10-Day China Itinerary: Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai

Why This Itinerary Works

Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai is the most rewarding China first-timer route. It connects China's imperial past (Beijing), ancient origins (Xi'an), and cosmopolitan present (Shanghai) via the world's fastest high-speed train network.

• ✓Travel by high-speed train where possible — it is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than domestic flights
• ✓Book Forbidden City and Terracotta Army tickets at least 2 weeks in advance
• ✓Keep Beijing to 4 nights, Xi'an to 2 nights, Shanghai to 3 nights for a comfortable pace

Days 1–4: Beijing

Beijing rewards slow exploration. Four days lets you cover the major imperial sites without rushing.

1. 1Day 1: Arrive, check in, evening walk along Nanluogu Alley hutongs
2. 2Day 2: Forbidden City (book timed ticket) → Jingshan Park → Beihai Park
3. 3Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu (book shuttle bus in advance) → Peking duck dinner
4. 4Day 4: Temple of Heaven → Silk Market → Lama Temple → Summer Palace

• ✓Forbidden City tickets must be booked online — they often sell out 2 weeks ahead
• ✓Mutianyu is the least crowded Great Wall section — go on a weekday
• ✓Use DiDi for all taxis in Beijing

Days 5–6: Xi'an

Take the high-speed train from Beijing (4.5–6 hours). Xi'an is compact and walkable — two full days is enough.

1. 1Day 5: Arrive by morning train → Muslim Quarter for lunch → Ancient City Walls bike ride at sunset
2. 2Day 6: Terracotta Army (morning, book in advance) → Big Wild Goose Pagoda → Huimin Street night market

• ✓Book the Terracotta Army early — crowds arrive late morning
• ✓Rent bikes on the City Wall — the full circuit is 14km and takes about 2 hours
• ✓Xi'an's Muslim Quarter street food is some of the best in China: lamb skewers, pita bread, pomegranate juice

Days 7–9: Shanghai

Fly or take the high-speed train to Shanghai (5.5 hours from Xi'an). Three days gives you time to feel the city's energy without rushing.

1. 1Day 7: Arrive → French Concession walk → Xintiandi for dinner
2. 2Day 8: The Bund (morning) → Yu Garden → Nanxiang soup dumplings → Pudong skyline at night
3. 3Day 9: Tianzifang art district → Jing'an Temple → shopping on Nanjing Road

Day 10: Departure

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) are both major international hubs. Allow 3 hours before departure.

• ✓Take the Maglev from Pudong airport to the metro — 8 minutes at 430km/h
• ✓Check which airport your flight departs from — they are 40km apart