China Golden Triangle Tour
S-101: 8 Days Private Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai
Tour Type: Private Tour, any parts of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Tour Highlights:
- Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army
- Take a rickshaw through the Hutongs & get a close touch with the original Beijing lifestyle
- Experience the Bund, classical garden, modern and old in contrast in Shanghai
- Enjoy a la carte meals & taste authentic Chinese cuisines at superb restaurants
From $1289 per person Free Inquiry
- Itinerary
- Tour Prices
- Price Includes
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Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Airport pick-up & airport-hotel transfer.
Your flight will touch down in our capital city today. Our local professional guide and experienced driver will expect you at the airport after your baggage reclaim and customs clearance, and then escort you to check in at the hotel. Relax during the rest time of the day to recover from the jet leg and prepare for your 8 days Golden Triangle China tour.
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Day 2 Beijing
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, A la carte welcome lunch, Temple of Heaven. (B+L)
Mutianyu Great Wall
Your private journey will start from the magnificent Tiananmen Square. Then continue to the Forbidden City. The imperial palace complex is divided into two parts, the Inner Court and the Outer Court. The Inner Court was the living space for royal families, and the Outer Court served as a workplace for emperor to cope with political affairs.
After visiting the imperial palace, you will enjoy an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at one of the best restaurants in the city.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
After visiting the imperial palace, you will enjoy an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at one of the best restaurants in the city.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Day 3 Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall with a round-trip cable car, Olympic Bird's Nest. (B)
Our consultant Flora with her clients
The highlight of your 8 days China tour package will come today as you climb the amazing Great Wall at Mutianyu section, including the round-trip cable car. The Great Wall is a priceless heritage left by the Chinese ancestry. Just when you stand on the Wall and see its grandness, you will find it is no wonder that Great Wall has the vigor to surprise the whole world.
Lunch is not included. Our guide will be pleased to offer you some suggestions.
On the way back to the downtown area, while passing by the Bird's Nest, also called the Olympic National Stadium, we will make a brief stop for you to take some pictures of the huge nest. Today's last stop is a featured local market.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Friendly Tips
This tour includes the round-way cable car fees at Mutianyu Great Wall. However, if you are interested in taking the chairlift up and toboggan down the wall, we can also arrange that for you.
Lunch is not included. Our guide will be pleased to offer you some suggestions.
On the way back to the downtown area, while passing by the Bird's Nest, also called the Olympic National Stadium, we will make a brief stop for you to take some pictures of the huge nest. Today's last stop is a featured local market.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Friendly TipsThis tour includes the round-way cable car fees at Mutianyu Great Wall. However, if you are interested in taking the chairlift up and toboggan down the wall, we can also arrange that for you.
Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an
Summer Palace with boat ride on Kunming Lake, Hutong Rickshaw Tour, A 4.5-hour high speed train to Xi'an, Train station to hotel transfer. (B)
Terracotta Army, Xi'an
Photo by our client Mr. Gary Vandiver
Photo by our client Mr. Gary Vandiver
This morning, you will first visit the Summer Palace. Mainly composed of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it is the largest and best preserved imperial garden of the country. It is a monument to classical Chinese architecture in terms of both garden design and construction. You will also have chance to enjoy the beautiful sceneries by boat along the Kunming Lake. Then have a traditional Hutong rickshaw tour. In the afternoon, you will take a high speed train to Xi'an. Our local guide will meet you at Xi'an North Railway Station and take you to check in at the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 5 Xi'an
Terracotta Army, Provincial History Museum, Xi'an City Wall. (B)
Rural people celebrating the traditional festival
The whole morning will be spent to visit the Terracotta Army. You will be astonished by the life-size unearthed terracotta warriors and horses more than 2200 years ago. Over 8,000 terracotta soldiers were excavated with orderly array and grandeur. They vary in height, posture and expression.
