6 Days Shanghai Beijing Contrast Tour by High Speed Train

Airport or railway station pick up and check in hotel

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the biggest metropolis of China!

Upon arrival, be greeted by our tour guide in the Arrival Hall who is holding a sign with your name. Before transferred to your hotel, you will firstly be taken to experience one of the fastest trains in the world - Shanghai Maglev Train (Optional).

Started operation at 2003, the Shanghai Maglev Train is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world. Running at the highest speed of 430km per hour, the Shanghai Maglev Train takes only 8 minutes to transfer from Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road Station in the central downtown of Shanghai. Passengers hardly can hear any noise, and feel any jolt, because the maglev trains run with touching the railway line. The facilities inside the trains are very modern, clean and comfortable. (Note: The Maglev Train only operates between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station from 06:45 AM to 21:42 PM )

Optional Activity: Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, including breathtaking “balls of death” acts, chair balancing, hula hoops, juggling of benches, walking in the air, and other breathtaking performances (usually performed during 19:30~21:00)

Today's highlights: Shanghai Museum, Wukang Road City Walk, Shanghai Tower, the Bund

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to start your Shanghai exploration. Your will firstly visit Lujiazui and ride one of the world's fastest elevators to the 118th-floor observation deck (at 546 meters / 1,791 feet) of the Shanghai Tower — the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, standing at 632 meters (2,073 feet). From this incredible height, you'll enjoy a jaw-dropping 360° panoramic view of Shanghai's dynamic skyline, including the modern Pudong area, the historic Bund, and the winding Huangpu River.

Next, visit Shanghai Museum East, which collected many international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, jade from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing dynasty. An Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you to help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily.

After Lunch, take a leisurely walk on the charming Wukang Road which was a special premier living quarter and retail district for expats in early Shanghai (from 1849 AD until 1943 AD). You will browse hundreds of old European-style buildings, apartments, villas, boutique shops, restaurants of a wide range of culinary styles standing among the ultra-modern architecture complex. It is a significant window into the city’s up-and-down history.

Later, get to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s earliest commercial street and one of the most popular current landmarks. Lots of big name brands, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops and towering buildings can be seen when you stroll around this busy pedestrian mall. Continue your walk to the Bund, the No.1 attraction in Shanghai and the best viewing deck for the skyline of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, a cluster of futuristic skyscrapers including Shanghai Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Oriental Pearl Tower rising from what was once a fishing village. The view captures Shanghai's extraordinary transformation from a treaty port to a global financial hub and innovation powerhouse. Lined with 52 historic European-style buildings, the Bund is also often hailed as an open-air museum of world architecture. Take a pleasant stroll along the promenade, enjoying both the grandeur of the past and the futuristic skyline.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel. (If you want to spend free time at the Bund, Nanjing Road or somewhere else please let your tour guide know.)

Optional Activity - Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).

Today's highlights: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Tianzifang

Have you wondered why Shanghai developed into a modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan city from what was originally a shabby fishing village? This morning’s tour to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will answer that question fully while also giving you an overview of the City’s ambitious plans for future. The Center is a fashionably designed modern museum, themed with “City, Citizens, Environment and Development”. Different usages of photography, models and interactive multimedia displays make your visit enjoyable and entertaining. The best features are the old rare photos of landmarks, such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, during the international settlement, and the large scale model showing the detailed layout of Shanghai.

Next, you will be transferred to Tianzifang which is touristic arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a renovated traditional residential area. It is the typical tourist attraction to appreciate the preservation of local Shikumen architecture. In this place full of rich flavor of life, you can leisurely stroll along the clean old alleys to watch the daily life of local Shanghai people, savor a cup of drink at the open-air café, and find some interesting things in the novel shops to feel the international feature mixed with real Shanghai culture.

Your Shanghai tour is now about to end. You will be escorted to catch a high speed train to Beijing (about 4~5 hrs), the capital city of China. Upon arrival at Beijing, you will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall and escorted to check in to your hotel in Beijing downtown.

