Tian Rui Hotel Beijing we have booked for you. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city.

If you arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport, you may take airport express train and subway to easily get to your Tian Rui Hotel. First take Beijing Airport Express Train (RMB 25) directly from the airport to its final stop of Dongzhimen Station (东直门站), then interchange for subway line 2 （RMB 2） to the northeast direction and get off at the next station of Yonghegong ( Lama Temple ) 雍和宫站, again interchange for subway line 5 to the south direction and alight at the 4th station of Dengshikou (灯市口), exit from Exit A. Just by the Exit A there is a narrow lane known as Baishu Hutong 柏树胡同(Cypress Lane), you enter the Baishu Hutong at its east entrance and walk toward the west about 150m, you will find your Tian Rui Hotel on your right side. Please check the Beijing Subway Map and How to take subway in Beijing for more subway information. For a 100km taxi ride from the airport to Tian Rui Hotel, the taxi fare is around RMB 100.

Well, check in and settle down at Tian Rui Hotel. We suggest you go out in the evening to walk off your meals you had on your long flights and relax yourself a bit. Out from your hotel, turn right and walk along the Baishu Hutong to the west for about 50m, you will see St. Joseph's Church, the famous Catholic Church on Wangfujing Avenue. Then turn left and stroll along Wangfujing Street（王府井大街), the most famous commercial street in Beijing. Wangfujing Street is 1600 meters in length, running from south to north. Now part of it has been transformed into a pedestrian street since 1999. Its 810m pedestrian section starts from the south ( Chang'an Street ) and finshes at the crossroad in the north. East of the crossroad is Jinyu Hutong ( 金鱼胡同）and west is Donganmen Street（东安门大街). Along the Donganmen Street there is a well-known night food street called the Donghuamen Night Food Market (东华门美食坊夜市). Explore the Wangfujing Street and have a bite of the local food at Donghuamen Night Food Market before going back to your hotel for a sound sleep.

Meals: No

Hotel: Tian Rui Hotel Beijing

Today we suggest you visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and Back Lakes (Hou Hai).

You may walk to Tiananmen Square (3.3km) or take subway. For subway travel（RMB 2), you first take subway line 5 from Dengshikou Station ( Exit A) to the south direction and alight at the next station of Dongdan (东单站）, then interchange for subway line 1 to the west and alight at the second station of Tiananmen East (天安门东) and exit from Exit D, and you will see Tiananmen Square. Beside the square itself, Tiananmen Square is mainly composed of the national flagpole (spectacular flag ceremony) in the north; the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in the middle and the beautiful Zhengyang Gate in the south. Please check Tips for Visiting Tiananmen Square for more information.

Through a underground tunnel, you move on from Tiananmen Square to the Tiananmen Gate on the north of Tiananmen Square. Passing through Tiananmen Gate, you will get to the south gate to Forbidden City (entrance fee: RMB 65), also known as the Imperial Palace Museum. The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. There are two main entrances to the Forbidden City - the southern gate ( Meridian Gate – Wumen) and northern gate( Gate of Divine – Shenwu Men ). The southern gate is linked to Tiananmen Gate and Tiananmen Square to the south. You have to enter Forbidden City from its southern gate and eixt from its northern gate, which is officially set as a one-way south to north travel route. Please check Forbidden City Travel Tips – The Palace Museum Travel Tips for more information.

Jingshan just sits across the north gate to Forbidden City. After finishing your visit of Forbidden City from south to north, you exit from Forbidden City's north gate. Raising your head, you will find a pavilion with three layered eaves perched on a hill. The hill is called Jingshan Hill ( Coal Hill or prospect Hill). The main road between the north gate area of Forbiden City and the south gate to Jingshan Park is full blocked. To get across to the south gate to Jingshan Park, you just turn left for 20 meters and take the underground pass. Line up for the tickets: RMB 2 per person (RMB10 per person during Peony Festival April and May). Opening hours: 6am – 9pm all year round. Enter the south gate and follow your nose up the top of the hill and get to the pavillion named Wanchun pavilion perched high on the hill for a panoramic view of Forbidden City. Please check Jingshan Park not to be missed and Sunset View at Jingshan Park for more information. Outside the west gate to Jingshan Park, you may find a local restaurant for a simple Chinese lunch.

Opposite the west gate to Jingshan Park is the east gate to Beihai Park (entrance fee: RMB 10). Beihai Park, dubbed as Winter Palace by westerners, is the oldest imperial garden in the world as well as one of the largest in China. This huge imperial garden has a history of over 1,000 years. Originally built in 938 during Liao Dynasty(916 – 1125). The park was repaired and rebuilt in the successive dynasties including Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1125 – 1644). It was first opened to the public in 1925. Beihai Park is well known for its beautiful gardens, the maze in the stone cave, temples and pavillions. Atop the Jade Island in Beihai Park, the White Dagoba becomes an important landmark of the city. Please check How to visit Beihai Park Beijing for more information.

Exit from the northern gate to Beihai Park and cross the Dianmen East Avenue (地安门西大街), you are in Shichahai Area (often referred as ”Houhai”, or “Back Lake” by foreign visitors who kill time in its bar area in the evening). If you are fed up with the gentrification in Beijing; if you lose interest in modern Beijing; if you feel sad about the fact that Beijing is becoming less like Beijing; if you try to find a quiet place in the busy Beijing, come to Shichahai! Please check How to visit Shichahai for more information.

After visiting and relaxing in Shichahai area, you may go back to the Dianmen West Avenue (地安门西大街) opposite the north gate to Beihai Park and turn right (west) and walk about 300m, you will get to the Exit B of Beihai Bei (Beihai North) Subway Station of Subway Line 6 ( 6号地铁北海北站), take the subway to the east direction and alight at the 3th station of Dengshikou (灯市口), exit from Exit A. Just by the Exit A there is a narrow lane known as Baishu Hutong 柏树胡同(Cypress Lane), you enter the Baishu Hutong at its east entrance and walk toward the west about 150m, you will find your Tian Rui Hotel on your right side. The last subway train leaves around 11:00pm. If you miss the train due to your happy time in Houhai, you take a taxi back to your hotel from Shichahai area ( taxi fare around RMB30 for 5km ).

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Tian Rui Hotel Beijing

Today we suggest you visit Badaling Great Wall and Lama Temple.

Badaling Great Wall is the only Wall that you can directly reach by train: 12 daily "S trains" from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall and 12 daily trains from Badaling Great Wall back to Beijing North Railway Station. It is easy to take subway from your hotel to Beijing North Railway Station. All the S train tickets are free seating. Like public buses, no need for advance train tickets booking. Just line up and buy the train tickets on the spot. One way ticket only, if you want to buy a return ticket, you have to buy it from other side. In tourist high season, the trains fill up quite fast and once it is full, you will have to wait for the next train. We suggest you start early for Beijing North Railway Station to catch an earlier train. First take subway line 5 from Dengshikou Station ( Exit A) to the north direction and alight at the 4th station of Yonghegong ( Lama Temple ) 雍和宫站, interchange for subway line 2 to the west direction and alight at the 4th station of Xizhimen (西直门), exit from Exit A and you will get to Beijing North Railway Station.

Get off at the Badaling Railway Station, then follow the throng to the east direction and walk about 1.2km before you reach the ticketing office of the Badaling Great Wall ( entrance fee: RMB 45). Cable Car: RMB60 (single trip); RMB80 (round trip). The Badaling Great Wall is the well preserved Ming Dynasty Great Wall with original appearance. Now it is divided into two sections - north and south starting at the Badaling Pass and Gate. Most people prefer to climb the north section where the highest watch tower is located. There are lots of restaurants where you could have a simple lunch. Check Badaling Great Wall Train and Badaling Great Wall Hiking for more information.

Note: If you want to visit Mutianyu Great Wall instead of Badaling Great Wall, you may take the public bus from Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽). First take subway line 5 from Dengshikou Station ( Exit A) to the north direction and alight at the 4th station of Yonghegong ( Lama Temple ) 雍和宫站, interchange for subway line 2 to the east direction and alight at the next station of Dongzhimen (东直门), enter Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub through a connected channel from Dongzhimen Subway Station. Please check Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub for more information.

