Beijing Zhangjiajie Shanghai 8-Day Tour

• Tiananmen Square -- Forbidden City -- Summer Palace

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

Your exploration begins at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public plaza, where you’ll witness the monumental scale of Chinese history. Proceed to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 980 buildings and 8,700 rooms reveal 500 years of imperial power. Highlights include the Hall of Supreme Harmony’s dragon-carved throne and the intricate court life exhibits at the Palace Museum.

After a traditional Peking duck lunch at Quanjude Restaurant, visit the Summer Palace. This masterpiece of imperial gardening features Kunming Lake’s 3,000-meter-long corridor adorned with 14,000 Suzhou-style paintings, the Marble Boat’s Baroque-Chinese fusion architecture, and the 17-Arch Bridge connecting islands representing mythical penglai. The day concludes with a rickshaw ride through Shichahai’s Hutongs, where you’ll pass courtyard homes, local crafts shops, and tea houses offering jasmine tea ceremonies. Nearby Qianmen Street provides opportunities to sample Beijing snacks like douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) and buy lacquerware souvenirs.

• Mutianyu Great Wall--Bird Nest

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

Rise early for the 90-minute drive to Mutianyu Great Wall, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its 23 watchtowers and stunning autumn foliage. Unlike more crowded sections, this segment offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the opportunity to walk on original Ming Dynasty bricks. After a picnic lunch featuring local specialties like roasted chestnuts and steamed buns, descend to the valley for cable car rides and toboggan adventures.

In the afternoon, visit the Bird’s Nest Stadium, designed by Herzog & de Meuron for the 2008 Olympics. The steel structure’s 110,000 tons of recycled steel create a lattice that mimics bird nests, while the Water Cube’s ETFE membrane panels shimmer in blue hues. The Olympic Park tour includes the Linglong Pagoda, a modern pagoda-shaped observation tower offering 360-degree views of Beijing’s skyline. As dusk falls, the park’s illuminated fountains and laser shows create a mesmerizing spectacle.

• Temple of Heaven-- hutongs -- Fly to Zhangjiajie

• 4+ stars hotels

• Breakfast

Begin your morning at the Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century complex where Ming and Qing emperors performed annual harvest prayers. Marvel at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests’ circular design and the Echo Wall, where whispers travel along its curved surface. Join locals in morning tai chi sessions in the surrounding park. For lunch, dive into hutong culture with a rickshaw tour through Nanluoguxiang’s narrow alleys. Visit a traditional courtyard home to learn about paper-cutting and calligraphy, and sample local snacks like douzhi (fermented bean juice). In the afternoon, transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport for your flight to Zhangjiajie, marking the transition from imperial grandeur to Hunan’s natural wonders. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and prepare for the next day’s adventure in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park -- Bailong Elevator -- Tianzi Mountain

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark famed for its surreal sandstone pillars. Begin at the Bailong Elevator, a glass-walled lift ascending 326 meters in under 2 minutes, offering unparalleled views of the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountains” that inspired James Cameron’s film. Hike through mist-shrouded trails to Tianzi Mountain, where peaks resemble a Chinese ink painting. Visit Yuanjiajie’s “Hallelujah Mountain” platform for iconic vistas, and stroll along the Ten-Mile Gallery, a scenic corridor with karst formations and lush vegetation. Lunch features Hunan cuisine, known for its spicy flavors like smoked pork with chili and stir-fried lotus root. As dusk falls, enjoy the park’s tranquil ambiance before returning to your hotel.

• Tianmen Mountain -- Tianmen Cave -- Take hight speed train to Shanghai

• 4+ stars Hotel

• Breakfast

Your day begins with an unforgettable cable car journey up Tianmen Mountain, riding one of the world's longest passenger cableways. As you ascend, watch the landscape transform from urban scenery to pristine wilderness, with the dramatic cliff faces of the "Heaven-Linking Mountain" growing ever closer. Upon reaching the summit, you'll embark on the thrilling Glass Walkway - a transparent path clinging to the mountain's edge that offers dizzying views straight down into the abyss below.

The highlight of Tianmen Mountain awaits - the magnificent Tianmen Cave, a natural archway measuring 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide that pierces the mountain at 1,300 meters altitude. According to local legend, this extraordinary formation was created when the mountain split open during a thunderstorm in 263 AD. The 999-step staircase leading to the cave represents a spiritual journey to heavenly realms in Chinese tradition, and climbing it (or taking the escalator) provides a profound sense of accomplishment.

In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Shanghai, transitioning from natural drama to urban sophistication. Check into your hotel and prepare for Shanghai’s vibrant cityscape.

• Yuyuan Garden -- Wukang Road -- Nanjing Road -- Huangpu River cruise -- the Bund

• 4+ star hotels

• Breakfast

Begin your day at Yu Garden, a 16th-century Ming Dynasty masterpiece where intricate rockeries, koi-filled ponds, and ornate pavilions transport you to ancient China. Wander through the adjacent Old City God Temple Market, where the aroma of freshly steamed xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) mingles with the vibrant colors of silk scarves and jade carvings. Stroll down Wukang Road, lined with European-style villas that whisper tales of Shanghai’s colonial past, now home to chic cafes and art galleries. As noon approaches, dive into Nanjing Road’s bustling energy—China’s premier shopping street where luxury boutiques stand alongside historic department stores like Yong’an and Sincere.

In the afternoon, head to the Bund, where 26 colonial-era buildings stand as silent witnesses to Shanghai’s history. As sunset paints the sky, watch the skyline transform: the Oriental Pearl Tower pulses with neon light, the Shanghai Tower pierces the clouds, and the Huangpu River mirrors the glittering skyline. Cap the day with a Huangpu River cruise, where the breeze carries the melodies of jazz from riverside bars and the laughter of families enjoying nightly light shows. This day harmoniously blends Shanghai’s layered history with its futuristic aspirations.

• Shanghai Departure

• Breakfast

Free morning for last-minute shopping at a Commercial City or relaxing at the hotel. As you prepare for departure, our team will assist with luggage handling and provide a shuttle to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The airport transfer is timed to ensure a stress-free check-in, with your guide available for last-minute questions.