Welcome to Beijing! You are received by your guide holding your name plate at the airport or station exit and taken to your hotel. Please have a good rest to get ready for your exploration tomorrow.

In the morning, you will first visit Tiananmen Square. Walk through the grand square which is the prototype of the national emblem, and you will reach the Forbidden City. Built in 1406, this World Cultural Heritage served as an imperial palace for 24 emperors and is the quintessence of Chinese imperial architecture. Observe the exquisitely decorated royal palaces and the priceless national treasures, which demonstrates the luxurious imperial life and the wisdom of the ancient archaeologists. You will discover more palaces other tour groups do not cover for a more in-depth tour in the ancient palace.

Head to the Hutongs, which witness the historical changes for over 700 years and is rated as the museum of folk customs and habits. Take a rickshaw ride into the interwoven valleys to learn about the common local life and customs. Then call at a traditional courtyard and learn to paint a facial mask from the famous Peking Opera which makes a wonderful souvenir to bring home.

Today, you will be firstly taken to the Mutianyu Great Wall, the quieter and well-preserved part. This part of the fortifications winds through boundless mountains. You will take a Round-trip Cable Car to get on top of the Wall, which saves more time for hiking on this ancient military barrier. Touch the neatly arranged bricks and stones to admire the great ancient work; observe the watch towers, beacon towers, crenels, etc. and picture how the great fortification defended the central empire.

On the way back, you will have a stopover to appreciate the city's new landmarks of Bird's Nest and Water Cube, the competition terrains of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Then the ride continues to the Summer Palace, an elaborately designed royal garden that traces back to 1750, where you will appreciate how lakes, palaces, gardens were built in harmony with the hills.

Fascinating view on top of Mutianyu Great Wall

Early in the morning, you will visit the Temple of Heaven built in 1420. Pay tribute to the altars, vaults and halls, where emperors used to worship heaven and pray for bumper harvests. Learn about the special structures with your professional tour guide. While rambling in the park, you will encounter the lively scene of local life of people jogging, dancing, practicing martial arts, etc, and you are more than welcome to join the hospitable locals.

Afterwards, you are escorted to the railway station for the high speed train ride to Shanghai. On arrival, you will be picked up by your friendly guide, and taken to your hotel for a good rest. At night, you could roam around this brilliantly illuminated metropolis.

Today, the first spot awaiting you is the Yu Garden, an over 400-year-old landscape garden in South China architectural style. Learn about the ancient philosophy when you appreciate the beautifully arranged rivulets, rockeries, sculptures, and the delicate kiosks, pavilions, halls and corridors, etc. 

Then walk along the Bund, termed as the previous "Oriental Wall Street", and appreciate the cluster of classical mansions in different exotic styles. Have a look at the other side of the Huangpu River to marvel at the imposing modern buildings.

Then reach the top of Shanghai World Financial Center to be impressed by the panoramic view of the modern skylines.

Next you will roam about Shanghai French Concession at Xintiandi (New Spot) to immerse yourself in the multicultural artistic atmosphere and old Shanghai fantasy.  

At last, stroll in the peaceful and quiet Jade Buddha Temple (built in 1882) and pay tribute to the holy temples and statues, of which the most well-known is the ancient Reclining Jade Buddha statue brought back from Burma.

Glamourous night view of the Bund.

Today, you will first travel to Qibao Ancient Town with over 1,000 years of history. Walk through the narrow alleys and stone bridges to discover the workshops, special stores, exhibition halls, etc, and you may try the local delicacies like steamed salted pork in rice-wine thin stillage, Hitom cake, spiced eggs, etc.

Then travel to Zhujiajiao Water Town, a historical, cultural and artistic water town. Walk along the intricate alleyways and discover various small stalls, stone bridges and old residences built along the peaceful river. Follow your guide to visit the exquisite mansions of ancient celebrities, landscape gardens, temples, and ancient post offices, etc.

Your wonderful journey concludes and you are escorted to airport for your departure flight.