The Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai route is the most popular first-time China itinerary — and for good reason. It covers ancient history, imperial heritage, and modern China in one efficient trip.
Here's the optimized 7-day plan, including exact train connections.
Day 1-3: Beijing (History & The Great Wall)
Day 1: Imperial Beijing
- Morning: Forbidden City (2-3 hours) — arrive at opening (8:30 AM)
- Lunch: Donghuamen Night Market area for local street food
- Afternoon: Jingshan Park (panoramic view of Forbidden City) → Temple of Heaven
- Evening: Wangfujing Shopping Street → Peking Duck dinner at Siji Minfu
Day 2: The Great Wall
- Full day: Mutianyu Great Wall section
- Morning: Depart at 7:30 AM (1.5 hours drive)
- Activities: Hike the wall, take the cable car up, toboggan down
- Lunch: Local farmhouse restaurant near the Wall
- Evening: Back to Beijing, rest. Explore Houhai Lake area
For more on Great Wall sections, see our comparison guide.
Day 3: Hutongs & Modern Beijing
- Morning: Hutong walking tour + rickshaw ride
- Lunch: Zhajiangmian (Beijing noodles) in the Hutongs
- Afternoon: 798 Art District or Summer Palace
- Evening: Prepare for tomorrow's train
Day 4-5: Xi'an (Terracotta Warriors & Ancient Capital)
Travel: Beijing → Xi'an
- Train: G-train from Beijing West to Xi'an North
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price: ¥515 (second class)
- Departure: Morning train (7:00-9:00 AM)
Day 4: The Terracotta Army
- Morning: Depart hotel 7:30 AM → Terracotta Warriors (1 hour drive)
- Visit: Museum pits 1, 2, 3 (2-3 hours total)
- Lunch: Local restaurant near the site
- Afternoon: Return to city → Muslim Quarter food tour
- Evening: Bell Tower and Drum Tower (illuminated at night)
Day 5: Ancient City Wall & Culture
- Morning: Cycle the Ancient City Wall (14 km, 1.5-2 hours)
- Lunch: Biang Biang noodles (famous Shaanxi dish)
- Afternoon: Shaanxi History Museum or Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
- Evening: Tang Dynasty Show + Dumpling Banquet
For full Xi'an details, see our Xi'an travel guide.
Day 6-7: Shanghai (Modernity & The Bund)
Travel: Xi'an → Shanghai
- Option 1: High-speed train (5.5 hours, ¥700)
- Option 2: Flight (2 hours, ¥500-1,000 + airport time)
- Recommendation: Flight saves time; train is more scenic
Day 6: Classic Shanghai
- Morning: The Bund (early morning for best photos, fewest people)
- Late morning: Yu Garden and City God Temple
- Lunch: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at Nanxiang
- Afternoon: French Concession walk → Shanghai Museum
- Evening: Pudong skyline from the Bund (sunset)
Day 7: Modern Shanghai & Departure
- Morning: Shanghai Tower (observation deck, 632m — tallest in China)
- Late morning: Nanjing Road or Tianzifang creative area
- Afternoon: Free time for shopping or last-minute exploration
- Departure: Pudong or Hongqiao airport
For full Shanghai details, see our Shanghai travel guide.
Budget for 7 Days
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (6 nights) | ¥1,200-2,400 | ¥3,000-4,800 |
| Trains (2 routes) | ¥1,200 | ¥2,400 |
| Meals (7 days) | ¥700-1,050 | ¥1,400-2,800 |
| Attractions | ¥800 | ¥1,200 |
| Local transport | ¥200-300 | ¥500-800 |
| Total per person | ¥4,100-5,950 | ¥8,900-12,000 |
For full cost details, see our China budget guide.
Can I Shorten or Extend This?
- 5 days: Skip Xi'an → Beijing + Shanghai only
- 10 days: Add Chengdu (pandas) or Guilin (scenery)
- 14 days: Add all of the above + Hangzhou
For a custom itinerary based on your interests and dates, try our AI Trip Planner.