Best Beijing and Shanghai
China
China
China’s short tour of Beijing and Shanghai. Begin with the sacred and architecturally unique Temple of Heaven that has come to symbolise Beijing. Continue to the magnificent grounds of the Summer Palace with palaces and pavilions set on the Longevity Hill and around Kunming Lake. In Jingshan Park, stand at the Pavilion for best views of the Forbidden City. Later explore the Hutong’s around the Drum Tower and explore the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.
Shanghai is more vibrant city with a historical riverfront area, known as the Bund. Set on the banks of the Huang Pau River, it separates old Shanghai from the new area of Pudong. Stroll down buzzing Nanjing Road with views of the Pearl TV Tower. Visit the Old Chinese Quarter and wander through the Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar. Other sights include the Shanghai Museum, the People’s Square and the famous water towns.
TRAVEL UNTAMED ON THIS 8 DAY TOUR OF BEIJING & SHANGHAI…
And, explore its art galleries and cultural hotspots with your private guide.
Best Beijing and Shanghai Explore mainland China’s two great cities: imperial Beijing and fast-paced Shanghai.
Beijing, Shanghai
(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Begin in Beijing, renowned for historical and cultural magnificence. With six World Heritage Sites it is a famous tourist city. With your private guide, visit the fabulous ancient buildings, imperial gardens, and religious temples. Tour imperial masterpieces such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and lesser-known temples. Travel by rickshaw or opt to bicycle down the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighbourhood.
Stay at China’s top luxury properties and dine on traditional specialties at favourite family-run restaurants. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city’s burgeoning contemporary art scene. Spend one day hiking along a less-touristy section of the Great Wall of China.
Next, fly to Shanghai, located on a delta where the Yangtze River pours into the East China Sea. Lying in the centre where the coastline of the North and South China join, the city enjoys convenient transportation with a vast hinterland. During private touring see the famous Three Temples, learn about Shanghai’s history through the architecture of the Bund and cruise on the Huangpu River.
Visit Shanghai’s old town and stop for tea and dumplings the city’s oldest teahouse. Also visit up-and-coming neighbourhoods filled with art galleries, design shops and stylish new restaurants. One day, visit the classic Ming Dynasty gardens that we’ve chosen as our favourites or take an excursion to Suzhou or another nearby water town to cruise canals lined with Ming Dynasty homes.
Day 1 – Arrive
Beijing Private arrival transfer to hotel for 4 nights
Day 2 – Tour
Beijing Full-day private city touring.
Day 3 – Tour
Great Wall Private excursion to the Great Wall. Evening Peking Opera performance.
Day 4 – Tour
Beijing Full-day private touring in Beijing.
Day 5 – Transfer
Shanghai Transfer and flight to Shanghai for 3 nights. Afternoon private touring.
Day 6 – Tour
Shanghai Full-day private city touring.
Day 7 – Tour
Shanghai Private excursion to Suzhou or continue city touring.
Day 8 – Depart
Shanghai Private airport transfer.
Hotels
Make this your holiday
Getting There Beijing Capital International Airport, about 12 miles (19 kilometres) northeast of the city centre, is served by numerous international carriers from the UK. Taxis at the airport are plentiful; the ride into town costs about $20 and can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic. For the adventuresome there's also a train that whisks you in 23 minutes to a fairly central station in Beijing from which you can cab it to your hotel.
When to go The best time to visit China is during autumn (September to early November) when the skies are clear and the weather is at its comfortable best. The days are warm, sunny and dry with clear skies and pleasantly cool evenings. Local Beijingers describe this short season as tiāngāo qìshuǎng (literally ‘the sky is high and the air is fresh’).
The second-best time is spring, late March to mid-May, when winds blow away the pollution but also sometimes bring clouds of scouring sand for a day or two, turning the sky a livid yellow (great for pictures). From May onwards the mercury begins to surge well over 30°C until the rains arrive. The months of July and August are sultry and humid.
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