Great China Tour: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, 11 Days
An 11 day route linking Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by high-speed train.
Imperial heritage across China
This tour moves from the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing to the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, then on to The Bund and the canals of Zhujiajiao in Shanghai. Cities are linked by high-speed train, and the route brings together food and culture, from a Peking duck feast to a farewell cruise on the Huangpu River.
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Eleven days across three of China's great cities. Beijing brings Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, along with a rickshaw ride through the hutong streets and a Peking duck dinner.
A high-speed train carries the route to Xi'an, home to the Terracotta Army, one of the great archaeological finds of the modern era, and the Ancient City Walls that still ring the old town. The Muslim Quarter traces the city's history as a stop on the Silk Road.
The route closes in Shanghai, with The Bund, Yu Garden and Nanjing Road. A boat trip through the water town of Zhujiajiao, known as the Venice of China, and a farewell cruise on the Huangpu River complete the trip. Flights, eight nights in hotels, city tours and the high-speed train tickets are included.
Forbidden City
Home to 24 emperors over 500 years, the world's largest palace complex.
Terracotta Army
Thousands of life-size soldiers guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
High-speed rail
Travel from Beijing to Xi'an at speeds up to 300 kilometres an hour.
Planning your budgetThe China visa, meals outside the programme and personal expenses are not included. A total gratuity of about 100 USD per person is recommended for local guides and drivers. See details →
The route of the journey
We land at Beijing Airport at 07:15 local time.
01Istanbul to BeijingDirect flight to China with the night spent on board.
Overnight flight to Beijing
Our journey begins at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport. Turkish Airlines flight TK 196 departs for Beijing, China's capital, at 17:05.
The night is spent on board during our direct flight.
Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK 196, Istanbul 17:05.
02Arrival in Beijing and the Forbidden CityTiananmen Square and the Forbidden City's palace complex.
Arrival and the Forbidden City
We land at Beijing Airport at 07:15 local time. After customs formalities, our private vehicle takes us to Tiananmen Square, the political heart of China.
From there we explore the Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world, home to 24 emperors over five centuries. Its thousands of rooms and golden roofs make it the highlight of the day.
Dinner: Examples of Beijing cuisine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen, 4-star or similar.
03The Great Wall and the Summer PalaceA walk on the Juyongguan section and a visit to the Summer Palace.
The Great Wall and Summer Palace
After breakfast we head to the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall of China, one of the seven wonders of the world. Walking this defensive line along the mountain ridges brings thousands of years of history into view.
In the afternoon we visit the Summer Palace, the retreat emperors used to escape the summer heat, known for its artificial lake and ornamental bridges.
Lunch: At a local restaurant after the Great Wall visit.
Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen, 4-star or similar.
04The Temple of Heaven and the Hutong StreetsTemple of Heaven, a rickshaw ride and a Peking duck dinner.
Temple of Heaven and the Hutongs
Today we visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for a good harvest. We then move on to the hutong district, known for its narrow, maze-like streets that preserve traditional Beijing life.
A rickshaw ride through the district shows the everyday life behind the modern city.
Dinner: One of the highlights of the tour, a Peking duck feast.
Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen, 4-star or similar.
05Beijing to Xi'an by High-Speed TrainTrain from Beijing to Xi'an and the ancient city walls.
High-speed train to Xi'an
After breakfast we transfer to Beijing Railway Station for the high-speed train to Xi'an, China's ancient capital. Running at up to 300 kilometres an hour, the journey takes about 5 hours.
On arrival we take in a panoramic view of the Ancient City Walls, among the best preserved in the world and wide enough to cycle along.
Dinner: A set menu of local Xi'an flavours.
Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel, 4-star or similar.
06The Terracotta Army and the Muslim QuarterThe Terracotta Army and the Muslim Quarter market.
The Terracotta Army
The day opens with one of the great archaeological discoveries in world history, the Terracotta Army. Built to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the thousands of soldiers on site each carry a different facial expression.
In the afternoon we explore the Muslim Quarter, the colourful district shaped by Xi'an's role as a stop on the Silk Road, and its market.
Lunch: Regional specialties after the museum visit.
Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel, 4-star or similar.
07On to ShanghaiTrain to Shanghai and a first look at The Bund.
On to Shanghai
After breakfast we board the high-speed train again for Shanghai, China's centre of finance and modern life.
