China Tour from Chicago

Today, you will fly to Beijing by yourself. There are 2 direct flights from Chicago to Beijing every day. You can book one based on your travel time. 

It is about 14 hours' flying time to Beijing. On arrival, find your way to the 3-star Hotel Yoo Beijing we have booked for you. You can take a taxi to go directly to the hotel at a cost of CNY120. If you don't have too much luggage, you can take either airport shuttle bus line 3 to Beijing International Hotel or line 13 to Wangfujing Street, and then hail a cab to the hotel; the cost for the whole trip is CNY24+15. For the rest of the day, you can alleviate fatigue at the hotel for the coming trip.

Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Accommodation: Hotel Yoo Beijing

It is suggested you start the sightseeing with the landmark of Beijing, Tiananmen Square, which is within walking distance from your hotel. From your hotel, head southwards along Nanheyan Street for 250 yards and turn west onto East Chang'an Street; the Tiananmen Square is 600 yards west.

After strolling around, go northwards and walk through the Tiananmen Tower to find the entrance of the Forbidden City, the royal palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). It is suggested you admire the major buildings along the central axis and the recommended visiting time is 2 - 3 hours.

Get out of the Forbidden City from the Devine Prowess Gate and take bus no. 124 to Gulou Station. After alighting, enter Shichahai Area from a narrow lane on your west and start your independent tour among the hutongs.

Shichahai is famous for crisscrossing hutongs and authentic courtyards, such as Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street, Ya'er Hutong, and Prince Gong's Mansion. It is renowned to be one of the best places to experience local Beijingers' peaceful lifestyle. You are highly suggested to stay there until the night. The bustling Bar Street along Houhai Beiyan Street is going to reveal a different scene of this area.

When today's Beijing independent tour is over, you can either take bus no. 40 from Gulou Station to Nanheyan and walk back to your hotel, or take a taxi to return at a cost of CNY20.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, you are recommended to arrange a backpacking tour by yourself to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which is 45 miles north of the downtown area. After breakfast, hail a cab to Dongzhimen Transport Hub first with a fare of CNY25. Alternatively, you can walk southwards to East Chang'an Street and head eastward for 500 yards to take subway line 1 from Wangfujing Station to Dongzhimen of subway line 2 with a transfer at Jianguomen. Take bus no. 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huairou Beidajie in 70 minutes, and then charter a car to Mutianyu Great Wall at a cost of CNY50-60.

When the hiking is over, reverse the trip back to your hotel and find a nearby restaurant to have a big dinner.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Take bus no. 60 from Nanheyan Station to Fahuasi. After alighting, walk southwards along Tiantan Road for 200 yards to enter the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for peace and prosperity for the nation in old days. It is suggested you go there early in the morning. Local people usually do morning exercise in the park in front of the temple. It must be a pleasant experience to join them and learn some Tai Chi moves and Beijing Opera.

Once your visit there is over, get out from the northern gate and walk north along Qinian Street for 500 yards; turn west onto Zhushikou East Street and head forward for 100 yards to take subway line 7 from Qiaowan to Caishikou, then ransfer to line 4 to Beigongmen Station. Get out from Exit D and go westwards for 250 yards to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace used to be the royal family's resort with the Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, and traditional Chinese buildings inside. Half day is enough to fully admire the elegant garden.

After that, still leave from the northern gate and take tourist bus line 3 to East Beichen Road. You will see the Olympic National Stadium the moment you get off the bus. You can also stop by the nearby National Aquatics Center and Olympic Park and take some good photos there.

Your Beijing independent tour will stop here. Please return to your hotel early and get ready for the next day's train to Shanghai. We will book the train tickets for you in advance and deliver them to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today you will turn to Shanghai. After breakfast, check out the hotel and find your way to the Beijing South Railway Station for your onward high speed train to Shanghai. You may walk to the Tiananmen East Station to take subway line 1 to Xidan, then change to line 4 and get off at South Railway Station. Or, you can take a taxi to go straight to the train station at a cost of CNY25.

After 6 hours' train ride, you will arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. We have booked the 3-star Golden River-view Hotel for your 3 nights' stay in Shanghai. You can take subway line 2 from the train station to West Nanjing Road and transfer to line 12; leave from Exit 1 of Hanzhong Road Station and walk westwards to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel

It is recommended you start your Shanghai backpacking trip with the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. You can take bus no. 109 from your hotel to North Huangpi Road Wusheng Road Station and walk eastwards for 600 yards to the exhibition hall. You can also hail a taxi to the museum directly with a fare of CNY20.

After the visit, take bus no. 930 from the bus stop near the Exit 1 of People's Square Subway Station. Alight at Xinbeimen after 5 stops and walk southwards along Anren Street for 200 yards to the Yuyuan Garden, a private garden built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). If interested, you can also pay a visit to the nearby City God Temple and bustling fair to taste local snacks and buy some featured souvenirs.

The next sight of your independent China Jewish heritage tour is the Bund. From Yuyuan Garden, please walk eastwards to the western bank of Huangpu River, then go northwards along the riverbank to reach the Bund. Not only can you admire western-style buildings there, the unique skyline of Lujiazui on the opposite side of the river is also worthy taking pictures of.

You are suggested to spend the rest of your day shopping along the famous East Nanjing Road near the northern end of the Bund. Besides, you should not miss the chance to take a night cruise along Huangpu River, which can add more fun to your Shanghai tour.

When the whole day's visit is over, take a taxi back to your hotel and have a good sleep for your next day's tour.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, it is suggested you set out for an exploration of Jewish settlement in Tilanqiao area and you can start the tour with the Jewish Refugees Museum. Please take subway line 12 from Hanzhong Road Station to Tilanqiao; get out from Exit 1 and walk eastwards along Changyang Road for 150 yards to the museum. 1- 2 hours' stay in the museum allows you to know more about the former site of Ohel Moshe Synagogue and Shanghai as an important refuge for Jews in 1930s. After the visit, walk southwards along the lane on the east of the museum for 200 yards to the Huoshan Park, the recreational place for local Jews in old days.

The next destination of today's Jewish heritage tour is the Former French Concession. You may walk back to Tilanqiao Station to take subway line 12 to South Huangpi Road Station of line 1 with a transfer at Hanzhong Road. Get out from Exit 1 or 2 and walk southwest to explore the Former French Concession, which is brimmed with European and Chinese buildings, as well as former residences of celebrities.

Take a taxi back to your hotel when you are gratified with your trip and pack up your belongings in advance for your next day's flight.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Today, your China tour from Chicago is over. You will need to arrange your own transportation to the airport for your homeward flight. From Shanghai to Chicago, one direct flight is available on Tuesday and Thursday and two direct flights on the other days of the week. We hope you have a nice journey home!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast