9 Days China Private Tour of Beijing Xian Shanghai Suzhou

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

   Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, the local driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. The guided tour in China will begin on the next day. There is no tour guide today.

   Accommodation: in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing Tour
   Explore Royal Heritage and the Lives of Locals in Beijing

   After breakfast, the tour guide will meet you at the hotel and then begin your Beijing tour from Tian'anmen Square, covering an area of 440,000 square meter. It can accommodate one million people. The square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years.

   Next visit the Forbidden City. It was the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and a sign and symbol of ancient China. There are large wooden palaces and millions of precious relics, so the visiting route is chosen according to your time. Also follow your guide to learn about the mysterious stories of ancient China.

   

   After lunch, we take a rickshaw through the hutongs to appreciate the traditional courtyard architecture of old Beijing. In the evening, you can taste delicious Beijing Roast Duck (on your own) at one of the most famous restaurants in Beijing, Quanjude.

   Accommodation: in Beijing

3. Day 3: Great Wall Tour
   Hike on the Beautiful Mutianyu Great Wall

   Today, it's time to take an exciting Great Wall hiking tour. You will be taken to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Built in the early Ming Dynasty in 1368 and stretching for 5,400 meters, it is the most scenic part of the Chinese Great Wall. 90 percent of the Mutianyu is covered by vegetation. So in each season, this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. You will go up by cable car. If you are interested, you can take an exhilarating Toboggan ride down the Great Wall (at your own expense).

   

   After that, transfer you to visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of Heaven. It is a special altar used by the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the heavens, ask for rain and pray for a good year.

   Accommodation: in Beijing

4. Day 4: Beijing to Xian Tour by Flight
   Spending a Leisurely Morning at the Summer Resort of the Qing Dynasty Emperors

   Today is the last day of your China tour in Beijing. After breakfast, head to Summer Palace, 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, etc. You can enjoy a leisure boat ride on the Kunming Lake (at your own expense).

   

   Next, go to see the exterior of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. They are the iconic structures that hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

   After that, your driver will escort you to the airport to take a flight to Xian.

   Accommodation: in Xian

5. Day 5: Terracotta Army Tour
   Be Amazed by the Life-size Clay Soldiers

   In the morning, start your tour of China in Xian from Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The Terracotta Warriors is known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and there are over 1,000 terracotta soldiers with different images. Now the museum includes Pit 1 (the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. Give its large scale, it will take 2 to 3 hours to visit. And the guide will explain stories behind these terracotta warriors to help you learn more about them.

   

   Afterwards, drive back to the downtown area to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the oldest and largest square brick tower in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Xuanzang, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, once translated the Buddhist scriptures that he brought back to China from India here. It has a history of more than 1350 years.

   Accommodation: in Xian

6. Day 6: Xian to Shanghai Tour by Flight
   Explore the Museums to Admire the Cultural Relics

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to the Xian Museum. The museum has collected numerous cultural relics from various eras in the Xi'an area, some of which were unearthed from important dynasties in Chinese history such as the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, including many exquisite cultural relics. You can learn about the thousand year history and development of Xi'an as a capital. In this scenic area, you can also see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

   

   Next, visit the Beilin Museum, aka the Forest of Stone Steles Museum. There are more than 11,000 cultural relics of steles and stone carvings. You will see the famous calligraphy art treasures of the past dynasties at one time. Also, you can visit the Confucius Temple.

   In the afternoon, go up the Ancient City Wall. The wall is 13 kilometers long, so if you feel tired of walking, renting a bike is also a good choice (at your own expense). Standing on the wall, you will see different views of Xi'an, including ancient buildings like Guangren Temple, and modern buildings on Chang'an Road.

   After the tour in Xian, escort you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan city in China.

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

7. Day 7: Shanghai City Tour
   Learn about the Historical Changes and Future Development of Shanghai

   Begin your Shanghai tour at 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.

   Next, your guide will take you to the 450-year-old Yuyuan Garden. There is magnificent architecture and wonderful nature, so you can admire the classical garden art. And the guide will tell you interesting stories about the garden to know more about the art.

   

   After that, wander around the Bund, the must see place in Shanghai. Here, you can appreciate the beautiful view of Huangpu River and see the skyscrapers of Lujiazui. Also, admire the most famous exotic building clusters in the Bund, including Shanghai Club, Peace Hotel, HSBC Bank Building, etc. Besides, there are many famous restaurants and cafes that you can explore.

   Finally, ascend the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the tallest skyscrapers in China. The building looks like a bottle opener from outside. You will go up to the 100th floor to have a marvelous panoramic view of the Huangpu River. Walking on the 55-meter-long transparent sightseeing corridor will be an exciting experience.

   Accommodation: in Shanghai

8. Day 8: Shanghai to Suzhou Tour
   Enjoy the Exquisite Layout of the Classical Gardens of Suzhou

   After breakfast, you will take a high-speed train to Suzhou. This city is renowned for its classical gardens and nice silk production. Upon your arrival, the local guide will meet you and transfer you to visit Humble Administrator's Garden. This famous garden has a spacious and uncluttered layout with an architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. Centered by the ponds, there are pavilions and terraces built around it, connected by latticed windows and winding corridors.

   

   Afterwards, take a boat tour on the Grand Canal, the longest and oldest man-made canal. The boat will take you through traditional houses and ancient bridges. Finally, you will experience taking a rickshaw through the narrow streets and alleys of Suzhou, known as Pingjiang Road. Appreciate well preserved buildings along the way and experience local culture up close.

   Accommodation: in Suzhou

9. Day 9: Suzhou to Shanghai, Departure
   Glimpse the Characteristics of Suzhou Water Towns in Tongli

   After breakfast, take a Suzhou tour to another feature of Suzhou - water towns. We will take you to visit Tongli Ancient Town, which is surrounded by lakes. A network of rivers divides the town into 7 small islands, and almost every house in the town is adjacent to the water. Strolling along the narrow alleys, you can see many old buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

   

   Afterwards, you will be driven back to Shanghai Airport for your onward flight home or to your next destination! Safe travels!

   Accommodation: N/A