Arrival in Beijing, Airport Meet & Greet, Hotel Transfer

Beijing - Upon arrival at Beijing Capital Airport, meet the guide and enjoy a comfortable private vehicle transfer to the hotel. Once settled, feel free to explore the downtown area independently or unwind for the rest of the day.

Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Niujie Mosque, Temple of Heaven

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Established in 1651, Tiananmen Square is a significant site for China’s political and historical events and is one of the world’s largest city squares, covering 44 hectares. Notable events such as the May Fourth Movement in 1919 and the 1949 proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong took place here. Tiananmen Square is central to Beijing, with the Great Hall of People to the west and the National Museum to the east. The Monument to the People’s Hero stands prominently in the square’s center, and Chairman Mao’s memorial hall is located to the south.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Serving as the royal residence for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors from the 15th to 20th century, the Forbidden City was the epicenter of State power in late feudal China. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 by Ming emperor Zhu Di, it witnessed the reigns of 14 Ming and 10 Qing emperors over 505 years. The Forbidden City houses over a million rare and valuable artworks, including paintings, ceramics, seals, steles, sculptures, inscribed wares, bronze wares, and enamel objects. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, it is recognized by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures globally.

Niujie Mosque - As Beijing’s largest and oldest mosque, Niujie Mosque was initially built by Nasruddin, the son of an Arabic priest who came to China to preach Islam in 996 (Northern Song Dynasty). Major renovations occurred in 1442 during Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1662-1722). After the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, the mosque was entirely repainted and redecorated. The mosque’s buildings are symmetrically arranged, featuring a Minaret in traditional Chinese style, the Prayer Hall, the Stele Pavilion, and more. Important cultural relics, such as Ming Dynasty steles (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty cupreous hollowware (1644-1911), are preserved here. Muslims have prayed here daily from past to present, and the Niujie area outside the mosque is home to over 13,000 Muslims in Beijing.

Temple of Heaven - Located in southeastern central Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is an imperial complex of religious buildings. Ming and Qing dynasty emperors visited the complex for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. It is considered the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architecture, with a layout symbolizing the belief that heaven is round and earth is square. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, the Temple of Heaven is described as a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, illustrating a cosmogony of great importance to the evolution of Chinese civilizations.

Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Photo Stop at Bird Nest & Water Cube

Mutianyu Great Wall - As one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu Great Wall served as the northern defense for the capital and the Ming Dynasty’s imperial tombs. Built primarily with granite, this 2250-meter-long section is renowned for its distinctive watchtowers and stunning natural scenery. Watchtowers are spaced at short intervals along the Wall, totaling 23. The highest, Tower 23, is the destination for visitors hiking up the wall. It generally takes over half an hour to hike to the Great Wall from the entrance, so taking a cable car or chairlift is recommended to conserve energy and enjoy aerial views of the mountain.

Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) - The Ming tombs are situated in topographical settings chosen according to geomancy (Fengshui) principles and feature numerous traditional architectural buildings. Dingling is the burial site of the Wanli emperor, his wife, and his favorite concubine. Emperor Wanli, the thirteenth Ming dynasty emperor, ruled from 1572 to 1620. His tomb was constructed between 1584 and 1590. Excavation of Dingling Tomb began in May 1959 and concluded within a year, uncovering over 3,000 artifacts in the 1,195 square meter underground palace, located 27 meters below ground. The underground palace is a vast marble vault divided into five large chambers, with original marble thrones still present.

Olympic Park - The Bird Nest, officially known as the National Stadium, was designed for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies, athletic events, and football final. The design, inspired by Chinese ceramics, uses steel beams to conceal supports for the retractable roof, giving the stadium a bird’s nest appearance. The Water Cube, colloquially named the National Aquatics Center, was built alongside the National Stadium in the Olympic Green for the 2008 Summer Olympics swimming competitions.

Beijing, Summer Palace, Bullet Train to Xian (about 5 hours)

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China and the world. Initially built in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong, it was largely destroyed in the 1860 war and restored on its original foundations in 1886. Constructed around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, the Summer Palace is a vast complex of gardens, palaces, lakes, and hills. The landscaped gardens, temples, and pavilions were designed to harmonize with nature and please the eye. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List, declaring it a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.

Xi’an - Take a second-class bullet train to Xian in the afternoon. Xian is China’s ancient capital city and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Xian, Terracotta Warriors, Bell & Drum Tower Square, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Also known as the Terracotta Army, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses are a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shihuang, China’s first Emperor. They were buried to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers drilling wells for irrigation, the figures vary in height according to their roles, with generals being the tallest. The figures include warriors, chariots, and horses, with an estimated 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses buried in three pits. Other non-military terracotta figures, such as officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians, were found in other pits. The Terracotta Army is one of the 20th century’s most significant archaeological excavations globally and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Xi’an Bell Tower - Visit the Bell & Drum Tower Square after lunch. The Bell Tower is a stately traditional building marking the ancient capital’s geographical center. From this landmark extend East, South, West, and North Streets, connecting the Tower to the City Wall’s East, South, West, and North Gates of the Ming Dynasty. The Drum Tower is located northwest of the Bell Tower, across the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Both are called “sister buildings” or “morning bell and dark drum.” The Drum Tower’s architectural style combines Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Qing Dynasty styles.