Today's highlights: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace

After breakfast, you will start a journey through Beijing's storied past with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public plaza. This iconic site is where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China from the imposing Tiananmen Gate.

Step through Tiananmen Gate and into the heart of imperial China - Forbidden City (Palace Museum). This vast palace complex of nearly 10,000 rooms, once home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties, stands as a marvel of architectural brilliance and historical grandeur. Admire the intricate details, from the dazzling yellow-glazed tile roofs to the refined white marble bases. As you explore the myriad rooms and courtyards, envision the lives of emperors, empresses, and their courtiers.

After leaving the Forbidden City, take a short walk to Jingshan Park, where you can ascend to its summit for a panoramic view. From here, marvel at the sweeping vistas of the Forbidden City to the south and the serene landscapes of Beihai Park, Shichahai Lake, and the iconic Drum Tower to the north. For unforgettable photos, make your way to one of the palace's corner towers, a favorite spot among photography enthusiasts.

Following lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to experience the enchanting Summer Palace. Once the exclusive summer retreat of the imperial family, this site is renowned as China's largest and most well-preserved royal garden. Discover a stunning array of ancient pavilions, grand mansions, serene temples, and elegant bridges. The Long Corridor, stretching along the peaceful shores of Kunming Lake, is adorned with thousands of vibrant paintings that tell captivating stories of history and mythology.

Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel.

Optional Night Activities:
1) Enjoy a thrilling acrobatic show featuring incredible feats of strength, balance, and agility.
2) Or experience the classic Chinese performing art of Peking Opera at the renowned Liyuan Theater.

Tday's highlight: Mutianyu Great Wall, Sacred Way, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

This morning, you'll be driven approximately 70 km (about 1.5 hours) to the iconic Mutianyu Great Wall, a less-crowded yet beautiful section of this World Wonder. Begin your adventure by ascending the wall via an enclosed cable car, reaching No. 14 Watchtower, your starting point for an unforgettable experience. Hike westward along the wall, passing through towering watchtowers and capturing breathtaking panoramic views. The trail is moderate, suitable for most fitness levels, including families with children. For the more adventurous, challenge yourself by climbing the Great Man Slope to No. 20 Watchtower, the highest point, offering an even more spectacular vista. After exploring the wonderful sightseeing, hike back to No. 14 Watchtower and descend by the enclosed cable car.

Optional Toboggan Experience: For an extra thrill at Mutianyu, travelers (under 60 years old) may consider taking the toboggan ride to descend the Great Wall, available at No. 6 Watchtower. Note that there might be a queue, especially during peak seasons like Chinese holidays.

Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of the 13 Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, known as the Son of Heaven, would travel from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way and return to Heaven through this road. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and the Great Palace Gate, and you'll see the magnificent stone guard statues of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. Then, drive back to Beijing and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel.

Optional Night Activity: After the day's tour, treat yourself to a great dinner and taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck, a world-renowned dish with crisp skin and juicy meat.

Today's highlights: Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs

After breakfast, you will visit Temple of Heaven, a historic site once used by emperors for sacrificial ceremonies. As you explore this grand complex of buildings and gardens, you'll discover the rituals and beliefs of the Ming and Qing emperors, who sought divine blessings for good harvests through intricate ceremonies. Beyond its historical importance, you'll observe vibrant local life, with residents practicing Tai Chi, dancing, and engaging in various exercises among the lush pine woods.

Then get back to the central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs - narrow alleys lined with historic quadrangle dwellings. This journey will immerse you in the traditional Beijing lifestyle, where you can explore charming antique shops, boutique stores, and witness the city's historical evolution. You'll also visit a local family's home in the Hutongs, offering a glimpse into everyday life.

Optional Activity: If time permits, you may join a class on Traditional Chinese Paper Cutting in the Hutong area. Learn to create beautiful designs and motifs with the guidance of a skilled teacher.

Your Beijing tour is now about to end. Your tour guide will escort you to catch your flight/train to next destination.