Lunch is arranged on your own. You may ask for some advice from your guide.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Provincial History Museum. The museum has been a crucial window to show excellent culture of this ancient city and our nation, as well as a connecting bridge for cultural exchange with outside world. Then go to the time-honored City Wall. It is a top wonder of the city, initiated by the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the shape of a rectangle.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Lunch is arranged on your own. You may ask for some advice from your guide.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Provincial History Museum. The museum has been a crucial window to show excellent culture of this ancient city and our nation, as well as a connecting bridge for cultural exchange with outside world. Then go to the time-honored City Wall. It is a top wonder of the city, initiated by the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the shape of a rectangle.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 6 Xi'an - Shanghai
Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi'an Museum, A local family visit and an authentic home-cooked lunch, Fly to Shanghai, Airport-hotel transfer. (B+L)
Our clients riding bicycles on the City Wall
This morning you will visit the Xian Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built for keeping the Buddhist scriptures and Buddha figures brought back from India by eminent monk Yijing during the Tang Dynasty.
Then you will have a Chinese local family visit. Not only can you visit the local people's home, but also the hosts will invite you to have an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at their home. What a fantastic experience! The hosts will also be glad to teach you to make dumplings or to cook your favorite Chinese dish.
Afterwards, you will take a flight to Shanghai. Our local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to check in at the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch
Then you will have a Chinese local family visit. Not only can you visit the local people's home, but also the hosts will invite you to have an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at their home. What a fantastic experience! The hosts will also be glad to teach you to make dumplings or to cook your favorite Chinese dish.
Afterwards, you will take a flight to Shanghai. Our local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to check in at the hotel.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch
Day 7 Shanghai
Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, A la carte farewell lunch, the Bund and Huangpu River cruise, a cultural street. (B+L)
Pudong New Area
In the morning, our guide will escort you to see Shanghai Museum and the classical Yu Garden. As a distinguished museum of Chinese art, Shanghai Museum is also one of the four famous museums in China, holding rich and high-quality collection of ancient precious works of art. Once you enter the Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful scene delights you wherever you go; you feel that all beautiful scenes are grouped together by nature.
At noon, an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) of the true Shanghai and Cantonese cuisines at a fancy and famous local restaurant will be specially served for you today.
After lunch, you will take a Huangpu River cruise to appreciate the two representative profiles of the city along two sides of the river. It helps you understand the past, see the present and look into the future of this modern city. Then you will explore the Bund area. Free time will be given you there so that you can take some nice photos. The last stop of your China Golden Triangle tour is an old street, where is full of sense of culture and arts.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
At noon, an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) of the true Shanghai and Cantonese cuisines at a fancy and famous local restaurant will be specially served for you today.
After lunch, you will take a Huangpu River cruise to appreciate the two representative profiles of the city along two sides of the river. It helps you understand the past, see the present and look into the future of this modern city. Then you will explore the Bund area. Free time will be given you there so that you can take some nice photos. The last stop of your China Golden Triangle tour is an old street, where is full of sense of culture and arts.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Day 8 Departure from Shanghai
Hotel-airport transfer & see you off, A pleasant trip home! (B)
According to your international flight schedule, your private guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport on time. We wish you have a pleasant journey home and thank you for choosing our 8-day China guided tours.
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Meals: Western buffet breakfast
B-- Breakfast L-- Lunch D-- Dinner
| Destinations | Standard Hotels | Economy Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Pentahotel Beijing  | Days Inn Forbidden City Hotel |
| Xi'an | Holiday Inn Xi'an Big Goose Pagoda | Days Inn City Centre Xi'an |
| Shanghai | Ocean Hotel Shanghai | Golden River-view Hotel |
Earlier Booking, Bigger Savings
12% off - book 2020 tours by Dec 31, 2019; 5% off - book 2019 tours 30 days in advance
| Tour Prices with Standard Hotels | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
| $1539 $1354 | $1379 $1213 | $1179 $1037 |
| Tour Prices with Economy Hotels | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
| $1449 $1275 | $1289 $1134 | $1089 $958 |
- Prices are per person in US Dollars based on double occupancy.
- The prices in red reflect 12% discount.
- Any parts of the itinerary e.g. tour length, activities & hotels can be tailored to your individual interests.
Price Includes
- Domestic airfares & train fares
- Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- A la carte lunches as itinerary specifies
- Private English-speaking guides
- Private drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
Price Excludes
- International airfares
- Entry Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Why Travel With Us
Other levels available for this itinerary:
8 Days Budget Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai from $659
I sent a request with what cities and dates arriving and departing and Wendy (travel Planner) did all the rest. She came up with an itinerary that we were happy with, it took some emails back and forth for clarification but replies were very timely. This was a private tour arrangement for 2 first timers to China.
Each city had it's own local guide (Shanghai guide Ocean; Xi'an guide Celine; Beijing guide Mathew) and special shout out to the drivers that navigated the chaotic traffic(!), they all made the experience enjoyable especially hearing from locals that live in the city. All the attractions that we visited were spot on and met expectations.
Hotels were very conveniently located and the accommodations and breakfasts were all great. Metro system is very easy to use and inexpensive. Local cuisine was inexpensive and tasted delicious too!
I can't wait to arrange the next trip to see more China destinations! ... More
The guides and drivers did a good job. They were polite and friendly. We appreciated their willingness to answer a broad range of questions about not only the sights but also about life in China. We were not disappointed. What we noticed is that there was a different approach. In some cities the guide stayed with us throughout the visit. In Xian, the guide arranged to meet us at a prearranged time after the museum visits. All of our guides were knowledgeable. Barry, our Beijing guide, was exceptional. We also appreciated his taking us to the Beijing museum which was not on our itinerary.
The drivers were very good and the cars clean. We realize that driving in China can be very challenging. Our drivers remained calm and positive.
All of the hotel facilities and breakfasts were excellent. As we told Angela, the hotels location and neighborhood are also important to us - particularly when we have free time. We did not enjoy walking near the Xian hotel.
The food was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the meal with the Peking duck.
Regarding the itinerary. We saw many wonderful things. I had never heard of the Sacred Way which was one of my favorite places.
I suggest you offer the Beijing museum as an option to your tourists. I preferred it over the Shanghai and Xian museums. I thought its section on the history of the last 150 years was very interesting and it also has a wonderful shop.
I suggest you include the Xian Muslim quarter food/pedestrian street in your tour. When we saw it, we asked our guide to take us there. Assistance with shopping and bargaining is very helpful as it is such a different experience than in the United States.
To sum up, Travel China Guide provided a memorable private tour for my friend and I. ... More
1. Jacky (Extremely knowledgeable and competent. Continuously offered comments.)
2. Selina (Very knowledgeable and went out of her way to accommodate us with extra unplanned activities, etc.)
3. Colin (A little more laid back than the other two guides. In some cases had to be asked about something to start the dialogue on a given item.)
General suggestion - More time and activities should be made available in Shanghai, such as the afternoon/evening that you arrive, as part of standard 3 city tour.
All restaurants were very good, except our last restaurant in Xi'An where the service was very, very slow.
Hotels were very good. Xi'An hotel was the best. Hotel service was best in Xi'An followed by Beijing, with service being last in Shanghai.
We were impressed with the arrangements except the minor issues mentioned above and will take advantage of your company on future visits. ... More
Our 3 guides - Brian, Tracy and Colin were absolutely excellent, friendly, super nice and helpful, it was so important for us, because it reflects on the kindness we experienced with everybody in China. Chinese people have such a deep respect for us, foreigners, that it is almost too much sometimes!! We learned so much from listening to our guides, that we are still amazed at all we know and will never forget! I will also never forget the happy face, bright smile and happiness of our Shanghai guide Colin when he saw us coming out of the luggage claim area at the airport!! He is the most knowledgeable and nice person ever... he even took us at night in Suzhou to show us a bookstore/café hostel, because we share a common passion for literature!
The cars and drivers-especially the very nice and quiet lady we had with Colin- were perfect, there is nothing else to say, all the drivers were so friendly and nice, always on time, and moreover they were so good at driving in the heavy traffic, staying always calm and happy.
The only thing I would change to the program is to allow more time when visiting such important places as The Forbidden City, Westlake and the Terracotta Warriors.
As for our travel consultant Kelly, all I have to say is that she was the mastermind of this wonderful trip, and nothing would have been so perfect without her efforts and work.
We can't wait to return to China and will be using TCG when we do! ... More