15 Rail Day Trips in Beijing Worth Booking

1.Beijing to Xi’an See Terracotta Warriors with Bullet Train Round Trip Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $564Our pick

Travel from Beijing to Xi’an on the G91 bullet train, meet a private guide such as Serena, Alice, or Bo, enjoy Biang Biang noodles, and spend the afternoon at the Terracotta Warriors before returning on the G90. It is a long day, but careful transfers keep it practical.

“Tour was extremely informative and the museum of the Terracotta Warriors was phenomenal. All the transportation was early, roomy and clean cars with many amenities. The breakfast bag for the train ride to Xi’an was totally unexpected and superb. We really enjoyed our tour guides local knowledge that helped maximize our time with the large crowds during the national holiday. The lunch at the local restaurant was outstanding.”

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2.Beijing to Datong See YunGang Cave, Hanging Temple (Bullet Train)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $416

Leave Beijing early by bullet train for Datong, where a local guide such as George or Tracy leads you through the 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes and cliffside Hanging Temple. Cathy coordinates the transfers, tickets, lunch, and train connections, making this a long but well-organized private day.

“Cathy was fabulous in helping on all the details the same regarding the guide in Datong. A true experience of how beautiful and diverse China has to offer in terms of tourism. And now with the new high-speed train a very comfortable day trip from Beijing. Highly recommended.”

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3.Xi’an Terracotta Tour by Train-All Tickets Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 17 hours · from $438

Leave your Beijing hotel before dawn, ride 4.5 hours to Xi’an, and explore all three Terracotta Warriors pits with an English-speaking guide such as Henry, Lucia, or Jasmine. Private station transfers and museum admission are included, but lunch and the long 17-hour day are your responsibility.

“The guide, Lucia was very kind and explained everything in detail. She was very patient and took a lot of pictures for us. Overall it was a great experience.”

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4.Private Day Trip to Tianjin from Beijing by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $229

Take a private 10-hour trip from Beijing to Tianjin with a guide such as Lily, Kris, or Maggie. Ride first class or business class, visit Jingyuan, Five Great Avenues, the Porcelain House, Ancient Culture Street, and the riverside, with lunch, tickets, and central hotel transfers included.

“A great contrast to Beijing, a very lively and modern city with great architecture and unique collections like the Porcelain House. The train ride was terrific and Maggie a competent, entertaining, very well organised guide and conversation partner!”

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5.Bullet Train Tour to Hanging Temple&Yungang Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 10 hours · from $348

Travel from Beijing to Datong by bullet train, then visit the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple and UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes with a private English-speaking guide. Your Beijing and Datong transfers, private vehicle, entrance fees, and return train tickets are arranged for you.

“wonderful day out, Emma my guide was amazing. told me all the history of the Grottoes and Hanging Temple. She made sure I was safe on the Hanging Temple as im not the best with heights. Lunch was probably the best meal I had on my visit to China. food was tasty and freshly made. our driver for the day was great, lovely man as was the pick up and drop off driver from the bullet train. It was a very organised tour from start to finish. Thank you for helping to create wonderful memories”

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6.Private Day Trip: Discover Tianjin by Bullet Train from Beijing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $224

Travel from Beijing to Tianjin by second-class bullet train with a private guide such as Maggie, Hellen, or Lisa. Visit the Porcelain House, Five Great Avenues, Tianjin Eye, and Ancient Culture Street, with lunch, tickets, hotel transfers, and Tianjin transport included.

“My tour guide Maggie and I had a great trip to Tianjin on the bullet train. Always wanted to try the train. We saw many areas of the city, the ceramic house, Tianjin Eye of Tianjin Ferris wheel, a great lunch and great conversation. Thanks Maggie for making my trip so memorable.”

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7.Beijing to Xi’an Terracotta Tour by Roundtrip Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · from $180

Travel from Beijing to Xi'an by 4.5-hour bullet train, then visit the Terracotta Army with a private guide and driver. Cindy helps arrange tickets, while guides such as Rosa explain the museum clearly. Hotel transfers and admission are included, but train fares and meals cost extra.

“This tour was probably my favorite activity in China! Rosa is wonderful is so knowledgeable about the history of China. She was waiting for me at the airport exactly where she said she would be and we made great time getting to the museum. Definitely book this tour if you’re in the area! I only wish that I had more time to explore Xi’an! Thank you, Rosa, for a wonderful day!!”