Xi’an Mosque - Built in 742, the Great Mosque of Xian is a tranquil and historic mosque serving Xian’s Muslim community for over a millennium. As the largest and best-preserved ancient mosque in China, Xian Great Mosque’s buildings are a fascinating fusion of Chinese and Arabian styles. The mosque is laid out like a traditional Chinese temple, with successive courtyards of pavilions and pagodas occupying a long and narrow site (48 meters by 248 meters). The mosque’s Islamic function becomes clear upon closer inspection, with figurative decoration mostly replaced by Arabic and Chinese calligraphy. The Great Mosque is aligned on an east-west axis, facing Mecca, with five courtyards leading to a prayer hall at the western end. Xian Great Mosque was added to the UNESCO Islamic Heritage List in 1985.

Muslim Quarter - Xian was the first Chinese city introduced to Islam when Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty officially allowed Islam’s practice in 651 AD, making it home to a large Muslim community. Xian’s Muslim quarter covers several blocks with an estimated 60,000 Muslims, most of whom are Chinese-speaking Hui Muslims. There are about seven mosques in the area to accommodate the Muslim population, with the Great Mosque built in 742 being the most famous and popular. Xian’s Muslim Quarter offers a seemingly endless labyrinth of street food, restaurants, and bustling local life. Walking along this narrow, twisted street lined with stores, Muslims with white hats can be seen inside, leisurely conversing. The area also features attractions like the Gao Grand Courtyard and shadow puppet show.

Xian, Little Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Museum, City Wall, Fly to Shanghai

Small Goose Pagoda - Built in 707 A.D during the Tang Dynasty, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda originally had fifteen stories. Each floor was slightly shorter than the next, giving the pagoda a diminishing height appearance. Today, it stands 142 feet (43.38 meters) tall, having lost two floors during the 1556 earthquake. It has withstood over seventy earthquakes over the centuries. The original builders encased the pagoda’s base in a spherical pounded earth mound, which absorbs quake shocks and distributes pressure over the sphere. The mortise and tenon support structures inside were designed to absorb pressure shifts and counterbalance effects. The structure is so stable that when cracks appear in the outer brick skin due to quakes, the building remains stable until the next quake closes the cracks.

Xi’an Museum - Xian Museum is a three-storied building with an underground floor unseen from the outside. The museum’s architectural design follows the traditional Chinese concept of the universe - a round heaven and a square earth. The museum collection includes about 130,000 pieces, mostly found in Xian and the surrounding region. Many pieces come from excavated tombs dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC), Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), and Tang Dynasty (618-907). Themed exhibition halls display Buddhist statues made from copper, bronze, and stone; jade artifacts; clay figures; seals; calligraphy; paintings; and ceremonial items used in rituals. The underground level features recreated scenes showing Xian’s way of life through the ages. The main permanent exhibition, “Ancient Capital of Xian,” focuses on the 1,000 years when Xian served as the capital of 13 dynasties.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - The City Wall of Xian is one of China’s oldest, largest, and best-preserved city walls. Built during the Ming Dynasty as a military defense system 600 years ago, it exhibits the complete features of feudal society’s rampart architecture. It has been refurbished multiple times since its 14th-century construction, thrice at intervals of about 200 years in the late 1500s and 1700s, and recently in 1983. The Xian City Wall is rectangular, with a total length of 14 kilometers, with almost all stretches having undergone some restoration or rebuilding. A walkway along the top of the wall takes four hours to traverse. As a defense fortification, it was constructed with a moat, drawbridges, watch towers, corner towers, parapet walls, and gate towers.

Shanghai - Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, known for its glass and steel towers, in the afternoon or at night.

Shanghai, Yu Garden, Chenghuangmiao Market, The Bund & Nanjing Rd, Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum

Yu Garden (Yuyuan) - Yuyuan is Shanghai’s most famous garden, located in the heart of the Old City. Constructed in 1577 by Ming Dynasty government officer Pan Yunduan, it took nearly 20 years to build to provide his parents with a tranquil and happy place in their later years. Yuyuan Garden is a maze of pavilions, elaborate rockeries, arched bridges, and goldfish ponds, all encircled by an undulating dragon wall. Covering an area of 20,000 square meters (about five acres), it appears expansive, with room for 30 pavilions.

Chenghuang Miao (Yuyuan Garden) - Chenghuangmiao is a charming area built in typical Chinese architectural style, featuring numerous shops, bars, and restaurants.

The Bund - The Bund is Shanghai’s famous waterfront, stretching 1.6km (1 mile) along the Huangpu River’s west shore. Initially a muddy towpath for riverboats, the Bund became the site where foreign powers erected distinct Western-style banks and trading houses after the 1842 Opium War. From here, Shanghai grew into Asia’s leading city in the 1920s and 1930s, becoming a cosmopolitan and thriving commercial and financial center. Many colonial structures from that prosperous era remain today, forming an indelible part of Shanghai’s cityscape. Notable colonial-era buildings include the former British Consulate, Customs House, former HSBC Building (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), former Shanghai Club (now the Waldorf Astoria Hotel), and the Peace Hotel.

Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road) - Nanjing Road, 3.4 miles long, starts at the Bund in the east and is Shanghai’s main shopping street and one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. As a result of the Opium War (1839-1842), Shanghai was forced to open to the West as a port, importing large quantities of foreign goods and becoming Shanghai’s earliest shopping street. Over time, Nanjing Road has undergone significant restructuring and change. For shopping convenience, its eastern end features an all-weather pedestrian arcade. Today, over 600 businesses on Nanjing Road offer countless famous brands, superior quality, and new fashions. KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and other world-famous food vendors line both sides of the street. Upscale stores include Tiffany, Mont Blanc, and Dunhill.

Shanghai Xiaotaoyuan Mosque - Located on Xiaotaoyuan Street in southern Shanghai, the Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, also known as the Xicheng Mosque, is one of Shanghai’s famous mosques. Established in 1917 and rebuilt in 1925, the mosque features Islamic architectural style. Inside the gate is a rectangular courtyard. On the west side stands the great prayer hall, 500 square meters in size, accommodating 200 prayers. The prayer hall has two stories, with a central vault dome and a minaret on top. A three-storied hall building stands on the courtyard’s eastern side, with a library and reading room on the second and third floors, respectively, and a sermon room on the first floor. The courtyard’s southern side houses the Imams’ rooms and reception room.

People’s Square - People’s Square is a vast public square surrounded by government buildings, featuring manicured greenery and the architecturally impressive Shanghai Museum at its heart. Before 1949, People’s Square was part of Shanghai Racecourse. After gambling and horse racing were banned by the Communist government, part of the racecourse became People’s Square, including a large avenue and spectator stands for parades. Other parts of the racecourse remain today, with the clubhouse buildings becoming the Shanghai Art Museum and part of the race track becoming People’s Park. In the 1990s, major changes were made to the square, with the Shanghai Municipal Government moving from the former HSBC Building. Recent additions include the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.

Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan) - Located in People’s Square’s center, Shanghai Museum is a distinguished architectural blend of traditional culture and modern spirit, making it unique among global museums. Covering 39,200 square meters, with a height of 29.5m, the round celestial dome and square earth base symbolize the philosophy of a spherical heaven and square earth, creating an extraordinary visual effect. The museum’s rich and high-quality collection includes 120,000 precious works of art, including ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting, and calligraphy, celebrated worldwide.

Departure from Shanghai, Transfer to Shanghai Airports

Shanghai - Enjoy a private transfer (without guide) to Shanghai’s airports or railway stations for departure. Wishing a pleasant journey and gratitude for choosing IslamiChina for travel.

• All government taxes included
• Guidance by a professional, English-speaking guide
• Meals covered including lunch and dinner
• Comfortable travel via private, air-conditioned vehicle with a skilled driver
• Fast travel on the second class bullet train from Beijing to Xian
• Halal meals provided as per itinerary at select local halal restaurants
• Admission tickets to all sightseeing destinations covered

• Hotel accommodations
• Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
• Airfare from Xian to Shanghai and relevant taxes
• Gratuities to guide & driver (Customary, $5 per person/day)
• Optional tour & insurance

• Explore Beijing, the capital of Yuan, Ming & Qing dynasties as well as the People’s Republic of China.
• Explore Xian, the capital of 13 dynasties as well as the starting point of the legendary ancient Silk Road.
• Explore the glass and steel towers of cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, once reputed as Paris of the East.
• Perform Salat at local characteristic mosques.
• Have Halal meals at local halal restaurants.
• Experienced English speaking tour guide.
• Overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments.

• Keep your passport on you constantly. It might be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Xian Museum is closed on Tuesday tours & Shanghai Museum is closed on Monday tours.
• Second class bullet train from Beijing to Xian is included. Please contact us if you want to upgrade to first class or business class.Please contact us for discount airfare if you want to fly from Beijing to Xian (approximately 2 hours).
• Airfare from Xian to Shanghai is not included in this tour package. Please contact us for discount airfare. It is approximately 7 hours by bullet train from Xian to Shanghai. Please contact us if you want to try bullet train.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.