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Overview
A nation records itself with whatever material it has at hand: bronze cast for ritual, brick and stone laid along ridges, clay fired into an army, ink pulled from carved blocks. This itinerary follows that record, traversing three cities in order of production: Beijing — the empire’s account of itself; Xi’an — the century that standardised everything; Shanghai — the record still being written on the riverbank. Mornings are spent in museums, afternoons in the great outdoors, with two afternoons reserved for transit, one journey by train and one by plane. After ten days, your students will no longer ask how old an object is, but who preserved it and why.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Please share your travel dates, group size, and confirmed flight details, and we will design a ten-day itinerary around these three elements. Our initial response is sent within four hours; a firm quote for your chosen dates is provided within one working day. Institutional bookings require longer lead times, so your school's written requirements will be addressed individually before any dates are finalised.
Why you'll love this trip
- The record, in four materials. The national collection, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Terracotta Warriors and a woodblock press, with English-speaking guides throughout.
- 10 days from bronze vessels to a printed page. See the whole record.
- Open the record in order: one building in Beijing holds the objects your students meet again in the ground at Xi'an and in a case in Shanghai.
- Give the Great Wall a whole day, with the lift doing the climbing: one ridge, no second site to rush back for.
- Spend a full day with the Terracotta Warriors rather than half of one: enough time for a group of forty to stop counting the figures and start telling them apart.
- Put a Qin crossbow together with your own hands, and the reason that army worked stops being a sentence in a textbook.
- Take an impression off a carved block in Shanghai, then walk out to the waterfront where the record is still being written.
Things to do
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Museum
Culture
Landmark
Heritage
Great Wall
Meal
City
Heritage
Craft
Museum
Garden
Craft
Riverfront
MuseumMuseumCultureLandmarkHeritageGreat WallMealCityHeritageCraftMuseumGardenCraftRiverfrontMuseumMuseumCultureLandmarkHeritageGreat WallMealCityHeritageCraftMuseumGardenCraftRiverfrontMuseumItinerary
Arrivals
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 4
· Arrival day
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. No fixed visits are scheduled for this day.
· The record, opened in order
In the morning, view the bronze, ceramics, and calligraphy and painting at the National Museum of China. In the afternoon, tour the ceremonial architectural axis of the Temple of Heaven.
· South to north, along the line
Enter the Forbidden City via Tiananmen Square and walk along the central axis to the north gate.
· A whole day on one ridge
Devote the day to the Mutianyu Great Wall: ascend the mountain, walk along the city wall, and have lunch at the base of the hill.
High-speed rail
Xi'an · Day 5 - Day 7
· From the hutongs of Beijing to Xi'an
In the morning, explore the hutongs and lakeside, then take the high-speed train to Xi'an.
· Eight thousand faces
Explore the different pits and terracotta details at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, dedicating your time to this single heritage site.
· Qin Crossbow and Shaanxi History Museum
In the morning, assemble a Qin crossbow model. In the afternoon, visit the museum to compare it with what you saw on the previous day.
Flight
Shanghai · Day 8 - Day 10
· Xi'an in the morning, then fly to Shanghai
No fixed tours in the morning; take a domestic flight to Shanghai in the afternoon.
· Ink, paper, river
Walk from Yu Garden to the block-printing studio, then enjoy the Bund on both banks of the Huangpu River at night.
· Same metal, two cities
At the Shanghai Museum, revisit the bronze artifacts you saw on Day 2 before proceeding to the airport.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Xi'an
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Xi'an
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Shanghai
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai (Shanghai International Resort)
Royal Garden Hotel Shanghai: a luxurious garden hotel adjacent to Pudong Airport and Disneyland, offering a complimentary shuttle service to both.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Shanghai
Pullman Shanghai Zhonggang Hui Hotel
The Pullman Shanghai South Harbour, located in Dapuqiao and adjacent to Tianzifang, is just steps away from Metro Line 9 and the Expo site.
Xi'an
Sheraton Xi'an North City Hotel
Sheraton Xi'an North City: five-star luxury five minutes from the Daming Palace, with an indoor pool and wellness centre.
Beijing
DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing East Third Ring Road
International upscale hotel in Beijing, suitable for business and leisure stays.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- GroupPrivate, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- TransfersAirport arrival in Beijing · station transfers at both ends of the train day · airport transfers in Xi'an and Shanghai · the departure transfer on day ten
- Intercity travelBeijing to Xi'an by high-speed train and Xi'an to Shanghai by one-way domestic flight, with the standard checked baggage allowance; the seat class and the cabin class for your order are stated in writing with your quote
- Hotels9 nights: 4 in Beijing, 3 in Xi'an, 2 in Shanghai, as named in your written confirmation
- Breakfasts9 hotel breakfasts, one on each of days two through ten
- Two lunchesFarmhouse lunch at the Great Wall on Day 4 and Shaanxi noodle lunch on Day 6 are included; the specific meal standards are subject to the written quotation.
