Beijing & the Great Wall of China

8 or 10 days

Beijing, Badaling, extension to Shanghai

From the opulent and sprawling halls of the Forbidden City complex to intimate, timeworn Hutong communities, get to know the many faces of Chinese culture in Beijing. Participate in a tai chi lesson, savor a Peking duck dinner, and visit the greatest monument of all: the Great Wall. This man-made wonder began construction in the 3rd century B.C., and today it extends for more than 3,000 miles. Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Beijing & the Great Wall of China tour

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Beijing & the Great Wall of China tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to China

Day 2: Beijing

Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Day 3: Beijing

Take a guided tour of Beijing

With your expert local guide you will visit:

Tiananmen Square [tyahn-ahn-men]
Forbidden City
Summer Palace

Enjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)

Participate in a tai chi lesson

Enjoy a Peking duck dinner

Day 4: Beijing • Badaling

Take a day trip to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China

Participate in a tea ceremony

Day 5: Beijing

Visit the Temple of Heaven Park (time permitting)

Participate in a calligraphy lesson

Take a walking tour of the alleys of Old Beijing in the Nanluoguxiang district

Stop to snack on some local street food

Take a rickshaw tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood

Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family

Day 6: Beijing

Visit the Yonghe Lamasery TempleVisit the 798 Dashanzi Modern Art Zone

Visit with local students

Add this in-depth excursion:

Acrobatics show

Witness a thrilling display of gravity-defying acrobatics performed by talented performers. For more than 2,000 years, Chinese acrobats have been perfecting this unique form of performance art. Acrobatic troupes continue to dazzle audiences with unusual feats of balance and flexibility complemented by vibrant costumes, elaborate sets, and traditional music.

Day 7: Beijing

See the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium

Walk through Jingshan Park and enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City

Explore Beijing on your own

Day 8: Depart for home

Add 2 more days

Day 8: Beijing • Shanghai

Travel by high-speed train to Shanghai

Visit the Shanghai Tower

Walk along the Bund, a colonial-era center for international banking and trade

Day 9: Shanghai

Take a guided tour of Shanghai