The 10-Day Slow-Paced Golden Triangle Journey: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai is a private 10 Days / 9 Nights China journey through Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai, designed and operated by AVIORA, a licensed China-based tour operator. Best for seniors and multi-generational families.
A slow-paced first China journey: zero-stair Great Wall access, luggage-free bullet trains and a 3:30 PM hotel return.
Beijing: China's capital, home to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall · Xi'an: the ancient capital, home to the Terracotta Army · Shanghai: China's largest and most modern city
Zero-stair Great Wall access
Luggage-free bullet trains
3:30 PM hotel return every day
Reclaim the joy of discovery, without the strain
Most classic China tours mean thousands of steps a day, steep stairs and early alarm calls. We have designed this classic ten-day route for mature travellers and multi-generational families, at a pace that protects your energy.
Zero-stair Great Wall accessAn enclosed gondola goes straight to the flat Watchtower 14.
Luggage-free bullet trainsStation porters carry every suitcase from hotel room to train rack.
3:30 PM hotel returnUnhurried days with a guaranteed afternoon of rest.
Door-to-door Mercedes vansPre-conditioned for 15 minutes, with low-step entry.
The AVIORA difference
The usual China tour
Thousands of steps a day, steep stairs, early starts, luggage to carry, and no way to rest when you need to.
The AVIORA way
Every day has a step budget, a 3:30 PM return to the hotel, a vehicle waiting at the door, and a guide who carries your seat, your luggage and your worries.
Ten care commitments, on every day of the journey
0115-minute climate pre-conditioning
Vans are pre-cooled to 22°C in summer or pre-heated in winter before you board.
02Low-step entry and support
Side grab handles and a low stepping stool make getting in and out easy.
03Rest readiness on the go
Guides carry lightweight, portable ergonomic seats for an instant rest anywhere.
04Whisper wireless audio
Personal noise-canceling earpieces for clear narration at your preferred volume.
05Pre-vetted Western restrooms
Step-free, clean, seated toilets verified in advance along every route.
06Culinary concierge
We coordinate directly with chefs for gluten-free, low-sodium, low-oil and other dietary needs.
0724/7 international medical channel
Direct access to English-speaking international departments at leading hospitals.
08Luggage-free station transfers
Porters load every bag onto the train racks through the VIP elevator channel.
09Large-print daily itinerary cards
A printed card each morning lists the timings and the stops.
10Frictionless digital wallet service
Your guide handles local mobile payments, so you never worry about paying.
The route
BeijingDays 1-3China's capital, home to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall
Xi'anDays 4-6the ancient capital, home to the Terracotta Army
ShanghaiDays 7-10China's largest and most modern city
Day by day
A considered starting point. Every day can be reshaped around your dates, pace and interests.
Day 01 · Beijing
Beijing arrival and VIP escort
Arrive, be met at the baggage-claim exit and rest. Nothing is scheduled today, so jet lag does not cost you a sightseeing day.
VIP airport welcomeYour guide meets you at the baggage-claim exit. Your driver handles every bag, and a private transfer takes you to a central 5-star hotel.
A soft first eveningThe evening stays open for rest. Your guide hands you the large-print itinerary card for tomorrow and explains how mobile payments work, so you never have to handle them.
Arrival day is kept deliberately light. A good first night is part of a well-designed itinerary.
Transit
PEK airport to hotel: 45–50 minutes by road. PKX airport to hotel: 55–65 minutes. VIP lane pickup, with a flat 3-minute walk.
Estimated walking
Under 1,500 steps (rest and recovery day)
Stay
Central 5-star hotel, Beijing (night 1)
Meals
No scheduled meal on arrival day
Travel
Private airport transfer in a Mercedes van
Day 02 · Beijing
Mutianyu Great Wall by gondola
The Great Wall without the climb: an enclosed gondola glides straight to a flat section of the wall, and you are back at the hotel for the afternoon.
Enclosed gondola to Watchtower 14An enclosed 8-person gondola cable car glides directly to Watchtower 14, a flat brick platform. No climbing is required, and your guide provides a portable seat for rests.
Back at the hotel by 3:30 PMA slow descent and the drive back, so you have the afternoon at leisure.
Your guide uses the Whisper wireless audio system so you can hear the history at your preferred volume.
Transit
Hotel to Mutianyu: 73 km, about 75 minutes by private Mercedes van, with a 40-minute mid-way comfort stop.
Estimated walking
Under 3,500 steps. Hotel return by 3:30 PM
Stay
Central 5-star hotel, Beijing (night 2)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private Mercedes van with a comfort stop
Day 03 · Beijing
The Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, with VIP access
Imperial Beijing at a pace that lets you enjoy it: a step-free VIP entry, an electric cart inside the grounds and a private boat on the lake.
Forbidden City by electric cartDrop-off is at the closest step-free VIP entry, with Meridian Gate and East Glorious Gate routing vetted in advance. An electric cart carries you across the Imperial grounds. Tickets are reserved against your passports, and the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so this day is fixed first.
Private boat cruise at the Summer PalaceSee the palace from the lake on a private boat cruise.
The route and its rest points are checked before you arrive.
Transit
20–25 minute downtown transfers in a climate-controlled van.
Estimated walking
Under 4,000 steps. Hotel return by 3:30 PM
Stay
Central 5-star hotel, Beijing (night 3)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Climate-controlled Mercedes van, short downtown transfers
Day 04 · Xi'an
High-speed bullet train to Xi'an
A luggage-free First Class bullet train to Xi'an, with porters handling every suitcase from your hotel room to the train rack, and a silent hotel check-in on arrival.
Luggage-free station transferHotel-to-station porters board every bag directly onto the train racks. You carry nothing.
Silent hotel check-inArrive in the evening, check in quietly and rest. Tomorrow is a longer day, so tonight is for recovery.
Tickets are bought against your passports and your local team handles every handover at both stations.
Transit
Beijing to Xi'an: 4.5 hours in a First Class bullet train, with 30-minute station transfers at both ends.
Estimated walking
Under 2,500 steps
Stay
Central hotel, Xi'an (night 1)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private station transfers + rail
Day 05 · Xi'an
The Terracotta Warriors, on the VIP route
The Terracotta Army without the long walks: an electric shuttle from the main gate to the pit entrances, and quiet galleries with rest zones.
Priority electric shuttle to the pitsA priority electric shuttle cart carries you from the main gate directly to the museum pit entrances. Entry is reserved against your passport details in advance.
Quiet galleries and rest zonesTime in the quiet artifact viewing galleries, with rest zones along the way.
The day is a planned half day plus rest, not a quick stop.
Transit
Xi'an downtown to the museum: 42 km, about 50 minutes by private van.
Estimated walking
Under 4,000 steps. Hotel return by 3:30 PM
Stay
Central hotel, Xi'an (night 2)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private van
Day 06 · Xi'an
Xi'an cultural quarter and shadow puppetry
A gentle stroll along the widest, flat section of the ancient City Wall, then a private shadow puppet performance in a restored courtyard.
The ancient City WallA gentle stroll on the widest, flat section of the wall, with portable seats provided wherever you want to stop.
Private shadow puppet performanceA private shadow puppet performance in a restored courtyard.
The day is kept short so you can rest.
Transit
15-minute urban transfers.
Estimated walking
Under 3,000 steps
Stay
Central hotel, Xi'an (night 3)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private van, short transfers
Day 07 · Shanghai
Bullet train to Shanghai and the Bund skyline
A second luggage-free train day, then a private Mercedes transfer to a luxury Bund hotel and an evening cruise on the Huangpu River.
Luggage handled by portersPorters handle every bag at both stations, and a scenic high-speed train carries you to Shanghai.
Private VIP Huangpu River cruiseThe Bund and Pudong skyline from the water, in the evening light.
Train timing is chosen for your date, with a rest built in on both sides of the journey.
Transit
Xi'an to Shanghai: 5.5 to 6 hours in a First Class bullet train.
Estimated walking
Under 2,500 steps
Stay
Luxury Bund hotel, Shanghai (night 1)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private station transfers + rail
Day 08 · Shanghai
Modern Shanghai architecture and tea at the Peace Hotel
An unhurried morning on the flat Bund promenade, afternoon tea at the historic Peace Hotel and leisure time in the Former French Concession.
A walk along the Bund promenadeAn unhurried morning walk on the flat promenade, with old and new Shanghai side by side.
Afternoon tea at the Peace HotelTraditional afternoon tea at the historic Peace Hotel, then leisure time in the Former French Concession.
Rest points are planned in advance.
Transit
15–20 minute urban transfers.
Estimated walking
Under 3,500 steps
Stay
Luxury Bund hotel, Shanghai (night 2)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Afternoon tea at the Peace Hotel
Travel
Private van, short urban transfers
Day 09 · Shanghai
Zhujiajiao water town by private canal boat
An excursion to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao and a chartered private wooden boat through its quiet waterways, avoiding public queues.
Chartered private wooden boatA chartered private wooden boat tour through the quiet waterways, avoiding public queues.
The afternoon is yours to rest.
Transit
Hotel to Zhujiajiao: 45 minutes by private van each way.
Estimated walking
Under 3,000 steps. Hotel return by 3:30 PM
Stay
Luxury Bund hotel, Shanghai (night 3)
Meals
Hotel breakfast, Other meals as set out in your written proposal
Travel
Private van
Day 10 · Shanghai
Shanghai leisure and VIP departure escort
An unhurried morning for packing or last-minute shopping, then a private transfer to the airport with a full guide escort.
Full escort to your flightA private van takes you to the airport, and your guide escorts you through the check-in desk and the VAT refund counter.
Your flight time sets the schedule, and we confirm which airport it uses before you book.
Transit
Hotel to PVG or SHA airport: 45–50 minutes by road.
Estimated walking
Under 1,500 steps (departure day)
Stay
Departure day
Meals
Hotel breakfast
Travel
Private van
Dining, restrooms and accessibility standards
These are the same on every day of the journey. We check them in advance and confirm them in your written proposal.
Dining
Meals are chosen with you in advance. We brief the chef on gluten-free, low-sodium, low-oil and other dietary preferences, so nothing is left to chance at the table.
Restrooms
Every restroom on the route is a step-free, clean, seated Western toilet, verified in advance.
Getting around
Door-to-door Mercedes vans with low-step entry and side grab handles, pre-conditioned for 15 minutes.
Resting
Portable seats travel with your guide, and every day ends at the hotel by 3:30 PM.
Medical support
A 24/7 international medical channel gives you direct access to English-speaking departments at leading hospitals.
Your needs
Tell us about anything specific in your enquiry and we will confirm in writing how it is handled on each day.
What is and isn't included
Know what the journey covers before you decide.
Included
Private itinerary planning around your dates and travelers
An expert local guide in each city, leading in-depth guided touring on every sightseeing day
Private airport, station, and city transfers where listed in your proposal
High-speed rail between Beijing and Xi'an, with tickets and class confirmed before travel
Hotel breakfasts each morning, plus the meals listed in the daily itinerary
The sightseeing, admissions, hotels, and other services stated in your written proposal
A China-based team available to coordinate the journey while you are traveling
Nine nights in central hotels: three in Beijing, three in Xi'an, three in Shanghai
Door-to-door Mercedes vans with low-step entry, pre-conditioned for 15 minutes
Luggage-free station transfers with porters on both bullet-train days
A daily large-print itinerary card, a portable seat and a Whisper wireless audio system for each guest
24/7 access to our international medical channel
Not included
International flights
China visa fees or documentation costs when applicable
Hotel, guide, transport, and meal upgrades not listed in your proposal
Personal expenses and optional activities
Travel insurance
Your written proposal confirms the exact hotels, transport and services for your dates. Read the booking terms
Pricing transparency
Starting fromUS$3,800/ person
All prices are in US dollars (USD)
Pricing varies with your hotel selection, the season you travel and your party size, for example a couple compared with a multi-generational family. Your written proposal sets the exact price for your dates before you pay.
Hotel selection
The hotel category you choose in each city is the largest single factor.
Seasonal timing
Public holidays and peak months cost more than quieter periods.
Party size
The private van and guide are shared, so a couple and a multi-generational family are priced differently.
Typical range: US$3,800–US$6,500 per person
Your guides: an expert in every city, in your language
Expertise is local, so each city is led by its own licensed specialist, not one generalist who covers the whole route. We match guide and language to your group before you pay, and your written proposal names both for every city.
BeijingA guide steeped in imperial history and architecture, who can read the Forbidden City's axis, the Temple of Heaven's rituals and the Wall's military purpose, and who knows how to pace a first-time visitor through all three.
Xi'anA specialist in Qin and Tang archaeology who explains the Terracotta Army as evidence rather than spectacle, and who also knows where Xi'an eats.
ShanghaiA guide who can explain a century of trade, architecture and change, from the Bund's colonial banks to Pudong's towers, and who leads you through the lanes and the food as comfortably as the landmarks.