China Essentials: Beijing & Shanghai

Welcome to China! Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, transfer to the hotel to check in*. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring the history and culture of this impressive capital city. Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Standard hotel check-in time is 2:00 p.m. If you arrive earlier, you may leave your luggage at the front desk and enjoy some free time to explore the city.

*You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll visit a Jade Factory to learn about the importance and cultural significance of this stone in China. Then head to the fascinating Great Wall at Juyongguan. Construction on this section began in the 7th century to protect the Chinese Empire from invaders, and it remains a must-see attraction to this day.

Afterwards, enjoy free time to relax or continue exploring at your own pace. We also recommend joining our optional visit to the Shichahai Hutongs with a nighttime tour of Qianmen.*Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional visit to the Shichahai Hutongs with a nighttime tour of Qianmen: Explore the historic Shichahai Hutongs by rickshaw—a network of ancient, traditional alleys in Beijing where courtyard homes known as siheyuan are still preserved. This tour offers a glimpse into life in the old city as you stroll past centuries-old houses and narrow streets steeped in history. Visit an authentic traditional courtyard, where you can chat with locals and learn the delicate art of Chinese paper cutting. Afterwards, enjoy a pleasant walk through the lively Houhai area and conclude the experience with a nighttime stroll along historic Qianmen Street, where old Beijing comes to life amid lights, aromas, and tradition.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have a free day to continue discovering Beijing at your own pace. If you would like to learn more about the country’s history, we recommend an optional full-day city tour (with dinner included)*. Alternatively, you may enjoy time on your own, tasting local flavors, visiting some of the city’s main landmarks, or strolling through its most iconic neighborhoods. Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional full-day tour of Beijing: Start at Tiananmen Square and continue to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex that was once home to the emperor. Visit the Summer Palace, where the imperial family escaped the heat. End the day with a delicious dinner featuring the famous Peking duck.

The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so the order of the itinerary may be changed to accommodate this closure.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once performed ceremonies to worship the gods. If conditions allow, the guide will show us an area of the park where locals practice tai chi or dance.

Later, we will visit a traditional Chinese medicine center to learn about different treatments and the use of herbal remedies that have been used for thousands of years.

Afterward, we will head to the train station to board the high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, the guide will accompany us to the hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with a walking tour along Nanjing Road to enjoy Shanghai’s most modern views. Next, we will visit a silk factory to learn about the production process of this traditional product.

To wrap up, we will stroll through the historic district’s bazaars near Yuyuan Garden, perfect for shopping for souvenirs and sampling local flavors. In the afternoon, you may continue exploring the city with an optional excursion that includes museums and traditional districts.* If you wish, we also recommend attending a Chinese acrobatics show**, a unique local entertainment experience. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional visit to Shanghai Museum and Pudong: This tour includes a visit to the Shanghai Museum, famous for its extensive collection of cultural artifacts. Afterwards, we will visit the Pudong district with admission included to the Jin Mao Tower or Shanghai Tower.

**Optional Chinese acrobatic show: Experience one of the world’s oldest performing arts and enjoy an evening filled with culture and entertainment.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will enjoy your last free day in this fascinating city to continue discovering everything Shanghai has to offer. For this day, we suggest a cultural excursion to Suzhou*, one of China’s most iconic cities.

To end the day, we recommend a nighttime cruise** to admire the city lights from the river. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional Suzhou day tour: Discover the timeless charm of Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East.” Visit the elegant Lingering Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscaping, then wander at your own pace through the lively and historic Shantang Street. Enjoy a scenic canal boat ride surrounded by traditional architecture and local life before continuing to the iconic Tiger Hill, one of Suzhou’s most celebrated landmarks, with the possibility of arriving by boat for a truly authentic experience.

**Optional Huangpu River night cruise: Take in the city skyline from the comfort of a river cruise and enjoy a night with spectacular views of Shanghai.

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Breakfast at the hotel.* It’s time to bring this extraordinary adventure to an end. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to catch your return flight to Canada. Arrival in your home city and end of the trip**.

*Breakfast on the last day will depend on your return flight schedule and the hotel’s breakfast service.

**Depending on the selected flight, arrival in Canada may take place the following day.

Please note: Standard hotel check-out time is 12:00 p.m. If your flight departs in the afternoon or evening, you may leave your luggage at the hotel’s front desk and enjoy some free time before departure.