Splendours of China: From Shanghai to Beijing via the Mongolian Steppes

About this journey

What makes this trip.

• Ascend the tallest tower in China for a panoramic view over Shanghai and stroll the Bund along the Huangpu River
• Glide the canals of Suzhou, the 'Venice of the East', and wander the historic Shantang waterside quarter
• Cruise the UNESCO-listed West Lake in Hangzhou and taste green tea in the Longjing hills
• Walk the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, reached by cable car, away from the busiest crowds
• Explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the vast imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties
• Discover Beijing's Temple of Heaven and the historic Niujie Mosque in the city's Muslim quarter
• Ride horseback across the Xilamuren grasslands of Inner Mongolia and visit a traditional Mongolian yurt
• See the giant silver Buddha of the Dazhao Temple in Hohhot

Who this trip is for

Who this trip is for.

Built for agencies and tour operators assembling a premium, wide-ranging China group tour that goes beyond the usual highlights. It suits travellers who want the country's headline monuments — the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Shanghai skyline — combined with the water-towns of the Yangtze Delta and the nomadic culture of the Inner Mongolian steppes, all with halal dining and a dedicated tour leader throughout. Ideal for cultural, multi-generational, and Muslim-friendly group travel with a strong appetite for both history and modern China.

Itinerary

Day by day.

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Shanghai

   Arrival at Shanghai international airport, where our representative meets the group and transfers everyone to the hotel. Free time to rest after the flight, followed by a halal welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Shanghai.

2. Day 2

   The Skyline of Shanghai

   Visit the Yu Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscape art, then explore the Tianzifang quarter with its picturesque lanes and artists' studios. Ascend the Shanghai Tower for a spectacular panoramic view over the city, and close the day on the Bund, the iconic promenade along the Huangpu River, or with an optional evening cruise. Overnight in Shanghai.

3. Day 3

   Shanghai to Suzhou

   After breakfast, free time to discover Nanjing Road, China's most famous shopping avenue, or the city's electronics markets. High-speed train to Suzhou, nicknamed the 'Venice of the East' for its network of canals. Overnight in Suzhou.

4. Day 4

   Suzhou to Hangzhou

   Stroll through the picturesque Shantang district, an old merchant faubourg that has kept its authentic character. Depart by high-speed train for Hangzhou, one of the most beautiful cities in China, described by Marco Polo as the finest and most splendid in the world. Overnight in Hangzhou.

5. Day 5

   Hangzhou and West Lake

   A relaxed day in Hangzhou. In the evening, a romantic cruise on West Lake, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a walk along the historic Qinghefang street, lined with old shops and traditional houses. Overnight in Hangzhou.

6. Day 6

   Hangzhou at Leisure

   A free day to explore Hangzhou at your own pace — its gardens, tea houses, and lakeside paths — or simply to rest before the journey continues north. Overnight in Hangzhou.

7. Day 7

   Modern Hangzhou

   Visit the Hangzhou Museum, dedicated to the city's art and contemporary history, then walk through the modern Qianjiang New City district, a showcase of Chinese innovation. Free time along the banks of the Qiantang River, followed by an evening son-et-lumière show on the water. Overnight in Hangzhou.

8. Day 8

   Tea Hills and Temples of Hangzhou

   Visit the Longjing tea village, home of China's most famous green tea, to see how it is grown and to taste it straight from the source. Continue to the Lingyin Temple, carved into the heart of the mountain and one of the oldest and most contemplative Buddhist sites in China. Overnight in Hangzhou.

9. Day 9

   Hangzhou to Beijing

   After breakfast, depart by high-speed train for Beijing, the imperial capital. Arrival and check-in, with the remainder of the day free. Overnight in Beijing.

10. Day 10

    The Great Wall of China

    A full day at the Great Wall in the Mutianyu section, less crowded and renowned for its spectacular mountain scenery, with the ascent by cable car included. Free time to walk the ramparts and take in one of the wonders of the world. On the way back, a photo stop in front of the Beijing Olympic Stadium, the 'Bird's Nest'. Overnight in Beijing.

11. Day 11

    Imperial Temples and Islamic Beijing, on to Hohhot

    Visit the majestic Temple of Heaven, the architectural masterpiece where emperors prayed for good harvests, then the Niujie Mosque, the oldest mosque in Beijing and a testament to the long history of Islam in China, with a walk through the surrounding Muslim quarter. In the afternoon, depart for Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia. Overnight in Hohhot.

12. Day 12

    Hohhot and the Xilamuren Grasslands

    Visit the Inner Mongolia Museum, which traces the history, culture, and nomadic life of the steppes, and explore the Muslim quarter and its traditional markets. In the afternoon, an excursion into the great Xilamuren pastures: a horseback ride across the plains, a visit to a traditional Mongolian yurt, and time with local herders to discover their way of life. Optional evening Mongolian equestrian show or traditional tea tasting. Overnight in Hohhot.

13. Day 13

    Hohhot to Beijing

    Visit the Dazhao Temple, famous for its giant silver statue of the Buddha, before departing for Beijing. Overnight in Beijing.

14. Day 14

    Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

    Discover Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the political and historical heart of China. Enter the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its thousands of halls, treasures, and majestic pavilions. Afternoon walk along Wangfujing, Beijing's most famous shopping avenue, ideal for browsing and sampling local specialities. Overnight in Beijing.

15. Day 15

    Departure

    After breakfast, transfer to Beijing international airport for the return flight home, carrying unforgettable memories from the heart of China.

What you get

Included & not included.

The list below is the program baseline; everything is confirmed in your partner quote, and several “not included” items can be added on request.

Built around your group

What can be tailored.

This program is a starting point, not a fixed package. The elements below are adjusted for your travellers and confirmed in your partner quote.

• ✦Hotel categoryAdjusted to your group’s preferences
• ✦Travel datesSet around your group’s calendar
• ✦Group sizeBuilt to fit your numbers
• ✦Guide languageArranged on request
• ✦MealsMeal plan tailored per group
• ✦Pace of the itineraryRelaxed or full — your call
• ✦Optional visitsAdded on request
• ✦Start & end pointsAdaptable per group

Hotels are confirmed to your group’s preferences after the order — category and properties chosen with you — and the full land service is tailored and confirmed in writing in your quote.

Good to know

Operational notes.

• •The final service list is confirmed in your partner quote.
• •Hotel and supplier availability depends on your travel dates.
• •Pricing depends on group size, season, and hotel category.
• •Jarjinia confirms every detail in writing before anything is committed.

Partner terms

How commercial terms work.

Commercial terms for this program are confirmed in your partner quote — not as fixed online-checkout rules. Payment schedule, cancellation conditions, and supplier deadlines are agreed per program and destination, and shared with your agency in writing before confirmation.

Before you travel

Important notes.

The agency guarantees that all sites listed in the program are visited; the order of visits may be adjusted according to how the program unfolds and to the timing of the outbound and return flights. The itinerary uses a Day 1 to Day 15 structure and is not tied to fixed calendar dates.