11 Days China Winter Tour of Beijing, Xian, Harbin, Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to Beijing for an 11-day China winter tour! Upon your arrival at Beijing airport / train station, a local private driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Classic City Tour
   Visit the World Heritage Sites in Beijing

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide to start your Beijing tour at the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China's history. You can wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then, follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, which was once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China’s long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   

   After lunch, continue your Beijing tour in winter to the Temple of Heaven. Famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture, and magnificent decoration, this grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests. It was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1998. You will marvel at the craftsmanship and learn more historical facts about ancient China.

   Beijing Hutongs are full of history which attracts many worldwide tourists! Today your guide will take you to feel the charm of the hutongs in the Shichahai Scenic Area. Taking a rickshaw to ride along the ancient alleys, you will learn more about the background information of the Hutongs, experience authentic old Beijing life, and witness the blending of tradition and modernity.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Great Wall and Beijing City Tour
   Touch the Great Wall with a History of Thousands of Years

   After breakfast, move on to today’s highlights - the famous world heritage Mutianyu Great Wall. It would be around a 2-hour drive. Mutianyu is the longest stretch of the Great Wall in Beijing, featuring over 20 watchtowers, with a total length of 5.4 kilometers. You can take a leisurely stroll through the meticulously restored pathway, absorbing the breathtaking views that surround you. Or, choose a round-trip cable car ride to conserve energy while still savoring the awe-inspiring landscapes.

   In the afternoon, be transferred to visit Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. You will love every minute here with so much to see. You also can take the option of a boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake (optional).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Beijing

   

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by High-speed Train
   Enjoy a Night Tour of Xi'an Cuisine

   Enjoy the peaceful morning time on your own in Beijing. Later, the driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drop you off at Beijing West Train Station for a noon high-speed train to Xian. The train rides around 5-6 hours which would be a good chance for you to rest on the train.

   Arriving at Xian North Train Station, you will find the local English-speaking guide waiting for you at the exit gate. Your China winter tour in Xian begins with a leisurely evening tour. Firstly, go to the Muslim Quarter to enjoy the local snacks. It is the most famous food street in Xian. It consists of an Islamic food area, an ethnic group shopping center, and a living area for the Hui people, with a history of more than 1,000 years. The tour guide will give recommendations for you to have the best local food experience.

   

   After that, move to Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square which is a strategically important building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital of Xian. Having a relaxing walk here would be very worthwhile to experience local people’s nightlife.

   Last, drive around 25 minutes to the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda to enjoy the famous Music Fountain Show which is the largest music fountain show in Asia (if you are lucky to meet its open time).

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

5. Day 5: Xian Highlight Day Tour
   Explore Qin Dynasty Ruins and Xian Cultural Districts

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the must-see Terracotta Warriors and Horses.  Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, the museum shows a surprisingly high level of sculpture, which is listed among the most significant discoveries of the 20th century. The splendid scene and format will leave you with an impressive memory. You can spend 2.5-3 hours there.

   After lunch, continue to visit the Ancient City Wall. It is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for military defense in ancient times. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike on the city wall (optional).

   

   Later, take a nice stroll down Shuyuanmen Culture Street. This quaint street lined with many shops selling the four basic items for Chinese calligraphy (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, and paper), is different from any other street in Xian. The structures built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties add the place more charm. If you are interested in Chinese arts and crafts, you can pick some souvenirs here. Don’t forget to bargain.

   Last, go on to visit the Yongxingfang Food & Culture Quarter. The street is an amazing place to sample some delicious local food and see how the local people relax themselves. There are plenty of food options. If you are the kind of person who likes to try all kinds of new food, this street will not disappoint you, and remember to visit it on an empty stomach.

   Meal: Breakfast + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian to Harbin Tour by Flight
   Immerse in the Ice and Snow Festival

   Take your morning flight to Harbin. Upon your arrival at Harbin Taiping International Airport, the local English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate.

   You will officially start the the Harbin tour with Northeast Tiger Park, a northeast tiger breeding and research center with 700+ Siberian tigers living there. There are over 100 Siberian tigers and lions are open to the public. Thus, you will see tigers in different life stages and learn more about the current living situation of Siberian tigers in China.

   Later, move on to Sun Island Park. As an island in the Songhua River of Harbin city, it is located between the new and old city of Harbin and is divided into the eastern district, central district, and western district. In winter, you can enjoy the wonderful Sun Island snow sculptures.

   Optional: People also can take a cable car along the Songhua River to arrive at Sun Island Park. It is an optional choice to better enjoy the Songhua River view. If you would like to take it, please pay in cash at the spot.

   

   After that, drive to Harbin city and enjoy the relaxing sightseeing in the famous Central Street, a bustling pedestrian street in Harbin city. Walking along the street, you will find many old buildings designed in various Western styles in the early 1900s. And of course, you will be attracted by the lively vendors, restaurants, pubs as well as snacks.

