9 Days Classic Beijing Xian Shanghai Family Tour
Tour Overview
This 9-day China Golden Triangle tour is a family themed trip with children. You will visit the most classic scenic spots in each city, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, Hutong in Beijing, the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the City Wall in Xian, and the Yu Garden and Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai.
This China family tour includes many kid-friendly cultural activities – toboggan slide down the Great Wall, making mini Terra Cotta Warriors, learning to draw Beijing Opera makeup, and making dumplings… You will end up spending a free day in Shanghai, visiting Zhujiajiao Water Town or taking a Shanghai side trip to nearby Hangzhou or Suzhou.
Travel destinations: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai
Suitable for: Families with Kids
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Explore the Beijing’s old Hutong on a traditional rickshaw ride and experience Beijing Opera makeup in a local family house.
- Experience the exhilarating toboggan slide down the Mutianyu Great Wall.
- Craft a mini clay warrior after marveling at the magnificent Terracotta Army.
- Learning to make dumplings with a local family in Xian.
- Ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center for breathtaking city skyline.
- Enjoy a Shanghai day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to our 9-day China Family Tour starting from Beijing! Upon your arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, your private local driver will greet you at the exit of the Arrival Hall by holding a welcome sign. Then you will be escorted to your well-selected hotel to check in and rest. The rest of the day is free for you to explore bustling streets, sampling local snacks or just relax on your comfortable bed at hotel.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing City TourDiscover Historical Landmarks and Engage in Cultural Experiences
Begin your Beijing tour at Tian'anmen Square, the heart of Beijing. It is the largest square in the world, capable of accommodating over one million people simultaneously. To the north of the square is the ancient Tiananmen Gate Tower, which is magnificent, with gold bricks covering the ground, shining brilliantly. Walking through Tiananmen Square, the splendid Forbidden City comes into view. It served the imperial palace for centuries. Marvel at the massive palace complex with over 9,000 rooms. Your tour guide will tell you the story behind the palace.
Tiananmen Square in Beijing In the afternoon, immerse yourself in exploring the Beijing's old Hutong on a traditional rickshaw ride. Go to visit a local family and learn about their daily life and even experience cultural activity - Beijing Opera makeup. Optionally, you can learn calligraphy, weave Chinese knots, or cut paper (extra charge).
In the evening, you can consider an optional visit to the Red Theater for a Chinese Kung Fu show. It features rich tradition of Chinese Kung Fu. (at additional cost)
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Beijing
Have a Beijing Opera makeup session - Day 3: Beijing Great Wall TourHike on the Mutianyu Great Wall and Toboggan Slide Down
After breakfast, take a thrilling tour to the world-famous Great Wall. Mutianyu is undoubtedly an ancient engineering miracle surrounded by lush vegetation. When you ascend the Great Wall by cable car, your guide will tell you the rich historical stories of the Great Wall and tell you the best shooting locations. The winding paths of this UNESCO World Heritage site stretch endlessly. You will experience the exhilarating toboggan slide down the Great Wall.
Sliding down the toboggan Return to the city to visit the Temple of Heaven. This magnificent royal structure served as a complex of sacrificial buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest.
In the evening, you can indulge in a delicious dinner featuring the renowned Beijing Roast Duck.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by FlightExplore Imperial Retreat and Enjoy Boat Ride on Scenic Lake
Today is the last day of your China family tour in Beijing. After breakfast, we drive to the western suburbs of Beijing and spend a leisurely time at one of the most popular attractions in Beijing - Summer Palace. This palace was a summer retreat for the Qing emperors and their families, built on Wanshou Mountain and Kunming Lake. You and your kid will be arranged to enjoy a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
In the afternoon, escort you to the airport for a short flight to Xi'an, an ancient city with a rich history of over 3000 years.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xi'an
Take a boat ride in Summer Palace - Day 5: Xian Terracotta Warriors TourDiscover Ancient Archaeological Marvel and Create Your Own Replica
After breakfast, an expert local English-speaking tour guide will greet you in the hotel lobby. After an hour's drive from the city center, you will visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, an archaeological miracle with thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses and chariots. Over 2000 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, built this world heritage site. You will be surprised that each soldier displays a unique expression. After that, your kid will enjoy making a replica small terracotta soldier. And you can take your “work” home.
Make Mini Terracotta Army Then, go back to city center to visit the Ancient City Wall. This is the most complete and oldest city defenses with ancient walls, ramparts, gates, watchtowers, and horse passages. You can walk on the massive wall (tall, long, and thick), or rent a bicycle (optional, rent the bike at your own expense) to get some good views of the city and the surrounding moat.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xi'an
- Day 6: Xian Culture Tour to ShanghaiExperience Local Life and Learn Dumpling-making
After breakfast, you will be taken to a local family to immerse yourself in the life of Xi'an people. You will experience making dumplings here. Dumplings are one of the most popular staple foods in China, often used as a symbol of reunion. The local host will demonstrate how to make dumplings for you.
Learn to Make Dumplings In the afternoon, visit the landmark of Xi'an - the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. At around 65 meters tall, the pagoda was built in 652 (in the Tang Dynasty) to store Buddhist scriptures brought back by Xuanzang from India. Have a relaxing time there. After that, head to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City, which is next to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. It is like a time travel when you walk among many Tang Dynasty-style architectures.
In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Shanghai.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Shanghai
- Day 7: Shanghai Highlights TourExplore Shanghai's Urban Evolution, Visit Classical Garden
Your China family tour in Shanghai takes you to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where you can see the historical changes, future development and overall planning of Shanghai. Through multimedia technology, the exhibition hall vividly demonstrates the urban evolution of Shanghai since its opening in 1843. area vividly displays the urban evolution of Shanghai since its opening in 1843.
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall After that, climb onto the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of Shanghai's landmarks, and overlook the panoramic view of the city. You will be arranged to savor the Cantonese cuisine at a local restaurant as lunch.
In the afternoon, head to visit the classical Yuyuan Garden and the bustling Yuyuan Bazaar. You will be immersed in the modernization of Shanghai. Yu Garden is a Chinese classical garden, whose history can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Your guide will take you on a tour of carefully arranged gardens, bridges, and ponds.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Shanghai
- Day 8: Shanghai Free DayFree Day to Explore Nearby Water Town or Visit Suzhou, Hangzhou Highlights
Today is the day for you to freely explore the metropolis of Shanghai. We recommend the following activities for you:
You can take a day trip to the picturesque Zhujiajiao Water Town or hire a tour guide to explore the highlights of Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou You can also enjoy a more relaxed day. Strolling through ancient alleys, strolling through local markets. Suppose you are interested, perhaps learning a few unique Shanghainese phrases.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Shanghai
- Day 9: Departure from Shanghai
Enjoy your last moments in Shanghai with a hearty breakfast. The driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and escort you to the airport to catch your flight to your next destination or home! Your 9-day Beijing Xian Shanghai Family Tour ends here. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour. Safe travels!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