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8.Beijing to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with South Railway Station Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $166

Travel from Beijing to Shanghai in about 5.5 hours with a prebooked bullet train ticket and private pickup to Beijing South station. Cathy and the local operator confirm your schedule, while your driver brings the physical ticket. Choose first or second class, but arrange Shanghai transport yourself.

“Such a fantastic experience. The driver picked us up right on time. Everything ran smoothy from start to finish and was really easy to figure out.”

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9.5 Days Beijing and Xian Tour by bullet train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $1,018

Spend five busy days with private guides in Beijing and Xi’an, including Mutianyu, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, city walls, museums, and Muslim Quarter. Lily’s team assigns local guides such as Vivian, Cathy, Michael, or Julie, with hotels, meals, and the Xi’an to Beijing return trip arranged separately.

“Absolutely wonderful from beginning to end. Very organised and went to plan. Excellently guides in every location- Victoria, Jackie, Eric, Cecelia and Julie. What an incredible tour company and group. Recommend so highly.”

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10.Great Wall Origins: Beijing Bullet Train to Qinghuangdao Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $348

Travel by second-class bullet train from Beijing to Qinghuangdao with a private guide such as Nancy or Miss Li. Visit Old Dragon’s Head, Shanhaiguan Pass, the Great Wall Museum, and possibly Jiaoshan, with lunch, tickets, hotel transfers, and bottled water included.

“I spent a wonderful day with Nancy visiting the initial part of the Great Wall nad enjoyed every minute of it. The day started with a ride on a high speed train whitch is an experience by itself and then going to the fascinating Wall.”

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11.Private Day Trip to Terracotta Army from Beijing by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $299

Leave your Beijing hotel at 5:30am, ride the bullet train to Xi’an, and meet a private English-speaking guide such as Nancy. Visit the Terracotta Warriors for about 2.5 hours, eat lunch, and return to Beijing the same night. Expect a long, rewarding day with 10,000 to 20,000 steps.

“Sunflower Li and her team did a fantastic job in assuring that we had the most wonderful and complete experience while visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. Sunflower met us, on time, and we departed for the Railway Station where she offRead more”

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12.Beijing Private Tour: Xi’an Terracotta Warriors by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $434

Travel from Beijing to Xi’an by reserved second-class high-speed train, meet an English-speaking guide at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, and explore Pits 1, 2, and 3. Private cars handle hotel and station transfers. Guide Spring is praised for clear history and useful details. Food is not included.

“Excellent tour, very worthwhile taking the time to see the terracotta warriors, our guide Spring was Excellent and full of knowledge and made sure we had the best experience, thank you spring.”

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13.Private Beijing Transfer from Hotel to Beijing Railway Station

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $28

Book a private ride from your Beijing hotel or residence to Beijing, North, South, or West Railway Station. A representative meets you in the lobby, then provides a sedan, minivan, or minibus based on your group size. Drivers use translators when needed, and some assist with tickets and the station waiting room.

“Everything was perfect. The driver spoke perfect English and was at the hotel a few minutes before the agreed time which was just great. The trip was smooth and he took us to the train station in no time. Fully recommend if you want not Read more”

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14.7 Days Private Tour of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $1,835

Travel from Beijing to Xi’an and Shanghai by second-class bullet train on a private seven-day tour. Visit Mutianyu Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Garden, and the Bund, with airport transfers, hotels, breakfast, entrance fees, and English-speaking local guides included.

“The local operator did a wonderful job on making arrangements to make our trip so comfortable. They went out of their way to meet our needs. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. China is a very clean and beautiful country. People are friendly. We felt safe walking around at night. The squat toilet is quite a challenge though.”

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15.Datong Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery 1-day from Beijing by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $399

Ride the Beijing-Datong bullet train for about two hours each way, then explore the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes and cliffside Hanging Monastery with a private English-speaking guide. Star is specifically praised for clear historical commentary and careful time management. Shanxi-style lunch adds a local touch.

“A must see if you enjoy culture, history, and unique experiences. The train ride was smooth and quiet. Star was an extremely professional and knowledgeable guide. I am so glad that I hadn't tried to do this trip on my own. His knowledge of local history kept me in thralled the entire trip.”

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