Top Beijing Shanghai Attractions & Experiences

Shanghai is the largest city and the most prosperous metropolis in China while Beijing is the capital of China with a long history of over 3,000 years. The Great Walls in and around Beijing has attracted numerous tourists all over the world to check in. The Bund and amazing skyscrapers in Shanghai lure to worldwide visitors as well. Any other great things to do in Beijing and Shanghai? Of course! Beijing and Shanghai both have lots of fun things to do. No matter you long for a relaxing sightseeing holiday or a meaningful cultural exploration, you can always find wonderful places and experiences to enrich your Beijing Shanghai tour.

Most Highlighting Experiences of a Beijing Shanghai Tour

● A Blend of the Ancient and the Modern

Beijing remains an epicenter of tradition with treasures of nearly 3,000 years, as the imperial capital still on view-in the famed Forbidden City and in the city’s lush pavilions and gardens. Shanghai is a vibrant city with many modern architectures and landmarks, presenting the "Chinese Speed". Both cities have historical sites showing the past and nowadays urban features.

● Explore the Past and See the Future of China.

In Beijing, you can visit the imperial palaces and gardens to travel back to the Ming and Qing Dynasty, follow the steps of many emperors to imagine their lives. In Shanghai, you’ll listen to the legend how Shanghai turns into a cosmopolitan city from a fishing village in a short time. Modern look is more eye-catching than those inconspicuous old features, such as the leading modern technology - Shanghai Maglev Train with a top speed of 341 km/h.

● Traditional Eastern Culture VS Mixed Western and Eastern Elements

Beijing owns all the charm of the traditional China that fully embodied in the ancient sites, while Shanghai is best known for the perfect blend of the West and East, ancient and present. The Bund, Wukang Road presents you remarkable proofs with large exhibitions of western-style architectures and lifestyles.

● Hiking or Walking Experience for an In-depth Exploration

Hiking on a Great Wall of China in Beijing, wandering leisurely in the old Beijing Hutongs lined with Siheyuan, and making a stroll along the Bund, Wukang Road are meaningful and memorable experiences to closely feel the heartbeat and breath of the cities.

Beijing Shanghai Travel Map

What to See & Do in Beijing

The Great Walls in and near Beijing is always the top place to go during a Beijing tour. Each section has its unique character. You can select from Mutianyu Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, Badaling, Simatai Great Wall and other sections based on your own time, hobby and fitness. Meanwhile, previous long and brilliant history has left Beijing opulent historical sites, like imperial palaces, temples, parks, gardens, tombs and so on. Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the Great Walls have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites that usually visited by tourists. It’s better to spend 2 to 3 days visiting the iconic sights.

Except contacting with the ancient culture and history, you can also experience interesting local life in Beijing Hutongs by taking a rickshaw, taste Peking Roast Duck and other Beijing snack food, watch a wonderful Peking Opera show, go shopping and spend nightlife in Sanlitun, feel modern arts in 798 Art Distairct, etc. Taking 1 or 2 days more, you can make an in-depth Beijing tour with more spots and featured local experiences.

▶ Useful Beijing Travel Guides:
Best Great Wall Tours | Top Beijing Tour Packages
Top Beijing Things to Do | Ultimate Beijing Tourist Guide

Beijing Great Wall

Forbidden City

What to See & Do in Shanghai

Shanghai is reputed as “Oriental Paris”, where past and present, old and new, the exotic and local culture excellently coexist. The most popular tourist attractions in Shanghai include the Bund, Yu Garden, high-rises in Lujiazui (Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower...), Shanghai Museum, etc.

Whether you’re new or old friends of Shanghai, you can take a pleasant walking along the Bund, view the historical buildings and breathtaking skyscrapers across Huangpu River. And, you can visit Yu Garden, a popular site to appreciate Chinese classical garden architecture and sample snacks and shop artifacts in the outside local bazaar, have a cosy walking along Wukang Road. In Xintianzi and Tianzifang, you can see local Shikumen houses with urban hustle and bustle. Chinese culture and history lovers don’t miss Shanghai Museum, whose collection is rich and marvellous.

The major sights can be arranged in 1 to 2 days depending on your schedule and preference. If you want to discover Shanghai further, there are lots of places recommended for you, such as Huangpu River night cruise, Asian’s biggest Disneyland - Shanghai Disney Resort, Zhujiajiao Water Town, a Shanghai city biking tour, Jade Buddha Temple and so forth.

With extra days, it’s extremely suggested taking a side trip to Suzhou, visit most poetic and elegant classical gardens, explore silk culture and peaceful water towns, or travel to Hangzhou, enjoy beautiful West Lake and learn Chinese tea culture, or go farther to Huangshan Mountain, witness natural spectacles and stretch your body with a eye-pleasing hiking trip. At least 1 day is needed for a tour in Suzhou, or Hangzhou, while a Huangshan tour should prepare 2 days and more.

▶ Useful Beijing Travel Guides:
Popular Shanghai Tour Packages | Top Shanghai Things to Do | Shanghai Travel Guide

The Bund in Shanghai

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower

How to Plan a Beijing Shanghai Tour

Your Beijing Shanghai tour can be flexibly designed according to your holiday time and personal appetite. A classic Beijing Shanghai trip can be done within one week. First, you can take 2 to 3 days to hike the Great Walls (like Mutianyu, Jinshanling Great Walls) in or near Beijing and visit world-famous landmarks in downtown Beijing, including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, etc. Meanwhile, you can explore Beijing in more interesting ways, maybe try the Peking duck and other featured Beijing food, watch a Peking Opera and wander around the twisted Hutongs.

Useful Links: Beijing Shanghai Tours / Top Beijing Tours / Things to Do in Beijing

Then, you move to Shanghai to witness the most thriving prosperity and magnificent skyscrapers. Sightseeing of major attractions needs 1 to 2 days, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, the Bund, Shanghai World Financial Center are must-visit spots. Don’t miss the super-fast Maglev Train in Shanghai. Have fun in Disneyland if you travel with children. Shanghai is a perfect gateway to Suzhou, Hangzhou and Yellow Mountain, which can be your next stops for discovering beautiful Eastern China.

Useful Links: Popular Shanghai Tours / Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tours / Shanghai Huangshan Tours

Travel with China Discovery

China Discovery is a leading comprehensive travel agency in China, providing excellent customized tour packages across China. We have helps thousands of travelers fulfill their dream tour in China. Just telling us your schedule and budget, we can arrange a satisfied China tour including Beijing, Shanghai and other popular tourist destinations and covering transport, sightseeing, tour guide, local vehicle and driver, accommodation, Chinese Visa application assistance, etc. The length, places to visit, theme can be arranged depending on your individual requirements. You may choose from our Most Popular Beijing Shanghai Tours or contact us to customize a special one!

Our Group Tourists Enjoyed Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking in Beijing

Shanghai Family Tour Customized by China Discovery

Keep Reading

Recommended Beijing Shanghai Tours

Top 3 Beijing Shanghai tours chosen by most customers to explore Beijing Shanghai in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

6 Days Beijing Shanghai Highlights Tour (by Flight)

Beijing / Shanghai

6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train

Beijing / Shanghai

6 Days Shanghai Beijing Tour by Flight

Shanghai / Beijing

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip