Trip itineraries
China itineraries: 7, 10 or 14 days
A few thoughtful stops, with room for the journeys between them. Use these suggested routes as a starting point for your first visit.
Beijing → Xi’an
Two cities, a first connection
A compact introduction to imperial history. Fly into Beijing and out of Xi’an if flight options and your entry permission allow.
- Days 1–3
Beijing
Arrival and a short walk, a reserved Palace Museum day, then one Great Wall outing.
Read the destination guide → - Day 4
Travel to Xi’an
Reserve a train or flight. Treat the transfer as the main activity, then check in and find dinner.
Read the destination guide → - Days 5–7
Xi’an
Give the Terracotta Army a day, explore the city wall and neighborhoods the next, and keep day 7 for departure.
Read the destination guide →
Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai
The classic first visit
History followed by a modern riverfront city. Two transfer days are built in, with no ticketed sightseeing assumed on arrival or departure days.
- Days 1–3
Beijing
Settle in, visit the Forbidden City with a reservation, and spend a day at one Great Wall section.
Read the destination guide → - Days 4–6
Xi’an
Transfer on day 4. Use days 5 and 6 for the Terracotta Army and an old-city walk.
Read the destination guide → - Days 7–10
Shanghai
Transfer on day 7. Spend two full days on the Bund, Yuyuan Garden and a neighborhood or museum, then depart.
Read the destination guide →
Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Shanghai
Add pandas and slower afternoons
A broader first trip with three transfer days. For fewer hotel changes, skip a city and spend the extra nights in the remaining stops.
- Days 1–4
Beijing
Allow an arrival day, two major sightseeing days and a flexible park or hutong day.
Read the destination guide → - Days 5–7
Xi’an
Travel on day 5, then leave two days for the Terracotta Army, city wall and local food.
Read the destination guide → - Days 8–10
Chengdu
Transfer on day 8. Use the following days for a reserved panda visit, teahouses and Sichuan cooking.
Read the destination guide → - Days 11–14
Shanghai
Compare flights and trains for day 11. Keep two full days in Shanghai and day 14 for your flight home.
Read the destination guide →
Prefer landscapes?
Replace a city stay with Guilin & Yangshuo or Zhangjiajie, allowing 3–4 days there plus transfers. Rebuild the route around actual connections rather than adding both to an already full week.
Check the connections first.
Compare trains on China Railway 12306 and flights directly with your chosen airline. Use exact stations and airports, leave transfer buffers, and confirm key legs before booking non-refundable rooms.