10 Days in China
Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai
A practical first-trip route through Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai, with realistic transfer days, booking notes, and a more comfortable pace than a one-week itinerary.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Quick answer
Quick answer
For a first trip to China, a strong 10-day route is Beijing for 4 days, Xi’an for 2 days, and Shanghai for 4 days. This gives you imperial history, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, classic local food, and a modern city finish without rushing every day.
Route snapshot
This version assumes you arrive in Beijing and depart from Shanghai. Reverse the order if your flights work better the other way.
Days 1-4
Beijing
Arrival, Forbidden City, hutongs, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall.
Days 5-6
Xi’an
High-speed rail or flight, Terracotta Warriors, city wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and local food.
Days 7-10
Shanghai
The Bund, old city sights, French Concession, modern skyline, shopping, and departure buffer.
Day-by-day plan
Use this as a realistic base plan, then adjust for your arrival time, hotel location, ticket availability, and travel pace.
Day 1
Beijing
Arrive and keep the first evening simple
- Land in Beijing and get from the airport to your hotel.
- Test mobile data, Alipay or WeChat Pay, map access, and translation tools.
- Take an easy walk around Wangfujing, Qianmen, or the area near your hotel.
Keep this day light. Long flights, immigration, luggage, and payment setup can take more energy than expected.
Day 2
Beijing
Classic imperial Beijing
- Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
- Add Jingshan Park for a classic view over the palace roofs.
- Spend the evening around a hutong area or near Houhai if you still have energy.
Book the Forbidden City early and carry the same passport used for booking.
Day 3
Beijing
Great Wall day trip
- Use the full day for Mutianyu or another Great Wall section.
- Keep the return evening flexible for rest and dinner.
- Avoid stacking major city sights after the Great Wall.
The Great Wall is a real full-day outing once transfers, walking, crowds, and rest are included.
Day 4
Beijing
Temple, gardens, or a slower Beijing day
- Visit Temple of Heaven in the morning.
- Choose Summer Palace, hutongs, a museum, or Sanlitun depending on your pace.
- Prepare your Beijing to Xi’an train or flight details before sleeping.
This extra Beijing day is what makes the 10-day route more comfortable than a 7-day version.
Day 5
Xi’an
Transfer to Xi’an and explore the old city
- Take a morning high-speed train or flight from Beijing to Xi’an.
- Check in and walk the Xi’an City Wall area.
- Try local snacks around Muslim Quarter or a nearby food street.
High-speed rail is city-center friendly, but flying can be faster door to door depending on your schedule.
Day 6
Xi’an
Terracotta Warriors and evening city sights
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors with an early start.
- Return for Big Wild Goose Pagoda, city wall views, or a relaxed city walk.
- Keep the evening easy before the next transfer.
This is the key Xi’an day. Start early and avoid adding too many extra sights.
Day 7
Shanghai
Transfer to Shanghai and see the waterfront
- Fly or take high-speed rail from Xi’an to Shanghai.
- Check in and keep the afternoon flexible.
- Walk the Bund in the evening for skyline views.
Xi’an to Shanghai is a longer move, so do not make the sightseeing plan too tight.
Day 8
Shanghai
Old Shanghai and modern skyline
- Visit Yu Garden or the old city area in the morning.
- Explore Nanjing Road, People’s Square, or a museum in the afternoon.
- Choose Lujiazui or the Bund again for night views.
Shanghai works well as the final city because transport, hotels, shopping, and international flights are convenient.
Day 9
Shanghai
French Concession, temples, cafés, and shopping
- Visit Jing’an Temple or Longhua Temple depending on your interests.
- Walk part of the Former French Concession for cafés, streets, and local neighborhoods.
- Leave time for shopping, restaurants, or a slower evening.
Use this day to slow down. After Beijing and Xi’an, Shanghai is a good place for a more flexible city day.
Day 10
Shanghai
Departure buffer or optional side trip
- If your flight leaves today, keep the plan simple and focus on packing and airport transfer.
- If your flight leaves late, add a short museum, shopping area, or relaxed neighborhood walk.
- If you have an extra night, consider Hangzhou as a separate side trip.
Do not make the final day too ambitious unless your flight leaves late and your luggage plan is clear.
What to book or prepare ahead
A 10-day route is more comfortable than a 7-day route, but booking and setup still matter for major sights and intercity transport.
Forbidden City
Book early and bring the same passport used for booking.
Great Wall transport
Plan the section and transfer method before the travel day.
Train or flight tickets
Book Beijing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Shanghai transport ahead of weekends and holidays.
Mobile payment
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before relying on QR payments.
First-time visitor notes
These are the small decisions that make this route easier in practice.
Set up mobile data first
Maps, translation, payment verification, ride-hailing, and tickets all depend on reliable data.
Leave transfer days lighter
Stations, airports, security checks, luggage, and hotel check-in make travel days less predictable.
Compare this with the 7-day route
The 10-day version gives more breathing room in Beijing and Shanghai, while the 7-day route is faster and more compressed.
Common questions
Quick answers for travelers comparing routes, transport, and pace.
Is 10 days enough for Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai?
Yes. Ten days is a strong first-trip length for this route. It gives you enough time for Beijing’s major sights, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors and old city, and a more relaxed finish in Shanghai.
Is this route better than the 7-day version?
For most first-time visitors, yes. The 7-day route is possible but busy. The 10-day route gives more buffer for arrival, transfers, attraction bookings, jet lag, and slower city exploration.
Should I visit Beijing, Xi’an, or Shanghai first?
Beijing first and Shanghai last works well if your flights allow it. Beijing gives you history and the Great Wall at the beginning, Xi’an adds ancient China and food, and Shanghai is convenient for a modern final stop and international departure.
Should I take trains or flights between these cities?
Beijing to Xi’an works well by high-speed rail or flight. Xi’an to Shanghai is longer, so flying is often easier, but high-speed rail can still work if you prefer rail travel and the schedule fits.
Can I add Hangzhou to this itinerary?
Yes, but it is better if you have 11 or 12 days. If you only have 10 days, add Hangzhou only by reducing one Shanghai day or using it as an overnight side trip after Shanghai.
Need a different arrival city or pace?
Use the itinerary planner if your flights arrive in Shanghai, you want fewer cities, you want to add Hangzhou, or you prefer a slower family-friendly route.
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