After hiking the Badaling Great Wall, return to Badaling Train Station and buy your return ticket back to Beijing North Ralway Station. Take subway line 2 from Beijing North Railway Station to the east direction and get off at the 4th station of Yonghegong ( Lama Temple ) 雍和宫站, exit from Exit C adjacent to Yonghegong St (雍和宫大街). Out and turn left walking alongside the red wall of Yonghegong to the south direction for about 400 meters, you will reach the entrance gate to Lama Temple / Yonghegong /雍和宫 ( entrance fee: RMB 25) on your left side. Beijing Lamasery Temple is called "Yonghegong" (雍和宫) in Chinese which literally mesans "Harmony and Peace". "Yonghegong" is a romanization form (pinyin) of Chinese charactors – 雍和宫 (Lama Temple). Yonghegong Lama Temple was originally built as the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was still a prince. After he came to the throne (Emperor Yongzheng), he changed his old residence into a temporary palace called "Yonghegong" in 1725. In 1744, his successor, Emperor Qianlong turned the palace into a lama temple. Check How to visit Lama Temple for more information.

At the end of your Lama Temple tour, return to Lama Temple Subway Station and take subway line 5 to the south direction and alight at the 4th station of Dengshikou (灯市口), exit from Exit A. Just by the Exit A there is a narrow lane known as Baishu Hutong 柏树胡同(Cypress Lane), you enter the Baishu Hutong at its east entrance and walk toward the west about 150m, you will find your Tian Rui Hotel on your right side.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Tian Rui Hotel Beijing

Today we suggest you visit Temple of Heaven, Qianmen Street and Summer Palace.

After breakfast, take subway line 5 from the station of Dengshikou (灯市口) to the south direction and alight at the 4th station of Tiantan Dongmen (天坛东门), exit from Exit A1 and you will see the east gate to the Temple of Heaven 天坛 (entrance fee: RMB15). It was first constructed in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Ming emperor Yongle. It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would worship the god of heaven and pray for good harvest. Check How to visit the Temple of Heaven for information.

Return to the subway station of Tiantan Dongmen (天坛东门), take the subway line 5 to the north direction and alight at the second station of Chongwenmen (崇文门) and interchange for subway line 2 to the west direction and get off at the next station of Qianmen (前门) and exit at either B or C. The Qianmen Subway Station is sandwiched by two towers - Zhengyangmen Tower in the north and Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower in the south. The northern entrance to Qianmen Street (前门大街) is just behind Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower. North of Zhengyangmen Tower is Tiananmen Square. Check How to Visit Qianmen Area Beijing for more information. Qianmen Street is dotted with eateries of various tastes. Just grab a bite for your lunch here.

Again return to the subway station of Qianmen (前门) and take the subway line 2 to the west direction and alight at the second station of Xuanwumen (宣武门), then interchange for subway line 4 to the northest direction and get off at the 16th station ( the last but one ) of Beigongmen (北宫门) and exit from Exit D and walk to the west, soon you will see the north gate ( Beigongmen Gate 北宫门 ）to Summer Palace 颐和园 (entrance fee:RMB30) on your left side. There are three main gates to Summer Palace. Beigongmen Gate is the north gate. Check How to Visit Summer Palace for more information. At the end of your Summer Palace tour, return to the north gate to take subway line 4 to the east direction and alight at the 10th station of Xizhimen (西直门), then interchange for subway line 2 and get off at the 4th station Yonghegong ( Lama Temple ) 雍和宫站, again interchange for subway line 5 to the south direction and alight at the 4th station of Dengshikou (灯市口), exit from Exit A. Just by the Exit A there is a narrow lane known as Baishu Hutong 柏树胡同(Cypress Lane), you enter the Baishu Hutong at its east entrance and walk toward the west about 150m, you will find your Tian Rui Hotel on your right side. The taxi ride from Summer Palace to Tian Rui Hotel costs about RMB80 (25km).

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Tian Rui Hotel Beijing

Today, you are at leisure till your transfer on your own to Beijing West Railway Station for overnight train ( 4-bed cabin ) going to Xian. Overnight on train.

Your Hotel - Beijing West Railway Station by subway:
First take subway line 5 at the station of Dengshikou (灯市口) to the north and get off at next station of Dongsi (东四) and interchange for Subway Line 6 to the west direction and get off at the 6th station of Baishiqiao South （白石桥南), then again interchange for Subway Line 9 to the south direction and get off at the second station of Beijing West Railway Station (北京西站）and start your train travel. The taxi ride from your hotel to Beijing West Railway Station costs about RMB50.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: No

The city of Xian has two railway stations - Xian Railway Station and Xian North Railway Station. Your overnight train will arrive at Xian Railway Staion in the early morning.

