Traveling to Shanghai and Beijing for five days with my 70-year-old mother and teen daughter seemed daunting, but this company—plus Shanghai guide Autumn, Beijing guide Darcy, and a dedicated driver—made it seamless: the company’s top-tier planning included a central Shanghai hotel, pace-adjusted itinerary, soft sleeper train tickets, and pre-booked site tickets (no queuing with an elder); Autumn balanced culture and comfort with a sunset Bund cruise, clear jade statue explanations, a quiet Yuyuan tea house, and accessible paths for mom’s walker; the driver was reliably helpful with a spotless car, direct site drops, walker assistance, and luggage coordination; Darcy tailored experiences like an early crowd-free Forbidden City visit, a Summer Palace golf cart for mom, dragon carving “hunts” for daughter, and insightful Temple of Heaven/Yonghe Palace details, while her choice of quiet Mutianyu Great Wall (with a cable car for mom) and the driver’s mountain navigation (plus hot tea) made that day stand out, as did Darcy’s Olympics stories and the driver’s photo spots at Bird’s Nest/Water Cube.

By departure, mom cherished the tea house memories, daughter loved the Great Wall. This tour’s planning, Autumn/Darcy’s guidance, and the driver’s care made it perfect for multi-generational travel.

Reviewed to: The Essence of China: 5-Day Luxurious Shanghai Beijing Tour