The Perfect 10-Day China Itinerary for First-Timers

Ten days is the sweet spot for a first China trip — conveniently, exactly what the 240-hour transit policy allows. The classic route is Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai by high-speed rail: imperial history, then the Terracotta Army, then the futuristic skyline. Here's the pacing that works.

§Days 1–4: Beijing

• Day 1: land, check in, evening walk around the hutong lanes near the Drum Tower — keep it light while the jet lag hits
• Day 2: the Forbidden City (book online days ahead — tickets sell out and none are sold at the gate), then Jingshan Park for the rooftop view
• Day 3: the Great Wall at Mutianyu — the best-restored section with fewer crowds; arrange a car or join a small tour
• Day 4: Temple of Heaven in the morning, afternoon train to Xi'an (about 4.5 hours)

§Days 5–6: Xi'an

• Day 5: the Terracotta Army first thing in the morning to beat the tour buses; Muslim Quarter after dark — go hungry
• Day 6: cycle the ancient city wall loop (about 14 km / 8.7 mi), evening train or flight onward

§Days 7–10: Shanghai

• Day 7: the Bund at night — go after 7pm when the towers light up
• Day 8: Yu Garden and the old bazaar, then coffee in the Former French Concession
• Day 9: Shanghai Tower observation deck near sunset; ride the 430 km/h (267 mph) Maglev just because you can
• Day 10: fly out — or add a water-town day trip if your flight is late

§Make it work

• Book trains the morning the 15-day window opens for weekend legs — see the train booking walkthrough
• Pair cities by rail, not air: stations are central and your passport is the ticket
• Want a warmer or food-first version? Swap Xi'an for Chengdu (pandas + hotpot) or Guangzhou (dim sum capital)

All five city guides — best seasons, getting around, top tips — live on the cities page. And if you'd rather have a route built around your dates and interests, we can match you with a local agency.

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