Summer 2026

China Awaits

A Family & Friends Adventure Through Beijing & Shanghai

📅 July 12 – July 21, 2026

10

Days of Discovery

2

Legendary Cities

~$2,650

Budget Estimate

179

Days Until Takeoff

The Experience

What You'll Discover

From ancient imperial palaces to futuristic skylines, this journey spans 5,000 years of history — and the world's most exciting modern city.

Shanghai Skyline at Night

The Shanghai Skyline

Watch Pudong light up from The Bund. Pure Blade Runner vibes.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

9,999 rooms. 24 emperors. 500 years of history.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Watch locals practice Tai Chi at dawn.

High Speed Train

Bullet Train

350 km/h. Faster than flying.

Shanghai Disney

Shanghai Disney

TRON Lightcycle. Fireworks. Magic.

Water Town

Ancient Water Towns

1,700-year-old canals and bridges.

Beijing Hutongs

Beijing Hutongs

Historic alleyways with local life.

Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road

Shanghai's neon-lit shopping paradise.

The Summer Palace

Where emperors escaped. Now you can too.

Your Roadmap

Preparation Timeline

Starting from today — January 15th, 2026 — here's everything you need to do, broken into easy steps.

Today — January 15
🎯 Confirm You're In!
Let the group know you're interested. This helps us coordinate bookings and potentially get group rates. No commitment yet — just a "count me in!"
January 15 – February 15
📄 Apply for Your Visa
Start early — the China visa costs ~$140 for US citizens, but it's typically valid for 10 years. Processing takes 4-7 business days.
February 1 – March 15
✈️ Book Your Flights
This is the sweet spot! Flights are typically cheapest 4-5 months before travel. Booking in February could save you $200-400 compared to waiting.
March 1 – April 15
🏨 Lock In Hotels Together
We'll coordinate as a group. Many hotels offer discounts for 4+ rooms booked together. Budget ~$70-150/night depending on your comfort preference.
May – June
📱 Get Your Tech Ready
Download Alipay/WeChat Pay, set up an eSIM (Airalo is great), and install a VPN if needed. We'll send a detailed guide closer to the date!
July 12, 2026
🛫 Adventure Begins!
Meet up in Beijing. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Day by Day

Your Itinerary

A balanced pace with plenty of iconic sights — but also time to wander and discover on your own.

🏛️ BEIJING

Days 1–4 • The Ancient Capital

Beijing Hutong

Day 1: Arrival & Temple of Heaven

  • Land at Beijing Capital Airport
  • Check into hotel in Wangfujing (walking distance to everything)
  • Afternoon: Temple of Heaven — watch locals do Tai Chi
  • Evening: Welcome dinner with Peking Duck 🦆

Day 2: Imperial Beijing

  • Morning: Tiananmen Square — world's largest public square
  • Explore the Forbidden City (allow 3-4 hours)
  • Afternoon: Jingshan Park — panoramic palace views
  • Evening: Hutong rickshaw tour + dumpling-making class

Day 3: The Great Wall

  • Full day trip to Mutianyu Great Wall
  • Cable car up, hike the wall, toboggan slide down!
  • Less crowded than Badaling, better photo opportunities
  • Evening: Optional visit to 798 Art District

Day 4: Summer Palace & Pandas

  • Morning boat ride at the Summer Palace
  • Lunch: Hot pot near the palace
  • Afternoon: See giant pandas at Beijing Zoo 🐼
  • Evening: Free time to explore Sanlitun
🌆 SHANGHAI

Days 5–10 • The Future City

Shanghai Nanjing Road

Day 5: Bullet Train to the Future

  • Board the high-speed train (4.5 hrs @ 350 km/h)
  • Watch the countryside blur by at jet-like speeds
  • Check into hotel near The Bund
  • Evening: Walk The Bund as the skyline lights up 🌃

Day 6: Old Meets New

  • Morning: Yu Garden & Old City Bazaar
  • Lunch: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) feast
  • Afternoon: Shanghai Tower — world's 2nd tallest (632m)
  • Evening: Explore Nanjing Road

Day 7: Disney or Water Town

  • Option A: Full day at Shanghai Disney (TRON Lightcycle!)
  • Option B: Day trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town
  • Both are incredible experiences — your choice!