   Later, continue your visit to Saint Sophia Church. It is a typical Byzantine architecture style Orthodox Church built in 1907 by Russians. You will read the rich history of Harbin and even the northeast part of China (only see it from outside). Also, you can enjoy a relaxing walk in the Saint Sophia Church square to see how local people live, chat, and exercise there.

   As night falls, you will be taken into a wonderful world of ice and snow, illuminated by colorful LED lights. The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival held in Ice and Snow World is widely recognized as the world's largest ice-themed park, open from Christmas to early March every year. See various shapes of large ice sculptures, and also experience the fun of ice and snow entertainment projects, such as ice slides, ice bikes, and Ferris wheels.

   Note:

   During peak hours, especially during the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year and weekends, the queues for many programs get longer.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Harbin

   

7. Day 7: Harbin Volga Manor Tour
   Spend a day at a Russian-style Estate

   After breakfast, drive around 1.5 hours to Volga Manor, a wonderland with Russian-themed culture, buildings, and foods. Today, you will fully enjoy the highlight spots of this manor.

   Saint Nicholas Church, also regarded as the architecture art gallery, is the landmark of Volga Manor. Took the old Saint Nicholas Church as a prototype, it was rebuilt in July of 2006 since the original church was damaged before the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Now, you can admire the old Russian architecture here.

   Pushkin Salon: This unique building with red brick walls has typified the rich extremes of Russian architecture which can be traced back to the late 19^th century. There is a huge bronze statue of Pushkin standing in front of the door as if to welcome visitors from all over the world.

   

   Pavlov Castle: The original Pavlov Castle, one of the most famous castles in ancient Russia, was designed by a famed Russian designer from 1795 to 1797. Here you will see this reconstructed building almost the same as the original one. Inside the castle, you will find a lot of exhibitions about the Russian arts and paintings.

   Villa of Forest: Covering over 1,000 square meters, this villa was designed by a Russian designer and is surrounded by trees, rivers and wetlands. Walking through the villa or staying one night there, you will find true peace.

   Besides, there is also an authentic Russian music and dance show available in the manor (the show closes each Monday).

   After all the activities, you will check into the hotel which is inside the Volga Manor. If you are not exhausted, you can wander around the manor in the evening on your own to enjoy the special night view.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in the Volga Manor

8. Day 8: Harbin to Yabuli Ski Resort Tour
   Experience the Fun of Various Snow Sports

   Today you will head to the exciting Yabuli Ski Resort which drives around 3.5 hours from the Volga Manor, thus, you can enjoy the snow and ice scenery on the way.

   Upon arrival at Yabuli Ski Resort, follow your guide to fill your stomach at a local restaurant, and then your skiing begins! The tour guide will help you get the main entrance tickets and rent the basic ski equipment to ski on your own.

   Friendly Tip: Only skiing in the primary ski field was included in the current tour package - 3 hours of skiing with equipment like skiing boots, snowboard, and ski poles. If you would like to have more time for skiing, please pay in cash on your own.

   

   The resort enjoys a snow cover period of 170 days and a skiing period of 120 days, and the snow depth averages 30 cm – 50 cm at the foot of the mountain and reaches 1m on the mountain. Its best snow conditions make it a perfect place for both skiing racing and ski-touring. It boasts a total of 17 ski runs, from elementary, intermediate to advanced, as well as various cableways.

   Whether you are a first-time normal visitor or a professional skier, you will find the one suitable for you. There are also many entertainment activities such as snowmobiling, snow tubing, and horse-drawn sledge. You will have great fun in this heaven for skiing.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yabuli

9. Day 9: Yabuli to Harbin, Harbin to Shanghai Tour by Flight

   Enjoy the morning time in Yabuli Ski Resort. Later, drive back to Harbin city for lunch and take you to the airport for an afternoon flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, a local private driver will pick you up and transfer you to the local hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

10. Day 10: Shanghai Classic City Tour
    Visit Landmarks and Top Attractions in the Metropolis of Shanghai

    Today, your China winter tour in Shanghai begins with the famous Yuyuan Garden, which is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. Adjacent to the garden, you can explore the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar, finding local snacks, crafts, and souvenirs. Don’t forget to haggle for a better price.

    After that, transfer you to visit the Shanghai Museum (closed every Monday). It is home to an extensive collection of ancient Chinese art and artifacts. Your guide will lead you to explore various galleries, to see ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, and more. Finishing the exploration of history, stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals.

    

    Next, be guided to the Former French Concession, the largest and most prosperous concession among all the four French concessions in old China. From 1849 to 1943, this area was ruled by France for almost a century. Here your tour guide will reveal a history of humiliation and you will see many old beautiful European-style buildings that look very charming hidden in the shade of French parasol trees.

    Afterward, move to the earliest shopping street in Shanghai - Nanjing Road. You will get a bit history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

    Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but turned into a British settlement and Shanghai’s financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of the amazing skyline.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: in Shanghai

    

     

11. Day 11: Shanghai Departure

    Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Your driver will escort you to take a flight to your next destination or home. Your 11-day private Beijing Xian Harbin Shanghai tour ends here. If you want to extend your Shanghai tour to Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan, we will be happy to arrange it for you.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A