Classic China Tour
The classic first-China route in eight to ten days: Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai by high-speed rail, with day-by-day transport and booking windows.
Route: Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · schedules, prices and opening hours change — re-check before booking
Who this suits
The default first-China route for a reason: three anchor cities, one internal flight and no wasted days. It suits almost anyone who wants the classics.
What it costs
¥9,000–13,000 per person, including seven nights of mid-range hotel, one high-speed train, one internal flight, tickets and food. International flights excluded.
Book in this order
- 1Book the Beijing–Xi’an train at the 15-day release and the Xi’an→Shanghai flight as soon as dates are fixed.
- 2Forbidden City and Terracotta Army are timed and passport-linked; reserve both before you fly.
- 3Shanghai Museum is free but needs a reservation; the Shanghai Tower deck is timed.
- 4If you have an early flight home from Shanghai, stay in Pudong for the last night.
Day by day
- 1
Arrive in Beijing
Check in, evening stroll near the hotel, early night for the week ahead.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Airport express or DiDi; evening walk near the hotel.
- Book
- Forbidden City ticket for day two.
- Daily cost
- ¥400–700 (excl. hotel)
- 2
Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
Morning palace visit with timed ticket, afternoon in the Temple of Heaven park.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Metro to Tian’anmen East; Jingshan on foot.
- Book
- Timed Forbidden City entry.
- Daily cost
- ¥400–700 (excl. hotel)
- 3
The Great Wall
Mutianyu for the day.
- Sleep
- Beijing
- Getting around
- Private car to Mutianyu, about 1.5 hours each way.
- Book
- Car and cable-car ticket.
- Daily cost
- ¥500–800 (excl. hotel)
- 4
High-speed train to Xi’an
Morning train (4.5 hours), afternoon City Wall bike ride, evening Muslim Quarter.
- Sleep
- Xi’an
- Getting around
- High-speed train Beijing West→Xi’an North, about 4.5 hours.
- Book
- Train at the 15-day release; City Wall bike rental.
- Daily cost
- ¥700–1,000 including train (excl. hotel)
- 5
Terracotta Army, then fly to Shanghai
Early army visit, then an afternoon flight to Shanghai (2.5 hours). Evening on the Bund.
- Sleep
- Shanghai
- Getting around
- Terracotta Army in the morning; afternoon flight Xi’an→Shanghai, about 2.5 hours; metro to the Bund.
- Book
- Timed Terracotta ticket and the afternoon flight.
- Daily cost
- ¥1,200–1,800 including flight (excl. hotel)
- 6
Shanghai: Yuyuan and the Concession
Yuyuan Garden, then the tree-lined French Concession for the afternoon.
- Sleep
- Shanghai
- Getting around
- Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan; walk to the French Concession.
- Book
- No timed tickets; reserve dinner if needed.
- Daily cost
- ¥350–650 (excl. hotel)
- 7
Shanghai: museum and skyline
Shanghai Museum in the morning, the Shanghai Tower view in the afternoon.
- Sleep
- Shanghai
- Getting around
- Metro to People’s Square; Line 2 to Lujiazui.
- Book
- Free museum reservation and a timed Shanghai Tower slot.
- Daily cost
- ¥400–700 (excl. hotel)
- 8
Departure
A last xiaolongbao breakfast, then the airport.
- Sleep
- Departure
- Getting around
- Metro or DiDi to Pudong/Hongqiao; allow three hours.
- Book
- Leave three hours before an international flight.
- Daily cost
- ¥300–500 (excl. hotel)
If the plan does not fit
Add Hangzhou or Suzhou
Two extra days allow a 45-minute train to Hangzhou’s West Lake or a 25-minute train to Suzhou’s gardens. Hangzhou is the more scenic; Suzhou is the easier day.
Swap Shanghai for Chengdu
Pandas and hotpot replace the skyline. It is a better fit for food-first travellers and families, but adds a flight and loses the east-coast finish.
Destinations on this route
Beijing
China's capital, from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to hutongs and night markets: what to see, how many days you need and when to go.
Best time: April - May, September - October
Xi'an
Step back in time at the ancient capital with the Terracotta Army and City Wall. Taste amazing Muslim Quarter street food.
Best time: April - May, September - October
Shanghai
Experience the dynamic blend of East and West in China's most cosmopolitan city. Explore historic Bund, modern Pudong, and vibrant food scenes.
Best time: March - May, October - November
Read before you book
Other itineraries
Beijing 3-Day First Trip
A realistic three-day Beijing route for first-timers: the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall and one calm neighborhood day without rushing the city.
View day-by-day →Classic Beijing Experience
Five unhurried days in Beijing: the Forbidden City, Mutianyu’s Great Wall, hutong evenings and a realistic pace for a first visit.
View day-by-day →Xi’an 2-Day Highlights
Two efficient days in Xi’an: the Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter and the museum pieces that matter most on a short stop.
View day-by-day →Want this route checked against your dates?
I can help decide whether this route is too full, where to cut a city, and whether it still works for a first trip, family travel or a tighter budget.
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