The Imperial Journey

Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai · 10 days · from $4280 USD

Heritage · History · Culture · Photography

Walk the restored Mutianyu Great Wall at golden hour — far fewer crowds than Badaling, with a cable car up and a quiet ridge walk back down.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing — Airport pickup and private transfer to your hotel, then a welcome dinner in a courtyard restaurant.
Day 2: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square — Walk the imperial central axis with a licensed guide, then climb Jingshan Hill for the rooftop panorama.
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall — Ride the cable car up and walk the restored ridge at golden hour, far from the Badaling crowds.
Day 4: Temple of Heaven & Hutongs — Morning at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, then a dumpling-making class in a family courtyard.
Day 5: High-speed rail to Xi’an — Transfer by bullet train and settle in, with an evening stroll on the ancient city wall.
Day 6: Terracotta Army — A full day among the thousands of life-size warriors, with an expert guide on Qin history.
Day 7: Xi’an City Wall & Muslim Quarter — Cycle the Ming-era wall, then eat your way through the lantern-lit Muslim Quarter.
Day 8: Fly to Shanghai — A short flight east, then a first taste of the Bund as the skyline lights up.
Day 9: The Bund & Lujiazui — Stroll the colonial waterfront and take in the view from a Pudong tower.
Day 10: Departure — Private transfer to the airport with time for a last breakfast in the French Concession.