8-day Muslim-friendly family journey: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai

Day 1

Wed 21 Oct · Beijing

Arrive in Beijing

1. Afternoon
   Land at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX)

   Your host meets you at arrivals with a name sign. Private car to the hotel, about 40 to 60 minutes. eSIM and Alipay already set up before you fly.

   • Private car 40–60 minutes to Wangfujing (recommended with luggage and children)
   • Metro Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen (about 25–30 min, ¥25), then the metro
   • Taxi Official taxi queue outside arrivals
2. 17:30
   Rest and settle in

   Maghrib and Isha at the hotel; your host gives you a printed card with the day's prayer times and the qibla direction.

3. 19:00
   Dinner: Jubaoyuan copper-pot hotpot, No. 5-2 Niujie

   Beijing's famous halal mutton hotpot. Open 10:30 to 01:00, about ¥105 per person. Expect a queue after 18:00; your host puts your name down.

   • Metro Line 7 to Guang'anmennei, Exit C2, then walk south along Niujie
   • Taxi About 20 minutes from Wangfujing by taxi or DiDi

Stay: Dongcheng District, near Wangfujing: central, with metro and short drives to the Forbidden City and Niujie

Day 2

Thu 22 Oct · Beijing

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

1. 07:00
   Leave the hotel by private car

   Mutianyu is 73 km away, about 75 to 90 minutes. Arriving by 08:30 beats the tour buses, which arrive around 10:00. Fajr at the hotel before leaving.

   • Private car About 1.5–2 hours to Mutianyu (our recommendation)
   • Bus Official tourist bus from Dongzhimen or Qianmen, departures 7:00–11:00, about ¥80 return
   • Bus Public bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then a local bus: about 2.5 hours
2. 08:30
   Cable car up to Tower 14

   Entry ¥45 per adult; children 1.2 to 1.4 m ¥25, under 1.2 m free. Shuttle bus ¥20 return. Enclosed cable car ¥140 return. Walk the restored wall between towers for 1.5 to 2 hours.

   • Bus Shuttle bus from the visitor centre, then a short walk to the cable car
3. 11:00
   Toboggan down (optional, children love it)

   ¥100 one way, from the chairlift side (Tower 6). Closed in rain. Children under 1.2 m ride free with an adult.

4. 12:30
   Halal lunch on the way back

   Your host books a halal (清真) restaurant in Huairou or on return to the city. Dhuhr on arrival.

5. 15:30
   Hotel rest; evening walk in Wangfujing

   An easy evening after an early start. Asr and Maghrib at the hotel.

   • On foot Wangfujing Street is a short walk from the hotel
6. 19:00
   Dinner: Donglaishun (东来顺), Beijing APM, 138 Wangfujing Street

   A time-honoured halal restaurant, famous for copper-pot mutton hotpot since 1903. Walking distance from Wangfujing hotels.

   • On foot A short walk along Wangfujing Street from the hotel

Stay: Same hotel

Day 3

Fri 23 Oct · Beijing

Forbidden City and Friday prayer at Niujie

1. 08:30
   Enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate (south)

   Passports needed at the gate. Follow the central axis to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, then the east side galleries. The Treasure Gallery is ¥10 extra. Exit at the Gate of Divine Prowess (north); your car waits there.

   • Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East (Exit D), then walk through Tiananmen to the Meridian Gate
   • Private car Your car drops you at the south side and waits at the north exit
2. 11:30
   Drive to Niujie Mosque (about 20 minutes)

   Beijing's oldest and largest mosque. The prayer hall is for Muslims. Dress modestly; no shorts.

   • Private car About 20 minutes by car from the north exit (Gate of Divine Prowess)
   • Taxi For a taxi, walk about 50 m west of the north exit
   • Metro Line 7 to Guang'anmennei, Exit C2
3. Midday
   Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) at Niujie Mosque

   The mosque announces the Friday prayer time; your host confirms it the day before. A women's area is available; your host checks the arrangement in advance.

4. 13:30
   Lunch on Niujie Street

   Niujie Halal Supermarket (No. 5 Niujie, 08:00 to 21:00) has food stalls inside: Baiji rice cakes (白记年糕) and Jingtai Maji lamb skewers (景泰马记). Also nearby: Hongji buns (洪记包子) and Shiji meat pies (清真石记馅饼).

   • On foot Niujie Halal Supermarket is on Niujie, a short walk from the mosque
5. 15:00
   Rest at the hotel

   Children usually need an afternoon break after the palace.

6. 18:30
   Dinner near the hotel

   Your host suggests a halal restaurant within walking distance.

Stay: Same hotel

Day 4

Sat 24 Oct · Beijing → Xi'an

Temple of Heaven, then the train to Xi'an

1. 08:00
   Temple of Heaven

   The park opens at 06:00 and locals practise tai chi and sing in the early morning. Halls open 08:00. Through ticket ¥34. Allow 2 hours.

   • Metro Line 5 to Tiantandongmen, Exit A, to the East Gate
   • Private car About 15 minutes by car from Wangfujing
2. 11:00
   Check out; halal lunch

   Luggage goes in the car. Dhuhr before leaving for the station.

3. 15:00
   High-speed train G323, Beijing West → Xi'an North, 15:00 → 19:12

   Arrive at the station 45 minutes early for passport and security checks. Second class about ¥480 to ¥593. Your host rides with you or meets you at Xi'an North.

   • Private car To Beijing West Railway Station
   • Metro Line 7 or Line 9 to Beijing West
   • On foot Scan your passport at the ticket gate
4. 19:40
   Private car to the hotel (about 40 minutes)

   Maghrib and Isha at the hotel.

   • Metro Line 2 from Xi'an North to Zhonglou (Bell Tower): about 27 minutes, about ¥4
   • Taxi About ¥40–55
5. 20:30
   Late dinner: Jia San soup dumplings, No. 93 Beiyuanmen

   The Muslim Quarter's best-known halal soup dumplings, near the Drum Tower. About ¥37 per person.

   • On foot About 10 minutes on foot from the Bell Tower, near the Drum Tower

Stay: Inside the Xi'an City Wall, near the Bell Tower: walk to the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque

Day 5

Sun 25 Oct · Xi'an

The Terracotta Warriors and the Muslim Quarter

1. 08:00
   Private car to the Terracotta Warriors (about 1 hour, 40 km east)

   Open 08:30 to 17:00 until 15 November. ¥120 per adult, free for children under 16. Real-name booking; arrive 30 minutes before your time slot.

   • Private car About 1 hour each way (recommended)
   • Taxi About ¥160–220 each way
   • Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi, then bus 602 or 613: about 1.5 hours, ¥10–15
2. 08:30
   Pits 1, 2 and 3 with a licensed guide

   2 to 3 hours for the pits. Start with Pit 1 for the famous rows of warriors. Your guide tells the story in English.

3. 12:30
   Halal lunch and Dhuhr

   Back towards the city; lunch in the Muslim Quarter.

4. 15:30
   Great Mosque of Xi'an, No. 30 Huajue Lane

   Traditionally dated to the Tang dynasty, with most buildings from the Ming; built like a Chinese temple, with courtyards and a pagoda-style minaret. Visitor ticket ¥25 (March to November); Muslims coming to pray should ask at the gate. The prayer hall is for Muslims. Pray Asr here.

   • Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou, Exit B; walk west to the Drum Tower (6 min), then along Huajue Lane (5 min)
5. 17:00
   Walk the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street, Beiyuanmen, Dapiyuan)

   Snack as you go: Dingjia crispy beef (定家小酥肉, No. 223 Dapiyuan), steamed sticky rice cake (甑糕), persimmon cakes. Maghrib at the Great Mosque or a mosque in the quarter.

6. 19:00
   Dinner: yangrou paomo (lamb soup with torn bread)

   Try Guoyuanzhai Laomijia (果渊斋老米家), 277 Beiguangji Street. It opens early and closes mid-afternoon, so go for lunch; for dinner try Lao Sun Jia (老孙家), 78 Dongguan Zhengjie. Break the bread small, the Xi'an way.

