Secure this trip with a 20% deposit
ARRIVAL Takeover China: Beijing to Shanghai
9 nights. Small crew. From Beijing to Shanghai, Great Wall hikes, hutong dumplings, rickshaw rides, tai chi at dawn and Suzhou by bike and boat.
Overview
The lowdown
Real travel isn’t tidy. This 10-day journey through China proves it. Travel with a tight-knit group of six from Beijing to Xi’an, Suzhou and Shanghai. Move between ancient dynasties and modern city life, toboggan off the Great Wall (yes, you read that right) and get up close with a local family folding dumplings in a hutong kitchen. Cross the country by bullet train and plane, shift from imperial Beijing to Xi’an’s after-dark scenes, then slow the pace along Suzhou’s canals before landing in the buzz of Shanghai. Exhausted? There’s plenty of moments to relax with a traditional rickshaw ride through Beijing's narrow alleyways, and soaking up tai chi in Fuxing Park. It smells like steam and spice. Sounds like scooters, mahjong tiles and night markets. It’s hands-on, high-energy, and deeply local. You don’t just see China, you’re in the middle of it.This is a small-group trip with ARRIVAL travellers only. Meet as strangers, leave as mates.
Highlights
The best bits
Tobogganing Off the Great Wall
Take the cable car up Mutianyu’s ridgeline, walk a section of the Wall, then drop into one of the most unexpected moments of the trip, a toboggan ride back down. A Wonder of the World and a chance to give your legs a rest.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Day 2
Tian’anmen to Dumplings
Day 3
The Great Wall, with a twist
Day 4
Temples and Palaces
Day 5
Fast Track to Xi’an
Day 6
Terra Cotta & Tang Dynasty
Day 7
Flight to Shanghai + Yu Garden
Day 8
Morning in the Park, Night on the Bund
Day 9
Suzhou Canal Culture
Day 10
Departure
Location
The setting
Host
The experts
ARRIVAL's Local Legends
We’ve teamed up with the legends on the ground – the local fixers, guides, and magic-makers who make sure your trip runs smoother than a cold beer on a hot day. Think private hosts, behind-the-scenes logistics wizards, and all-round good sorts who bring the place to life while keeping things seamless in the background.
Accommodation
The quarters
A well-placed base in central Beijing that keeps you close to the city’s landmarks by day and ready to rest properly by night.
Sunworld Hotel
Deng Shi Kou Da Jie, CN
A boutique family-run hotel near the ancient city walls. It’s modern, comfortable, with a chilled atmosphere that makes switching off easy.
Eastern House Boutique Hotel
Fen Xiang, Xi An Shi, CN
A heritage-style hotel near the Bund with modern rooms inside, centrally located for river walks, nearby dinners and city strolling.
Sunrise on the Bund
Shang Hai Wai Tan Pu Hua...
Activities
The fun stuff
Travel through Beijing’s hutongs by rickshaw before joining a local family to make dumplings and eat together. Come away a dumpling extraordinaire.
Hutong Rickshaw Ride & Dumpling Class
Beijing, CN
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, taking the cable car up and flying down by toboggan.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Mu Tian Yu Lu, CN
Spend the morning with locals at the Temple of Heaven, joining a sunrise tai chi session in one of Beijing’s most iconic parks.
Temple of Heaven Tai Chi
Dongcheng, China, 100061
Walk through Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter at night, grazing through skewers, noodles, and fried delicacies on every corner.
Muslim Quarter Street Food Walk
Bei Guang Ji Jie, Xi An S...
See the Terracotta Army up close, then explore Grand Tang Ever Bright City and take in Xi’an’s history.
Terracotta Warriors & Grand Tang Ever Bright City
Xi'An, CN
Explore Shanghai’s Yu Garden and surrounding bazaar, moving between quiet garden spaces and busy market streets.
Yu Garden & Bazaar
四牌楼 Huangpu, Shanghai, Ch...
Ease into morning life in Fuxing Park, test your voice at karaoke, tai chi and chess, before heading up for skyline-views of the city from Shanghai Tower.
Fuxing Park + Shanghai Tower
Fu Xing Zhong Lu, CN
Explore the “Venice of the East” by bicycle and wooden boat. Travel through its historic canals at a calmer pace.
Suzhou Bike Ride + Canal Boat
Suzhou, CN
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days from departure for a 80% refund. Within 64 days of departure, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone. Please make sure your dates are correct before booking, and we strongly recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.