10 Days in China: First-Time Visitor Itinerary

The Route

Beijing (3 nights) → Xi'an (2 nights) → Shanghai (4 nights). Travel between cities by high-speed train. Total: 10 days, 9 nights. This covers the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and the Shanghai skyline — the four landmarks most first-time visitors come to China for.

For a first trip, 10 days is the right length. It gives you 3 days in Beijing (enough for the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Temple of Heaven), 2 days in Xi'an (Terracotta Warriors and the old city), and 4–5 days in Shanghai. You'll be moving quickly, but you'll leave with a complete picture of China's ancient and modern faces.

If you have 14 days, add Chengdu between Xi'an and Shanghai — 2–3 days there is ideal for pandas and Sichuan food. But for 10 days, the Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai triangle is the strongest first-timer route.

Days 1–3: Beijing

Day 1 — Arrival + Tiananmen + Wangfujing

Arrive Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airport. Take the Airport Express train or taxi to your hotel in Dongcheng district. In the afternoon, if your arrival time and local access rules allow, walk around Tiananmen Square and the south side of the Forbidden City. In the evening, head to Wangfujing pedestrian street for an easy first-night meal: shopping malls, snack counters, casual restaurants, and familiar chains are all close together.

Day 2 — Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Temple of Heaven

Morning (8:00am): Enter the Forbidden City from the south (Meridian Gate). Allow 2.5–3 hours to walk through. Pre-book tickets online — same-day tickets are almost never available. Exit to the north, which puts you at the bottom of Jingshan Park — climb 5 minutes for the best view looking back over the Forbidden City rooftops.

Afternoon: Take a taxi or metro south to the Temple of Heaven. The complex takes 1.5–2 hours to walk through at a relaxed pace. The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the most photographed buildings in China — and rightly so.

Evening: Explore the hutong alleyways around Nanluoguxiang — the preserved old Beijing neighbourhood. Dinner at a local restaurant; try Peking roast duck (北京烤鸭) at a sit-down restaurant rather than a tourist trap. Duck de Chine or Siji Minfu are both well-regarded and not overpriced.

Day 3 — Great Wall (Mutianyu)

The Mutianyu section is the best choice for most visitors: well-restored, less crowded than Badaling, and has a toboggan slide for the descent. It's 90 minutes from central Beijing by car or shuttle.

Getting there: Book a private transfer through your hotel, use a recommended day-tour, or take Bus 916 + shuttle from Dongzhimen bus station (cheapest option, about 2 hours). Arrive early — the wall gets crowded by mid-morning.

On the wall: Allow 2–3 hours. The views are best from watchtower 14–20. Take the cable car up and toboggan down.

Evening: Back in Beijing for dinner. Tomorrow you leave early for Xi'an — confirm your train time and pack tonight.

Train move: Beijing West → Xi'an North, about 4.5 hours by G train, second class around ¥515.

Days 4–5: Xi'an

Day 4 — Train to Xi'an + Terracotta Warriors

Take an early train from Beijing West. On arrival at Xi'an North station, store luggage at the station, or go directly to your hotel if check-in is available.

Afternoon: Head directly to the Terracotta Army (兵马俑). It's 30–40 minutes by metro and shuttle from Xi'an city centre. Allow 2–2.5 hours inside. Go straight to Pit 1 (the largest) first, then work your way through Pits 2 and 3. The detail and scale are genuinely astonishing — no photograph prepares you for the real thing.

Evening: Back in central Xi'an. Walk through the Muslim Quarter (回民街) — the busiest and most atmospheric food street in China. Try: lamb skewers, rou jia mo (Chinese "hamburger"), liangpi cold noodles, and pomegranate juice.

Day 5 — City Wall + Shaanxi History Museum + Muslim Quarter

Morning: Rent a bicycle and cycle the 14km loop around Xi'an's ancient city wall. One of the most enjoyable things to do in China — the wall is wide, well-maintained, and offers views over both old and new Xi'an. Takes about 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Open from 8:00am.