Alight your overnight train in the morning, we suggest you deposit your heavy luggage in the left luggage office at Xian Railway Station for small amount of money. Then you walk to your left side ( the square east of the train station), you will find the tourism bus terminal for Terra Cotta Army (entrance fee: RMB 150 (March 1-November 30); RMB 120 (December 1-the end of February). Tourism Bus 5 (306) is set for Terra Cotta Army. You don't have to buy the bus ticket in advance. Just wait in line and jump on the bus, and later a bus guide will come to you and collec the money – RMB 7 per person.

Tourism Bus 5 (306): Railway Station to Huaqing Hot Spring and Terra Cotta Army
Operating Hour: 8:00 - 18:00 hourly
Fare: RMB 7
For more information on the independent travel of Terra-cotta Army, please check the page of How to visit Terracotta Army in Xian.

At the end of your visit to the Terra-Cotta Soliders, please use the same tourist bus back to Xian Railway Station. Take your luggage from the left baggage office. It is difficult to hail a taxi in the train station area, we recommend you to take a pulic bus to our pre-booked hotel. Carrying your luggage, walk to the south crossing the city gate and you will find Bus 603 in front of a KFC and Xian Long-distance Bus Station (西安汽车站). The double-deck Bus No. 603 only costs two yuan from Xian Train Station to the Bell Tower downtown. It is better to get some changes - two Yuan for the bus ride. You get off at the 5th stop - Bell Tower Stop, then walk along the South Avenue for about 150 meters, you will see your hotel on the right side - Xian Skytel Hotel ( booked by us ).

For the layout of Xian, please check the page of Xian City Layout.

Meals: No

Hotel: Xian Skytel Hotel

Whole day sightseeing in Xian and we suggest you take an overnight train back to Beijing or Shanghai. Today we recommend you visit the Muslim Quarters, Bell Tower and the City Wall.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and deposit your heavy baggage at the hotel front desk. Leave your hotel, turn north and walk along the South Avenue and get to the Bell Tower. To the west of the Bell Tower is located the Drum Tower. Behind the Drum Tower ( north of the Drum Tower）is the famous Muslim Quarters in Xian.

For the tourists coming here, the bazaar in the Muslim area is most attractive with a wide area of stalls selling everything. The streets and walkways are full of life. The shopping is great, very cheap and some unusual items we will seldom see anywhere else in China.

The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China. Unlike most mosques in Middle Easternor Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xian is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for someArabic lettering and decorations. Entrance Fee: RMB 25.

Then move on to the nearby Bell Tower(entrance fee: RMB 20), before you ascen the tower, you are adviced to take a break at Starbucks at Bell Tower. Each city had a bell tower and drum tower. Xian is no exception. This 36-meter high Bell Tower in Xian is the largest and best preserved in China. Xian Bell Tower stands in the center of Xian city proper from which, four main avenues are laid out – East, West, South and North. The four main avenues meets four main gates of Xian's Ming City Wall accordingly. Climb up the tower and have a panoramic view of the city of Xian.

Then take bus 603 to the south and get off at the next stop of South Gate (南门）where you start to visit the Xian City Wall(entrance fee: RMB 40). Now it is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide overing 14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. You can walk, even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the most largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing.

You can take Bus 603 from the stop of South Gate or you may walk to your hote - Xian Skytel Hotel. You may take a break or have something to eat before take your luggage and take a taxi to Xian Railway Station ( taxi fare：around RMB 15 ). Then take overnight train from Xian to Shanghai. Overnight on train ( 4-bed cabin ）．

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: No

Upon arrival at Shanghai in the morning, please find your way to Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai.Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai is located to the northwest of Shanghai Railway Station, just about 100 meters' walk.

This afternoon, we suggest you visit Jin Mao Tower ( in Pudong New Area ), Nanjing Road, and the Bund. First you walk to the Subway Station at Shanghai Railway Station and take subway line 1 and alight at the third stop of People's Square (人民广场), interchange for subway line 2 to the east direction and alight at the second stop of Lujiazui (陆家嘴) and exit from Exit 4 and walk eastward along the Century Avenue (世纪大道) for about 540m and you will see Jin Mao Tower (entrance fee: RMB100) on your right side. At the time of my writing, Jin Mao Tower is the third tallest building in Shanghai as well as in the whole China. No Shanghai is complete without ascending the 88-floor building and having a panoramic view of Huangpu River, the Bund and the city of Shanghai.

