4 Days Private Beijing Tour from Shanghai

Welcome to take this 4 days Beijing trip from Shanghai. There are many high-speed trains running every day from morning to evening, with the fastest trains running for only 4.5 hours. We suggest you take the early train so that you can have more time to see Beijing. Take the train on your own and we will purchase the ticket for you in advance. 

Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will pick you up at the railway station. We will start with a visit to the Summer Palace, which was a grand summer resort of the royal family and now one of the best preserved imperial palace complexes in China. Different from the garden designs like those of Yu Garden of Shanghai featuring non-interactive tiny ponds and exquisite rockeries, in the Summer Palace, you can take a boat on the large mirror-like Kunming Lake, climb up the Longevity Hill, and stroll along the Long Corridor to immerse in an imperial magnificence. It would also be an unforgettable experience to appreciate the amazing historical architectures that nestle here and there, each having its own unique design. They all have interesting stories behind them, which your guide will narrate to you. Finally, we will escort you to the hotel for a good rest.

Your trip today will start from the center of the city, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the world's largest square in downtown area. To its north is the Forbidden City, the living place of 24 emperors in history. With the description of your guide, you can easily imagine the everyday life of the royal family. Be prepared for sun protection if you travel in summer. When you are there, you will find you can't see any trees around the three major spacious palaces in the Forbidden City. It is said that to show the imperial dignity and supreme authority, planting trees was prohibited. Another rumor is that trees could not be planted because of security concerns. In the palace, constructions were built with wood as the basic material, thus trees were not allowed to avoid fire or lightening. Enjoy this expansive and historical site that displays the depth and breadth of Chinese culture. 

This afternoon, embark on a Hutong rickshaw tour and dive deep into traditional Beijing culture. A rickshaw is an old-style three-wheeled vehicle drawn by man. You may travel through these old hutong alleys with your friend if you happen to take one on one rickshaw, which should be a unique experience. What's more, you will visit a local family to experience how to live like a Beijing local and see what the traditional quadrangle courtyard looks like. Finally, we will escort you back to the hotel or leave you in the Hutong area if you want to explore more or have dinner here.

► Dinner Suggestion:
Tucked in a lively hutong just south of Yinding Bridge, there is a restaurant called Hou Hai No.16 Beijing Private Kitchen (Yinding Bridge branch) that you can visit for dinner. You will pass a charming corridor at the doorway to reach inside. It said this was once the residence of a Qing Dynasty official. The interior boasts a stylish retro decor that beautifully blends tradition with modernity, exuding an ambiance reminiscent of past Beijing. You can dine indoors on the first floor or, on clear days, the second-floor terrace, which is perfect for photos. Average cost is CNY 90 / USD 12 per person.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, we will take you to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which has received numerous visitors from home and abroad. Climbing the Great Wall takes a great effort, so we specially arrange the round trip cable car to take you to the most beautiful part of the wall. You may have lunch around Mutianyu on your own, and your guide is willing to give you some suggestions.

► It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen and take plenty of water if you travel in summer. While in other seasons, it may get very cold, so it is better to dress warm. 

► Scribbles cannot be avoided in any parts of the Great Wall for a long time. No amount of wall cleaning will ever suppress such activity. Subsequently, Mutianyu Great Wall introduced a designated graffiti zone, which is on the west side of the No.14 enemy tower. It is interesting to see the walls covered with graffiti, with names and phrases scrawled in Chinese, English and other different languages. 

In the afternoon, we arrange you a visit to the Temple of Heaven. On the way back, you will view the Olympic National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) in a distance. The Temple of Heaven was the sacrificial altar for emperors to pray for the blessings of the God. But now, the park of the temple is a great place to immerse in local people's leisure life. Many citizens will gather here to exercise, chat, and dance.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Your tours from Shanghai to Great Wall of China will draw to an end today. After breakfast at the hotel, the guide and driver will take you to the airport for your homeward flight. Thanks for allowing us the chance to serve you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast