Overview
Designed for private travelers.
Imperial Beijing followed by Shanghai’s waterfront and the canals of Zhouzhuang — a relaxed private journey.
Route
Interests
Highlights
China’s imperial heritage
Walk across Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate, exploring its grand ceremonial halls, historic courtyards and Imperial Garden with a private guide.
A complete introduction to Shanghai
Experience Shanghai’s past and present through the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Historical Development Museum, Huangpu River cruise, the Bund, Nanjing Road and the contemporary Tian An 1000 Trees complex.
Classical gardens and distinctive neighborhoods
Discover the pavilions and rockeries of Yu Garden, the traditional atmosphere of the City God Temple Bazaar, and the restored shikumen lanes, cafés and boutiques of Xintiandi and the Former French Concession.
Jiangnan water-town culture
Spend a full day in Zhouzhuang, exploring its canals, historic bridges and Ming-dynasty residences before taking part in a traditional Chinese paper-cutting experience.
Day-by-day outline
Day 1 Beijing｜Arrival in China
Route: Beijing Airport, private transfer, hotel check-in
Schedule Introduction: Arrive in Beijing and meet your driver at the airport for a private transfer to the hotel. After check-in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure and recover from the journey.
Day 2 Beijing｜The heart of imperial China
Route: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Imperial Garden
Schedule Introduction: Begin at Tiananmen Square, the monumental center of Beijing, before entering the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. Explore the principal halls, ceremonial courtyards and former imperial living quarters with your private guide, concluding in the peaceful Imperial Garden.
Day 3 Beijing ✈ Shanghai｜From the historic capital to the modern metropolis
【Flight】Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
Route: Beijing Airport, flight to Shanghai, private hotel transfer
Schedule Introduction: Transfer to Beijing Airport for the morning flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your driver in the arrivals hall and transfer privately to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for rest or independent exploration.
Day 4 Shanghai｜Skyline views and the story of the Bund
Route: Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Historical Development Museum, Huangpu River cruise, the Bund, Nanjing Road
Schedule Introduction: Ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower and enjoy panoramic views from its glass-floor sightseeing gallery. Visit the Shanghai Historical Development Museum to trace the city’s transformation through historical displays and artifacts. Continue with a daytime Huangpu River cruise, viewing the historic Bund and futuristic Pudong skyline from the water.
After the cruise, walk along the Bund’s collection of early 20th-century international architecture and finish on Nanjing Road, one of China’s best-known commercial streets.
【Meal Arrangement】
Breakfast is included. Lunch is at your own expense.
Day 5 Shanghai｜Classical gardens and contemporary urban style
Route: Xintiandi, Former French Concession, Yu Garden, City God Temple Bazaar, Tian An 1000 Trees
Schedule Introduction: Begin at Xintiandi, where restored shikumen residences now house cafés, galleries and boutiques in the heart of the Former French Concession. Continue to Yu Garden, a classical Ming-dynasty garden filled with traditional pavilions, rockeries, ponds and dragon walls.
Explore the nearby City God Temple Bazaar, known for its traditional architecture, snack stalls and teahouses. Finish at Tian An 1000 Trees, Thomas Heatherwick’s terraced architectural landmark on Suzhou Creek, distinguished by hundreds of trees rising from its stepped structure.
【Meal Arrangement】
Breakfast is included. Lunch is at your own expense.
Day 6 Shanghai → Zhouzhuang → Shanghai｜Canals and traditions of Jiangnan
Route: Zhouzhuang Water Town, Connected Bridges, Shen’s Family Mansion, Zhang’s Family Mansion, paper-cutting experience
Schedule Introduction: Drive to Zhouzhuang, one of China’s most celebrated historic water towns. Walk beside canals lined with stone revetments, arched bridges, whitewashed houses and black-tiled roofs.
See the Connected Bridges, formed by the Shide and Yong’an bridges, and visit Shen’s Family Mansion and Zhang’s Family Mansion to discover the domestic architecture and merchant culture of the Ming period. Complete the visit with a hands-on paper-cutting experience before returning to Shanghai in the late afternoon.
【Special Experience】
Traditional Chinese paper-cutting activity.
【Meal Arrangement】
Breakfast is included. Lunch is at your own expense.
Day 7 Shanghai｜Departure
Route: Hotel, private airport transfer, departing flight
Schedule Introduction: At the appointed time, meet your driver in the hotel lobby and transfer privately to Shanghai Airport for the departing flight. The seven-day journey through Beijing, Shanghai and Zhouzhuang comes to an end.
What’s Included
- 6 nights in 4-star hotels with daily breakfast — 2 nights in Beijing and 4 nights in Shanghai.
- Private 7-seat air-conditioned vehicle with driver for every transfer and all sightseeing in the programme.
- Private English-speaking guide on the four sightseeing days and arrival day (Days1, 2, 4, 5 and 6).
- One domestic flight, Beijing to Shanghai.( economy class)
- All entrance fees to the attractions listed in the programme.
- Itinerary planning, all bookings and 24-hour local assistance during the tour.
- A bottle of mineral water for anyone everyday
- Inbound travel insurance （booked by Joy Traveller)
What’s Excluded
- Lunches and dinners throughout the trip — meals are left open so you can eat where and when you like.
- International flights into Beijing and out of Shanghai.
- Gratuities for the guide and driver.
- Travel insurance, including personal accident insurance.
- Mineral water, personal expenses and anything not specifically mentioned as included.
- Optional activities, evening performances and any extra excursions.
- Chinese Visa
- Anything that not listed in the “ what’s included” section