Golden Triangle & Giant Panda
The three great capitals plus a morning with the pandas of Chengdu — the trip we recommend to seven out of ten first-time visitors.
★★★★★4.9 164 reviews
From US$1,690/per person
View tourClassic · 8 days
China Highlights Express
The essential first-time itinerary: imperial Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and futuristic Shanghai, linked by high-speed rail.
The short version
China Highlights Express is an 8-day private or small-group tour covering Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai with high-speed rail between them. It includes the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army and the Bund, and costs from US$1,290 per person including hotels, guides, transport and entrance fees.
- Three cities, three trains, eight days — the classic first-timer route.
- Mutianyu Great Wall and the Terracotta Army are both included, no optional extras.
- Hotels are 4-star and centrally located in all three cities.
- Daily departures year round; you choose the date.
Day by day
Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
What's included and what isn't
Includes
- 4-star hotels with breakfast
- All high-speed rail tickets
- Private guide and driver in each city
- All entrance fees listed
- Airport and station transfers
- Agency liability insurance
Not included
- International flights
- Chinese visa
- Lunches and dinners not listed
- Tips for guides and drivers
Destinations on this route
Beijing
Beijing Municipality · 6 tours
Beijing is China's capital and the most efficient place to start a first trip: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the hutong
Xi'an
Shaanxi · 6 tours
Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi Province and where the Silk Road began. Forty kilometres east of the city, 8,000 terracotta warriors have stood in for
Shanghai
Shanghai Municipality · 7 tours
Shanghai rewards two days: one for the colonial Bund and the museums, one for old-town gardens, food and the French Concession. Add a third for a cana
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Great Wall & Beyond
Walk the restored battlements of Mutianyu, then camp overnight on a wild, unrestored stretch of the wall at Jinshanling.
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View tourFrequently asked questions
How much walking is there?
Around 12,000–18,000 steps a day, mostly on flat ground. The Great Wall section and the city wall in Xi'an are the only climbs, and both have options to skip.
Can I start in Shanghai instead?
Yes. The route runs cleanly in reverse, and the rail legs are identical. Tell us at booking and we price it either way.
Are the trains guaranteed?
Yes — we hold seats as soon as your booking is confirmed, which matters on the Beijing–Xi'an line during school holidays.
What if I have dietary requirements?
We pass them to every hotel and restaurant in advance. Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free are all straightforward in these three cities.
Explore next
Day tours
Practical guides
- Do I Need a Visa for China? Requirements, Costs and How to Apply
- China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Who Qualifies and How It Works
- Paying in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
- China's High-Speed Rail: How to Book, What It Costs, How Fast It Goes
- Is China Safe for Tourists? Honest Risks and How to Avoid Them
- Best Time to Visit China: Month by Month, Region by Region
Tell us your dates.
We'll do the rest.
Free itinerary design, a revised plan within one working day, and nothing charged until you approve the final version.