China Golden Triangle
This 8-day China top cities tour covers the most popular three destinations and five World Heritage sites in China. It makes an ideal tour for first-time visitors.
The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tell us your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.
Suggested 8-Day Itinerary
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-4 Beijing |
Explore imperial history, savor local cuisine, and enjoy scenic gardens |
| 5-6 Xi'an |
Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, stroll the ancient city walls, and visit vibrant markets |
| 7-8 Shanghai |
Walk the Bund, enjoy panoramic city views, and customize your adventure |
Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Discover the Hidden Halls in the Forbidden City.
While most tour groups only visit the six halls on the central axis, your private guide will take you to the hidden halls for a deeper understanding of the history and dodge the crowds.
Walk on a Top-Ranked Part of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu is ranked top among all parts of the Great Wall on TripAdvisor. Walk leisurely through the watchtowers, enjoying a superb view of the Mutianyu Great wall snaking across the mountains.
Taste the Savory Flavor of China
Taste crispy Beijing roast duck, learn how to make dumplings from a local family in Xi'an, and try some Shanghai local snacks.
Unveil the Secrets of the Terracotta Army and Make Your Own Terracotta Warriors
Your local guide will show you around the Terracotta Army and unveil some secrets of the world wonder. See the life-size warriors at the site, get to know how ancient craftsmen made them. Visit a traditional cave dwelling and learn how to make warriors.
Cycle or Walk on the Ancient Xi'an City Wall to Hear the Echo of History
Enjoy an ancient city perspective by biking or walking on the City Wall and take a bird's-eye view of Xi'an.
Discover the Hidden Stories of the Bund and Ascend Shanghai Tower
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s. You will walk a route that seldom tourist will find by themselves, see the most original bricks, and hear some interesting stories that you'll never find in history books.
Enjoy a Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience.
Whether you want to relax, experience fashion, appreciate art, explore folk customs, or shop; from having fun in a fancy bar to exploring an art center, trying nail beauty, testing your popularity in the marriage market, or just buying some lovely gifts, we will make it happen.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beeindruckende Tage in Lijiang
Wir waren 3 N?chte in Lijiang, organisiert durch China Highlights. Wir haben den Jadedrachenschneeberg besucht, wurden in Baisha durch einen Naxi-Schamanen in die Bilderschrift der Naxi eingeführt, waren in der Tigersprungschlucht und sind durch die Altstadt von Lijiang gebummelt. Unser Guide Alice hat uns super geführt (englisch), ist auf unsere Wünsche eingegangen und wir hatten viel Spass und tolle Gespr?che miteinander. Ein tolles Erlebnis. more
Oct 2025, Ulrich
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A Very Memorable Visit to Shanghai.
We arrived in Shanghai on 30 Oct 2024 to the announcement that Shanghai would be hit by a severe typhoon on 1 Nov. But that did not faze our wonderful guide, Winnie! She reorganised our itinerary to max the time we had before the typhoon arrive which would have stopped all activities. Meeting us at 8.30am, she whisked us to Shanghai Tower - so that we could beat the morning crowd to get up to the observation deck on the 118th floor and take in the breath-taking view before the rolling fog reduced all visibility! Lunch was a v delicious meal of local treats at a famous local bistro after a tour of the Shanghai Museum. Winnie was so thoughtful, she even bought us a green bean soup each for us old folks to hydrate ourselves through the afternoon. Plus - a very pretty pumpkin pastry to celebrate Halloween! We spent the afternoon walking along the Bund with Winnie explaining the history and significance of the different buildings and a tour of the French Quarter after that. All these could not have been done the next day when the typhoon brought gusty wind and heavy rain. Because of Winnie's initiative and hard work on 31 Oct, we got to see the Shanghai we came to visit! Kudos to you, Winnie! more
Nov 2024, Navigate14411878263
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Great day in Suchzou and Tongli
Thanks to our guide Kenny! She was very welcoming and nice! Showed us Suchzhou in a very nice way. We visited the park, had a nice dinner in a restaurant that she chose for us (the food was great and atmosphere very warm) and visited Tongli water village. Her English is great, we understood her very well, and she was also very knowledgeable. Would totally recommend more
Nov 2024, Nidia
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.
With a sunny smile, your private guide will be on time and waiting for you in the arrival hall. A comfortable private car and experienced driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. We aim to give you a good first impression of China.
Start your day with the symbol of new China, the Tian'anmen Square. From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces with 500 years of history. While most tour groups only visit the six halls on the central axis, your private guide will help you explore 12 carefully-selected places.
Enjoy the Beijing Roast Duck for lunch. Watch the exquisite cutting skills of the chef, taste crispy duck skin, and learn how to eat it in the correct way. Spend a relaxing afternoon in the hutong alleyways.
Start your day from the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed to 'heaven' for a good harvest. You may arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never see in your country.
In the afternoon,visit Mutianyu, which is the section ranked top on TripAdvisor among all the Great Wall sections for its picturesque scenery and beautifully-restored architecture. It is about 2½ hours' drive from downtown Beijing, but the view and experience make it well worth your time.
Be amazed by the imperial garden at the Summer Palace. It was originally the imperial court's summer retreat, and still makes a nice place to escape the heat of summer.
Get ready to race towards Xi'an on a high-speed train, which is a good way to experience the technological development of China.
In the morning, uncover the mysteries of an underground army that dates back to 206 BC at the Terracotta Army Museum. Then discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.
Return to the city area and visit the Ancient City Wall, which has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the wall provides a good view of the city. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the wall.
Discover more of Xi'an and China's ancient history at Xi'an History Museum and Little Wild Goose Pagoda, then head to the Muslim Quarter and wander through the alleys to taste the local Muslim cuisine.
In the afternoon, we'll take you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Your Shanghai guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, where you can have a good rest.
Do more than just take one or two selfies on the Bund. Let's travel back in time to the golden age of the Bund in the 1920s during our In-Depth Bund Culture Discovery Tour.
Go into some of the old Bund buildings and listen to their stories. Ascend the tallest building in China — Shanghai Tower, where you will not only enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai but will also see the future of China.
Half-Day Customized Icing-on-the-Cake Experience
After traveling in China for around 8 days, you might want to do something different at the end of your tour. Do you want to have some relaxation time? Do you have any unfulfilled trip wishes? In the magic city of Shanghai, your private guide will make your wishes come true! Just tell us what you're interested in.
Your private car, driver, and guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, as they help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate. We will take the stress out of your travel and set you up for a nice journey home.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price Includes: