Private Tour Beijing to Shanghai: 7-Days Guided Trip7 days
From€2,316.26per person
Listing ID : 46793
Private Tour Beijing to Shanghai: 7-Days Guided Trip
7dDuration
EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration7 Days
Group SizePrivate Tour
Starts AtBeijing
LanguagesEnglish
Private Tour · Beijing & Shanghai · 7 Days
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
1
Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing
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.
2
Day 2 – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Hutongs
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.
3
Day 3 – Huanghuacheng Great Wall & 798 Art District
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.
4
Day 4 – Temple of Heaven & High-Speed Train to Shanghai
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.
5
Day 5 – Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, French Concession & The Bund
Explore Yu Garden and the adjacent bazaar, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, then walk the Former French Concession and The Bund. Lunch is included.
6
Day 6 – Zhujiajiao Water Town & Propaganda Poster Museum
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
This is a private tour rated Very Easy. All transfers, guides, and included meals are arranged exclusively for your group. Please carry a copy of your booking confirmation at all times.
Duration
7 days, beginning on arrival day in Beijing and concluding with a morning departure transfer from Shanghai on Day 7.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and a small day pack. Carry sufficient local currency for personal meals and optional purchases.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are outlined in your booking confirmation. We recommend reviewing the policy before travel and securing appropriate travel insurance.
Accessibility
The tour is rated Very Easy overall; however, the Great Wall section involves uneven stone steps. Guests with mobility concerns should notify us in advance so alternatives can be arranged.
Age Range
This tour is suitable for all ages. The pace and itinerary are adaptable for families travelling with children or seniors requiring a more relaxed schedule.
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.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to China?▼
Yes. The itinerary is specifically structured for first-time visitors, covering Beijing's and Shanghai's most significant historical and cultural landmarks with private guide support throughout. The Very Easy difficulty rating means no prior travel experience in China is required.
How do we travel between Beijing and Shanghai?▼
Travel between the two cities is by second-class high-speed train, included in the tour price. The journey takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on the service, and your guides manage transfers at both ends.
Which meals are included in the itinerary?▼
Daily breakfast at the hotel is included throughout the tour. Lunches are included on Days 2, 3, 5, and 6 as specified in the itinerary. Dinner on Day 4 and lunch on Day 4 are at your own arrangement.
Is the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum open every day?▼
No. The museum is closed on Mondays. If your Day 6 falls on a Monday, please inform your guide in advance so an alternative afternoon activity can be arranged.
What is the Huanghuacheng Great Wall section like physically?▼
Huanghuacheng is considered one of the more scenic and less strenuous sections of the Great Wall. The hike involves some uneven stone steps but is generally manageable for most fitness levels. It is not recommended for guests with significant mobility limitations.
Can the itinerary be adjusted for our group's preferences?▼
As a private tour, the itinerary can be discussed with the operator at the time of booking. Adjustments are subject to availability and any applicable changes to entrance fees or logistics.
Beijing TourShanghai TourPrivate Tour ChinaForbidden CityGreat Wall HikeThe BundFrench ConcessionYu GardenZhujiajiao Water TownChina Cultural Tour7 Day China Itinerary798 Art District
This private tour operates across two of China's most visited cities: Beijing, the historic imperial capital in northern China, and Shanghai, the commercial and cultural metropolis on the eastern coast. Key sites span the central districts of Beijing including Dongcheng and Xicheng, where Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, hutong neighbourhoods, and the Temple of Heaven are located, as well as the Shijingshan and Chaoyang districts for the Great Wall access and 798 Art District respectively. In Shanghai, the itinerary covers the Huangpu district for Yu Garden and The Bund, the Xuhui district for the Former French Concession, and the Qingpu district for the Zhujiajiao water town excursion. The cities are connected by high-speed rail on the Beijing-Shanghai line, one of the busiest and most efficient rail corridors in the world. The tour is contextually relevant for travellers searching for comprehensive China first-timer itineraries, imperial history tours, and modern Chinese urban culture experiences.
Destination: China | Cities: Beijing, Shanghai | Tour Type: Private Guided Tour | Duration: 7 Days | Difficulty: Very Easy | Travel Style: Cultural, Historical, Urban | Key Themes: Imperial History, Contemporary Art, Chinese Architecture, Water Towns, Colonial Heritage | Season Suitability: Year-Round | Traveller Profile: First-Time China Visitors, Couples, Families, Solo Travellers
Gift more than a trip
Extraordinary experiences, beautifully gifted
Give the joy of travel with a ToursXplorer Gift Card. Perfect for every occasion.
