Includes airfare, great hotels, transfers and more!

Beijing & Shanghai Express

Who says you can't afford to visit China's two most exciting cities: Beijing, host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, and Shanghai, sometimes called the "Paris of the East" and the heart of China's opening and reform. These two cities are yours for less than the price of airfare alone, making this one travel opportunity you really can't afford to miss!

Considered one of the best and most exciting travel destinations of the new millennium, our Beijing & Shanghai Express includes airfare from New York or San Francisco, superior first class hotel accommodations, lavish American breakfast daily, transfers, domestic airfare within China, and lots of inexpensive touring options in both cities.

Our Touring Program

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exotic journey to China begins today as you check in for your Air China wide-body jet flight bound for Beijing, China.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing. Evening arrival in Beijing, China's historic and cultural capital. You'll be met by your guide and then escorted to your hotel in the center of Beijing, within short distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Capital Hotel

Day 3-6: Beijing. Meet your fellow travelers at a special "orientation breakfast" hosted by your local guide. You'll have several days to explore on your own. Your hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city, within short distance of many major attractions, as well as the best shopping and dining. Your professional guide will be glad to make suggestions if you prefer to explore independently. To make the most of your visit and enrich your experience, your guide will offer you a chance to join some exclusive excursions to the city's highlights as well as memorable evening activities. (B)

Day 7: Beijing/Shanghai. Today, board a short flight to Shanghai, China's largest city, bustling commercial center and port. In recent years, Shanghai has gone through a major revitalization and is now considered one of Asia's most vibrant and exciting cities. Transfer to your conveniently located hotel. Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel (B)

Day 8-9: Shanghai. Two full days to savor Shanghai's exotic temples and colorful markets as well as the modern additions to the cityscape. Your local guide will offer an optional full day city tour to explore the new and the old. You may also wish to take in a performance of the renowned Shanghai Acrobats. While in Shanghai, do not miss the optional excursion to Suzhou, called "Venice of the East" by the explorer Marco Polo. (B)

Day 10: Shanghai/USA. Today you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to China as you board your return flight. Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive the USA later today. (B)

Optional Tours in Beijing

Full Day Forbidden City and Summer Palace and Lunch
Start your day with a visit to the famous Tiananmen Square. You then enter the Forbidden City, an architectural masterpiece and home to the National Palace Museum. After an included lunch, venture outside the city to see the Summer Palace, summer resort of the Empress Dowager. $55, lunch included.

Full Day Great Wall & Ming Tombs and Lunch
Embark on an exhilarating full day excursion. First travel to the legendary Great Wall which extends over 3,700 miles and is the only man-made structure visible from the moon. There is time to mount the ramparts of this ancient wonder before proceeding to the Ming Tombs, burial site of the Ming Dynasty royalty. $55, lunch included.

Full Day Hutong (Old Beijing) & Temple of Heaven and Lunch
Enjoy an unforgettable look at behind-the-scenes of Hutong, the old city of Beijing. You'll ride on a traditional 3-wheel cycle through the labyrinth comprising this district. Walk along ancient alleyways and see where ordinary citizens live side by side with gracious old estates once owned by Beijing's old aristocracy. After an included lunch, proceed to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architectural harmony and precision. $55, lunch included.

Evening Opera Performance and Peking Duck Dinner
Enjoy an elaborate Chinese Dinner Banquet featuring the famous "Peking Duck" and attend a performance of the renowned Peking Opera. $38, dinner included.

Optional Tours in Shanghai

Full Day Shanghai City Tour and Lunch
Visit some of Shanghai's famous attractions including the Jade Buddha Temple, the fragrant Yu Garden and the Children's Palace where Shanghai's brightest and most talented youngsters are taught. Then, proceed to the fascinating Shanghai Museum, containing some of Asia's best art exhibits. Conclude the tour with a visit to the colorful Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront. $35, lunch included.

Full Day Suzhou Excursion and Lunch
On this most memorable excursion, embark on a scenic ride to the charming, canal-laced town of Suzhou, often called "Paradise on Earth." Here you embark on a short cruise on the ancient "Grand Canal." After lunch visit two of Suzhou's most famous gardens as well as other city highlights, before returning to Shanghai late this afternoon. $60, lunch included.

Shanghai Acrobats Performance and Dinner
Delight in a breathtaking performance of the renowned Shanghai Acrobats. Chinese dinner will be included in tonight's activities. $25, dinner included.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to China, click here.

Beijing & Shanghai Express
Included Features

• Round-trip airfare from San Francisco via Air China (New York Departure add $100) (flight schedule)

• Intra-China flights and all transfers

• Accommodations at superior first class hotels

• Full buffet American breakfast daily (B)

• Services of local English speaking tour hosts

Important Note: If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.

Waitlisting on Friendly Planet Sold-Out Departures: If your preferred departure is sold out, you can place yourself on a waitlist by completing the online reservation form and submitting it to us. Just click on the "waitlist" button, complete the form and click "submit". In the comments box at the very bottom of the form, please write any notes regarding your request, especially any flexibility you might have in your dates of travel. This way, if your first choice doesn't clear, we can try for a second or third choice. We will make every effort to clear your space in a timely way so that you can join us on tour. You do not need to send any deposits for waitlists. When we clear your space, we'll contact you immediately by phone or email, and if you still wish to travel, we will arrange for deposits or payments at that time. We regret that we cannot accept waitlists beyond 35 days prior to departure. If you see "sold out" next to the dates you wish to reserve or waitlist, please note that this departure is now closed, including waitlist possibilities.

Rates are per person based on double occupancy.

Single Occupancy Rooms: add $199.

Flight Schedule: Click here for a full flight schedule.

Departure Airports: Included flights are from San Francisco. For departures from New York (JFK): add $100

Additional Costs: U.S. departure taxes and airline fees ($195) and China visa fee not included.

Visas: At present, the Chinese authorities are not issuing group visas. Every passenger must obtain a visa directly from the appropriate Chinese Consulate or through a visa service. Detailed information on obtaining visas will be sent to every passenger who reserves this tour. Click the "Getting a Visa" link on this page for immediate information, including visa applications and instructions. China visa fee is not included.

Fuel Surcharges: We are all aware of the escalating cost of fuel, and while we had hoped we would not be adversely effected, we are now receiving fuel surcharge notices from many airlines. Most likely, all airlines will soon follow suit. All present surcharges for this tour are included. We regret having to pass along these additional charges to our passengers; however, we cannot be responsible for these charges when they are levied except to do our best to notify our passengers of the charges and then collect them on behalf of the carriers. Like all taxes associated with your tickets, fuel surcharges and airport fees are subject to change without notice.

Already Booked? Print and complete your Tour Registration Form (PDF).

• Home
• Blog
• About
• FAQs
• Fine Print
• Insurance
• Contact
• Hotels
• Cruise Ships
• Site Map
• National Tourism Boards

* Some tour prices reflect an early booking discount on select dates. Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee.

Though we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information on our site about our tours, sometimes oversights and typographical errors can occur. Please confirm all tour prices and details with us via email or phone prior to booking. We will not be held responsible for misunderstandings arising from such errors.

TourCode: d-000