14 Days Beijing to Shanghai Discovery China Tour

Welcome to Beijing! After settling into your hotel, take time to unwind and soak in the anticipation of your journey through China’s cultural and natural wonders.

As twilight paints the sky in hues of gold, begin your day at the Forbidden City, stepping into the opulent world of emperors as you explore its crimson walls. This 600-year-old imperial gem housed 24 emperors from Ming to Qing dynasties. With 9,999 rooms, it’s a maze of golden roofs, dragon carvings, and hidden courtyards. About 4h later hanging around and lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where intricate circular altars whisper tales of ancient rituals. Its Circular Mound Altar (perfect for echoing whispers!) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (a triple-roofed blue marvel) symbolize the harmony of "round heaven, square earth". Cap off the day with a leisurely walk through Beijing’s hutongs, where the aroma of street snacks mingles with the chatter of local life.  

Awaken to the aroma of attractive Bejing. Today you'll explore the Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial garden where tranquil lakes and pavilions invite you to linger. Take a boat ride across Kunming Lake or climb to the hilltop for sweeping views. After about 4h experience in the afternoon, marvel at the futuristic Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, iconic symbols of Beijing’s Olympic legacy, the former is a buzzing hub for concerts, sports competitions, and even winter activities like ice skating, the latter is Asia’s largest indoor water park with slides, wave pools, and even a wintertime ice rink for curling, now they are buzzing with sports and cultural events, waiting for your exploration!

Board a bullet train to Xi’an, where history comes alive. Check into your hotel before diving into the Shaanxi History Museum(about 4h), home to treasures spanning China’s dynasties. This museum near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda holds 370,000+ relics—from delicate Tang Dynasty goldware to fierce Terracotta figurines. Its grand Tang-style architecture mirrors the glory of Xi’an, once the capital of 13 dynasties. As dusk falls, dive into the bustling Muslim Quarter, where sizzling lamb skewers and flaky pastry shops line the lantern-lit streets. This 500-meter-long street, paved with bluestones and lined with Ming-Qing-style buildings, is the heart of the city’s Hui Muslim culture and a must-visit for foodies.

Stand in awe before the Terracotta Army, discovered by farmers in 1974 near Xi’an, this "Eighth Wonder of the World" is a 2,200-year-old clay army built for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to guard his afterlife. Imagine 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots—each with unique faces and poses—standing in battle-ready pits! It's upon you to decide when to finish hanging there! Later after lunch, cycle or stroll atop Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, where panoramic views reveal a city harmonizing ancient pagodas with modern high-rises. This 600-year-old giant is China's largest and best-preserved city wall, built in the Ming Dynasty to protect the ancient capital. Stretching 14 km around the old city, it's 12 meters tall—wide enough for bikes.

Fly to the rooftop of the world—Lhasa. Perched at 3,650 meters on the "Roof of the World," Lhasa blends ancient mysticism with vibrant culture. Don’t miss: Potala Palace: The golden-roofed icon, once home to Dalai Lamas. Jokhang Temple: Tibet’s holiest site, where pilgrims circle Barkhor Street’s bustling markets. Upon arrival, rest at your hotel to acclimatize to the high-altitude climate, sipping butter tea and preparing for tomorrow’s spiritual adventures. 

Morning light bathes the Potala Palace, its white and crimson walls towering over the city. Today is for you to wander through chapels adorned with golden Buddhas and ancient scriptures for 3-4h. Perched 3,700 meters high on Lhasa’s Red Hill, this 1,300-year-old marvel is the world’s highest palace and Tibet’s spiritual heart. Built by King Songtsen Gambo for his brides, it later became the Dalai Lamas' winter home and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, join pilgrims circling Jokhang Temple（2-3h）, their murmured prayers blending with the chime of prayer wheels. End the day exploring Barkhor Street, where vibrant stalls sell Tibetan jewelry, spices, and handwoven carpets.  

Today, your adventure begins at Sera Monastery(2-3h), where red-robed monks engage in lively philosophical debates under the open sky. Nestled at the foot of Selawu Mountain, this 600-year-old gem is one of Tibet’s "Big Three" Gelugpa monasteries, famous for its lively monk debates. Watch as monks clap, gesture, and dive deep into Buddhist philosophy—a unique spectacle! Later, stroll through Norbulingka(3-4h), the Dalai Lamas’ summer palace, where blooming flowers and willow-draped ponds create a serene escape. Built around a healing spring, it’s now a UNESCO site blending gold-roofed palaces, lotus-filled ponds, and shady picnic spots loved by locals.

Fly to Chongqing, a city of spicy cuisine and steep hills. Explore Ciqikou Ancient Town, sampling fiery hotpot and strolling cobblestone lanes lined with Ming-era teahouses. Next, make your way to the Liberation Monument—Chongqing’s iconic landmark built to honor China’s victory in the Anti-Japanese War. Once a symbol of history, it’s now the beating heart of the city, surrounded by soaring skyscrapers and buzzing shopping hubs.  Admire the futuristic Hongya Cave, a cliffside maze of glowing shops, before boarding a twilight river cruise to admire Chongqing’s neon-lit skyline. 

At dawn, the ship slips into the narrow Qutang Gorge with its sheer cliffs and the mist-shrouded peaks of Wu Gorge. It has the capability of controlling the waters from Sichuan in the east and dominating the mountains of Hubei in the west. Glide into Xiling Gorge, where ancient villages cling to hillsides, before arriving in Yichang as the sun dips below the riverbanks. In the past, the Xiling Gorge used to be a dangerous part of the Yangtze for boats because of its numerous dangerous shoals, reefs and whirlpools in the river. But thanks to efforts made in dredging the waterway after liberation in 1949, this part of the Yangtze has become a safe and beautiful waterway.

As twilight bathes Yichang's skyline in gold, explore the riverside hometown of poet Qu Yuan, wandering temples and memorials that honor his legacy. Qu Yuan temple nestled in Zigui County, Yichang, this 1,200-year-old temple honors Qu Yuan, China’s beloved patriotic poet who inspired the Dragon Boat Festival. You can also overlook the Three Gorges Dam from Fenghuang Mountain, surrounded by orange groves he praised in poems. Fly to Shanghai in the evening, where the glittering skyline welcomes you to China’s cosmopolitan heart.  

Delve into Yu Garden(about3-4h) in the morning, a Ming Dynasty gem of winding corridors and lotus ponds. Step into this 400-year-old gem in the heart of Shanghai, where classical pavilions, glittering ponds, and whimsical rockeries whisk you back to the Ming Dynasty. Built in 1559 as a retirement gift for a father, its name "Yu" means "peace and comfort"—perfect for a leisurely escape today! Contrast tradition with Xintiandi, a chic district blending restored shikumen houses with trendy cafes. As evening falls, walk the Bund, where colonial-era buildings face Pudong’s futuristic towers across the Huangpu River, this historic promenade is a dazzling mix of old-world charm and modern skyline views.

Ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower for dizzying views from its glass-floored observation decks. This 468-meter beauty in Pudong isn’t just a TV tower—it’s a "pearl necklace" of fun! Built in 1994, its 11 glowing spheres light up the skyline. Then you will spend the afternoon at Shanghai Disney Resort, racing through futuristic rides or meeting beloved characters. Opened in 2016, this 1.16 sq km fairy-tale kingdom in Pudong blends classic Disney fun with Chinese touches. End the day under a sky ablaze with fireworks above the Enchanted Storybook Castle. 

Bid farewell to Shanghai as your driver whisks you to the airport. Carry home memories of imperial palaces, sacred mountains, and rivers that have shaped China’s soul. Safe travels!