Chinese Cosmopolitan: A Private 7-Day Beijing and Shanghai Tour
From the Forbidden City to The Bund, trace five centuries of Chinese history and cosmopolitan culture on one unforgettable private journey.
This private Beijing and Shanghai tour takes you through the layered grandeur of China's imperial past and its dynamic modern present across seven carefully structured days. Beginning at the gates of Tiananmen Square and ending along the storied riverfront of The Bund, the itinerary balances landmark sites with quieter, more personal encounters that most group tours miss entirely.
Beijing introduces the full sweep of Chinese dynastic history, from the towering red walls of the Forbidden City to the narrow hutong lanes that have survived centuries of urban transformation. The city's contemporary energy surfaces at the 798 Art District, where a decommissioned East German industrial complex has been reimagined as one of Asia's leading centres for modern art and design.
Shanghai offers a different register entirely: a metropolis shaped by Ming garden aesthetics, French colonial architecture, and relentless twenty-first-century ambition. A half-day excursion to the water town of Zhujiajiao provides a welcome counterpoint to the urban intensity, with canal gondola rides and traditional teahouses set against whitewashed merchant architecture.
Throughout both cities, private guides ensure that context, not just access, is part of every visit. This tour is rated Very Easy, making it well-suited to travellers of all fitness levels who want a rich cultural experience without physical demand.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the Forbidden City, the vast imperial palace complex that housed Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for more than 500 years.
Hike a scenic section of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, where the ancient fortification descends dramatically into two reservoir lakes.
Explore the 798 Art District in Beijing, a thriving contemporary arts hub housed inside a repurposed 1950s industrial complex.
Wander the Ming Dynasty pavilions, rockeries, and goldfish ponds of Yu Garden, one of Shanghai's most celebrated classical gardens.
Take a gondola ride through the canal network of Zhujiajiao, a well-preserved water town on the outskirts of Shanghai.
Stroll along The Bund and the Former French Concession, where Neo-classical European facades meet Shanghai's most stylish contemporary streets.
Visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum, a compact private collection of over 5,000 artworks documenting Mao-era Communist history.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive at Beijing Airport, where your private guide and driver will meet you at the arrivals hall. Transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day free to rest and acclimatise.
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning, then explore Beijing's historic hutong lanes and the Buddhist Miaoying Temple with its iconic White Stupa from 1279. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Hike the scenic Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, with views over two reservoir lakes, before spending the afternoon at the 798 Art District. Lunch is included.
Tour the Temple of Heaven complex in the morning, then board a second-class high-speed train to Shanghai. Your Shanghai guide and driver will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel.
Explore Yu Garden and the adjacent bazaar, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, then walk the Former French Concession and The Bund. Lunch is included.
Spend the morning in the canal town of Zhujiajiao before visiting the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum in the afternoon. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
What Is Included
Included
- Private airport and station transfers throughout
- Professional private guide services in Beijing and Shanghai
- Lunches as specified in the itinerary
- Second-class high-speed train ticket from Beijing to Shanghai
- Hotel accommodation for 6 nights
- All entrance fees to listed attractions
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Dinners and meals not specified
- Qing Post Office entrance fee (RMB 20, payable locally)
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Visa fees
Important Information
Reserve Your Private China Tour
Secure your place on this seven-day private journey through Beijing and Shanghai. Private availability is limited, so early booking is recommended, especially for travel during peak season.
Book Now
