Three cities, three thousand years. Imperial Beijing at first light, the buried army of China's first emperor, and a farewell toast above the neon of the Bund — with a private guide and driver from the first hello to the last goodbye.
Private transfer to your hotel in the old city. No schedule tonight — just a gentle evening walk through the hutong lanes and a welcome dinner two courtyards away.
Enter at opening with a historian guide while the halls are still quiet. Afternoon in the Temple of Heaven's cypress park among tai chi players and matchmaking mothers.
A quiet, restored stretch far from the tour buses. Walk the ramparts, then a picnic lunch on a watchtower with the wall snaking to the horizon.
Morning market with a chef, dumplings made (badly, happily) by your own hands, and an evening at the opera — or a craft beer in a courtyard bar. Your call.
High-speed rail in first class — tea service at the speed of flight, the North China Plain sliding past. Evening arrival inside Xi'an's Ming-era walls.
Stand at the rail of Pit One as the ranks emerge from the morning light, with an archaeologist who has worked the site. Afternoon: the Muslim Quarter's thousand-year-old food streets.
Cycle the full circuit of the ancient walls as lanterns come on below. Biangbiang noodles for dinner — the character has 58 strokes; the noodles need none.
Morning flight or rail to Shanghai. Art-deco mansions of the French Concession by foot, then up across the river to a skyline that did not exist when you were born.
Longtang lane houses, a dumpling master's back kitchen, and — if you like — a tailor who will have a qipao or jacket ready before your flight.
A free morning for last wanders. Farewell dinner overlooking the river — the lights come on, the glasses come up. Private transfer to the airport whenever you're ready.
Based on two travelers sharing. Final price depends on season, hotels and party size — we'll quote precisely once we know who's coming.
Design Your Version of This Journey