8-Day All-inclusive Private Tour to Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai

Three cities in eight days, and it flows. If you want China’s top sights without constant train-station stress, this private circuit is built for that. You get your own guide, smooth transfers between cities, and the kind of itinerary that lets you spend more time sightseeing and less time figuring things out.

What I like most is how the big-ticket days are handled. I love that the Great Wall stop is Mutianyu, with a round-trip cable car arranged, so you are not stuck guessing how to get up and over. And I love that the Terracotta Warriors day includes more than just photos, including the family visit connected to the first discoverer and a chance to make a mini clay warrior.

One thing to weigh before you book: the tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so you need solid dates. Also, a couple of meals are not included, meaning you will have on-your-own lunch time in both Beijing and Xi’an.

Key highlights you will feel on the ground

• Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car, plus time for distant views from the wall
• Terracotta Warriors museum and hands-on clay making near the site
• Huangpu River cruise plus flexible free time around the Bund
• Private guiding in every city, with airport meet-and-transfer
• One-way high-speed train (Beijing to Xi’an) and one-way economy flight (Xi’an to Shanghai)
• Entrance fees handled, plus bottled water daily and hotel breakfasts

Day 1 in Beijing: airport meet-up, then time to breathe

Your day starts with a pickup and transfer from Capital Airport (Shunyi). The idea here is simple: after international travel, you get dropped at your hotel and you are not immediately thrown into a sprint through the city.

Your guide is also there with suggestions for self-exploration if you feel energized. If you prefer low-key, you can do a quiet evening and let Beijing settle in.

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with less friction

The next morning centers on Tiananmen Square, which is the kind of place that feels larger once you are standing in it. From there, you head straight into the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum.

This is one of those visits where a guide can make or break the day. With a private setup, you spend less time waiting and more time moving through key halls and pavilions with context about court life and imperial power. Admission here is included, and you get a longer visit so it is not just a quick walk-by.

Lama Temple and Temple of Heaven in the same day

After the imperial focus, the afternoon slows down with Lama Temple (Yonghegong). The site blends Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan architecture, and it has that calm, solemn feel that makes it a welcome break from the crowd energy of the center.

Then you finish at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors worshiped for good harvests. The buildings are part practical, part symbolic, and a guide helps you see those details instead of just reading plaques. Entrance tickets are included on this block as well.

Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest photos, and Hutongs by rickshaw

This is the day most people picture when they think Beijing, and it is scheduled with smart pacing. You go to Mutianyu Great Wall where your round-trip cable car is arranged, which saves real time and keeps the steep climbing from taking over your whole morning.

From the wall, the experience is about the long views, the curves of the terrain, and the sense that the wall keeps going. You get enough time up there to enjoy it, not just check it off.

A small practical note: lunch is on your own here, but your guide will help point you to places around the area based on your preferences. If you do not want to hunt, just ask on the way. It is easier than it sounds.

Olympic Park stop: see Bird’s Nest from the outside

On the way back, you stop at Niaochao National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest. The plan is to drive by, take photos from a distance, and keep the day flowing. Anything that involves going inside is not included, so you are working with exterior viewpoints.

Hutong tour: rickshaw ride and a family visit

The highlight many people remember longer than the stadium is the Hutong tour. You take a rickshaw through the traditional alleys, which gives you a ground-level view of neighborhood life that you just do not get from a bus window.

There is also a chance to visit a local family, which adds a personal layer beyond sightseeing. If you like travel that mixes culture with motion, this is a great fit.

Summer Palace and the move to Xi’an by high-speed train

You start Day 4 with the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), described as the largest existing imperial garden. It is a big site, but the visit is structured around the key areas that make the palace feel like more than just trees and paths.

This is where you slow down. You get time for the landscape and the impressive constructions, and you get a calmer pace before the next travel day.

In the afternoon, you transfer to Xi’an by high-speed train. The ride is about five hours, and you are met at Xi’an North Railway Station by your local guide and driver for the hotel check-in. The payoff is you arrive ready to explore without spending your evening figuring out transportation.

Xi’an Day 5: Terracotta Warriors plus the discoverer’s story

The Terracotta Army is the reason most people come to Xi’an, and this day is built around doing it well. You visit the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, including the main excavated pits with warrior figures and ancient weapons.

You get about four hours here, which is plenty to see what is preserved and understand the scale without rushing. Lunch is on your own, but your guide recommends restaurants near the site based on what you want.

A local connection: the discoverer’s home and clay workshop

One of the most interesting parts is the additional family visit connected to the first discoverer of the Terracotta Army. It adds a human story to what can otherwise feel like a purely archaeological stop.

Then you do something hands-on: a mini clay warrior with help from a local artisan. If you like travel souvenirs that do not feel mass-produced, this kind of workshop is a real win.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Ever Bright City

In the afternoon, you visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the Tang dynasty to store Buddhist scriptures brought from ancient India. It is a strong follow-up to the Terracotta visit because it shifts from ancient state power to culture and religious transmission.

After that, you get free time at the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a pedestrian street where locals and tourists see cultural performances and traditional clothing. The visit is short, so treat it as a chance to stroll, watch, and get your bearings rather than a deep-dive night market.

Xi’an Day 6: City Wall life, Great Mosque, and the Muslim Quarter

The day begins with a visit to City Wall Park where you can observe day-to-day life along the walls. It is a subtle but valuable contrast to the ancient sites, because you see how this history is part of daily routines.

Then you head to the Xi’an City Wall itself, described as the most complete existing urban fortification in China. You also have the option to cycle on the wall, and bike rental fees are not included, so plan on paying separately if you want to do it.

Great Mosque and the bazaar energy of Muslim Quarter

You then visit the Great Mosque of Xi’an, a rare mix of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles. The guide helps connect the shapes and influences, so it does not feel like a random stop in the itinerary.

From there, you walk into the Muslim Quarter area, where the tour time is built for exploring snacks and handicrafts. The time here is designed for browsing and eating at your own pace, which is exactly what you want after a museum-and-structure-heavy schedule.

Fly to Shanghai and settle in

In the late part of the day, you transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. Your local guide meets you, and you check in at the hotel. This is a clean handoff day, and it keeps you from arriving in Shanghai and immediately facing heavy sightseeing logistics.

Shanghai Day 7: museum morning, Yu Garden midday, and a river cruise

Shanghai starts strong with the Shanghai Museum, one of the four largest museums in China. It focuses on artworks from ancient times, so you get an art-and-civilization angle after days filled with imperial sites and warrior pits. Your entrance ticket is included.

Next comes Yu Garden (Yuyuan), built around the classic garden layout and known for features like the Nine Zigzag Bridge. It is a slower, walking-friendly break from big-ticket monuments, and it is a good place to look closely at design details.

Farewell lunch and an easy, scenic river window

You also get an a la carte farewell lunch here, valued at CNY150 per person and included. After lunch, you take a one-hour Huangpu River cruise, which is framed as Shanghai’s mother river and a living record of the city’s rise and hardship.

Then you reach the Bund with free time. This is your chance to wander and decide what you want to linger on, whether that is views from the riverfront or quick photo stops.

The last stop is Tianzifang, a traditional street with arts and cultural atmosphere. The time is shorter, so think of it as a final stroll where you can pick up small items and enjoy the feel of neighborhoods in motion.

Day 8 in Shanghai: airport transfer and finish line

On your final morning, you eat breakfast and your guide and driver transfer you to the airport on time. The tour ends cleanly, which matters when you have a flight connection or need to get home without last-minute confusion.

Hotels, breakfasts, lunch support, and the bottled-water perk

The package includes eight nights of 5-star hotel accommodation with breakfast included. In total, breakfast is listed as seven included breakfasts, which typically means you get breakfast for most full sightseeing days and then finish with an end-of-tour departure day.

You also get three included lunches. The itinerary explicitly names a welcome lunch in Beijing and a farewell lunch in Shanghai, both valued at CNY150 per person. On other days, lunch is on your own, but your guide helps with restaurant recommendations so you are not stuck searching nearby.

Daily basics are covered too: two bottled waters per person per day and an air-conditioned vehicle with your guide. That is not just comfort, it is practical for a long day of moving between major sights.

Price and logistics: what you are really buying at $2,169

At $2,169 per person, the main value is not only the sightseeing list. You are paying for the machine that makes the list doable: private guiding, entrance fees, hotel nights, and internal transport between the three cities.

Here is what is included from the package:

• 5-star hotel stays with breakfast
• One-way high-speed train Beijing to Xi’an
• One-way economy-class airfare Xi’an to Shanghai
• Entrance fees for the sights on the schedule
• Professional guide and experienced driver, plus an air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water and several included meals

And here is what you do not get:

• China visa fees
• International airfare to and from China
• Personal expenses

So for the budget, your decision mostly comes down to whether you like this style of travel. If you want maximum structure with minimal uncertainty, you are getting what you pay for. If you prefer free time to plan your own routes and you are already comfortable booking internal transport and tickets, you might find cheaper DIY options. But the trade-off is more work and more time spent in planning mode.

Should you book this 8-day Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai private tour?

If your priority is to see the big names, and you want it done in a way that keeps you moving without constant logistics, I think this is a strong match. The combination of Mutianyu Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors museum day with hands-on clay making, and Shanghai’s mix of museum, gardens, cruise, and the Bund gives you a good balance of landscapes, culture, and spectacle.

This is also a smart pick if you dislike wasting time switching guides or figuring out transport. The airport meet-and-transfer approach, plus the high-speed train and flight connections, reduces friction between cities.

I would only hesitate if your dates are uncertain, because the tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If you are a very independent traveler who wants to choose restaurants and pace every afternoon, the included structure might feel a bit tight on the days where lunch is on your own.

If your plan is firm and you want the cleanest path through three of China’s most famous cities, this itinerary is built to deliver.

FAQ

What cities are included on this 8-day private tour?

The tour covers Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.

How long is the tour?

It runs for 8 days (approximately).

What is the price per person?

The price is $2,169.00 per person.

Is it a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Where does the tour start, and what time?

It starts at Capital Airport, Shunyi, Beijing 101300, China, with a start time of 9:00 am.

What transport is included between cities?

You get a one-way high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an, and a one-way economy-class airfare from Xi’an to Shanghai.

Are entrance fees included for attractions?

Yes. Entrance fees to tourist sites are included.

What meals are included?

The tour includes breakfast (7) and lunch (3). It also includes two bottled waters per person per day.

Are international flights or visa fees included?

No. China visa fees and international airfare are not included.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.