Experience the Cultural Wonders of China in an 8 Days Tour with Three Capitals and Shanghai

Shanghai(2N)-Luoyang(1N)-Xian(2N)-Beijing(2N)

An 8 Days Tour with Three Capitals and Shanghai that takes you from the cosmopolitan pulse of Shanghai, discover the ancinet wonders of Luoyang, step into the spiritual heart of martial arts at the legendary Shaolin Temple, explore the timeless mysteries of Xi’an, and into the imperial grandeur of Beijing. It’s a story of China’s rich tapestry woven through time.

Shanghai the Bund

The Bund

Longmen Grottoes

Shaolin Temple

Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City

Xian Shadow Play

Great Wall

Forbidden City

Temple of Heaven

Yan Dai Xie Jie

Pan Jia Yuan Market

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai

Upon arrival of Shanghai, you will meet with our private guide and be transferred to hotel for check-in. After that, you can choose to explore the fascinating metropolitan by your own, or enjoy a good rest at hotel after a long-time flight journey.

Day 2: Shanghai

Before it’s crowded with tourists, we first take a stroll to the Bund in the morning, then take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to Pudong, where we visit Shanghai Municipal History Museum on the ground floor of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, then go up to its main observation deck for a panoramic view of Shanghai’s skyline. Continue to Lane 1192 Old Shanghai Style Street, an "immersive" retro food street perfectly reproduces the old Shanghai style in the thirties of the last century, where you can see rickshaws, docks, old-fashioned trams, shop signs and other scenes. The next stop will be Fun Collection, an underground market with all kinds of products, like clothes, suitcases, toys, digital products, handicrafts and so on. Before transfer back to hotel, you will have a walking tour on Nanjing Pedestrian Road.

Day 3: High-speed Train to Luoyang

Our last day in Shanghai will start with the visit of Yu Garden, a famous classical Chinese garden located in the city center, then the nearby market, where you will find various local snacks, traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, pearls and other specialty goods. Transfer to railway station and take high-speed train to Luoyang. If you will visit Luoyang in April, you will have the chance to visit local gardens to appreciate the charm of “City of Peonies”. We will take a walking tour of Luoyi Ancient City, a beautifully restored cultural landmark in Luoyang, showcases traditional architecture, Hanfu culture, and immersive historical experiences, blending ancient charm with vibrant night markets and lantern-lit streets.

Day 4: Shaolin Temple & Longmen Grottoes  

In the morning, we will drive to visit Shaolin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which offers a captivating blend of ancient Buddhist culture and martial arts heritage. Then You will explore historic pagodas, watch mesmerizing Kungfu performances, and immerse in the serene mountain scenery of Song Mountain. The Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features over 2,300 ancient Buddhist caves and 110,000 intricately carved statues dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties (5th–10th centuries). Highlights include the majestic 17-meter-tall Vairocana Buddha, symbolizing the peak of Chinese stone-carving artistry. Transfer to railway station and take high-speed train to Xian.

Day 5: Xian

This morning, we drive to visit one of the most iconic attractions in China, Terracotta Army. The life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses, discovered near the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, are a testament to the ancient craftsmanship and military power of the Qin dynasty. It's an awe-inspiring sight that transports visitors back to ancient times. Back to the city, we continue to visit the Ancient City Wall, which has a history of over 600 years. You can walk or cycle along the wall to get a panoramic view of the city and appreciate the ancient defensive architecture. Go to take a walking tour of Muslim Street, a collective term for a Muslim community area renowned for its bustling atmosphere, rich history, and a wide variety of delicious food. Here we will visit a quiet grand mosque hidden in the alley and enter a traditional courtyard to enjoy the ancient traditional art form of China – Shadow Play. In the evening, we will visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Everbright City, a dazzling cultural and commercial district that recreates the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty with illuminated streets, historical performances, and immersive traditional experiences.

Day 6: High-speed Train to Beijing

We will take a morning train to Beijing. After check in hotel and a short rest, we go to visit The Temple of Heaven, which was served as the sacred place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the heavens and prayed for good harvests, now it has become a popular park for locals and tourists to do more exercises or have a relax, like practicing Taichi, singing, dancing, playing poker, strolling with a bird and so on. The next stop goes to Panjiayuan Market, a sprawling marketplace in Beijing renowned for its vast collection of antiques, cultural artifacts, and second-hand goods.

Day 7: Beijing

In the morning, we will drive to visit Great Wall at the Mutianyu Section, less crowded yet equally majestic part of this iconic landmark. You will ride a cable car up to the highest watchtower, then take a hike along the flagstones of hundreds of years old to admire the natural scenery and experience the historical significance. The next must-see spot is Summer Palace. With its beautiful lakes, gardens, and pavilions, it is a perfect example of Chinese landscape gardening. By walking through Yan Dai Xie Jie, a bustling street with various shops, we go to Houhai, originally served as a royal lake and now a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a blend of culture and relaxation. After a short stay at Bell and Drum Tower Square, we will take a rickshaw to shuttle between the old Hutongs, including visit of a local family living there.

Day 8: Departure from Beijing

The last day in Beijing will take you to experience the charm of this ancient capital city. We start with Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, by walking from the south to the north side to closely feel the symbolic heart of Beijing. Crossing the road by underground passage, we stroll into Forbidden City, a grand and ancient architectural complex that once served as the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. Walking through its vast halls and courtyards, you can marvel at the intricate details of the buildings, the rich history that permeates every brick and beam, and the sense of awe that comes from standing in a place where centuries of Chinese history unfolded. Going out from the north gate of Forbidden City, we continue to Coal Hill, on top of which you will have a stunning panoramic view of the palace complex.

Transfer to airport for departure flight back to home, ending the whole tour of China.