China: Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai
Surrounded by cypress trees in Beijing’s 660-acre Temple of Heaven Park, you forget you’re in a megacity of more than 21 million people.
It’s a common feeling in the destinations featured on the trip—the tranquility of a manicured palace or the tradition of a tea ceremony can make you feel worlds away from the skyscrapers and 21st-century din outside. The result is a tour experience that blends ancient history and modern life in one of the world's most dynamic countries.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to China
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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
Visit with local students
Enjoy a dragon boat ride (Available April–October only)
Participate in a tai chi lesson
Enjoy a Peking duck dinner
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Day 4: Beijing • Badaling
Take a day trip to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China
Participate in a tea ceremony
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
The Legend of Kung Fu show
Tonight, see the show that tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi the pure one. To pursue spiritual and physical harmony, he becomes a monk and learns kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles and temptations, but ultimately achieves the designation of master. The performance celebrates the philosophy and skill of martial arts through storytelling, acrobatics, modern dance, and music.
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Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Visit the Temple of Heaven Park (time permitting)
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on Xi’an’s ancient city wall
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Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit a street food market in the city’s Muslim Quarter
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food, and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
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Day 7: Xi'an • Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
Walk along the Bund, a colonial-era center for international banking and trade
Enjoy a Chinese acrobatics show
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Day 8: Shanghai
Take a guided tour of Shanghai
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Jade Buddha Temple
- Yu Garden, whose name literally means “happiness”
Take a walking tour of Nanjing Road
With your Tour Director you will:
- Explore one of the world’s busiest shopping streets
- Interact with locals as you navigate the bustling crowds
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Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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Day 9: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Enjoy dinner in Kowloon
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
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Day 10: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
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Day 11: Hong Kong
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Lantau Island
Lantau Island—the largest of Hong Kong’s 230 islands—is yours to explore. Begin with a 25-minute cable car ride that offers panoramic views of the South China Sea. Visit the Po Lin Monastery and then climb stairs to the island’s main attraction: the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, who stands 111 feet tall and weighs over 250 tons!
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Day 12: Depart for home
-
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
Visit with local students
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
Take a walking tour of a traditional Beijing neighborhood
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal with a local family
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
The Legend of Kung Fu show
Tonight, see the show that tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi the pure one. To pursue spiritual and physical harmony, he becomes a monk and learns kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles and temptations, but ultimately achieves the designation of master. The performance celebrates the philosophy and skill of martial arts through storytelling, acrobatics, modern dance, and music.
-
Day 5: Beijing • Xi'an
Visit the Temple of Heaven Park (time permitting)
Fly to Xi’an [shee-ahn]
Take a bike ride on Xi’an’s ancient city wall
-
Day 6: Xi'an
Tour Xi’an with an expert local guide
Visit the Terracotta Army archaeological dig site
Participate in a calligraphy class
Visit a street food market in the city’s Muslim Quarter
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Tang Dynasty show and dinner
This evening, experience the splendor of the Tang Dynasty at this world-class theater and restaurant featuring famous Cantonese cuisine. As music, food, and dance delight your senses from every angle, you’ll see why more than 2.5 million visitors have proclaimed this a favorite part of their Chinese experience.
-
Day 7: Xi'an • Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai World Financial Center
Walk along the Bund, a colonial-era center for international banking and trade
Enjoy a Chinese acrobatics show
-
Day 8: Shanghai
Take a guided tour of Shanghai
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Jade Buddha Temple
- Yu Garden, whose name literally means “happiness”
Take a walking tour of Nanjing Road
With your Tour Director you will:
- Explore one of the world’s busiest shopping streets
- Interact with locals as you navigate the bustling crowds
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
-
Day 9: Shanghai • Hong Kong
Fly to Hong Kong
Visit the Temple Street Night Market
Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor
Enjoy dinner in Kowloon
Watch the cityscape come alive in a dazzling light show
-
Day 10: Hong Kong
Take a tour of Hong Kong
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Aberdeen Fishing Village
- Repulse Bay
Experience the Central-Mid Level Escalators
Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island
Enjoy a dim sum tasting
-
Day 11: Hong Kong
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Lantau Island
Lantau Island—the largest of Hong Kong’s 230 islands—is yours to explore. Begin with a 25-minute cable car ride that offers panoramic views of the South China Sea. Visit the Po Lin Monastery and then climb stairs to the island’s main attraction: the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, who stands 111 feet tall and weighs over 250 tons!
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Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
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Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; 2 internal flights (3 with extension)
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (10 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily (2 dinners with extension)
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides (4 with extension); 1 sightseeing tour led by your Tour Director
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Entrances
Summer Palace; Forbidden City; Tiananmen Square; school visit; dragon boat ride (seasonal); tai chi lesson; Great Wall of China; tea ceremony; authentic meal with a local family; Temple of Heaven Park; bike ride on the Xi’an City Wall; Terracotta Warriors; calligraphy class; Shanghai World Financial Center; Chinese acrobatics show; Jade Buddha Temple; Yu Garden; with extension: Star Ferry ride; Peak Tram; dim sum tasting
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.
