Home > Culture Tour > 8 Days Cultural Expedition Trip in Beijing & Shanghai
TRIP OVERVIEW
This Cultural Expedition program is designed to give the family an opportunity to experience a different and interesting Chinese Culture and Outdoor Landscape in Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing is already one of the World's Great Cities! Although it has all the comforts and conveniences of a modern city, there are many "must-see" attractions which are still unique –the Summer Palace, the Temple of heaven, the Ming Tomb, the intriguing hutongs, and of course Tiananmen Square and the not-to-be-missed Forbidden City. The shanghai section not only includes most of important sites such as Shanghai Museum, Yuanyuan Garden, but also you will have a time to visit the famous water town – Wuzhen. All of these will make you a wonderful experience of real China.
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(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 1 ARRIVAL BEIJING - FORBIDDEN CITY (D)
Arrival Beijing around 00:20am, you will be met at Beijing International Airport by our guide and transferred to a hotel in central Beijing. In the morning, you will have an opportunity to rest and recover from the long flight. In the afternoon, we will follow in the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs and head south to the magnificent and colorful Forbidden City. Forbidden City Beijing, also called Imperial Palace Museum, is located in the very heart of Beijing. It remained the residence of the emperors for nearly five hundred years, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and was the actual and symbolic seat of imperial power. Popularly known as the Forbidden City, it was built in the Ming Dynasty between the 4th and the 18th years of the Yongle period (1406 - 1420 AD). Many of the buildings of the Palace have been repaired and rebuilt, but their basic form and layout remain in their original state. Welcome Peking Duck dinner will be followed by that - the capital's most famous dish. Once imperial cuisine, now the legendary duck dish is served at restaurants around the world.
DAY 2 GREAT WALLL + MING TOMBS (BL)
After breakfast we will travel to the Mutianyu section of The Great Wall, The Great Wall is regarded as being a sight that really takes the breath away. Indeed, for the scores of travellers that come to gaze upon its colossal beauty every day of the year, the reputation of The Great Wall is highly justified. Visitors are attracted here by the lure of seeing something utterly unique, an impossible feat realised by the strength and suffering of ordinary human beings. This impressive fortification was built both to protect the ancient civilization from the unruly northern tribes, and as a testament to the power of the emperor. Parts of The Great Wall are over 2,500 years old with the most magnificent sections located within the Beijing district, which contains over 670 kilometres of the Wall within its boundaries. Whilst taking a morning trek upon this giant fortification line your tour leader will give you a short lecture on the subject of The Great Wall including the events leading up to its creation, its construction, and the subsequent two millennia of its existence.
After a traditional Chinese lunch at the bottom of Mutianyu Great Wall, we will transfer to Ming Tombs, visit Changling, the head and the largest tomb of Ming Tombs, where Emperor Yongle (the first emperor in Beijing) and his Empress Xu were buried. Then visit Sacred Road, which also called Shenlu in Chinese, it is often lined with stone statues, which are important decorations of the mausoleum. Then back to Beijing downtown.
DAY 3 BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS (BL)
In the morning, we will visit Beijing Zoo where we could see the cute Panda. After that, we will transfer to visit Summer Palace. Summer Palace located in a northwestern suburb of Beijing, it is an immense park containing some Chinese traditional architecture and arts. It was built and served as a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. It exhibits the quintessence of the Chinese classical landscape gardening. The halls, the pavilions, the corridors, the pagodas, the bridges and the water were elaborately arranged. The long Corridor is one of the most exquisite structures in the garden. It is over 700 meters long and decorated with thousands of Chinese traditional paintings.
After lunch, travel back to the city to visit the Olympic Village: Bird Nest & Water Cube (outside of it) in the afternoon. Drive back to the hotel.
DAY 4 BEIJING HIGHLIGHTS (BL)
In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to see the local people doing their morning exercises -- Taichi in Temple of Heaven. Tai Chi, or Taijiquan in Chinese, is an outstanding gem of traditional Chinese culture that is valuable in promoting health, developing combat and self-defence skills, and improving concentration and overall well-being.
Then we will visit the Temple of Heaven. Temple of Heaven was the venue for the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and pray for harvest. This temple was built in the 18th year during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420.
Then enjoy a Hutong rickshaw tour. As the Forbidden City is the symbol of China's royal family, the Hutongs in Beijing show the real life of the common people. When you visit Hutong by rickshaw, you could really taste the life of common people in Beijing. Lotus Market, located in Houhai area, famous for old hutong and modern bars. You will also have chance to have a view of the Beijing drum show today to get close to the Chinese traditional art.
In the afternoon, transfer to visit Lama temple. Lama Temple, also called Yonghe Lamasery is the best-preserved lamasery in existence in China today. It was first established during the Qing Dynasty as the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was just a prince, and it was also the birthplace of Emperor Qianlong, the son of Emperor Yongzheng. Then we will have a free time walk on Beijing Famous Street – Wangfujing Street.
DAY 5 798 ART DISTRICT - ACROBATIC SHOW - SHANGHAI (BL)
Leisure in the mirning, near noon, check out the hotel. After lunch, we will visit 798 Art District. "798" modern Art Zone was originally the site of a factory that produced electronics. Its massive ducts and bright windows are seldom seen elsewhere. The halls were built using Soviet aid in the 1950s, with East Germany providing architectural and industrial design. Beginning from 2002, it gradually became an area of international character, bringing together contemporary art, architecture and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle which attracting attention from all around. Now "798" has evolved into a cultural concept of interest to experts and normal folk alike, influential on our concepts of both urban culture and living space.
After dinner, transfer to Beijing Railway station, take an overnight bullet train to Shanghai (Soft sleeper).
From Beijing to Shanghai, Train No.: D313, Departure time: 19:34pm, Arrival time: 07:15am.
DAY 6 SHANGHAI CITY TOUR (BL)
Our guide will pick you up at Shanghai Railway station, transfer to the hotel, after breakfast, have a short rest, drive to visit the Bund, Yu Garden. In the afternoon, continue to visit Oriental Pearl Tower and Xintiandi Bar street.
Yu Garden is one of the most famous gardens in China and is national heritage listed. It was built in 1559 and extended in 1577. Each section of the garden is separated by curved white walls crowned with the head and body of a dragon on them. It's named after the original owner.
The Bund: Also called the Zhongshan Road, is a Famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.It was the centre of Shanghai's politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago, consulates of most countries and many banks, bus inesses and newspaper offices were settled there.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is unquestionably an icon of Pudong's renaissance. Looming through the mist, like a reproduction of a classical Chinese ink painting of landscape, stands Shanghai's Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Its soaring height of 468 meters boldly characterizes the Lujiazui cityscape.
Xitiandi Bar Street: A renovated city block that showcases the beauty of the Shikumen lane house, Xintiandi is a multifunctional dining, retail and entertainment centre. Xintiandi is an elegantly maintained version of authentic Shanghai street life.
DAY 7 SHANGHAI - WUZHEN-SHANGHAI (BL)
Morning your guide and driver pick up you from Shanghai and begin to drive for Wuzhen, which is today's visit. Then you will visit a wine making plant & a local printing workshop. Have a Chinese lunch and continue to visit an exhibition of antique beds from the Ming & Qing Dynasties. After that, pay a visit to a local folk culture museum. Then you will make a cruise in Chinese gondolas. After that, transfer back to Shanghai.
DAY 8 SHANGHAI - HOME (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take the flight back home.
End of the tour.
The tour cost includes
The tour cost does not include
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Tours Reservation
Cancellation in advance Cancellation penalty
More than 30 days No Cancellation Fee
30-10 days 50% of the full payment
9-0 days or no show 100% of the full payment

Necessities
Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.
Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).

Medicine
In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis，sunstroke and carsickness.

Currency to use
US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.

Food and drink
a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.
c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay.
d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.

Accommodation
Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).
In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.

Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.

Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.

Tourist insurance
It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.

Customs
In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by!
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them!
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!

Conditions
When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.

Always take good care of your belongings.