Peakpool Brook Hideaway
50 meters south of Xianzonglin Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Baofeng Road, Jundiping Subdistrict, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
Tour Overview
Shanghai and Beijing are often called “A Tale of Two Cities”. This 6 days Shanghai Beijing highlights tour takes you to explore all amazing tales of the two biggest cities in China. Shanghai is the Global Economic Capital City and the biggest city in China, while Beijing is China's Capital City and the second biggest city in China. Don't forget to take your time to discover the different cultures between the Magic City and the Forbidden City through its people and food. Shanghai is an excellent spot to start your China trip with numerous international and domestic airlines for transfers. In this Queen of the Orient, you can spend about 3 days admiring Shanghai through its skyline, museums, temples, and the Bund. With 4-5 hours high-speed train, you will transfer rapidly from fast-paced Shanghai to fast-paced Beijing, the capital of China with a history of over 3,000 years. You can spend about 3 days in Beijing exploring the imperial sites for royal families and relaxing in old Hutongs with a rickshaw experie
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Cities
Shanghai , Beijing
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Welcome to Shanghai | Seamless Airport Pick‑up & Hotel Check‑in
Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most international and lively city, defined by its fascinating mix of Eastern and Western cultures.
Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train‑station exit and transfer you to your hand‑picked downtown hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest after travel fatigue or wander around the hotel area independently.
Arrival Ideas
Shanghai is well‑connected by air and high‑speed train via Pudong and Hongqiao Airports, as well as extensive high‑speed rail links from Beijing, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Suzhou and other key cities across China.
Free Time Ideas
Ask your guide for custom suggestions matching your arrival time and personal preferences.
Day 2
Day 2: Old & New Shanghai Highlights | Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road & The Bund
Today you will experience the fascinating East‑West fusion of Shanghai, known as the “Paris of the East”. Your full‑day tour covers outstanding museums, traditional Chinese gardens, futuristic skyscrapers and distinctive colonial‑style architecture.
Begin at Shanghai Museum, home to an extraordinary fine‑art collection that brings thousands of years of Chinese history to life. Modelled after an ancient bronze ding vessel, the museum features a round roof atop a square base, representing the ancient Chinese philosophical concept of “round heaven, square earth”. Its 120,000 relics span 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation. Wander through the Bronze and Ceramic Halls to admire masterful antiques. Do not miss two national treasures: the 3,000‑year‑old Da Ke Ding bronze cauldron and the Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin, an impressive set of ancient ritual musical bells.
Your next stop is Yu Garden, Shanghai’s most renowned classical Chinese garden tucked within the bustling city centre. Stroll leisurely through its exquisite pavilions and admire intricate stone carvings and sculptures. Outside the garden, Yuyuan Bazaar invites you to sample local street‑food snacks and browse traditional handicrafts and art pieces.
Later, take a casual walk along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. Lined with flagship stores, restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops, this iconic thoroughfare showcases Shanghai’s vibrant commercial energy. Continue onwards to The Bund, an essential highlight on every Shanghai travel list. Nicknamed “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, it features 52 grand structures built in varied global architectural styles. From here, gaze across the Huangpu River at the glittering modern skyline of Pudong.
Your final stop is Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building and the world’s third‑tallest skyscraper, standing 632 metres high. Ride the high‑speed elevator up to the 118th‑floor “Top of Shanghai” observation deck at 546 metres above ground, and soak in the spectacular 360‑degree panoramic views across the whole metropolisShanghai T...
Day 3
Day 3 Shanghai to Beijing by High Speed Train
This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the railway station for your high‑speed train ride to Beijing, which takes approximately 4.5‑5.5 hours. Sit back and enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from modern Shanghai to China’s imperial capital.
Upon your arrival in Beijing, your local guide will greet you at the train‑station exit and accompany you to your downtown hotel for check‑in. The rest of the day is at your leisure; you may relax or take a casual stroll around your hotel neighbourhood on your own.
Day 4
Day 4: Discover Beijing’s Imperial Heritage | Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
Today you will spend a full‑day exploring Beijing, an ancient imperial citadel brimming with world‑famous landmarks, monumental royal architecture and magnificent imperial gardens.
After breakfast, your guide will collect you from your hotel and head for Tian’anmen Square. As the world’s largest public square and China’s national symbol, it has witnessed countless pivotal national events over recent decades. This is also the perfect spot to take classic photos of Tian’anmen Gate, frequently featured in national news broadcasts.
Cross the square to visit the breathtaking Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and once home to 24 Chinese emperors. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with roughly 500 years of history, it served as the political and ceremonial heart of China throughout the Ming (1368‑1644) and Qing (1644‑1911) dynasties. Boasting more than 8,728 rooms, it stands as China’s largest and best‑preserved ancient architectural ensemble — a “city within a city”, comparable to the Vatican in Rome. Enter through the Meridian Gate and follow the central axis to see all the major palace halls. Admire its extraordinary architecture and priceless ancient artefacts, while your guide shares fascinating stories about the emperors who once lived within these palace walls.
Afterwards, enjoy a 15‑minute walk to Jingshan Park. From its hilltop, you are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views: the golden‑red sea of Forbidden City rooftops stretches out before you, alongside the modern skyline of Beijing.
In the afternoon, drive to the Summer Palace, known as the “Museum of Royal Gardens”. It was built as a summer retreat where imperial families escaped the summer heat. Marvel at its masterful landscape design featuring temples, pavilions, lakes, elegant bridges and winding covered corridors. Take your time wandering through the grounds, admiring imperial buildings, hilltop vistas and serene lake scenery that look just like scenes from traditional Chinese scroll paintings.
Recommended Optional Activity: Treat yourself to authentic Peking Roast Duck at Quanjude for dinner this evening.
Day 5
Day 5: Ancient Wonder vs Modern Beijing | Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest & Water Cube
This morning, drive 1.5‑2 hours northwest to Mutianyu Great Wall. This well‑restored section features 23 Ming‑era watchtowers and enjoys fewer visitors. Ride the cable car to the 14th watchtower and hike the western segment; ambitious walkers can continue to the 20th watchtower for outstanding mountain‑ridge views.
Later return to central Beijing for photo opportunities outside the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, legacy venues of the 2008 and 2022 Olympic Games. Afterwards, transfer back to your hotel.
Day 6
Day 6: End Your China Journey | Beijing Check‑out & Airport Transfer
This morning tour takes you to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage imperial sacrificial site. Learn about ancient emperors’ harvest‑praying rituals and see architectural wonders such as the Echo Wall and Triple‑Sound Stones. Watch locals doing morning exercises in the park, and you may join them if you wish.
Should you have extra time, take a rickshaw ride through traditional Hutong alleys to experience genuine Beijing neighbourhood life.
Your 6‑day tour then draws to a close. Your guide will transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward trip.
Photo Gallery for This Itinerary
Brief itinerary
Shanghai (2 Days)
Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Tower
Beijing (4 Days)
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube, Temple of Heaven, Old Hutongs
Highly Recommended Hotels
Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel
No. 1 Jundi Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400, China
Pullman Zhangjiajie
No. 188 Gaoyun Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427000, China
Sheraton Changsha Hotel
Yunda International Plaza, No. 478, Furong Middle Road Section 1, Kaifu District, Changsha, Hunan 410005, China
