Beijing & Shanghai
Six days split between 3,000-year-old Beijing and 21st-century Shanghai — the Forbidden City to the world\'s second-tallest skyscraper.
6–7 Days
The sharpest contrast in China — ancient capital to futuristic metropolis.
Beijing → Shanghai
Connected by a 4.5-hour high-speed train — faster than flying door-to-door.
Forbidden City to the Bund
From 3,000-year-old imperial palaces to the world's second-tallest building.
The Journey
This route skips Xi\'an in favour of a sharper Beijing-Shanghai contrast — the ancient and the futuristic in one trip. You see China\'s imperial past and its present-day ambition, connected by a 4.5-hour high-speed train.
Days 1–3: Beijing
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and a hutong evening. See the Beijing In Depth page for full details.
Local tip: The Beijing → Shanghai high-speed train departs from Beijing South. The 4.5-hour trains (G1, G3, G5, G7) are the fastest — book these specifically.
Days 4–6: Shanghai
Bund at golden hour, French Concession, soup dumplings, and a day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town. See the Shanghai In Depth page for full details.
Local tip: The G1 train (Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao) departs at 7am, arrives 11:29am — you get a full afternoon in Shanghai. This is the best option for maximising your time.
This is a suggested itinerary. Every journey we design is tailored to your interests, pace, and budget.
Ready to Plan Your China Journey?
Tell us about your dream trip. We will send you a personalized proposal — no obligation, no pressure.
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