The Great Wall of China was originally built more than 2,000 years ago to ward off Hun intruders from the north. Today, the wall is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and makes a great Beijing day trip.

You'll travel by air-conditioned minivan to the less-touristy Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, located 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Beijing. This section of the Great Wall offers unparalleled views from the Ming Dynasty watchtowers. Walk at your own pace as you traverse the wall to the watchtowers, becoming immersed in the history and myths told by your local guide. Along the way, you will have great views and photo opportunities of the wall snaking through the beautiful countryside. You can choose to descend the Great Wall by toboggan or take the scenic cable car.

Scaling the Great Wall will leave you with an appetite.You’ll get the opportunity to try some Chinese specialty dishes as you enjoy a traditional lunch served in a nearby local village. To soothe your weary feet, you will end the day with a reflexology foot massage.

You'll return to Beijing in the early evening.

Spend your morning with the cutest, yet impressive, creatures in China! Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center and take a guided tour of the facility. Tour through the baby and adult panda areas and visit the red panda section to see these small adorable animals. Choose the baby panda holding option and you’ll travel to the Bifengxia Panda Base to enjoy a unique chance of holding this lovable creature!

If your time in China is limited and you want to see more of China, take a day trip from Shanghai to Beijing by air! Embark on a plane from Shanghai to Beijing to explore the most iconic sights of Beijing – the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Begin your day in Beijing at the Forbidden City, the largest and best preserved group of ancient buildings in China. The Forbidden City served as the imperial palace and political center of government from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Inside, discover the 980 surviving buildings with a total of 8,707 rooms. The palace is an excellent example of traditional Chinese architecture, including elements such as enclosed courtyards and horizontal design.

Enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch, then drive out to the Great Wall of China. This amazing feat of architecture stretches 5,500 miles (8,850 kilometers). You’ll visit the Great Wall at Badaling, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and famous for its impressive scenery of the wall snaking off into the distance. As you ascend up the wall, you’ll see the hills undulating into the distance.

After you finish hiking the Great Wall, you'll be driven to Beijing International Airport for your return flight to Shanghai.

Enjoy a private tour from Beijing to the Great Wall of China, an iconic Chinese structural masterpiece. Your private guide will pick you up from your hotel around 9am or 1pm, depending on option selected, and take you to the wall, where you’ll spend approximately 2 hours climbing the Juyongguan section, a famous pass through the mountains located in an 11-mile-long (18-kilometer-long) valley. As the closest section of the wall to Beijing, Juyongguan is the ideal part of the wall to climb if you’re short on time.

Positioned in a valley surrounded by mountains, Juyongguan Pass previously served as a strategic military stronghold and was the site of many battles. In the Warring States Period (476-221 BC), the emperor built fortifications in this location. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589 AD), Juyongguan Pass was linked to the Great Wall of China.

In the middle of Juyongguan Pass is a platform called Cloud Platform. Inside the platform is an arched doorway and walls covered with carvings of heavenly gods and engraved sutra scriptures. This part of the pass is surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees; enjoy the picturesque views as you climb to the top!

Visit the the picturesque Zhujiajiao is a classic water village, over 400 years old with a signature five-arch bridge spanning the Cao Gang River. Zhujiajiao was an important town for local trade, shipping goods in and out of its man made canals to the river.

During this half-day, guided sightseeing tour you will stroll the maze of paths and bridges, and take a boat ride to view the residences of this nicely-preserved water village. Zhujiajiao is also home to two impressive temples, which add to the charm and historic significance of the village. After a few Hours sightseeing in Zhujiajiao, you'll make a stop to shop for silk. Learn how silk making became a major industry in China for clothes, accessories, quilts and handmade rugs.