Day 8: French Concession Vibes

  • Wander the tree-lined streets of the French Concession
  • Brunch at a hip café (this area is seriously photogenic)
  • Afternoon: Shop and eat in Tianzifang
  • Evening: Rooftop bar with skyline views 🍸

Day 9: Free Day & Farewell

  • Sleep in, explore, or take a day trip to Suzhou
  • Last-minute shopping on Nanjing Road
  • Evening: Group farewell dinner 🥂

Day 10: Departure

  • Morning: Final breakfast, check out
  • Ride the Maglev train to airport (430 km/h — 7 min!)
  • Or continue to Thailand/Japan for more adventure! 🌴

The Food Alone is Worth the Trip

From Peking Duck carved tableside in Beijing to delicate soup dumplings in Shanghai — the culinary experience is absolutely world-class. And incredibly affordable.

🦆 Peking Duck
🥟 Xiaolongbao
🍜 Hand-Pulled Noodles
🥘 Sichuan Hot Pot
🥢 Dim Sum
🧋 Bubble Tea

Budget Reality: $30-50/day covers amazing meals. Street food = $2-5. Nice restaurant = $15-25. Fine dining = $40-60.

Peking Duck Xiaolongbao
Real Talk

What It Actually Costs

Honest estimates per person, based on double occupancy. Your biggest expense is the flight — everything else in China is surprisingly affordable.

Departure City Flight Estimate Comfort (4★) Budget (3★)
Los Angeles (LAX) $1,100 – $1,400 ~$3,200 ~$2,650
New York (JFK) $1,300 – $1,700 ~$3,450 ~$2,900
Atlanta (ATL) $1,400 – $1,800 ~$3,550 ~$3,000
Dallas (DFW) $1,350 – $1,750 ~$3,500 ~$2,950

What's Included: Round-trip flights • 9 nights hotel • Beijing-Shanghai bullet train • ~$40/day for food & transport • Major attractions

Prep Guide

What You Need to Know

Quick practical info to make your trip as smooth as possible.

📄 Visa Info

Cost: ~$140 (US citizens)

Process: Fill out COVA form online, visit consulate

Validity: 10-year multiple entry

Pro Tip: Apply in late January!

📱 Essential Apps

Alipay/WeChat Pay: Link your US card

Didi: Chinese Uber (English mode)

Trip.com: Book train tickets

Google Translate: Download Chinese offline

🌐 Internet Access

eSIM: Airalo or Nomad — bypasses firewall

VPN: Needed for hotel WiFi

Reality: Most locals use VPNs too

☀️ July Weather

Beijing: Hot, 85-95°F

Shanghai: Hot & humid, 80-90°F

Pack: Light clothes, umbrella, sunscreen

Note: Strong AC everywhere!

🔌 Practicalities

Power: US plugs fit most outlets

Language: Limited English, apps help

Safety: Extremely safe for tourists

Currency: Yuan (¥) — $1 ≈ ¥7.2

💡 Pro Tips

Cash: Barely needed — mobile pay rules

Metros: World-class, English signs

Tipping: Not expected

Water: Drink bottled only

Keep Going

Optional Extensions

Already flying across the Pacific? Add a few more days to explore nearby destinations!

🇹🇭 Thailand

+$600-800
  • ✈️ Flight from Shanghai: ~$150-250
  • 🏨 3-4 nights in Bangkok or Phuket
  • 🏖️ Beaches, temples, legendary street food
  • 💆 World-famous $10 Thai massages

🇯🇵 Japan

+$900-1,200
  • ✈️ Flight from Shanghai: ~$250-350
  • 🏨 3-4 nights in Tokyo or Osaka
  • 🍣 Sushi, ramen, izakaya hopping
  • 🎌 Shibuya Crossing, temples, anime culture

Ready to Make This Happen?

Let us know you're in so we can start coordinating as a group.

Early commitment = better rates and smoother planning!

🗓️ Confirm interest by February 1st, 2026