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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

China in Style by Rail

Eleven-day high-speed rail journey across China from Beijing to Shanghai

Illustration of China in Style by Rail

Cox & Kings' 11-day tailor-made journey showcases China's high-speed rail network and four of its most culturally significant cities. Beginning in Beijing, you fly from the UK, then spend three nights exploring the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall at the quieter Jinshanling section. High-speed trains carry you to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors and a calligraphy lesson; to Nanjing to visit Purple Mountain and historic temples; and finally to Shanghai, where you stay at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund. Throughout, you travel in five-star comfort with private transfers, local guides, and optional English-speaking support. The pace balances structured guided activities with afternoon leisure time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a tailor-made journey with support 'if required' from a local representative; the level of guided service may vary from fully escorted to semi-independent depending on your booking choices.
  • Pricing varies by season: January-March and November-December from £4,995; April-October from £5,195.
  • The itinerary includes a long-haul international flight from the UK at the start (Day 1) and return flight at the end (Day 11).

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to Beijing

    Flight from the UK to Beijing.

  2. Day 2overnight: Beijing

    Beijing

    Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the luxurious Peninsula Hotel for a 3-night stay. One of the finest hotels in the city, The Peninsula Beijing is located just a short walk from the main sights and the famous shopping street of Wangfujing.

  3. Day 3overnight: Beijing

    Beijing

    Morning visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares surrounded by important landmarks, including the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Monument to the People's Heroes. Next, head to the Forbidden City, the ancient imperial palace that served as the home to Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. After lunch, visit the gardens the Summer Palace, then enjoy afternoon tea at the luxury Aman Summer Palace resort.

  4. Day 4overnight: Beijing

    Great Wall

    Drive north from Beijing and visit the legendary Great Wall at Jinshanling, a peaceful and dramatic section of the wall that receives far fewer visitors than other sections of the wall nearer the city.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Xi'an

    Xian

    Early morning departure to Xian by high-speed train. Afternoon arrival in Xian and proceed to the Wild Goose Pagoda, followed by a tour of the Tang Bo Art Museum, which displays a collection of Shaanxi folk art, landscape paintings and contemporary works. Take a lesson in calligraphy at the museum, then transfer to the Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel for a 2-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Xi'an

    Xian

    Enjoy a private tour of one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world, the Terracotta Warriors. Explore the three main pits where the warriors have been uncovered, each pit providing a unique view into the emperor's grand vision for the afterlife.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Nanjing

    Nanjing

    Continue to Nanjing by high-speed train. Nanjing was once the nation's capital in the early years of the Ming dynasty era, and is home to a range historical sights, museums and monuments. Transfer to The Ritz-Carlton for a 2-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Nanjing

    Nanjing

    Morning visit to Zijin Shan (Purple Mountain), home to a number of historic sites including the Linggu Temple, the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory and the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founder of modern China. Afternoon at leisure, with time to visit the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Shanghai

    Shanghai

    Early morning departure to Shanghai by high-speed train. Transfer to the Fairmont Peace Hotel for 2 nights, located on Shanghai's famous waterfront, the Bund.

  10. Day 10overnight: Shanghai

    Shanghai

    Morning tour of Shanghai, visiting the Jade Buddha temple and the Yu Garden. The afternoon is at leisure, with options to take a cruise on Huang Pu River, visit the Shanghai Museum, or shop on Nanjing Road.

  11. Day 11rail

    Fly back to the UK

    Transfer to Longyang Road Station, then continue to the airport on the Shanghai Maglev train, one of the world's fastest commercial train services.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Visit the Forbidden City, the ancient imperial palace that served as home to Chinese emperors for almost 500 years, followed by the gardens at the Summer Palace.
  • Day 4Walk the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a peaceful and dramatic section that receives fewer visitors than areas closer to Beijing.
  • Day 5Travel by high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, then take a calligraphy lesson at the Tang Bo Art Museum.
  • Day 6Explore the Terracotta Warriors at three main pits, uncovering the emperor's grand vision for the afterlife.
  • Day 9Arrive in Shanghai by high-speed train and transfer to the Fairmont Peace Hotel on the famous Bund waterfront.

Included

  • Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
  • Local Transfers in a private chauffeur-driven vehicle
  • The support (if required) of an English speaking local representative
  • Local guides & entrance fees where applicable
  • International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
  • UK departure and overseas airport taxes

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes high-speed train travel from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Nanjing, and Nanjing to Shanghai, plus the Shanghai Maglev to the airport. International flights from the UK are also included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a tailor-made journey with optional support from an English-speaking local representative if required. Private chauffeur-driven transfers and local guides are provided at each stop.
What are the main highlights?
The Great Wall at Jinshanling, the Terracotta Warriors (with a guided tour of three main pits), the Forbidden City, Summer Palace gardens, calligraphy lessons, temples, and museums in Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing, and Shanghai.
What hotels are included?
The Pentagon Beijing (3 nights), Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xi'an (2 nights), The Ritz-Carlton Nanjing (2 nights), and Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai (2 nights).
How much walking and activity is involved?
The activity level is moderate. Days include city walking tours, temple visits, gardens, archaeological sites, and a visit to the Great Wall, but activities are paced with afternoon leisure time in most cities.
When does this journey run?
Cox & Kings offers departures year-round, with pricing from £4,995 in January-March and November-December, and from £5,195 in April-October.

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