Beijing to Shanghai: make the most of travel between China’s great cities

Beijing Shanghai Tour

First time to China and want to travel from Beijing to Shanghai? Not sure how about the best ways to travel?

China is such a diverse, exciting and fascinating country – and it can be confusing. If it’s your first time visiting, the challenge is not only deciding where to go, but how to get there.

If time is a limiting factor, it’s hard to go past Beijing and Shanghai.

Of course, creating the ideal China tour itinerary from Beijing to Shanghai depends on many factors: your travel budget, tour duration, personal interests, and whether you do a small group, private or custom tour.

If it’s your first visit to China, you’ll no doubt have lots of questions. So let’s look at what can impact your China tour from Beijing to Shanghai that way you can plan the best itinerary for your with confidence.

Travel budget – Making the most of your travel dollars between Beijing to Shanghai

With a myriad of China tour options available to suit the budget of any Western traveler, it’s possible to find exactly what you want.

While budget travel suits some, those who prefer to travel in comfort will be pleasantly surprised with what China has to offer. As the country has advanced at breakneck speed over the past two decades, four and five star hotel accommodation and air, rail and road travel options abound.

Small group China tour packages between Beijing and Shanghai are one great option that combine four and five star travel at great value for money. Short on time? Then take the shortest route and travel straight from Beijing to Shanghai. However, if you’re looking for more China adventure, then make must-see stops along the way in other cities like Xi’an and Chengdu. Or take the road less traveled and visit beautiful natural destinations like Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and Huangshan.

Be sure to book your China tour with a company that allows you the flexibility to integrate more China cities to make the most of your travel budget.

Beijing Shanghai Tour

Tour duration – The fastest way to make the most of a Beijing to Shanghai trip

A major factor for most western travelers who visit China is the distance traveled just to get there, so tour duration is a major consideration, even if it’s only between two cities.

At just over 1,300 kilometers apart, travel from Beijing to Shanghai can be made quickly, via air or China’s fantastic network of high speed trains. In fact, travel by one of these new trains, which moves at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour is a must. Offering the perfect way to see much more of China and how it’s developing and changing, the train trip between Beijing and Shanghai is done in less than four and a half hours. This is mind-boggling given the time it takes to transfer between hotels, airports, and check-ins. Definitely consider it as an option for making the most of your time on tour, especially if you only have a few days to see the highlights of these great cities.

With a longer tour duration, the pace of your travels can be more relaxed. Whether it’s eight days11 days or 16 days, it’s possible to combine air, rail, and even road travel to truly make the most of every available minute.

For this kind of travel, you can’t go past China private or custom tours. Even with a pre-arranged small group tour schedule, private or custom tours offer the advantage of being able to tailor the full duration of your tour from start to finish. That means, even if you want a side step to Suzhou on the way to Shanghai, you can do that. Looking for an authentic step-back-in-time experience in the rice fields at Longji? That can happen too.

Knowing you’re on limited time while traveling booking well in advance and seeking advice from experienced travel consultants is a worthwhile investment. It helps avoid surprises – and disappointments – while on tour, whether you’re in China for three days or three weeks.

Beijing Shanghai Tour

What about a tailored Beijing to Shanghai tour

If there’s one thing to learn about travel in China, it’s that your every need can be met. In fact, it’s why the premium China tour providers provide the option of tailored tours. They understand the importance of personalized itineraries and cater specifically to the individual needs of each traveler.

With a strong orientation towards providing a premium (and truly memorable!) experience of China, there’s much to be said for a China travel agency who’s prepared to go the extra mile simply because no detail is too small to take care of. If there’s one thing these China tour operators do well it’s service. Be sure to look for unfiltered tour reviews from previous customers. These are a great indicator of what to expect while on tour, even on a short Beijing to Shanghai trip.

Need more guidance? Don’t let the size of China overwhelm you about how to plan your China tour. Get help from a China tour expert and enjoy every moment of your travel experience.

Come Tour With Us

ChinaTours.com is a leading provider of China tours. With the experience of designing and creating China tours for over a decade, they know how to create beautiful travel memories for Western travelers wanting a real experience of China. Providing unique small group, private and custom tours between Beijing and Shanghai – and any other China destination is what they do. Let a dedicated China tour travel consultant plan your tour today. Connect online via our inquiry form or explore our China destination tour options.

About the author

ChinaTours.com

The ChinaTours.com blogger team brings you the best and most interesting information and China tour news gathered by our travel consultants, local travel guides, and partner providers. With our mission to create beautiful travel memories on your China tour, our travel guide provides ideas, tips, and insights to help bring your holiday alive.

Featured Tour

11 Days Beauty of China


Destination
Beijing Xi’an Guilin Shanghai
Tour Type
CustomPrivateSmall Group

11 Days Beauty of China

11 Days Beauty of China
Mark A
1 contribution
Amazing China

Aug 2025 • Couples • Couples

We had a great 14 day trip with a week gap in the middle to attend the world games in Chengdu. With only three weeks before we departed Dora provided a draft itinerary in 2 hours that required only minor changes. Dora was always available to sort any issues for the whole trip - but tracking down our lost luggage was an outstanding effort. In Guilin we were greeted by Joanne who made our first days in China very memorable, Longji rice terraces and trying local food were highlights. Thanks for the thoughtful train snacks Joanne. Lucy met us at Zhangjiajie and was great company as well as a great guide especially in the amazing and extensive Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Thanks for the local restaurant tips Lucy. The fast train across the mountains that divide southern and northern China to Xi’an, led us to Helen and her driver who covered both exits to ensure we did not get lost. Helen shared her love and vast knowledge of ancient China - terracotta warriors, and the amazing historic and modern Xi’an. Thanks Helen you brought two thousand years of history and the Silk Road to life. Our last fast train brought us to Beijing and the super resilient Lee, preparations for the victory over Japan parade in Tiananmen Square complicated things and meant that despite great effort by Lee and Dora we will have to visit the square next time. Lee managed the situation very well and we enjoyed our forbidden city, summer palace, Hutongs and temple of heaven day followed by a whole day on the Great Wall which was amazing. Thanks Lee, smiling and super cool under pressure. Special thanks to all our drivers, whose skill, patience and endless bottles of water made every trip stress free. All our hotels were well chosen and met or exceeded expectations. China was fascinating, friendly and full of new experiences, China tours made sure we enjoyed every moment. We’ll be recommending them to our friends and hope to come back and explore more of this beautiful country .
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Written

Tim C
1 contribution
Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Couples • Couples

Our guide Linda was fantastic and to have a guide and a driver Zhang made the most of our tour of Beijing with no stress. We got picked up on arrival right from the start and delivered to our departure at the end.
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Written

Sarinee Y
1 contribution
Beijing tour

Aug 2025 • Friends • Couples

Linda and the Zhang doing wonderful jobs. Thank you so much for show us around Beijing. .I enjoyed the time in Beijing so much
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Written

Petra H
1 contribution
A very professional and friendly team. We had a great and unforgettable trip thanks to The China Guide.

Aug 2025 • Friends • Couples

The team at The China Guide was very reliable and understanding, even in the planning phase. With a lot of patience, our individual needs and ideas were addressed. Short-term requests or change requests were quickly taken into account. Planning and organizing the trip was completely uncomplicated and fast through WeChat and email. The guides booked on site were punctual and reliable. The contact absolutely uncomplicated and reliable. So we were able to put together our very individual journey and it went smoothly and optimally. Thank you dear team from China Guide (Lina, Lily, Jack and Alice). Petra and Juliet.
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Fay O
1 contribution
A Beautiful Travel Memory

Apr 2025 • Friends • Couples

My bestie and I visited China in April for a "recharging holiday". We absolutely had a really wonderful time there. Martha help us for designing a unique private tour according to my "wishing list". We visited Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. The tranquil classical Chinese garden, the amazing ancient water town, the historic tea house, the authentic local food, the exciting custom clothing experience, and the knowledgeable tour guides, are all my beautiful travel memory. Thank you ChinaTours.com for the professional and premium quality services!
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Written

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