Our 3-day trip from Shanghai to Beijing was nothing short of exceptional, all thanks to the top-tier service from the travel company and our guide Darcy. From the moment we booked, the company’s team handled every detail seamlessly—booking high-speed train tickets with perfect timing (no rushed transfers at all!) and arranging cozy accommodations close to key spots. Darcy was a game-changer: she’s not just a guide but a true local expert. When we wandered Wangfujing Street, she steered us away from overpriced tourist traps to family-run shops with authentic sugar-fig and Peking duck rolls. At the Summer Palace, her stories about the Empress Dowager turned the beautiful gardens into a living history lesson, not just a photo spot.

The driver, too, deserves a shoutout. He arrived 15 minutes early every morning, kept the car spotless, and navigated Beijing’s busy roads like a pro. The Mutianyu Great Wall day was a highlight: Darcy knew the best less-crowded sections to hike, brought extra water for us, and even helped an elderly traveler in our group with steady support. When we visited the Forbidden City on the last day, she timed our entry perfectly to avoid the crowds, pointing out hidden details like the dragon carvings on the pillars that most guides miss.

The round-trip high-speed train was comfortable, and the company had already sorted our seats together. By the time we took the train back to Shanghai, we felt like we’d truly experienced Beijing—not just checked off sites.

Reviewed to: Imperial Splendor: 3-Day Private Shanghai to Beijing Tour by High-Speed Train