Afternoon: The Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) has one of the best collections of Tang Dynasty artefacts in the world. Free to enter (limited daily slots — book online or arrive early for same-day tickets). Allow 2 hours.

Evening: Last night in Xi'an. Return to the Muslim Quarter for dinner or explore the smaller food lanes around the Great Mosque.

Train move: Xi'an North → Shanghai Hongqiao, about 6.5 hours by G train, second class around ¥699.

Days 6–10: Shanghai

Day 6 — Train to Shanghai + The Bund

Take a morning train from Xi'an North. Arrive Shanghai Hongqiao mid-afternoon. Check in and rest briefly, then head to the Bund (外滩) for sunset — the moment the Pudong skyline lights up across the river is one of the great urban views anywhere. Walk the full Bund promenade, about 1.5 km.

Evening: Dinner in the French Concession neighbourhood — 15 minutes by taxi from the Bund. The streets around Yongkang Lu are lined with restaurants and bars covering many cuisines. Try xiaolongbao if you have not had them yet, or explore the local restaurants around Xintiandi.

Day 7 — French Concession + Yu Garden

Morning: Explore the French Concession on foot — the neighbourhood of plane-tree lined streets, art deco architecture, and independent cafés. Start at Fuxing Park and walk the surrounding lanes: Wukang Road, Anfu Road, Xinhua Road.

Afternoon: Yu Garden (豫园) in the old city — a classical Ming Dynasty garden surrounded by a traditional market. The garden itself takes about 1 hour; the surrounding bazaar is good for tasting snacks and souvenirs. Try the xiaolongbao at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant directly beside the garden.

Evening: Take the Huangpu River cruise for the nighttime skyline. Tickets available at Shiliupu Wharf; the 1-hour cruise is sufficient.

Day 8 — Pudong + Shanghai Tower

Morning: Cross the river to Pudong — the modern financial district. Go up the Shanghai Tower observation deck (the world's second-tallest building) in the morning when visibility is best. The views on a clear day extend 60+ km. Skip the Oriental Pearl Tower unless you're with children — the Shanghai Tower is a better experience.

Afternoon: Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆) on People's Square — free, excellent collection of ancient bronzes, ceramics, and furniture. Takes 2–3 hours. Alternatively, the Power Station of Art (当代艺术博物馆) in the South Bund area for contemporary Chinese art.

Evening: Tianzifang — a maze of converted 1920s shikumen alleyways filled with small bars, art studios, and craft shops. Good for a relaxed evening drink.

Day 9 — Day trip: Hangzhou or Suzhou

Shanghai is the ideal base for a day trip to one of China's water towns or classical garden cities.

Hangzhou (45 min by high-speed rail): West Lake (西湖) is one of China's most celebrated landscapes — willow-lined causeways, pagodas, and tea plantations. Rent a bicycle or take a boat. The tea village of Longjing is 20 minutes from the lake and worth visiting if you like tea.

Suzhou (25 min by high-speed rail): Called the "Venice of China" — classical gardens (UNESCO listed), canal streets, and silk markets. The Humble Administrator's Garden (拙政园) is the most impressive. Less crowded than Hangzhou on weekdays.

Day 10 — Final morning + departure

Last morning in Shanghai. Walk Nanjing Road — China's most famous shopping street — or return to any neighbourhood you enjoyed. Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is reachable by Metro Line 2, taxi, or the Maglev from Longyang Road. The Maglev is fast but does not go all the way to the city center, so compare it with a taxi or metro route from your actual hotel. Allow 2.5 hours for international departure.

Getting between cities

Beijing West → Xi'an North

G trains depart roughly every 30–60 minutes, 7am–8pm. Journey time: 4h 30m–5h. Best departure: 8:00–9:00am to arrive Xi'an by early afternoon.

Xi'an North → Shanghai Hongqiao

G trains depart 8am–3pm. Journey time: 6h–7h. Best departure: 8:00am to arrive Shanghai early afternoon. Few direct trains — some require a transfer at Zhengzhou (seamless same-platform transfer).

Arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥站). Metro Line 2 connects directly to central Shanghai (30–40 min).

→ Full guide to buying China train tickets as a foreigner

Where to stay

Beijing: Dongcheng District

Stay inside the Second Ring Road, east of the Forbidden City. Best access to Tiananmen, Wangfujing, and the hutong neighbourhood. Budget: ¥300–600/night for a good 3-star. Mid-range: ¥700–1,200. Luxury: Regent Beijing, Rosewood Beijing.

Xi'an: Within the City Wall

Stay inside or very close to the ancient city wall. The Muslim Quarter is within walking distance, as is the Bell Tower. Budget: ¥200–400/night. Mid-range: ¥500–900. The Bell Tower Hotel is a reliable mid-range pick in a historic building.

Shanghai: Jing'an or The Bund

Jing'an district gives excellent metro access to everything. The Bund area is for atmosphere (and costs more). Avoid Pudong for convenience — you'll spend time commuting across the river. Budget: ¥350–600/night. Mid-range: ¥700–1,500. Luxury: The Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria.

Book hotels for this itinerary

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Budget estimate (10 days)

• Budget: about $690 excluding international flights. Assumes hostel dorms, local food, second-class trains, and mostly public transport.
• Mid-range: about $1,370 excluding international flights. Assumes good 3-star hotels, a mix of local and restaurant meals, and some first-class train upgrades.
• Comfortable: about $2,450+ excluding international flights. Assumes 4- to 5-star hotels, restaurants, more taxis, and premium train seats where useful.

Typical cost ranges:

• Accommodation, 9 nights: $270 budget, $600 mid-range, $1,200+ comfortable.
• Trains, 3 journeys: $130 budget, $200 mid-range, $350 comfortable.
• Food, all meals: $150 budget, $350 mid-range, $600 comfortable.
• Attractions and entrance fees: $80 budget, $120 mid-range, $150 comfortable.
• Local transport and taxis: $60 budget, $100 mid-range, $150 comfortable.

What to book in advance

Forbidden City tickets

Sold through real-name reservation channels and often unavailable same day. The Palace Museum's official English ticket page says tickets are released up to 7 days before the visit; use the official channel or a reliable booking platform as soon as your date opens. Foreign visitors need passport details for the reservation. Standard adult tickets are paid; free or discounted categories still require real-name reservation.

Train tickets

China Railway tickets are commonly released about 15 days before departure, while some booking platforms let you place earlier reservations that are fulfilled when official sales open. Book as soon as your travel dates are fixed — popular morning departures sell out.

Terracotta Warriors tickets

Can sell out on weekends and Golden Week. Book at least 3–5 days ahead at most times; 2+ weeks for busy periods.

Great Wall (Mutianyu) entry + cable car

Less likely to sell out than the Forbidden City, but booking online avoids queues at the gate.

Peking Duck dinner reservation

Popular restaurants fill up on weekends. If you have a specific restaurant in mind, book ahead.

Practical tips for this itinerary

Weather timing: Best months are April–May and September–October. July–August is hot and humid in all three cities; January–February is cold in Beijing and Xi'an. Golden Week (early October) is beautiful weather but extremely crowded at all major attractions.

Pack light: You're moving between three cities. A carry-on-sized bag is manageable on high-speed trains. Larger luggage is fine but check whether your hotel has storage if you're checking out before a train.

Payment: Have Alipay set up before you go. Cash is a backup, not a primary option. Most restaurants in Beijing's hutongs and Xi'an's Muslim Quarter are mobile-payment only.

Google Maps is not reliable for mainland China navigation. Download Amap (高德地图) and offline maps before you fly. See our apps guide.

Time zone: All of China runs on Beijing time (UTC+8), even regions that geographically would be in a different time zone. There's no daylight saving.

Get the full PDF itinerary

Printable day-by-day plan with hotel recommendations, train booking details, attraction booking links, and a pre-departure checklist — everything in one document.

Download PDF — $19

Related planning guides

• How to buy China train tickets — complete guide for foreign passport holders.
• How to use Alipay — essential before you land.
• Beyond the classic route — for your second trip: Yunnan, Guizhou, and more.