We arrive in the city in the evening. The first stop is The Bund, where colonial buildings preserve the historic waterfront, facing the skyline of towers on the opposite bank, including the Oriental Pearl and the Shanghai Tower.
Dinner: At one of Shanghai's modern restaurants.
Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai, 4-star or similar.
08Yu Garden and Nanjing RoadYu Garden and free time on Nanjing Road.
Yu Garden and Nanjing Road
In the morning we explore Yu Garden, an elegant example of Chinese garden design with temples and ponds set among its paths.
Afterwards there is free time on Nanjing Road, one of the largest shopping streets in the world, at the heart of Shanghai. In the evening we continue exploring the city's lit-up streets.
Lunch: Shanghai-style seafood and vegetable dishes.
Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai, 4-star or similar.
09Zhujiajiao Water Town and a Farewell on the RiverZhujiajiao water town and a cruise on the Huangpu River.
Water town and a river farewell
The first half of the day takes us to Zhujiajiao, the historic water town known as the Venice of China. A boat ride through its canals passes stone bridges and traditional riverside houses.
We return to Shanghai in the evening and close the tour with a private farewell cruise on the Huangpu River.
Dinner: A special menu marking the tour's farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai, 4-star or similar.
10Last Day in Shanghai and the Flight HomeFree time, then an overnight flight home.
Last day and departure
After a last breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for personal exploration or last-minute shopping in Shanghai.
In the evening our guide accompanies us to Pudong Airport. Turkish Airlines flight TK 027 departs for Istanbul at 23:05.
Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK 027, Shanghai 23:05.
Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.
11Arrival in IstanbulThe 11 day China tour ends on arrival.
Arrival in Istanbul
We land at Istanbul Airport at 06:05, Turkish time. From the imperial legacy of Beijing to the Terracotta Army of Xi'an, and from the modern skyline of Shanghai to the canals of Zhujiajiao, the 11-day route ends here.
Flight details
Outbound · 8 March 2027Return · 17 March 2027Times are local, taken from the programme. Baggage allowance is given in your booking documents.
Where will you stay?
JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4★ ve benzerleri · Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4★ ve benzerleri · Charms Hotel Shanghai 4★ ve benzerleri
Sold as: 4-star
Places visited
Included and extra costs
Included in the price
9
- Flights: Istanbul - Beijing outbound and Shanghai - Istanbul return economy class flight tickets on scheduled Turkish Airlines services.
- Baggage allowance: 20 kg of hold baggage per person plus a cabin-size piece of hand baggage.
- Accommodation: 8 nights in total at the stated 4 star hotels (3 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi'an, 3 nights in Shanghai).
- High-speed train: modern high-speed train tickets and reservations on the Beijing - Xi'an and Xi'an - Shanghai routes.
- Meals: the 8 breakfasts taken at the hotel each morning throughout the programme, and the generous lunches or dinners served every day (including the Peking duck feast).
- Transfers: all the city and intercity transport specified in the programme provided in private, air-conditioned and comfortable vehicles.
- Guiding: experienced Turkish-speaking tour leadership and professional local guiding services.
- Excursions: all the museum and archaeological site entrance fees specified in the programme, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and the Zhujiajiao water village boat tour.
- Insurance: compulsory travel insurance.
Not included in the price
10
- Visa fee: the visa application and service fees for the People's Republic of China.
- Lunches and dinners: all meals other than those stated as "included" in the programme, and extra drinks with meals.
- Personal expenses: hotel services (minibar, telephone, laundry) and all personal shopping.
- Gratuities: gratuities for the local guides and drivers, expected to be collected at the end of the tour as a mark of satisfaction with the quality of service (a total of 100 USD per person recommended).
- Departure tax for travel abroad: the duty that must be paid on departure from Turkiye.
- Visa requirement: Turkish citizens holding an ordinary (maroon) passport must obtain a valid visa in order to enter China.
- Passport validity: your passport must be valid for at least a further 6 months beyond the end date of your trip.
- Application process: the list of documents required for the visa process will be sent to you, and it is recommended that applications are started at least 1 month before the tour departure date.
- Visa type: group or individual visa applications for tourist purposes are handled through the authorised application centres designated by the Chinese consulate.
- Guide and driver gratuity · 100 USD · per person
Good to know
Cancellation and change conditions
Cancellation and change conditions are set out in the Online Sales Agreement.
Guiding
All of our guides speak Turkish.
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