At the end of your Jin Mao Tower tour, return to the subway station of Lujiazui (陆家嘴) and take subway line 2 to the west direction and get off at the next station of East Nanjing Road (南京东路) and exit either from Exit 1 or 4 and walk to the east directiong along the East Nanjing Road. Shanghai Nanjing Road is a walking street that is always packed with people waching other people. It is regarded as the first commercial road in Shanghai.

After about 1 km's walk, you will reach the Bund. The Bund and its east skyline of Pudong new development zone is the avant-garde area in China and the world as well in arts, architecture, finance and etc. The colonial-era buildings in early 1920s flanked by the bund and the most advanced and morden structures by its neighnbour in Pudong area across Huangpu river posts a sharp contrast to the fast development in Shanghai. The Bund at Night is brilliant! You may stroll along the Bund till its nightfall. If time permits, you may take a night boat cruising on the Huangpu River ( about RMB 100 for one hour) from the Shiliupu Wharf, a 5-minute walk south of the Bund.

At the end of your day, you may walk back to the subway station of East Nanjing Road (南京东路) and get off at the station of People's Square (人民广场), and interchange for subway line 1 and alight at the station of Shanghai Railway Station (上海火车站), exit from Exit 4 and walk to your hotel, about 60 meters to the northwest of the train station. Dog-tired? Take s shower and go to bed

Meals: No

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai

Today we recommend you visit the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Yuyuan Garden and Bazzar.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and deposit your heavy baggage at the hotel front desk. Leave your hotel, first you walk to the Subway Station at Shanghai Railway Station and take subway line 1 and alight at the third stop of People's Square (人民广场), exit from Exit 1 and you will see the circular building of Shanghai Museum in the shape of an ancient bronze ding (entrance fee: free ). Get ready for your passport to get a free ticket for the museum. The museum has the selection of over 112,000 Chinese cultural relics from the Old Stone Age to modern times. It is impossible to visit all the artifacts in the museum and just get a feel of what is interesting to you.

Then walk about 440m to the northwest of Shanghai Museum, you will see Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall ( entrance fee: free ). Its entrance is from Xizang Road by the Exit 2 of People's Square Subway Station. On the third floor, you will see the exhibits featuring Shanghai's idealised future at the end of 2020. The future's plan is seet on a model supported by maps and photos.

Next, we suggest you visit Yuyuan Garden and Bazzar (entrance fee: RMB 30 for Yuyuan Garden). Entering the Exit 2 of People's Square Subway, then take subway line 2 to the east direction and alight at the next stop of East Nanjing Road (南京东路), then interchange for Subway line 10 to the south and get off at the next stop of Yuyuan Garden (豫园), exit from Exit 1. Walk to the south, you will come across Fuyou Road (福佑路), walk along Fuyou to the east direction for about 800m and you will get to the Yuyuan compound which includes Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Shopping Mall and Bazaar. Yuyuan is the most famous garden in Shanghai. It is located in the heart of Shanghai's Old City, one of the few existant old tourist places in Shanghai. Close to the gardens is Shanghai's bazaar, a great number of small streets and lanes where vendors sell their products and food stuffs to the tourists and local people.

Go back to your hotel by subway 10, interchange for subway 2 and 1. Or you may take a taxi directly from Yuyuan Garden to your hotel Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai (taxi fare: about RMB40). Retrieve your luggage and either take subway or taxi to Shanghai airports or railway stations for your next destination.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

Hotel: No

Price List for this tour (Price per person in US dollars)

Price inclusion: 1.Double Occupancy or Single Occupancy at our selected hotels (6 nights) with breakfast. 2. Beijing - Xian - Shanghai soft sleeper tickets ( 4-bed cabin ) 3.Professional travel consulting service via email and on phone ( service time: 09:00 - 17:00 ) 4.The prices above are subject to reconfirmation from our trip advisors when an actual booking is being made.

Reservation Notes

Questions & Answers:

Here is only for Questions and Answers. ( For anyone who wants to have an enquiry or customized tour, please email us to . )