7 Days Shanghai & Xian Tour by Overnight Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   When arriving to Shanghai airport, you will be greeted by the local driver at arrival hall who will hold a welcome sign with your name and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is on your own disposal.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai
   Shanghai Museum, Shanghai World Financial Center, Nanjing Road, the Bund (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: You will be met by our tour guide and driver at your hotel lobby in Shanghai. Today’s first stop will be Shanghai Museum. The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings and calligraphy works. The guide will show you around to trace Chinese history and culture through the well-preserved treasures.

   After wards you will be escorted to  Shanghai World Financial Center which is the second tallest skyscraper in mainland China. It’s a thrilling experience to have a bird-view of this magic city.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then take a walk in Nanjing Road to see the earliest and most bustling business street in Shanghai. Finally conclude the one day exciting trip by visiting to the Bund, one of the best places to see the contrast of old Shanghai and modern Shanghai and also western and oriental buildings. Drive back to your hotel after the tour.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai – Zhujiajiao – Shanghai by Car
   Zhujiajiao Water Town (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: You will be met by our local tour guide at your hotel lobby after your breakfast. Then head to Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. You will stroll along the old-time town while listening to the guide’s introduction about the its history. The town could be dated back to even 1700 years ago, as early as the time of Three Kingdoms. In the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the village grew into a town and got the name “zhujiacun village”. The appearance of the town we see today was left from the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays the ancient town is best known for its bridges, old streets, and gardens built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The highlight things to see here are: Fangsheng Bridge, Baoguo Temple, Town God’s Temple, and Zhuxi Garden. Capture snapshots of charming alleyways and ancient stone houses. You can also take the optional boat cruise here if you are interested in it.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: When the water town exploration ends, drive back to your Shanghai hotel in the afternoon.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

   

4. Day 4: Shanghai – Xian by Overnight Train Z92 (18:44 – 09:29+1)
   Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Xintiandi (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: You will meet your tour guide in your hotel lobby in Shanghai. Today’s adventure starts with Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden which was originally built for Pan’s parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The nearby Yuyuan Market is a bustling marketplace set in an old Chinese neighborhood with traditional architecture and shops selling many local snacks and some interesting souvenirs.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Afterwards, continue to visit the hundred-year-old Jade Buddha Temple. The temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen.

   The last stop today is “Xintiandi” – something like Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong and Clarke Quay in Singapore. Xintiandi is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style.

   Finally, you will be transferred to Shanghai Train Station to catch the overnight train to Xian.

   Accommodation: Overnight train (4 berths sharing 1 cabin)

   

5. Day 5: Xian
   Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell and Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque (Lunch)

   AM: Upon your arrival, our tour guide will pick you up from the exit of Xian Train Station by holding a name baord, and then directly head to visit Xian Ancient City Wall. It is not only the unique and intact city wall that has survived in China but also the biggest and most complete military system of defense in the world. Then move on to Bell and Drum Tower Square which locates in the very center of the city and is considered as the symbol of this old capital.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Afterwards, you will visit Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, various noodles, and purcahse some Terracotta Warriors imitation as souvenirs. In the hidden lane of Muslim Quarter, you will visit the Great Mosque, a major spot for religious activities among the Muslims in Xi’an. It possesses much traditional Chinese architectural elements in its design. For example, you will see Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.

   The last stop today is Small Wild Goose Pagoda which is the twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Both the two pagodas are important witnesses for the history of Great Tang Dynasty. Same as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was also built to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from Ancient India by the master monk Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty. Different from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda attracts visitors with its special charms that it keeps quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area, has precious value on architecture and Chinese garden aesthetics.

   Finally, you will be transferred to the local hotel for check-in.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: After the breakfast at hotel, get picked up from your hotel lobby. Then drive to visit the famous & must-see spot Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Famed as the eighth miracle of the world, the marvelous excavations in 3 different underground vaults show a surprisingly high-level craftsmanship about 2000 years ago. More than 6,600 warriors with different expressions from each other testified the greatest intelligence of the first emperor Qin and his people. Nowadays, the opened 3-D circular-screen movie let you deeply know the historical background of Qin Dynasty while learning the mysterious and splendid culture.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch we will visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is one of most famous Buddhist pagodas in China. You will follow the guide to enter the Da Ci’en Temple where the Pagoda stands. Listening to the interpretation of your expert guide, you can immerse yourself in this bright pearl on the Silk Road with excellent architectural beauty, precious Buddhist relics, rich religious culture, and stories of the famous ancient monk – Xuan Zang.

   After the whole day’s the driver will drive you back to hotel.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Xian

   

7. Day 7: Xian Departure

   Our driver will pick you up from your hotel according to your flight time (Usually 3-4 hours in advance). Your 7-day Shanghai Xian tour ends here.