- GuideA licensed English-speaking guide on every scheduled touring day in all three cities, including the evening on the Bund
- Tickets and workshopsBeijing: National Museum of China · Temple of Heaven · Tian'anmen Square · Forbidden City · Mutianyu Great Wall with the lift up · hutong and lakeside walk. Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors · Qin crossbow workshop · Shaanxi History Museum. Shanghai: Yu Garden · woodblock printing · the Bund evening · Shanghai Museum. The four museum group reservations are booked by us
- WaterBottled water on scheduled touring days
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance for the duration of the journey
Not Included
- International flightsFlights into Beijing and out of Shanghai
- VisasVisa fees and personal travel document costs for anyone who needs a Chinese visa, including all United States travellers on this route
- Other diningApart from the farmhouse lunch on Day 4 and the Shaanxi noodle lunch on Day 6, all other lunch and dinner costs are not included.
- RoomsSingle-room supplement and any extra-room difference for teachers or chaperones, priced per hotel in your written quote
- PersonalGratuities · shopping · laundry · beverages · any in-venue spending beyond the listed tickets
- Disruption costsAdditional costs arising from severe weather, transport delays, traffic control, attraction closures or schedule changes
Special Notes
A few things on this route follow the calendar or our partners rather than our preferences. Here they are, told straight.
- No departures in the first week of October — October 1 to 7 is the annual peak at the Terracotta Warriors, and day six is a full day there for a party of forty. We do not sell departures in that window; any other week in the season is open.
- Monday and the Forbidden City — The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, including Mondays created by holiday adjustments. Departure dates are set so that day three never falls on a Monday; where a requested date would, days two and three are swapped, and the swap is written into your confirmation.
- Museum reservations for forty — The National Museum of China, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors and the Shanghai Museum are reserved by our ground team through the group channel. The reservation deadline is stated in your confirmation, and the group quota is checked against your actual party size before the order is confirmed; where the quota will not accommodate the whole party, that day is re-planned before confirmation, not on the day.
- December departures — the winter operation of the Mutianyu lift is verified with the site before your quote is issued, because the whole design of day four rests on riding up rather than climbing.
- Two additions still being confirmed — a museum of stone tablets in Xi'an and a city-planning hall in Shanghai are being confirmed with partners for the day eight morning and the day ten afternoon. Neither is in the price and neither is counted in the plan above; the ten days stand as written without them, and we will say so here if that changes.
- Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Ten Days Your Length?
Nine days instead of ten?
Nine days instead of ten?
The plan is built in city blocks, so we cut a block rather than thinning every day: tell us your term dates and the flights, and we work backwards from them.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private, just your party. From 1 guest. No fixed maximum party size.
- Ports
- Into Beijing, out of Shanghai; the arrival transfer on day one and the departure transfer on day ten are included
- Visas
- The UK, most of Europe and Canada enter visa-free for days; so do Australia and New Zealand. We check the ten days plus any other days in China against that window, per order, before payment. United States passports need a valid Chinese visa for this route, confirmed before anything is charged
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking guides in all three cities
- Payment
- From 1 guest. A 10% deposit (minimum $399) locks your dates. The balance is due 14 days before departure. "Or similar" never means a quiet downgrade
- Confirmation
- Each quote lists in writing its confirmation deadline and its change and refund conditions for your dates; no order is taken without them in writing
- Season
- October to December, with no departures from 1 to 7 October; departures from 23 December onward are quoted once the visa-free policy renewal is announced
- Fitness
- Moderate: museum mornings, one full day at the Great Wall with the lift up, and uneven steps between the wall's towers
Your Private Concierge Service
Jenny
China Private Travel Route Consultant
“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”
Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.
20+
Years
300+
Trips Designed
24/7
On-Trip Care
Step 01
Tell us what excites you
Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.
24h
First concept delivered
Step 02
We design it around you
Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.
100%
Private, never off-the-shelf
Step 03
Lock it in with 30%
When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.
30%
Deposit to confirm
Step 04
Travel. We handle the rest.
Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.
24/7
Support throughout your journey
Cancellation terms agreed in writing
English-speaking concierge
Secure payment via Stripe
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
Perfect for couples
“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
Great for families
“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
Alisa made the whole experience easy
“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly
“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
That is exactly why the day is planned around one site. Our ground team books the timed group entry through the group channel and locks it before your order is confirmed. We also check the group quota against your actual party size first: if the quota will not take everyone, we re-plan that day before confirmation rather than splitting the party at the gate.
No, and it is better that you hear it now. October 1 to 7 is the annual peak at the Terracotta Warriors, and a party of forty spending a full day there in that week gets queues instead of pits. Any other week from October to December is open, and the plan runs identically.
The climb is done by cable car or open chairlift, so nobody walks up. On the wall itself, the steps between watchtowers are uneven and some sections are steep; each group of students turns back at the tower it chooses, and the guide sets a meeting point rather than a finish line.
They are spaced on purpose, and none of them is a full day. Each museum sits next to something physical: the national collection before the sites it came from, the provincial collection after a morning of assembling a crossbow model, the Shanghai collection after a morning at a printing bench. The guide works one thread per visit instead of walking the whole floor.
When four things are in writing for your order: the seat class of the train and the cabin class of the flight; the hotel tier and room allocation; the meal standard for the two included lunches; the group reservation deadlines for the four museums. We put them in your quote, and we do not take a deposit before they are there.
