China Itinerary: The Perfect 10 Days for First-Time Visitors (Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai)

Planning your first trip to China can feel overwhelming. The country is vast, the high-speed rail map is enormous, and every region promises something different. For a first visit, though, one route stands above the rest: the classic Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai triangle. In ten days it gives you imperial history, an ancient buried army, world-class food and a glittering modern skyline — all linked by fast, comfortable trains. This itinerary is the route we recommend most often, and below you'll find a day-by-day plan plus the practical details that make it run smoothly.

Why the Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai route?

These three cities are China's "golden triangle" for newcomers. Beijing is the political and historical heart — the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and centuries of dynastic grandeur. Xi'an was the start of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army, the single most astonishing archaeological site in the country. Shanghai is China's future-facing megacity, all neon towers, riverside promenades and effortless cosmopolitan energy. Together they tell the story of China from past to present, and all three are connected by high-speed trains that turn long distances into a few comfortable hours.

At a glance: your 10-day plan

• Days 1–4 — Beijing
• Day 5 — Morning train to Xi'an (about 4.5–6 hours)
• Days 5–6 — Xi'an
• Day 7 — Train to Shanghai (about 6–7 hours)
• Days 7–9 — Shanghai
• Day 10 — Departure

Days 1–4: Beijing — emperors, hutongs and the Great Wall

Give the capital a full four days; there is simply too much to rush. Spend your first day recovering from the flight with a gentle wander around Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace complex on earth — book the timed entry ticket in advance, as it sells out daily. On day two, head out to the Great Wall; the restored sections at Mutianyu and Badaling are the most accessible, while Jinshanling rewards those who want fewer crowds and a longer hike.

Reserve a day for the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, then lose an afternoon wandering the hutongs — the grey-brick alleyways around Nanluoguxiang and the Drum Tower that show how old Beijing actually lived. Evenings are for street food at Wangfujing or a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in a neighbourhood diner. Beijing's subway is cheap, clean and signed in English, making it the easiest way to move around.

Days 5–6: Xi'an — the Terracotta Army and the old city wall

Catch a morning high-speed train and you'll be in Xi'an by early afternoon. The unmissable sight is the Terracotta Army, an estimated 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses and chariots buried to guard China's first emperor for over two millennia. Standing before Pit 1, with its endless ranks of individually sculpted faces, is the highlight of many people's entire trip — go early or late to dodge the tour-group crush.

Back in town, rent a bike and ride the full 14-kilometre Ming-dynasty city wall, one of the best-preserved in China. In the evening, the Muslim Quarter comes alive with sizzling lamb skewers, hand-pulled biangbiang noodles and roujiamo, often called the Chinese hamburger. Two nights is enough to see the headline sights without feeling rushed.

Days 7–9: Shanghai — skyline, water towns and modern China

A second high-speed train whisks you east to Shanghai. Spend your first evening on the Bund, the riverside promenade where 1920s European facades face off against the futuristic towers of Pudong across the water — the view after dark is one of Asia's great cityscapes. By day, explore the French Concession's leafy streets and boutiques, the classical Yu Garden, and the contemporary galleries of the West Bund.

If you have an extra afternoon, take a short trip to a water town such as Zhujiajiao, where canals, stone bridges and tea houses offer a calmer counterpoint to the city. Shanghai is also China's best food city for variety, from soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) to high-end international dining. Three nights lets you balance sightseeing with the relaxed café-and-river pace the city does so well.

Day 10: Departure

Use your final morning for last-minute shopping or a riverside coffee before heading to Pudong or Hongqiao airport. Allow plenty of time — Shanghai's airports are busy, and the Maglev train from Longyang Road to Pudong is a fun, 7-minute, 300 km/h way to finish the trip.

Getting around: high-speed trains

The backbone of this itinerary is China's high-speed rail (look for G- and D- prefixed trains). They are punctual, comfortable and far more scenic than flying. Book a few days ahead through the official 12306 platform or a trusted agent, bring your passport (it is both your ID and your ticket), and arrive 40–60 minutes early to clear the station security and ticket checks.

Before you go: visa, payments and apps

Check your visa situation early — many nationalities now qualify for visa-free entry or visa-free transit, but the rules depend on your passport and route, so confirm before you book. For money, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an international card; mobile payment is accepted almost everywhere, and cash is increasingly rare. Finally, sort out internet access with an eSIM and consider a VPN, since some familiar apps and websites are blocked inside the country. A translation app and an offline map will make every day smoother.

Best time to visit

The sweet spots are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when the weather is mild and the skies are clearer. Summer is hot, humid and busy; winter is cold in the north but quieter and cheaper. Avoid the national holiday weeks around early October and Chinese New Year, when domestic travel peaks and tickets sell out fast.

Ten days, three cities, and a thread running from ancient walls to neon skylines — for a first trip to China, you simply can't do better.