Stay: Same hotel

Day 6

Mon 26 Oct · Xi'an → Shanghai

Cycle the City Wall, fly to Shanghai

1. 08:00
   Cycle the Xi'an City Wall from the South Gate

   Wall ticket ¥54; children under 1.2 m free, 1.2 to 1.4 m half price. Bikes ¥45 single or ¥90 tandem for 3 hours (¥100 deposit). The full loop is 13.74 km, 2 to 3 hours; half a loop is enough with children.

   • Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen, Exit A1 or D1, then 4 minutes on foot to the South Gate
2. 11:00
   Check out; halal lunch; Dhuhr

   Car to Xianyang Airport (XIY), about 1 hour.

   • Private car To Xianyang Airport: about 1 hour
   • Metro Line 2 to Xi'an North, then Line 14 to the airport: about 78 minutes, about ¥8
   • Taxi About ¥100–150
3. Afternoon
   Fly Xi'an (XIY) → Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), about 2 hours 15 minutes

   About 16 direct flights a day. Your Shanghai host meets you at arrivals.

   • Metro From Hongqiao Terminal 2: metro Line 2 to East Nanjing Road for the Bund area
   • Private car Your host meets you with a car
4. 19:30
   Evening on the Bund

   The 1920s and 1930s waterfront facing the Lujiazui towers, lit up at night. Free.

   • Metro Line 2 or 10 to East Nanjing Road, then walk east to the river
5. 20:30
   Dinner: Guanguanji Halal Restaurant (贯贯吉清真餐厅), 70-2 Zhejiang Middle Road

   A long-running halal restaurant near People's Square. Or Yershari Xinjiang Cuisine (耶里夏丽, halal) on L5 of Shimao International Plaza, 819 East Nanjing Road: big-plate chicken and dance shows in the evening.

   • On foot Zhejiang Middle Road is a short walk from People's Square (metro Lines 1, 2 and 8)

Stay: Near People's Square or the Bund: central, close to Xiaotaoyuan Mosque and halal restaurants on Zhejiang Middle Road

Day 7

Tue 27 Oct · Shanghai

Old Shanghai, Xiaotaoyuan Mosque and the view from the top

1. 09:00
   Yu Garden

   A Ming-dynasty classical garden. ¥40 (spring and autumn), open 09:00 to 16:30, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. Arrive at opening to avoid crowds.

   • Metro Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Garden
2. 11:00
   Old town lanes around Yu Garden

   Souvenir streets and the Zigzag Bridge. Bargain politely.

3. 12:30
   Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, No. 52 Xiaotaoyuan Street (about 10 minutes away)

   Shanghai's largest mosque, built in 1917, home of the Shanghai Islamic Association. Open 04:00 to 18:00. Pray Dhuhr here. Remove shoes; women cover their hair.

   • Metro Line 8 or 10 to Laoximen, Exit 7, then walk east along Fuxing East Road
   • Taxi About 10 minutes by taxi from Yu Garden
4. 13:30
   Halal lunch near the mosque or on Zhejiang Middle Road

   Guanguanji Halal Restaurant (贯贯吉清真餐厅, 70-2 Zhejiang Middle Road), or any Lanzhou beef noodle shop showing the 清真 sign.

5. 16:30
   Shanghai Tower, 118th-floor observation deck

   ¥180 per adult, open 08:30 to 22:00. Go up before sunset and stay for the lights. Asr before going up.

   • Metro Line 2 or 14 to Lujiazui, then about 10 minutes on foot
6. 19:30
   Farewell dinner: Efes Turkish restaurant (艾菲斯), 665 Shangcheng Road, Lujiazui

   Halal Turkish and Mediterranean food, a short walk from the Shanghai Tower. No alcohol is served.

Stay: Same hotel

Day 8

Wed 28 Oct · Shanghai

Fly home

1. Morning
   Free morning or the Former French Concession

   Tree-lined streets and small shops, good for a last walk.

2. 3 hours before your flight
   Transfer to Pudong Airport (PVG)

   Leave 3 hours before an international flight. The Maglev runs from about 06:45 to 21:40.

   • Private car To Pudong Airport
   • Metro Line 2 to Longyang Road, then the Maglev: about 8 minutes, ¥50 one way (¥40 with a same-day flight ticket)

Stay: —