Plan 9 days across Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai on this ready-to-go China + the Gulf route — day-by-day timings, inter-city distances and a route map, all tweakable in minutes.
Route at a glance
Why this route works
- 9 days, 3 bases — sequenced so travel days fall between sightseeing days and every stop gets real time on the ground, not just transfers.
- Mountains and megacities is the through-line: Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai.
- China + the Gulf — one continuous trip instead of two separate holidays, so you only unpack and re-pack when the route really demands it.
Day-by-day itinerary
DAY
1
1
Dubai
Arrival & first look
09:00Arrive in Dubai. Your private driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel (about 45–90 min from the airport).
11:00Early check-in, drop your bags and freshen up.
12:30Welcome lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:30Gentle orientation: a guided stroll through Dubai old quarter with short photo stops.
17:00Return to the hotel to rest. Activate your eSIM and set up Alipay / WeChat Pay with your card.
19:00Dinner at a recommended local restaurant — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30Easy evening: a night view or free time. Your guide briefs you for tomorrow.
Overnightin Dubai.
Daily reminders · applies every day
- Carry your passport (plus a visa copy) — hotels and sites may check ID.
- Confirm tomorrow’s driver pickup time with your guide.
- Keep both cash and a topped-up mobile-payment app (Alipay / WeChat Pay).
- Charge your phone and power bank before heading out.
- Download the offline map for today’s area.
- Complete hotel check-in registration.
- Activate your eSIM / local SIM and test the data.
- Save the hotel address in Chinese to show taxi drivers.
- Use the metro or a private car to beat rush-hour traffic.
- Watch for pickpockets in crowded markets.
DAY
2
2
Dubai
Full-day exploration
07:30Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30Depart with your guide for this morning’s highlights.
09:15A city-highlights drive with photo stops at panoramic viewpoints.
11:15Visit a top museum or gallery with a local guide.
12:30Lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:00A food crawl through a local market with tastings.
16:00Free time for last-minute shopping.
17:30Return to the hotel to freshen up; free time.
19:00Dinner — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30A riverside night cruise.
22:00Back to the hotel. Overnight in Dubai.
DAY
3
3
Dubai
On the road to Beijing
07:30Breakfast at the hotel and pack.
09:00Free morning for a last stroll or souvenir shopping in Dubai.
11:00Check out; private transfer to the station / airport for the intercity leg to Beijing.
13:00Arrive Beijing; check in or drop your bags at the hotel.
14:30Afternoon orientation of Beijing with your guide — A botanical garden or park and a relaxed boat ride..
18:30Dinner in Beijing — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30Free evening. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY
4
4
Beijing
Settle in & explore
07:30Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30Depart with your guide for this morning’s highlights.
09:15Guided tour of Beijing's signature landmark and its museum quarter.
11:15Wander a traditional neighbourhood and its artisan streets.
12:30Lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:00Afternoon at leisure — shopping streets, cafés and people-watching.
16:00A rooftop or riverside viewpoint for the golden hour.
17:30Return to the hotel to freshen up; free time.
19:00Dinner — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30A night market or a live cultural performance.
22:00Back to the hotel. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY
5
5
Beijing
Full-day exploration
07:30Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30Depart with your guide for this morning’s highlights.
09:15Explore Beijing's historic core — temples, lanes and covered markets.
11:15Stop for a tea or coffee break at a landmark café.
12:30Lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:00A guided visit to a second major sight or palace complex.
16:00A spa or foot-massage stop to recharge.
17:30Return to the hotel to freshen up; free time.
19:00Dinner — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30A rooftop bar with skyline views.
22:00Back to the hotel. Overnight in Beijing.
DAY
6
6
Beijing
On the road to Shanghai
07:30Breakfast at the hotel and pack.
09:00Free morning for a last stroll or souvenir shopping in Beijing.
11:00Check out; private transfer to the station / airport for the intercity leg to Shanghai.
13:00Arrive Shanghai; check in or drop your bags at the hotel.
14:30Afternoon orientation of Shanghai with your guide — A food crawl through a local market with tastings..
18:30Dinner in Shanghai — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30Free evening. Overnight in Shanghai.
DAY
7
7
Shanghai
Settle in & explore
07:30Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30Depart with your guide for this morning’s highlights.
09:15Cycle or walk Shanghai's riverside promenade and leafy boulevards.
11:15Browse a bustling local market and its street food.
12:30Lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:00A botanical garden or park and a relaxed boat ride.
16:00A hidden temple or gallery away from the crowds.
17:30Return to the hotel to freshen up; free time.
19:00Dinner — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30A quiet local eatery and an evening stroll.
22:00Back to the hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.
DAY
8
8
Shanghai
Full-day exploration
07:30Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30Depart with your guide for this morning’s highlights.
09:15Guided tour of Shanghai's signature landmark and its museum quarter.
11:15Wander a traditional neighbourhood and its artisan streets.
12:30Lunch — a regional set-menu lunch at a local favourite.
14:00Afternoon at leisure — shopping streets, cafés and people-watching.
16:00A rooftop or riverside viewpoint for the golden hour.
17:30Return to the hotel to freshen up; free time.
19:00Dinner — a celebrated local restaurant (your guide's pick).
20:30A night market or a live cultural performance.
22:00Back to the hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.
DAY
9
9
Shanghai
Final morning & departure
07:30Breakfast at the hotel and pack.
09:00Final stroll or last souvenir shopping near the hotel.
11:00Check out and settle any incidentals.
12:00Private transfer to the airport / station; your guide assists with check-in.
—End of services. Safe travels — thank you for travelling with WingPhoenix!
Getting around
| Leg | Distance | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai → Beijing | 5842 km | Domestic flight |
| Beijing → Shanghai | 1067 km | Domestic flight |
Practical tips
- April–May & Sept–Oct are the sweet spot for most of China; avoid the Oct 1–7 National Day crowds.
- Set up Alipay / WeChat Pay and install a China eSIM before you land.
- Pre-book timed-entry tickets for major sights (Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Panda Base).
- Cross-border trips need entry checks for each country on the route — verify visa and transit rules for every passport in your group before booking flights.
- Emergencies: Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Tourism hotline 12301 · WingPhoenix 24/7 WhatsApp +86 180 3801 6100.
Want this as a fully bookable trip — hotels, private car, English guides & live pricing? Build it free in the WingPhoenix AI trip planner or WhatsApp +86 180 3801 6100. Browse all itineraries →