Make your way to Beijing Capital Airport or Beijing railway station. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for a 3-night stay where the rest of the day is at leisure. Early check-in is not included. An additional transfer supplement applicable if arriving into Beijing Daxing airport.

Visit China's most iconic landmark, the Great Wall, which winds over 5,000km from the east coast to the edge of the Gobi Desert. Explore the scenic Mutianyu section, with the option to take a cable car up or toboggan back down. After lunch, stop at a local jade workshop before heading to the elegant Summer Palace, a tranquil lakeside retreat once reserved for China's emperors.

Begin the day at Tiananmen Square, the symbolic heart of Beijing, before stepping into the Forbidden City, a vast palace complex filled with centuries of imperial treasures. Pass beneath the iconic portrait of Chairman Mao as you enter through the grand Meridian Gate. In the afternoon, explore the charming hutong of Nanluoguxiang, known for its traditional courtyard homes and buzzing local atmosphere. Don't miss the chance to try authentic snacks like Tanghulu, a popular candied fruit treat.

You will be transferred to one of Beijing's many railway stations to catch a high-speed bullet train around 5-hours to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai (seating in first class). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Start your day with a guided breakfast walking tour, sampling local favourites as the city wakes up. Visit the tranquil beauty of the Yu Gardens, before wandering the narrow streets of the Old Town, where traditional shops and teahouses line cobbled lanes. Later, take in the striking skyline from the Bund, Shanghai's historic waterfront, and stroll along the bustling Nanjing Road before visiting a local silk mill to learn about one of China's most famous exports.

Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. You will be transferred to Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport, or to Shanghai railway station. Late check-out is not included.