This 9-Day “China Highlights” Off-Season Program is the ultimate “bucket list” starter kit. By traveling in the off-season, you get to experience the Great Wall and the Forbidden City without the massive crowds, all while enjoying first-class logistics like high-speed rail and internal flights.

9-Day Imperial China: Beijing, Xian & Shanghai

Walk the Great Wall, Meet the Terracotta Army, and Discover the Future in Shanghai.

Experience the soul of the Middle Kingdom on this meticulously planned 9-day (7-night) journey. From the ancient imperial majesty of Beijing to the subterranean secrets of Xian and the neon-lit skyline of Shanghai, this tour delivers China’s greatest icons with effortless, all-inclusive logistics.

🏮 Why This Journey is the Smart Choice

• Off-Season Advantage: Experience UNESCO World Heritage sites with fewer crowds and lower prices.

• The Speed of Modern China: Includes a high-speed train journey from Beijing to Xian and an internal flight to Shanghai.

• All-Inclusive Excellence: Flights from San Francisco, 12 meals, all internal transport, and hotel porterage are handled.

• Crystal Clear Guiding: High-tech wireless earphones ensure you hear every detail of China’s 5,000-year history.

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary: The Golden Triangle of China

Phase I: The Imperial Heart (Beijing)

• Days 1–3: Forbidden Cities & Great Walls | Arrive in China’s political and cultural capital.

  • The Great Wall: Climb the world’s longest man-made structure, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient engineering.

  • The Forbidden City: Explore the 9,999 rooms of the UNESCO-listed imperial palace, home to 24 emperors.

  • Modern Beijing: See the contrast between ancient hutongs and the city’s Olympic-era architecture.

Phase II: The Silent Army (Xian)

• Day 4: High-Speed to Antiquity | Board a world-class high-speed train for a scenic journey to Xian.

• Day 5: The Terracotta Warriors | Stand face-to-face with the thousands of life-sized clay soldiers entombed for over 2,000 years to protect China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. A truly life-altering archaeological encounter.

Phase III: The Pulse of the Future (Shanghai)

• Day 6-8: Gardens & The Bund | Fly to Shanghai, the “Paris of the East.”

  • Yuyuan Garden: Discover the peaceful classical beauty of Ming Dynasty garden design.

  • The Bund: Stroll the famous riverside promenade where colonial-era architecture faces the world’s most futuristic skyscrapers.

• Day 9: Return Home | Enjoy a seamless transfer to the airport for your flight back to San Francisco.

💎 What’s Included in Your Expedition